Top 10 Best Books I Have Read So Far

I am the kind of person who will get upset over a book series ending, or get so invested in characters I am kept up at night thinking about them. My favourite category of book is definitely fantasy-fiction, however I do really like a good autobiography, 'self-help' and romance too. The more subtle life lessons and escapism, the better!

Here are some of my favourite books and book series I have read to this date. There are probably more I have not thought about that I will post about again in another 6 months time, but these are the first ones that pop into my head!

'A mind needs books like a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep it's edge.' - George R R Martin / Tyrion Lannister

1. Mistborn (The Mistborn Trilogy) - Brandon Sanderson

I am very lucky to say that the latest book trilogy I have just finished has become my favourite trilogy of all time. Brandon Sanderson is an incredible writer. If you like to be able to pick up a book and not have to concentrate too hard, this is the one- he writes simply but that does not mean the storyline is simple by any means- it is full of twists and turns and I say this with full enthusiasm- you will never be able to predict the ending.

Without giving too much away, this book series has magic in it unlike anything I have read before- so original and more realistic, giving the fantasy feel a slight earthly touch. I always recommend this book series to people who don't usually read fantasy- I feel like it is a good way to jump into the unknown without being blown away (I think we can all say that we have opened a book and realised a few chapters in it is going to be TOO far fetched!) The characters and creatures in it each have a storyline of their own, and no one is overlooked.

2. Tress Of Emerald Sea - Brandon Sanderson

Sorry (not sorry) to say that another Brandon Sanderson is on my top 10 list. This book is akin to The Midnight Library to me, however people get a little confused when I give them this comparison. I guess I could say they both left me feeling the same- content, full of hope, happiness and awe. Tress Of Emerald Sea is a fairy tale for adults. I haven't found many (if any) books able to give someone the same feeling you did as a child when you were being read a fairy tale. All the little life lessons you get in a fairy tale for children without realising, you have the same in this book- however, it is for your more adult-like feelings. It is immensely hard to explain why this book is so good to me- I fell in love with the characters, especially the crew on the ship. If you read this, be prepared to follow a very ordinary girl find her lost love over the pore-ridden seas. That's all I will say!

3. Jane Eyre- Charlotte Bronte

This probably startled you after the first two selections- however this is one of the very few classic novels I thoroughly enjoyed. I will be honest, many classics I simply struggled to relate to- which is something for me personally, I really need in a good book. Some people like a thrill, or humour, or intellect- for me- it is that it needs to give me the feels.

This book delivered. My favourite character is Helen Burns, who delivers a cracker of a quote that to this day I remember off by heart. It is a beautiful novel about a 'plain' girl, not much of anyone in society, finding her own feet in the world. Do not be fooled by what you may of heard from others, it is not solely romance- in fact, to me, it was very little romance, and more empowerment for women. The entire story I was hooked reading Jane's journey, as I followed her trying to make out who she was and what she wanted as she grew older and matured. I think a lot of us can relate to her story, whatever gender you may be.

4. The Witcher Prequel Books (The Last Wish, Sword of Destiny & Season of Storms)- Andrzej Sapkowski

I was first introduced to The Witcher as a whole by playing the Playstation 4 Game (The Wild Hunt) and immediately it became my favourite game of all time. I couldn't believe how in depth the RPG was and the storyline captivated me. A monster that hunts monsters- now that is original! The prequel books were no different, I think I finished the first one in one day- I loved the short stories about his Witcher Quests, the main character's (Geralt) woman problems (as in, he has too many and can't choose which one he likes more!) and his sarcastic quip. It was good and easy reading for after a long day at work. The reason the main story book series is not on my list, is because I preferred these a lot more- the politics of Nilfgaard and the social structure of the witches and intricacies of this and that befuddled my mind at times- however, I have been told this is due to translation issues too, since it was originally published in Polish. The monsters are well thought out, the dwarves have me laughing out loud, and the famous Bard is a master of humour too.

(The three on the right!)

