I used to work at a library, so I got the opportunity to check out and read some pretty awesome books from a variety of genres. Here’s some that I think are worth taking a look into!
- Adult Scifi and Fantasy
- The Cloud Roads by Martha Wells. I LOVE this book! Its an epic fantasy set in a very detailed world following a character that most of us can relate too. A character that just wants to fit in and find his place.
- The Serpent Sea by Martha Wells. The sequel to The Cloud Roads. I enjoyed this book, but don’t think it was as good as the first one. I feel like this book is a transition between the first and third books in the series. The third book is The Siren’s Depths and I plan on reading it next.
- The Game of Thrones series. Even though the series isn’t complete, I still think it was better than the TV show. I wish George R.R. Martin would complete the series so we know how it should have ended, but I suppose some things are left to the imagination. As action packed and plot twisting this series. I wouldn’t recommend it all on the account it isn’t complete.
- The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks. This book was really good up until the ending. I felt like the ending was too quick for my taste. It took only a paragraph for the main character to defeat the villain and afterwards the wrap up was only a couple pages long. There was definitely a lot of build-up for the end and the end was just disappointing.
- The Elfstones of Shannara by Terry Brooks. Sadly to say, I was really disappointed in this book. It was too predictable for my liking. The characters were great, but I could see how things were going to end for them in the first few pages of meeting them. And, like The Sword of Shannara, I felt that the ending was way too quick. The author put a lot of effort into describing scenes that seemed of minor importance to me and then just summed up the ending. It was disappointing.
- YA Novels
- One Realm Beyond by Donita K. Paul. Fantasy/Sci-fi. I listened to it as an audiobook and I was not impressed. I couldn’t get myself to finish it. The story has a slow pace and the main character was not very likeable, in my opinion. He’s supposed to be 20 years old, but to me, he acted like he should’ve been 15-16. There were quite a few scenes that I felt didn’t have the proper urgency that they required. Instead of getting inside a building to hide from guards, the characters are too focused on clothing or stopping because a dragon accidentally cut his gum while picking his teeth. All in all, I felt the story was quite bogged down by pace and details. It didn’t draw out any emotions that I anticipated when I read its summary. I would not recommend this book.
- Warriors by Erin Hunter. Fantasy. Not gonna lie, I was obsessed with this series as a kid. I love the lessons in loyalty, morality, and survival…and well, its a book about cats. In my opinion, this is a great series to get into for the first two sagas. After those two sagas, things start going down hill with a few “out there” ideas and mistakes made in the series. The Super Editions and Mangas are fantastic but I’ve read up to *SPOILER* the death of everyone’s favorite fire and after that, the series has…been nothing but disappointment to me. It fells like they’re just milking it since it has a large fanbase. I wouldn’t recommend it after the first two series.
- Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. Sci-fi. During my Jr. High years, this book was on a required reading list. I could pick it or any other book on the list and this book was the only one I was remotely interested in. I’m so glad I picked this book. This novel was the only school-required reading that I finished front to back. It has a good pace, the story is enticing and exciting, the characters are likeable, and the morals make you think. I would definitely recommend this book.
- Children’s books:
- The Truth About Bears, by Maxwell Eaton the Third. This is an adorable little nonfiction book that even kept me engaged (and I don’t read a lot of nonfiction). It covers a variety of simple facts written in a very entertaining way. I recommend it if you have any little ones or babysit any little ones.
- Daddy’s Little Girl by Bobby Burke and Horace Gerlach. I think this is an amazing book for fathers to read to their little princesses. It really shows a sense of love and there’s a song in the back that the words go too if you’re willing to attempt it. Imagine the magical impression and memories this could leave in a young daughter’s eyes.
- This Book is Red and Did you take the B from my _ook? by Beck and Matt Stanton. These books might drive you nuts, because it messes with what your used too. This Book is Red doesn’t have anything in it that’s the color red. The version we have at my library is actually purple. I think it would be a great way to have fun with a kid by reading this book especially when they know their colors. As for Did you take the B from my _ook, the letter B doesn’t show up in it very often and you’ll have to read a lot of words without that letter. I believe it would a challenge for the parent and fun for the kid.
- I Can Be Anything! Don’t Tell Me I Can’t by Diane Dillon. In my opinion, this is a very encouraging book for all ages. Everyone has a little voice inside them that tries to kill your dreams, but this book gives a great example on how to combat that voice.
- If I had a Little Dream by Nina Laden. This a heart-warming and inspiring little book when you step back and see the meaning. I recommend owning it to read at all different ages.
- The Book of Mistakes by Corinna Luyken. If anything, this book is an inspiration to artists, like me. It starts out with a drawing which ends up getting more than a few mistakes put into it; however, the author–or artist–keeps finding ways to turn that mistake into something more and in the end it doesn’t look like a mistake at all. Pretty powerful life lesson if you ask me.
- It is so easy to get carried away at a library and see book after book that you want to read. The problem is trying to find the time to read them all. It may take me a while, but I’ve posted a list of all the books I want to read. If you’ve read one, let me know what your thoughts are, or there might be a book on this list that you want to check out.
- My Reading List
- The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan.
- Leviathan by Scott Westerfield. Teen Scifi
- Moon Called by Patricia Briggs. Adult Fiction.
- The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima. Teen Fantasy.
- Eragon by Christopher Paolini. Teen Fantasy.
- City of Bones by Cassandra Clare. Teen Fantasy.
- Fablehaven by Brandon Mull. J Fantasy
- Nothingham by Mark Makaryk. Adult Fiction.
- Partials by Dan Wells. Teen Fiction.
- A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms by George R.R. Martin. Adult Scifi
- Kill the Queen by Jennifer Estep. Adult Fiction
- Furyborn by Claire Legrand. Teen Fantasy.
- Incarceron by Catherine Fisher. Teen Fiction.
- Crown of Vengeance by Mercedes Lackey. Adult Fiction.
- The King’s Blood by Daniel Abraham. Adult Scifi.
- Lament by Maggie Stiefvater. Teen Fiction.
- Stalked by Flames by Susan Illene. Adult Scifi.
- The Queens of Innis Lear by Tessa Gratton. Adult Fiction.
- A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. New Adult Fantasy.
- Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas
- The Wishsong of Shanara by Terry Brooks. Adult Fantasy
- The Spark by David Drake
- A Dragon’s Legacy by Deborah A. Wolf
- Embers by Ronie Kendig
- Wolf Hunting by Jane Lindskold. Adult Fiction
- Argronauts by Kevin Kneupper. Adult Sci-fi.
- Dune by Frank Herbert.
- Isle of Hope by Julie Lessman. Christian Romance.
- Once and Future King by T. H. White. Adult Fantasy.
- The Queen of Innis Lear by Tessa Gratton
- The King’s Blood by Daniel Abraham
- My Reading List
nikki diekemper 