10 Greatest Books I've Ever Read

In a sea of similar books repeating themes of lost love, murder, and vampires, there are still certain books that  can standout in any crowd.  They stick their claws into you and refuse to let you put them down.  And even when you do manage to escape into the real world, you can't stop thinking about what you just read and what will happen next in the story.  You know the feeling.  So, while it was hard to narrow it down to just ten, here are the books that have truly captured my imagination from beginning to end. 

10. The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour



Fitting well in the Young Adult category, this is a fun read about a group of friends who take their awful band on tour after graduation.  Though on the surface it might seem like your typical boy-loves-girl girl-doesn't-love-boy but girl-still-teases-boy book, it turns out to be so much more.  Sure, all of that un-reciprocated love stuff happens, but it's mostly about finding oneself.  I have a special soft spot for coming of age novels, and this one is done especially well. 

9. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

In my lifetime I've read countless books on the craft of writing that promise to give the reader valuable advice on how to write the next great American novel.  However, none of these books have come as close to this as Stephen King's "part memoir, part master class".  Even though the book is meant to educate those wanting to become better writers, I believe anyone who loves reading and would be interested in learning about the creative process of one of the greatest novelists of all time would enjoy this book.

8. Scar Tissue by Anthony Kiedis

It is said that real life is stranger than fiction.  This saying seems to ring especially true in the lead singer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers' autobiography.  By honestly retelling stories of sex, drugs, and rock and roll, Kiedis gives not just a glimpse, but a front-row seat looking into the life of a mega star.  This book takes the cake for the most entertaining autobiography I've ever read. 

7. Looking for Alaska by John Green

By now seemingly everyone has discovered the genius that is John Green.  Two of his books have already been made into major motion pictures, and "Looking for Alaska", his first and best book, is next on the list for the Hollywood treatment.  However, I do not see any way in which the movie could be better than the book.  The cinematic depiction of "The Fault in Our Stars" was largely a disappointment to me, and I didn't bother to watch the movie form of "Paper Towns".  This story of a group of friends at boarding school in search for the "Great Perhaps" is breathtaking from start to finish.  If you're going to read any John Green book, this should be it. 

6. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

I have never been a huge fan of suspense novels and was hesitant to start this rather large book.  However, after countless friends testified that this was the best book they had ever read, I decided to give it a go.  And once I started reading, I couldn't stop.  I found myself reading this book everywhere: the exercise bike, the car, the bathtub - anywhere that I could squeeze in a few precious seconds of reading about the disappearance of the mysterious wife.  Told in the form of journal entries (some truthful, some not so much) this book certainly keeps you on the edge of your seat.

5. The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

While I love them all in varying degrees (Goblet of Fire is my favorite and Prisoner of Azkaban is my least favorite) the Harry Potter books all hold a very special place in my heart.  I started reading them in grade school and have been obsessed ever since.  I've gone to the midnight book release of the Deathly Hallows, sent multiple letters to Daniel Radcliffe (the actor who plays Harry Potter), and have visited Harry Potter world in Orlando twice.  The world that J.K. Rowling creates with an imagination that I could not fathom possessing is absolutely enchanting.  If you are one of the few humans who have yet to read this series, I would strongly advise you find out what all of the hype is about.  And if you've already read the entire series once, twice, or more times, use this as a suggestion to refresh your memory before "Harry Potter and The Cursed Child" is released on July 31.

4. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

While most of us were forced to read "The Great Gatsby" in high school, it is one of the few books that I have taken the time to read twice.  Living up to its status as one of the great American novels, it is not only written beautifully, but it's entertaining.  Full of wild parties, affairs, hookers, and murder, this will always be one of the greatest stories ever told. 

3. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

One of the greatest pieces of American literature ever written, Toni Morrison's "The Bluest Eye" is a book that should be required reading in every high school.  A heart-achingly honest telling of 11-year-old Pecola Breedlove's life in 1941 Lorain, Ohio, this book made me feel more than any story had before.  I promise this is a story that once you read it, you will never be able to forget it.



2. Exit Here by Jason Myers

Cool guy Travis is back from college for the summer and has returned to his usual habits of drinking, drugging, watching porn, and hooking up.  However, everything is different from what it used to be.  This is a refreshing novel that actually feels authentic in the way that the teenagers act and feel.  I've never read a young adult novel that felt more realistic. 

1. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

"The Perks of Being a Wallflower" is my favorite book of all time.  Told through the journal entries of high school freshman Charlie, the reader is taken on a journey through normal teenaged things like making friends and going to parties, but also horrific things that we all hope to never experience.  This book is so beautiful because it is not afraid to go to uncomfortable places.  Charlie is one of the most lovable characters ever formed, forcing the reader to feel so deeply every victory and heartbreak that he experiences.  This is a coming of age story that defines everything that it means to be lost and confused while navigating the new adult world.  

What are your top 10 books? I would love any book suggestions you might have!