TOP 13

01

  And Then There Were None

       Agatha Christie 

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This book may be a short read, but it is one of the most well structured books I have ever read. Warning, the book contains numerous thrills, murders, and creates anxiety for the reader in terms of what is going to happen next. The way Agatha Christie built up this anticipation is what made me so drawn to her books. She also is such an organized artist that it amazes me. Each of her plots contains complex dynamics, characters, and resolutions (which the reader can rarely see coming). In terms of And Then There Were None, Agatha Christie stated that it was one of the hardest books for her to write because of its complexity. In the book, a group of ten people receive invitations to meet a specific person based on each person's personal circumstance on a small island in England. Each room contains the inscription of the nursery rhyme "Ten Little N*ggers" which later evolved to "Ten Little Indians" and "Ten Little Soldiers" in later editions. This nursery describes the deaths of ten people. Eventually, these ten people are left abandoned in this island and slowly begin the be killed off in accordance with these rhymes. The remaining people must find the murderer before there are none left alive. 

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02

  Children of the Lamp Series

       Philip Kerr

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The Children of the Lamp series details the lives of twins John and Philippa after learning about the world of djinn (another name for genies). The twins learn that they are in fact genies and learn from their uncle Nimrod about how to be a genie. They undergo training, travel the world, and learn about the different types of genies. John, Philippa, and Nimrod belong to the group of good genies, and as a result, need to work to balance the good and bad luck in the world. Over the course of the series, the reader connects with the characters involved in these fantastical adventures. Philip Kerr also works to put logic in his fictional world by using science and logical knowledge to explain actions or reactions made by the characters. Overall, this series is an enjoyable read, but sadly, the books are no longer being printed and they are limited edition. Because of this, I had to buy all of my copies through Amazon at slightly inflated prices. Luckily, the prices were totally worth it. 

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03

  The Prophet

       Kahlil Gibran

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This literary work is not only a beautiful story, but it is also a lyrical masterpiece. The Prophet is about a man named Al Mustafa who was on his way to leave his home of 12 years. Before boarding his ship, Al Mustafa (who is also known as the prophet) is approached by a group of people who ask him questions about the human nature. The book is divided into chapters where Al Mustafa talks about love, marriage, children, giving, eating and drinking, work, joy and sorrow, houses, clothes, buying and selling, crime and punishment, laws, freedom, reason and passion, pain, self-knowledge, teaching, friendship, talking, time, good and evil, prayer, pleasure, beauty, religion, and death. These insights are heavily influenced by Islamic views (considering Kahlil Gibran was Islamic) and honestly, they changed my life. Before reading this, my work ethic was suffering. But once I read the chapter about work, I starting taking pride in my creations and my work. The rest of the book helped me find balance in myself and with the world. Without The Prophet, I would not be the same person I am today. 

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04

  Macbeth 

       William Shakespeare

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Macbeth is by far my favorite Shakespeare play. He plays aspects of destiny, fate, magic, and tragedy into a single story in a prompt and dramatic way. The complexity of the pitiable characters is also a work of literary genius. Macbeth's character instigates mixed feelings in the reader, but by the end of the book, it is clear to see that Macbeth was manipulated by the three witches who told him he was destined to become king and by his wife who pushed him to murder King Duncan so as to claim his throne. Macbeth was also a good person of an honorable standing who underwent a reversal of fortune which inevitably destroyed his life. Another interesting character is Lady Macbeth. She represents many aspects of femininity, yet somehow has (at least in Shakespeare's terms) the ambition of a man. Over time, this guilt destroys Lady Macbeth and she kills herself. Lastly, and the most intriguing of all, are the three witches. What these witches represent is also up to debate, but I believe that they actually do not represent fate. Rather, they represent the unanswerable questions in life, or the fulfillment of unexplainable destinies

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05

  The Harry Potter Series

       J.K. Rowling

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In all honesty, Harry Potter was an integral part of my childhood and as a result, my views on the series might be full of unnecessarily high praise. Recently, I reread the books and J.K. Rowling's writing style may not be the most complex (which I usually do not enjoy) but in all actuality it did not matter. She had an amazing story to tell. I lived life vicariously through Hermione Granger and I grew up with the characters. The Harry Potter series also helped me find a community of friends who loved the Harry Potter books as much as I did. In case you all did not know the plot of Harry Potter, I am going to give you a quick rundown. This seven-part series details the life of an 11 year old boy named Harry Potter who learns of a world full of magic. He later attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry where he finally finds a place where he belongs. Over time, Harry learns about Lord Voldemort, an evil wizard who murdered his parents when he was a child. By the seventh book, Harry must defeat Voldemort and save the wizarding world. 

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06

  The Sisters Grimm Series

       Michael Buckley

 

The Sisters Grimm series is about two sisters, Sabrina and Daphne Grimm, who, after years of abuse and neglect in the foster system, finally found care with their long-lost grandma (who was thought to be dead). Sabrina thinks their grandmother is crazy because she believes fairytales are real. Eventually, the two sisters learn that the town they live in is actually full of fairytale characters including Puck, Snow White, Rumplestiltskin, Little Red Riding Hood, Prince Charming, and the Queen of Hearts. Their hometown also has a secret evil organization called the Scarlet Hand, who seek to escape from their town and take over the world. Sabrina and Daphne must find out how to stop the Scarlet Hand, find out what happened to their parents, and save the world. This series is full of creative outlooks on traditional fairytale characters, easily lovable characters and connections, and a whole new world in the small town of Ferryport. 

