“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” This quote by the late Nelson Mandela accurately sums up the idea of this post. Those who read a lot and have a extensive library are always asked “What is your favorite book?” It is the question we dread and it is the question that few of us can ever answer.
Most of the time, it is hard for us as readers to name a favorite book. Each individual book has its own special meaning, its own special significance and its own story behind it. Though books share a genre, whether it be fantasy fiction, historical commentaries, memoirs, mysteries, each book has its own meaning, its own, dare I say, story to tell.
Just because we love one fantasy book, doesn’t mean that the next one will resonate with us as much as the previous book. Or, just because we love love a memoir, it doesn’t mean that it will hold the same meaning as a classic mystery. And that is where the tricky part comes into play in terms of a favorite book. Trying to pick a favorite book and compare genre to genre is nearly impossible to do. Each genre has it’s own style, meaning, storytelling style. So, in most cases we tend to say “oh i like this book, but I also really like this one” or, “my favorite in this particular genre is book X.”
So in this post, I will attempt the impossible. I will try and make a list of my top 5 favorite books. Now these are not full series, just individual books that have left their mark on me. They will not be in any particular order and there will be an explanation why they are on my list. The list is subjective of course, though there will be one or two books that I know will not surprise people.
Before I jump into the main list, I do want to list honorable mentions that fell just short of the top 5.
Angels and Demons by Dan Brown
Leaving one of the Robert Langdon books off of the list is tough, much like all of these honorable mentions. The entire series is good, but Angels and Demons is the best of the bunch I believe. Yes, the conspiracy theories are a bit out there and be exaggerated in the interest of a good story. But, the history, the symbols, art and architecture are all very much on point. Harvard professor Robert Langdon is an excellent main character as he uses his knowledge of art, symbols and architecture to go beyond what he is as a professor and becomes a hero to many.
Angels and Demons is set against the backdrop of the death of a pope and the kidnapping of four cardinals during the new conclave. The potential threat if the Illuminati looms large for the Vatican and the book weaves its way through historic Rome on a race against the clock. The one downside with these books is the lack of a reread ability. The reveals don’t hit as hard, the story doesn’t resonate as much on second read, unless it’s been years. But still, an excellent read.
Dragonfly by Julia Meachem
Historical fiction novels set during the second world war are a dime a dozen. From citizens just trying to survive to stories all about a common foot soldier who becomes a hero. So it takes a a lot to stand out in a crowded field. Dragonfly stands by not only being a riveting story, but because of the uniqueness of its story.
A group of young Americans with no military training or experience are thrust into the roles as group of spies and dropped behind enemy lines. Separated with their own backstories, the group tries to complete their mission, while also staying alive and one step ahead of the Nazis. The characters and their interactions are the big reasons this book is a favorite. You grow to love the characters and desperately want them all to make it out alive. Add to that the way the story is told and you have a riveting, emotional story that constantly leaves you breathless and eagerly awaiting the next chapter.
Neptune’s Inferno by James D Hornfischer
We now come to the most agonizing omission on my list. This book could have every easily been in the top 5, but instead it just misses out by the barest sliver of margins. The late James Hornfischer is one of my favorite historical authors of all time. His narrative style when it comes to stories of the US Navy is unparalleled. The way he is able weave narrative storytelling with discussions on US naval tactics and people creates a less dry and bland read about naval campaigns.
Neptune’s Inferno, describing the US naval campaign during the Guadalcanal campaign is his finest work. His in-depth, human telling of one of the most brutal of the US naval campaigns is stunning. From the dark days after the battle of Savo Island, to the end of the Tokyo Express, Hornfischer weaves a beautiful, at times somber narrative that portrays a struggle that in the end would give the Navy valuable lessons that they would use to win the war. This book remains one of my favorite historical reads and a part of me wishes it could make the top 5, but sadly it is just budged out.
