read between the runs

sigh, this was a tough (but exciting!) list to cultivate. i’m tempted to just include only my favorite books or ones that got me really into reading, but that may not be a comparable experience for everyone. i looked through the books that i’ve read and tried to identify high-interest books in different genres that would appeal to someone just looking for a good time. sure, it happens that many of them are books that i rated five stars, but from that list i attempted to distill the books that would provide the most enjoyable experience.

i debated about adding a non-fiction book. I’ve read many non-fiction books that moved me over the years. However, in the end, i decided that people who want to read non-fiction have their own categories of interest that are resolute and too unpredictable. plus, there was no non-fiction that i’ve read that truly stands far enough above the rest and makes me think that everyone should have the information of in their lives.

i was hoping for a five book list, but six was the best i could do. my hope is that anyone who reads any of these books would have a profound experience and know what it feels like to read an incredibly high quality book. i’ve also included goodreads ratings to help reinforce my ratings and help you decide if a book is actually worth the read.

Beartown-Fredrik Backman, 2016 (4.29 on 515,897 ratings)

beartown appears as an unassuming book, set in a small hockey town in the middle of the forest with truly the best opening line to a story i have every read. when i say hockey town, that’s all the town lives and breathes, year round, until… well, something happens. then a bit more than hockey takes the ice. the book is complex because it is written from the perspective of a plethora of characters which can seem intimidating, but it’s the only way to get a feel for the whole town and the relationships between everyone. besides, i promise you won’t forget a single person because they all feel real. and once you finish, you’ll want to lean into the rest of the series, i’m certain.

Flowers for Algernon– Daniel Keyes, 1966 (4.22 on 739,197 ratings)

i think that out of all the books on this list, this is the most emotional one. the story is from the perspective of charlie, a man with an uncharacteristically low IQ as he gains intelligence through medical intervention. seeing his slow progression of knowledge and awareness is insightful, and i truly haven’t read another book like this. it’s style is unique despite being written 60 years ago. this is also the shortest book on this list, but it packs a poignant punch that will keep readers thinking about charlie for years to come.

Homegoing– Yaa Gyasi, 2016 (4.47 on 373,934 ratings)

homegoing is a beautiful, beautiful historical fiction novel that starts with two half sisters in ghana during the 19th century. throughout the novel, we meet 16 protagonists, each one the next generation in their family. one’s family grows up in wealth and privilege while the other is sold into slavery. the story unfolds across 300 years and weaves generations. it’s undertaking in writing so many stories is amazing and the love you begin to feel for each character in their short stories is surprising. from first page to last, this story is captivating.

Red Rising– Pierce Brown, 2014 (4.27 on 583,679 ratings)

i love a book with high risks that is not afraid to let a character die, and this is that! think of this as hunger games for adults. darrow, a member of the lowest caste of his society, labors in obscurity through a life that he will never be able to live beyond. finding out his people have been lied to, darrow decides to risk everything to change everything. built around malevolant, cunning, lovable, and hateable characters, and phenomenal social dynamics and deception, this book will require you to keep reading on through the series as the world expands and stakes raise.

The Book Thief– Markus Zusak, 2005 (4.39 on 2,744,796 ratings)

the most widely read book on this list earns that title for good reason, though i still can’t believe that even more people have yet to read this one. told from the perspective of death in 1939 germany, we follow young liesel, the titular book thief, as she navigates living through nazi occupation. although not explicitly so, the book reads as a young adult novel, but hits home with deeply memorable events and themes that will make you feel like your heart was ripped out of your chest and stepped on. with tastes of foreshadowing, the book thief is haunting and powerful throughout.

The Rage of Dragons– Evan Winter, 2017 (4.31 on 40,743 ratings)

if i had to explain this book in one sentence, i would call it the greatest revenge tour of all time. in a region under constant threat of war, tau is determined to avoid the war, but he doesn’t get the chance. instead, he becomes dedicated solely to murdering three warriors who wronged him, and in doing so becomes the greatest fighter ever seen. no threat person of version of pain or violence can slow tau down, despite being born giftless. this was the book that convinced me that i was a fantasy reader, and i’ve been chasing that high ever since.

well, there we have it. six great books that will get anyone to love reading. hopefully they will be as impactful and life-giving as there were for me.

do great; be happy