Ishmael - This book brings up so many difficult to comprehend realities about the state of the world in which we live. And, even though it's about taking care of the planet we live on - I didn't find it preachy or over-the-top. Just incredibly written and so very moving. Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit
Cat's Cradle - My favorite Vonnegut, for sure. Cat's Cradle: A Novel
Hamlet - Just such an amazing play. My copy of Hamlet is so well-worn and filled with notes, it'd be ridiculous if I didn't include it in my Top Ten. Hamlet
The Sun Also Rises - And the book that made me fall in love with Ernest Hemingway. Since my relationship with the author is fairly deep, this book (also well-worn and FILLED to the brim with notes) will forever hold a special place in my heart. The Sun Also Rises
The Count of Monte Cristo - I tore through this book when we read it in high school. I've been meaning to give it a re-read for years. Maybe next year, I'll take the time to read through all of my favorites and see if they still hold the same enchantment for me. The Count of Monte Cristo
Fall On Your Knees - This is one that's sure to never leave my list. I've read it several times and fall even more in love with it every time. It's incredibly haunting. So beautifully written, it hurts. If this wasn't such a contemporary novel, it'd certainly be a classic. Fall On Your Knees (Oprah's Book Club)
Lord of the Rings - Before Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley and Neville Longbottom, there was the Fellowship. LOTR was the first book to ever cause me to miss characters I'd become even more familiar with than some of my own friends. The Lord of the Rings: 50th Anniversary, One Vol. Edition
Chronicles of Narnia - Read and re-read, again and again. The Magicians Nephew is my particular favorite of the series, as it gives the origin of the Wardrobe and the background of Professor Diggory Kirke. The Complete Chronicles of Narnia
Harry Potter - I've lost count of how many times I've either read or listened to these books. I don't think I'll ever grow tired of them. Harry Potter Paperback Box Set (Books 1-7)
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle - I re-read this one pretty often as well. I think it was the first book that I ever read that had such an amazing twist - it taught me that not every book is predictable and that girls can be heroes, too. The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle
Shop all of My Favorites
This is an almost impossible task for any serious reader. And while I might have 5-7 titles consistently on any Top Ten, All-Time lists, the remaining 3-5 titles will fluctuate depending on mood.
ReplyDeleteAllowing sets for a single spot on the list like you do would make some of it easier, I admit. The Lord of the Rings will always be my #1 spot, but knowing there's flexibility for considering the entire HP series as one would probably always earn a spot on my list, too.