Hey Chronicles of Neely readers!
Since Neely is off wading through the seemingly treacherous waters known as “finals,” she’s asked a few of us to write something so that you won’t be left without something to read. (Good Luck Neely!)
Before I start my post, let me first introduce myself: I’m Courtney. My little corner of the blogging world goes by the name of “Chaos Theory.” Right now I’m living in Budapest, Hungary – going to grad school and trying to see as much of the world as possible (without failing out of said grad school). If you want to know more, come by my blog. All are welcome! And now, on to the post…
Something I’ve really missed since coming back to grad school is reading. Oh, I do lots and lots of reading for school – that’s true. But I miss reading books that can really transform everything around you and drag you into a new world. I haven’t read very much this year, outside of school, but I have read some (usually just to and from school, on the metro train) and I wanted to share with you 7 books that you just have to read (and I’m leaving off this list books you’ve probably already read, like Harry Potter). Seriously, these books are amazing:
1. Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff,Christ’s Childhood Pal – Christopher Moore
Hands down the funniest book I have ever read in my entire life. Seriously. I laughed out loud from page one till the end. Ever wonder what happens in those missing 30 years of Jesus’ life? Moore weaves a hilarious tale of what that could have looked like, told from the perspective of his best friend, Biff. And don’t you worry, while funny it’s not (that) offensive or mocking of Christianity. It’s an amazing book.
2. The Red Pyramid – Rick Riordan
You’ve probably read, or at least heard of, the Percy Jackson series by Riordan. Which I loved. However, I really feel like he’s hitting his stride with his new series. They’re fast paces, historically based (somewhat), and oh so entertaining.
3. The School of Essential Ingredients – Erica Bauermeister
This book is delicious. There’s really no other way to describe it. It’s a story about a cooking class and how food brings people together, heals us, and defines moments and memories for us. I really feel like I devoured this book.
4.The Shadow of the Wind – Carlos Ruiz Zafon
One of the best written books I’ve read in years. This book grabs you and drags you in and doesn’t let go until you’ve shut the end cover. It’s just such a wonderful tale.
4. Wizard’s First Rule – Terry Goodkind
This whole series is pretty awesome. And while the size of the book seems daunting, it’s totally worth it. Goodkind creates a world you wish you belonged in, that you wish you were a part of. And Richard and Kahlan are two amazing characters that you come to love so dearly by the end of the first book that you can’t wait to start the second.
5. Ender’s Game/Ender’s Shadow – Orson Scott Card
These are parallel novels that have had a world created up around them. Really. Card has a huge network of books based off these characters – it’s amazing. But it really starts with Ender and Bean. They are two of my favorite literary characters (my name at Camp this summer was Bean, if that tells you how much I love them!). They’re technically ‘Science Fiction’ but they’re not that crazy sort of Science Fiction that turns some people away.
6. The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane – Kathernie Howe
A book about witchcraft in Salem, Mass. May not sound like something new, but Howe takes a new twist on the concept. It’s about a girl in grad school who finds a ‘physick’ (or spell) book of a witch from the Salem Witch Trial era. The whole story is intriguing and captivating, once you pick it up – you won’t want to put it down!
Now, there’s my (very short) list. What good books have you read lately that you think I, or any of Neely’s other readers, ought to read?
Thanks for reading! Hope to see you over at my blog sometime soon!
xoxo,
Courtney