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07

  The Fablehaven Series

       Brandon Mull

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The series begins with the Sorenson parents going on a two week cruise, leaving their children Kendra and Seth to stay with their grandparents on their large estate. Eventually, they drank milk from a magical cow (it sounds so weird here but trust me) and see a whole magical world in Fablehaven. Unbeknownst to the outside world, the Fablehaven estate was full of magical creatures from the fairies by the flowers, to the witches in the woods. During their time there, Kendra and Seth have to face evil witches and powerful demons to protect their family and stop them from escaping into the outside world. This later evolves into a spinoff series called DragonWatch (which I am still reading) where Kendra and Seth provide help to other preservations for magical creatures like Fablehaven. The Fablehaven series contains familial values and connections, adventure and excitement, and inspires ideas of seeking adventure in ones own backyard. 

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08

  The Percy Jackson Series

       Rick Riordan 

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The Percy Jackson series brought me hope of a world of magic that I just could not see yet. At the age of 12, Percy finds out that he is the son of a god, making him a demigod. He later attends Camp Half-Blood to meet other demigods like him. Percy befriends a satyr and one of the daughters of Athena and together, they go on numerous missions including returning Zeus' thunderbolt, travelling into the Sea of Monsters, stopping the Titans from returning, and escaping from the labyrinth. This series taught me all about Greek mythology (which was Rick Riordan's intent when he wrote this book for his son) and created a community for me to make friends who also fell in love with the series. Eventually, there is a spinoff called the Heroes of Olympus where Percy Jackson meets demigods from the Roman side of mythology. They work together to stop Gaea, the goddess of the earth. Another series that I highly recommend is the Red Pyramid series that Rick Riordan wrote. These books are about Egyptian mythology, and in all honesty, are extremely underrated. 

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09

  The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

       Suzanne Collins

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If you have read the Hunger Game series, this book should intrigue you a lot. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is the prequel to the Hunger Games. This book concerns Corialanus Snow and his upbringing in the Capitol as well as his involvement in the 10th annual Hunger Games where he acted as a mentor to the District 12 Tribute Lucy Gray Baird. This book I finished last week, and there are already rumors of a movie adaptation in the works. Honestly, I cannot wait! Lucy Gray Baird is such an intriguing character, clouded with mystique. Hopefully Suzanne Collins' view of this iconic heroine is similar to mine in the movie. I also was very excited to learn more about the makings of President Snow. Little by little, I began to understand him better by learning about the trauma from his past, and the sacrifices he made for his future.  

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10

  The Lord of the Rings Series

       J.R.R. Tolkien 

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Honestly, I had some trouble when it came to reading this series (although I have not finished yet I am about halfway through). I started reading the Hobbit right before the movie adaptation came out in order to have my own view of Tolkien's mystical world. Honestly, I am glad that I did, because Tolkien is an amazing author. I actually went to visit Oxford, England where he started his writings with other auspicious authors including C.S. Lewis. I saw his environment, his favorite bar, and inspiration for his books. But anyways, I should probably explain the Lord of the Ring series as a whole. It describes the journey of an evil ring that falls into the hands of a gentle hobbit named Bilbo Baggins. As Bilbo grows old, he passes the ring on to his nephew Frodo Baggins. Unbeknownst to them however, the evil ring is calling for its master, Sauron, who was thought to be dead and now is searching for his long-lost and powerful ring. Frodo must go on a journey with elves, dwarfs, wizards, and his fellow hobbits to destroy the ring forever.

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11

  Guns Germs and Steel

       Jared Diamond

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This piece of literature explains one simple, yet complex question, also known as Yali's question. Yali once asked the author Jared Diamond, "Why is it that you white people developed so much cargo... but we black people had little cargo of our own?" Jared Diamond later spent years of his life researching to find the answer to this question. To summarize, Jared Diamond found three main reasons why the white race is historically more successful in terms of colonizing the world: the conveniences of where they originated, immunity to disease, and access to steel. I highly recommend reading this because it directly identifies the plants, animals, and pathogens each culture was accessible to, and as a result, how the white man's circumstances made them "superior" to others. This book does not claim that the white race is better than another, it is simply identifying why the white race colonized instead of other races. This book is by far my father's favorite book and is ranked very highly in my own terms because it answers a question that many people never even thought to find the answer to. 

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12

  Of Mice and Men

       John Steinbeck 

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I do not mean to sound like an English teacher, but the literary devices (especially foreshadowing) are incredible in this novella. Of Mice and Men follows the life of George Milton and Lennie Small. The two men are close friends and migrant farm workers who finally found a job in California after the disastrous Dust Bowl. They dream of one day settling down, buying their own land, and raising a farm full of animals and rabbits. However this dream is plagued by Lennie's past due to the two men fleeing from their old home several years ago after Lennie grabbed onto a woman's skirt and could not let go. She claimed rape and they were chased out of town. Once the two are hired at the farm, they meet a man named Curley, the son of the farm's boss who attempts to pick a fight with Lennie (who only wants to pet soft things and be at peace). Over the course of the novella, George has to work to protect Lennie at all costs whilst avoiding Curley and his flirtatious wife (who is not even given a name). John Steinbeck simultaneously addresses women's rights, the American Dream, companionship, and the need for human interaction. 

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13

  The Lorax

       Dr. Seuss

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I believe in protecting nature because it is something sacred that humanity tends to see as the enemy. This is most probably why I adore William Wordsworth's work so much. But anyways the Lorax may be an ode to nature, but it is also so much more. The story starts with a young boy travelling outside of his home to meet the Once-ler, a man who tells the story of the Lorax and how he was taken away. The Once-ler shares his story to the young boy and describes the saddening fate of the Lorax. Once his story is finished, the Once-ler tells the boy this story is true and that he needs to plant the last Truffula seed and let beauty take hold of the area once again. The boy leaves with the last seed, and (hopefully) works to make the world full of life once more to bring back the Lorax.