If you thought my list of favourite books would be confined to a genre, then you don’t know me at all. If you do, you know I have no rationale, no routine, no pattern. If you know me, you know to expect the unexpected. Rightfully so, my favourite books reflect this idea. On my list you may find yourself starring in an Old Hollywood film, or living at the Chelsea Hotel, or you could end up in the mind of a dying teenager or in the mind of a teenager that can cause things to die. The point is, my top picks are all over the place and I will offer no further explanation… good literature comes in all forms, fiction, thrillers, memoirs, and poems. The only thing these novels have in common is that they are my current favourites. Get ready to meet them!

1. The Fault in our Stars – John Green

This book was my first love. I remember it perfectly, I was a 10 year old kid standing in the library asking for recommendations when the librarian pulled this off of the shelf and placed it in my hands. It was the first YA book I had ever read. This has been my favourite novel ever since.

As morbid as it may seem, my favourite book is about two teenagers with cancer, but something in it speaks to me. It addresses the things we are too afraid to face, it asks all the right questions. Exploring why, why life, why death, why existence? It teaches us that, “some infinities are bigger than other infinities,” which is true for the record. This book was my first taste of philosophy, a love that still exists. It explores the fear of oblivion and its inevitability, that eventually, “there will be no one left to remember Aristotle or Cleopatra, let alone you.” While this is true, this exploration of remembrance and oblivion single-handedly sparked my interest in attempting to create something that could last forever, such as novels. Maybe writing is just my way of combating my fear of oblivion… nonetheless something beautiful is still being created, art.

On top of that, the title of the book is a reference to a line in the Shakespeare play, Julius Caesar, “the fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, / But in ourselves, that we are underlings,” suggesting we are responsible for our lives outcome, not fate nor destiny. However, The Fault in our Stars poses quite the opposite opinion, suggesting some things are out of our control, that the fault is not in ourselves but in our stars. You get my point, I could discuss this book for hours. Just go read it!

2. The Mara Dyer Trilogy – Michelle Hodkin

I don’t care if this breaks the rules, I’m including a trilogy, they’re inseparable. Where do I even begin? This book is deliciously insane, the perfect type of paranormal, and absolutely all over the place. And I love it. It just so happens to be the 2nd YA book I ever read at age 10. I’ve most likely read over 500 books since, but my favourites never change. Call me obsessive, call me crazy, I have re-read all 3 books at least once a year for the past 10 years. Every time there’s something more to be realized, something more to be understood. These books are so fast-paced, so full of plot twists, unexpected circumstances. It’s nothing like anything I’ve ever read. Then you have the love story of it all. Mara and Noah are perfection, un-destined to be together, but that doesn’t make them any less enjoyable, if anything their more enjoyable in spite of it all. 

The parallels between Mara and Noah and Romeo and Juliet are something I could talk about forever. Both stories are impeccable tragedies in the purest form. Give me the star-crossed lovers, give me a hamartia, give me something that is chaotic and ruinous, what more could you ask for in a book? I’ve said enough, these books are literally fascinating : )

3. The Seven husbands of evelyn hugo – taylor jenkins reid

If you thought I’d leave this off my list, you’d be mistaken. I’ll admit, it’s slow to start, but once it does you can’t put it down. Loosely based on Elizabeth Taylor and set in the Golden Age of Hollywood, we get a beautiful love story full of pain, a glimpse of what it’s like to be famous, and strong empowered women in an industry that suppresses, what’s not to love? This is a book I’ve read, and read again and it never loses its emotional impact. It explores what it’s like to choose love, and to be chosen, the price of fame, female sexuality, and the sacrifices you make for those you love. The story of Evelyn and Celia is unlike any other. Although I thought the writing lacked depth, the characters did not, and this more than makes up for it. Evelyn is one of the most complex, unique characters you could ask for. Her story was told beautifully. Spanning decades, the novel progresses fairly quickly. As sudden as emotions arise, they depart, leaving you no choice but to keep turning the page. It’s a must-read for anyone who thinks they know the true meaning of love.

4. Tangerine – Christine Mangan

This book makes my list solely because of its writing, its prose. Though, regard this with caution, I’ve seen plenty of mixed reviews. You either love it, or you hate it. Well… I loved it. The word choice, the structure, it’s some of the most beautiful writing. Not to mention, the insanely twisted story of Alice and Lucy. This novel was completely out of my comfort zone, typically I dislike any sort of suspense or mystery. This was an exception. 

This intoxicating and claustrophobic psychological thriller is a masterpiece. Set in the 1950s, it’s a story of obsession, lies, and secrets. A true slow-burn filled with unreliable narration, forcing you to question everything. I just couldn’t put it down. The rivalry between Alice and Lucy is intense and hypnotic, rooted in secrets from their time in college. The novel unravels with increasing suspense. Don’t even get me started on the ending, in the moment I was furious, I hated it. With time, I realised it was brilliant. Everything implodes with an unsettling twist that reimagines everything and leaves you uncertain of what, or who to believe. You must read this if you like Gothic suspense with a modern spin. This novel does an excellent job of blurring the line between memory and delusion.

5. Just Kids – Patti Smith

I’m not one for memoirs, but this was absolutely beautiful, honest, and devastatingly raw. This memoir explores her relationship with Robert Mapplethorpe, her time at the Chelsea Hotel, and being an artist in NYC during the 1960s and 1970s. It’s written so well, her prose is poetic and captivating. Reading this never felt like observing someone’s life, but living it, experiencing it with her. This novel explores themes of struggle, young love, resilience, and friendship. Written as a dedication to Robert, this memoir tells their story with authenticity and sincerity. More than a memoir, it’s a timeless record of what it means to be young and driven by art.

6. Open Me Carefully – Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson is my absolute favourite poet, with her short, lyrical poems. This book is an exploration of those poems and letters she wrote to Sue. To open these pages is to open century-old secrets. This book offers a glimpse into Emily’s personal life and passionate friendship. This collection presents a different perspective of her life by erasing the historical censorship of her work. Her unconventional verses and emotional letters are truly inspiring. It’s an essential read for those who believe poetry is the language of the soul.