List: 5 Mood-Boosters

I sort of notoriously prefer books on the darker side, but occasionally I want to read something that doesn’t leave me disturbed for three days after finishing it. Here’s what to read when you need a boost.

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie | The premise of this incredible classic is well-known by now (a group of strangers on an isolated island are killed, one-by-one, leaving the survivors choked with suspicion and desperate for escape), but the genius of Christie’s writing bleeds through in a way that’s thoroughly delightful and leaves me grinning. Sure, it’s a murder mystery, but it’s a witty, enjoyable and fun murder mystery sure to leave you amused and satisfied. Amazon | Goodreads

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Emma by Jane Austen | I had an English Literature teacher in high school who swore that if you read 15 minutes of Austen every day, your writing would improve tenfold. Emma is a particularly easy one, and it’s ridiculously relaxing to read about the protagonist’s exploits as she navigates the world of matchmaking, sheds her naivete in the face of adulthood and discovers a love of her own. Amazon | Goodreads

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Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire | I cannot say enough about this magical novella. The young inhabitants of Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children are unusual - they’ve each traveled through a door to a magical world and back again - and struggle to re-establish a sense of identity in the wake of such journeys. This book really made me feel the possibility of magic again, in the way that Harry Potter did when I was a kid. Amazon | Goodreads

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The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien | The coziest adventure story of all time. Thrilling, creative and full of heart, this book is so therapeutic to me when I’m stressed. Amazon | Goodreads

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The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison | This quiet political fantasy follows a young half-goblin forced into the role of ruler when his father, the king, unexpectedly dies. Maya is one of the most kind hearted, well-intentioned protagonists I’ve ever encountered, and it is truly a pleasure to read his coming-of-age story. In an age of political uncertainty thanks to an elected Toad President and his Toad Supporters, I absolutely revelled in this vivid, imaginative, uplifting book. Amazon | Goodreads

List: 5 Personally Defining Series

This is one of the best lists ever. Cultivated straight from my childhood, the following five series inspired my lifelong love of reading. I will turn to them again and again.

Harry Potter. I first heard HP read aloud to me in school - 2nd grade. I’ll never forget it. My teacher pronounced it “Her-moy-nee” and was as into it as the kids were. Like many others, HP had an impact on my reading habits; my standards for literature; my life. My favorite: a tie between Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, because I like beginnings, and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, because I loved the chapters about the Quidditch World Cup. Amazon | Goodreads

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Dear America. These books fueled my interest in history and my obsession with diary books. Published before diversity and inclusion were loudly considered paramount, the Dear America books expanded my worldview in ways for which I am so grateful. I still see Colonial America through the eyes of Patience Whipple and thanks to her and the other girls I developed - almost unknowingly - a greater understanding of Big Concepts like slavery and war and colonialism at a young age. My favorite: A Journey to the New World, the Diary of Remember Patience Whipple. I also remember (so fondly it hurts) the Royal Diaries spin-off series (Amazon | Goodreads), my favorites of which included the ones about Cleopatra VII, Anastasia and Lady of Ch’iao Kuo. Amazon | Goodreads

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Nancy Drew. I find these almost unreadable as an adult (after awhile you get tired of chapters ending with “...and everything went black.”). But I fully devoured and appreciated these as a kid. I walked away from every library trip with at least one ND book in my pile and loved the simple pleasure of watching such a badass, intelligent, fearless woman fight evil. I loved Carson and Hannah and Bess and George and “special friend” Ned. My favorite: The Hidden Staircase. Also highly recommend the Her Interactive computer games for people of all ages - my sister and I would stay up all night long playing them during the holidays. Amazon | Goodreads

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The Princess Diaries. Ah, young adulthood. The worst. Meg Cabot though, what a gift. Clever, funny, amazing and on-point with her messaging. I consider this series personally defining because I definitely read them before I should have (I blame the aforementioned obsession with diary books), and it therefore served as a highly entertaining way to learn about … things (lol). My favorite: The Princess Diaries. Meg Cabot is prolific and her other series are just as great. The movie adaptation is fantastic as well and the only movie in which I can stand Anne Hathaway. Amazon | Goodreads

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Sammy Keyes. Speaking of on-point messaging, oh my goodness Sammy Keyes! If I had half of her courage and heart I’d be so lucky. I was - still am - so drawn into Sammy’s twisted, insane world. My favorite: Sammy Keyes and the Hollywood Mummy (so fucked up beyond belief in all the right ways). And I still have a crush on Casey Acosta. Amazon | Goodreads

List: 5 on Mythology (Part 1)

There is something alluring about the oldest stories on earth. I’d hate to neglect the fact that every country, race, region, religion, etc. has mythology of its own, so I’ll return one day to list more.

