10. At number 10 is A Work in Progress by Connor Franta. I read this book because I was a big fan of Connor's YouTube channel and he seemed so excited to have written his memoirs. I also recognised how interesting he and his musings were; thus, my expectations were rather high. And I was evidently not disappointed. First of all, the cover is magnificent, just as I expected from Connor. The contents certainly matched it. He not only talks about how he grew as a person, how he struggled with his sexuality, and what really matters to him poignantly, he also inspires the reader to better themselves and gives them tips on how to do so. He is a free-thinker and fascinating to read about, and I am so glad I read his memoirs. The title suggests it all: although they are his memoirs, he and his life are just a work in progress, and I think that's beautiful.
9. Holding the ninth spot is Paper Towns by John Green. I do love how John Green writes, evidenced that both books I have read by him (the other one being The Fault in Our Stars) scored 5 stars. He has a mastery which just grips you and doesn't let you put the book down. Admittedly, it took me about 3 days to finish this book, but after finding a day to actually sit down and read it, I didn't stop until I turned the final page at 1:30am. Margo Roth Spiegelman is an enigma, and she disappears after a night of pranks with Quentin Jacobson. Quentin is in love with her, so devotes a large amount of his time to following the breadcrumb clues she left for him to find her. The narrative is thoroughly interesting, and John Green amazingly manages to develop Margo's character without her even being present for most of the time. It is truly a marvel, and I would highly recommend this book.
8. Number 8 is taken by The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon. This novel is just great. It tells the story of a boy with Asperger's Syndrome trying to understand the world around him. It is touching and heart-breaking, as we see tragedies unfolding around him through the mirror of his own ignorance and yet he has no idea. It was fascinating to see things from this perspective (which was intricately and masterfully done) and to explore the psyche of a boy with this disorder. I think I read this in a day, it was really just that enjoyable and easy to read. I was offered the chance to go and see the play of this novel a couple of years ago from my school, and I turned it down. Now, I really regret it and wish I had taken up the opportunity! I want to see this masterpiece of literature become a masterpiece of theatre in front of my eyes!
7. Standing at number 7 is Dead Famous by Ben Elton. This book tells the story of an investigation into an infamous murder which took place on live television in a game show identical to that of Big Brother. The narrative switches from the present investigation to events in the house in the lead up to the murder. It seems everybody has a motive, but who will do it? This book is enthralling and thought-provoking. It is an interesting reflection of the Big Brother phenomenon and social interaction. What really made this book for me was the ending. It was totally dramatic, explosive and wholly unexpected! THAT PLOT TWIST AT THE END, DAMN. After having read two books by Ben Elton (the other being Past Mortem, which was similarly very good), I see now why my sister, Kristi, has such an affinity to him!
6. My sister is not going to be happy that this did not get into the top 5, but alas, I do not care: at number 6 is The Humans by Matt Haig. I only just finished reading this, as in, at 2am this morning! It is a extremely fascinating book, showing the perspective of an alien who is switched into the body of a talented mathematician who had recently proved the Riemann Hypothesis, which would greatly progress the human species, which apparently could not be allowed to happen. The mathematician, Andrew Martin, turns out to have been a gargantuan asshole, to put it lightly, and the alien begins to make a difference to the family he had adopted. This book is a social commentary, allowing the reader to see the human condition and society in a totally new indigo light. It is surprisingly heart-wrenching and intense, and utterly unput-down-able. I read this book in 24 hours, showing how good it truly is!Now we're into the big leagues! The top 5! The cream of the crop! The best of the best! Buckle up, readers, this is about to get intense:
5. There is a reason this novel is a masterpiece of literature and is so widely read! It is To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee! This is a window into the racist society of the 1930s in Alabama, USA. It is seen from the perspective of Jean Louise Finch, nicknamed 'Scout', displaying childhood and social issues poignantly. This book has the power to enrage, to make you laugh, cry and think. It is rare I get so angry at a book, but this really did make me see red. And that is a sign of a good book, to inspire such intense emotional response shows how enthralling it is, how much it makes you empathise with the characters. The father, Atticus Finch, is often seen as a role model of virtue, and I totally agree with this interpretation. I am very excited to read the follow up novel, Go Set a Watchman, which will be being released in July (if only my bank balance wasn't so pitiful!)
4. Elegantly dancing in the number 4 spot is Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden. Although this novel is very long, I read it extraordinarily quickly. It was just so gripping! It is very rare that an author can write an atmosphere and research an era so well that it is possible to actually transport yourself there and experience it. The characters were strong and their stories were wholly interesting, and for once, I didn't think that the main character, Sayuri, was indestructible! She made mistakes, she was in jeopardy, and I believed in that. This book was so good that the main villain, Hatsumomo, came very close to being number 1 on my list of characters I want to drown! She was written in so well as an evil bitch that I wanted to reach in and slap her and save Sayuri from her acts of treachery. Seriously, this book is one not to be missed.
3. In at number 3 is my favourite author, Wilkie Collins, with his fantastic novel, The Moonstone. This is the story of the extra-ordinary theft of the giant diamond from India, The Moonstone, which was seized during an invasion of an Indian temple and taken back to England. It is said to be cursed and cause misery to those around it. When it is presented to Rachel Verinder for her birthday, it is mysteriously stolen in the night, which begins the breakdown of the family and a massive and complex police investigation which not even the best detective can solve. Laced with plot twists, accusations and enigmas, this narrative made up of multiple perspectives enthralls the reader and leaves you trying to put the pieces to this puzzle together as you read it. Written as a precursor to the mystery genre, it certainly set the bar high!
2. Kicking up a stink at number 2 is Perfume: the Story of a Murderer by Patrick Süskind. This book is almost as enthralling as the scents it describes! This is the story of a man called Jean-Baptiste Grenouille who has a marvellous and extrasensory talent: he has a stupendously good sense of smell. He can pick out and remember the smell of everything he comes across, and can sense scents from miles away. One day, he discovers the most exquisite and bewitching scent of them all: that of an innocent girl. He wishes to possess it in every way to make the most captivating perfume to ever exist. This story is thrilling, telling the tale of murder and olfactory obsession which was Grenouille's life. The descriptions are amazing and beautiful, and the narrative ferociously gripping. I recommend this novel fervently.1. Here it is, the best book I have read so far this year, and seeing as it is my favourite book, the best book I have ever read too. This is The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins! Collins is here yet again:
but as previously mentioned, he is my favourite author, and this book, and The Moonstone, are the reasons why. I was originally terrified of this book: it was massive, it was an epic! And yet, I am so glad I finally picked it up! This, like The Moonstone, is written from multiple perspectives in the form of a legal case. Without giving too much away, because I strongly recommend this book, it essentially tells the story of how the conspiracy against Laura Fairlie was broken. The conspiracy formed in this novel was thought-provoking in that I, myself, was trying to figure out a way out of it. The way all the loose ends were tied off at the conclusion was magnificent; the style of writing was just to my tastes and had me addicted to the point where I immediately sought to read more by Wilkie Collins, and I expect anyone else would feel the same way. The book is simply phenomenal. Nothing was brought into the story that wasn't amply sewn into the narrative of revelations and mystery which comprises it. Just ridiculously good.
So that is it! Are you still here? I admit that was a very long post! I hope you have enjoyed it regardless! Comment below and tell me if you have read any of these books and if you shared my evident joy in reading them, or if I have inspired you to read any of them!
Like, Comment and Follow, and until next time, sayōnara!
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