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Reading Bucket List: 8
Books Everyone Should Read
Books Everyone Should Read
There are a lot of must-read book lists out there with the
best books for readers to devour before they die, and while I’m not saying
these are the best eight books around (even if I think it), I do think there’s
something essential to be learned from each and every one of these great eight.
best books for readers to devour before they die, and while I’m not saying
these are the best eight books around (even if I think it), I do think there’s
something essential to be learned from each and every one of these great eight.
From fantasy to historical drama, a dive into the pages of any
of these books on my list will leave a lasting impression on any reader. Don’t
believe me? I dare you to try.
of these books on my list will leave a lasting impression on any reader. Don’t
believe me? I dare you to try.
1. “1Q84” by Haruki Murakami
If the dystopian “1984” was not quite your style, try
Murakami’s trippy “1Q84,” a slight homage to the canon original
but with the famed writer’s personal and eerie twist. Coming to readers in
three volumes, “1Q84” is not for the faint of heart with over 1,000 pages. The
twists and turns of two alternate universes as they collide and tangle will
leave you sitting on the edge of your seat nonetheless. Part love story, part
sci-fi fantasy, “1Q84” is for the lover of contemporary novels and a dubious
end. In true Murakami fashion, the conclusion opens up as many questions as it
solves. Perfect for die-hard Murakami fans or those just now discovering the
author, “1Q84” is bound to redefine a reader’s idea of reality, music and most
of all, love.
Murakami’s trippy “1Q84,” a slight homage to the canon original
but with the famed writer’s personal and eerie twist. Coming to readers in
three volumes, “1Q84” is not for the faint of heart with over 1,000 pages. The
twists and turns of two alternate universes as they collide and tangle will
leave you sitting on the edge of your seat nonetheless. Part love story, part
sci-fi fantasy, “1Q84” is for the lover of contemporary novels and a dubious
end. In true Murakami fashion, the conclusion opens up as many questions as it
solves. Perfect for die-hard Murakami fans or those just now discovering the
author, “1Q84” is bound to redefine a reader’s idea of reality, music and most
of all, love.
2. “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak
The latest in popular World War II tales, “The Book Thief” was
made into an award-winning movie in 2013 starring
Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson and Sophie Nelisse, but it’s Marcus Zusak’s wicked
storytelling style—and most interesting narrator in any book ever, named
Death—that makes this book one not to miss, even if you’ve seen the cinematic
version. With breathtaking imagery, heart-wrenching plot twists, and a rare
look inside the minds and life of a German family trying to survive in Nazi
Germany, if you don’t leave the last page totally in love with Zusak’s
characters, it’s only because you’ve never loved at all.
made into an award-winning movie in 2013 starring
Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson and Sophie Nelisse, but it’s Marcus Zusak’s wicked
storytelling style—and most interesting narrator in any book ever, named
Death—that makes this book one not to miss, even if you’ve seen the cinematic
version. With breathtaking imagery, heart-wrenching plot twists, and a rare
look inside the minds and life of a German family trying to survive in Nazi
Germany, if you don’t leave the last page totally in love with Zusak’s
characters, it’s only because you’ve never loved at all.
3. “Sabriel” by Garth Nix
As the first book in the Abhorsen series, “Sabriel”
is a mind-twisting dive into a fantasy realm that has no equal. When it was
first released in 1995, Garth Nix exploded onto the fantasy scene as one of its
most promising rising stars, and this tale of a young girl who goes in search
of her family in the world of the Dead is an adventure unlike any on
bookshelves. Meeting two trusted friends along the way—one cat named Maggot and
one Charter Mage—Sabriel must define the difference between the world of life
and death in the Old Kingdom to save her father. And good news for lovers of
the book: it’s followed by two more excellent stories, “Lirael” and “Abhorsen,”
to complete the Old Kingdom trilogy.
is a mind-twisting dive into a fantasy realm that has no equal. When it was
first released in 1995, Garth Nix exploded onto the fantasy scene as one of its
most promising rising stars, and this tale of a young girl who goes in search
of her family in the world of the Dead is an adventure unlike any on
bookshelves. Meeting two trusted friends along the way—one cat named Maggot and
one Charter Mage—Sabriel must define the difference between the world of life
and death in the Old Kingdom to save her father. And good news for lovers of
the book: it’s followed by two more excellent stories, “Lirael” and “Abhorsen,”
to complete the Old Kingdom trilogy.
