Books That ... I Recommend by Genre

Guess who completely forgot to post yesterday? I 100% did not think about it this weekend ... probably for the first time since I started blogging a year and a half ago. The weekend was insane and my laptop is unusable, so here we are. :) One day late, but the same post you were supposed to get yesterday, I promise. ;D

I ended up selecting a ton of genres because hello there are a TON of genres, so I'm only allowing myself to nominate on recommendation for each.

Nonfiction / Biography

I really don't read enough of this genre! The first book that came to mind was Sergeant York by Alvin York. The gentleman was a talented backwoodsman shooter who was drafted for World War I, but a religious protestor. After much consideration, he decides to participate in the army as well. The movie adaption with Gary Cooper does the book justice :)   

Science Fiction

Another genre I don't read very much of :P Does Frankenstein by Mary Shelley count as science fiction? I mean, it's got science and fiction, right? This would also be my horror choice, although I really don't think this book is horror. ;) The only other sci-fi book that immediately comes to mind that I've read is The Time Machine by H. G. Wells. I didn't like that one a whole lot, though.

Classic

Little Women, An Old-Fashioned Girl, and The Scarlet Pimpernel could all make my favorite list in this genre. But I think I'll choose Mansfield Park by Jane Austen. While there's no decent film adaption of this one, the book stands on its own. I could relate to the main character immensely and enjoyed the story very much (possibly because I hadn't seen a movie version when I read it).

Mystery

I'll admit I've never read Agatha Christie or Lord Peter Wimsey, and very little of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I grew up on Nancy Drew mysteries from the library and always enjoyed them. I'm breaking the norm and choosing Some Kind of Happiness by Claire Legrand. This book is not entirely a mystery, but the little girl staying with her extended family that she's only just meeting does try to solve the mystery of the strange rules and enmity.

Educational

After some thought, I definitely recommend The Universe Next Door by James Sire. It basically outlines at least 10 different belief systems, explaining the essential tenets in a well-outlined form. If you can't remember what existentialism, nihilism, or deism translates into in the real world, this book is so helpful. I feel so much smarter when I can remember what the content and it's very easy and useful to refer to.

Religion / Spirituality

Passion and Purity by Elisabeth Elliot was an easy choice, because everything about this book was spot on in my opinion! While the book is not on religion (I'd choose Mere Christianity or A Loving Life for that), this discusses how a young woman can live with both passion and purity through the love story of Elisabeth and Jim Elliot.

Historical Fiction

Ahh, I love this genre. The Witch of Blackbird Pond and The Scarlet Pimpernel face off in this genre. However, I just read a book I was extremely impressed with, so I'll recommend it: The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson.

Poetry

I do not read nearly as much poetry as I would like (and memorize even less), but Emily Dickenson, Alexander Pope, and William Butler Yeats rank among some of my favorites. In a completely different vein is Shel Silverstein. All of his books I've found are illustrated collections of his simple, quirky poetry, so any will do, but A Light in the Attic is the first one my dad discovered at the library.

Fantasy

Harry Potter. It's not the only good fantasy series, and it does have magic. But despite differing opinions on that element, the story telling, themes, and character development are completely out of this world. I really can't even imagine being able to keep a dozen cohesive threads running through seven books the size of dictionaries. I've only read this series once, so it's time for a reread :)

Dystopian

The Out of Time Series by Nadine Brandes easily wins this category! Although The Hunger Games series is a favorite of mine as well, Nadine Brandes's series is Christian and has a premise and creative technology all its own. It's so much more than dystopian and I love it.

Children's

The Big Hungry Bear by Don and Audrey Wood is still among my favorite children's books. The illustrations are priceless and the strawberry always makes me hungry. It's worth checking your library if you have younger siblings!

Middle Grade

Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool.  I read this creative, inspiring book so fast it's not even funny. Then I gifted it to a ten-year-old girl at my church and she read it within a few days. Adventures and the tale of Pi? Yes please :D

Young Adult

Hmmm ... So so many books are YA, but I don't try to specifically read that genre. Anything with a main character who is a young adult counts, I think. So I'll choose Entwined by Heather Dixon. It's a 12 Dancing Princesses retelling with some dark magic. If the dark magic (a force of wickedness) won't bother you, the family relationships and elegance will completely win your heart.

~~~~~

Phew, that took a while. Have you read any of these books? What is one favorite genres to read? (I'm always up for recommendations!)