5 Books Everyone Should Read ASAP

Okay, no secret. Huge bookworm over here. And with the new year approaching, that can only mean one thing. Time to plan out an even bigger reading list and buy a million and one new books, right?

So today I'd like to help you with the decision of what books to read next year and recommend 5 of my absolute favourites. Ready? Okay, let's go.

(in no real order, just how it came out)

I Capture the Castle-Dodie Smith

Okay, this book is a classic. It's incredible. I mean like who can't love a book which begins 'I write this sitting in the kitchen sink'?

No matter how many times I read this book, it never fails to capture my heart. The characters are so amusing and the diary form narration works so well. I'll admit, I normally hate that diary format, but this book gets it so right.

If there was a more striking main character than Cassandra I have yet to meet it. And the castle where they lived? It was just such a brilliant setting. And the supporting character were so full of charm and little habits which made them for amusing to read about.

I Capture the Castle tells the story of seventeen-year-old Cassandra and her family, who live in not-so-genteel poverty in a ramshackle old English castle. Here she strives, over six turbulent months, to hone her writing skills. She fills three notebooks with sharply funny yet poignant entries. Her journals candidly chronicle the great changes that take place within the castle's walls, and her own first descent into love. By the time she pens her final entry, she has "captured the castle" —and the heart of the reader— in one of literature's most enchanting entertainments.

(I admit, it's a terrible summary for such a wonderful story, but I'm too lazy to write my own. Just take my word for it and read the book)

Jane Eyre-Charlotte Bronte

I've always been a fan of the classics. Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, the Bronte sisters. I've read them all. But I keep coming back to Jane Eyre.

It's such a heart wrenching story. The decisions Jane must make, the character of Mr. Rochester, the way things end up working themselves out.

Jane's decision between love and doing what she knows is right is so hard to read, but you also can't put it down either.

Orphaned into the household of her Aunt Reed at Gateshead and subject to the cruel regime at Lowood charity school, Jane Eyre nonetheless emerges unbroken in spirit and integrity. She takes up the post of governess at Thornfield, falls in love with Mr. Rochester, and discovers the impediment to their lawful marriage in a story that transcends melodrama to portray a woman's passionate search for a wider and richer life than Victorian society traditionally allowed.

Bonus for all of you guys, The Memoirs of Jane E. A wonderful trilogy which retells in the story of Jane Eyre in a futuristic world full of cloning, cool tech and even more complications than the original. Dare I say it, but I might like this character of Jane better than the original, though I love both dearly and nothing can replace the original book.

Goose Girl - Shannon Hale

I love the whole Book of Bayern series, but Goose Girl is a special favourite. The beginning of the whole story and a refreshing fairy tale.

I've always adored the story of royalty going into hiding and working for another kingdom before falling in love. It's a story which has been done many times, but never gets old. This particular version is even more beautiful than most.

And it only gets better because there are 3 other books in the series. All just as good as this one (except the last. It was still good, but it didn't wow me as much as the others.) 

Anidori-Kiladra Talianna Isilee, Crown Princess of Kildenree, spends the first years of her life under her aunt's guidance learning to communicate with animals. As she grows up Ani develops the skills of animal speech, but is never comfortable speaking with people, so when her silver-tongued lady-in-waiting leads a mutiny during Ani's journey to be married in a foreign land, Ani is helpless and cannot persuade anyone to assist her.

Becoming a goose girl for the king, Ani eventually uses her own special, nearly magical powers to find her way to her true destiny.

Cinder - Marissa Meyer

If you haven't heard of the Lunar Chronicles by now you've been living under a rock. And if you haven't read them yet, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!

Seriously this series is a must read. Futuristic fairy tale full of cyborgs, more cool tech, incredible characters and love stories which will have you on the edge of your seat.

This book has someone outdone all other become my favourite Cinderella story ever. I LOVE IT SO MUCH!!! You have no idea.

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl.

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

(guys, please if you haven't already, read this book)

 Artemis Fowl - Eion Colfer

Oh this was one author who knew what he was doing. Set in Ireland, it's a story about a teen genius who discovers fairies and tries to get the better of them.

But what a world of fairies it is, nothing like those stuffy fairies from all the traditional stories. These guys are a super high-tech community who are more than dangerous.

This is also one of a series and once again, read them all. Do it!

Twelve-year-old Artemis Fowl is a millionaire, a genius—and, above all, a criminal mastermind. But even Artemis doesn't know what he's taken on when he kidnaps a fairy, Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon Unit. These aren't the fairies of bedtime stories—they're dangerous! Full of unexpected twists and turns, Artemis Fowl is a riveting, magical adventure.

And there you have it guys. 5 books for you to add to that reading list. And in case you were wondering, there is many more where that come from. So I might just be planning on doing this again in the future. Please tell me if you'd like a part two.

Oh and guys. Tell me your suggestions, what should I be adding to next years list? I want all the suggestions. And have you guys read any of these? What's your favourite?