4. “The Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation”
by Joseph J. Ellis
by Joseph J. Ellis
Lovers of early American history will fall hard for this
Pulitzer-Prize-winning book about the connecting relationships between the
founders of America. From lesser known anecdotes of the revolutionary fathers
to the strong ties that connected and invigorated them all, “The Founding Brothers” delves into the lives
of six of the most famous men in history—John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington,
James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr—to tell the story of the
beginning of the American republic in a new light. Split into six chapters of
world-defining direction, “The Founding Brothers” will become a beloved book
even by those who say they don’t like history.
Pulitzer-Prize-winning book about the connecting relationships between the
founders of America. From lesser known anecdotes of the revolutionary fathers
to the strong ties that connected and invigorated them all, “The Founding Brothers” delves into the lives
of six of the most famous men in history—John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington,
James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr—to tell the story of the
beginning of the American republic in a new light. Split into six chapters of
world-defining direction, “The Founding Brothers” will become a beloved book
even by those who say they don’t like history.
5. “This Is How You Lose Her” by Junot Díaz
A collection of short stories by the famed author of “The
Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao,” “This Is How You
Lose Her” follows one of Díaz’s favorite characters, Yunior, as he
grapples with the cultural and social implications of being a Dominican American.
Between everyday situations to the crumbling of his relationships due to serial
cheating, readers will fall in love with Yunior just as readily as they detest
him—his human qualities reveal that each of us is capable of terrible and
amazingly wonderful things. With a gift for words and rhythm, this collection
of shorts is one that will remain by your bedside for light reading even after
you’ve long memorized your favorite lines.
Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao,” “This Is How You
Lose Her” follows one of Díaz’s favorite characters, Yunior, as he
grapples with the cultural and social implications of being a Dominican American.
Between everyday situations to the crumbling of his relationships due to serial
cheating, readers will fall in love with Yunior just as readily as they detest
him—his human qualities reveal that each of us is capable of terrible and
amazingly wonderful things. With a gift for words and rhythm, this collection
of shorts is one that will remain by your bedside for light reading even after
you’ve long memorized your favorite lines.
6. “The Diamond as Big as the Ritz” by F. Scott
Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald
This short by Fitzgerald may not be the most famous of his
writings, but there was some equivocal taste of true zeitgeist in this novella,
and it doesn’t have any Gatsbys or Buchannens—which can be very refreshing. Set
in early twentieth century Montana and part of his short story series “Tales of
the Jazz Age,” “The Diamond as
Big as the Ritz” was a contemporary favorite turned into an on-air
radio play by Orson Welles and printed in “The Smart Set” magazine in 1922.
When the narrator John T. Unger, a teenager at boarding school in Boston, meets
a fellow boarding school student named Percy Washington and follows him home
for the summer, he’s met with otherworldly wealth and strange mysteries that
seem too twisted to be true.
writings, but there was some equivocal taste of true zeitgeist in this novella,
and it doesn’t have any Gatsbys or Buchannens—which can be very refreshing. Set
in early twentieth century Montana and part of his short story series “Tales of
the Jazz Age,” “The Diamond as
Big as the Ritz” was a contemporary favorite turned into an on-air
radio play by Orson Welles and printed in “The Smart Set” magazine in 1922.
When the narrator John T. Unger, a teenager at boarding school in Boston, meets
a fellow boarding school student named Percy Washington and follows him home
for the summer, he’s met with otherworldly wealth and strange mysteries that
seem too twisted to be true.
7. “The Round House” by Louise Erdrich
Louise Erdrich may be the greatest Native American writer of
her generation, and “The Round House”
is her latest in a series of excellent storytelling involving one of America’s
long-forgotten people. Set on an unnamed Indian reservation in North Dakota, the
book follows 13-year-old Joe Coutts after he learns his mother has been
brutally raped and sets out with his friends to make amends for her at the
roundhouse where the incident happened. Combining local legend, the politics of
a community, state, and country, and a need for revenge, “The Round House” is
the kind of mystery that carries with it an edge of vengeance—readers won’t be
able to separate their emotions from those of the characters as Joe draws
closer and closer to discovering the truth.
her generation, and “The Round House”
is her latest in a series of excellent storytelling involving one of America’s
long-forgotten people. Set on an unnamed Indian reservation in North Dakota, the
book follows 13-year-old Joe Coutts after he learns his mother has been
brutally raped and sets out with his friends to make amends for her at the
roundhouse where the incident happened. Combining local legend, the politics of
a community, state, and country, and a need for revenge, “The Round House” is
the kind of mystery that carries with it an edge of vengeance—readers won’t be
able to separate their emotions from those of the characters as Joe draws
closer and closer to discovering the truth.
