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Sunday, June 11, 2017

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.





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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!)

10 comments:

  1. I've found that I'm very drawn toward Dystopian novels...not sure why, I just am. I really like psychological novels because they just mess with your head, but I really haven't read very many...if any at all lol.

    But if I was going to recommend a novel, I'd probably recommend....um.....I dunno. I'm horrible with book recommendations cause I haven't read that many books. Like I've read books, but not like the hundred that so many people have cause I'm a slower reader during school...maybe the maze runner? Idk...

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    1. I kind of am, too. Like I swore I wouldn't be because it was "trendy," but there are some really good ones out there! Yeah I haven't read basically any psych that I can think of either. Let me know if you find a good one, though ;)

      I'm so glad I'm not the only one who can't keep up with "fun" reading with school/work. It's taking over my life! :( The Maze Runner was one I wasn't sure if I'd like. I saw the first movie and didn't really connect with it, so I haven't ever picked up the book series. Maybe I should ;)

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  2. I haven't read any from here except Out of Time?! But Navigating Early is on my summer tbr, and currently waiting for me as an e-book. And I really want to read Some Kind of Happiness as soon as it gets to my library. I haven't read Harry Potter - I guess I should but so. many. other. things. calling for my attention first :D And I've only read Pride and Prejudice from Jane Austen. And I LOVE POETRY SO MUCH! You should try Robert Service; he's my favorite poet! And I have a ton of nonfiction recommendations (I have read more fiction than nonfiction, but I actually own more nonfiction than fiction!).

    -Lisa // www.thisinkwell.blogspot.com

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    1. Oooh, I will totally try Robert Service. You have to let me know once you read all those epic books on your TBR. They're all SO good! Whaaaat, that's really neat! I definitely own AND read more fiction ;) I keep trying to change that but ... no go

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  3. I loved this post! I've read some of those books but I'll have to check out some of the other ones. I may do a post like this on my blog... thanks for the idea, Abi! You're awesome!

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    1. Thanks, Ashley! Yes, you're totally welcome to borrow the idea! I'd love to see someone else do something like this. <3

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  4. I've only read ONE of these books, and that was Frankenstein. But Some Kind of Happiness, Navigating Early, and the Out of Time series are all on my to-read list. :) But recently, I've been reading a lot of Christian fantasy books. I'm finding that I really like the genre. :D

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    1. Ah Frankenstein <3 Yes, read those ;) SO GOOD! You'll have to tell me if you find any Christian fantasy I can't live without. Cause I seem to be really picky :P

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  5. I've been wanting to read Summer Before the War! All of these are great suggestions - love Shel Silverstein!

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    1. I think you'll love it! The library has it ;D Yes, isn't he great? <3

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