I read to leave this world behind. To stop worrying about what I have to do or what I should of done. This is why I read fantasy or sometimes Sci-fi. Usually I am quite reluctant starting a new book (I still do anyway), as I have to learn all about this new world, but I always end up dreading the moment I turn the last page. If it is a good book with well developed characters I may spend hours upon hours every day reading it (and miss out on more school work than games would have caused me to miss). Lately I have slowed down reading new titles, sticking to new releases of the same series or by an author I really like, and my reading time has plummeted. Although on the holidays I was burning through books like furnace. Reading has brought to me many new ideas and concepts, new thoughts and new words. Not only new words but new phrases. It has evolved my language and creativity, and as such, I believe that reading is very important. Dylan Thomas’ poem manages to convey what I see books as perfectly. Each one is it’s own movie, its own story, and each can entertain one for hours on end while sweeping you out of the room into another universe. Neil Gaiman would have made a great lawyer if he had chosen that path, as that speech made whoever read it begin to tilt their view to his, that reading is important, and he is right. What you are reading doesn’t matter (excluding extreme circumstances), as long as you are absorbed in another world, and you enjoy it.
I have read the (currently) last book in what is my favourite (doesn’t every book/series seem like the best you have ever read just after finishing?) series during the holidays, and that is Rhythm of War, which is book 4 of the Stormlight Archives. Brandon Sanderson managed to create a world with an infinite amount of layers and possibilities, although at first it seemed like he was trying to hard to create another A Song of Ice and Fire, the new and different parts of his world clicked into place as we found out more of what was happening and why. I also read the Hyperion Cantos, once again another series, though this time set in the future, a unique one at that, with three main entities, the AI, Humans and Ousters. Although these seem mysterious for a while, and plenty of times the reader gets tricked into believing they have understood each of these two newer species, the story becomes very, very captivating as the reader wants to know more about these mysterious entities (there are so many more of these than just the two new civilisations). This series also includes a sort of a cameo from John Keats (called Joseph Severn for a while due to reasons in the book) as a Cyborg Persona. Would definitely recommend you to read the latter, if not both Mr. Mahoney.
My desert books:
- A Song of Ice and Fire:
Although a very cliche option, it is a very good read, and since I haven’t read it in quite a while I would definitely enjoy a re-read.
2. Hyperion Cantos
This series will keep your head spinning in circles theorising and thinking and trying to unravel what is happening in the story. A great way to keep your head away from trying to find resources to get off the island with.
3. Ilium/Olympos
Also by Brandon Sanderson, this is set in what seems to be a perfect future, but ends up being dystopian. Also Mars. Greek Mythology. Space. Magic. What’s not there to love. Love scenes included.
4. Percy Jackson
Once again a very popular series but it is very uplifting as it includes a very successful main character. Most likely will distract you from the impending doom of starvation. Very nice fantasy series, and includes the sequels.
5. The Chronicles of Narnia
Another one of my favourite series that will have you hoping to find a washed up wardrobe. Fantasy combined with a little bit of deeper meaning (such as Aslan=Jesus) makes this a very captivating series, and seeing as it is all completed by a bunch of children, makes you believe anything is possible. Or at least makes you feel bad about yourself enough to make you get up and do something about being on a deserted island instead of reading.
6. The Institute
A great book by Stephen King that slowly gets more and more creepy until a happy ending. This will counteract all the goodwill and happiness from the previous books. He manages to make you want to keep turning pages, even though the whole book is ominous and the next page can contain blood and gore spilt across the room.
7. The Witcher
Who doesn’t love a brooding man with love problems too powerful to be bothered by someone shooting him with a crossbow. With magic and set in medieval ages, this is a great fantasy read.
8. The Old Kingdom Chronicles
A book about a part of the Earth in which modern technology doesn’t work. Oh and don’t forget about the dead people. Hundreds of them. Thousands of them? The protagonist must learn the art of fighting the dead and take back her kingdom in a very unique way.
9. Sharpe
This is about the Napoleonic Wars in Europe, and is in the perspective of a very innovative soldier. He started out in the bottom and through both luck and skill managed to climb to the top. While being very entertaining it also is set in mostly real battles, and even talks about Waterloo.
10. Lord of the Rings
This series is slightly confusing to read compared to most books, as it uses advanced language, but will make you want to find out how powerful Sauron actually is (spoiler alert: very), and how the protagonists will defeat him.