For fans of Erdrich who want to learn a little more, check out
this
reading and conversation on YouTube by the author at Dartmouth where
she discusses her focus on injustices and community in her work. (International
viewers, you can get around the site’s geolocation blockers with the help of a VPN)
this
reading and conversation on YouTube by the author at Dartmouth where
she discusses her focus on injustices and community in her work. (International
viewers, you can get around the site’s geolocation blockers with the help of a VPN)
8. “A Great and Terrible Beauty” by Libba Bray
Bray’s particular brand of rhetoric and sharp wit is one that
captivates readers on their first dive into “A Great and Terrible Beauty,” the
first book in the Gemma Doyle series. Starring a young woman living in
Victorian England, her best friends, and one beautiful, old, and haunting
boarding school, this tale of adventure flits between magical realities and our
own so well that it’s hard to tell what’s real and what isn’t. What readers
will be absolutely sure of, however, is Bray’s limitless good humor—her
characters are sharp, well-rounded and totally headstrong, making this first
book in the series one that only gets better with each turn of the page.
captivates readers on their first dive into “A Great and Terrible Beauty,” the
first book in the Gemma Doyle series. Starring a young woman living in
Victorian England, her best friends, and one beautiful, old, and haunting
boarding school, this tale of adventure flits between magical realities and our
own so well that it’s hard to tell what’s real and what isn’t. What readers
will be absolutely sure of, however, is Bray’s limitless good humor—her
characters are sharp, well-rounded and totally headstrong, making this first
book in the series one that only gets better with each turn of the page.
There are a lot of great books out there, but more than just
belonging on a shelf labeled “greats,” these eight picks are distinctive and
stand out in their genres, making them perfect for must-read lists the world
over. So whether on a comfy spot on the couch or on your early morning commute
(if you’re listening to the audiobook), these tales are totally obsession
worthy.
belonging on a shelf labeled “greats,” these eight picks are distinctive and
stand out in their genres, making them perfect for must-read lists the world
over. So whether on a comfy spot on the couch or on your early morning commute
(if you’re listening to the audiobook), these tales are totally obsession
worthy.
Leave comments about your top eight must-reads or consider
suggesting great new publications. We’d love any and all suggestions!
suggesting great new publications. We’d love any and all suggestions!
About Me: Cassie is
a self-diagnosed bibliophile with a love for anything that’s written. Whether
it’s hiding between the library stacks with a new printing or tuning in to YouTube
for the latest presentation by her favorite authors, she’s all about getting
down and dirty with the better stories our world has to offer.
a self-diagnosed bibliophile with a love for anything that’s written. Whether
it’s hiding between the library stacks with a new printing or tuning in to YouTube
for the latest presentation by her favorite authors, she’s all about getting
down and dirty with the better stories our world has to offer.
I love The Book Thief and Libba Bray, though sadly couldn't really get into Sabriel. But so many of these other titles are on my TBR–and the rest are definitely about to go on there! I love lists like this and seeing what books have affected readers and how they've done that. Thanks for sharing!
I love lists like this because it's so easy to just jot them down, and see why you want to recommend them. Definitely ones I will check out, because I've only read one on the list. So excited!
Of course I'm going to check out the Fitzgerald work – absolutely love him!
xx
Sad to say I've only read The Book Thief but I absolutely loved it. Thanks for the other recommendations!
I haven't read any of these except A Great and Terrible Beauty, which I LOVED, but I definitely want to check the rest of them out. While 1Q84 sounds totally intriguing sometimes I get anxious if a book doesn't give you all the answers, LOL.
I love seeing two Aussie reads make the list, neither of them I've actually read though. I think I'm one of a very few left who hasn't read The Book Thief yet. I really need to rectify this. Great post Cassie and thanks for sharing Lauren <3
Love lists like this!! I have The Book Thief on my TBR but will check out the rest!
I have read The Book Thief- but all the rest are new to me. I will have to check them out. Thanks for the recommendation. 🙂
~Jess
I want to read a Great and Terrible Beauty!
I remember being extremely eager to read 1Q84, but never got around to it. I should make it a priority. Ohhh and I've read a few of Louise Erdrich's books and loved them. I have The Round House but haven't read it yet. Great list!
I'm sad to say I haven't read any
I only read #8. I love seeing lists like these to give me ideas of what to read.
I haven't read any of these! What is wrong with me!!! Totally unacceptable. LOL Great list!
I have read The Book Thief, and I found it to be so well done! I have 1Q84 on my kindle, but haven't read it yet, and I added Eldrich's to my TBR shelf. Thanks for sharing!
Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews
I have always wanted to read 1Q84–I need to get my hands on that soon!
The Book Thief wasn't my cup of tea but it is still a very powerful novel. I thought the movie was really well done.
Lauren @ SERIESous Book Reviews #Commenting365