9 absolute must-read books

A short and snappy list of my 9 favourite books and why you have to read them!

One of the questions I get asked the most by my friends and family is "What's your favourite book?", and my initial response is always the same - an internal groan, because honestly, there's no easy way to answer that question. How can a person who has read hundreds of books and is probably in love with mostly all of them really narrow it down to just one? It's hard. Right? You start with one book, only to realise that no, wait, let me actually tell you about this other book, and then no no, wait again while I tell you about this book I just started reading which is amaaaazing - repeat, repeat, repeat x infinity.

That's why I decided to somehow narrow down this list to my top 9 books instead, and here it is!

1. The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley

"There are times when our victories have a cost that we did not foresee, when winning brings us loss."

The Firebird is a beautifully written dual-time story that seamlessly blends past with present to create a storyline that is rich in history, characters, romance, and revelations. The book follows the incredible journey of Nicola and Rob as they travel through Europe and finally to St. Petersburg to discover the secrets and truth behind The Firebird - a small wooden carving of a bird claimed to have been owned by the 18th century Empress Catherine of Russia. If you can get past the paranormal/supernatural elements, then I have no doubt you'll give your heart to this incredible story.

2. The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

"Every great love starts with a great story..."

Definitely one of my all time favourites, and one that doesn't need introducing. This timeless romance reminds us to not only fight for who we want and what we believe in, but to also learn how to forgive.

3. Necessary Lies by Diane Chamberlain

"Sometimes coloring outside the lines can cost you. Only you can figure out if it's worth it."

Necessary Lies is a bone-chilling book based on the Eugenics Sterilization Program of North Carolina, a state-mandated program that sterilized over seven thousand Americans between 1929 and 1975, targeting those individuals whose sterilization was considered "for the public good". Chamberlain paints the story of a small-town girl and her social worker who, in the unlikeliest of circumstances, come together to overcome tragedy and racial tension and fight back against the unjust social norms of the time.

4. November 9 by Colleen Hoover

"You'll never be able to find yourself if you're lost in someone else."

I've always been a sucker for angsty, heart-breaking romances - and that's exactly what I found in November 9. This is a book that put me through the wringer, emotionally speaking. It made me laugh out loud, it made me sad, and it definitely made me feel like throwing my iPad a time or two, but at the end of it all, it was an unforgettable and engrossing story that I would definitely recommend.

5. The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley

"I knew that, although my life had been shaped by events out of my control, it was I who had chosen to react to them in the way I had."

The Seven Sisters is the first book in an installment that is as breathtaking as it is magical. The dual-time story provides the perfect mix of historical fiction and mystery, as it follows the spellbinding journey of Maia D'Apliese as she travels from the lake of Geneva to the beaches of Rio De Janeiro to discover the truth of her past.

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6. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

"Don't be afraid. There's the two of us now."

By now, you can probably tell that I love all things historical fiction. I was drawn to Outlander as soon as I read the blurb, and knew I would not be able to put it down. The story takes you back in time from 1945 to 1743, and follows the struggles of Claire Randall as she tries to navigate through the tensions of being an English lady in the middle of a Jacobite Scotland.

7. The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

"Restaurants are minefields for the socially inept."

One of my all time favourite feel-good books that made me laugh and grin more times than I can count. The main character, a super-smart and socially inept genetics professor, puts together The Wife Project, an evidence-based and statistically sound experiment to find his perfect match.

8. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

"Push yourself. Just live well. Just LIVE."

Another book that doesn't need introducing. Me Before You is one of those rare books that can make you laugh and cry within a few seconds of each other, if not at the same time. It's heartbreaking, yes, but it's also a beautiful story about love, life, and acceptance.

9. Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover

"Sometimes in life, we need a few bad days in order to keep the good ones in perspective."

I usually tend to avoid books that involve love triangles, but I'm glad I made an exception for this book. Maybe Someday is beautifully written and really tugs at your heartstrings, with emotional and tragic backstories that keep you riveted, and characters that practically jump off the page. I admit, I stayed up all night to finish this book, it was that addictive.