Books Suggestions for Everyone

This guy has found his next suggestion victim. 

Suggesting books is a frequent occurrence for many of us avid readers. We take any opportunity to make these suggestions; we make them to friends, family members, and even random strangers that glance our way. We walk into books stores only to end up dragging other customers through our favorites, handing them book after book of things we know they'll just love, all because they made the mistake of commenting about the selection,  or of looking confused in our favorite aisle, or even of just making eye contact with us. You've probably encountered us before, hell, you probably have one of our books that we thrust upon you collecting dust on your bookshelf.

Now, I have a few different 'suggestions' lists. I have lists of my favorite authors, of series in a particular genre, of YA books, and so many more.

I also have a list of books I think everyone should read no matter your specified genre. A list of books (or series) I think almost everyone would like if they just gave them a chance, and that will never be completely out of date (at least I hope not).

A list that I am going to share with you.

1.  Ender's Game, by Orson Scott Card

I don' read Science Fiction very often, and even if you have never opened a sci-fi book in you life, you should still give this one a try. It's an amazing read, and I truly cannot name a single person who has read it and not fallen in love with it. If you're reading this, and you are a person that doesn't like this book, please message me; I would be so interested to know why.

2.  Harry Potter, by J.K. Rowling

Well, I do know some people that haven't liked this series, and much as I love it I won't claim that everyone else will too. I do think that everyone should read at least the first book though; it's an easy read so it won't take to long, and is great as the nightly bedtime story if you have kidlets.

3.  The Hobbit (and The Lord of the Rings), by J.R.R. Tolkien

These works can be credited with not only the popularization of, but also with many of the themes that are found in the fantasy genre. Yes, The Hobbit is technically a children's book, but ever since it was published it has attracted a huge adult fan-base. I am usually anti-bandwagon, but there is a reason why this book is still massively popular over seventy years after publication. And if you are a fantasy fan, or even a fantasy gamer on Warcraft or Dungeons and Dragons (and the like), you'll enjoy it simply by seeing the origins of many of the themes you love so much.

4.  The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (and Huckleberry Finn), by Mark Twain

I think that everyone should read at least one book by Mark Twain during their life, and these are great ones to start with. You can read it as a fun tale about a couple of trouble-making youths, or as the beginning of American Literature, either way you are gonna be satisfied by the read.

5.  The Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis

If you don't have the time or inclination to read all seven books in this series, at least read The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, though my personal favorite is The Horse and his Boy. Fun stories, easy to read, and Lewis does a good job of making you think about right and wrong, without making you feel like you were just preached to.

6.  Interview with the Vampire, by Anne Rice

Anne Rice started one of the biggest literary fads with this book, and you don't have to be a fan of Vampires to like it. I have heard some people complain that they don't like Interview because they see the main character as 'whiney' (I don't agree at all). If you can't get into it then I suggest you just pop in the movie (don't hate me!) and skip to the second book, The Vampire Lestat.

7.  The Prince of Tides, by Pat Conroy

I can't say that I love this book, but it is one that will stay with me forever, and one that I return to every few years. Parts of it are hard because it deals with very dark issues, but the beautiful language and haunting story-line stays with you long after you put it down. It's a book that was suggested to me, and I can't even say how many times I've suggested it to others.

There are only seven books here; I figured this would be a good starting point. I wouldn't consider most of these as personal 'favorites', but they are the books that I suggest the most. Do you have your own 'suggested reading' list? If so, then leave a comment and share them! Maybe I'll read'em and make a new list!

*some links on this page take you to Amazon.com for a convenient book synopsis or purchase