It has been said that you are never lonely, when you have a book to read. A book can take you to many places, give joy to your life. It can be your best friend. So, for all of you readers out there: I would like to start a thread where everyone posts their favorite book and explains why it is their favorite. I'll start. My favorite book is A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. It is my favorite becomes it demonstrate what true love and true sacrifice for the one you love is all about.
I have many favorites. One of them is Bridge of Birds by Barry Hughart. It's a novel of an ancient "China that never was". It managed to be funny, exciting, a mystery, a buddy story, several love stories and incredibly touching. Master Li (a sage with "a slight flaw in his character") and Number Ten Ox (his client and assistant) roam China trying to solve a baffling mystery with Celestial complications. Every time I get to the end, I'm in tears.
There are two sequels; they're good, but not quite as magical as the original. Hughart stopped writing after that.
Well, I'm not too sure I'm that qualified (as if that's such a thing in this situation) to speak about my favourite book, given how few I've read to completion in my life...
However, that would be a series of books called the Inheritance Cycle written by Christopher Paolini. A fantasy book series involving dragons and magic, filled with very dark and tragic moments throughout, as well as some mirthful and light-hearted ones too.
I genuinely grew to care about the expanding cast of characters as the series went on, their adventures and tribulations as they continued on their epic journey to free their land.
I started reading it at a very lonely point in my life, and to have such wonderfully crafted characters around me, accompanying me through my dreams? Well, they helped me feel a little less alone.
That's why they hold such a prominent place in my heart.
@anniecastiel Well, since I have several favorites I can certainly come up with more. Since I was very lonely growing up, I’ve read tens of thousands of books - no exaggeration.
Mostly I read science fiction, mysteries, and humor. But my dad had a heart attack when I was a teenager, and neighbors brought over lots of best-sellers for him to read. This was long ago, so some of those bestsellers were really good. One in particular has stuck with me. I reread it about twice a year.
It’s Shogun, by James Clavell. Yes, it could be called a potboiler. It’s not high art. But it’s wonderfully written, and really draws you in. When I’m reading it, I’m practically LIVING it. What a story! Piracy, torture, samurai, geishas, sex (of course), assassinations, true love, ninjas, spying, friendship, and an Englishman all alone in an incredibly exotic land. That it’s actually inspired by real history (albeit with lots of changes) just adds to the amazement. It’s a thousand pages long, and when I’m done I always wish that there was more.
It also helped me pick up a few words of Japanese.
My favourite is an oldie too: Jane Eyre. I have always identified with the plain-looking governess who feels just as much as the next person, and who is fiercely independent but also fiercely loving.
@VirtualReality One of my favorites too. Have you ever read any of the book’s by the other Bronte sisters? Wuthering Heights is one of them that I know of. Thank you for your response! I appreciate it.
@Better1109 Thanks for responding! I read 1984 long before 1984 came along. I remember when the year 1984 came along and we all waited for Big Brother to show up! Kudos on starting a reading project with your son. I hope it goes well.
@VirtualReality I like Jane Eyre too, I think for the same reason you do. I loved Jane's strength and determination. I also liked the early parts of her life before she even met Rochester. The description of what she went through as a child. I agree WH was too dramatic. Have you ever seen Olivier's portrayal of Heathcliff? very emotional and dramatic. Have you ever read the book Wide Sargasso Sea, by the way. It is the story of how Rochester met and married his first wife, the one he has in the attic when Jane Eyre shows up. It is written by a writer name Jean Rhys. It is considered a modern classic. I'd recommend reading that if you haven't. Paints a totally different picture of Rochester and his first wife. Shows him more as a predator and her as a victim. Very sad. Thanks again for participating in this thread!
@anniecastiel thanks for starting a great thread! No I haven’t watched Olivier, but that’s a good suggestion. I think he’d make a great Heathcliff! Yes I read Wide Sargasso Sea, after a lot of hesitation. I was afraid it’d take away my love for Rochester. :)) I’m happy to report it hasn’t. Yes it shows both of them so differently, doesn’t it? but I guess I just slotted it away as a ‘feminist’ revision and to be honest, I’m a little upset with Jean Rhys for doing that to my favourite characters.
@SunnyTomorrow Thanks for your response. I love Steinbeck too and have read “East of Eden.” I agree it was good. I would have to say though that I liked “Grapes of Wrath” better. Have you read that one? I think it’s the best Steinbeck book. But everyone has their own tastes, which was the purpose of starting this thread.
@aks Love them. Holmes was such a sharp minded and observant man. I loved the way he went about solving crimes. I loved his friendship with Dr. Watson, too. Thanks for replying to my post.
My favorite book is "Mehr als das", its a german one as you probably know :) It's about death and reincarnation (I'm not sure if I spelled it right) And yea, the book is about a boy and he drawns in the sea and dies. And he wakes up in the middle of nowhere and doens't know whats going on. And the question the book is about is whether there is "more than that" (thats the english translation of the title) :)
@Lonelywolfin That sounds very interesting. I would defininitely like to read the english translation. a question I think we all ponder - is the “more than that…” thank you for your reply!
"This is My Blood" By David Wilson. An Exquisite look at Love and Faith.
"The Notebook" Nicholas Sparks.
"I am Legend" Richard Matheson.
"Wuthering Heights" Bronte.
The Necroscope Series by Brian Lumley.
Monastery by Patrick Whalen.
By Reason of Insanity by Shane Stevens.
The list....goes on...and on....and on....
