It’s nice to escape into a story. To lose yourself in the world of imagination, fantasy, comedy, romance and drama. To be escorted through a journey with characters who become a piece of you, a storyline that runs through your mind and captures your soul. It’s no wonder that our 99 Walks HQ team loves to read fiction, and we’re sharing with you our favorites so you can find a new treasure to add to your reading list.
Marketing Manager Mary: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. It's easy to escape into this beautiful story about a strong-willed, independent woman who has learned to survive on her own in the marshlands after she is abandoned as a child. The love story, the heartbreak and the suspicious murder makes this a book that you don't want to put down.
Coach and Worthiness Warrior Jillie: Harry Potter (all of them!) by J.K. Rowling. Here’s your chance to really escape reality and give yourself time in imagination and creativity.
Content Manager Erin: The Storyteller’s Secret by Sejal Baadani. You know you’ve found a good book when it hooks you from the start, but one that envelops you in the journey is truly special. This book is beautiful. From the people, the culture, traditions, heartbreak, dreams and hope, I was wrapped up in the pages not wanting it to end and thinking about the characters well after I turned the last page.
Coach and Yogi Jenny: Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng. It’s a “stepford” suburban who-done-it story that dives into the complexity of what defines a mother, classism, and race.
Data Analyst Sherry: How Stella Got Her Groove Back by Terry McMillan. Terry McMillan is an incredible author who captured my attention at a young age. This book introduced me to the world of romance. It also ignited my interest in writing my own romantic novel for fun!
And because Sherry couldn’t just pick one, she also shared with us Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. Widely considered one of the classics, I first read this book at eleven. I fell in love with this book and could not seem to put it down. I often stayed inside from recess just to read it.
Pack Leader Joyce: Snowflower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. It is an epic, gorgeous story of two BFFs in China from entirely different backgrounds who find a way to maintain their friendship in secret.
Social Media Manager Jess: The BFG by Roald Dahl. My third-grade teacher read this book to the class in the late '80s and I thought it was a magical book full of imaginative wonder. I added to my Christmas list that year and I still have that copy and I have read it several times since.
Office Manager Mary T: The Shack by Willam P. Young. I love this book because it is such a beautiful story. It is all about healing and reconnecting with yourself. It does get pretty heav,y but the overall message of the book is so powerful which is why I liked it so much.
Director of Community Jamie: Wonder by R.J.Palacio. I cried. I laughed. I felt all the feelings. And when I finished this book, the only thought I had was that everyone on this planet needs to read it.
Product Manager Megan: The Fever Series from Karen Marie Moning. My favorite escape is to grab my kindle and jump into a world of fiction! I do lean toward fantasy and paranormal with this being my absolute favorite series of books. Fae, druids, and a battle for what's right and wrong just make me happy!