Favorite authors and books

I want to take a little break from talking about Seph, to start a conversation about other great literature. What is it about a book that really pulls you in and keeps you talking about it long after you have put it down?

It is fair to say that the vast majority of my reading is speculative fiction. With authors such as Timothy Zahn, Orson Scott Card, and Brandon Sanderson topping the list. Or high fantasy with J.R.R Tolken, and C.S. Lewis. Though I have also read a plethora of nonfiction, especially as it relates to culinary arts, world history, and religion.

My favorite books are the ones that make you think. With complicated and subtle plots that make you question things. I particularly enjoyed the book Angelmass, by Timothy Zahn, from this perspective. Based in a world where they have discovered a way to force their political leaders to remain honest and behave with dignity and honor, where is the down side? But things are not exactly as they appear.

Another book I enjoyed for similar, and yet very different reasons was Ender’s Game. While the series by Orsen Scott Card did have several major plot twists which were challenging and engaging to unravel throughout the series. The most compelling thing to me about the books was the character of Ender Wiggen himself. Ender was one of the first protagonists I really felt like I could relate to. In a lot of ways, reading Ender’s Game was a little like an ‘ah-ha’ moment for me. I enjoyed reading about someone who was clever and smart, and able to solve problems on his own.

While there are many other books I could talk about here, each and every one of them fully deserving of its own post. I want to give you guys the opportunity to share your own favorite stories and why you love them.