I have always been an avid reader. Over the years I have delved into a diverse array of english literature, biographies, sappy love stories and more! Now I am revealing my top ten books in a variety of genres.
History, Educational and Scientific:
One of my favourite and most diverse areas of books is the educational side of reading. I thoroughly enjoy reading something that is not only educational, but fulfilling. I have always been interested in books that tell me more about our history, whether it has to do with medicine or the history of humankind. Here are some of my favourites:
- Do No Harm – By: Henry Marsh
This book is a collection of stories relating to the personal and professional life of Dr. Henry Marsh, a well established neurosurgeon. The book takes readers into what happens behind hospital doors and the horrors and happy tales that tie into brain surgery. As someone who one day hopes to study medicine and be a doctor, I find this book enlightening and extremely interesting.
2. Sapiens – By: Yuval Noah Harari
I came across this book and originally decided not to purchase it because of its enormity, but eventually I succumbed to my interest. This book deals with the complex human history, starting with the beginning of Earth itself. I have never learnt so much from a book as I did reading this one. The topics covered in this book range from evolution to God to the complexities of money and agriculture. If anyone is looking for a book that covers numerous topics and would like something that really gets you thinking, I suggest reading this one.
3. What If? – By: Randall Munroe
If you’ve ever had a theoretical question you might find an answer within this book. Serious math and scientific answers are put towards extreme hypothetical questions in this book. I enjoy the mesh between serious science and the goofy questions that are answered within. Not only did I love reading this hilarious book, but I definitely think I’ll be leaving it on my coffee table for people to skim through.
English Literature:
In this area I will let on to some of my favourite classic novels from the brilliance that is Jane Austen to the complicated taking of social life told my Fitzgerald. This genre of books fascinates me, reading stories told hundreds of years ago and having the ability to see into the past.
4. Lolita – By: Vladimir Nabokov
Although this novel was written in 1955, I consider it a classic. Lolita tells the story about a man in love with the innocence associated with young girls. This book battles the intricacies that surround the pedophile Humbert, the narrator of the novel, as he falls in love with Lolita, the daughter of his landlady. As the book progressed, I began to sympathize and understand something that was so foreign to me. The ability that Nabokov has to change a persons view is why this book lies in my top ten reads.
5. The Great Gatsby – F. Scott Fitzgerald
This book needs no introduction. From the second I had completed the first chapter, I was hooked. I had always been a fan of Fitzgerald and his writing style, and The Great Gatsby was a marvelous book to add to my shelf. The book takes readers into the life of Narrator Nick Caraway as he dives head first into Gatsby’s world and what the twenties were like in New York. Readers will learn about the mystery that is Gatsby and the love that pines for; Daisy Buchanan. Any reader that wishes to delve into English literature, The Great Gatsby is not a bad place to start.
Stay tuned for part two of my reading list, where I will continue with my favourites of literature and some of my more modern reads.
