My Sixteen Favorite Books
Books and pens and tea, oh my!
Welcome Back
Hello, friends! I’m back with my sixteen favorite books! Wow, was it hard to narrow it down from all the books that I’ve read.
I said today in my Instagram post that I love each of my favorite books for different reasons. And that’s true! For instance, I like Rebecca because of its creepy, plot-twist vibe, but I love The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise because it uses the “found family” trope, a trope I love dearly. Most of the books are middle grade fantasy (my favorite genre!), and the rest certainly earned their way onto my list.
I’d also love to know which books you love! Do you have any recommendations to share? What are the books that make you want to read them over and over again? Don’t forget to drop a comment below with your recommendations!
My Sixteen Favorite Books:
So, without further ado, here are my sixteen favorite books in alphabetical order!
1: Anne of Green Gables
Author: L.M. Montgomery
Genre: Realistic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Middle Grade
Plot: Two middle-aged siblings send for an orphan boy to help out on their farm, but by mistake, an eleven-year-old girl is sent to them instead. The book follows red-haired Anne Shirley’s adventures in the town of Avonlea and features her best friend Diana and mortal enemy Gilbert Blythe.
What I Like About It: Anne is an amazing character, filled with the desire to find a family and write books.
Things To Be Advised About: Long chapters and descriptions, Anne monologues a lot, references to drunkenness and depression.
2: Keeper of the Lost Cities (book 1)
Author: Shannon Messenger
Genre: Fantasy, Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade
Plot: Sophie Foster is a normal twelve-year old girl who lives in San Francisco, trying to avoid the bullies and strange fires racking the city. But she has a secret: she can hear the thoughts of everyone around her. One day she meets a peculiar teal-eyed boy who tells her she doesn’t belong in San Francisco, much less the human realm. As Sophie adjusts to her new life, can she figure out why she seems special to everyone in the Lost Cities and why her life was upended?
What I Like About It: This book is an introduction to the immense world that is the Lost Cities, and Sophie is a relatable and fun character as she tries to find out who she is.
Things To Be Advised About: The last hundred pages feature physical violence using powers, as well as kidnapping. The books get slightly darker as they go on, but, as a sensitive reader myself, I feel like this book handles it carefully and avoids graphic scenes.
3: Little Women
Author: Louisa May Alcott
Genre: Historical Fiction, Realistic Fiction
Plot: Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March live in Massachusetts with their mother, far away from the Civil War’s reach, but when their father is enlisted as a chaplain in the war, they have to adjust without him. The new change is startling, especially since the Marches are now poor, and they have a rich new neighbor living next door. As the four sisters start to grow up and face their different sets of problems, will they ever manage to find peace achieving their dreams?
What I Like About It: It’s a classic book from an author who was unknown at the time, plus it’s a semi auto-biography of Louisa Alcott and her sisters. The story is light and funny at times, but also shares a good deal of sadness. Overall, it’s a fulfilling read that will leave you wanting to read it again.
Things To Be Advised About: References to war, death, and old-fashioned ideas about young women. (To be fair, though, this was written and published in the late 19th century, when expectations were still old-fashionedly unfair.)
4: Persuasion
Author: Jane Austen
Genre: Historical Fiction, Regency Fiction, Romance
Plot: Anne Elliott used to love Frederick Wentworth, but that was before he was rich. In fact, Wentworth used to be a poor man, and Anne was persuaded to give him up by her snobby father and sometimes less-than-helpful friend. Seven years later, Anne and Frederick are thrown together in Bath – both with a wall of hurt, another chance at love, and the undeniable feelings they’re trying to hide from each other…
What I Like About It: While I love Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion makes me happy. Anne and Frederik are both normal on the outside. They have money, they have connections, and that’s really all anyone needs in the 1800s, right? But the fact that they actively go for what they want – each other and their friends – shows that they care less about money and connections, and that’s what makes them so lovely.
Things To Be Advised About: Flirting, a few injuries, references to shooting game, discreet details of robbing someone, and the character Mr. Walter Elliott (who is pretty horrible.)
5: Rebecca
Author: Daphne DuMaurier
Genre: Gothic Fiction, Romance
Plot: Caroline is a young woman living with her matron in a fancy hotel when she meets Max DeWinter. He’s rich, handsome, and everything Caroline wants, but he has one fault: his previous wife, Rebecca, drowned in the lake near his house, Manderley, and he’s still in love with her. Surprisingly, Max asks Caroline to marry him, but there’s someone still lurking at Manderley — someone who is NOT happy Caroline’s there…
What I Like About It: This book is creepy, but in a good way. Rebecca reminded me of a better Jane Eyre where the main character actually stood up for herself and was a strong character. I adored Caroline and her cheeky way of putting things, as well as Beatrice, Max’s sister. And there was an amazingly cool plot twist at the end. Fun fact: after you finish the book, you can reread the first three chapters and it tells you what happens after.
