I sat down and started to write my top-5 favorite books list for you all, and you guys, I just couldn’t do it. I could only narrow it down to 6. And even that was a struggle. I should also warn you, my favorite books change around a bit. But all of the books on this list (with the exception of one that I discovered recently) have been consistently in my top 10 for years. So, without further ado, here it is. My top 6 favorite books of all time, in no particular order.
“The Woman in White” by Wilkie Collins
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My first time through “The Woman in White” was on audiobook, because I needed something to listen to while I painted my daughter’s bedroom. It was 99 cents for the audiobook, so I figured I’d give it a try. You guys, I can’t even tell you how much I love this book. I’ve read and listened to it many times since then, and every time through I still get the same feelings of shock and anger, and craving for vindication that I felt the very first time I listened. By the way, the BBC recently released a miniseries that was really good too! Of course, the book was better! If you can handle a little (a lot) of wordiness, with a guarantee that it’s worth it in the end, read this book
Here is a link to the free Kindle edition.
“Persuasion” by Jane Austen
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Why Persuasion, you ask? Let me tell you! Anne Elliot is sensible and kind, and somehow manages to grow up to be a decent human being while being raised by a vain and prideful father, and while always being looked down on by her older sister. Something about this family dynamic makes me want to take care of her, and I am so glad every time I read her story that she comes out on top in the end. I usually read Persuasion when I am on the tail end of something more intense, and I just need something light-hearted and sweet.
Here is a link to the free Kindle edition.
“Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China” by Jung Chang
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Wild Swans is one book that I really disliked my first time through. I thought it was long and depressing, and I guess I just wasn’t in the mood. However, after I finished, I just couldn’t stop thinking about it. The characters, their struggles, and their circumstances just kept spinning in the back of my mind. So I picked it up again, and I’m so glad I did. It is definitely a must-read if you, like me, don’t know much about Chinese history and culture. I hope it has given me a greater understanding of that part of the world. I loved learning about the life of the author, as well as her mother and grandmother, who are all learning to adapt through tough times.
Here is a link to the Kindle edition
“North and South” by Elizabeth Gaskell
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A Victorian Era romance, with a little bit of Jane Austen flair (or maybe it would be more accurate to say Jane Austen simplicity). I loved North and South because of the complex family relationships, and the very real, well-developed characters. If it is true that the characters make the story, then “North and South” proves it. Think of it as a sort of reverse Pride and Prejudice in the Victorian era. Also, Richard Armitage playing the part of Mr. Thornton in the BBC miniseries really doesn’t hurt matters at all.
“The Scarlet Pimpernel” by Baroness Orczy
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Odd’s Fish, this book has a little bit of everything! Intrigue, guillotines, a little romance. What more could you need? I was the youngest in my family, and my oldest brother was in college when I was in middle school. He was really cool, and I was not. But, he would let me hang out with him and his college friends. I watched the movie “The Scarlet Pimpernel” with them, and fell in love with it. It was quite a few years later that I actually read the book, and although it was *very* different than the movie, I was not disappointed. You must read it.
“The Great Alone” by Kristin Hannah
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This is the only book on my list that hasn’t been hanging out in my top-10 forever, because I just read it for the first time a few months ago. I loved it because it was heartbreaking and gripping, but never made you lose hope. The characters were real and raw. Their circumstances, while extreme, were relatable for anyone who has had difficult situations or relationships to navigate. Kristin Hannah is an amazing story-teller. If you haven’t read The Great Alone yet, you should give it a try!
Here is a link to the Kindle edition
