It was hard to choose just seven!
I can't say with certainty that these are my absolute favorites (even as I was writing out this list, I kept changing out which books I wanted on here), but they're books that I've thoroughly enjoyed.
I can't say with certainty that these are my absolute favorites (even as I was writing out this list, I kept changing out which books I wanted on here), but they're books that I've thoroughly enjoyed.
1.) Clown of God
Yes, it's a children's picture book, but it remains one of the most touching and beautiful stories I've ever read, and one that has a whole lot to say about vocation and generosity.
And like most books by Tomie dePaola, the illustrations are absolutely stunning. He actually studied Medieval and Renaissance art for this one too.
Appropriate for any age.
And like most books by Tomie dePaola, the illustrations are absolutely stunning. He actually studied Medieval and Renaissance art for this one too.
Appropriate for any age.
2.) Death Comes for the Archbishop
I love how atmospheric this book is. The tale of a new archbishop in what's basically a mission field rather than a new diocese, it takes place in a Santa Fe barely tamed, where strong Spanish influence, Native American roots, and Anglo settlers all coexist more or less uneasily. There's some very dark and twisted moments in this, but very beautiful ones too--much like life.
I like how the structure is more like a series of stories or milestones in the main characters' lives rather than an overarching narrative. It allows a rather short book (about 300 pages) to convey what feels like a realistic summary of an entire life without subjecting you to a saga (not that I don't love sagas...but no one can dispute that they're a serious time and mental energy commitment).
Appropriate for ages 14 to adult (there are some really dark references to corrupt clergy, rape, murder, and human sacrifice, though there's nothing explicit or graphic. I first read this when I was 15 and loved it then, and I was fairly sensitive as a teen, so take that for what it's worth).
I love how atmospheric this book is. The tale of a new archbishop in what's basically a mission field rather than a new diocese, it takes place in a Santa Fe barely tamed, where strong Spanish influence, Native American roots, and Anglo settlers all coexist more or less uneasily. There's some very dark and twisted moments in this, but very beautiful ones too--much like life.
I like how the structure is more like a series of stories or milestones in the main characters' lives rather than an overarching narrative. It allows a rather short book (about 300 pages) to convey what feels like a realistic summary of an entire life without subjecting you to a saga (not that I don't love sagas...but no one can dispute that they're a serious time and mental energy commitment).
Appropriate for ages 14 to adult (there are some really dark references to corrupt clergy, rape, murder, and human sacrifice, though there's nothing explicit or graphic. I first read this when I was 15 and loved it then, and I was fairly sensitive as a teen, so take that for what it's worth).
3.) The Giver
A story that touches on the roll of memory in valuing human life for its own sake, and what can happen when a society misplaces its priorities.
Along with "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley (NOT a book that I read for enjoyment, but one I think speaks pretty eloquently to our society's struggle with hedonism), I think it speaks deeply to our own society as a terrifying tale of warning. One of those books that gets better when you revisit it.
(As an aside...I liked the movie made of this better than I thought I would, but the book very much outshines it).
Appropriate for ages 12 to adult.
4.) Redwall
I actually struggled whether to put "Lord of the Rings" or "Redwall" here, but I figured that everyone and their dog has heard of "Lord of the Rings" by now, so "Redwall" it is.
"Redwall" is the first in a series of books about a medieval Abbey inhabited by sentient animals (think "Wind in the Willows"). The books take place over the apparently hundreds of years of history in the Abbey-- in some, the Abbey is still being built, in others, the Abbey is hundreds of years old and steeped in mysteries and story.
Each type of animal has their own culture and ethnicity-- otters are rough and tumble warriors, the moles are gentle rustic gardeners, hares (not rabbits, they go out of their way to mention that) are prim and proper military officers, rats are mostly (though not always) brigands and thieves, and badgers are either fearsome warrior kings or strong, wise, gentle leaders (sometimes both). Every type of animal can find a home at the Abbey.
If you like puzzles and riddles, adventures and battles, wonderful character and world building, or even just lavish descriptions of food, these books are well worth checking out.
