“These are a few of my favourite things…”
The Sound of Music – Julie Andrews
- Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan
I grew up alongside these characters who were young and impressionable like me. Characters who had their own imagination and thoughts about the world but were pushed aside because of their age. Rick Riordan’s portrayal of young people’s capabilities is one of the reasons I love his books. They show the potential of young people united against a common adversity and unparalleled odds. His creative interpretation of ancient myths is one of the reasons I took Ancient History in my senior year. The different personalities and abilities were amazing and the meaning behind each, intriguing. Its writers like Rick Riordan who inspired a whole generation of young people from different communities, with his disability and POC representation. Thanks, Uncle Rick!
- Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Six of Crows is a new favourite because of the six AMAZING characters Leigh Bardugo fleshes out so well. I love that each suit my favourite character archetypes: the Thief, the Wraith, the Chemist, the Sharp shooter, the Military man, the Heart-render. Six Of Crows is a spectacular series because it develops morally grey characters and allows readers to empathize with them. I’ve read books before and had trouble connecting with the characters at all. Its the ability of a writer which reveals character progression. Poor imagery and vision are what inhibit the connection between the reader and the characters, hindering the effectiveness of the story and plot.
- Harry Potter by J.K Rowling
A classic.
You all know the story. Most of you have probably already read this before. The fact won’t stop me from including the series on my list.
Harry Potter will forever be one of my favourite stories period.
Now, it may be all up to nostalgia and memories, but I truly fell in love with this story as a whole generation of children did. I’d like to state that once a text is published, the story belongs to the readers. Anything that the author has tried to put in it afterwards, is null. Thanks! I still love this series and will continue to adore some of these characters. There are flaws in every work, and representation of POC and minority groups should be an active decision of authors right now. Growing up, I didn’t have any characters that looked like me. Even now, I find parts of myself but not quite the same experience. This is the experience of many people because of the disparity in representation; the media priorities white stories above all others because of the ‘norms’ – which is wrong.
My favourite things about the series can be summed into a shorter list: Characters, world building and plot. Throughout the series, you, as the reader, were able to grow with the characters and develop a strong connection with their identities. You loved Harry’s sassiness and Ron’s quibs and Hermione’s intellect. The awesome feeling as you imagined the scrumptious treats of Treacle Tart and warm Butterbeer, the magnificent halls and the stupefying magic which encompassed this world.
You were astounded at this place between the pages.
Wishing you could go there.
As you read on, you gasped at the plot twists, face-palming at the clues ridden throughout the story. How could you not see it?
Tom Marvolo Riddle
Obviously Lord Voldemort.
I’ve never been afraid of snakes. Although, you’d think after some time of being surrounded by them, I’d be able to recognise one right under my nose. (He he, because Voldie hasn’t got one.) Some Harry Potter fan-made productions which I love include: Puppet Pals, Lord Voldemort: Origins of The Heir (on YouTube), Potterless (the best Podcast out there. Check out my PoA post on my insta for more info) and Cherry Wallis’ YouTube Channel (She’s a sweetheart with golden content).
The way in which each plot is unveiled through investigation and little Easter eggs is fascinating with the odes to classic mystery and fantasy. I adore The Prisoner of Azkaban and The Half-Blood Prince for this very reason as the plot twists always meddled with my brain. The fact that you couldn’t possibly see these predictions coming. The atmosphere and tone of both books were intriguing and dark, unlike the first book which initiated the magical and mystical atmosphere of Hogwarts. The Marauders will always be a topic of interest for me as I hope for the adaptation we all deserve.
- Vicious by V.E Schwab
This book is for those, who like me, grew up during an era of superheroes and sci-fi. If this fits your style, you’ll adore this book. I’ve heard this book compared to the relationship between Professor X and Magneto and that was the perfect descriptor for this book. Schwab’s writing is amazing as it travels across decades and perspectives exceptionally, ensuring that readers understand the characters and their morals as they make these ‘drastic’ decisions.
Vicious is a little book written by Victoria Schwab. Its an adult science fiction which deals with the central concern of morality and personal perception.
It discusses the fact that in our own minds, we are the heroes of our story. Our actions are justified by our own personal ethics and morals. Some actions may seem villainous, but what if they were for the ‘greater good’? Its simply a matter of perspective. What one perceives as extreme, another recognizes as necessity.
Follow a group of morally grey characters as they scope the scene of jealousy, desire and deception as they master new-found abilities and discover themselves. Research in adrenaline, near-death experiences, and apparent supernatural events result in a catastrophic discovery. Under specific circumstances, an individual could develop extra ordinary abilities. For university students, Victor Vale and Eli Cardale, when research turns to deadly experiments, things go horribly wrong in ways they couldn’t comprehend.
- A Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
1800s London. A Love Triangle. Shadowhunters.
A Clockwork Angel has everything I could want in a book. Its Young Adult fiction, including all of the typical tropes and much more. Clare customises her characters with sass, sarcasm, wit and intellect. What I love about these main characters is their adoration and care for each other. Tessa is a strong and independent woman who cares deeply for those closest to her. Will is the epitome of your sarcastic, tall, dark, handsome gentlemen. Jem is the calm, cool and collected fellow. He also plays the violin beautifully which just adds to his charm and soft demeanour.
Upon reading this book, I was just immersed in this world. I love historical fiction, jumping into a different time with the beautiful landscapes, aesthetics, languages and art. The scenes between characters quoting popular books is just another quibe for die-hard book readers.
She’s giving us characters with great personalities, dynamics and a love for books???
Yes please!
The Infernal Devices Trilogy is a series you must read if you love action-packed dramas and fantasy.
Another note: you can read Cassandra Clare’s books in a different order. I read them in release date order but you can always read this series before The Mortal Instruments (TMI) as it is a prequel series to TMI.
Also, I definitely recommend listening to a soundtrack whilst reading as it 100% elevated the experience and my connection with this book. I listened to this violin soundtrack on Youtube.
- Turtles All the Way Down by John Green
One of the best contemporaries I’ve ever read. It’s about a teenage girl named Aza Holmes’ daily struggle with OCD and anxiety. Almost semi-auto-biographical, Green’s depiction of mental illness is stupendous as it represents one of many experiences for those suffering with mental illnesses. I thought the descriptions were so visceral that I could understand what it might feel like. The thought processes, the over-analysis, the questioning, the critiques. By writing stories based on your own personal experience, you normalize the ‘unknown’ for others.
- The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
With her powerful words and perspective, Kristin Hannah writes about the significant stories that are often forgotten during these times of strife and trauma: the women.
The Nightingale tells the stories of two sisters who are separated by dire circumstances during the Second World War. The Rossignol sisters seek out their responsibilities in a time where their home, France has been torn by the war and seized by invading Nazis. A story of determination as each sister goes to extremes in their own way for survival, love and freedom during a devastating time.
This book is an uncomfortable and anxious journey. Some moments, you won’t know if either sister will make it to the next chapter. Death could be lingering for the protagonists as you turn the page. For having researched all of this information, Kristin Hannah depicts an impactful story through the experiences of these characters, reminding us of the power of women despite the odds. Women can do incredible things, it is only external perceptions and internal prohibitions which prevent them, nothing else.
These are just some of my favourite books for a multitude of reasons.
I hope you enjoyed reading this and you take some recommendations for your own reading lists, TBRs and wishlists. These are some of my favourite books in recent years and I’ll always remember them for what they brought to me emotionally and mentally….definitely mentally with all of the mind boggling theories and shockers.
What would be on your list if you had one?
A Wandering Reader 