Hey everyone! I’m not much of a reader myself (I’ve read 1 book in my entire life), but I want to get a special birthday gift for my girlfriend who loves to read. I’ve documented her favorite books below:
**CATEGORY:** ***ALL TIME FAVORITE***
Book name: *The Ocean at the End of the Lane*
Author: Neil Gaiman
You know me, when it comes to art, I always have a critique (I usually have many). I have no notes for this book. NONE. I wouldn’t change a thing. It’s a perfect combination of realism with just the right amount of whimsy to make it interesting. He absolutely nails what it feels like to be a kid, and the story keeps you locked in the whole time. It’s the perfect length, it doesn’t drag and you feel completely satisfied at the end. It’s my favorite Gaiman book, and at the moment it’s my all-time favorite book overall. Wish I had written it myself. -GF
**How many times read: 2**
**CATEGORY:** ***ROMANCE***
Book name: *This is How You lose the Time War*
Author: Amal El-Mohtar, Max Gladstone
This has to be the most beautiful love story I have ever read. The two main protagonists don’t even touch, aren’t in the same room, don’t speak face-to-face, and they still have the purest portrayal of love I have personally seen. Plus, the story itself is fascinating and the imagery is GORGEOUS. I was pleasantly surprised by this book; it was not what I expected. ALSO, I tend to dislike books with more than one author, I often find them jarring and erratic, but this one is brilliantly done and it actually serves the plot quite nicely. -GF
**How many times read: 1**
**CATEGORY:** ***HISTORICAL***
Book name: *Human Acts*
Author: Han Kang
When I started this book, I truly thought I was not going to finish it. It starts out in second person. SECOND PERSON. I can’t handle a whole book with that tense choice. But then it changes, she plays with tense a couple different ways, and by halfway through the book it makes perfect sense why she chose to do it that way. It’s a truly genius way to tell the story. The imagery is rough but real, it’s definitely a book that sticks with you. Normally I’m not a fan of historical fiction, but I’ve recommended this book to every reader I know. -GF
**How many times read: 1 (about to re-read)**
**CATEGORY:** ***SHORT STORY***
Book name: *Exhalation (Collection)*
Author: Ted Chiang
This author masterfully expresses what it means to be human through incredibly unique plotlines. Sci-fi is generally not my first choice, but each of these stories have kept my attention all the way through. The ideas in this man’s head I swear. SO cool. He takes every story in a direction you’d never expect, and I always feel like I’ve learned something at the end. I haven’t even finished this particular collection and it’s already made the list. -GF
**How many times read: Still reading**
**CATEGORY:** ***CHILDHOOD SERIES***
Book name: *The Song of the Lioness*
Author: Tamora Pierce
Whenever I’m feeling overwhelmed in my life, this is the first book series I turn to. I first read these books when I was very young, then I would read them annually, and now I read them periodically when things have become particularly stressful in my day-to-day. Definitely my comfort series, I know exactly what’s going to happen but I’m still happy to watch it unfold each time. The audiobook versions of these books are also stunning and I’ve put them on in the background many times while working or just laying around. I’ve always found something special about series that are four books too; I feel like a lot of trilogies are forced, but quartets have a reason for the story to keep going. -GF
**How many times read: At least 10, probably more**
by hanshauser2018