Hello everyone!
I figured a great way to get to know me would be for me to list my favorite books of all time. These are mostly books and book series that I read as a kid and some from when I was older. Genre wise they’re all over the place but they all hold sentimental value in my heart.
Let’s get into it!
Nancy Drew Mysteries by Carolyn Keene
I stumbled upon the Nancy Drew books at the library when my dad used to take me in elementary school. Nancy Drew was the first literary character that made me feel as if I could do anything I put my mind too. She was smart, solved mysteries and I wanted to be exactly like her. I mean, I still want to be like Nancy Drew now. I have read the first 25 books in the original series, eventually my local library ran out of the books farther along in the series. I now as an adult collect the series and hopefully will own them all one day.
A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
This was the first books series I ever completed. I was in sixth grade and looking for something to read and found them on our bookshelf at home. My mom had been purchasing the books as they were being published but had not read them yet. The series follows the Baudelaire orphans, and they try to escape the clutches of Count Olaf, the terrible actor after their fortune. This series was turned into a Netflix show, that I haven’t finished yet. The books were melancholy but also hopeful. It is important to mention that Lemony Snicket does have a questionable reputation. There are a few instances of him behaving inappropriately to women. Because of this, though I whole heartly recommend the series, I would recommend checking the books out of the library or buying them second hand.
My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett
I remember reading this in elementary school and falling in love with the images. Elmer Elevator travels to Wild Island upon the recommendation of a cat and goes on the adventure of a lifetime. The part that sticks in my brain the most about this book are the illustrations. When I close my eyes and think about this book, I can picture Elmer braiding the lion’s mane and adding ribbons. It’s a sweet children’s book that I still love today.
Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyers
I read and reread these series for most of 6th and 7th grade. It was all anything the kids in my class would talk about. I was the last of my friends to read the book, as a recommendation from my teacher, and I absolutely loved them. Bella Swan moves from sunny Arizona to damp Washington and becomes enamored with Edward Cullen, who she soon learns is a vampire. The series is very much aimed at a teenage audience. My copies of the books are well worn with dog eared pages and broken spines. Recently I reread Twilight and I have to say it was not as good I remembered it being. Midnight Sun is sitting on my shelf and tbr (to be read) list. Hopefully I’ll finish my series reread and jump into it.
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
I have never cried more reading a book that when I read A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. I bought My Grandmother asked me to tell you she’s sorry by Backman from Barnes and Noble. It was on a sales table and I didn’t really think anything of it and it was fantastic. Shortly after reading that one I saw A Man Called Ove at the library and knew I needed to read it. It was well worth it. Ove is a grouch whose life is ransacked by the young family who moves in next door. It was everything. It was split between the present and Ove going over his life. You don’t like Ove at first but as the book goes on it becomes clear why Ove is the way he is. It was wonderful. I all but forced my dad to read it after I finished it. If you plan to read it, please look up the trigger warnings because it is not for everyone.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Pride and Prejudice is probably my favorite book of all time. I read it the first time in high school and fell in love. It was the first book to spark my love for period pieces, although the book itself was a contemporary novel at the time. Elizabeth Bennet’s life is turned upside down when she meets the snobby Mr. Darcy. I love the enemies to lover’s trope and this book is the reason why. There’s something about the setting and characters that make you fall in love with Regency England, or at least I did.
Obviously, this list is subjective. There are some people who probably hate the books on my list and who love the books I hate, like Wuthering Heights; what trash. Thank you for letting me share some of my favorite books. Until the next post!
Image Sources
A Series of Unfortunate Events - https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goodreads.com%2Fbook%2Fshow%2F78411.The_Bad_Beginning&psig=AOvVaw0FnCYlIgixVH4VCle3rtsu&ust=1615174400331000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAkQjhxqFwoTCJDH8dmfne8CFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE