Top 10 Best Books of All Time, According to Kathleen McLaughlin, Queen Bee of Book Club
November 8, 2023
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We recently sat down with Kathleen McLaughlin, Area Manager, PHC Biomed, Ambassador of Buzz, Philly Socializing Scientists organizer, and Queen Bee of Virtually Socializing Scientists Book Club for a 5 Questions With.
Given that she is our Book Club extraordinaire, we asked her to give us her top 10 books of all time for her fifth and final question. Her answer was so in-depth, and so incredible, that we made it an article all to itself. Enjoy the read!
What Are Your Top 10 Books of All Time?
Oh, goodness. I imagine this is what parents feel like when asked about picking a favorite child. Maybe. I’m not sure. I don’t have children, but I can’t imagine picking only one book. There are so many amazing books out there. I mean sometimes I ponder when you die, is there a library of sorts? Will I be able to read books that haven’t been published yet? Is hell where you are stuck reading all the books you couldn’t finish? My brain is an interesting place, but I won’t go there, because this is about my top books.
What I’m going to do instead is share authors/books I think more people should know about. These are in no particular order, and I know I will miss something that I desperately wanted you to know after this is posted. Also, keep in mind that my reading primarily consists of fiction. I came up with 8 for now. Please, note there are many more authors and books that could be added to the list. I’d also love to hear about authors you love, think are impactful, and want others to know about. Let me know, and maybe we can read it, and talk about it!
Author: Meg Cabot
She is on my list, because it was her Mediator series back in my teenage years that showed me reading is amazing. I had zero interest in reading. My brother was (and still is) a voracious reader. Being the one to come after him, I wanted to distinguish myself from him and decided reading was awful. It was. I always thought books were supposed to be formal and stiff, much like textbooks and classical literature. Somehow, I stumbled upon one of Meg Cabot’s books. Funny fact: it wasn’t book one in the series I ended up devouring to start. Regardless, I read all of her books that summer. My family collectively had to pick their jaws up off of the floor (they still are shocked to this day, some many years later). Her books are written in a way that felt like reading notes from a friend, listening to a TV in your brain. I will always be thankful for Meg Cabot’s books. Though I will note, I never read her Princess Diaries… just saw the movie.
Book: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
Author: Douglas Adams
I’ve called this my favorite book because it’s hilarious and thought-provoking. Douglas Adams has a way of sucking you in and making you crack up. His work speaks for itself. If you haven’t read it, definitely pick it up. It’s a book you can read, and re-read, and enjoy all over again.
Author: Bill Bryson
Okay, this is an author that I’m still reading through his body of work, but I can say he is one of my top in the non-fiction world. His books are entertaining AF. They are also incredibly informative. I read his Walk in the Woods, and couldn’t stop laughing. I’m pretty sure I sounded like a Canadian Honking Goose! It happens. Not often, but I do get pretty goose-like when it’s funny enough. If you’re a layman and want knowledge with a dose of humor, he is your author.
Author: T.A. White
She’s independent, and her books are an auto-buy for me. She has several series, and I don’t think I can say a bad word about one of them. Her books are fantasy, and sci-fi primarily. What makes her stand out? Her characters are engaging. It’s well written; the plots are so thought out that there are things from book one that allude to things in book five–things I never see coming. One of the best things I can say about her work is that I actually REread it. I’ve reread all of her series. With all the books I have yet to read, going back to a book and rereading it says a lot in my opinion. So, if you want to support independent authors, and want to read basically a space opera with some fantasy thrown in (I’m referring to her Firebird Chronicles), then you have four books to catch up on before the fifth is (hopefully) released this year.
Author: K. N. Banet
Ok, K.N. Banet is similar to T.A. White in that she is an independent author, and I think way more people need to know about her. Seriously. In my opinion, she is up there with T. A. White, Leigh Bardugo, Sarah J. Maas, and the like. She has one world that she created, and many books set within it. The evolution of relationships, characters, and the conflicts they face—it’s just the way I like my drama, not mine, and not real. Fantasy fans, you need to check her books out!
Book: Dinosaur Philosophy
Author: James Stewart
I’m moving away from some of my fantasy books, to include this little gem. I am in love with Dinosaur and Turtle, and the other Dinosaurs from James Stewart. Click here for amazing and insightful comics. These comics were the only thing I followed on Twitter. I mean they were something I looked forward to every day (I’m no longer on Twitter, hence the past tense). This is one of those books that is easy to read (like 5 minutes) but makes you smile and makes you realize you aren’t alone. These dinos are darn inspiring and complimentary (see about my sweatshirt above). It will bring brightness to your day. You’re welcome.
Series (Two of them!): The Rockton Series and Nadia Stafford
Author: Kelley Armstrong
I’m moving away from my sci-fi/fantasy loves, and your daily dose of dinos, and heading into the world of murder. Kelley Armstrong is an author who is most known for her sci-fi/fantasy, but she also has some murder mystery/thriller books. Two of her series (and one of them has a spin-off) are worth noting. The Rockton Series has the spin-off, but I’m not saying more than if you finish, you’ll be happy there’s more to go.
Rockton is about a Canadian detective who goes to a hidden town. This town is a place of refuge for people who need to disappear from their lives for awhile, but it seems there is an element there that turned murderous. The detective goes and ends up being the detective for the town, and as murder mystery series tend to go, she’s always stumbling on bodies. It’s old-school methods (I mean they are in the Yukon, in an off-the-charts town). Armstrong’s great plots and writing. These aren’t the cookie-cutter mysteries, and they suck you in. I usually finish them in two settings, and that’s because I need sleep. As for Nadia Stafford, oh boy, LOVE this series. She’s a hitman. Need I say more? Pick it up. Enjoyable, fun, and seems realistic.
Author: Mariana Zapata
I enjoy a good romance. Most of hers are slow burn and relatable characters. I shall say no more because you will either check her out or not.
I’m sitting here, thinking that I’m missing people. I’m missing books. There are so many out there that are impactful, so many that are inspiring. I’m always looking for new authors, and like I said I’m primarily a fiction gal. So you’re getting an insight into that with this list.
One of our FAVORITE things about 5 Questions With is the fact that we always learn a ton about the individual and the MANY things they bring to our community. Kathleen is no different. We surround ourselves with like-minded people… and people people. So be sure to reach out to Kathleen on LinkedIn to connect and say “Hi!”
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Helping to protect science with PHCbi brand || Proud Ambuzzador of BioBuzz || Bibliophile || Founder of Socializing Scientists || Feline Enthusiast || Fan of Fat Bear Week at Katmai National Park
