These are the books I can not stop thinking about, and I occasionally re-read. There are 2 new additions to it, but I will go through them and tell you why they have stuck with me, when I first read them, how I came about them basically all the juicy stuff.
In no particular order, here are the books I will always recommend to people!
1. THE LITTLE PRINCE BY ANTOINE DE SAINT-EXUPÉRY
This book found me in one of my darkest periods in 2016, and it helped me resurface from the deep waters I was drowning in. It was gifted to me by a friend, and I will be forever grateful as this book unleashed my love for reading!
Although it was written 80 years ago, it was so much ahead of its time, and every time I re-read it, I find something new, some hidden meaning or some new perspective.
The reason it stuck with me is because of the message it is a commentary on our world, the people we encounter, the past, the present, and the future, death, resilience, dedication, sacrifice, friendship, and love. There is so much in this book that I can not even begin to comment. You should really read it if you haven’t yet. It is less than 200 pages, but it packs a punch you won’t be able to recover from in a good way!
2. PAX BY SARA PENNYPACKER
The first of the two new additions to this list.
Pax hit me with such a force that I am still thinking about it. I loved the observation on the impact we people have on nature and the whole environment around us and not only. It was thought-provoking and painful at times, but wholesome and heart-warming nonetheless.
I read this book only last month but it will stay with me for a long time. I discovered it a few years ago when I lived in the UK in Waterstones. You see, the thing is if there is a fox me buys… I can’t resist, and the cover is simply gorgeous!
3. A MAN CALLED OVE BY FREDRIK BACKMAN
Now, for the life of me, I can’t recall how I came about this book, maybe it just popped on my Goodreads feed and I was intrigued and added it to my TBR, or maybe someone recommended it to me, I can’t remember…. I know this is bad, but oh well. According to my activity, I added it to my list in 2017, but I only read it last year, and oh boy, did I love it.
This book was perfect, I loved Ove, I loved the side characters, the cat, and everything was so amazingly crafted by Backman. I swear I knew these people in real life. It hurt me. It mended me. The story itself was so realistic, and touching with so good quotes that I have to share one with you:
He’d accepted long ago that some people, no matter how good their heart was or how much love they had to give, would always be alone.
A man called Ove
4. THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER BY STEPHEN CHBOSKY
Another amazing book, that I read in 2016, 2017, and then again in 2018.
This one was recommended to me by a friend at the time. She thought I might enjoy it, and I definitely did.
There are very heavy topics that are observed here that are not very obvious, but if you read carefully and put 2 and 2 together, you will see them clearly.
What I also enjoyed was the format the book is written in. Also, Charlie is a sweetheart. I just love him to bits.
We accept the love we think we deserve.
The perks of being a wallflower
5. A DARKER SHADE OF MAGIC BY V.E SCHWAB
This was quite a hyped book in 2016. That is how I found it or it found me, lol. It was an instalove for me.
The writing, the world-building, the plot, everything screamed excellence, and it did not disappoint! Schwab became an author that I auto-buy from, and I will devour everything she put out there. This series is precious.
6. THE GRAVEYARD BOOK BY NEIL GAIMAN
Here I have to thank Audible for introducing me to this book and author. Again 2016 this was my strongest year apparently haah
My very first spooky book was nothing but touching and so amazing. Neil, that day, became one of my favourite authors, and he is the only horror writer I will read and auto-buy from.
The story is so well presented that the characters popped out of it and, like a theatre play, took you by the hand, put you in the first row, and gave the performance of a lifetime.
Exquisite
If you dare nothing, then when the day is over, nothing is all you will have gained.
The graveyard book
7. FOURTH WING BY REBECCA YARROS
The second new addition to this list! I only just recently read this book.
As you probably already know, it is the most hyped book of this year, and I was sceptical I would like it. But Yarros decided to prove me wrong, haha
I listened to the audiobook, and it took me 2 days to complete it. Had it not been for work, I would have finished it in a day! There is nothing to say the whole story was amazing DRAGONS! I mean, c’mon, who does not like them?!! Just great. So thank you, social media, for introducing me to this gem.
8. MILK AND HONEY BY RUPI KAUR
This is the only book that is in my favourites, but it has 4 stars. It is also my very first poetry book that stuck with me. Even though I had some minor issues with it, I still liked it that much to make it my favourite book of all time. Rupi is a great poet with a very painful childhood that manages to push through, and it sets an example for all the people struggling out there with similar struggles. She tackles very difficult topics that not many can digest.
if you were born with
Milk and honey
the weakness to fall
you were born with
the strength to rise
9. THE HOUSE IN THE CERULEAN SEA BY T.J. KLUNE
Here, this is my comfort read, my go-to book when I am feeling down, or have a reading slump, or I just had a shitty day. I accidentally found this book whilst looking for something new to pick up that had diversity and to distract me from COVID-19, as I was working the front line at the Emergency Department for a big hospital in the UK. Because of it, I managed to push through, and it just puts a smile on my face whenever I think of it. I always recommend it to people who need something to lift them up!
And that’s okay. Because even the bravest of us can still be afraid sometimes, so long as we don’t let our fear become all we know.”
The house in the Cerulean sea
10. A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES BY DEBORAH HARKNESS
My witchy period has been marked by this series. Due to this book, I fell in love with witch stories, magic, and time travel.
I also enjoyed the TV show!
Again, I read in 2016, and it found me by chance. I was looking through the reading list of a friend on Goodreads and just saw the cover, and it grabbed me.
11. THE FAULT IN OUR STARS BY JOHN GREEN
Oh man, this is the culprit that broke me, tore my soul to pieces, and stumped on it until there was nothing left.
This is the only book that since 2017 when I read it, and it can not be topped by any other sad and heart-wrenching book. This, for me, is THE saddest book ever written that I have read so far.
Whenever I think of it, it thugs my heartstrings, and I have to bite my lip so I won’t start crying.
You gave me a forever within the numbered days, and I’m grateful.
The fault in our stars
12. CLOCKWORK ANGEL BY CASSANDRA CLARE
My best friend introduced me to this series, and it was a love at first read, haha
I have not read her other series, and to be honest, I have no intention to. There are way too many other books I would like to read that I know I will enjoy more than reading books that I know are overhyped and frankly not so good. This is my opinion, but if you do love the mortal instruments, that is totally fine!
I just loved this trilogy so much that I know if I read the others, I would be disappointed, I did try to watch the TV show, and it was horrible, so nah.
13. PINK MIST BY OWEN SHEERS
I don’t particularly enjoy books about war or anything to do with politics. But every now and then I will be proved wrong and this poetry book is one of those books.
It hurt like hell reading it, but it also showed me a world I was oblivious to. It deals with grief, war, and so many other strenuous topics that I think everyone should at least once try reading about.
I read it 5 years ago, and I still think about it.
When one of your mates hasn’t just bought it,
but goes in a flash, from being there to not.
A direct hit. An IED. An RPG stuck in the gut.
However, it happens you open your eyes
and that’s all they are.
A fine spray of pink, a delicate mist
as if some genie has granted a wish.
There, and then not.
Pink mist
What are your favourite books of all time? Do you and I have some ones that match? 🙂
Lin's Perspective 
Leave a comment