Usually when I do these lists I list them without any particular order, because you and I probably have different tastes and I want you to read them and decide your favorites for yourself, but since todays list is about my favorites I will rank them from fifth down, leaving my very favorite book for last. I think that's all I have to say for now... so let's go!!
5. House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig
This incredible book caught my eye with it's gorgeous cover art. Then I read the summary and realized it was a twelve dancing princesses retelling and I was sold. I've read my fair share of fairy tale retellings. A lot. Like, a whole lot... but this one blew my mind. It has all of the magic and romance that I look for in a fairy tale, but it also scared the socks off me. It is beautifully written with a gorgeous setting and is also one of the creepiest and eeriest books I have ever read. I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone. All of you. Go read it and then come back so we can talk about it.
4. The Host by Stephanie Meyer
I remember reading this book in junior high at the height of my Twilight obsession. The movies were coming out, everyone was wearing Team Edward and Team Jacob t-shirts, my best friend and I had a sleepover and went to Walmart at midnight to buy Eclipse the day it was released, and a friend of my moms from work made me laminated bookmarks featuring Jasper quotes. Life was good. Then I found this book and I was SO excited. More Twilight! But it's not. It's so much better. It's wonderfully written and holds such a nostalgic place in my heart. I think this was my first taste of romance in books. I remember re-reading the conversations between Ian and Wanda and simply swooning. If you've never read this one, definitely give it a try. Not the movie. Don't watch the movie.
3. A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes
This is a recent read that quickly rocketed to the top of my favorites. If you've read any of my other posts you will know that I adore Greek mythology. (If you haven't, check it out! It's the post two down from this one!) A lot of Greek mythology retellings feature the Trojan War, (Song of Achilles, Daughters of Sparta, The Silence of the Girls, etc...) but this book brings all of those stories together into one beautiful homage to women. The book switches between characters chapter by chapter, telling all of their stories in equal format, mortals and goddesses alike, all pulled together by commentary by the muse Calliope. It is a powerful read and I highly recommend it.
2. Star Mother by Charlie N. Holmberg
I am a huge fan of Holmberg's work and I have my kindle set to preorder every book she puts out. I forced myself to choose only one of her books for this list, otherwise she may have taken it over entirely. This book is beautiful and romantic. It tells the story of the creation of the stars, which requires a young woman volunteering to be the star mother. Star mothers never survive the birth of their star, but they bring respect and renown to their families. Until one survives. I tore through this story in one night, finishing around three a.m. It was worth it.
1. Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
Here we are at number one!!! This book has been at the top of my favorites since I read it for the first time in elementary school. I saw myself in a character in a book for the first time and it felt amazing. I loved reading along as a girl my age, who almost shared my name (it's my middle name, but still), went on incredible adventures. And she accomplished those adventures using her talents of reading and writing, things I was also good at! This book will remain near to my heart for a long time. Please read it, I promise you'll enjoy it. There is also a movie. You may watch this movie, but read the book first. The movie doesn't stick super close to its source material, but it's good for nostalgia reasons. (It also began my celebrity crush on Paul Bettany, which continues to this day.)
Thank you to everyone who reads this! I have loved writing on this blog for the past year or so and I hope to continue for the foreseeable future, so thank you. Let me know if you've read any of these and what you thought! See you all soon!
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