Top 10 Enchanting Books for Every Booklover

Books have a magical way of transporting us to different worlds. They can make us laugh, cry, and think deeply about life, or just forget what's happening in our real life for a time. For every booklover, finding the right book can feel like discovering a hidden treasure. Today I'm going to try narrow down my top ten favourite enchanting books that I think every booklover and Bibliophile should consider adding to their collection, if they haven't already.

1. "The Hobbit" by J.R.R Tolkien

Lets be honest we all knew this would be number one! A timeless classic that whisks you away on an unexpected adventure. "I'm going on an ADVENTURE!"

Bilbo Baggins never intended to leave his cozy hobbit hole, but fate (and a rather persistent wizard named Gandalf) had other plans. Swept into a journey with thirteen dwarves to reclaim their mountain home from a dragon named Smaug, Bilbo discovers courage, cleverness, and resilience he never knew he had. With riddles, enchanted forests, and Smaug’s fiery menace, The Hobbit is a must-read for anyone who craves wonder and adventure. Tolkien’s worldbuilding is honestly like stepping into a painting that breathes air you didn't realise you needed.

For a lifelong Tolkien lover, visiting Hobbiton in New Zealand for not just my Husband and my honeymoon but also International Hobbit day is still the highlight of my life.

2. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

Again, this being number 2 I'm sure comes to absolutely no ones surprise. - I'm nothing if not consistent.

The Lord of the Rings is the sweeping epic that not only shaped modern fantasy, but also shaped my entire life. It’s a vast tapestry of good and evil, of friendship and sacrifice, of light pushing back against the darkest shadows.

The story follows Frodo Baggins and the Fellowship on their perilous quest to destroy the One Ring. Along the way, readers are swept through enchanted forests and ruined kingdoms, crossing paths with elves, ents, orcs - and Aragorn! (special mention here because baby Mel was absolutely convinced she would marry him one day… and honestly, she got pretty close with her husband. Pic below of baby Mel being obsessed for giggles.).

Beyond the magic and the battles, what makes this story live forever in my heart is the way it celebrates friendship. The men in these books embody positive masculinity in the purest way - deeply loyal, tender, and wholesome, while still brave and strong. It’s proof that courage and kindness aren’t opposites, but allies.

The Lord of the Rings isn’t just a story, it’s a legend you step into, one that leaves its footprints on your soul long after you’ve closed the final page.

Baby Mel once managed to charm an IGA employee into sneaking her this Aragorn cardboard cutout that had been used for a promotion when The Two Towers was released. Needless to say, it was the crown jewel of my childhood bedroom décor, ignoring the creepy clown! Proof that a determined fangirl can, in fact, move mountains (or at least supermarket staff)

3. The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice (Interview with the Vampire and beyond)

Anne Rice reimagined the vampire not as a mindless monster, but as a tragic, immortal soul desperate for connection, beauty, and love. Interview with the Vampire introduces us to Louis and the charismatic, dangerously magnetic, and - let’s be honest - fabulously flamboyant Lestat. From there, readers are swept across centuries steeped in passion, grief, and, well... murder in Lestats case and dead rats in Louis - they're still vampires after all.

These books are drenched in lush gothic atmosphere, exploring morality, immortality, and desire with a richness that lingers like candlelight flickering against velvet walls. And yes, part of their enduring charm is how gloriously, unapologetically queer they are in the absolute best way.

Rice’s vampires are so much more than creatures of the night, they are philosophers, lovers, artists and seekers of meaning in an endless twilight. For those drawn to stories where beauty and tragedy entwine like lovers, The Vampire Chronicles are irresistible, unforgettable, and utterly enchanting.

(And because I have to mention it -the new TV adaptation is *chef’s kiss*. Sam Reid as Lestat? Perfection. He’s an Australian actor too, which makes me extra proud, and he embodies everything dazzling, dangerous, and deliciously dramatic about Lestat. Baby Mel could not have dreamed up a better casting choice!)

4. The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco

Necromancy, sisterhood, and a heroine caught between power and destiny.

Tea discovers her gift when she accidentally resurrects her brother from the dead, setting her on a path into a world of dark magic, shadowed choices, and rigorous training as an asha - a wielder of elemental and necromantic power.

The Bone Witch is both haunting and gorgeous, with elegant worldbuilding, intricately embroidered robes of power, and the constant reminder that magic always comes at a price. It’s a story steeped in folklore, rich with danger, and shimmering with beauty and heartbreak in equal measure. Rin Chupeco weaves a tale that feels both intimate and epic, balancing mystery, magic, and the fragile threads of identity and sisterhood.

(And honestly? I’m still dreaming of Tea’s hua embroidered with the three-headed dragon daeva, the Azi - it’s one of those fantasy details I desperately wish I could own in real life!)

