Guilty Pleasures: Novels I Loved Reading (And Maybe You Will Too!)

Its summer and vacation is on your mind. If you’re like me, you love a good book to read. Not anything heavy; but something that’s exciting, trashy and wickedly fun. If you’re not into the “Twilight” series but still want something good to read, why not try my personal recommendations? I’ve read every book on this list (each book I’ve read at least twice, so you know I think it’s good!). My tastes run the gamut from fantasy to murder mystery to graphic novels.

1.       The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice

With all the talk about vampires lately, you’d think it was a new trend. Vampire tales have been around since Bram Stoker wrote Dracula in 1897 (another book I’ve read several times) and are still going strong over a century later. Lately, Anne Rice has gone all Christian on me and is refusing to write the weird novels that she used to…but we still have her old books. The Vampire Lestat is not the first book in her vampire series; it’s the second and in my humble opinion the best. It follows our dark hero Lestat and details his adventures in the “Savage Garden”.

2.       One for the Money by Janet Evanovich

For some unknown reason, Jersey Shore is a popular show. But like most things on television, it seems someone already wrote about it. Janet Evanovich first Stephanie Plum novel, One for the Money, tells the tale of a hapless girl from New Jersey who is just trying to pay her rent, get her car fixed, and avoid being shot.

3.       Monsoon by Wilbur Smith

I love a good pirate tale. I don’t know why but something about the freedom of the open sea really appeals to me. When I first read Monsoon, I could almost feel the swell of the sea. Monsoon is not just a pirate tale; it’s a story of three brothers as they make their way in the world. Through in some swashbuckling, treasure hunting and comely wenches…well it’s pretty damn good!

4.       Master of the Game by Sidney Sheldon

I find it hard to choose just one Sidney Sheldon book for this list. Really, I could write a list of just my favorite Sidney Sheldon books. The man was a prolific writer for television and movies besides being a kick-assed novelist. But for this list, Master of the Game is the champ. A powerful woman who has survived so much…and diamonds, lots of diamonds. You just can’t go wrong when you pick up a Sidney Sheldon novel.

5.       Chances by Jackie Collins

Yes, a Jackie Collins novel. If you are going to read a Jackie Collins novel, that book should be Chances. The story of Lucky Santangelo really starts with her father, Gino, and his rise to power. Think the Godfather but with way more sex and betrayal.

6.       The Keep by F. Paul Wilson

The Keep may be hard to find but it’s worth it. It’s a horror/mystery/supernatural tale set in Nazi occupied Romania.

7.       Flowers in the Attic by VC Andrews

Flowers in the Attic is one of those books that are not an easy read. It deals with weird grandmothers, abusive mothers and family secrets so dark, some are willing to kill to keep them buried. I first read this book as a teenager and it made me realize that my home life is not so bad in comparison.

8.       Seize the Night by Dean Koontz

This is not the first book but again, I love follow ups. Carpe Noctom or, as it’s popularly known, Seize the Night, follows our hero Christopher Snow into a mystery that twists the reader around and spits him out on the other side of crazy. If you like monkeys, time travel, government conspiracies and a guy who must roam the night, then this is the novel for you.

9.       The Stand by Stephen King

If you are going to read a novel about the end of the world, it might as well be The Stand. Stephen King can’t seem to make a good transition from novel to movie (except for Carrie and The Shining) but he sure pumps out the novels.

10.   Watchmen by Alan Moore

The granddaddy of graphic novels is Watchmen. If you’ve never read it, now is the time. Even though the movie was more than decent, the novel delivers more bangs for your buck with detailed back stories on all the characters, and a well drawn mini story. One of my friends also claims that she has picked up more men while she was out reading this book than without it. Geek men, but men none the less!

Happy reading and be sure to leave your recommendations in the comments.