“Fantasy is escapist, and that is its glory.” - J. R. R. Tolkien Often, books are unappreciated, as people would rather be on their devices. But there is nothing quite like holding a book in your hands (especially hard cover) and being transported to another world – A world with adventures that do not need to worry you in real life, it’s a place where you can live a different life and learn new things, including important life lessons.
I have loved to read since I first learned how to read, with World War II historical fiction being my favorite genre.
The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin is one of my many favorites, focusing on two different women’s lives that intertwine, as they both fight for the same thing, despite the distance. One is a Librarian in the United States, then in France, while the other is in Europe, typing for the resistance newspaper.
A biography also concerning that time that I very much appreciated reading is A Brilliant Life: My Mother’s Inspiring Story of Surviving the Holocaust by Rachelle Unreich. These are two of my favorite World War II stories. This true story is about a Jewish girl who faces numerous challenges and goes through horrible things but manages to stay determined to pursue her dreams.
Reading these books has helped me to learn more about history, perseverance, and resilience. As Madeline Martin put it “Perhaps that is the draw of books… to show us the way even when we think the path is too dark to see.”
The well-known mystery series, Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, contains many peculiar cases taking place in the late 19th and early 20th century London, UK. Sherlock is a brilliant and eccentric detective that is often accompanied by Dr. John Watson, who formerly served in the British Army.
Holmes uses his amazingly keen observation skills, logical reasoning, and forensic science to solve complex cases that baffle the police. The stories highlight his unique methods and the often-intricate puzzles he must piece together.
Watson is the one writing these cases, as he writes them many years later, recalling the greatest years of his life and realizing what Sherlock Holmes once said was true: “Education never ends. It is a series of lessons with the greater for the last.”
A story with a similar protagonist, is the science fiction Thrawn Ascendency trilogy by Timothy Zahn. These books follow a Chiss named Thrawn, who is capable of learning many things about people through their art and is a military tactic mastermind. In this trilogy he must destroy threats from outside and inside the Ascendency.
This trilogy teaches about different tactics and has given me a new appreciation for art.
“A little wonderment is good for the soul. Almost as good as a little humility.” Thrawn My favorite crime/thriller was written by a fifteen-yearold in the sixties, which is when the story is set. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton is a story about two rival groups, separated because of class. The main character has to endure challenges, as this story is about brotherhood and class conflict, with the repercussions of going to far against rivals and staying kind despite what they’ve faced- or rather, as Johnny Cade said, “Stay gold.”
An old and amazingly written high fantasy adventure trilogy is Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien.
The story is a sequel to The Hobbit, following The Hobbit’s main character’s cousin, Frodo Baggins. It is set in a fictional Middle-earth and contains a great adventure with many obstacles, as Frodo must destroy the One Ring, which can only be destroyed by being cast into the fires of Mount Doom. But the One Ring is powerful, turning the person who wears it invisible and slowly corrupting them due to its power. The creator of this ring, Sauron, hence the title of the series, is determined to claim his ring, which causes Frodo and his companions to have many difficulties.
The story explores themes such as the struggle between good and evil, the importance of friendship and loyalty, and the corrupting influence of power.
The Bible is a book that isn’t just a book. It was written by approximately forty authors over centuries, while covering millennia. It is the best-selling book of all time.
There is so much that could be said about this book alone, for it is not fiction or just a little bit of history. It starts off in the beginning of creation and ends at the end of the physical world.
It explores more themes and genres than any other book and teaches lessons that are still relatable today. It is directly inspired by God and can be lived by, despite what skeptics claim. The Bible can help you much more than any other book written solely by man and evidence that Biblical events took place continue to be uncovered.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. - 2 Timothy 3:16-17