Things To Be Advised About: This book is graphic at times, so I’d recommend it to 13+. Please be aware there are several references to shooting, injuring people, blood, drowning, fire, etc, etc.
6: The Fire Star
Author: A.L. Tait
Genre: Fantasy, High Fantasy, Mystery
Plot: Maven and Reeve are both servants for two very different people. Maven is the maid for Lady Cassandra, a young woman betrothed to Sir Garrick, Reeve’s master. Everything’s going smoothly when, suddenly, Cassandra’s most precious possession is stolen: the Fire Star, which is coveted by more than one family, and especially Cassandra’s uncle. Maven and Reeve must work together to find the Fire Star before Cassandra and Garrick’s wedding — and before Reeve is disgraced forever.
What I Like About It: This book effortlessly combines first and third person narration, as well as two very different narrators. I knew I’d like Maven immediately, but Reeve adds a kick to the story and ramps up the action. Plus, this story is perfect for readers cusping on the YA line!
Things to Be Advised About: A death, stealing, rudeness, etc.
7: The Hobbit
Author: J.R.R. Tolkien
Genre: Fantasy, High Fantasy
Plot: Bilbo Baggins is enjoying a quiet life at his little house in Hobbiton when Gandalf, a wizard, recruits him to be the fifteenth member of a party comprised of dwarves seeking their long-lost treasure, stolen from them by the evil dragon Smaug. Hijinks ensue, including (but not limited to): trolls, spiders, Gollum, the dragon himself, and finally, the One Ring…the same ring that sends Bilbo’s nephew, Frodo, on a similar quest in the future.
What I Like About It: I read The Hobbit first, before Lord of the Rings, and Tolkien’s debut is amazingly hilarious. All the dwarves are funny, Bilbo is relatable, and if you listen to the audiobook, Andy Serkis’ performance of Gollum is awesome.
Things to Be Advised About: Smoking references, lots of peril, deaths (not actually seen by Bilbo but described briefly).
8: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (The Chronicles of Narnia, #2)
Author: C.S. Lewis
Genre: Fantasy, Realistic Fiction
Plot: Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie are in the midst of the Blitz and World War II when they’re sent away to old Professor Kirke’s house in the English countryside. Everything seems normal and boring, until Lucy accidentally discovers an old wardrobe — the wardrobe that introduces her to Narnia. The four siblings are thrust into a world filled with everlasting winter, a cruel ruler called the White Witch, and the lion that might just help them defeat her: Aslan.
What I Like About It: I love Narnia so much because there’s really nothing like it. Lewis’ worldbuilding is immaculate, and the Pevensies seem relatable! The other characters are intriguing, and Jadis the witch is terrifying. This book is great for anyone!
Things to Be Advised About: References to war, big animals, frightening people, frightening images (people being turned to stone, etc), betrayal, death (a little gory).
9: The Monster in the Hollows (Wingfeather Saga #3)
Author: Andrew Peterson
Genre: Fantasy
Plot: The third Wingfeather book follows the Igiby family as they head to the Green Hollows, one of the last places not overrun by the Evil Gnag’s Fangs of Dang. But younger brother Tink has changed, and eldest brother Janner finds himself struggling to hold their family together as war and impending doom close in on them all.
What I Like About It: The Green Hollows is a place where everyone helps each other. The action and adventure are even more heightened than the past two books!
Things to Be Advised About: Scary animal scenes, lots of tackling and shoving, slapping, war, arrows/daggers, descriptive scenes, death.
10: The Mysterious Benedict Society (The Mysterious Benedict Society #1)
Author: Trenton Lee Stewart
Genre: Realistic Fiction, Mystery
Plot: Reynie Muldoon lives in Stonetown, the city where the Emergency is raging most furiously. Everyone is scared, including Reynie, until he spies an advertisement looking for smart, capable children to embark on “special opportunities.” Reynie meets Sticky, Constance, and Kate, children who are alone just like him. But when it turns out the special opportunities are really a dangerous mission, Reynie and his friends must decide how much they will risk to find the truth.
What I Like About It: The four children are the sweetest and funniest characters I have ever read about. Their puzzle-solving skills, as well as the mystery and plot twists of the book, are so fun and made me want to keep reading.
