All Time Favorites

As an avid reader, you can tell quite a lot about someone based on their favorite books.

No, I am not judgemental, that is a fact.

With that said.. what better introduction to this blog than to go over my favorite books of all time??? Let's get started...

As a side note, this list will be spoiler free, these are not reviews, just an introduction to who I am as a reader! So, feel free to carry on delving into my mind if you see a book you haven't read yet, this list is safe I promise.

If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio:

Oftentimes, when you ask a reader what their favorite book of all time is, they'll look at you like you asked them to pick a favorite child. "I can't possibly pick!" they'll exclaim, usually followed up with a question along the lines of "Can I list my top five?". Well I have a number one and it is the masterpiece pictured above. If We Were Villains is a dark academia novel following a group of pretentious, overzealous, Shakespeare obsessed prep school kids through a journey of self discovery, kind of. There may or may not be some murder involved, you'll find out if you read it. This book is chock full of the most artful foreshadowing I have ever seen in a piece of writing, making it all the more enjoyable with every single reread. The character development is absolutely unreal, and the characters themselves carry a level of depth and intensity that is hard to find. Rio weaves in Shakespearian quotes beautifully through the writing to help the story along and immerse the reader in a world of theater and imagination, the same world the characters reside in.

Girlhood by Melissa Febos:

I've been told that I'm a "scary feminist," and I took it as a compliment. Being a fierce, powerful woman is not and never will be something I shy away from, and I pay Melissa Febos immense credit in forming these attributes in me as a young girl. This essay collection is undoubtedly the most powerful thing I have ever read. It goes into depth on the patriarchy and its effects, hyper sexualization of girls, the ridiculous expectations put unto women throughout history, and so much more than I can't possibly cover in a blurb of this size. If you get one thing out of this blog, I sincerely hope it is that you should read this book.

Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbowsky:

This book changed my life and I don't say that lightly. It's a popular one so i doubt I have to go into depth about the plot, but to sum it up Perks is about a young boy's struggles with mental health during his coming of age. This novel opened my eyes and is one of the most realistic depictions of depression and anxiety I have ever read. I will continue to recommend this book to every single person I come across for the rest of my life.

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde"

This one. Wow. The Picture of Dorian Gray follows Dorian, a young man so obsessed with other perceptions of him he basically throws away all of his life's potential to maintain it. With flowery language and deep dives into the philosophy of self actualization, Wilde pushes powerful themes of the importance of art, and the superficiality of beauty and society. This novel is not a light, easy read. It is deep and meaningful, verbose and yet delicate, and a true favorite of mine.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn:

This one is iconic to say the least, and for good reason. Gone Girl has obviously a riveting story with twists and turns galore, but the writing style is what really got me. The tangents Amy goes off on (such as the cool girl monologue which.. don't even get me started) gives readers the perfect view into her mind and who she really is. the unreliable narration is perfectly executed as well as the dual POV, creating the perfect thriller/mystery. Amy undoubtedly has a few screws loose, but these screws loosened due to common struggles women go through on the day to day, making this outrageous novel somewhat relatable and an incredible read.

The Shatter Me Series by Tahereh Mafi:

I would be lying if I didn't include some slightly juvenile, dystopian romance on this list. This series is just perfect. From a powerful female main character to a dark, brooding, mysterious love interest, to a goofy, mood-enhancing best friend, to a found family, this series simply has it all. The character development is off the charts and the love story is perfect. Soulmates. That's all i have to say on that front. I don't care if you're 13 or 30, I refuse to believe you won't enjoy this.

The Addicted/Calloway Sisters Series of Krista & Becca Ritchie:

I'm a teenage girl what did you expect? This series is so good! The love stories are so real and diverse, from Lily and Lo's all encompassing love, to Connor and Rose's banter, to Ryke and Daisy's reckless abandon, these books have every kind of love one could want. Ritchie showcases the ups and downs that come with real life, playing into addiction and mental health issues such as PTSD and Eating Disorders, and the found family in this one is irreplaceable in my eyes. Nothing beats the core six. Nothing.