One of my greatest and lasting obsessions: books. If you know me then you know that I will always have a warm and special spot for books in my heart. Literature has become very important to me within the last three years; I find little pieces of myself in every book, and it became some sort of a therapy to me in a dark time of my life. It seemed that while I could not fully escape my reality, I could at least ignore it for a spell by filling my mind with books instead.
Since no one ever asks me for book recommendations, I took it upon myself to compile a list of my favorite books and share them, in no particular order :)
Redeeming Love | Francine rivers
This is the kind of book that you want to read again and again. And once you do read it, you don't want to put it down. The novel is set during the California Gold Rush era, and inspired from the book of Hosea, and demonstrates how the love of Christ continually pursues us, and in His love we are redeemed and purified. It follows the story of a harlot, Angel, and how she was brought out of prostitution. I remember first reading it when I was in eighth grade, and because I read this book, my standards for all future relationships have been raised impossibly high, and I have Michael Hosea to thank for that. Since then I have read it two more times, and I cannot stress the fact enough of how much I love this book.
North and South | Elizabeth Gaskell
As I said earlier, I first read this my sophomore year of high school. I had just watched the miniseries on BBC, and I was obsessed. I quickly got my hands on a copy and flew through it. North and South takes place around the time of the Great Exhibition of 1851. A young woman moves with her family from the warm and friendly country to a cold industrial town in the north. It is a bit slow, but for reasons I truly cannot explain, it is one of my favorite love stories. It's the classic trope of enemies to lovers: "what started in strife ended in love" type of romance. I actually wrote a paper my junior year for my British Literature class on Elizabeth Gaskell; if you didn't know, she is one of my favorite authors :)
This Side of Paradise | F. Scott Fitzgerald
The life of Amory Blaine beautifully depicted by the author of The Great Gatsby. A classic story of a youth searching for status, wealth, and recognition. One of the things I love about this book is watching the character fall in love with the aesthetics of poetry and literature. In fact, my favorite poem I've ever read is from this book! *I'll write it down below... It's too beautiful not to share!* But asides from all that, it's truly an interesting story. The book follows Amory's life from boyhood to adulthood, and his constant pursuit of beauty and satisfaction. I don't normally read books for the aesthetic of it (if such a thing exists) but the way the entire book was written was so beautiful I definitely would label it as aesthetic. One thing is for certain: F. Scott Fitzgerald has mastered the art of writing, and I must add that he is my favorite modern American author.
The Glimpses of the Moon | Edith Wharton
One of Wharton's lesser-known novels, The Glimpses of the Moon truly does not get enough recognition. It takes places in the early to mid 20's, as two young friends decide to marry out of convenience. Nick Lansing and Susy Branch, having the right connections but no resources, resolve to glean off of the benefits of matrimony, by 'honeymooning' in their extremely wealthy friends' mansions and villas. A smart way of living I dare say. I love this book not only for its refreshing plot, but also for its historical part in the Roaring Twenties, which is one of my favorite periods! I wouldn't quite classify this as romance, but with any great period drama, there is always a great love story... and I have a soft spot for this one especially.
Pride and Prejudice | Jane Austen
What kind of reading list would this be if I didn't have the iconic Jane Austen novel Pride and Prejudice? This is the first classic I read, and the book that inspired my love for reading. I say a lot of things are my favorite... how else am I supposed to stress how much meaning it has for me? But I really do mean that this book is special to me. It has the similar romance sub plot found in North and South: a wealthy shy man who often comes across as proud falls in love with this independent, headstrong girl in the upper middle class who absolutely detests said man, but gradually and slowly realizes she loves him too. It seemed to be a common theme back in the day, much like modern dystopians have their theme of young girls who have no time for romance, yet are caught in an impossible love triangle, who plans on overthrowing a cruel government. No hate on dystopian novels though; I myself was a big fan of The Hunger Games in my middle school years.
The Professor | Charlotte Bronte
This book is pure genius. If you want a good story about a man who quits his job as an accountant who then moves to Brussels in order to teach English to French students, despite knowing next to nothing about the French language, and then falls in love with a mysterious French teacher, then this is the story for you. The Professor is quite honestly one of the best books to exist in my opinion. This is another "lesser-known" book of Charlotte Bronte, which is painful for me because no one I know has read it, and I cannot obsess over it with anyone. I absolutely adore the humor, the intelligence, and endearment of this novel. I almost wish I could read it again for the first time, because of the pure elegance of it all.
The Book Thief | Markus Zusak
I must admit: I sometimes will read books because I saw the movie first. But in my defense, the movie was spectacular. Regardless of whatever came my way first, The Book Thief will forever be a classic in my eyes. I applaud the insane creativity poured into this book: really, I love everything about it. There is a slight genius about it, as the entire book is narrated by Death, and how he was haunted by the life a young girl. I can't say this enough: historical fictions enchant me, and this is by far the best one. My best advice I can give to those reading The Book Thief, is not to grow too attached to the characters. I will say no more, for fear of spoiling this prodigy of a book. But if you do decide to read, do me a favor and please appreciate the humor and originality in the narration.
Let Me Be a Woman | Elizabeth Elliot
I'm currently reading this book, and I've already recommended it to all my friends! My mom and my sister told me to read it, and I am soaking up every word. Let Me Be a Woman is a letter Elizabeth Elliot wrote to her daughter as she is about to be married. She writes what it means to be a woman from a Biblical Christian view. She uplifts women, in that we are created equal in God's image, yet man and woman are different. I highly recommend this to all the young ladies out there, who are currently pursuing a relationship in Christ.
Sense and Sensibility | Jane Austen
A sweet and breezy read. Who doesn't love a good story about sisterly bonds and heartache? Sense and Sensibility is another favorite of mine, because of the variety of characters. You will love most, and hate few. I love the simplicity of the plot and the genuineness of it all. In a way, I would describe it as cute. All of the characters are lovable *cough* not you Willoughby and perfectly imperfect, and it just adds to the pure charm of it all. Also, the movie with Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet is perfection, and it really made me want to leave everything and run away to a cottage in the English countryside. . .
These are but of a few of many books I love. I'm sure by now you have gathered that I love historical fiction, and anything with witty dialogue and a good romance thrown into the mix. These are books that have touched my heart in one way or another, and I really hope this inspires some to read, and possibly cause others to find new authors they love. Reading is a lost art, much like poetry, and it breaks my heart to see that it is a passion shared by few. My aim was to simply share the things near and dear to my soul.
Speaking of poetry, one of my favorite poems is found in This Side of Paradise, as I mentioned earlier. As promised, I will share it here, simply because it is one of the prettiest pieces of prose I ever had the pleasure of reading.
When Vanity kissed Vanity, a hundred happy Junes ago, he Pondered o'er her breathlessly, and, that all men might ever Know, he rhymed her eyes with life and death:
"Thru Time I'll same my love!" said he. . . yet Beauty vanished With his breath, and with her lovers, she was dead. . .
— Ever his wit and not her eyes, ever his art and not her hair:
"Who'd learn a trick in rhyme, be wise and pause before his Sonnet there?"
. . . So all my words, however true, might sing
You to a thousandth June, and no one will ever know that you
Were beauty for an afternoon .
And that my friends, is a sample of the bewitching talent of F. Scott Fitzgerald. I hope someday to write as well as he does, but as we all know perfection is the result of practiced efforts. And so I conclude, and I wish everyone a farewell. God bless ♥
— emma k —
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