Favorite Fiction: My Lifelong Book Loves & Why I Keep Coming Back to These Stories
Nov 28, 2023
2 min read
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“It is a good rule after reading a new book, never to allow yourself another new one ‘till you have read an old one in between.” —C.S. Lewis
That quote has stuck with me for years. I have one dedicated bookshelf for the books I can’t bear to part with—the must-keep-near-me ones. The rest are in storage (for now), waiting for the day I have more space. When that happens, it’ll feel like Christmas: rediscovering old friends and experiencing them anew.
Here are some of the titles and authors that have shaped me, in no particular order. I’d love to hear yours in the comments!
Timeless Classics & Life-Changers
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka — Haunting, absurd, and strangely relatable. It makes you question identity in the most unsettling way.
The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran — Poetic wisdom on love, work, joy, sorrow. I return to it whenever I need gentle reminders about life.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho — A beautiful reminder to follow your personal legend. It’s hopeful and magical.
Historical & Epic Fiction
The Kent Family Chronicles by John Jakes — This series ignited my patriotic side. Sweeping American history told through one family’s generations—addictive!
Dark, Strange, & Atmospheric Favorites
V.C. Andrews novels — Wild, dramatic family sagas. They’re strange in the best way.
Dean Koontz — Master of suspense with heart. His blend of thriller + weird fiction keeps me up at night.
Anne Rice (God bless her soul) — Gothic elegance, vampires, witches, deep emotion. Interview with the Vampire remains iconic.
Fantasy & Romance That Stole My Heart
Mary Stewart’s Arthurian series — Lyrical retellings of the legends. Pure magic. e.g., The Crystal Cave on Amazon
The Shadowlands series by Anne Kelleher — Skillfully written fantasy romance. I’m overdue for a reread!
Marion Zimmer Bradley (God bless her soul) — My all-time #1 favorite author. Her world-building and character depth are unmatched (The Mists of Avalon is legendary). Mists of Avalon on Goodreads for discussion.
Guy Gavriel Kay & Piers Anthony — Beautiful prose and imaginative worlds from these talented men.
Recent & Uplifting Discoveries
T.I. Lowe — Her stories are warm, faith-infused, and full of heart. Instant fan!
The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield — My #2 favorite book ever. It opened my eyes to synchronicity and spiritual adventure.
I lean toward female authors in my collection, but great storytelling transcends that. I plan to share full reviews of both new releases and older gems to keep wonderful books alive.
Right now, I’m thrilled to feature three talented writers whose work resonates deeply:
Check them out—I hope you fall in love with their words too!
What about you? What’s a book or author you reread over and over?
Drop it in the comments below, or share your favorites on X and tag me @TracyKubiayk. I’d love to discover new reads and connect with fellow book lovers.
Peace, love, and happy reading,
Tracy
Favorite Fiction introduces Twilight Letters and leads to interesting book reviews.
