Favorites? Treasures!

Do you have a favorite novel? That's always a tough question. I do actually. I have one that stands above the rest and will forever be my #1 book of all time. Well this post isn't about my one favorite book, although it is on the list! This post isn't about favorites at all. I have 91 favorite books listed on my Goodreads shelf as of right now. I have so many favorite books, but this post is about the ones that are treasures. The books that I wouldn't be me if I hadn't read them. There are books that take me back to my childhood that got me into reading. There are classics that I never thought I would appreciate, let alone cherish. There are many books that speak to me, for many different reasons. Feel free to comment and tell me if you like/dislike any on my list. Or what some of your favorites or treasured books are. These are the books (in no particular order) that I treasure above all others...


It- Stephen King

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18342.It

Stephen King has so many novels that I love. I chose this one over all the others because It was the first novel that I read by him. I was 11 or 12 years old and in horror heaven.


Heart Shaped Box- Joe Hill

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/153025.Heart_Shaped_Box

What to list next? How about a book by Stephen King's son. Joe Hill is just as good as his father. This one was the first novel I read by Joe Hill. I recommend all of his novels if you like horror.


Locke & Key Vol. 1 : Welcome to Lovecraft- Joe Hill

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3217221-locke-key-vol-1

This was the first graphic novel that I ever read. I always thought graphic novels were not real literature. I was wrong. Thanks to my love of horror, Stephen King, and Joe Hill I finally read a graphic novel. The whole Locke & Key series is phenomenal.  I have read more graphic novels that I like, but still none can compare to this series. The artwork is also fabulous. The best I have seen so far in a graphic novel.


Flowers for Algernon- Daniel Keyes

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18376.Flowers_for_Algernon

I read Flowers for Algernon in my 7th grade English class. It was required reading and one of the first novels that I read at school that I loved. It's a very moving story.


The Giver- Lois Lowry

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/228303.The_Giver

I also read this one at school. I was about 8-9 years old and The Giver was the very first book that I was required to read at school that I loved.  This was the first Dystopian novel that I ever read and I love the way it made me think. Currently, I am reading The Giver with my sons who are 8 years old. I enjoy seeing this novel have the same effect for them that it did for me so long ago.


Welcome to Dead House : Goosebumps- R.L. Stine

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/125553.Welcome_to_Dead_House

I owe my love of reading to this man. Thank you R.L. Stine for writing the Goosebumps novels. This was the first Goosebumps book that I read. Before that I didn't even know there were horror novels! This is THE book that got me into reading.


Time for Andrew- Mary Downing Hahn

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/541527.Time_for_Andrew

I read Time for Andrew for a Battle of the Books competition in the 5th grade. It has stuck with me ever since. It is a wonderful childrens ghost story with time travel.


Where the Sidewalk Ends- Shel Silverstein

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30119.Where_the_Sidewalk_Ends

The book that got children everywhere into poetry! Well, at least it did for me.


Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson- Emily Dickinson

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10202475-complete-poems-of-emily-dickinson

I never knew I loved poetry so much until I read Emily Dickinson's poetry. Simply beautiful.


The Lord of the Rings- J.R.R. Tolkien

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/706457.The_Lord_of_the_Rings

I will be honest, my husband made me read this book. It was a challenge since I am not a fantasy fan and the book is huge. The Lord of the Rings is epic and has made me appreciate and become
interested in fantasy. It's still not my favorite genre, but I've really opened up to it thanks to Tolkien.


Jane Eyre- Charlotte Bronte

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13498093-jane-eyre

I used to be terrified to read classics. I didn't know if I would be able to get through them or enjoy them. Jane Eyre is one of the first that proved me wrong.


Wuthering Heights- Emily Bronte

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/432394.Wuthering_Heights

Wuthering Heights is a way darker novel than I was expecting. I love how gothic it is.


Battle Royale- Koushun Takami

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57891.Battle_Royale

Brutal. Battle Royale is the Hunger Games on steroids. This was written first and done much better, if you can handle the violence.


Harry Potter Series- J.K. Rowling

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/862041.Harry_Potter_Boxset

I had to put the Harry Potter series on here! I grew up with Harry and I will forever love these books.


Lord of the Flies- William Golding

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7624.Lord_of_the_Flies

I think most of us read Lord of the Flies in school. If you haven't, then I highly recommend it. It's full of savagery and brilliance.


The Picture of Dorian Gray- Oscar Wilde

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5297.The_Picture_of_Dorian_Gray

Ok this is it. My favorite novel of all time. I wasn't going to say, but well it's just so damn good.  I won't say what I love about it, because it would take all day. Maybe I will sometime if I ever do a BookTube channel.


The Historian- Elizabeth Kostova

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/288557.The_Historian

This is a Dracula retelling that took the author TEN years to write. It is an epic tale with mystery, travel, paranormal elements, and suspense.


House of Leaves- Mark Z. Danielewski

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/337907.House_of_Leaves

Literary horror at it's finest! At least take a peek at the inside of this novel sometime. The unique way it's done emphasizes the creepiness of this novel. So trippy and so good.


The Bell Jar- Sylvia Plath

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/907485.The_Bell_Jar

The Bell Jar is full of psychology, feminism, and mental health issues. The tragic fate of the author Sylvia Plath only adds to the experience of reading this novel. The Bell Jar captures depression better than any other novel I have ever read. I suggest a light and happy read after reading this one.

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