American Gods by Neil Gaiman | When a man named Shadow is released from prison, he finds himself in the service of a god - older and more powerful than he could ever imagine. Shadow is thrust into a great conflict involving this old god and, to his chagrin, many others. I love the TV show - better than the book, I think - so do check it out. But the written story has plenty to offer from a man who recognizes that ancient stories are playful, beautiful, and full of lessons that shouldn’t be forgotten. Amazon | Goodreads

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Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes by Edith Hamilton | A must-read introductory collection for anyone interested in ancient myths and stories. “Timeless” is right. Amazon | Goodreads

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Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman | I apologize for including two by one author on this list, it’s not usually my style but I recently read Norse Mythology and couldn’t put it down. Gaiman modernizes these short tales and injects his characteristic aforementioned playfulness with style and grace. I can’t speak to the accuracy or weight of these myths but … they made me smile. Amazon | Goodreads

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The Odyssey by Homer | There’s a bit of buzz about this epic poem thanks to Emily Watson’s fierce and groundbreaking translation - and I fully support making room for all interpretations of this exciting adventure story. It primarily covers the journey of Odysseus, King of Ithaca, as he travels home after the fall of Troy (covered in the equally dense-but-entertaining epic The Iliad). Don’t be intimidated - this piece of work is fundamental to the development of modern literature and explores universal themes big and small. Also - I highly recommend Wishbone’s version. Amazon | Goodreads

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The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller | Miller beautifully paints from a new perspective in this portrait of Achilles; she draws through the eyes of Patroclus, his deepest companion and lover. While some criticize this book for “eroticizing” the traditional myth, it is my opinion that Miller gives the reader access to these ancient heros with an unprecedented sense of intimacy and heartbreak. At the very least, it’s an interesting take. Amazon | Goodreads

List: 5 Classics

I guess the word “classic” is a bit subjective; I would consider the following books to be among the most important ever:

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens | A love triangle (lol, I oversimplify plots like nobody's business!) unfolds during the Reign of Terror. So much has been written about Dickens - I won't bore you with what this book is (INCREDIBLE, IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING); I'll tell you what it isn't: it isn't boring, it isn't lame or dry. In weaving thousands of stories together with his words Dickens creates a soul-wrenching heartbreaker that everyone should read. Amazon | Goodreads

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Lord of the Flies by William Golding | Everybody read this in school, right? Need a refresher? A plane crashes on an isolated island and a group of schoolboys must learn to survive without society's influence. This book offers a particularly intense and unsettling reading experience, but its message rings, to me, so true, and so powerful. A particularly disturbing aspect of the story is that you can apply its allegory to almost any period in global history, proving the idea that some forms of evil are innate, deep-seated, and not to be ignored. Amazon | Goodreads

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Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Arguably the least depressing story on this list (whoops), this romance tells the tale of Elizabeth Bennett and her family as they navigate life, love, and loss in historical England. I realize it's an understatement to call this book a classic but truly - it's all there. Austen is a witty and sharp writer who just ... fucking ... gets ... people. She's a rock star and deserves every ounce of respect she's earned. Amazon | Goodreads

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The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck | The Joads, a farm family from Oklahoma, migrate west during the Great Depression. Despite having read this years ago, the tragedy of this book continues to wriggle and worm its way into the way I look at America today. It's almost the opposite of Lord of the Flies in that it paints a portrait of innate goodness - compassion, kindness, perseverance and hope. It paints a portrait of simple people pursuing - fighting for - a simple life. It paints a portrait of America as a great disappointment and I can't help but feel like while we should have learned from it, we didn't. Amazon | Goodreads

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The Scarlet Letter by Nathanial Hawthorne | In seventeenth-century Massachusetts, woman named Hester Prynn is punished for having a child out of wedlock. It is important to note that her lover remains unidentified and safe. It is also important to note that this book could be a lot better; it's not the most well-written or the most progressive and it doesn't necessarily address its themes in a broad and satisfying way. But it's a significant read for me because it taught me - at the age of 14 - how woman are almost universally punished for having sex. Amazon | Goodreads

List: 5 Scary Books

I am a huge horror fan. There's just something about bone-deep fear that brings a giant smile to my face. I tried to keep this list well-rounded - some classics, some contemporary - but it's certainly not comprehensive.

A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay | When 14-year-old Marjorie Barrett begins exhibiting abnormal behavior, her family turns to the Catholic Church for help. Grappling with the "diagnosis" - demonic possession - and faced with mounting medical expenses, the Barretts agree to be filmed by a production team for a reality TV show. Years later, Marjorie's sister Merry recalls and traces the events leading up to a horrifying and traumatic climax. This book left me out of breath and desperate for some sunlight. It took me hours to unclench my jaw and return to reality. It's The Exorcist for millennials. Amazon | Goodreads

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Alice by Christina Henry | Trippy and dark, this story follows a young woman who escapes from an asylum and embarks on a journey full of monsters and blood. It's edgy and disturbing (I had to take a break every now and then to breathe) but, not just for the sake of being edgy and disturbing. Ultimately, it's deeply creative and delightful. You've never Alice like this before. Amazon | Goodreads

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The Shining by Stephen King | Everybody knows this story, right? In an isolated hotel during the off-season, a man battles madness while his young son battles darkness. It's truly an epic - Stephen King goes deep AND wide - and while I wasn't terrified by this, there were plenty of cringe-worthy moments to enjoy. Amazon | Goodreads

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We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson | Merricat and Constance Blackwood live with their ailing uncle in isolation following the poisoning of their other family members. When a distant cousin shows up, their fragile form of existence shatters. Ugh, it's so good, and so unexpected and so full of incredible quotes. Dear Hollywood: please make a movie of this starring the Fanning sisters.  Amazon | Goodreads

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The Woman in Black by Susan Hill | Arthur Kipps is sent to Crythin Gifford to settle a client's affairs at the isolated and perfectly-named Eel Marsh House. As he uncovers the house's secrets, he starts hearing - and seeing - impossible and terrifying things. I love all forms of horror but I cannot pass up a traditional haunted house. "The Classic English Ghost Story" is quite right - this story is very classic and very English and very, very scary. Amazon | Goodreads