Friday 7 June 2013

I love them because...

This list isn't a definitive top 10. It's not in order of how much I'd wish I'd written them, or how hard I laughed, or how many tears were shed, or how unable I was to put them down while reading...it's just a list of 10 books that came to mind when I pondered on novelly awesomeness. 

1.       To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Because it was so good that even having to read it at school didn’t ruin it.  
 
2.       Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
What’s going on with YA novels? Some of them are so awesome! Case in point. A completely fresh, engrossing fantasy world.  (And book 3's out later this year!)

3.       The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Because almost every page blew me away with her delicious sense of magic.

4.       A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
Because the main character talked in capitals. And it was brilliant. And then it made me cry.

5.       The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger 
Because the story seemed almost too ambitious ... and then she nailed it, bigtime. 

6.       Boy by Roald Dahl
Because he was a master ... and kind of like the 'Santa of books' of my childhood.
 
7.       Sum by David Eagleman
Because I love books that make me think of things I’ve never, ever thought before.

8.       A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
Because it made me laugh out loud, a lot.

9.       When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris
As above.

10.   Harry Potter (any of the 7) by J.K. Rowling
I think this one’s obvious ... fine storytelling and an author well-paid. 
How about you ... what are some of your favourites?

6 comments:

  1. Love the list! Okay, here are some of my favourites that to come to mind:
    The Russian Concubines by Kate Furnivall - for all its romantic and yet gritty storytelling
    Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden - i swear i thought i was a Geisha reincarnated, i could so connect to the main character
    A Widow for One Year by John Irving - epic, funny, tragic and could not put it down
    The Time Travellers Wife - took me a bit to get into it but once hooked, holy moly, had me on the edge of my seat all the way
    The Lovely Bones - forgot the author, what a sad and deeply touching story with so many wonderful characters.

    Now, i'm going to download some of your suggestions for some new reading :)

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    1. I hear you. The Lovely Bones had me tearing up when I was just leafing through in Borders, reading random pages, and A Widow for One Year is another of my Irving faves.
      I haven't read The Russian Concubines yet, but will have to get a hold of it asap. I wonder where I could get a copy...? ;-)

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  2. I thought there were only seven Harry Potter books! Eight movies, yes, but wasn't the last book divided into two movies?
    BTW, this is Em from the Garden City Creative Writers~

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    1. You're so right! Gulp. Apologies and thank you, Em. I'll remedy that straight away...how embarrassing, I think I'll just crawl under my invisibility cloak now ;-).

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  3. Love the photo! The Night Circus was so evocative - hard to go past. Agree with Janine though about your John Irving choice - prefer A Widow for One Year - still have the image of the hallway with the empty picture hooks floating around in my head. I found The Book Thief equally memorable, and I'll never forget my first John Fowles book The Magus. Off now to add a couple more of your suggestions to add to my library holds list.
    Glad you're back in the saddle :)

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    1. ooh, another couple of books for the list :)

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