7 of the Greatest Books You Will Ever Read
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Reading is one of life’s greatest pleasures!
It allows us to escape reality, expand our minds, stimulate memories, enhance our vocabulary and take our creativity to new heights. There are over 100 million books written in English alone, but there are some that come to life so vividly that they have the power to change your life & mind forever!
Below are some of the books that I consider to be in the category of “the greatest books you will ever read.” These are the ones that I couldn’t put down, will never be able to sell and will forever recommend to people in search of a life-changing book.
1.) Far From The Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy
This is hands down my favorite book of all time! The story follows Bathsheba Everdene — a willful, flirtatious, independent, young woman — who inherits a farm in the English countryside and is pursued by three very different men. It’s fast-paced with some of the most unforgettable characters, drama, and leaves you thinking of how you make your way in the world.
2.) Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
I’m aware this brings the book count up higher than 7, but every single one of these books are pure magic…literally! I remember reading these as a kid and being absolutely enchanted by every page wishing I was born a witch so I could go to Hogwarts. As an adult, I re-read the books and was pleasantly surprised to see that J.K. Rowling’s ability to make people dream and fall in love with reading was still as present as when I was 10 years-old. The Sorcerer’s Stone will forever be my favorite — the introduction of a magical world with endless possibilities, fantastic new places, people, creatures. It will never cease to amaze me how she crafted this wondrous place for us to escape to!
3.) All the Light We Cannot Not See by Anthony Doerr
The best way I can describe this novel: Heartbreakingly Beautiful! I picked this book up one day in Target without having any idea of what to expect and it instantly became one of the best books I’ve ever read. Very few have made me feel the emotion I felt reading this. It’s set during the devastating time of World War II and follows two very different young characters: a German boy and a blind French girl whose paths collide.
I’ve heard the producers of Stranger Things are making a Netflix limited series based on this novel and I am nowhere near prepared for the heartstrings it will tug on! This is the only book I’ve had to stop and take a breath then re-read the current chapter or line just because I couldn’t believe the words I processed. Heartbreakingly Beautiful! That’s the best description I can muster up or else I will go all the way into my feels telling you about this book.
4.) American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
I found this on Oprah’s Book Club List and should’ve expected a book worthy of that list but I had no idea what I was in store for! From the very first line of Chapter 1 you are hooked by Cummins’s captivating words and non-stop action. The story follows Lydia and her son Luca as they rush to escape Acapulco and the cartel who killed her husband. This novel completely changed the way I see people escaping their country hoping for a better life in America and the struggles they face every day on the road to safety. I spent nights unable to sleep as I tore through these heart pounding pages swearing I’d stop after this chapter, then this chapter, then this chapter. It will never disappoint!
5.) Les Misérables by Victor Hugo
Victor Hugo’s classic tale of injustice, heroism and love has been raved about for years and for good reason: it’s literally one of the greatest books of all time! There’s so much beauty and turmoil, love and hate, chaos and calm, and lessons in life for every reader. The musical doesn’t even come close to touching the book! I know, your teachers harped on you to read this back in school and it seemed dull, dry and loooong but reading this book for yourself is one of the greatest gifts you could ever receive!
“It is nothing to die; it is dreadful not to live.”
6.) The Illiad & The Odyssey by Homer
An exquisitely written epic tale! The fact that this is said to be the oldest book in the world (older than The Bible y’all!) and is still a beloved piece of literature that earns its ranking is amazing to me! Before you say you don’t think you’d like this because it’s old and long, I ask you…Did you like the movie Troy? You know, Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom, hot young Edard Stark — whose character Odysseus faces countless obstacles in The Odyssey. The story of Troy is The Illiad and still has the ability to touch readers with every page-turning moment.
7.) Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
I once heard this book referred to as “mercilessly entertaining” and this suspenseful novel certainly is mercilessly entertaining! There are so many different stages and moments that make the reader hold their breath, question everything and everyone while searching for the truth amidst heart-pounding levels of deceit, surprises, cleverness and sometimes downright inappropriateness. The movie did a fantastic job at bring this book to life and I whole-heartedly believe that’s because there isn’t a single director or screenwriter that could’ve changed or added to this book in any way. It’s literally a perfect book that will forever be one of the greatest books you’ll ever read!
