So, normally I'm not a huge fan of those things on facebook where someone "tags" you and you have to write a random number of unique things about yourself, or create a made up hooker name based on your phone number, etc. Y'all know what I'm talking about.
Ok, who am I kidding, I love those kind of things. So when I just saw one done by one of my high school English teachers, I immediately knew it was blog worthy. So here's how it works:
"List 10 books that have stayed with you in some way. Don't take more than a few minutes, and don't think too hard--they don't have to be 'right' or 'great works' or in any particular order, just the ones that have touched you."
Here's my list:
-Peppermints in the Parlor, by Barbara Brooks Wallace
So this one is entirely random and weird, and has a little bit of a story to it... As a kid, we LOVED going to the library. We would check out so many books they couldn't fit into our freaking bags. One day I stumbled across this book, thinking it looked somewhat interesting. It turned out to be kinda creepy, weird, and somewhat dark (from what I remember). It was totally NOT what I was expecting, which is why I think it was so memorable for me. (It was still awesome, by the way.) I also took it with me on a fishing trip I took with my dad and my grandpa. I distinctly remember reading it in the back of the truck during the drive to the lake, and wanting to bring it with me on the boat, but being nervous to because, what if the boat sank, then the book would have water damage and the library would freak out. Yes, that is the sort of thing I thought about as a child. You should know by now, I'm a little bit of an odd duck.
-A String in the Harp, by Nancy Bond
This was another random library book pick. It's interesting, because I'm not huge into fantasy books, but this somewhat delves into that genre. I loved it at the time I first read it, and it always sort of stuck with me. When I took a Children's Lit class in college, I remembered it and decided to read it again. It was just as good as the first time. In fact, I really need to own it. Guess what is going on my Barnes and Noble wishlist?
-Star Wars: Jedi Apprentice Series
Ok, so now that I just told you I don't like fantasy books, I throw in Star Wars. It's different, though. You see, to me Star Wars in a lot of ways is much more like real-life than most fantasy books/movies out there. I went through this HUGE Star Wars phase where I really thought I was a Jedi and almost was willing to trade in my church membership in favor of The Force. It was strong with me, I can't lie.
-The Client, by John Grisham
I first received my exposure to this book via the movie. My parents were watching it downstairs one night and I happened to sort of "sneak in" (it was probably a little mature for my age at the time). I was hooked because, well Brad Renfro was hot, and I could totally relate to the bad ass rebel attitude of his character. When my mom told me the movie was based on a book, of course I had to read it. I then went on to read every single John Grisham book that existed, and for many years wanted to be a lawyer. Some days I still do. Too bad I still have like 4 new John Grisham books still to read. Can I still call myself a die hard fan when I'm that far behind??
-A Million Little Pieces, by James Frey
I read this one during graduate school. I bawled at the end. Seriously. Sobbed. The whole thing was just raw. I love books that can move you like that.
-Get Me Out Of Here, by Rachel Reiland
So I can never remember which is which. Is an autobiography when you write a book about yourself? Or is that a biography? I promise, I do have a Masters Degree. Wait, do you write it as Masters Degree, or Master's Degree? That's another thing I can never remember. Or how to spell the flipping word separate. I always want to write seperate (which is obviously wrong, but it just feels right)... Wow. I really digressed, there... Anywho! This book is about a lady and her experience with Borderline Personality Disorder. I read it at a time when I had self-diagnosed myself and thought I was crazy. Turns out I'm not as crazy as I thought (or so says my therapist). I seriously couldn't put this book down though. I finished it in the middle of the night in a hotel room in Nephi where Brett and I got snowed in driving down to Milford to celebrate Christmas. I probably bawled a lot while reading this book, too. Apparently a lot of books make me cry.
-Number the Stars, by Lois Lowry
I think I read this book in the third grade. It may have been fourth. Either way, I have the skinny red version that I ordered from a book order that year. I remember seeing the cover and hating the way it looked and not wanting to read it. Then my teacher read it to us as a class and I was hooked. I always thought Annemarie was so brave and wanted to be like her.
-Crank, by Ellen Hopkins
Ok, so really any and ALL of Ellen Hopkins books have moved me. They are just so raw and intense. I'm almost glad they didn't come out while I was in the midst of all my teen angst, because I just don't know if I could have handled them emotionally at the time... Haha. I'm definitely hooked now, though.
-Tell Me Again About the Night I was Born, by Jaime Lee Curtis
There are not a lot of adoption books out there. Okay, so maybe that statement is outdated. But about 9 years ago, that was mostly true (as far as I was concerned). When I found this book, it really touched me and will always have a special place in my heart because it makes me think of my Jace.
-Nancy Drew: The Spider Sapphire Mystery
My dad has always been a yard sale junkie. One Saturday when I was a kid, he came home with boxes full of Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books. This was the first one I read, and I was hooked! I ended up reading all 50-ish (?) of the original books and then digging through the library to find some of the newer ones including the "Nancy Drew Notebooks" (which were not nearly as good, might I add). I always loved getting lost in Nancy's latest adventure.
Well, there you have it folks. Some of my favorite books of all time. Now that I've hashed that all out, I've thought of a billion other books I could have included in this list. But I stayed true to the instructions and only did the first ones that popped into my head. What books have moved you?
