Must-Read Books of All Time

COOL BEANS: BEST BOOKS OF ALL TIME


As a self-professed book addict of the highest degree, I will be the first to tell you that you never have to read a book – also, I am known for never picking favourites. But there is a mutual agreement in the World of Literature that there are a select few books that you must have read in your lifetime so as to be complete, as such – so as to allow you to have experienced ‘the best of the best’. Enjoy!

MUST READ BOOK #1: The Princess Bride

By William Goldman

“She loves you. She loves you still and you love her, so think of that - think of this, too: in all this world, you might have been happy, genuinely happy. Not one couple in the world has that chance, not really, no matter what the storybooks say.”

Like a true fairytale, the tomboyish Buttercup never meant to fall in love with the farm boy Westley – it just happened, and she and Westley plan to spend the rest of their lives together…nothing but love ahead. But when Westley is killed whilst at sea, Buttercup – devastated and heartbroken – swears that she’ll never love again.

But the story is only beginning.

The Prince of Florin, Prince Humperdink, is a man in need of a wife and Buttercup fits the bill – growing up to a be a most beautiful, yet sorrowful young woman. Yet wedding plans soon turn to plans of rescue and war, with characters such as Fezzik, Inigo Montoya (“Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father…prepare to die.”), Vizzini and the mysterious masked stranger who is willing to risk coming back from the brink of death itself to save Buttercup.

Warning to those who expect a nice, well-seasoned fairytale with just enough love, evil and adventure to keep you awake for 416 pages, think again – there are no Darth Vaders, no Percy Jacksons…no clear definitions between good and evil. But, I promise you, it is a love story you’ll never forget – and please, please, don’t skip the inserts by Goldman. And for all of you who lost courage at the 416 pages bit, toughen up… The Stone Key by Isobelle Carmody has 1000 pages.

Also, if you have a thing for the Three Musketeers, you’ll see the resemblances.

"Reading a book is like re-writing it for yourself. You bring to a novel, anything you read, all your experience of the world. You bring your history and you read it in your own terms."
                                                                                                               - Angela Carter