Welcome back to Bookstr Team Tuesday! I’m Orianna, and this week I’ll be sharing a bit about myself as well as some of my favorite books with you all! Read on to dive into some fantastical, philosophical worlds.
My journey with Bookstr has been an absolutely amazing ride. Besides getting to write about my favorite books and genres, I’ve been able to write about my other passions as well. As I’ve been working on my novel, I’ve realized I’m obsessed with planning (almost to a fault), and I got to write an article about it! You can read it here. Moreover, as a library lover and advocate for public “third places,” it was amazing to write this trivia article about the history and importance of libraries.
Aside from being an avid writer, reader, and fantasy fanatic, my favorite random hobby is aquascaping! if you aren’t familiar, it’s like landscaping, but underwater. I can’t say enough about it. My advice to almost anyone, if you’ve got the space, and a little bit of time on your hands (seriously, it doesn’t have to take much) get a fish tank!
I don’t listen to much music, especially not when I read or work on a project, so sitting by the tank and listening to the running water is the perfect background sound to set the vibe. Speaking of setting the vibe, let’s get into my favorite books I’d love to reread again and again!
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
This is a glimpse into a life that’s so unlike mine, yet I find myself relating to, being inspired by, and learning from Santiago as he navigates everything. Even when he makes mistakes and suffers massive setbacks, he is determined to learn from both his experiences and the resulting situations that his choices put him in. His patience is truly inspiring, and I love how Coelho encourages readers to follow their hearts, trust the omens, and never give up on their dreams (or themselves).
Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong
The world that Gong creates is truly spectacular. The city of San-Er is a living, breathing character, and this book showed me the upper end of what it can mean to create a character of your setting. The MC’s Calla and Anton are truly interesting and complex, and I admire Gong’s creativity when positioning the two in relationship to each other. I love when people’s individual goals conflict with their current desires, and this book is a stunning example of how that can play out.
The Bear and The Nightingale by Katherine Arden
Combining one of the most interesting magic systems I’ve encountered and complex conflicts that position politics, social norms, magic, religion, and a touch of romance all against one another? Plus, my favorite protagonist of all time? This is definitely one of my favorite series ever and it’s truly inspirational as I embark on my journey as a novelist. Arden’s characters are vivid and complex, and her worldbuilding is rich and thorough. Thank you, Katherine Arden.
The Old Man And The Sea by Ernest Hemingway
I picked this up while sitting on the couch at my great-grandparents’ house last summer and finished it in one sitting. My great-grandfather was an avid fisherman and is obsessed with Hemingway, and with me being an English major I can’t believe this was the first book by him I’d ever read. The description on the back cover described it as “tragic yet triumphant,” and boy was it accurate.
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
For anyone looking to think more deeply about the way they live their life, from daily thoughts to grander patterns, The Four Agreements is an absolutely fantastic read. It’s quick, profound, and digestible while containing lessons that you can learn from over and over again.
The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge by Carlos Castaneda
It’s easy to see why this anthropological work by Carlos Castaneda rocked a generation of dissatisfied minds into broader thinking. In a drastic shift from Western worldviews into a shamanic way of thinking, Castaneda shares his experiences with the shamanic teacher Don Juan. Some classify it as creative fiction, but with an open mind, it is possible to see the undeniable truth in his stories. There is much to learn from this read, whether you decide to take it as truth or fiction.
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
To sum up The Secret, if you believe you have the power to change your life, you do! If you think it’s out of your control, it is! Rhonda Byrne, along with a collection of philosophers, physicists, and other academics, explores the Law of Attraction and the powerful effect it has on all of our lives. The best part? It works whether we know it or not.
The Foxglove King By Hannah Whitten
I can’t even tell you how many lines of this book I have highlighted. It almost made me laugh how often I would pause my reading to write something down or take note of some spectacular phrasing. And I love a prophecy, entwined fates, and the powers of destiny. Not to mention the magic system is incredibly interesting.
The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang
The Poppy War is another series in the running for my favorite trilogy, with another favorite protagonist of all time. In a deeply fascinating world with a rich magic system and complex and lovable characters, Kuang keeps things interesting with her twists and turns all the way through. The MC, Rin, is an intriguing and relatable anti-hero, and her development speaks to levels of grief and despair that I have rarely encountered in my fantasy-reading journey.
Dune by Frank Herbert
I’ll say this: I don’t read much sci-fi, but I listened to all of Dune in about three sessions. The complexity was refreshing, and though the buildup was slow at times, it was interesting enough to keep me engaged and curious to see what happened next.
Thanks for following me on my journey through my favorite books of all time. I hope you have at least one new read on your TBR!
Check out last week’s article featuring the fabulous Fiona Hansen here!
Click here to browse the Bookstr team’s favorite reads!
