1. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee: The only novel this author has ever written has become a staple in high school classrooms and a favorite of many, including me.
2. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling: Seriously. This book actually changed the world. It revolutionized the children's book market and made it socially acceptable for adults to read children's fiction. And what a great world Rowling created!
3. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte: I love this book immensely and have read it three times. I plan on revisiting it again.
4. The Help by Kathryn Stockett: I don't know anyone who has read this and hasn't liked it. It's fantastic and Stockett's only novel thus far.
5. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley: I love this series and Flavia de Luce, greatest 11-year-old narrator ever. And the mysteries are awesome.
6. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen: Just because I love Jane Austen.
7. Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko: I read this in college and might have been the only one in my class who enjoyed it. But I really did like it; and also, how many debuts are read in college-level courses? It's an incredibly rich story. I'm reading her memoir now and I'm loving it.
8. Frankenstein: Or, the Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley: Another classic that actually came about from a party of sorts, where the guests told ghost stories. Among the guests were Lord Byron, Percy Byce Shelley, and the guy that wrote the first vampire story, John William Polidori.
9. Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg: This book made me go through every emotion. Funny and sweet and heartbreaking, it's a wonderful story with wonderful characters.
10. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery: The first book written by a writer of classic children's books still beloved today, this is my one of my very favorite books.
Great list, Tahleen! I've only read a few of these, but I agree with picking To Kill a Mockingbird, The Help, and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Seeing lists like these make me realize how many great books are out there that I have yet to read.
ReplyDeleteThanks Nikki! I was thinking the same thing when I was looking at other people's lists. So many good books out there, so little time.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting about Sweetness...! After reading the Amazon review and author interview, I clicked buy so I can have it on my Kindle!! I absolutely love a good mystery!
ReplyDeleteHooray Kathy! You will love this series. If you get a chance to listen to them on audio, do it—Jane Entwhistle is a fantastic narrator.
ReplyDeleteTahleen, Song of the Trees is a short book for younger children. The Logan family books for older children are in this chronological order: The Land; Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry; Let the Circle Be Unbroken; The Road to Memphis. Other smaller books are: The Friendship; Mississippi Bridge; The Well. They are all awesome!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'll try to find the other Flavia books on Audible.
Great list! I love your #1 & #2.
ReplyDeleteReading Lark's Top 10
Kathy—thanks! I need to get reading those. I loved Roll of Thunder but it's the only one I read (well, listened to) by her.
ReplyDeleteAndrea—thank you!
Tahleen, I wanted to give you the Stylish Blogger Award. Pick it up over at my blog. (if you want)Just want you to how much I like your blog!
ReplyDeleteGreat list. I love at least six of the books on the list, and The Help is on my list to read.
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