For those of you that don’t know, I’m what you might call a bookworm. A bibliophile. A book lover. Ever since I could read, I’ve loved it and my parents did a wonderful job of encouraging it. It’s still one of my favourite things in the whole world to do. Over the years, I’ve talked about books on Instagram and Instagram stories and had lots of requests for some of my favourite books… so here we are. I’ve teamed up with Indigo for this video as they are by far my favourite place to buy books (and many other things, for that matter… actually they’re just one of my favourite stores period). I find it can be overwhelming to walk into a huge book store with no idea what you’re looking for and love that they have so many lists to help with that – Heather’s Picks, Staff Picks, Best Books of the Decade, etc.
Just a reminder that these are very subjective – books are personal. There are lots of amazing books that couldn’t be included since this only a top 5 list. With that being said, I’d love to know your favourite book(s). Please comment on the video!
1. HARRY POTTER
Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
All of them really. Basically anything Harry Potter makes me incredibly happy. I re-read this series once a year (yes, you read that correctly) and each time I do, I am blown away by the story, the details, and the imagination. I wish I was a witch so badly.
2. ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
I seem to have a thing for historical fiction about war and this one is the best. It is the most beautifully written book I’ve ever read. I wish I could articulate Doerr’s metaphors and descriptive writing – it’s unlike anything I’ve ever read.
3. EDUCATED
Educated by Tara Westover
This true story is almost unimaginable – Westover lived a sheltered lifestyle with her family who eschewed public education and modern medicine. She had no birth certificate and no medical records. She slowly learned to realize that her family didn’t have to be her only education. She’s a beautiful writer with an amazing story to tell.
4. Catch and Kill
Catch and Kill by Ronan Farrow
An incredibly important and wonderfully investigated story of of women who have risked everything to expose the truth about serial abusers who are hell bent on covering up the truth at any cost (some of the tactics are so shocking you’d think it was made up). All men and women should read this, but please note it contains some triggering information on sexual abuse.
5. The Alice Network
The Alice Network by Kate Quinn
See above re: my love for historical fiction. I couldn’t put this book down – I read it in three days. It’s a story inspired by a real life network of spies who worked underground in France during WW1. It’s funny and heartbreaking and I love how it champions women whose efforts were forgotten during WW1.
Shot on DJI Osmo pocket in collaboration with Indigo
Through a glass darkly, now face to face and dark angels by Karleen Koen
I feel vindicated!!! My family makes fun of me for re-reading the Harry Potter series every year. I also listen to them on audible—it’s like playing your favorite album over and over. You’re right-the creativity and detail is just amazing and I honestly make new discoveries every time I read/listen to them. They are my comfort food
I’m a huge reader of historical fiction based on WWI and WW2, and really liked The Alice Network and All the Light We Cannot See. And Educated—my mom told me how good it was and I put off reading it for quite some time because i didn’t think it was my type of book. I was SO wrong. Amazing writer, amazing story.
“Out East..Memoir of a Montauk Summer” by John Glynn
You can tell your love of books just from how concisely and beautifully you write!
Author
Thank you Marija, that means a lot!
xx Jill
If you like WW2 historical fiction I highly recommend the French Photographer by Natasha Lester. It’s fiction but based on many true stories of female correspondents during the war and how differently they were treated than their male counterparts. Highly recommend!
Author
Thank you so much will definitely look at this one!
xx Jill
You would love north of normal, and sound of gravel. North of normal was written after the author read the glass castle. And what trumps even that book, was Sound if gravel!
7 Fallen Feathers, a wonderful, heartbreaking, but incredibly important book to read at this time. Love to read from strong, female Canadian writers too!!
Read 4/5 and love them all! Thx for sharing, esp all the light will stay in my heart forever!
Author
OMG I know it’s one of the best books ever!