32 Seconds by Johanna K. Pitcairn

First and foremost, thanks for the opportunity to be featured on your blog. Every indie author needs all the support they can get, and I’m very grateful for all the support I’ve received and am receiving.

JK Pitcairn’s favorite books:

I have a lot of favorite books. Some are classics, and some are more contemporary, although by now they have become classics too.

I’ll start with the “older” ones: Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. I grew up with this story, and will always hold Hugo as one of my favorite authors of all time. The story is perfectly executed, not only because the characters are beautifully portrayed, Hugo highlighting their weaknesses and strengths, balancing the whole redemption act between the two main characters, Valjean and Javert, but the backdrop is also described in great detail. Hugo studied history, and the tumultuous revolts hitting Paris at the end of the nineteenth century, and as you read a fictional tale, you’re also transported into the past, the real past of the French capital. Needless to say, Les Miserables has become this timeless story, turned into countless movies, and musicals. I love the story for its simplicity, and its depth. Notre-Dame is also a great classic by Hugo, as well as all his other stories.

The Count of Monte-Cristo is another one that left me hungry for more. So much action, such a great pace, the characters are deep, the hero takes you in and carries you through his journey, his challenges, and there’s nothing you want more but want him to win!

Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare. The most beautiful yet heartbreaking love story ever written. I remember reading the play and telling myself, true love doesn’t last. Obviously, I was young back then, but for writing purposes, and this is my opinion, a love story, to be poignant and timeless, must be ridden with challenges. No one wants simple. Just look at all the romantic books and flicks out there: there’s always a struggle.

Okay, now onto newer books: I must start with Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. Lots will say Ayn Rand wrote a tale about selfishness, and bolstered egotism, but this book, to me, isn’t about selfishness. It’s about self-worth, and self-awareness. Reading this story, I was transported into a world where the government has taken every citizen’s rights and freedoms, the biggest ones, their freedom of speech, and thought. I grew up in the European countries, where the government is a big player in people’s lives, and when the government does good, it’s great, but the government screws up, it’s horrible. People have no sense of self, and they rebel to fight for their identity. There’s nothing worse than a government that smothers its own people. And that’s what I found by reading Atlas Shrugged: the decline of society because individuality has been lost. To me, it’s the best novel of all time. It inspires me to think different, and to contribute in building a better world, where difference is an asset, and freedom of speech and work is protected.

American Psycho by Brett Easton Ellis. A gruesome tale, perfectly executed. Living in New York City, I identified with the journey of the main character, and his insanity. The drinking, drugging, the double life, it’s all real. Work, love, money, the crowds, the Big Apple is a great stage for drama, and comedy, and anything in between. It isn’t a mistake to call it the City that never sleeps. It truly never does.

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin. It was a great YA tale I devoured in one sitting. One of my first YA books, and I can tell you, the story gripped me. I loved the characters, and the plot. It’s the kind of book you want to read, and enjoy reading anywhere, while commuting, while at home, while traveling. I enjoyed it greatly.

John Dies At The End (Book 2)-This Book Is Full of Spiders, Dude don’t touch it! by Dave Wong. I loved the sequel better than the first book. It was funny, corny, dirty, gory, scary, and sad. A great story all together. No wonder the first book was made into a movie!

Now, I love books from indie authors too, of course. And there are hundreds to choose from. I don’t even know where to start.

A few compelling authors everyone should read:

James Garcia Jr. and his book Seeing Ghosts was just a great read;

Minnie Lahongrais and her Divergent Lives was very well executed;

C.L. Schneider and her Crown of Stones is very well written;

A.R. Wise is an awesome author too!

There are many more, and the list would have hundreds of names. Reading is amazing, when the writing is amazing.

Thank you!