Books that Everyone Should Read

The Diary of a Young Girl

This is required reading for all of humanity. It tackles such a subject as World War II, and tells a light-hearted, sometimes comical, and sometimes heartbreaking story, as only a young girl could tell it. I laughed, I cried, and made me fall in love with a girl I wish I knew, who was lost in the most horrific human experience one could imagine. She is witty, philosophical, and wiser than most adults, and I imagine that the world would be very different if she would have been able to live on and share her eternal wisdom to the world, instead of just jotting them down in a diary, unbeknownst to the rest of humanity.

The Catcher in The Rye

You either love it or you hate it, but you certainly can't live your life without reading it. I personally loved it, as did most others, and is tied with another entry on this list as my favorite book ever. I love a good philosophical book, and this is definitely one of them. You aren't meant to like Holden Caulfield, but I did anyways. His wit and thoughts are beyond me, made me rethink my whole life, and also showed me that there's good and bad in everyone, myself and yourself included. This book is jammed pack with wisdom, roaming around New York City, and also controversial subject matter--ooh what fun!

11/22/63

Tied with The Catcher in The Rye as my favorite book ever, if you're going to read one Stephen King book, read this. It may be 800+ pages, but it is fast-paced, action-packed, and also has a bit of romance. It has something for everyone. I literally could not find one thing wrong about this book, although, a few people on Amazon seemed to find the entire thing to be garbage. I enjoyed every page, and every page is worth it. 

Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone

If you have lived on this Earth and have not read this, what are you doing?! I personally thought that this series was *okay,* but this is the most popular book series ever, and is basically essential reading for life on Earth. I don't know who would even be reading this section because basically everyone has either watched a Harry Potter movie or has read one of the books or both, but, even though I didn't see the intrigue, billions of others have.

Animal Farm

Short, sweet, and to the point. This allegory of the Russian revolution and Stalinism entertains, terrifies, and mystifies as it weaves together an unforgettable stories with--spoilers--animals. It's creative, unique, and very different from the generic dystopian literature that you see today. It's not very long, so you can't say that it it. It's fast-paced and entertaining, so you can't say that it's boring. It's very interesting, so you can't say that you aren't intrigued. Basically, you don't have a single reason not to read it. I implore you, if you have not read Animal Farm, to read it. Especially if you like Russia or history.

My Thoughts on Book Collecting

A portion of my book collection
circa March 2016 from Instagram

I was recently asked elsewhere about why I collect so many books. I thought it would be something interesting to write about, so here I am.

I not only adore reading literature, but I also love book collecting a little more. Perhaps several bibliophiles will be angered by my obscene statement, but that's just my interest. I don't really like reading on my Kindle (no offense to people who do), and I also don't like borrowing books. I like to keep books, to collect them, to surround myself in their love and warmth. That may seem greedy, but it seems like everyone collects at least something, whether it be shoes or dust. I just so happen to collect books. I read a lot, too, don't forget. I fantasize day in and day out about getting more books to read and display, like trophies. I don't hate people who read and pass on a book, in fact, if you're one of those people, good on you. I admire your will power to let go a book that you enjoyed, and to pass it on to other people to enjoy as well. 😊

But, why do I collect books? Multiple reasons. Most of the times, it's so that I will be able to reread it when I want to. Sometimes, it's because I have a sentimental connection with it, and I'd be letting go of childhood memories if I got rid of them. And, in very rare occasions, it's just for filler on my shelves; books that I have no intention of reading, yet, no intention of getting rid of them. I also just love feeling books, just taking them off of my shelves, flipping the pages, basically groping the paper, looking under the dust-jacket, and reading some of my favorite parts if I'm not feeling up to rereading the entire thing. I also just like to admire my collection, staring at it all in it's entirety, surrounded by them. It's the overall atmosphere of books in general, from reading them, to groping them, to looking at them, to smelling them, they just make me happy. I love books. One day, I would like to make something like a "Little Free Library," only it would be as big as a Walmart. Impossible, I know, but it's a fantasy. 😃