5. Divergent by Veronica Roth

A dystopian world where identity and choice define survival. In a society rigidly divided into five factions based on virtues, Tris Prior makes a discovery that changes everything - she doesn’t belong to just one. She’s Divergent, and that secret makes her both powerful and dangerously nonconforming in a world that demands obedience.

As Tris trains, fights, and falls in love, she begins to uncover the cracks in her society and the rebellion simmering just beneath the surface. Divergent is fast-paced, emotional, and charged with the question: who do you choose to be when the world insists you fit into a mold?

For me, this series struck such a chord, not just as a thrilling YA adventure, but as a reflection of what it feels like to live outside of the boxes society tries to force us into. As someone who’s neurodivergent, I saw pieces of myself in Tris’s struggle to belong and her refusal to be defined by others. It’s rebellion with heart, and I adored every moment of it.

6. The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins

Katniss Everdeen’s tale is unforgettable, equal parts brutal and inspiring.

Every year, the Capitol forces children to fight to the death in the Hunger Games. When Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her sister’s place, she becomes a symbol of defiance and hope. Across three books, Collins delivers a sharp, fast-paced story that’s both an action-packed survival tale and a searing critique of power, media, and war. (very relatable atm lets be honest!) With its unforgettable characters and fiery rebellion, this trilogy is as gripping as it is thought-provoking. It’s a story of sacrifice, fire, and hope against impossible odds.

"It is the only thing stronger than fear. A little hope is effective. A lot of hope is dangerous." Collins weaves action and heartache into a world that lingers and makes you question long after the games are over.

7. A Court of Thorns and Roses Series by Sarah J. Maas

Romance, danger, and fae courts bursting with beauty and menace.

Feyre Archeron’s life changes forever when she kills a wolf in the forest and is dragged into the mysterious and treacherous world of the Fae as punishment. What begins as a tale echoing Beauty and the Beast quickly transforms into a sprawling, high-stakes saga of courts, politics, love, and power.

With breathtaking romance, glittering fae courts, and battles that test both heart and soul, this series is utterly addictive and lushly written. It’s a spellbinding escape where myth and passion entwine, drawing readers in from the first page and refusing to let go. Sarah J. Maas knows how to craft a world you’ll happily get lost in and honestly, I never want to leave.

P.s if you're new to the series, I'd love to know your first thoughts on Tamlin.

8. The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare

When Clary Fray discovers she can see the secret world of demons and hunters that ordinary humans cannot, her life is thrown into chaos. Swept into the shadowy, magical society of the Shadowhunters, she uncovers family secrets, forbidden love, and dangers that span entire realms.

Cassandra Clare’s series is rich with urban fantasy flair, witty banter, and characters that feel alive long after you finish the books. It’s equal parts adventure and romance, though, fair warning, there’s a few moments that feels a little Luke and Leia (spoiler: the next text is in white ink, highlight to read! It’s okay, they aren’t actually siblings!).

What makes this series so immersive is Clare’s knack for crafting a world that feels fully lived-in, with twists, friendships, and personalities that make you want to step in and be part of the story. These characters aren’t just figures on a page, they’re the kind of people you want to know, laugh with, and even fight demons alongside.

9. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Welcome to Basgiath War College, where only the strongest survive, and dragons do not bond with the weak.

The small and fragile Violet Sorrengail is thrust into this brutal world where failure means death. Against impossible odds, she must learn to survive trials, forge bonds with dragons, and navigate dangerous alliances. And what makes her story even more powerful is that she does all this while living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (Confirmed by Yarros). As someone who also faces EDS, it was incredibly empowering to see a heroine who shares this struggle and still rises to meet every challenge with grit and grace. Representation like this truly matters - it’s a reminder that strength comes in many forms, and that warriors can look like us too!

Fourth Wing is sizzling, fast-paced, and utterly unputdownable in my opinion, with the perfect blend of high-stakes fantasy and romance..Ok, I'll say it, smut.

10. The Soul Thief Trilogy by Madeline Te Whiu

This darkly enchanting trilogy begins with the tale of Telium, once the most feared assassin in Alkoria, now living in exile and battling for control over the shadows gifted by the dark goddess Tenebris.

Her solitude is shattered when a Fae warrior stumbles into her domain, seeking her aid to stop the Mad Fae King and the chaos threatening to engulf their kingdoms.

The journey to the Fae capital of Meannthe is treacherous, haunted by memories of Telium’s past, and shadowed by the constant risk of losing herself to her dark power. Suspense, romance, and secrets tangle together in this unforgettable series that feels as dangerous as it is beautiful.

I’m currently devouring the third book, and I’m absolutely hooked. And, as a Perth girl myself, I couldn’t resist the joy of highlighting a Perth author who was an absolute delight to meet at comic con!

These books are all, in their own way, portals or doorways into realms of danger, beauty, and transformation. Each one has left its mark on me, sometimes literally, in tattoo form and I hope that if you haven’t read them yet, they’ll bring you the same sense of wonder and magic as they did me.

Happy reading!