10 Commendable Books That Should Be In Your Shelves

When we were young, we are told that books are our best friend. However, in this age, books have become cliché. People prefer E-books as it is much more efficient and convenient than the actual book itself. Only a few people see the actual value of books and you can call them bibliophiles. Bibliophile is the term used for those book enthusiast or book lovers. Bibliophiles such as myself, prefer to read those worn-out, funky, well-loved print books than those electronic books with no feels.

Like a movie aficionado, bibliophiles have their own preferred genres; drama, thriller, suspense, love story, and whatnot. But, whatever genre it is; literally, you cannot judge a book by its cover without reading its content. So, I listed 10 books that are not only worth reading but are also worth commending.

1. LEFT BEHIND COLLECTION by Tim Lahaye and Jerry B. Jinkins

This book is a series of 16 best-selling Bible-based novels that showcases the interpretations of prophecies in the book of Isiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Revelation. If you are fond of reading the bible, this novel is for you!

Synopsis:

Set in the modern era where rapture has begun; taking true Christians to heaven and living the non-believers in a world of utter chaos. They began searching for the truth as one man rose from his position who promised to lead the people to stability and peace. Left behind is the story of the people who became born-again Christians and formed a group called “Tribulation Force”; whose aim is to find and bring the Antichrist down, and help the lost to prepare for the coming tribulation - where they will experience worldwide hardship (famine, suffering, pain, war etc.) for seven years.

2. THE HOBBIT by J. R. R. TOLKIEN

This book is a children’s fantasy novel written by one of the most famous authors of all time John Ronald Reuel Tolkien or known as J. R. R. Tolkien. Though it is a children’s fantasy book, it had become popular for people of different ages. Because of the demand and the critical and financial success of the novel, Tolkien decided to create a sequel and entitled it Lord of the Rings.

Synopsis:

This novel depicts the adventures of a Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins (with Gandalf the wizard and a band of dwarves) and how he serves as a burglar to have a fair share of the treasures guarded by Smaug the dragon. Bilbo as the protagonist of the story has faced different hardships and sufferings achieving the treasure that they desire to have. Not to mention that he has to faced dangerous creatures in most chapters. This, in turn, has turned Bilbo mature, competent and wiser as he found himself the “Magic Ring”. The novel reaches its climax in the Battle of the Five Armies; where they have to set aside their differences and help each other to defeat their archenemy - the Orcs.

3. LORD OF THE RINGS by J. R. R. TOLKIEN

This novel is a trilogy book sequel to Tolkien’s 1937 children’s fantasy novel, The Hobbit. Eventually, this has turned into a much larger work as it became more popular and considered as one of the most best-selling novels ever written. If you have watched the movie Lord of the Rings directed by Peter Jackson, you will notice the major differences between the two. Just a word of advice: If you haven’t read the novel, try to play “Spot the difference” as it will make it more exciting for you to read the book.

Synopsis:

The novel circled around “The Ring” that the Dark Lord Sauron (antagonist) forged in order to rule over the other Rings of Power and rule all the Middle-earth. But, Sauron was defeated by an alliance of Elves and Men. He lost both the ring and his physical form. The ring fell into the hands of Sméagol, who turned into a Gollum; for the one who wears the ring will turn into a corrupt vile monster. Bilbo Baggins found the ring and passed it to his favorite cousin, young Frodo Baggins who then became the bearer of the ring. Frodo Baggins has set on a journey with his friend Samwise Gamgee to destroy The Ring once and for all in order to stop Sauron from his vile schemes.

4. NOTHING LASTS FOREVER by Sidney Sheldon

A tension-packed novel about ambitions, friendships, fears of healers, killers, lovers and betrayals all in one. This is another sheer storytelling mastery of Sidney Sheldon that becomes an international bestselling novel. If you have a thing for doctors and life and death decisions then this novel is right for you!

Synopsis:

This novel revolves on three doctors; Dr. Paige Taylor, Dr. Kat Hunter and Dr. Honey Taft, who were living together and working at the same hospital, where one - charged with murder, the second -murdered and the third - almost gets an entire hospital closed down.

5. THE FINAL VICTIM by Wendy Corsi Staub

This is another murder suspense novel by New York Times Bestselling Author Wendy Corsi Staub with many twists and turn and a surprising ending. It will keep you guessing until the very near end.

Synopsis:

The novel focuses on Charlotte Remington who is the sole heir of the Remington estate. Remington family is known in Georgia not only of their affluence but also because of their whispered secrets that will be discovered by Charlotte herself. Charlotte who lost her son to a drowning incident and husband to a divorced, is going back to the place which brought her lot of pain and loss. With her new husband and stepdaughter she is set to build a second chance at happiness but later did she knows that going back to Georgia would drive her to the edge of sanity in finding the answer to deadly questions inside a house of lies.

