BEDM: My Favourite Books (and why!)

For a while now, I’ve wanted to talk about my favourite books and how much I love them and what it is that I love about them. I’m always really interested in other people’s favourite books and one of the best things is when someone is passionate about something! I’ve decided to choose half of my favourites for this post as I’d like to write about some of my others at a different time in more detail.

Never Let Me Go – Kazuo Ishiguro
I watched the film adaptation of this a few years ago (which I really recommend, it’s a beautiful film and one of my all time favourites) and when I found out it was a book I had to read it. I remember feeling such a sense of intimacy with the protagonist, Kathy. Her point of view is a wonder to read from and the way she describes her own feelings and how she observes others is so interesting and fascinating. I really love the alternative history as it is a little different. Rather than futuristic technology, this feels more realistic somehow. I don’t usually use the word ‘haunting’ to describe anything but this story really is haunting.

Cloud Atlas – David Mitchell
This is a book which honestly changed my outlook on the world. Yet again, I watched the film first and I loved the intertwining narratives and the way everything is connected throughout time (also the score is absolutely stunning). The idea of people from entirely different generations being connected in some way is something I adore. Reading the book was even better and the stories had such power. It made me think about the human race as a whole and how just small acts can change things. I honestly became more aware of making small changes to affect myself and others in positive ways and think I have become a kinder person because of it.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe – Benjamin Alire Sáenz 
I read this just less than a year ago and I’ve been wanting to read it again pretty much since a month after I finished it. There is so much I love about this book. The characters are so easy to fall in love with. Ari and Dante have such real personalities and vulnerabilities. The writing is stunning and makes you really understand Ari (it’s from his point of view) even if you haven’t ever experienced what he has. I always recommend this book to everyone and I’m trying to convince everyone I know to read it! It’s truly one of the most wonderful stories I’ve ever read.

The Host – Stephenie Meyer
Honestly, The Host is underrated in my opinion. I think it’s overshadowed by the Twilight series (obviously going to happen when an author has another book that popular) and I think others won’t read it because they hate Twilight. The setting is wonderful and the way Wanderer tells her stories of all the worlds she has lived on is amazing. I’m less interested in the love triangle (kind of) that goes on in this and way more interested in the new technology and the way the world has changed but it is still a really touching story.

The Night Circus – Erin Morgenstern
Every time winter comes around and fairy lights start popping up on streets and I make tea constantly to warm myself up, there will be a little voice telling me to reread The Night Circus. It is my ultimate December read, mainly because the first time I read it was just after Christmas but also it just has such a magical, wintery feel. There are certain characters I am less interested in and their chapters are not my favourite, however the majority of the characters are fascinating and wonderful and I fall in love with the magic every time.

We Are Okay – Nina LaCour
Yes, I know I just read this book last month but you KNOW a favourite book when you read one. I wasn’t even halfway through when I realised how much I loved it and I was hoping so much that the rest of the book and the ending would live up to what I’d read so far. It is written so beautifully and introspectively; it is exactly the type of descriptive writing I adore. The characters are easy to connect to and fall in love with. I just wanted to reach into the book and help Marin with all her worries and problems or at least give her a hug!

What are some of your favourite books? Are they ones which have stuck with you since childhood or newer, more contemporary ones you’ve read recently?