This is a Facebook note that's been making the rounds for a while. I decided to post it here, but along with the titles, I wanted to tell you why I chose these books. :-)
Rules: Don't take too long to think about it. List 15 books you've read that will always stick with you. They should be the first 15 you can recall in no more than 15 minutes.
Here's my list, in no particular order...
1. Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
This is simply one of the most powerful stories of love I've ever read. I'll never forget it, and would recommend it to absolutely anyone.
2. Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt
This man's story is wonderful. He's just a man...an Irish immigrant who came to America with nothing. He tells his story with candor and wit, and I love that when I read this book (and the two that followed) I can hear an old man speaking with a lovely Irish lilt, just telling me stories.
3. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Just...wow.
4. Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury
This book is summer and childhood and wonder, all wrapped up in the wonderful style of Ray Bradbury. It will forever be my go-to book when I want something to relax with.
5. Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
I must have read this a thousand times when I was little, as evidenced by the condition of its cover. It is actually taped on...and I think this is my second copy! It is also the first novel that I specifically remember reading.
6. The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
This is just such a magical tale! I love the fantasy creatures and the descriptiveness of the writing. I love the dreams that come after reading it. I love everything about it!
7. Dragonsdawn by Anne McCaffrey
My very first foray into the sci-fi/fantasy genre. Dragons have always fascinated me - I used to make my dad draw me a dragon at night before I'd go to sleep! I've got at least 15 books from this series, but this one is the first, and it got me completely hooked on the world of Pern and her dragons and riders and threats and way of life. I just love it.
8. The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen
Beautiful, beautiful story. The copy I have has absolutely gorgeous illustrations, too, by Charles Santore. I've loved the story since I was little, and was thrilled when I received it as a gift.
9. Oh, the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss
Starting in third grade, I was in my school district's gifted & talented program, known as E.A.G.L.E. Don't ask me what the acronym was for...I've completely forgotten! However, I have NOT forgotten that every year, through the completion of the program in ninth grade, my teachers would read this to the class on the first day of school. It is a wonderful illustration of the promise and potential of youth, put in the way that only Dr. Seuss could put it.
10. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis
I love the way this story grows with the reader. It can be read at a fairly young age and appreciated, and then read again, twenty years later, and have a completely different meaning. The symbolism runs very deeply and it is wonderful to read and re-read, unfolding its layers.
Rules: Don't take too long to think about it. List 15 books you've read that will always stick with you. They should be the first 15 you can recall in no more than 15 minutes.
Here's my list, in no particular order...
1. Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
This is simply one of the most powerful stories of love I've ever read. I'll never forget it, and would recommend it to absolutely anyone.
2. Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt
This man's story is wonderful. He's just a man...an Irish immigrant who came to America with nothing. He tells his story with candor and wit, and I love that when I read this book (and the two that followed) I can hear an old man speaking with a lovely Irish lilt, just telling me stories.
3. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Just...wow.
4. Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury
This book is summer and childhood and wonder, all wrapped up in the wonderful style of Ray Bradbury. It will forever be my go-to book when I want something to relax with.
5. Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
I must have read this a thousand times when I was little, as evidenced by the condition of its cover. It is actually taped on...and I think this is my second copy! It is also the first novel that I specifically remember reading.
6. The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
This is just such a magical tale! I love the fantasy creatures and the descriptiveness of the writing. I love the dreams that come after reading it. I love everything about it!
7. Dragonsdawn by Anne McCaffrey
My very first foray into the sci-fi/fantasy genre. Dragons have always fascinated me - I used to make my dad draw me a dragon at night before I'd go to sleep! I've got at least 15 books from this series, but this one is the first, and it got me completely hooked on the world of Pern and her dragons and riders and threats and way of life. I just love it.
8. The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen
Beautiful, beautiful story. The copy I have has absolutely gorgeous illustrations, too, by Charles Santore. I've loved the story since I was little, and was thrilled when I received it as a gift.
9. Oh, the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss
Starting in third grade, I was in my school district's gifted & talented program, known as E.A.G.L.E. Don't ask me what the acronym was for...I've completely forgotten! However, I have NOT forgotten that every year, through the completion of the program in ninth grade, my teachers would read this to the class on the first day of school. It is a wonderful illustration of the promise and potential of youth, put in the way that only Dr. Seuss could put it.
10. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis
I love the way this story grows with the reader. It can be read at a fairly young age and appreciated, and then read again, twenty years later, and have a completely different meaning. The symbolism runs very deeply and it is wonderful to read and re-read, unfolding its layers.
11. Dracula by Bram Stoker
This was my first Gothic horror read. It completely freaked me out for weeks! The linguistic style is off-putting to a lot of people...it's an older style of writing and takes a bit of work to get into...but once you're in, it's kind of consuming. I was thrilled to find, in the reading of this classic, that Dracula wasn't quite the monster that Hollywood has made him. He was terrible, yes, but he knew it and simply could do nothing about his nature, but seemed, at the end of his 'life', to be relieved that he'd be able to do no more harm. I liked the aspect of redemption there, and think it's sad that most people will never realize that Bram Stoker wrote it into this story. Reading this opened my eyes to the fun of Gothic horror...it's actually one of my favorite genres!
12. Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
Classic! I love Austen's wit and writing style. This was the first one of her novels I read, and I've read three others since. If I can ever find copies of the other two, I'll read them also, and I'm sure I'll love them! Her world is such a wonderful escape from the hubbub of the present-day. It is a quiet life, where one's entertainment comes from watching the neighbors and from the thrill of falling in love. I always end up wishing I'd lived back then!
13. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowling
When Harry Potter first came on the scene, I rolled my eyes. I thought it was just another mediocre story that a bunch of squealing kids were going nuts over, and I hoped that the insanity would wear off. I went with a friend to see the second film, and immediately went out and bought the first four books (all that were out at that time) and wound up forsaking college course work in favor of reading them. I've been a fan ever since...I waited on pins and needles for the mailman to show up with my copy of the last book on the day it was released, and read it all that night! I love the magic and wonder of Rowling's fantasy world.
14. The Giver by Lois Lowry
This is another book that can be read at a very young age and loved, and then picked up again, much later, and loved just as much. Lots of symbolism and depth. I've read it several times and never cease to be amazed.
15. P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern
This was my first chick-lit read. I saw the movie first, before realizing that it was a book. Upon finding out about the novel, I bought it, read it, and fell in love with it. It made me literally laugh and cry right along with the characters, and that's unusual for me. After finishing this one, I bought the rest of the books by Ahern, and have loved them just as much!
This was my first Gothic horror read. It completely freaked me out for weeks! The linguistic style is off-putting to a lot of people...it's an older style of writing and takes a bit of work to get into...but once you're in, it's kind of consuming. I was thrilled to find, in the reading of this classic, that Dracula wasn't quite the monster that Hollywood has made him. He was terrible, yes, but he knew it and simply could do nothing about his nature, but seemed, at the end of his 'life', to be relieved that he'd be able to do no more harm. I liked the aspect of redemption there, and think it's sad that most people will never realize that Bram Stoker wrote it into this story. Reading this opened my eyes to the fun of Gothic horror...it's actually one of my favorite genres!
12. Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
Classic! I love Austen's wit and writing style. This was the first one of her novels I read, and I've read three others since. If I can ever find copies of the other two, I'll read them also, and I'm sure I'll love them! Her world is such a wonderful escape from the hubbub of the present-day. It is a quiet life, where one's entertainment comes from watching the neighbors and from the thrill of falling in love. I always end up wishing I'd lived back then!
13. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowling
When Harry Potter first came on the scene, I rolled my eyes. I thought it was just another mediocre story that a bunch of squealing kids were going nuts over, and I hoped that the insanity would wear off. I went with a friend to see the second film, and immediately went out and bought the first four books (all that were out at that time) and wound up forsaking college course work in favor of reading them. I've been a fan ever since...I waited on pins and needles for the mailman to show up with my copy of the last book on the day it was released, and read it all that night! I love the magic and wonder of Rowling's fantasy world.
14. The Giver by Lois Lowry
This is another book that can be read at a very young age and loved, and then picked up again, much later, and loved just as much. Lots of symbolism and depth. I've read it several times and never cease to be amazed.
15. P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern
This was my first chick-lit read. I saw the movie first, before realizing that it was a book. Upon finding out about the novel, I bought it, read it, and fell in love with it. It made me literally laugh and cry right along with the characters, and that's unusual for me. After finishing this one, I bought the rest of the books by Ahern, and have loved them just as much!
