My Top 5 Books I Always Recommend
- Leoni Latham
- May 15, 2020
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 27, 2022
Below is a list and description of each of the books I have read which I RAVE about to others who don’t know what to delve into next.
Frankenstein- Mary Shelley
I was pleasantly surprised when reading this classic by the great and well known Mary Shelley. It provided a new perspective of life and made me realise how this sometimes absurd world has such an influence on opinions and thought processes pretty much everyday! This book takes you on an adventure, revealing the truth about humanity’s ways. The characters you meet will force you to consider topics such as society’s morality and make you re-evaluate your own opinions- it may even transform you as a person. Within this book, the sad, true and unblemished realities of life’s values act as the main spotlight. Some parts are beautiful, some funny and some cruel. But all in all, a fantastic book packed with mystery, horror and delight with heart warming passages that provide a subtle sense of hope.
The One Memory of Flora Banks- Emily Barr
This book, despite being such an easy read, is packed with adventure. For me it acted as a sort of “self help” with an uplifting ending that gave me the urge to step out of my comfort zone. The main character (Flora) reveals her abnormal lifestyle and refuses to let her illness be her only significant characteristic despite the lack of encouragement from certain others. Personally, this wasn’t your classic “woe me I’m ill and depressed” book. It showed me real and raw emotions and provided me with a different perspective which made me think that “if she could do THAT then I can certainly do it too”. The book begins partly with the love struck teen (where love becomes the driving force for her to step out of her comfort zone) but transforms into SO much more. If you need to be uplifted or want to feel empowered and worthy, this is the book for you.
Jane Eyre- Charlotte Brontë
I originally had to read this book as part of my English Literature A Level coursework and I LOVED it. If you enjoy feminist fiction then this book is definitely one to consider. It is a classic coming of age Bildungsroman novel which explores identity, social disposition, religious guidance/control and of course LOVE. I’m not going to lie, it is quite depressing in some parts but that is the thing that makes the positive outcomes and experiences so uplifting. The thing I adore the most about this book is the unveiling of the dark and sinister secrets that reflects so much of the Victorian values and beliefs. This classic has shocking twists and turns and Jane’s opinionated and overt personality is so encouraging to the reader as it reassures you that it is 100% okay to stand out from the crowd and go against the norms. This is a tense book which provides a serious message for those who are possibly a little lost in themselves and want to unleash the real them once in while.
The Shining- Stephen King
You know that feeling when you are lying in bed in the dark and you think your dressing gown is a floating phantom at your door? Well, when reading this book before going to sleep, I had to check all of the wardrobes and corners of my room to make sure nothing paranormal was lurking. So if you want to feel fantastically uncomfortable then give this book a read. Hand on my heart, Stephen King is the only horror writer who (has yet) made me feel genuinely scared after reading a juicy chapter- this means you end up reading this book wayyy to quickly. The book offers lots of scenarios without actually giving you a definitive answer- so the reasons for the actions is down to your own interpretation! If you love the classic film then you will love the book even more as the film surprisingly leaves A LOT out. After reading this book, you may wish you had ‘the shining’ too.
The Sky is Everywhere- Jandy Nelson
This book really helps you get to grips with grief and it explores how it is different for everyone. In this creative story line you are able to understand the pain of living without someone, but it also adds the realisation that you CAN still be happy and you WILL find happiness in your own quirky way- even if the happiness only comes in brief waves. Even if you haven’t experienced grief it is still a must read as the emotional impact is insanely believable and also highly reassuring. Piece by piece the life of the character begins to form a jigsaw of events and experiences including some heart wrenching notes that she scatters on her journeys. The love triangle she connects becomes as complex as grief itself which intertwines with the themes of nature and music. It is a story about love, loss and forgiveness and it will help you to understand that it’s okay not to be okay.
Thank you all, stay safe, keep smiling and keep being typically untypical
Leoni Latham Blogs xoxo
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