my best books of all time

It’s always “Annalisa, what do you recommend? What have you read lately?” And never “Annalisa, I loved all your recommendations, here’s $100.” Do better guys…

If you know me, you’ve probably heard me talk about these books before. What’s wrong with having favorites? I still tried my best to get a solid mix of genre and tone and hopefully something you haven’t read before. I have a million more books to talk about, but for the sake of my sanity I had to stop after seven.

Anyway here’s my best books ever list:

parable of the sower by octavia butler

I cannot count the number of times I have recommended this. Octavia Butler is a god to me. Easy to pick up and hard to put down–this speculative fiction will entertain you to the last page and make you think about society, religion, and the forces of society that bring us together or tear us apart. Also Lauren is my hall of fame for protagonists. Great for getting back into reading or expanding your mind. Bonus points: If you love it, read the sequel: Parable of the Talents for even crazier shenanigans. As a matter of fact, go ahead and read everything Octavia Butler has ever written.

giovanni’s room by james baldwin

I get it, you want to impress people with your literary prowess and indulge in some dramatic prose… This is the one for you. Poetic and heart-wrenchingly beautiful, I don’t think Baldwin is capable of anything less. So tender, so melancholic. Have a pencil ready to underline all of the poignant and touching passages. Essentially a religious experience. Paris as a backdrop is intense and romantic, and a little bit of French knowledge will go a long way (but it’s good regardless). I have this book to thank for sending me down the James Baldwin rabbit hole, but it’s still my favorite. Especially great for young adults, those feeling lost in love and life, or anyone with an affinity for French. Tres chic!

the long way to a small angry planet by becky chambers

This one looks a little thick when you hold a physical copy. Do not be alarmed! It goes incredibly quickly due to the pacing and it’s sooo much fun! I couldn’t put this one down for the life of me. Proven to decrease your screen time (because you’re so busy reading). Perfect escapism and a guaranteed heartfelt found-family good time. Especially for the freaks and weirdos and anyone going through a rough patch. Feels like a warm hug from a friend. I would also recommend continuing the series if you like it–Book 2 (A Closed and Common Orbit) is similarly amazing. This is great even if you don’t usually like sci-fi, the world-building is creative and incredible but still easy to understand.

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

Maybe you’re a man who wants man books. It’s great that you have an interest in fiction. I recommend McCarthy with my whole chest every time because the language is concise, poetic, and packs a huge emotional punch. McCarthy tends to favor the man of few words but high moral character, and I love him for that. Although many aspects of this are more morose, dark, and dystopian, it’s really a story about love. It’s devastating, beautiful, and will make you feel something. I guarantee it. Dead wife? Check. Brooding male protagonist? Check. Poetic melancholy? Check check check.

Lust and Wonder by Augusten Burroughs

One of the funniest books ever. Darkly hilarious, witty, and tender. I had a friend read this in a day after I gave them my copy. It reframes the adult experience of being tragic, lost, & hopeless into something beautiful. It had me laughing out loud and also sometimes crying. Burroughs is terrifyingly self-aware and has a perfectly dry sense of humor to match. Fans of rom-coms should give this one a try! It cracks me up how some books have one gay character and all of the sudden it’s in the “Gay Fiction” or “LGBT+ Fiction” categories. But this book? This is gay. And also technically nonfiction. So REAL gay.

Notes On an Execution By Danya Kukafka

Can all the thriller-enjoyers raise their hands? I love something with real stakes and suspense. This one has all that and more, with richly layered characters and magnetic, lyrical writing. Filled to the brim with empathy and emotion, this book explores the ripple effects of our decisions and insightfully handles complicated issues. This book feels important when you read it! It’s thoroughly heartbreaking but will leave you changed for the better. Especially for fans of crime stories and literary fiction. I think you’d like this even if you don’t usually read thrillers; it’s not as scary, but just as intense.

Evenings and Weekends by Oisin Mckenna

Maybe I’m getting ahead of myself since I just finished this, but sometimes you do finish a book and need to tell everyone you know about it. One of my favorites of the year–this book oozes with heart and emotion in a way that’s difficult to ignore. Deeply human and empathetic, it follows a group of people living in London and trying to navigate complicated and pivotal moments of their lives. Captures the feeling of being young in a big city. Amazing writing with complex, messy characters. It reminds me a little of The Daytrippers (which is also one of my fav movies, that I just rewatched). A heartfelt and complete examination of adulthood and exploring identity. Especially for people that feel they are at a transitional point in their lives.

BTW you can always look at my Storygraph – @anna1isa – to see what I’m currently reading and some succinct reviews. Also getting a library card is free and easy and a great way to avoid buying a book that you end up not loving! You can also get Libby on your phone (after getting a library card) to get ebooks and audiobooks without ever leaving home! This is what community is about people.

I always hear people “trying to read more” and I have a simple solution for you: read what you like! You can be “well-read” on graphic novels and audiobooks. What am I, the reading police? Trying to read classics because you think you should is just a recipe to put yourself off reading for an extended period of time. A lot of “classics” are just old books by old white guys anyway pfft. I still love some of those books don’t get me wrong–but wow I do get tired of their perspective sometimes. Branch out! Diversify your story input and the authors who tell them! It will expand your mind and your empathy and make you overall a more well-rounded and intelligent person, trust. And you’ll find great books in places you never expected.

Let me know if you read any / what you think! Unless you didn’t like it. Then I will be skeptical of your taste in books.