WHAT SHE LEFT BEHIND… HASN’T JUST COME BACK TO HAUNT HER…IT’S COME BACK TO KILL HER.

6. THE SECOND TIME AROUND by Mary Higgins Clark

This novel acknowledges Mary Higgins Clark as “America’s Queen of Suspense”. She delivers a well-written, page-turner, clutching tale of duplicity and tantalizing suspense in this novel. Be ready to engross in the story as it will keep you on the edge of your seats.

Synopsis:

The novel centers on a reporter named Marcia “Carley” DeCarlo and her journey in finding the horrifying truth on the sudden disappearance of Nicholas Spencer; the charismatic head of a company that has developed an anticancer vaccine. Carley is the stepsister of Spencer’s wife, Lynn, whom everyone believes is involved in his disappearance. Everyone thought that if Spencer is alive, he has earned a huge sum of money from the company that has led the business to bankruptcy. But, not until Carley uncovers the truth as her life was endanger.

7. PRETEND YOU DON’T SEE HER by Mary Higgins Clark

This is another good old-fashioned suspense, full of twist galore, and a heart-pounding novel of “America’s Queen of Suspense”. As always, this is a suspense mystery, difficult to figure and satisfying in the end. If you’re a bibliophile and you don’t know Mary Higgins Clark you might want to research about her.

Synopsis:

The novel is about a Manhattan real estate agent, Lacey Farell, who was in the wrong place and in the wrong time. She was the sole witness to a crime scene and to the dying words of the victim. Placed in a witness protection program, Lacey has to live a fake identity in the Minneapolis area until the killer is found where she was entangled in a deception with Tom Lynch, a radio talk-show host. She then discovered that the killer knew where she was. Lacey was determined to uncover the truths about the deaths of the 2 woman before she herself becomes the next victim. Armed nothing but her courage and the clues in the journal that she made a copy of herself before giving it to the police, that proved to be fatal and at the same time lifesaving.

8. PRESUMED INNOCENCE by Scott Turow

This novel was based on Scott Turow’s experience as a law student and is part of his 10 books of kindle county legal thriller. Presumed Innocence is part of the 100 mystery/crime novel published by the Britain-based Crime Writers Association and by the Mystery Writers of America. This is a story of betrayal, murder, and trial that will uncover the shocking secrets and the hidden depths of the human heart. If you liked the movie, I’m sure you’ll love the book.

Synopsis:

Rusty Sabich, a chief deputy prosecuting attorney in a large mid-western city, has found himself convicted for the most terrible crime of all; the murder of Carolyn Polhemus - his fellow prosecuting attorney and his secret lover. His affair with Carolyn (who is not his wife) and his obsessions will put everything he loves and values on trial – including his own life.

9. TRIPTYCH (WILL TRENT #1) by Karin Slaughter

The novel is a Will Trent 8 series that takes place in the city of Atlanta where the author Karin Slaughter is residing. An excellent, page-turner novel, whose story is much layered, that will make the reader engrossed in it even more.

Synopsis:

In the city of Atlanta, a madman is committing a series of brutal murder whose ways is not just to bring pain and suffering to his victim but also by doing a gruesome mutilation, leaving behind enough evidence to fuel a frenzied police hunt. Will they be able to catch the killer?

10. POSTMORTEM (KAY SCARPETTA #1) by Patricia Cornwell

A terrific Kay Scarpetta 24 series novel that had people head over heels with Patricia Cornwell’s way of writing. The novel has a very entertaining storyline with great characters. It will give you an insight as to how forensic science works. If you can look past gruesome and profane, then I recommend this novel for you!

Synopsis:

The novel introduces Kay Scarpetta, a blonde Chief Medical Examiner for the Commonwealth of Virginia at Richmond and her ways to forensic science that made her as one of the top forensic pathologists in the country. She will help in catching the psychotic killer leaving the people in a state of utter horror as a series of gory strangling is happening within the city. Kay will do her best to uncover the truth even if her life is on the line.

As bibliophiles, we’re not only limited to one genre. We may have our own preferences but we can widen our area and go beyond our shelves. You will be surprised how much books out there could give you the satisfying feeling you should get as a bibliophile.

If you have questions, queries, or if you want to recommend books for me and other bibliophiles to read, don’t hesitate to mention it in the comment box. HAPPY READING! Ciao.