First Person, Second Person or Third Person – Which Do You Like Best?

It’s not really something I’ve ever consciously thought about, but always a discussion in bookish spaces. What do you prefer when reading, a book told in first, second or third person. This topic came back to mind after I started reading a book told in second person, and it made me realise that I haven’t really read many books at all told in this narrative. It got me thinking about preferences, and how everyone loves something different. So here’s my personal thoughts on narrative, and some recommendations of my favourite books written in each.

First Person

If I’d have write this post 10 years ago, I would definitely be sat here saying first person is my favourite. 90% of the books I read back in the 2010s were definitely first person narrative and I loved them. I still love them. I love being in the head of our main character and being able to see what they’re thinking and feeling. In romance books, I love a dual pov first person narrative as it really gives insight into the multiple characters. The audiobook I am currently listening to is dual POV in first person and I am absolutely loving it. Here’s some of my favourite first person POV.

Second Person

This is the narrative style that has sparked this post. I have recently started reading The Everlasting by Alix E Harrow, which is told in a mash up of different narrative styles, depending on what part of the book you are on. It’s the first book told in second person I have read and I have realised I really don’t like it. I understand the purpose of it, to make you feel you’re in the book, but it actually makes me not connect to the story at all. I don’t have any recommendations for this one as I have noticed I clearly avoid second person narration. I did look through my Goodreads to see if I had read any second person narrative books, but the only one I found I had rated 1 star… It’s made me worried as one of my most anticipated fantasy books is told in second person… we shall we how it goes.

Third Person

Now, as a self confessed fantasy obsessive, third person has fast become my all time favourite narration style. Like I said previously first person definitely used to be my favourite, but there’s just something about third person that I have grown to love. I love that it allows us to see some of the events from a bit more of an objective place, rather than always seeing it through the main characters eyes. I love that we get to see more perspectives throughout the books. I’ve always been a reader that prefers to see the perspectives of many characters. When we are seeing things through the eyes of one character, I’ve always been thinking ‘well what about X character’ and I feel like when we have more than 3 perspectives in first person characters start feeling the ‘same’ so third person is definitely my favourite! Here’s some of my favourite third person books.

What is your favourite narration style? If you’re a fan of second person do you have any recommendations of books that do it well, so I can truly see if I like it?