Reading is a great pastime. Just leave reality to an exceptional fictional world. I enjoy reading. I do not read as much as I would like, but I do read genres ranging from fantasy to nonfiction documentaries. Here are my favorite five books that I’ve read:
“Three Dark Crowns” by Kendare Blake
Genre: Novel, Fantasy
“Three Dark Crowns” is the first book in a four-book series about triplet sisters at war. Arisone, Katherine and Mirabelle are all fighting each other for more power.
The night after the sisters turn 16, the war begins. They all have to kill each other for the coveted throne and the last sister standing wins.
I love this book. It is my top one because it has that fantasy-suspense factor that makes you sit on edge when reading. With the amount of drama packed in the first book of the four-book series, you will not be able to put the series until you’ve read them all.
“Long Live The Pumpkin Queen” by Shea Ernshaw
Genre: Fantasy and horror fiction
“Long Live The Pumpkin Queen” is not an official sequel to “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” but the story follows Sally after she marries Jack Skellington. Jack was immediately thrown into work for Halloween. While Jack worked with the mayor, Sally was forced to become the “Pumpkin Queen” people wanted her to be.
After Sally had run away and come back, Halloween Town was in despair and the entire town was asleep due to a fog. So Sally and the ghost dog Zero have to save Halloween Town.
I love this book so much. It is one of my favorites because I love “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” big or small, especially since you get to learn more about Sally and see the world from her viewpoint.
“Once Upon a Dream” by Liz Braswell
Genre: Fairy tale, fantasy
From “Cinderella” to “Alice in Wonderland,” there are a long line of twisted Disney stories. In “Once Upon a Dream,” you enter a world where Aurora is in her deep slumber.
After a while of being in deep sleep, Aurora realizes she is trapped by Maleficent. Later, the prince comes along and attempts to help Aurora escape, but Maleficent stops the two and kills the prince by piercing him, keeping Aurora stuck in a deep sleep. Aurora escapes, then she, the palace guards and the prince fight Maleficent and well, you will have to read to find out the end.
I love this book and all the twisted Disney stories for two reasons. I love Disney (if you can tell from the previous story), and the stories are well-written and play perfectly with the Disney stories we know and love today.
“A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” by Holly Jackson
Genre: Mystery, Young Adult fiction
“A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” is the first book in a three-book series. Throughout the series, you follow Pip, who is solving a murder that occurred in her town a couple of years ago for her school project. She is interviewing the victim’s friends, family, teachers and even enemies.
I am a huge fan of true crime, mystery and suspense drama stories. The first book is funny yet drama-filled as you learn more about Pip’s life and follow her in solving the case. This series is perfect because the plot gets more series throughout all three books.
“Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” by J.K. Rowling
Genre: Novel, Children’s literature, fantasy fiction
“Goblet of Fire” is the fourth of the seven-book Harry Potter series. It takes in Harry’s fourth year at Hogwarts, during the Tri-Wizard tournament, which is held after a few hundred years.
The Tri-Wizard tournament is a competition between Hogwarts and two other schools. Typically, only one competitor from each school is assigned, which the Goblet of Fire determined. However, Harry is designated as a fourth competitor, and while reading the book, you discover how it happened. Following Harry and the other competitors during the challenges, you see how his friendships struggle during the tournament.
“The Goblet of Fire” has always been my favorite book in the series. I could not tell you why. There is just something about the suspense of the friendships and challenges and the little bit of love that happens. It is great literature and I highly recommend the Harry Potter series to anyone.
