Monday, August 27, 2012

5 Favorite Things

Reading has always been a passion of mine. I've loved to read since I was a child and I'm so happy that it's something that has always stuck with me. I can get lost in a book for hours, days even. One of my favorite childhood memories is going to the library with my Grandmother (she is the best!) and after reading books, we would watch the movie. It instilled something in me, because I still do the same thing now. The books are always better than the movies (except in the case of Dexter, those books are garbage) because there's so much depth and emotion that can't always be expressed in film.

So I thought, and thought, and thought, about what my top 5 books are. It was so incredibly difficult, and I'm sure as soon as I hit publish I will have missed one which is why I've included a few honorable mentions now and will maybe have to add some more. So here are the books that I can read over and over again and find a different way to laugh, cry, or relate to the characters.

Little Women
Even though I had seen the movie a 100 times, I still felt all of the love, anxiety, anger, and anticipation for each sister.

The Princess Bride 
The movie has been a favorite of mine since childhood, I can't believe I hadn't read the book until a few years ago. William Goldman wrote both the book and the screenplay, so they're nearly the same, but the book has more insight into Inigo Montoya and Fezzik. It's also hilarious in some other extra details. 

The Help 
I couldn't put this book down! When it came out, it had been so long since I had read a book I couldn't put down. It's an incredible story of such amazing women.

To Kill a Mockingbird 
I didn't read this until after college and was so mad it was never required in my classes to read in junior high or high school (how it was skipped over, I'll never know or understand) because then I could have enjoyed it several times over.

The entire Harry Potter collection 
One of my favorite collections of all time. I love all of the characters, the stories, the excitement, and the journey. It took me years before I read these books, but it kind of work in my favor because I didn't have to wait years for the next one to come out. I'm still sad the series is over.

 Now for honorable mentions:


The Glass Castle and Half Broke Horses 
These are both based of Jeannette Walls life and family and are such incredible stories.

The Other Boleyn Girl 
For one, I love time period books, and the fact that this is based around true events (it's very fictional though, don't be confused) among royalty and two sisters, it's all up my alley. The book is so much better than the movie, I seriously hated Anne, ugh, she was so mean.


My Sister's Keeper 
This is really the only book I've cared for from Jodi Picoult and the first one I've read of hers. The story kept me engaged the entire time.

A Thousand Splendid Suns 
I couldn't put this book down. How women are forced to live in other countries is appalling and this story of these two women who have come together over such trials is incredible.


Again, I know I must be leaving some out, but these are my top favorite books.
What are some of yours?
Have you read any of these? What did you think?

13 comments :

Jill @ Bluegrass Belle said...

I've read Glass Castle, but I need to read the other Jeanette Walls book! I forgot about it! Thank you for the reminder :)

Chelsea Mac said...

Love all of your faves! I am such a bookworm and my Kindle is always filled with several books to read. I would recommend The Hangman's Daughter - its a newer release I just read.

Schnelle said...

Little Women is one of my favorites too! My mom read it to me when I was little so it reminds me so much of my childhood.

Frances said...

I LOVE Little Women, To Kill a Mockingbird and The Help. Those are all sitting on my book shelf and would def make my favorite list!

Rachel L. said...

I read Half Broke Horses first and I am kinda glad I did. What amazing books those are! I am always kinda surprised when people say they like them so much because I figured they weren't very popular, but they are so good!!

Nado Queenie said...

It amazes me that you were able to narrow it down, lol! I love to read & have never read the "Harry Potter" series or seen the movies. I'm going to have to go out & get "The Princess Bride". It has always been one of my Favorite Movies & had no idea there was a book!

Hannah, Here! said...

Love Harry Potter, of course. And The Help. TKAM is my favorite book of all time!! And The Other Boleyn Girl is next on my list!!

Anonymous said...

Great Expectations is an all-time fave. The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand is one i'm currently re-reading and totally in love with the second time around.
As a kid, I loved Where the Red Fern Grows. I haven't reread it in my adulthood, but I know what happens and don't know if I can deal with it emotionally! I really loved the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich until about the 14th book...it has lost its luster. I still haven't read 15-18. I need to do it though, I have so much invested!
I like a lot of Marian Keyes and Jennifer Weiner for easy reading chic-lit.

Amanda Leigh said...

My Sister's Keeper is a good book... and I agree with you, its the only from Jodi Picoult that Ive really enjoyed.
Believe it or not,... I tried to put off Harry Potter. I hated that it was so "mainstream" and I didnt want to be caught up in the madness. But, Im happy to say I am now currently reading Book 4! =)
The Divergent series is pretty good in my opinion. Still waiting for the 3rd book... but I think what also makes it so amazing is how young the author is!

Katie Did What said...

Okay, my list is literally EXACTLY the same! As I went to the next book, it just got progressively "yes! ...yes!... YES!" in my head (that was my internal dialogue)
On that note, I am adding the books you mentioned that I HAVEN'T read (all of your honorable mentions) to my list of must-reads, since we definitely have the same taste!
And, funny story, I am actually reading the Harry Potter series right now for the first time! (I know) I'm on book 6 and am so obsessed!
Gah, can you tell I love reading just a little bit too? Some of other favourites (besides what you listed) are Wuthering Heights, Catcher in the Rye, The Great Gatsby and Gone With the Wind. Oh! And Alice in Wonderland. Okay. I'm done. :)

Kate at Green Fashionista said...

Oh how I love Harry Potter, AMAZING series!

Unknown said...

I'm obsessed with Harry Potter! I also loved The Princess Bride, it's so funny!

Anonymous said...

HAHAHA I hate buying books with movie adaptation covers on them too! So funny.