With honorable mentions out of the way, it is time to get into the real heart of this piece. And we’ll start with a memoir of highest order, a memoir that is revealing, touching and personal, much like the man who wrote it.
A Promised Land by Barack Obama
Political memoirs can often drift into self promoting, self aggrandizing and takedowns of political opponents. They are often times unpleasant to read or only seem to a be a tool of politicians after they have been voted out of office. I think that is what makes the first volume of the former president’s memoirs so striking and memorable to me.
The book encompasses the president’s life from childhood to the assassination of Osama Bin Laden. It includes his senate campaign, presidential campaign, early days of the financial crisis and the passage of Obamacare, just to name a few major highlights.
I have always admired the former president for an honest man and this book reflects that. On poor decisions that were made, he expresses that they were poor decisions, but in the moment they seemed like the best option. He expresses that he wishes some things were done better in hindsight or that certain bills or programs passed. He laments things that affected Americans during his presidency. There is a sense of honesty in this book, a sense of attempting to relate with the average American, while still maintaining the air of the presidency.
Much like his speeches, the book is eloquently written. It is as if you are sitting down and chatting with him about events. There is a eb and flow to the book, that allows it to feel like a genuine story and not just a retelling of events and emotions. He gives his opponents their due credit when it is deserved and even applauds political opponents for working with him.
Overall, this a memoir unlike any other. The flow, the writing, the honesty and down to earth nature, it all creates a book that you’ll want to read over and over again.
Shattered Sword: The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway by Jonathan Parshall and Anthony Tully
The mark of a good book is ability to reread it and the lasting impact it has on you. This book achieves both of those parameters and so much more. The Battle of Midway during World War 2 is one of the most written about battles in the historiography involving the war in the pacific. The turning point of the conflict, it has spawned countless books, movies and tv shows depicting the battle.
What makes Shattered Sword unique is that the book focuses on the Japanese point of view and aims to once and for all, tell the true story of this battle. Starting with the planning phase and finishing with the Japanese fleet returning to Japan, the book does an amazing job of storytelling. You genuinely feel that you are in the cockpit of a fighter, or on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier throughout the whole book.
Yes, the book is dense and full of content and those unfamiliar with these type of books will struggle with it, but Parshall really does a fantastic job of breaking down decisions, tactics and reasoning behind everything that happened. It is a commentary, not so much a narrative like James Hornfischer’s book, but it is a wonderful commentary.
On a sidenote, my original copy was so well read that the paperback binding fell apart on me and I put the book into a three-ring binder. I also wrote several college papers on the subject, mostly inspired by this book. Those two factors should illustrate the impact this book has had on me.
Lightbringer by Clare Legrand
Trilogies, and by extension their finales, can be devilishly tricky to get right. Book one has to set the plot, entice us with the characters and give us a solid world building foundation. Book two builds upon all of these while setting up for the final book. The final book must deliver on on the promises of the previous books, concluding the story, and leaving the reader feeling satisfied.
I have often said that the finale of a trilogy is the hardest to get right and the easiest to mess up. Thankfully, Clare Legrand’s outstanding Lightbringer, concluding her excellent Imperium trilogy is a masterclass.
Without giving away too many spoilers, Lightbringer is the culmination of a story that spans thousands of years and multiple generations of characters. From the excellently written main characters of Rielle and Eliana, to our villain Corien, who I firmly believe is one of my favorite villains in a book series, Lightbringer concludes the stories beautifully. Add to that the rich and full bodied world that keeps getting better and better with each book and you have the makings an overall masterpiece.
But the reason Lightbringer is here is because not only did masterfully concluded a trilogy, but the book genuinely surprised me with its ending and outcome. The book took its risks and did not end the way I think most people thought it would. And that’s the hallmark of a good novel. Having a story that keeps its readers on their toes while delivering on the initial premise.
it’s hard to separate Lightbringer from the rest of the trilogy because the trilogy as a whole is undoubtedly one of my favorite series of all time. But when you combine an unpredictable story that leaves you breathless, a satisfying conclusion to the characters stories and an overall outstanding read, you have the makings of a book that will forever stand out for me.
