So a couple of my friends on Facebook have posted this challenge. List 10-12 books that have touched you or stayed with you in some way. I've been thinking about this off and on for the last day or so, and I've decided to see what I come up with. Some of these books I disliked intensely, but I haven't forgotten them.
1. The Little House books. Laura Ingalls Wilder is the reason I wanted to become a writer. Even though these books were probably ghost written by her daughter, Rose, Laura's name is on them. I remember disliking Mary because she was so perfect, but then when she went blind and Laura became her eyes, my sympathy changed completely.
2. Persuasion by Jane Austen. The idea of a second chance at love is comforting. Not that I'll have any second chances, but for Anne and Frederick, you can't get better than returning to your true love. The letter that Frederick writes to Anne to tell her he still loves her melts my heart. If someone ever wrote something like that to me, I'd be lost forever.
3. The Hobbit and LOTR by J.R.R. Tolkien. I don't think I need to explain myself here.
4. The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde. Mr. Fforde is one of the most original and creative writers I've come across, and I thank my brother Andrew for introducing me to his Thursday Next series. I love the idea that you can change the outcome of a book that's already been written.
5. Anything by Stephen Lawhead but especially the Song of Albion trilogy. Mr. Lawhead creates lovely fantasy stories with a Christian viewpoint, and I love that. Watching Lewis change from a shallow student to a beloved king in this trilogy is a transformation beautiful to behold.
6. Speaking of Lewis, Out of the Silent Planet by C.S. Lewis. I came to this book in college thanks to my Modern Novel class with Mr. Dr. Hurst. Again, the transformation and maturation of the main character draws me every time. The excitement of learning new languages and cultures in a world completely foreign while being hunted by enemies - priceless.
7. The Lord of the Flies by William Golding. I hated this book. I'll never read it again.
8. Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell. I didn't like this book either, mainly because of Scarlett O'Hara. I couldn't stand her. She deserved everything she got and maybe more. She's a powerful character, though, I'll give her that, but it's another book I'll never reread.
9. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No-Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst. I first read this one while I was waiting for a piano lesson to begin many, many years ago. I could identify with Alexander, although I do like lima beans. Just trying to find your place in a world that seems to be against you is something we can all understand. I think I'll move to Australia.
10. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. I try to read this every year at Christmas. I love Scrooge's transformation and his second chance at being a kind, loving human being. The reminder that what we've done shapes who we are is a good one at any point of the year.
11. The truth by Terry Pratchett. At last, a book about my chosen profession. Granted, William de Worde fell into journalism by accident, but the difficulties he faces in putting out his newsletter and the people he meets as he does so - been there, done that, bought the t-shirt.
12. Memoirs of a Wandering Man by Louis L'Amour. It challenged me to keep track of what I read, which I have tried to do. L'Amour read anything and everything and allowed what he read to make him a better person. It's an example we could all follow.
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