Nice to see this topic making the rounds! This Thursday Discussion book prompt isย from Ally Writes Things, the original post showcasing the topic is here. Excited to take part, it’s tough to choose but I’ve finally picked an assortment of incredible, much-recommended, and greatest books I’ve read by female authors.

Within this small number of pages, a mere 152, are two storylines of healing effervescence. The characters are brought to life in such an astonishing bit of time and the themes of loss that are explored here are deeply affecting and surprisingly uplifting.
When I think about favorite books of 2019, this book has yet to be matched. Maybe because it was the first amazing book I read this year, or really, in years? But it was a trip to another world through the mind of a twisted character. I interpreted the ending to be incredible at sending a very topical and relevant message.
What struck me about this book is how genuine the characters seem. You can see and feel and believe them as if they were right in front of you, and so elegantly presented. This is one of the darker classics I’ve read and the most uniquely compelling and sinister.
Don’t read the spoilers! I was lucky enough not to come across them and was able to experience this book in all its clever glory. Don’t look up anything about it, don’t watch the movie, just read.
Interview With The Vampire by Anne Rice
This book expands upon vampire lore in a way that has had lasting, maybe eternally influential effects. When I think of vampires I often, whether meaning to or not, invoke some of Rice’s unique ideas about them.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
This is maybe too much of an easy choice. But as you’ve likely already heard or known, it’s a magical, creative story that is enthralling at any age and has sparked a passionate readership like no book before.
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Another easy choice, but I love how Harper Lee takes scenes and methods of development that should sound boring in theory- but are spellbindingly interesting and worthwhile to read.
The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough
The descriptions of the harsh Australian outback, exhaustive historic details, heartache-worthy relationships between numerous generations of family members, this book is an ambitious rollercoaster. I read it what seems like forever ago and am still not over it.
You know you love a book way too much when you can’t read one star reviews without feeling personally offended. I’ll just say, there was a thing that happened in this book that made me cry over the course of multiple days. Not for the faint of heart, and probably wouldn’t effect everyone that way, but if I had to pick just one- this is my favorite YA novel.
The Far Pavilions by M.M. Kaye
This book is overwhelming but the detail is lush and evocative and broad in scope. I could really feel the author’s passionate devotion to the time and place, the illustrious main character, and the impressive commitment at bringing to life an East-Meets-West vision of 19th Century India.
Have you read any of these before, or want to read them? Have you covered this topic on your blog (if so I’ll check it out!) or otherwise want to share your thoughts? I greatly appreciate all likes and comments. And thank you to all who’ve viewed this post.
Happy reading,
Kitty
Hi Kitty – I read โThe Far Pavilionsโ years ago & also have all of M.M. Kayeโs mysteries – โDeath in Kenya,โ โDeath in Kashmirโ (Death in Zanzibar, Cyprus, Berlin, etc.) They may be a little dated but now are a slice of history from a bygone era. I also thoroughly enjoyed all the Harry Potter books! Cheers! ๐๐๐
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I am thrilled to come across someone who is familiar with M.M. Kaye, I feel like she’s been kind of lost amidst older historic novels but her writing is so beautiful and brilliant. Planning on reading her other books as well. Thanks so much for your comment!!
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Fantastic list. I loveeee Interview With The Vampire so very much. Also I have been DYING to read Rebecca for some time now.
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Thanks a bunch! And definitely read Rebecca!! Have you read some classics in the past? I don’t read many but could tell it’s a great gateway into classics, pretty approachable writing style.
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I absolutely loved Interview with the Vampire! Though I never finished that series of Rice’s, I still have the books on my shelf.
Ooo, Gillian Flynn! The Gone Girl premise didn’t interest me too terribly much, so I read Sharp Objects instead last year and couldn’t get enough!
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Very eager to read Sharp Objects and Dark Places! Same here on Interview, just read that book and Pandora from her Vampire Chronicles series. Will probably end up re-reading them when continuing it someday. ๐ Thanks for your reply!!
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OMG you will live for Sharp Objects, and the show on HBO was great too! I actually have Dark Places but haven’t read it yet. I plan on reading it around Halloween.
Aha! I read the first four (maybe five?) books in the series, then saw something shiny.
No problem, anytime!
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I have read a few books in the Harry Potter series but have not read any of the others. This is a great tag!
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Agreed! So glad to find a tag that was really relevant to my interests. ๐
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Great list! I just saw Kitchen featured on another blog and I am determined to read it. Not so keen on Gone Girl though, I thought it was fun, but not amazing.
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Yeah it seems pretty polarizing (Gone Girl) I totally recommend getting Kitchen, it’s so short yet fulfilling! ๐
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Thank you so much for participating!!! โค
Rebecca is on my TBR and I'm so excited to read it, I've heard nothing but good things. Same with Gillian Flynn, I've been wanting to read her books for ages!
(also, if you link to one of my posts in your post, I'll get a notification and won't miss any future posts!)
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I highly recommend reading Rebecca and absolutely all of Gillian Flynn’s books look amazing, If you end up reviewing them I’d definitely check out your thoughts. Also, thanks for the tip! Still newish to blogging and learning a lot each day.
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I always thought Harper Lee was a man ๐๐ I read To Kill a Mockingbird in High School and really liked it so I am happy to find out it was actually written by a woman ๐
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Haha yeah now that I think of it Harper sounds very unisex. Thanks for your comment!
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Thank you for the lovely post, Iโve only read 3 of these so youโve given me so many reading ideas! โบ๏ธ I also thoroughly enjoyed Rebecca, itโs impossible to tear yourself away from. I started reading it thinking it was a cute Austen-esque romance because there was a flower on the cover. Wow, was I in for a surprise!
๐MP๐ X
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Thanks so much I am super happy that my post is helpful and still being read. ๐ Agreed heartily on Rebecca!! The cover of my version looked like an 80s romance novel, lol. The pages within are quite different..
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