Friday, September 12, 2014

Top 10 Books that "Stuck" with Me

Let's close off this week with a subject that I am always happy to talk about:  books!  A couple of Sundays ago I was tagged by Amber on Facebook and asked to share the top 10 books that have "stuck" with me.  It was tough to limit my list to 10, and I compiled my list pretty quickly as I wanted to go with my gut reaction on what has stuck with me, so here is what I came up with, in no particular order!

1.  And the Mountains Echoes by Khaled Hosseini
2.  Loving Frank by Nancy Horan
3.  Still Alice by Lisa Genova
4.  Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
5.  Every Last One by Anna Quindlen
6.  Without Reservations by Alice Steinbach
7.  The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
8.  A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
9.  The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
10. The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

All of these books are books I have read as an adult, but there were a lot of books I could have included that I read as a child, like "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,"  "Bridge to Terabithia," "The Hatchet," or "Summer of My German Soldier."  And there were many more books that I've read as an adult that could have made the list, but these are the books I thought of first.

These book stuck with me for various reasons.  "Still Alice" stuck with me because the author did such a great job of showing what it is like to develop early onset Alzheimer's, and it took on personal meaning as Phil's father was battling this disease when I read it.  "Without Reservations" stuck with me because it opened my eyes to solo travel by a female.  "The Fault in Our Stars" stuck with me because of the writing. "The Things They Carried" stuck with me because it gives you a glimpse of what it is like to be a soldier in a war.  

What books stand out in your mind as books that have "stuck" with you?

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a great list! I haven't read every book on your list but I've read a lot of them. Good choices. East of Eden by John Steinbeck is probably the book that's had the most staying power with me. As far as something more recent goes -- Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar by Cheryl Strayed. I'm quite certain it doesn't resonate with everyone but it did with me.

Nora said...

It's so interesting to read these lists! I've only read 4 of your 10. So many books, so little time =)

Happy Friday!

Jeanie said...

Interesting list -- I've read some of those, too. Some that have stuck with me are "A Gift from the Sea," "Then Again" (Diane Keaton), "Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth," "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks," "The Help," "True North (Jill Kerr Conway) and "Magical Journey" -- a fave!

Charis Faith said...

I would have to seriously contemplate this. I saw it on FB too. I have favorite authors, and usually I read fluff romance so maybe that's why my list is not coming to me. Although, this year I've read some incredibly heavy stuff!

Stephany said...

I've only read 2 of the books you listed! I'm actually on the waiting list for the e-book version of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, though. Excited to read it since it's on many lists I've been seeing!

I just read The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom and saw many reviews that Tuesdays with Morrie was better, so I need to read that book since I really loved The Five People You Meet in Heaven!

Abby said...

It is on my "to blog" list to so this, as I've been tagged on a few of these on Facebook.

I loved the book Still Alice, while at the same time it was absolutely heartbreaking. So much of my job I work with spouses/children of patients with Alzheimer's - and it is heart wrenching.

A LOT of my top 10 list were from your recommendations! You are a stellar librarian!

Amber said...

I've loved reading everyones lists! I use books as a bit of an escape from reality as I love getting sucked into fantasty worlds so the books that stick most with me are ones where I get sucked into a new world and escape reality for a bit. My favourite books are the ones where the characters have such an effect on me I can't stop thinking about them after!

Kelly (She Wears a Red Sox Cap) said...

I have loved reading these lists too!
I have only read 4 of your 10 so I need to add some to my "to read" list!

The Many Thoughts of a Reader said...

The number one of my life is To Kill A Mockingbird. Followed quickly by The Help and Still Alice.

Marlys said...

Great list! It is hard to pick just 10 and to remember the ones from the past! I'm not so good at remembering anymore!

Marlys said...

On that note, maybe I should read "Still Alice"! Many people my age start thinking we have signs of Alzheimer, but it is just a part of aging, I am hoping!