With the way things have been going lately — schools closing, clubs and bars being shut down, and the ability to travel disappearing from our lives for the foreseeable future — a lot of us have found ourselves with huge blocks of free time in our schedule. While staying caught up on school/work projects online is important, taking time for yourself to relax is just as important. And what better way to do this than by picking up a book? But, before you rush to grab the first book lying by the coffee table, you must remember: no two authors are created equal. For this reason, the number one author you should be reading to make your newfound free time all the more enjoyable is Sidney Sheldon.
I’m quite picky when it comes to reading for fun. I enjoy well-written, realistic fiction with lots of plot twists and turns, along with engaging characters who are nothing short of relatable. Not only that, but I’m a fan of books that don’t fall into one specific genre — romance novels are predictable and cheesy, murder-mystery books all follow the same pattern, and every new adventure novel seems to be a replica of the last. This is exactly why I’m a fan of Sheldon’s work. No two books are the same, and predictability is nothing but lacking when it comes to the plots portrayed by this talented author. His main characters — albeit heroic — have their fair share of relatable quirks that remind the reader of their humanity. All in all, Sidney Sheldon’s books have revolutionized the reading game like never before. If you’d like to give them a shot, I encourage you to start off with some of my favorites.
Windmills of the Gods (1987). This book follows the story of a small town professor who’s summoned to relocate to Romania in order to pursue a career as an ambassador. While initially rejecting the offer, she agrees to it following her unsupportive husband’s untimely demise. The plot thickens as conspiracies against her unfold and numerous homicide attempts are made by a mysterious assailant whose motives remain unclear throughout the majority of the novel. The ending of the story reveals secrets that the reader could never have suspected, along with tying together loose ends that came up throughout the course of the book. If you’re looking for a story of murder, love, vengeance, the importance of family ties, betrayal, and the uncertainties of life, then Windmills of the Gods is the book for you.
“If you believe in what you are doing, then you must fight for it. You must stay. Do not let anyone frighten you away.” — Sidney Sheldon, Windmills of the Gods
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If Tomorrow Comes (1985). This book follows the life of a successful bank worker whose world is turned upside-down after she attempts to avenge her mother’s death by going after a mafia boss. Previously pregnant and engaged to a wealthy heir, she quickly becomes an ex-con whose 15 year sentence gets cut short after she unwittingly saves the life of the prison warden’s young daughter. A story of vengeance, betrayal, and human resolve, this novel’s ending is a gentle reminder of the difficulties that arise in attempting to escape one’s past.
“My ancestors survived famine and plagues and floods, and I’m going to survive this.” — Sidney Sheldon, If Tomorrow Comes
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Master of the Game (1982). The story of a family’s four generations whose twisted history facilitates the creation of a multimillion dollar corporation, this book details one woman’s twisted dedication to the success of this family business. Losses she’s sustained throughout her life drive her to become a woman of determination — a woman willing to risk it all to acquire maximum control and avoid vulnerability once and for all. Her family’s business quickly becomes symbolic of her achievements and desires. No matter how vibrant or vivid your imagination is, I promise you — you’ll never be able to envision the fate Sidney Sheldon has in store for his characters in this novel.
“Business is a game … and you’re in competition with experts. If you want to win, you have to learn to be a master of the game.” — Sidney Sheldon, Master of the Game
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Didn’t see a plot that stood out to you? Don’t worry. Click here to see a full list of Sidney Sheldon’s books to see which one of his other works appeals to you! I know you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for.
“If there is any secret to my success, I think it’s that my characters are very real to me. I feel everything they feel, and therefore I think my readers care about them.” — Sidney Sheldon