Jessie Spangler

Reading is one of my favorite things to do in my free time, when I have free time. It’s been one of my goals this year to read more, and I think I’ve been doing pretty well so far. I’ve made a list of books I’ve read that have successfully gotten my mind off things, and they vary from all sorts of genres.

The Infernal Devices series. I read the Mortal Instruments series in high school, and never really thought about the other series Cassandra Clare wrote until I saw Clockwork Angel in a used bookstore and thought, “why not?” Now that I’ve read all three books, and I can say that the Infernal Devices is way better than the Mortal Instrument series, and that I absolutely fell in love with these books and the characters. They’re easy to get through, and are a great way to forget about the world and relax for a little bit.

The Dark Artifices series. Okay, so while we’re on the topic of Cassandra Clare, you might as well read another one of her Shadowhunter series (keep in mind this series is unfinished, there’s only two books that have been written so far). It’s not as great as the Infernal Devices, but still a great way to escape the real world for a little bit. Both of the first books are long, but are also easy to get through, and will make you want to keep reading.

We Were Liars. If you haven’t noticed by now, I am a huge fan of the young adult genre. This book is undeniably tragic, and will keep you hooked all the way through in your attempt to figure out exactly what happened to the main characters. It’s a super easy read, and while not one of my favorite books I’ve ever read, I still recommend it if you’re looking for something quick. I’m also really easy to please when it comes to books and I’m usually not super critical of books, so I guess keep that in mind too as you’re going through this list.

Flight Behavior. Look, a real adult book! I actually read this book for class, but I loved it. It makes you think about climate change and the environment, which was one of my favorite parts about this book. Not only that, but it comments on class and gender roles, which makes for a really interesting read. It’ll take a little longer to get through this one, due to all of the science (it’s not difficult to understand at all though), but it’s definitely worth the read.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone series. Laini Taylor is a fantasy writing genius. Her writing is beautiful, as is the world she creates in this series. It’s been a while since I’ve read this series, but I remember absolutely loving it. I definitely recommend these books, and it will you make return to the real world in a daze, imagining that there’s different creatures hidden in the sky.

All the Light We Cannot See. Another fantastic piece of work. This book is long, and takes place during World War II. It makes you think about human nature, and about we deal with war and trauma. I believe it took the author ten years to write this book, and his attention to detail and writing skill shows. I finished this book almost two years ago, and I still think back to it every now and then.

I honestly could go on forever about books people should read, I have so many that I’ve loved, especially in the past year or so. I love the feeling of losing myself in a book, and just letting my mind be filled with someone else’s words for a while. I love trying to construct the scenes and characters in my mind’s eye.

Do you all have any book recommendations? I would love to hear them!