RED's Reads

01

The Book Thief

by Markus Zusak

Zusak is a master at imagery and prose. I've read this book four times and still find something new and stunning about it. The narrator, Death, tells you exactly what's going to happen and who's going to die from the beginning, but it's still as heart-wrenching if not more so. Beautifully done.

 

02

Pride and Prejudice

by Jane Austen

Classic love story that set the bar for all romances form here on out. The characters are so real with faults and virtues all around. And guess what? The heroine can be wrong! Ground breaking in its time and still continues to be.

 

03

When Breath Becomes Air

by Paul Kalanithi

The best prose I've ever read! Unlike any cancer book I've ever read, this neurosurgeon knows what is coming for him but writes it so matter of fact yet poetically. Even more powerful knowing that he never got to finish the work.

 

04

The Lightning Thief

by Rick Riordan

All of Riordan's books are hilarious and adventurous, but I always come back to the one that started it all. Percy is quick-witted and I still love going on quests with him, Annabeth, and Grover. Never gets old.

 

05

Harry Potter

by JK Rowling

It's nearly impossible to pick a favorite of the series. Prisoner of Azkaban is my favorite of the books. Chamber of Secrets is my favorite of the movies. And the Half Blood Prince is my favorite combo overall.

 

06

Blue Like Jazz

by Donald Miller

The only book I ever wrote in. It's brilliant for Christians looking for guidance or nonbelievers just because.

 

07

The Gruffalo

by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler

Yes I know. A kids book on this list? The Gruffalo will always have a special place in my heart as the first book I ever read. And it's still charming and clever to this day.

 

08

Scorched (Incendies)

by Wajdi Mouawad (Translated by Linda Garoriau)

It's the most fascinating play I ever read. Twists and turns in this disturbing and thought provoking story.

 

09

And Then There Were None 

by Agatha Christie

There's a reason Christie is known as one of the best mystery novelists of all time... and this is it.

 

10

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse

by Charlie Mackesy

Similar to Winnie the Pooh, this simple and beautiful graphic novel tells straightforward and poetic truths in the eyes of children and adults alike.

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Honorary Mentions:

• Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder

• The Help by Kathryn Stockett

• Maus by Art Spiegelman

• Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery

• The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

• Cinder by Marissa Meyer

• Spadework for a Palace by László Krasznahorkai