Things to Be Advised About: Lots of talk about orphans, peril and danger, mentions of death (but no actual descriptive death), hypnosis, claustrophobia, tranquilizer guns.
11: The Rebels’ Daughter (Freedom Through Fire, #1)
Author: India Johnson
Genre: Fantasy, Mystery
Plot: Twelve-year-old Skylar Rusten’s world is relatively peaceful, with one exception: she’s always on the watch for Prince Fang and the other wolves and crickcrawks that threaten to end the Rebellion. When Sky makes a fatal mistake, she finds herself fighting for her life against Prince Fang and the other wolves. As betrayal and deceit lurk in the shadows, can Sky somehow manage to put everything right? Or will her error be the end of her?
What I Like About It: I was thrilled to be a part of India’s relaunch team for her first two books, and I love both of them! Her writing style is clear, and the story is compelling and very well-written. The cast of characters is relatable and funny, and I was not expecting the end of either book.
Things to Be Advised About: Scary animals, knives/bows and arrows, descriptions of death, injuries, and pain, and betrayal.
12: The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise
Author: Dan Gemeinart
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Plot: Coyote Sunrise has been running. Or, rather, riding in the school bus she and her father, Rodeo, have been traveling in for what feels like forever. It’s easier to stuff everything down than talk about the accident that killed her mother and two sisters. But when Coyote gets a call from her grandmother that a local park is going to be demolished, Coyote resolves to return to her hometown and save the only thing she has left of her broken family.
What I Like About It: This story is a treasure. I loved Coyote from the first page, and her friends are amazing and funny people who I’d gladly read spinoffs about. The plot is engaging, interesting, and hilarious.
Things to Be Advised About: A few (mild) swearing words, mention of death and drinking.
13: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (The Chronicles of Narnia, #4)
Author: C.S. Lewis
Genre: Realistic Fiction, Fantasy
Plot: Lucy and Edmund Pevensie are stuck in London with their annoying cousin, Eustace, when they receive another call to Narnia, this time WITH Eustace in tow. Caspian, their friend and fellow ruler, is sailing on the Dawn Treader towards the “end of the world” to rescue his father’s old knights. All seems well, but as danger looms, Eustace finds himself facing a battle that could either save Narnia…or destroy it.
What I Like About It: This is my favorite Narnia book. The fact that they’re on a ship is so fun, and I love Lucy, Edmund, Caspian, and Eustace not only as characters, but also as fellow human beings.
Things to Be Advised About: Allegories, danger and peril.
14: The Warden and the Wolf King (The Wingfeather Saga #4)
Author: Andrew Peterson
Genre: Fantasy
Plot: In this thrilling conclusion, Janner, Tink, and Leeli must confront the Fangs of Dangs’ ruler, Gnag the Nameless, facing danger and secrets that could end the Annieran world as they know it.
What I Like About It: There’s everything a fantasy lover could want: traumatic backstories, an amazing family, romance, etc. This book made me cry, and I can’t say that about most books.
Things to Be Advised About: Lots of death, sword fighting, scary images and animals, mean and cruel characters, war, fighting, and a sad (but hopeful!) ending.
15: Wives and Daughters
Author: Elizabeth Gaskell
Genre: Historical Fiction, Realistic Fiction
Plot: Molly Gibson, a young woman living in England with her doctor father, is surprised when a new stepmother and stepsister join the family. Torn between her life at home and her duty to her neighbor, Mrs. Hamley, Molly struggles to fulfill the expectations to marry well and not embarrass her family.
What I Like About It: This book was written in the 1800s, but there’s a timelessness to it. All of the characters are relatable and hilarious, and even though this book is 600ish pages and wasn’t completed before the author’s death, it’s totally worth reading!
Things to Be Advised About: Death.
16: Top Secret (try to guess in the Substack comments!)
Author: REDACTED
Genre: Realistic Fiction, Fantasy
Hints:
The last of a five book series
Published in 2009
Incredibly popular
Male main character
Closing Remarks:
So, there you have it! My sixteen favorite books, ranging from historical fiction to high fantasy. It’s an eclectic bunch, but all of them deserve their spots.
I’d love to know your favorite books! Be sure to leave a comment which ones you prefer, if we have any in common, and which genre you like the best!
Next week, I’ll be talking about my three favorite characters. Please come back next Thursday for a new conversation!
Thank y’all for reading this post and visiting The Kindness Cafe. I’ll see you next time! Keep on being kind! ❤️
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