Kailana asked, “What are the ten books you could not live without?” And I, who loves any excuse to make a list, especially a BOOK list, and going to take up the challenge . This was SO hard. I made a list of all the most favorite books I could think of, then whittled it down to 10. Again, VERY hard. I finally went with books that I knew I would be totally devastated and inconsolable if I could never, ever, read them again. This took me several days too. It’s just so hard to pick 10!!
The Princess Bride by William Goldman. I first read this book when I was around 13 and I’ve probably read it at least 15 times since then. It just never gets old!
Possession by AS Byatt. Have read this at least 3 times and it just gets better and better every time. There is so much to this book, I find something new and exciting every time. Amazing book.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. Ah, this is my comfort book. I discovered it later than most people; most seem to have read it when children. I didn’t first read it until I was in my 20s. I have read it several times since. It was the book I took with me to the hospital when my beloved Papa went in for the last time. I think I may be due another read soon.
The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis. I read these books to absolute pieces when I was around 10 years old. Oh, how I longed to enter a wardrobe and find myself in a new, magical world! I reread then again at 21 and found that I still deeply loved these stories. I’ve recently begun “rereading” them again (on audio) and I still adore them.
The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas. I went through a rabid classics phase when I was about 15. I read a lot of Dumas, Hugo, Bronte (Charlotte), and tons others. I admore me some Dumas and my recent reread of this book further cemented that love.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo. See above. I love me some Hugo. Les Miserables is a close second.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. I admit, I didn’t much care for this when I read it in high school. But, I had to read it again in college and, partially thanks to my kick-ass professor I fell in love with it. I love, love, love, love it. And I love the movie too. Even if it does have Robert Redford in it.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. A very recent read, but I know I will be rereading it over and over. So very touching and unique. And so well written.
The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins. My first Collins! And leading me into a wonderful love affair I’m sure. I am LOVING The Moonstone.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. My first Austen! Will definitely reread this a lot. P&P is SOOOOOOO good.
10 Comments
March 23, 2007 at 4:58 pm
These are great choices. I have to do my list, and I just feel so overwhelmed about where to start. You’ve given me some ideas…
(I just bought a copy of Hunchback, so this makes me much more eager than ever to dig into it.)
March 23, 2007 at 6:41 pm
Wonderful list! You have some of my favorites listed too: Pride and Prejudice, The Princess Bride, and The Chronicles of Narnia. Some of the others are in my TBR collection waiting to be read.
March 23, 2007 at 8:07 pm
yay! Thanks for joining in. This is so much fun. People that do not even normally read my blog are sending me in my lists, I am discovering new books, it’s a great experience!
March 23, 2007 at 8:23 pm
Oh, it would be too painful for me to create only ten. Twenty I could reluctantly manage, but not ten! I love, love, love A.S. Byatt and completely agree with you on Possession–I know that I missed a lot on my first read.
March 24, 2007 at 12:37 pm
Great List!! There are so many good books out there. To break it down to just 10 was crazy! Although I don’t have any of your 10 on my list, if I was to pick 20, The Book Thief and The Great Gatsby would probably make it!
March 24, 2007 at 7:23 pm
I’m terrible with lists because I don’t want to narrow down, but what fantastic choices. I have most of those. The Book Thief, The Princess Bride and The Three Musketeers are all favorites of mine. I haven’t gotten to A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, The Great Gatsby (seriously - I had a pitiful lit education) or Possession, yet - just got Possession and I’m thrilled that it’s on your list!
March 24, 2007 at 7:33 pm
I don’t think I can narrow it down to only ten books! So glad to see Wilkie on the list! I really need to reread Posession, too!
March 24, 2007 at 7:35 pm
The Great Gatsby is a great choice! I’d have it on my top 20 list. 10 is hard, isn’t it?
March 26, 2007 at 11:28 am
I have tried to read Gatsby 3 different times and couldn’t stand it. After reading so many posts by different bloggers raving about their love for this book, I’m giving it one more try in my Banned Books Challenge. I hope to fall in love with it as you have!
March 28, 2007 at 9:53 pm
I tried to put together a list (The Book Thief was on all three versions I compiled), but finally tossed it all in the trash and threw my hands up. I can’t narrow it down to 10. Inconceivable!
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