I recently wrote an article about my top five songs of all time. I wanted to write one about my top five books of all time because if I’m not blasting music through my Airpods I’m probably reading. I started reading outside of school during eighth grade when everyone went into quarantine. I had nothing else to do and my dad was an avid reader so there were a lot of books laying around the house. Since then I’ve come to love reading, and I’ve read a lot of books in the past five years, but there are five that have consistently been my favorites.
5. “A Court of Mist and Fury” by Sarah J. Mass
I don’t care if it makes me basic but I’m utterly obsessed with anything written by Sarah J. Mass. Her books are insanely popular because she’s an incredible writer. I’ve always been a fan of fantasy books and I think that Mass is one of the best world builders in recent years. I read the “A Court of Thorns and Roses” series my senior year of high school. Since then I’ve read “A Court of Mist and Fury” at least five times. It’s my comfort book. I pick it up whenever I’m in a reading slump or can’t fall asleep at night. Over the summer at my lifeguarding job when I was having a rough day, I would just sit at the top of the water slide and read this book for the entirety of my eight hour shift. I love every single part of this book. I may be biased because I love it so much, but I genuinely believe this book ranges near perfection.
4. “A Prayer for Owen Meany” by John Irving
This book triggered my love for reading. It was the first book I read and felt different after reading, like it actually had an impact on me. Irving has a very unique writing style that can be off putting to most people, and I honestly struggled to get through this book until I got to the last couple chapters. Irving has a very weird style but he’s a genius when it comes to developing the plot of his books. The ending of this book is earth shattering because you realize that every single minute detail contributed to the finale. Each time I read this book I notice elements that I missed last time. Overall, it’s a really well developed book.
3. “Empire of Storms" by Sarah J. Mass
Again, I’m obsessed with everything Mass has ever written, but I love “Empire of Storms” because it’s another mind-bending, full circle conclusion. “Empire of Storms” is the sixth book in the “Throne of Glass” series. “TOG” is probably my favorite book series of all time. It’s insane to me that Mass can write an eight book series, where the last five books are all over 500 pages, and have it be phenomenal all the way through. This series is addicting, but this book is hands down my favorite. I love how the ending comes together to show Aelin’s planning and foresight. Throughout the whole book it seems like she has no idea what she’s doing, but then you get to the last chapter and all her scheming is revealed and you realize everything she was doing throughout the book was to get to this point. It’s such a beautifully crafted plot and I would give anything to read it again for the first time.
2. “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West” by Gregory Maguire
To the people who think they know “Wicked” because they watched the musical or movie: You don’t know “Wicked.” You don’t even know that what you think is “Wicked” is not the real “Wicked.” Don’t get me wrong, I adore the movie and musical. I have the release date of “Wicked: For Good” in my calendar and I plan to get a tattoo inspired by the song “Dancing Through Life,” but Maguire’s book is nothing like the movie or musical. It’s so much better. It’s so much better because Maguire has the time to advance the plot. The movie and musical are surface level compared to the book. The book truly explores what it means to be wicked and how wickedness is defined. You learn more about Elphaba’s background, her time at Shiz University, and after. There is so much that the adaptations leave out, which is inevitable because of how complex the book is. It’s such a good read and it really makes you think about your own perspectives on “good” and “evil.” If you like the movies or musical, and haven’t read the book, you’re severely missing out.
1. “A Little Life” by Hanya Yanagihara
“A Little Life” is the most gut wrenching, heartbreaking, comforting, and exquisite book I’ve ever read. I sobbed at the end of this book, like full on hyperventilating sobs. It’s impossible to explain what this book is about. It’s about friendship, but so much more. It’s about love, betrayal, forgiveness, vulnerability, family, and so much more. Any emotion you’ve felt in your life is represented in this book. Yanagihara is truly one of my role models because if I could manage to write a book that’s even half as powerful as “A Little Life” I would be proud. His writing style is captivating. I was so immersed in this book that nothing could have disturbed me while I was reading. I’ve recommended this book to everyone I know. I read this book my junior year of high school and have not read it since. I want to and need to reread it but I know the ending is going to tear me apart and I haven’t been able to prepare myself quite yet for the anguish I know I’m going to feel.
