John Green
Well said.
“Sometimes, you read a book and it fills you with this weird evangelical zeal, and you become convinced that the shattered world will never be put back together unless and until all living humans read the book.”
–John Green, The Fault in Our Stars
This quote from John Green perfectly captures the feeling I get when I stumble upon a book that resonates so deeply, I want to shout its praises from the rooftops. It’s that rare, magical experience when a story sinks its teeth into your soul, and you just know everyone needs to read it.
So, what books give you this evangelical zeal? I'll go first.
Top Priority: If you haven’t read John Green yet, just stop reading this post right now and go do that. Seriously. His ability to delve into the complexities of human emotions—especially in The Fault in Our Stars—is unparalleled. It’s a must-read for anyone who appreciates stories that explore life’s biggest questions with both humor and heartbreak.
But I can’t stop there. For anyone who even thinks they like fantasy, I cannot recommend The Magicians trilogy by Lev Grossman enough. This series is not just about magic; it’s about the harsh, beautiful reality of growing up, and the struggles that come with trying to find your place in the world. It’s gritty, emotional, and utterly compelling.
And if you’ve ever thought about writing a book, or if you just love stories about stories, then The Library of the Unwritten by A.J. Hackwith is your next must-read. This book is a brilliant exploration of creativity, with characters that leap off the page and a plot that celebrates (laments? You’ll have to read it and let me know which word you think is more appropriate!) the power of imagination.
I’m currently reading (and deeply obsessed) with the Spires series by Alexis Hall. I’ve never read an Alexis Hall book I didn’t adore. But these sexy gay love stories are absolutely phenomenal. They are trigger minefields, though—be sure you know what you’re getting into before blithely starting a Spires novel: emotional wreckage with exquisite sex scenes that actually make the heartache worse. 10/10 highly recommend.
These books are only a handful of those that fill me with that “weird evangelical zeal.” Now it’s your turn—what books do you feel everyone needs to read?
