5 Books for the Young in Heart

I don't know about you, but my favorite genre of books is considered a little offbeat for my age. I absolutely adore middle-grade fiction (which should come as no surprise, considering that's primarily what I write.) These books, often overlooked by adults offer a depth, wisdom and joy that is often overlooked by adults. They have the power to remind us not to take life too seriously, how to deal with our emotions and most importantly what it feels like to believe in the magic of fiction.

New or classic, middle-grade books will forever serve as a link between who we were, who we are and the person in between that we likely should be. So here I offer some of my favorite novels, some will doubtlessly be familiar and others may be a discovery, either way...enjoy!

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

One of my all-time favorite novels. Skillfully penned by one of Britain's greatest writers of magic, this is a story I cherish. My paperback copy has been everywhere I've been and serves as an inexhaustible source of humor and joy. A quirky story with laughs around every corner, it amazes me how many people in North America are unaware of this fantastic novel.

Matilda by Roald Dahl

It's impossible not to be endeared to Matilda, Roald Dahl's little genius is a delightful reminder of the extraordinary intelligence of children, if we only allow them to cultivate their minds. Heartwarming, hilarious, irreverent and brave, Matilda easily earns her place on every bookshelf and in each heart.

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

A novel that is built on the foundation of timeless classic children's stories. The beginning to a clever and heart-touching trilogy filled with engaging characters and original twists on familiar tales, Cornelia Funke's story is one that can be appreciated by readers of all ages.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Not only a classic and a massive part of the public consciousness, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, at its' core is a magical story that pulls you in from the very first pages. Especially for my generation, it brings us back to days where we too were young, pouring over Harry's story and growing with him. Sentimental, engaging, timeless. What more can you ask for?

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

The wisdom and simplicity of youth all wrapped up into a slim story that is overflowing with charm and significance. The Little Prince should absolutely be read by every human being, for the beauty and thoughtfulness that it imparts is something we require at all stages of our life, especially as grown-ups.

You Should be Listening to Your Next Read

There's a type of book that you ought to meet, if you're not already acquainted with it. It's been around for a long time but is just beginning to hit its' stride in popularity, largely thanks to the constant rise in digital media's popularity.

A Map of Days

by Ransom Riggs

in Audible

It's the audiobook. Now, maybe you've already experienced what this format has to offer and are enjoying the company of narrators on your morning walk or during mundane daily tasks… But if not, allow me to persuade you to at least give them a try (and fall in love).

The biggest draw for me towards audiobooks is the ability to multitask. I'm the type of person who's forever doing more than one thing at a time (I may be listening to a book as I write this). So, it comes to pass that audiobooks became a very convenient way for me to fill in those blank spaces where multitasking can be difficult. In coffee shops, on daily walks, while dabbling in art and out doing the groceries, I'm able to read, to further push my obsession to consume as much literature as possible. It's absolutely a convenient way to bend our society's drive to do more faster and re-center the somewhat disordered approach into something that will expand the mind and relax it.

On the emotional side of things, another incredible way to make use of audiobooks is to create with them an experience of bonding. I've had the pleasure of listening with a friend, elevating the solitude that typically characterizes reading and transforming it into a memory-making, growing-closer, understanding-you-deeper event. Books make us think and recall things, oftentimes which are kept to the confines of the mind, but when you share an audiobook these intimate thoughts have a way of blossoming into conversation and delight. You learn and grow together, and even if you're far apart you can still partake in a book together making handy use of text messages.

Along those lines too, who doesn't like to be read to? We might not exactly be listening to Goodnight Moon, but as an adult I'm a big fan of having Jim Dale read me to sleep with a favorite chapter from Harry Potter.

And on the topic of narrators, there is a whole world of talent that you open yourself up to when you begin to listen to books. Whether it's Kate Winslet's animated retelling of Roald Dahl's Matilda or Ralph Cosham's disturbingly childlike rendition of the song "Beasts of England" from George Orwell's Animal Farm, you gain a new depth in the skilled retellings of these stories. You're pulled into a new layer of the story by these women and men who draw out another level of emotion all based in the written word.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

By J.K. Rowling

on Google Play Books

As a side note, one of my favorite audiobooks is Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, by J.K. Rowling and narrated by Eddie Redmayne. It's a short listen that features entries which are easy to pick up and listen to in any order. Also, since Eddie Redmayne happens to act the fictional author of the book itself in films, you're doubly immersed into how it expands on Rowling's Wizarding World. You can feel even better about the purchase, knowing that a portion of the sales is made available to both Comic Relief and Lumos Foundation, which means you're doing good at the same time! All these things makes it a perfect introduction into the world of audiobooks, or that could just be my personal opinion since it happened to by my first listen.

Whatever the reason, whether it's one I was able to mention here or some other undoubtedly valuable facet of audiobooks, why not enjoy listening to your next read?