A top ten list of my must read books. This list is heavily skewed Fantasy and Science Fiction as that is what I tend to read most. Although this is a numbered list, it is by no means a ranking order, and I would recommend finding which sounds most suited to you. I will include page and word counts and a summary of key themes.
The Sword of Kaigen, by M. L. Wang
Indie authors deserve their flowers, and The Sword of Kaigen is a testament to that. A tale of loss, and a relationship between a mother and son. It explores family in a warring, and isolated world filled with powerful warriors. I cried. You will cry.
Wordcount: ~214,226
Hyperion, by Dan Simmons
Hyperion is an interwoven science fiction masterpiece. It weaves multiple short-stories, told from different perspectives, into an encompassing narrative. The link? The horrific being, The Shrike. This should be on every single sci-fi lovers list. An undisputed classic.
Wordcount: ~226,755
The Great Gatsby, by F Scott Fitzgerald
Not quite as fantastical as some others on this list, The Great Gatsby is what hooked me on literature. It is a modern classic, and my one and only comfort re-read. I’ve come back to this book time and time again in my life and every single time, it reaffirms my love of books.
Wordcount: ~46,667
Jingo, by Terry Pratchett (Discworld #21)
This could have been any number of Discworld books. Jingo has stuck with me longest, especially due to it’s very apt and profound take on culture and society. A very important read, which still brings Pratchett and the Night Watch’s usual humour and wit.
Wordcount: ~33,307
Mistborn, by Brandon Sanderson (Mistborn Book #1)
Set amidst a world of ash and ruin, Mistborn takes us to a world where metals give people magical powers, called Allomancy. Mixing a wonderfully unique magic system with an exploration of class and warfare, a superb first entry in an all around excellent trilogy.
Wordcount: ~208,546
The Way of the Kings, by Brandon Sanderson (Stormlight Archives Book #1)
The first entry in Sanderson’s fantasy epic. A must-read for any serious fantasy lover. A tale of war set in the world of Roshar, where storms provide uncanny powers to those who are worthy. This is a truly excellent introduction to the series and will have you gripped. But beware, it is very, very wordy.
Wordcount: ~346,164
The House in the Cerulean Sea, by T J Klune
This is a lovingly told story of nature vs. nurture, centred around a Linus Baker, a man tired of the corporate world. Themes of found family, love, and enduring as an outsider, as well as the prejudices that children are born into. The most wholesome read.
Wordcount: ~167,963
Dungeon Crawler Carl, by Matt Dinniman
A chaotic fantasy RPG book, centring around a man and his ex-girlfriend’s cat who unwittingly end up competing in the largest game-show in the galaxy. Expect murder, mayhem, goblins, and lots and lots of wackiness.
Wordcount: ~124,152
Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weir
The equivalent of a Sci-Fi buddy comedy set in space. If you like aliens, space travel, and character driven literature, this one is for you. Bonus points for an excellent audiobook.
Wordcount: ~119,178
There you have it. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but my very unofficial top ten of books that you really must read.
What do you think, do you agree, or disagree?
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