I set myself a challenge of picking the top 6 books of all time, books that linger in my brain despite being years since I read them. They all have their special place and for different reasons.

American Assassin by Vince Flynn is in my list because it was the book that started me reading again after a long hiatus. I picked it up while at the airport heading off on holiday. I finished it still on holiday and went searching for the next book. I ended up bindging much of the Mitch Rapp series and then quickly moved on to the Lee Child books, all of which inspired my own crime thriller series.

Extracted by RR Haywood had me hooked on the first page. The opening scenes including a WW2 operation behind German lines , still stay with me today. Such amazing writing and from a fellow indie author too. I’ve gone on to read many of Richard’s books, including the other two books in the series. 

Wool by Hugh Howey was a masterclass of building intrigue and slowly pulling back the curtain of the unique premise.

Tender is the Flesh by Augustina Baterrica puts the reader straight into an uncomfortable place, exploring the dark soul of how far humanity will go to survive.

Red Rising by Pierce Brownblew my mind. It was so many stories and genres in one book and I didn’t want it to end. It’s such a shame I couldn’t finish the second book as it bored me almost to tears. I wanted to be as good as the first.

What a ride Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman is. I’d heard a little about the LitRPG genre but thought it wasn’t for me until I took a chance on the first book. Carl and Princess Donut now live rent free in my head. I don’t usually complete series but I’m all in on this one. I have one more book to listen to but I’m holding back because I know it will be a while until a new release. 

When I had the idea of this post I forced myself to choose 6 books. I quickly whittled it down to 8, Ready Player One not quite making the cut, but I couldn’t get rid of the next 7. This leaves me with my favourite book of all time, The Martian by Andy Weir. An outstanding, and funny tale of survival against all odds. Andy, I salute you.

Could you choose your six favourite books of all time?

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