I believe reading is not just for information but also for entertainment. The reason I started reading was simply that it was fun! When I was seven I found myself making repeated trips to the local library, not to check out the latest scientific journal, but to devour an anthology of Batman comic books. My mom made the brilliant parenting choice of encouraging me to read . . . even if it was, what many would consider to be, a waste of paper and ink. Those comics began a lifelong love of reading for me.
Sooo, here’s my “fiction” list. The books that entertain, inspire, spark creativity, break my heart, cause me to lose sleep, and on many occasions . . . educate. Most importantly, they remind me why I love to read.
Classic works
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. This is hands down my favorite book of all time. If you’ve seen the musical you have to read the book. If you haven’t seen the musical, read the book anyhow. A compeling story that weaves ethics, intrigue and the highest questions of human values.
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. This is my favorite Dickens novel (A very close second would be A Tale Of Two Cities). Great Expectations combines romance, mystery and of course, the tension between the “haves” and “have-nots.”
The Count Of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. This is an amazing story of treachery, revenge and the capabilities we humans have to overcome amazing adversity.
Contemporary works
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. An epic tale about young men growing up in brutal circumstances and the adults they become. I enjoyed this one so much that I just picked up Hosseini’s most recent release, A Thousand Splendid Suns.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. I read this on my study break last summer. I couldn’t put it down. Since then I’ve given it to a dozen people as a gift. Extremely well written.
The Bridge To Terabithia by Katherine Paterson. Bridge is a winner of the Newberry Award. Originally written for young teens, this novel has a very meaningful story line that will engage the youth in all of us.
Historical works
Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt. This one is heart breaking and triumphant. A story birthed in the poverty of Ireland.
The Power Of One by Bryce Courtenay. This one is set in South Africa and all of its political and social unrest. A story of the difference one person can make if they are willing to pay the price.
Follow The River by James Alexander Thom. This book is unbelievable. Based on true events it is the story of a white woman escaping captivity from an Indian nation.
Absolute “burn-through” fun
Sackett by Louis Lamour. Okay, any book by Louis Lamour. Great cowboy novels that will keep you turning the pages.
Holes by Louis Sachar. This one is good for the entire family. Really enjoyable, fun read.
Sleepers by Lorenzo Carcaterra. Very intense. Will make you stay up too late at night to finish it.
The Jester by James Patterson. This is simply a fun read for the flight or for the beach when you arrive.
There are so many more . . . They’ll have to wait for another list. So many books . . . so little time.
How about sharing your favorite fiction?
I absolutely LOVED “The Count of Monte Cristo”! My favorite fiction stories of all time are:
“Superfudge” by Judy Bloom
“Bunnicula” & “The Celery Stalks at Midnight” by James Howe
“The BFG” by Roald Dahl
“The Eagle Has Landed” & “The Eagle Has Flown” by Jack Higgins
“Mrs. Mike” by Bennedict and Nancy Freeman
All of the Hobbit books
“Madman” by Tracy Groot
“The House of the Seven Gables” by Nathaniel Hawthorne
“1984” and “Animal Farm” by George Orwell
“Dracula” by Bram Stoker
and all of the Unfortunate books by Lemony Snickett.
As you can see…I read…whatever…whatever I seem to be in the mood for. Not too big on sci-fi, though.
Here are ten of my favorites of all time.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Just amazing storytelling. A perfect example of why fiction matters.
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. Great story of grace and what happens if you accept it and if you don’t. If the size of it is too overwhelming, don’t be afraid of an abridged version. Hugo spends a lot of time critiquing the 19th century French justice system. I’ve read both and both are good.
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. When I had to read it in school, I hated it. But reading it as an adult, I found it compelling and so true to human nature and the nature of grace-less Christians.
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. Another story of grace. I think there’s a theme here.
Babette’s Feast by Isak Dinesen. Really a short story but if you haven’t read this get it today.
The Milagro Beanfield War by John Nichols. One of the funniest books I have ever read. Greg Nettle sent this to me when I was living in Costa Rica and he was living in Ireland. It cost me more than the cost of the book to pay the duty on it and it was well-worth it.
Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry. A lovely book.
A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute. A love story, but not sappy.
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving. I called in sick one day because of this book. I couldn’t bear the though of putting it down.
My Antonia by Willa Cather. Beautiful and tragic story of frontier America. So simply written.
Both of you guys have mentioned “Les Mis”. I never made it all the way through…not cuz I didn’t want to, though. My mom’s copy that I started reading is from the 1800’s, and when I got part way through, I noticed that the tops of the pages hadn’t been cut (they were still folded). I tried to turn one, and ripped it. YIKES! Never got around to getting a readable copy.
“The Red Tent” by Anita Diamant
“Patron Saint of Liars” by Ann Patchett
“Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil” by John Berendt
“The Secret Life of Bees” by Sue Monk Kidd
“Drowning Ruth” by Christina Schwartz
“Angels & Demons” by Dan Brown
“Gods in Alabama” by Joshilyn Jackson
“The Scandalous Summer of Sissy LeBlanc” by Loraine Despres
“The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood” by Rebecca Wells
(I’m obviously a women’s lit fan…)
I’m loving hearing your favorite reads. In a couple of weeks I’m beginning my summer study break. Typically on break I read somewhere between 10-20 books. I have a lot of pretty serious reads already collected. Any body have any mindless, purely entertaining books you would recommend?
Thanks!
greg
I can’t believe I forgot my very favorite, top, number one: Cry, the Beloved Country, by Alan Paton.
Greg, if you haven’t read it, read Auntie Mame by Patrick Dennis. So funny.
If you’re looking for entertainment, I’d suggest Charles De Lint.
I picked up one of his books years ago and ended up devouring everything he’d written. Now on my trips to the bookstore, I always cruise by the fantasy section to see if there’s something new.
They are the perfect quick-read treat for me between meatier endeavors. They are aptly labeled “urban myth”. Stories that blend amazing bits of folklore, myth and ledgend from around the world, set smack in the middle of present day, revolving around artists, musicians, and writers.
Because De Lint is also a musician, a lot of the books also have notes from him as to what he was listening to while he was writing the book. I’ve bought many a CD after perusing his suggestions.
If you want to be taken away to another world where anything’s possible and the dreams you had as children don’t seem so far fetched, even for a short time…
Grab any of the Newford Series books by Charles De Lint. His other works are great, but this series is the best place to start.
Here’s the wiki on him for the titles:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_de_Lint
Confession. I absolutely loved the Harry Potter books. I will be one of the crazy people out at midnight to pick it up.
I have always loved the Narnia books, and bought them on CD a few years back for long drives. I find myself often chosing a book on CD over music or television for background noise when I am cooking etc.
Not mindless… but, nonetheless, good reading for those sun-dappled August days on the beach @ Hilton Head…
1.) Anything and everything the late Isaac Asimov wrote RE his “Foundation” and “Robots” series… after awhile, they intertwine so-o-o-o beautifully. Asimov tries to make you think he’s an atheist… the best he could do was convince me he was an agnostic.
2.) Stephen Donaldson’s anti-heroic saga “The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, the Unbeliever” (six fat paperbacks, beginning with “Lord Foul’s Bane” and ending with “White Gold Wielder.”)
3.) “The Lords of Discipline,” “The Prince of Tides” and / or “Beach Music” by Pat Conroy….
Lots of illustrative material for sermons “that will ‘preach’!”….
Greg.. maybe you’ve done this before .. how about your all time fav’s at the theater?
The Bridge To Terabithia I have not read, but my fiance and I went to see the movie, knowing only what the trailers had shown us. I really wished I had a full box of tissues. What an incredibly emotional story!