It's no secret that I absolutely love books, in fact it's one of the first things people learn about me during a conversation. Along with loving reading ever since I was little I also read rather quickly which caused me to read (devour) most children's books at a young age. I discovered murder mysteries, classics, and non fiction and I've never once looked back. I also love having physical copies of books, especially when they're from a used bookstore. I thought long and hard and I'm happy to present my favorite books. I've got classics, nonfiction, adventure, fiction, and mysteries.
First up are the classics: Jane Eyre and Lord of the Rings.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte has been one of my favorite books since I was about 14, I've raved about to anyone who brings it up in discussion and encountered quite a few people who don't care for it. Personally, I love the old style of writing and the character development. In truth the story is really just a classic true love tale with a few different details thrown into it to set it apart from all of the other romantic novels (think Jane Austen).
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien is probably the first book I ever truly loved. I first read it in 6th grade and have read it five and a half times since. Everyone reads this at one point of their lives and I'm so so happy I read it so early on. The rich story that Tolkien weaves is chock full of detail which, while the part of it that drives most away, is what makes me love it all the more. I thrive on those meaningless details as it helps me create a more vivid picture of the scene in my head. I'm back to finishing this right now before the Hobbit comes out to rekindle my love for the series.
Next are the nonfiction: The Midwife and Bloom
The Midwife by Jennifer Worth is the author's memoir of 1950's poor London as a midwife and nurse. I both cry and feel sick when I read this, in horror of what those women went through from both the conditions and the family situations they were immersed in. The television series Call the Midwife is based on this memoir and the others that Jennifer Worth wrote and that's what first directed me to her books.
Bloom by Kelle Hampton is another crying book, but for different reasons. This is a recent book (2012) which documents Kelle's journey through having a daughter with Down Syndrome along with the general history of her life. Kelle's writing draws you in and the you feel as though you're part of the family experiencing everything they are. Unfortunately she's not a believer and her bad past experiences with Christianity (her dad was a Baptist pastor until he came out as homosexual after having a decade long affair) lead her to a feel-good sort of faith.
Fiction, one of my favorites: The Secret of Chimneys, The House of Silk, and The Help
The Secret of Chimneys by Agatha Christie is technically a mystery but when I was taking the pictures I stuck it in with the fiction. Agatha Christie is one of my favorite authors and I own over 35 of her books which means I have quite a few favorites! The Secret of Chimneys was a library book until this past summer when I bought it at a bookstore at Friday Harbor. I have no idea why this is my favorite except that it is a slightly more romantic than some of the other books she's written.
The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz is the only authorized Sherlock Holmes book since Doyle's death. Horowitz was commissioned to write this and while it definitely lacks the flair of the original classics I love this for the story line it contains. It delves into a deeper evil than the other Sherlock Holmes books ever explored and you honestly don't expect the way the story ends at all.
The Help by Kathryn Stockett was a book I avoided as long as I could. My Aunt Susie gave her copy to us while we were in Seattle two and a half years ago and my sister and mom read it and loved it (a big deal since my sister isn't particularly fond of long books!). I didn't want to read it to spite them but when we decided to go to the movie I read it the night before, staying up until 4 in the morning in the process. I absolutely love this book and have read it quite a few times since that first night.
Last but not least adventure: Alex Rider: Scorpia Rising
Alex Rider: Scorpia Rising by Anthony Horowitz is the last book in one of my favorite book series, the Alex Rider series. I actually started the series in the middle for a school book and went back and started the series over again, collecting them in the process. Scorpia Rising was a fantastic ending to a truly awesome series that caused me to cry at the end (of course). The series is essentially following a teenage British spy who is forced to work for MI6.
So there you go, my favorite books of all time. I had a few runners up that I'll give honorable mentions to.
Love Comes Softly and Canadian Mountie series by Janette Oke
Annie's People series by Beverly Lewis
Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Sister's Grimm series by Michael Buckley
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis
