Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Is it cliche to recommend Harry Potter? Maybe, but I’m doing it anyway because no list specifically claiming to offer 5 of the BEST books for daydreaming about being a magical teenager would be complete without the boy who lived.

In the sixth of the Harry Potter books (which might be my favorite), Harry is so solidly in that hard space of life pre-adulthood but post-childhood. I love this particular story because I identified so much (minus the death wizards) with his struggle: navigating grief, friendship, love, loyalty, and doing the right thing even when the right thing is really… show more.

The Harry Potter series is so good but this particular installment gave you the backstory of one of my favorite characters. Harry is a great character and so are most of the cast but one always stands out. The half-blood prince is a layered character who, by the end of the series, you will realize deserved your love more than anyone else. Who doesn’t love a character who will sacrifice it all, even their whole being for love.

Each book I’ve recommended has its own writing style, its own way of telling a story. Harry Potter is another story of note that differs from those I’ve mentioned. It has a great balance of pace and detail that doesn’t micromanage the readers' imagination, yet gives us enough detail to draw us in. A great beginner series for those interested in fantasy and one that will certainly keep you on your toes. I recommend this particular story within the series because I feel that we’ve reached the most critical point in the plot.