When I was a child, books were always my best friends. While most kids spent their days on the playground, I could typically be found curled up in my favorite armchair, deeply immersed in a novel.

I’ve always been a big history fan, so naturally I gravitated towards biographies, nonfiction, and historical fiction. I enjoyed learning about past cultures and individuals, and I was really interested in eras defined by great social movements and reform. I was also fascinated by maritime history, and I’ve probably read every book ever written about the RMS Titanic. These days, my interests still cover a broad variety of topics, but I haven’t strayed too far from my roots.

It’s never easy for me to recommend a good book, because there are just so many to choose from. The list below is a mixed collection of timeless classics and current favorites from my past and present.