I know, I know, I just got done talking about how much I love aimlessly wandering through libraries and accidentally knocking over books, but I can’t stop thinking about them. Books to a writer is like a triple-layer chocolate cream cake to a sugar addict. Writers are essentially just book addicts.

Believe it or not, I only recently sat down to create a “Goodreads” account (I didn’t even realize my own book was in their collection), and have become infatuated all over again with reading as much as humanly possible. If you are a fellow reader, you can follow me at: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/78341715-madeleine-rheinheimer

And I thought it’d be appropriate for me to share my go-to novels, essays, stories and the OCCASIONAL e-book (it’s not a sin, okay? I know the clashing sides who claim that a true book must be bound with pages, but reading on the bus to class is much easier on my phone.)

Another thing I must admit to… I don’t read series. I don’t read popular series is what I mean. Yes, that includes “Twilight”, “Harry Potter”, “The Hunger Games”, “City of Bones”, “Divergent”, “Maze Runner”, etc etc etc. I have received much criticism from fellow reader friends who insist I’m missing out, but I enjoy looking for unpredictable and realistic books. Without further ado, here is my dream bookshelf.

• “I’ll Give You the Sun” by Jandy Nelson, Fiction
  • This book is one of my yearly reads, and each time I find a new reason to cry with overwhelming emotion. This may or may not be my all-time favorite book, between the lovable characters and Jandy Nelson’s impressive and unique writing.

 

• “You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life” by Jen Sincero, Self Help
  • I’ll admit it – I like to read a lot of self help books. Due to my lack of patience and need for control in my life, I often turn to books for advice. “You Are a Badass”, however, is much much better than the other whiny, victimizing toned books in the genre. Jen Sincero is honest, hilarious, and will help you get to where you need to be.

 

• “Eat Pray Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert, Memoir
  • Someone recommended Elizabeth Gilbert to me a few years back, as she is a well-known and successful female writer, and “Eat Pray Love” was the first book I picked up. I was mesmerized by the strong narrator and every adventure she found herself in.

 

• “The Help” by Katherine Stockett, Fiction
  • I read this book before I saw the popular movie, and along with “I’ll Give You The Sun”, is one of my yearly reads. The voice, the characters, the changing narrators, the interwoven plot, and especially the fact that it’s a book about a writer, I love “The Help” for so many reasons.

 

• “Helium” by Rudy Francisco, Poetry
  • Rudy Francisco quickly became my favorite spoken word poet (if you haven’t seen him yet, just watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDa4WTZ_58M ). “Helium” is Rudy’s first collection, and it’s been extremely successful for this generation. I personally feel the emotion and energy of his voice in every page, and could reread this book every night.

 

• “Grasshopper Jungle” by Andrew Smith, Fiction
  • When I first found Andrew Smith’s books in a bookstore one Saturday morning it was by accident. And now he’s one of my all-time favorite authors, I’ve never found writing comparable to his. My two other favorite’s of Andrew Smith’s are “100 Sideways Miles” (love love love) and “Winger” (cried cried cried).

 

• “The Five People You Meet In Heaven” by Mitch Albom, Fiction
  • Speaking of crying, I had to add this Mitch Albom novel. Short, and definitely not sweet, this was the first book that ever made me cry. The format and the initial idea is genius, and of course the connections are perfect. But so freaking sad, dammit.

• “Bossypants” by Tina Fey, Autobiography
  • I am an instant sucker for humor when it comes to books (and movies), because sad things make me extra sad. And no one makes me laugh harder than Tina Fey (and Amy Poehler), especially when it comes to girl power in comedy.

 

• “Bad Feminist” by Roxane Gay, Nonfiction
  • I am taking a nonfiction class in college at the moment, and of all the work we read and study, I’ve grown fond of the voice of Roxane Gay. Not to mention, this book is fantastic and funny and sad and true and everyone should read it, to become a better, more open minded person.

 

• “Milk and Honey” / “The Sun and Her Flowers” by Rupi Kaur, Poetry
  • I’ve admired the work of Rupi Kaur for a few reasons, one being that she is paving the way for self-published poetry, and two for her outspoken and fearless themes. Both of her books became bestsellers, and feature her own artwork, which add to these beautiful collections.

 

There you have it, my short, summarized list of a few favorites. After inserting the covers of each book, I noticed that I may be drawn to bright colors. They’re really good books nonetheless, and check out the link to “Goodreads” for a more in depth inventory.

Peace and blessings,

Madeleine