I don’t believe I could actually list all of the books I’ve read. And I would have a full-on library in my house if I still owned all of the books I’ve read. My wife would hate it and I do not want to push my love away, so I’ve thinned the books I have. Keeping some at work, and owning a Kindle helps with the clutter. But to come up with a top ten favorite books list is nearly impossible after reading all that I have. I cheated a little here by adding a few series instead of taking up valuable book space.
10. The Adventures and Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
While my love for Mystery began with Basil of Baker Street from The Great Mouse Detective, Sherlock Holmes, Basil’s inspiration, is truly remarkable regarding the iconic feel of mystery novels. Many stories and sayings of both Holmes and the good Doctor Watson are ingrained in my brain. Something, I am sure, Holmes would readily toss me out for holding onto as useless knowledge. While there are some gruesome parts, this is a story easily read by those 12+ making it a great series to enjoy from a young age.
9. The Sigma Force Series by James Rollins
Along the lines of mystery, and maybe springing forth from it, is the thriller genre. Usually containing some form of mystery that needs to be solved before everything goes awry. Rollins creates a great space for the thriller, it may even be a sci-fi thriller due to the thought-provoking nature of the scientific thought. While amongst my favorites, it is an adult book with adult themes. There are no detailed scenes of which to be aware of. I don’t think so anyway, it has been a while since I read these last. But still, I would place this on the 18+ unless you have a very mature teenager able to handle this. One of my favorite elements of this book is the wrestling with the existence of God that occurs throughout the series. Each story often contains some spiritual element, though the scientific minds of the characters are doubtful of how God plays into it.
8. The Lord of the Rings Series by J.R.R Tolkien
This series did not start fantasy, but it did popularize it for the modern audience. Tolkien created creatures and defined what it is to be an elf, dwarf, hobbit, and orc. Many of the wizardly things Gandalf did also defined wizards until JK Rawling made a new world featuring them. It is a testament to the great writing of Tolkien who penned such beautiful stories. It all starts with the journey of a hobbit as a burglar. To this day Tolkien’s work continues to inspire new stories of Fantasy, having many new takes to the words he penned down nearly a century ago. Though long, they are broken up into three stories, and can easily be read by the average 12 to 13-year-old and older.
7. Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
I’m a sucker for a good redemption story, plain and simple. The continuous exploration of redemption not just for one man, but for many, is what this book is about. The redemption of Jean Valjean had a ripple effect on the lives of so many others. But Javert, who can be seen as a form of the accuser, continues to pursue him. While Jean Valjean attempts to escape his accuser and is ultimately confronted by him, even in that moment, you can see a sort of reluctant resignation of Javert. Jean Valjean is redeemed. A convicted criminal can be a good man. What a story! It’s a story that still needs to be heard today! No one is truly lost. However, I would not put this in front of just any reader. It’s a long book and will take the most dedicated of readers to stay through the challenge.
6. The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas
The classic adventure/romance/historical fiction novel. This is not for the faint of heart to read. While it features many unsavory ideals and paints the church in somewhat of a bad light, there is something to be said of the honor amongst the musketeers. This is a book for at least someone of 15+ years of age. I probably read it younger, but most likely the abridged version which cuts many of the scenes out that do not pertain to the larger story. It hits the top of the bottom of my list because it inspired me to become a writer, and still inspires me today. This is a work of art, not just a relaxing book by the fire. It made me research the period of the musketeers, the French aristocracy, and the church at that time. It filled my mind with the past and how politics played a crucial part in the building of France and Europe. Dumas truly wrote a wonderful story that continues to draw me in. In fact, listening to the story has a greater effect on me than simply reading the story. If reading is a chore for you, I would suggest giving a listen a try.
5. Lady Audley’s Secret by Mary Elizabeth Braddon
If you’re a fan of mystery as I am, then this book is for you. One of the early adopters of mystery Braddon writes a tale so wonderful it will keep you guessing until the very end. Almost a mix of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë and Bleak House by Charles Dickens, this book hardly gets the credit it deserves. For a time it became my #1 favorite book. I probably read it three times in one year after learning about it in a college English course. It is simply an amazing story about an English barrister who embarks on a case of discovery of who Lady Audley might be, his new step-aunt whom he distrusts. I would put this at a 13+ read.
4. The Well at the End of the World by Willam Morris
This is an epic, almost Arthurian tale of a young man named Ralph. The favorite son of his parents, they devise a way to send his brothers off in search of fortunes so that he may inherit the crown. But he doesn’t want it. He wishes to also travel the world in search of his own fortunes and embarks on a grand quest. I simply cannot summarize it further than that. To do so would bring the word count of this article much larger than I intend to make it. This is among some of the writings that inspired Lewis and Tolkien in their works. It is so good, it goes above their work in my opinion. It is a long work, written in two parts, and probably again for the avid 15+ reader who enjoys high fantasy or adventure books.
3. The 13 1/2 Lives of Captain Bluebear by Walter Moers
This book. Let’s just say I’ve recommended this several times to many people and no one has ever told me they were disappointed by it. I intend to someday do a larger review of this book, maybe even an interview with a guest. For now, know that this book is about a blue bear aptly named Bluebear, and is quite possibly the greatest adventure story you’ll ever read. It is fun, the descriptions, depictions, and illustrations are amazing, and the story is the most sensational narrative I’ve laid eyes on. Written, I believe, for children, but with made-up words, or words so sophisticated they look made up. I put this at 12+, but to be frank, my daughter who is 10 is reading this. Though, it may be the longest she’s ever taken to read a book thus far as well.
2. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
As I said, I’m a sucker for a good redemption story and besides the Biblical narrative for the redemption of mankind, this is the best. I read this on a yearly basis. It is my Christmas book read every year and starts the day after Thanksgiving (or the weekend after). Why? Well, I think it’s good to cry at least once a year. These days, I cry after cartoons, but this book, the beauty of the redemption of Scrooge, and the love it exemplifies are fantastic. I cry. Each year. Very hard. No book makes me cry quite like this story, though, some have come close. Besides this, A Christmas Carol is often ascribed to the revitalization of the celebration of Christmas. Not as a consumer holiday, but of love, generosity, and redemption. So well and simply written, this book could be read by the average 10-year-old. Though, something tells me they won’t cry as hard from reading it.
1. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
This may seem like a strange choice for my number one after laying out two great redemption stories, but I’m also a fan of justice and vengeance stories. To be frank, that’s what this story is about. Wickedness and evil reap wickedness and evil, while good reaps good. However, the moral of the story isn’t about the revenge the Count takes in the end. It’s about God being the author of Vengeance. What the Count plans versus what actually happens is a part of a larger plan. The Count must succumb to the fact that even with all the wealth and power he has, God’s ways are better. He must be guided continually by living a good, happy, and generous life, and allow God to take care of the rest. This is a very long book, and with its length, it is quite heady. I would put this at least 15+ for very diligent readers.
This is my top ten for fiction. By the way, for the longer books, I almost never recommend abridged, however, if you’re looking for good books for children to read, the abridged may just help them get into these more difficult stories. As it stands, I will reread these books forever. What are your top ten favorite fiction books? Let me know! I’m always looking for the next great read!
My kids are huge fans of Brandon Sanderson and his sci-fi and fantasy work. Do you have any suggestions for them for books that are similar and no inappropriate content?
Well, I have a book coming out in August that is up that alley. The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson is a good one. Jack Zulu and the Wayfinders Key. Are your kids middle-grade or young adult? And you can follow my channel as I review more of these books!