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The History
Before I get started on the list of 20 books to read before you die, let me tell you a little history of how I became a book lover.
I was never much of a reader growing up. My book reports in school were often done by my mom, who would get very upset if she didn’t get an A. Probably not the best parenting but we would often laugh about it years later.
She loved books. It’s something that I’ve learned to emulate. I try my best to read as much as I can but sometimes I will go for weeks without picking up a book. Other times I can go through two novels a week.
I inherited my love of books from my mother, which I am now sharing with my own daughter. But I will not do her book reports.
Books to read
When looking for ideas of what to read next, I’m often online searching for lists of books to read before you die. A great resource for me to find book lists is Goodreads.com where there are tons of books to inspire your love of reading.
First off, my favourite novels are the classics.
Classics
- Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronté
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin
- To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
- The Color Purple by Alice Walker
- Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
- Vanity Fair by William Thackeray
- Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell
- Lord of The Flies by William Golding
- Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
- The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien
A little more modern choices
- Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen
- The Giver by Lois Lowry
- The Help by Kathryn Stockett
- Life of Pi by Yann Martel
- The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
- The Stand by Stephen King
- Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterley
- The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
- Harry Potter (series) by JK Rowling
Now when I suggest the Harry Potter series, I know that it is more than one book, but I just look at as one really long story. So it’s only taking up one spot on my list.
What is on your ‘books to read’ list?
If there are any books that you think should be added let me know in the comments below.
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