It’s October, which means it’s National Book Month!
For bookworms across the country, this is another awesome excuse to crack open a new read (or two, or three, or ten) and keep our noses buried in the pages for a while.
To help get the celebration rolling, I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite books to share. Curl up with any one of these gems, a nice cup of tea and some cozy socks to welcome in the best month of the year!
Top 3
1. "Peter Pan" by J.M. Barrie
If you think you know the story based on Disney’s rendition, think again! There is so much more to know about what happens beyond the second star to the right. I can’t even begin to explain how many levels of symbolism lie within the pages, nor describe the intense magnetic appeal of Barrie’s break-the-fourth-wall narration. It’s the kind of book that grabs a hold of your imagination and never lets go!
2. "Anna Karenina" by Leo Tolstoy
Literary masters have dubbed it “the world’s most perfect novel” for a reason. Don’t let the length scare you – once you start reading, the pages fly by faster than you’d think! Anna is an emotional rollercoaster packed with romance, tension and some of the most palpable characters you’ll ever meet. (Tip: make sure to use the Russian nomenclature guide at the beginning!)
3. "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling
Ok, if you haven’t read Harry Potter by this point in your life then STOP reading this and get yourself a copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone IMMEDIATELY! Seriously, go do it.
Halloween Spooks
1. Any short story written by Edgar Allan Poe
If you’re into scary movies, you need more Poe in your life. Check out “Berenice,” “Ligeia" and “The Fall of the House of Usher” for some truly spine-chilling stories… if you dare.
2. "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley
It’s the ultimate Halloween novel: metaphysical tension, science went wrong and one infamous monster whose story has stuck around to haunt us for ages.
3. "Faust" by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Pacts with the devil? Check. Supernatural activity? Check. The disintegration of the human identity? Check! Prepare yourself for a wild ride with Goethe’s Faust. After reading, I promise you’ll never look at a poodle the same way again.
4. "The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde
Slowly but surely, this one creeps up on you. The Picture of Dorian Gray is essentially a portrait of what it means to be evil. Trust me and let the picture speak for itself.
A Slice of History
1. "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett
Get ready. The Help will make you cry, boil with anger, and laugh out loud within a span of three pages. It's also worth mentioning that as a side-effect to reading this book you may lose your appetite for chocolate pie...
2. "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen
The imagery in this book is amazing: glitter, scarves, red and gold paint, and animals of every kind. It's a big-top tale with an even bigger hero, and after reading you just might find that your entire life-perspective has changed.
3. "The Other Boleyn Girl" by Philippa Gregory
Romance, power plays, loaded niceties, and one infamous king. In the court of Henry VIII, there is so much more than what meets the eye underneath all those layers of courtesies, jewels, and family reputation.
4. "The Man in the High Castle" by Philip K. Dick
It's not quite history, but maybe it could have been... The Man in the High Castle offers an alternate ending to WWII that will have you flipping the pages like crazy.
Mystery and Suspense
5. "The DaVinci Code" by Dan Brown
Warning: your mind may be blown after reading this book. If you're into art, history, symbolism, religion, science, or even just a darned-good mystery, get yourself a copy of The DaVinci Code and thank me later.
6. "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" by Stieg Larsson
Dark, inventive, and incredibly intriguing. This book is not for the gentle of heart, but once you start you can't put it down.
7. "The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins
This one's another mind-twister. What exactly is going on? Who is involved? Can you even trust the narrator? And why can't I stop reading?!
Now grab a book and start celebrating!