Also, just as an aside, this is the only book series I've come across that features 'coming of age' stories where at least half the main characters end up with a celibate vocation (usually as the Abbot or Abbess of the Abbey) and it's treated as a totally normal, joyful thing.
Appropriate for ages 12 to adult.
5.) To Kill a Mockingbird
It's so much more than just the trial of Tom Robinson and his unjust guilty verdict.
There's so much here about an entire culture and way of life (or, rather, several co-existing ones), and the people that emerge from it, that's well worth exploring in this book. Another one of those books that transports you into a place and time, not just tells you a simple narrative.
It's a beautiful, detailed series of portraits of people in a certain place that deserves to be studied for its own sake.
Tomes have been written in praise of this book elsewhere, so I'll leave it at that.
Appropriate for ages 13 to adult.
It's so much more than just the trial of Tom Robinson and his unjust guilty verdict.
There's so much here about an entire culture and way of life (or, rather, several co-existing ones), and the people that emerge from it, that's well worth exploring in this book. Another one of those books that transports you into a place and time, not just tells you a simple narrative.
It's a beautiful, detailed series of portraits of people in a certain place that deserves to be studied for its own sake.
Tomes have been written in praise of this book elsewhere, so I'll leave it at that.
Appropriate for ages 13 to adult.
6.) The Wee Free Men
I really love Terry Pratchett's work. It's funny, thoughtful, and deep-- satire at its best mixed with a surprisingly wonderful amount of fantasy. The personification of Death in his books is probably one of my favorite literary characters/devices of all time.
"The Wee Free Men" is a book about tiny blue leprechauns with thick Scottish brogues befriending a young girl learning how to be a witch (it's worth noting that witches in Terry Pratchett's universe can become bad, but most live a life of service to their community caring for those who fall through the cracks, acting as midwives and those that serve the dying, and occasionally protecting their communities via battling against dark magical creatures or forces of one type or another). And it's one of his less wild stories.
If you enjoy satire, or even just good fantasy, at all, these books are well worth looking at.
The Tiffany Aching books (of which "Wee Free Men" is the first) are appropriate for 14 or 15 to adult. The first one is probably fine for ages 11 and up, but a book or two after that, there are some references to sexuality (though I've never run across any sex scenes in his books) that are probably best left for a more mature audience (this also holds true for most of the other Discworld books).
I really love Terry Pratchett's work. It's funny, thoughtful, and deep-- satire at its best mixed with a surprisingly wonderful amount of fantasy. The personification of Death in his books is probably one of my favorite literary characters/devices of all time.
"The Wee Free Men" is a book about tiny blue leprechauns with thick Scottish brogues befriending a young girl learning how to be a witch (it's worth noting that witches in Terry Pratchett's universe can become bad, but most live a life of service to their community caring for those who fall through the cracks, acting as midwives and those that serve the dying, and occasionally protecting their communities via battling against dark magical creatures or forces of one type or another). And it's one of his less wild stories.
If you enjoy satire, or even just good fantasy, at all, these books are well worth looking at.
The Tiffany Aching books (of which "Wee Free Men" is the first) are appropriate for 14 or 15 to adult. The first one is probably fine for ages 11 and up, but a book or two after that, there are some references to sexuality (though I've never run across any sex scenes in his books) that are probably best left for a more mature audience (this also holds true for most of the other Discworld books).
7.) Coraline
Spookiest book I think I've ever read, about one of the bravest and most intrepid heroines in literature.
It's a wonderfully unique, scary story with themes about love, courage, and escaping entangled relationships with a narcissist. Who, in this story, is a spider lady who wants to sew buttons into your eyes and steal your soul.
But can also make a darn good omelet.
A fun, wild ride that's well worth a read.
Appropriate for ages 11 to adult.
Read the rest of this week's quick takes here.
Spookiest book I think I've ever read, about one of the bravest and most intrepid heroines in literature.
It's a wonderfully unique, scary story with themes about love, courage, and escaping entangled relationships with a narcissist. Who, in this story, is a spider lady who wants to sew buttons into your eyes and steal your soul.
But can also make a darn good omelet.
A fun, wild ride that's well worth a read.
Appropriate for ages 11 to adult.
Read the rest of this week's quick takes here.
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