Well-written books provide a wonderful world of adventure and intrigue. They also help to widen our horizons and give us experiences and viewpoints that would normally be out of our reach.
And, so, for one of our first blog posts, we wanted to delve deeper into the power of these books by exploring titles that will feed your curiosity and have you on the edge of your seat. We've chosen a wide range of genres, from romance to comedy, to mystery, and even some poetry.
We hope you enjoy our picks!
10 Books for the Perpetually Curious
1. Beauty and the Beast
By: Madame de Villeneuve
Don't pass this one by too quickly -- this isn't the Disney fairytale that you're used to!. This is the original novel, which delves into a more complex, fulfilling storyline that is, personally, a cut above the Disney version.
You can find this title on:
2. Beastly
By: Alex Flinn
This is a modern retelling of the Beauty and Beast classic. If you are a fan of the Beauty and Beast genre, then this is a book that you have to check out. It has all the elements that you expect, with some twists and turns along the way.
You can find this title on:
3. The Disappearance of Emily Downs
By: C. J. Redwine
This sci-fi thriller mystery is the story of a young girl in a strange town with unexplained mysteries all around her. It follows her as both her mother and her best friend, Emily Downs, go missing. As she unravels each clue, new mysteries emerge that leave us, the humble readers, spellbound.
You can find this title on:
4. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
By: Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou is a writer whose long list of literary classics and poetry continues to make us think. And this autobiography is no different. It follows her through her early life as she faces such issues as racism, literacy, and rape. It's a captivating read that will leave you thinking about it long after you turn that last page.
You can find this title on:
5. The Bucket List to Mend a Broken Heart
By: Anna Bell
This is a romantic comedy that centers around something that is an all-too-familiar pain for most of us: being dumped. After being dumped by the person she thought was the love of her life, Abi finds a bucket list that sparks a comical adventure that infuses her with confidence and helps her to mend her broken heart.
You can find this title on:
6. Bet Me
By: Jennifer Crusie
In this comedy-of-errors novel, we meet two cynical protagonists who laugh at the idea of "happily ever after." After one disastrous date, they decide never to see each other again -- but, as you might have suspected, the story does not end there. Instead, we are whisked away on a hilarious journey through a series of surprising twists and turns.
You can find this title on:
Poetry & Short Stories
7. Whiskey, Words & a Shovel
By: R.H. Sin
On a more serious note, we have this collection of poetry that helps you to reclaim your power as you set out on the road to having a meaningful, healthy relationship. The emphasis is on choosing to love yourself, even if it leads to heartache.
You can find this title on:
8. The Princess Saves Herself in This One
By: Amanda Lovelace
This four-part poetry collection focuses on themes of loss, grief, love, healing, and empowerment. It is broken up into four sections: the princess, the damsel, the queen, and you. While the first three sections outline the life of the author, the last section is a thoughtful note to the reader.
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9. The Paper Menagerie and Other Short Stories
By: Ken Liu
This book features 15 of Ken Liu's best works, including award-winning and award-finalist short stories that really make you think. He has been lauded as one of the most talented and original voices of our generation -- and for good reason. These stories highlight some of the most moving themes, including love, family, and politics.
You can find this title on:
10. Truth About Owls
By: Amal El-Mohtar
This short story delves into the life of a young Lebanese girl named Anisa who is growing up in Scotland. Her coming-of-age story is told through her friendship with a local owl handler as she learns to deal with two colliding cultures.
You can find and read this title for free on:
You can also find some of these titles on the podcast, LeVar Burton Reads -- a gem of a podcast where the award-winning actor takes to the microphone to bring you some of the most heartwarming and suspenseful short stories. I highly recommend you check it out!
I hope you enjoy these titles as much as I have. While some of them serve as just a good read, others are more thought-provoking and may stick with you longer, as they did with me.
Let me know what you think about these picks in the comments below -- and let me know what other books you would add to this list!