Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve always chased that child-like wonder—the intoxicating mix of passion, adventure, and discovery. Growing up, I sought books that could capture that magic, and as a writer, I now understand how rare and powerful it is to evoke those raw emotions. These books gave me that spark, inspiring me both personally and creatively. They even motivated me to create Visual Novel, a tool designed to bring stories to life and immerse readers further into their worlds. I hope this list rekindles that sense of innocent wonder and reminds you of the beauty and weight of youthful imagination.


I wrote...

The Unwanted

By Z.T. Soyoye,

Book cover of The Unwanted

What is my book about?

It’s a story of youth told with mystery and fantasy. The anxiety, the competition, the passion. It follows a group…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of The Lightning Thief

Z.T. Soyoye Why did I love this book?

This is a book that feels like stepping into an epic adventure while still staying grounded in real-life struggles. I love Percy’s wit and his ability to keep pushing forward, even when the odds are stacked against him.

His dynamics with those around him are relatable, and reading this reminded me of being a kid, when every discovery felt monumental and every mistake felt earth-shattering. It’s funny and heartfelt—a reminder of the resilience we all have.

By Rick Riordan,

Why should I read it?

20 authors picked The Lightning Thief as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 8, 9, 10, and 11.

What is this book about?

The Lightning Thief: the First book in Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series.

The first bestselling book in Rick Riordan's phenomenally successful Percy Jackson series.

Look, I didn't want to be a half-blood. I never asked to be the son of a Greek God. I was just a normal kid, going to school, playing basketball, skateboarding. The usual. Until I accidentally vaporized my maths teacher. That's when things started really going wrong. Now I spend my time fighting with swords, battling monsters with my friends, and generally trying to stay alive.

This is the one where Zeus, God of the Sky,…


Book cover of The Fire Within

Z.T. Soyoye Why did I love this book?

This book hit me like a spark I didn’t know I needed. I first picked up this book because of the cover- I was expecting an action-packed series what I got was even better. Dragons are cool, yes, but the real magic is how the story weaves creativity, mystery, and emotion into everyday life.

I was hooked by the quiet, reflective moments just as much as the tension. It made me think about the hidden connections in life and how even small choices can have huge ripples.

By Chris d'Lacey,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Fire Within as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 8, 9, 10, and 11.

What is this book about?

Best-selling author, Chris d'Lacey, brings us a magical story about mysterious hand crafted clay dragons who have unusual powers.

Best-selling author Chris d'Lacey brings us a magical story about mysterious hand crafted clay dragons who have unusual powers.When David moves in with Liz and Lucy, he discovers a collection of hand crafted, clay dragons that comes to life and has magical powers. David's personalized dragon, Gadzooks, can forecast the future, and inspires him to write a story which reveals the truth behind an unsolved mystery close to home. The story has an unhappy ending, and when David realizes the consequences…


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Book cover of An Heir of Realms

An Heir of Realms By Heather Ashle,

An Heir of Realms tells the tale of two young heroines—a dragon rider and a portal jumper—who fight dragon-like parasites to save their realms from extinction. 

Rhoswen is training as a Realm Rider to work with dragons and burn away the Narxon swarming into her realm. Rhoswen’s dream is to…

Book cover of Astrophysics for People in a Hurry

Z.T. Soyoye Why did I love this book?

Every good book recommendation list needs a twist. The nature of this list tends to lend itself to more fantasy/ fiction books, but this one is different. This book was like standing under a night sky, staring up at the stars, and feeling simultaneously insignificant and extraordinary.

I love how it made the universe feel vast and beautiful yet somehow personal. It’s not just science—it’s poetry, a reminder of how miraculous our existence is. It’s the twist on my list, but I recommend it because it showed me how the mystery of the cosmos mirrors the wonder of childhood discovery. It’s breathtaking and grounding all at once.

By Neil deGrasse Tyson,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Astrophysics for People in a Hurry as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

There's no better guide through mind-expanding questions such as what the nature of space and time is, how we fit within the universe, and how the universe fits within us than Neil deGrasse Tyson.

But today, few of us have time to contemplate the cosmos. So Tyson brings the universe down to Earth succinctly and clearly, with sparkling wit, in digestible chapters consumable any time and anywhere in the busy day. Astrophysics for People in a Hurry reveals just what you need to be fluent and ready for the next cosmic headlines: from the Big Bang to black holes, from…


Book cover of This Present Darkness

Z.T. Soyoye Why did I love this book?

This book immersed me with its portrayal of all the unseen battles that are felt, the ones as real as the struggles we face every day. It reminded me that even when life feels overwhelming, faith and trust go a long way.

It captures the tension between fear and hope, making me think more about the bigger picture in my own life. It left me feeling both humbled and inspired.

By Frank Peretti,

Why should I read it?

9 authors picked This Present Darkness as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A powerful audio abridgement of this top-selling novel about a prayerful pastor and a skeptical reporter who find themselves fighting a plot to subjugate the human race.


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Book cover of Edge of the Known World

Edge of the Known World By Sheri T. Joseph,

Edge of the Known World is a near-future love and adventure story about a brilliant young refugee caught in era when genetic screening tests like 23AndMe make it impossible to hide a secret identity. The novel is distributed by Simon & Schuster. It is a USA Today Bestseller and 2024…

Book cover of Ready Player One

Z.T. Soyoye Why did I love this book?

This book filled me with pure wonder. The futuristic setting felt like a glimpse into a world we’re on the brink of creating, where technology can be both a refuge and a battlefield. I loved the way it combined a digital universe with a gritty, imperfect reality—it made me think about how much potential the future holds, both thrilling and terrifying.

The sense of exploration and possibility was so vivid that I found myself daydreaming about what could be long after I turned the last page. It’s a story that reminds me how powerful imagination can be. The characters aren’t perfect, which made them feel real, and I was hooked by the idea of ordinary kids taking on extraordinary challenges. This one made me feel like anything was possible in the future.

By Ernest Cline,

Why should I read it?

21 authors picked Ready Player One as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

SOON TO BE A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE DIRECTED BY STEVEN SPIELBERG

It's the year 2044, and the real world has become an ugly place. We're out of oil. We've wrecked the climate. Famine, poverty, and disease are widespread.

Like most of humanity, Wade Watts escapes this depressing reality by spending his waking hours jacked into the OASIS, a sprawling virtual utopia where you can be anything you want to be, where you can live and play and fall in love on any of ten thousand planets. And like most of humanity, Wade is obsessed by the ultimate lottery ticket that…


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The Unwanted

By Z.T. Soyoye,

Book cover of The Unwanted

What is my book about?

It’s a story of youth told with mystery and fantasy. The anxiety, the competition, the passion. It follows a group of friends that are put into an ordeal of extraordinary circumstances that they must overcome while also trying to balance their personal problems. Alexander Charon navigates the treacherous halls of a new school, only to discover this is a world where shadows dance and secrets roam.

This is a grounded fantasy mystery novel that is sure to grip you with its relatable moments and characters. With every page, you'll delve deeper into a realm of mystery and intrigue, where friendship is tested and courage is forged. Will Alexander and his friends rise to the challenge, or will they become pawns in a deadly game?

Book cover of The Lightning Thief
Book cover of The Fire Within
Book cover of Astrophysics for People in a Hurry

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