My name’s Emma (18), and I love to read. It’s one of my favourite ways to wind down, to relax and how I end each day, curled up in bed with a book on my lap. I find it can be an amazing way to just let go and get lost in another world
Today I thought I’d share with you some of the books that really mean something to you, in the hopes they could mean something to you too.
Looking For Alaska by John Green
A first read this a few years ago, it was actually my first John Green book and I’ve since gone on to enjoy all of his work. There was just something about Miles that I really loved, this geeky kid, with an obsession in learning people's last words. It’s a book about pranks, growing up, fitting in and falling in love. It touches on young love in a way that isn’t chique or over done and there are lines that’ll break your heart like nothing before it.
More Than This by Patrick Ness
I picked this at random because I was intrigued by it’s summery; a boy drowns, cold and alone in the ocean… Then he wakes up. It’s hard to talk about this book without spoiling it but I think it’s a must read, it deals with things we’ve all felt in a world that may not be too far away. It’s about wanting more out of life.
The Night Circus by Erin Morganstern
This is my favourite, out of every book I’ve ever read this one always comes out on top. To me it’s like magic coming to life in the most beautiful way. There’s love, magic, death all within this circus that’s a world in itself. It’s an absolutely amazing book and I recommend it everyone as something you should read at least once.
Heaven by Christoph Marzi
This was a book I happened to pick up in the charity book where I volunteer. It’s only summery is one of a girl getting her heart getting cut out. Inside is a fairytale like story with blood, ghosts, stars and a little love. There’s just something really special about this book and I promise that if like me you like Disney then it’s this is like Disney with a dark twist.
Where She Went by Gayle Forman
I’ve loved all of Gayle’s books but this just happens to be my favourite. It’s actually the sequel to her book If I Stay (now a great with Chloe Grace Moretz.) It’s about how Mia’s boyfriend Adam get’s on with life after the accident that killed Mia’s family. It’s a story of heartbreak, redemption and music. Music plays a really important part throughout the book. Adam is in band and many of his lyrics are scattered in the chapters, songs from all genres are mentioned so no matter what you like you can find something here. I read it without having read If I Stay first but I would recommend it.
Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion
You may know this book more for it’s film with the wonderful Nicholas Hault but I find like most book to film adaptations the book it better. It’s a modern take on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet with a zombie called R. First of all he’s a zombie that thinks and not just about brains. He had a mind and though he must eat people to survive himself he knows it’s wrong. On one of his trips for food he means a girl called Julie and we began to wonder if zombies have feelings after all.
It’s a wonderful story that’ll change how you see The Walking Dead forever.
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audey Niffenenegger
I only recently read this book and I fell in love with it. It tells the love story of Henry and Clare, who first meet when Clare is 6 and Henry is 36. Henry is a time traveler, he randomly jumps forward or backward in time at the most inconvenient moments that are completely out of his control. It’s a unique story that it’ll stay with you long after finishing the last page, also you may well need a box of tissues of hand, there will be moments you’ll need to put it down and have a cry.
Perks Of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
The best coming of age book ever written!
Charlie tells the story of getting through high school with his friends Sam and Patrick. The problems they face are ones many of know all too well and I think everyone can find something to relate to within it’s pages. Plus who doesn’t love a bit of the Rocky Horror Picture Show?
All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
I love this book with all my heart, despite the hole it left behind.
Eleanor and Finch meet on the school clock tower, both thinking about jumping. It’s the tale of how the boy who wants to die can be the one that teaches you how to live. Finch is bipolar and suffers greatly throughout the book though sometimes you forget when he’s got you in stitches. It’s a book that’ll make you smile through the tears.
4.50 From Paddington by Agatha Christie
I know this may seem an odd choice but this actually one of the first books I really got in, even before I read Harry Potter. I’ve always enjoyed crime fiction, I love trying to solve them myself, following clues to try and find the murder before Miss Marple did. Agatha Christie is such an amazing writer I think everyone should read her at least once in their lives.
This one is about a lady who witnesses a murder in a passing train but who will believe her when there is no suspects, no other witnesses and no body? Miss Marple of course.