My 10 Favorite Books
I love reading! I don’t know how else to say it. There is just nothing like the magic of the written word on the page to transport one instantly across time and space, opening new horizons and broadening one’s view of the world. And so I thought this week I would do something a little different and share with you my 10 favorite books of all time. Each of these has made the list for a different reason and each is precious to me. The 10 are in no specific order (it was hard enough just picking 10). I’d love to get some feedback and hear your list as well!
The Count of Monte Cristo Alexandre Dumas
If I had to pick a number 1, this would be it. I first read Monte Cristo the spring of 2002 and I have read it most springs since (I think I missed 1 or 2). One spring I even finished and turned back to page 1 to start all over. Oftentimes I will read an abridged version but so much of the beautiful prose is left out when you do this. Awesome story, unforgettable characters, and beautiful writing; it doesn’t get much better than that!
Les Miserables Victor Hugo
I love 19th century French literature (can you tell?) One of the reasons is the use of what I will call ironic coincidence. Very often times the author will introduce us to a character: “Once upon a time there was a man…” jump forward 10 years; “Here comes a man walking down the street…and it’s the very same man!” Suddenly, you as the reader find yourself on the inside. You find yourself saying, “I think I know who this is…yup, I was right!”
I also think this is one of the most beautiful stories ever told and one of the few books which translated equally successfully to the theater and film.
Honorable mention: The Hunchback of Notre Dame
If Not Now, When? Primo Levi
Ok, I know I already said Monte Cristo is number 1, but this has got to be my number 1 all time favorite book. Jewish partisans fighting for their lives and their dignity during World War II. And that is exactly the word to describe this book, and its author; dignity. Just try reading the scene with the violin on the train without bawling, I dare you!
Hanging Curve Troy Soos
I’m a huge baseball and baseball history fan and I’ll admit that makes me a little biased, but the Mickey Rawlings baseball mystery series by Troy Soos is for my money the best series out there! Excellent history, fantastic characters, and laugh out loud funny wit! I listed Hanging Curve here but I could have just as easily picked from several others!
The Power of One Bryce Courtney
Ok, I know I already gave away my top spot but this one has to be my number 1 favorite! Or at least a close second! More than any other book on this list, this one makes it for the characters rather than the writing; in fact the writing isn’t particularly special. But Courtney has here brought together the most memorable characters in literary history!
How Green Was My Valley Richard Llewellyn
There have been many books that when I finished reading them I decided I would never read them again because the first experience was so perfect, I didn’t want to taint it in any way. This is the only book with which I have ever been able to follow through on that promise and as such I must admit I don’t really remember it, I just remember loving it. (I wish I had followed through on my once reading rule with East of Eden by John Steinbeck. The second reading just wasn’t the same.)
Holiness John Webster
No book has shaped my theology or my understanding of God more than this one. So much is that the case that each time I re-read it I find myself saying, “Oh this is where I got that idea.” I had the opportunity to meet the late John Webster and tell him how much his writing ministry meant to me. “This is a fantastic book,” I said as he signed it for me. “Yes it is,” he replied, “Tell all of your friends to buy a copy.” And so I have!
Corelli’s Mandolin Louis de Bernieres
I’ve heard that the movie, Captain Corelli’s Mandolin based on this book was horrible so please don’t let that shape your impression of the book. I have often been struck by the fact that in writing, pain produces the most beauty…or perhaps perseverance through pain. I know this sounds a bit morbid and yet I don’t mean it that way, it has just been my experience. Well Corelli certainly fits the bill on this one. Not a “pleasant” read, not a happy story, but pure beauty.
Honorable mention: Birds without Wings also by de Bernieres
The Night in Lisbon Erich Maria Remarque
Ok, I am at long last prepared to name my number 1 all time favorite book (seriously this time!), it’s this one. Remarque is my all-time favorite author; everything he wrote is fantastic though ironically his most famous novel, All Quiet on the Western Front is my least favorite. Lisbon is his crown jewel. Heart wrenching writing, combined with characters you will fall in love with, and a heart pounding story that will keep you on the edge of whatever piece of furniture you were sitting on when you opened the cover. Just please remember to breath as you read!
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas Frederick Douglas
It is the rare book in this genre that one can read and not be consumed by the sorrow that it entails. Very seldom are we broken and inspired by the same piece, yet Douglas accomplishes both. He was a unique mind, a unique theologian, and a unique student of anthropology and history. There are 2 (or maybe 3) books of the same title of various lengths. Quite honestly I have found that the shorter version loses little in the telling.
The Gentle Infantryman William Young Boyd
I know, I know this is 11, but it’s my list!