Beloved Books

I love to read, but there are certain books that really make me fall in love with the characters, the setting, the story... everything.1

First of all is Twilight, the first book in the Twilight series. I love the whole series, but the first book captivated me the most. It's about a plain-Jane teenage girl who moves to Forks, Washington, part of the rainiest area in America. There she meets a... different kind of family. The youngest, an unbelievably gorgeous seventeen-year-old named Edward, and she fall in love, and she soon finds out that he and his beautiful family are not normal at all-- they're vampires. It's a constant balance between his thirst for her blood and his desire for the rest of her that fuels their romance... until a nomadic vampire named James catches the scent of her blood.2

This is truly the best book I've ever read. I love everything about it: the vampires [I mean, how cool are vampires? I think they're fascinating!], the clever banter, the history of the 'father' vampire, Carlisle... but the romance between Edward and Bella is absolutely captivating. It's the kind of romance I've always wanted [not the whole vampire part, of course, but geez]: so honest and beautiful. And yes, I did in fact like the book before all the hype. It's really become a fiasco. But nonetheless, I ADORE this book. It's so realistic, which is hard to do when your dealing with fantasy and reality, and I really appreciate all of author Stephenie Meyer's hard work.3


The second book on my list is Preide and Prejudice by Jane Austen. There are so many people who dislike this book and find it boring, but I think it's lovely. Pride and Prejudice is the story of a young girl named Elizabeth Bennett, an intelligent free-spirit who falls into a love-hate relationship with the grumpy, unbelievably rich, refined and opinionated Mr. Darcy of Derbershire. Despite their difference in social status and how much they hate each other in the beginning of the novel, they quickly realize that the strong pull they have toward each other is actually love.4

This is such a chick book, and I love it. I mean, what girl doesn't love a good love story, one that shows you that it doesn't matter how plain or poor or nerdy you are- there is someone for everyone. I love the way Jane Austen writes and always feel like I'm reading a little part of someone's soul as I read it. Elizabeth Bennet is truly one of the greatest literary characters of all time, simply because she is so real.5

The third book on my list is A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray. Set in 19th century London, Gemma Doyle realizes quickly that the powerful visions she continually sees after her mother's death are much more than they appear to be. She and three of her friends at boarding school- Pippa, Felicity and Ann- discover a portal that only she can take them to, and just inside is a beautiful world where anything they think can come true. It doesn't take them long to realize that they can take some of the magic back into reality with them.6

I love this book. It drew me in from the very first page to the very last, and I thirsted for more. There are two more books in the series, Rebel Angels and A Sweet Far Thing, the former of which I have read. The third I have not; I'm waiting for paperback so they all match. The whole story is so relatable, so interesting... I wish I had a magic portal! I also got some of my friends to read the books, and they liked them just as much as I did. :]7

The fourth book on my list is Hairstyles of the Damned. It's about a teenager named Brian living in the early '90s and just doing stupid stuff with friends, falling in love with his best friend and the problems with that, and learning how to be 'punk rock' while trying to figure out who he is.8

I LOVE this book. It's just amazing. I wish I knew all the characters in it, just because they're so quirky and interesting. I love reading about Brian going to Catholic church just so he can sing really loud and reading as his History notes go from following what the teacher says to "Badass Names for the Greatest Rock Band of all Time." I love the mix tapes and the incessant cursing and just the feel of the whole book. It makes you feel like you're inside his head, knowing each and every one of his thoughts, and it's just incredible.9

And fifth.... hmm. Gingerbread! I read the book in middle school so I can't really write and accurate summary, but I remember wanting to be just like the main character, Cyd. She had a surfer boyfriend named Shrimp, a doll named Gingerbread, and I think she worked at a coffee shop, or someone she knew did... I can't remember. I'll have to reread it. All I know is that it's a fantastic book and I need to get a better memory in my brain.10

Okay, I'm done rambling now!