In my bookish world, there are good books, great books, and then books I throw at every single person who expresses even the slightest interest in reading. In some cases, I have even gifted copies of these books to friends to make sure they have a chance to experience the wonder of these amazing novels. I’ve definitely got a long list of books that are lifelong favourites, but when it comes to recommending books, there are a select few that I come back to time after time, and firmly believe should be shared with everyone. Today I thought I would share five of them. Please count this as my official recommendation that you devour these at your earliest possible convenience.
A Thousand Perfect Notes
C. G. Drews
Beck hates his life. He hates his violent mother. He hates his home. Most of all, he hates the piano that his mother forces him to play hour after hour, day after day. He will never play as she did before illness ended her career and left her bitter and broken. But Beck is too scared to stand up to his mother, and tell her his true passion, which is composing his own music – because the least suggestion of rebellion on his part ends in violence.
When Beck meets August, a girl full of life, energy and laughter, love begins to awaken within him and he glimpses a way to escape his painful existence. But dare he reach for it?
This book is so perfect and heartbreaking and emotional. I fell in love with it the first time I read, and I love it a little bit more with every reread. The main character Beck is so sweet, I just want to protect him from his ugly life, and August is a ray of sunshine and the best kind of friend. It’s about music and friendship and being who you were meant to be. Basically I throw this book at every person I possibly can. I even bought a copy for one of my co-workers as a Christmas present after I learned that she, like me, loves books. If you haven’t read this book yet, then consider this me hurling at you with a heartfelt recommendation.
The Seer and the Sword
Victoria Hanley
Legend states that there exists a mighty sword that makes its possessor invincible to his enemies. But there is a curse on anyone who lifts the sword for conquest. King Kareed of Archeld goes after this sword anyway, winning it from the King of Bellandra. When he returns home from battle, he brings his daughter, Princess Torina, two special gifts. One is a unique crystal, in which she can view visions of the future. The other gift is the defeated king’s son Landen, who is to be her slave. Torina immediately releases Landen, who becomes a member of the King’s army and her close friend.
But trouble is lurking in the kingdom of Archeld and people are accusing Landen of plotting against the King. Torina refuses to believe he would hurt her family. Then Torina begins seeing deadly visions in her crystal. Can she save her father’s life and the future of her kingdom?
I’ve read a lot of fantasy books over the years, but this book remains one of my absolute favourites. It’s a love story and a quest, an epic adventure and a tale of twists and intrigue. I used to borrow it from the library so constantly that I don’t know whether anyone else ever got the chance to read it. Thankfully, I now own my own copy, so the library can have theirs back. As well as being an amazing read, it’s also one of the books that has influenced my own fantasy writing the most. If you like fantasy and haven’t read this book yet then please, do yourself a favour and try it.
Illuminae
Jay Kristoff/Amie Kaufman
Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the worst thing she’d ever been through. That was before her planet was invaded. Now, with enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra are forced to fight their way onto one of the evacuating craft, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit.
But the warship could be the least of their problems. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet’s AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their biggest threat; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady plunges into a web of data hacking to get to the truth, it’s clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: Ezra.
I don’t think I’ve ever stopped recommending this book, both in real life and on Instagram and this blog. Illuminae is one of my favourite sci-fi reads of all time. It has a unique method of telling the story, using security logs, instant messages and other non-traditional means, rather than the usual method of storytelling. It has an epic adventure set across space, a rogue AI. And it has a cast of amazing character who are all so good it’s impossible to pick a favourite. I bought this book for another co-worker this Christmas, and my fingers are crossed with the hope that he loves it as much as I do. Any sci-fi lovers out there, you simply must read this book if you haven’t yet.
The Blue Castle
L. M. Montgomery
Valancy Stirling is 29, unmarried, and has never been in love. Living with her overbearing mother and meddlesome aunt, she finds her only consolation in the “forbidden” books of John Foster and her daydreams of the Blue Castle–a place where all her dreams come true and she can be who she truly wants to be. After getting shocking news from the doctor, she rebels against her family and discovers a surprising new world, full of love and adventures far beyond her most secret dreams.
I’ve read a fair amount of L. M. Montgomery’s books, from the Emily of New Moon series, to Anne of Green Gables and more, but my favourite has to be ‘The Blue Castle’. This is the book I have read the most times ever. It’s one of those books I can read even when I don’t feel like reading anything at all. It’s also one of the only novels with a romance I actually love, and I don’t like romance in books as a rule, that’s how good this is. If you’ve never discovered this gem of a book, you need to fix that pronto. The Blue Castle is an amazing book, sweet and gentle, full of heart and love, and I am sure you will love it.
Airman
Eoin Colfer
In the 1890s Conor and his family live on the sovereign Saltee Islands, off the Irish coast. Conor spends his days studying the science of flight with his tutor and exploring the castle with the king’s daughter, Princess Isabella. But the boy’s idyllic life changes forever the day he discovers a deadly conspiracy against the king. When Conor tries to intervene, he is branded a traitor and thrown into jail on the prison island of Little Saltee. There, he has to fight for his life, as he and the other prisoners are forced to mine for diamonds in inhumane conditions.
There is only one way to escape Little Saltee, and that is to fly. So Conor passes the solitary months by scratching drawings of flying machines on the prison walls. The months turn into years; but eventually the day comes when Conor must find the courage to trust his revolutionary designs and take to the air.
My first introduction to Eoin Colfer’s books was the Artemis Fowl series, which is an all-around good read, and which I do recommend if you haven’t yet read them.. But then I discovered Airman and all my Eoin Colfer love went straight to this book. It’s such a good read, with false accusations of murder, prisons, escapes, love and friendship. It’s an amazing adventure, and so much heart and emotion to it. If you haven’t discovered this gem of a book yet, I highly recommend you pick it up and give it a try. I promise you, it is so worth your time.
Which books do you recommend to your fellow readers? What one book would you recommend to me? Have you read any of these books?