5. The Midnight Library

I would not say that this is the happiest book, and if you are quite sensitive about topics like suicide or mental health- please be advised that this does have a reoccurring theme. However, on a more positive note- it is a book about hope. It is really hard to tell people why this book is so good without giving too much away, so I will try describe it in a different type of way:

Imagine you could live another life, maybe you could marry the first person you ever kissed, or you could be a rockstar, or a palaeontologist. Do you think that if you lived that life, things would be different? That you would feel different? That's what Nora Seed sets out to find out in The Midnight Library.

6. 'Beyond The Wand' - Tom Felton

   
   

   Of course there has to be some kind of Harry Potter book in here, right!? However, I did prefer the films to the book in this case- I admire JK Rowling and her work- however the visual representation of the story was incredible and I was a little bit in love with Draco Malfoy growing up. My husband much prefers the books though, does that balance us out? Maybe!

   
   

   'Beyond The Wand' is a very refreshing autobiography to read from a celebrity like Tom Felton. He does not pretend he was perfect, and describes his journey through child fame in such a vivid way. His ups and downs left my with my mouth open wide- and I am obsessed with screen writing and directing, so hearing about how the scenes were shot was fascinating, not to mention, the hilarious behind-the-scenes stories with Alan Rickman and the other big names.

   
   

'Pottah!'

7. Ocean- Colin Butfield and David Attenborough

   
   

   I have popped this book in here because this is everything I love about nature and humanity in one little hardback. Butfield and Attenborough describe our Ocean and it's interesting inhabitants in a refreshing way, giving them all stories, all whilst cleverly telling us how the earth can recover, starting with the oceans. People tend to not buy his books or watch Attenborough anymore because they worry they will be 'depressing'- however, this is misconception. Most of Attenborough's work is not depressing, he is simply stating facts and always ends with ways the earth can regenerate itself. It may not regenerate exactly how it was before we did the damage as humans, but it can get better- and without hearing about the bad- how can we ever improve, I pray ask?

   
   

8. Jay Shetty- 8 Rules Of Love

   
   

   This book I recommend to anyone who wants to get into a relationship, is in a relationship, struggling in a relationship or just wants to know what makes people tick in love. Without this book, I can hand and heart say that I would not have a husband currently. Before I met my husband, I was going on dates with no luck, they all either fizzled out, were not right for me, or lets face it- didn't like me back. I kept thinking 'Is it something I am putting out there!?' (to quote Joey on Friends)

   
   

   I came across Jay Shetty's book '8 Rules of Love' whilst listening to his podcast and I made sure I read it properly, highlighting important parts and taking in the information in order to become the best version of myself before I put myself out there again. I waited 2 years to go on another date (not because of anything in the book, just because I wanted to concentrate on me)- I made sure I had fulfilled what I wanted and felt happy and ease in myself. In fact, I didn't even feel like I needed a relationship, but I eventually ended up meeting up with someone, setting boundaries' and being open and honest from the start about who I am and my likes and dislikes etc- and now that man is my husband. Jay Shetty, I thank you for all the advice you gave in this wonderful book.

   
   

9. The Let Them Theory- Mel Robbins

   
   

   This book wholeheartedly changed my life, my perspective, my everything- with two words, Let Them. If you are a person who worries about what others think (which I think is almost every body) or gets a little angry at people when things aren't going your way, or if you are just a human being, really- then this book is for you.

   
   

   I honestly do not want to talk about this book too much as it deserves to be read without any hints of what is in it so you can experience her words as you read it. So all I will say is this:

   
   

   Let them do them, let you do you.

   
   

10. Ultra-Processed People- Chris Van Tullekan

Ever really understood what you are eating daily or where it is from? This book has changed my entire eating habits, and I have never been one for any diets or 'diet hacks'. In fact I couldn't have ever cared less about food as long as my meat was from a local farm shop. This book follows evidence based research on the nasties used to make our all-too-common processed food. It will make you think twice before buying a ready meal again, as you start to see how many baddies are lurking in the foods made for shelf life over health.

With love,

Helena x

All photos of books are taken off Google Images for this particular article, apart from the one of the book with a flower in which is my own work