Do you enjoy reading? Maybe you've never had the time or you've always been forced to read books you hate so you've given up. Stick with me if that is you. These books were written for enjoyment and are a lot of fun if you give them the time of day. Here are twelve books I recommend you give a try.
1. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J. R. R. Tolkien
https://www.engadget.com/2017/11/14/amazon-lord-of-the-rings-prequel-not-for-purists/
The Lord of the Rings is full of elves, dwarves, men and hobbits. Don't know what a Hobbit is? Will good conquer evil? Find out by reading this gripping trilogy that takes you on a world-saving adventure! This trilogy is also full of friendships, learning to trust, and overcoming greed and much more!
2. The Ranger’s Apprentice Series by John Flanagan
https://www.archery360.com/2017/03/03/rangers-apprentice-must-read-archery-fans/
This adventurous series is full of many brave characters. Some of which must put away childhood squabbles in order to save the day and take their place in society. They must learn that there is more to them than others see. Friendships, romance and parental bonds are born as we watch the characters grown into adult men and women.
3. Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series by Rick Riordian
http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/percy-jackson-and-the-olympians-saga/images/29543824/title/books-percy-jackson-photo
Looking for adventure? Want to see young heroes save the world and build friendships that will save their lives? Than read the Percy Jackson and the Olympians. This series is based off of Greek mythology and what it might have been like if the Greek gods were real and had offspring with mortals.
You grow to love characters and hate others as you do with any great book. You see characters grow up and take a stand for what they believe in and fight against that which they do not. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you will truly enjoy Percy Jackson and the Olympians.
4. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
http://scriptshadow.net/movie-review-the-great-gatsby/
Who is the great Gatsby? Is he really so great? Find out by reading this short but entertaining novel. This novel is full of romance and the American dream. Find out what it was like to live in the 1920's during the prohibition. What were people like then. Were there good guys and bad guys? Find out by giving this great novel a read.
5. The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis
https://fanart.tv/movie/411/the-chronicles-of-narnia-the-lion-the-witch-and-the-wardrobe/
Looking for a fantasy and redemptive story? Come discover Narnia with Lucy, make mistakes with Edmund, act sensible with Susan and lead with Peter. Most of all, learn what sacrificial love is with Aslan as he shows the evil White Witch just how powerful the deep magic is.
6. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
https://fanart.tv/movie/11362/the-count-of-monte-cristo/
Enjoy a good revenge story? The Count of Monte Cristo is a story of a young sailor whose life is turned upside down when he is accused of something he did not do. His happy life is torn from him and essentially appears to have lost everything. Years later he enacts his revenge against the man who stole the life he was meant to have. Does he succeed? Does it satisfy him? Find out by reading the novel and discover why revenge is not always the best response.
7. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/to-kill-a-mockingbird/images/37563156/title/kill-mockingbird-fanart
This story is not a how to book as the title may lead you to believe. The Mockingbird is only a metaphor to symbolize that is wrong to prey on the innocent and/or helpless. In this story we see innocent people accused of doing something terrible without sound reasoning. By the end of the novel our young protagonists discover the full meaning behind why it is wrong "to kill a mockingbird."
8. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
https://prashantb.wordpress.com/2011/02/20/little-women-movie-review/
Do you have sisters? Are you all super different? Read about the four March sisters who are all incredibly different but make it work. They have their fights and moments when forgiveness is difficult, but at the end of the day they love each other and care for each other.
9. Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/lone-survivor-film-review-655570
Are inspired by true stories? Do you or a loved one serve in some form of the military? This story is all about a team of Navy Seals. While on a mission, they are forced to make an incredibly tough decision regarding human life which ends up costing most of their lives. This story is truly inspiring and is written from the point of view of the lone survivor of the mission.
10. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
https://www.ebay.com/bhp/frankenstein-mary-shelley
I know what you're probably thinking. Your teacher made you read this in high school and you most likely hated it. I read this book in high school and upon reading the title, I told myself I would hate it. As my A. P. Literature teacher broke down the meaning behind the novel, I began to see the beauty in it. You're probably thinking, "beauty in Frankenstein, come on!" Hear me out. He talked about how when Victor Frankenstein was away from nature for long periods of time, he would become ill and bad things would happen. It would not be until he was back in nature that he was able to remain well and there was this peace that came from being in nature. Through this, it allowed me to truly appreciate nature and the beauty and peace within it. How when one sits in nature, they experience peace and this sense of calmness. This book allows you to appreciate the beauty and peace in nature.
11. Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
https://www.cameronmackintosh.com/productions/view/les-miserables/les-miserables-25th-anniversary-2010
You're probably familiar with the movie and musical versions of this story. But have you ever stopped and read the original story? Did you ever stop to think that there is more to the story than the movie and musical portray? It's true. Intentions and actions that seem abrupt and perhaps out of place in the movie have a little more to them in the novel and give you more background for what and why things happen. Experience the complete story by reading this fantastic novel.
12. Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh
http://www.emmashouseinportugal.com/living-in-portugal/brideshead-eurovision/
I read this novel for the first time the summer going into my senior year of high school. It was required for summer reading and I was determined to hate it. Little did I know it would one day become my favorite book in the world. I had an excellent A. P. Literature teacher who enlightened my fellow classmates and I on the true meaning of the book and the reasons why he loved the book so much. Reasons you can perhaps come ask me about because if I shared them with you now we would be here until the second coming of Christ.
The book teaches that no matter how far away from the church you roam, it always has a way of drawing you back to it in a deeper way. In a beautiful way. Many of the characters try to run away from the church or are away from it to begin with it because they do not fully understand the church. Each takes his or her own path to conversion and understanding the truth. The novel is fully of close friendships, conversions, mistakes and lessons learned that lead each character in their journey back or for the first time to Christ.