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
We hit the part of the post that everyone knew would be coming. Those who know me or have followed this blog know full well that Sarah J Maas is one of my all time favorite authors. Her knack for storytelling, character creation and worldbuilding are second to none. So its no surprise that one of her books made this list
“But Mor hopped off the bed, opened door for me, and said “There are good days and hard days for me-even now. Don’t let the hard days win.”” It is this one oft-quoted line that I think accurately describes one of the many reasons that this book is in my top 5.
The second book in SJM’s Court of Thorns and Roses series, Mist and Fury touches on so many topics, such a grief, love, depression, struggling to find one self and loving yourself. Of all of her books, this book I think is the most emotional because of how the story progresses and the topics that it touches on
As with all of her books, this book is wonderfully written, with a fantastic story, amazing characters and expanding on an ever increasing world. Mist and Fury does so much to set up the ACOTAR world and bigger story going forward. but it’s the emotional weight of this book that strikes me and sticks with me more than anything else.
Feyre’s story following the events of book 1 should have been a happy ending. But her grief and depression and that way that it is not delt with are the driving factors behind this book. The books emotional weight and focus on its characters is what makes this book one hell of a read.
The book tugs at your heart strings more than any other book I have read As someone who has delt with depression for many, many years, this books affect on me was profound. And I think that I why I am drawn to it so much. The way this book deals with depression and its psychological impact, the way it deals with finding a family, that may not be of blood, the way it deals with love and grief, all of it combine to make one hell of a book.
Mist and Fury I think is Maas’s best work in terms of standing on its own. The story, its characters, the emotional weight and the intricate plot points all create a book is easily the best of ACOTAR series and is in the running for her best of all time. And yet, there is still one more book left on this top 5 list and once again. Sarah J Maas, delivers the goods
Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas.
Yes, yes I know, two SJM books on this list may seem like cheating but such is the high regard in which I hold her works. And to be completely fair, it would feel like a genuine disservice to leave a book from the Throne of Glass series off of this list. And it just so happens that Kingdom of Ash is not just a wonderful book, but it is what every series finale should aspire to be.
SJM’s first complete series, Throne of Glass, is by far my favorite of her series. The world, the characters and the story are just sublime. The leading lady is my favorite of her main leads, the side characters are fantastic and the story is an emotional roller coaster.
KoA truly made me cry., it made me stand up in cheer, made me gasp in horror and at times made me laugh. The book is the glorious culmination of 7 previous books, all wonderful in their own right. But of course the questions that is asked is why this book? Why does this book, out of the 8 in the series, make my top 5 list? Well, there are several answers to that question.
For starters, KoA is what every series finale should aspire to be. It beautifully concludes not only the main story, but also the stories of the characters. There are so few open threads that the book feels complete and not an open ended mess. There is a finality here, that does count for a lot in my book.
But much like her other books, it is the way the characters stories are told and the way that Maas plays with your emotions that sets the book apart. Maas takes risks with this book and is not afraid to take the less safe route to her conclusion. Maas plays on our emotion and move of these characters to deliver a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout the finale of this journey.
It is the love of the characters and their own respective journeys that make this book a winner. Each character is given time in the spotlight, each little story is give love and attention. Characters aren’t relegated to obscurity or go backwards in terms of development. Right up until the end, the characters are still growing, evolving, right up till the final sentence of the final page. It is this character growth and the stories of those characters that seal this book as top notch.
Kingdom of Ash is a worthy finale for Throne of Glass. Mixing in the elements of the previous books in the series, it is the finest work in the series. Plus, it sticks the landing in terms of finales. It’s epic, it’s emotional, it’s everything you want in a book. And that’s why it makes the list, capping off my list of my top 5 books of all time.
The Reader's Corner 