My All Time Favorite Novels

For my first trick, I'd like to cram 13 books into one slot on my Top Ten list. That's because I don't think you can pull any one of these miserably depressing novels out of the set. It would be terribly confusing. I could say that I loved Book the Thirteenth, but that seems to me to be a cop-out--you simply have to read each one! So, I have to recommend The Complete Wreck or nothing at all. There you are. Enjoy the misery!

Part of the The Chronicles of Narnia, The Horse and His Boy is one of my two favorite C.S. Lewis books. I love this enchanting tale of runaway slave and his talking horse. The adventure they share as they cross the Calormen Desert on their way to Narnia. I don't want to give it away, so let's just say that if you stopped reading the Narnia books at The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, you've really missed out!

Again, I can't pick just one! Well, if you came and twisted my arm, I'd probably say Sisterchicks Say Ooh La La. I love the Sisterchicks series of books! Each one is the story of two friends (or sisters) and their adventures, travels and the lessons they learn about God along the way. Fabulous stories! Want to know more? Check out my Sisterchicks lens below.

Yes, I'm including a comic book in my Top Ten list! That's because Life & Times is no ordinary comic book. It's the whole back story of Scrooge McDuck, the world's richest duck. Don Rosa, a great Duck-lover, took the work of Carl Barks (the man who created the world that many of us came to know in the Ducktales cartoons) and built upon several little references and asides that Scrooge made throughout his life. For example, he turned one of Scrooge's passing statements, "in cattle wars of the old frontier" into the story "The Buckaroo of the Badlands." These stories are rich and compelling and totally worth a spot on my list... and yours!

Ever since I was a little girl and I first read Alice I wanted to know what all the poems and mis-quoted rhymes were really all about. I've waited a long time to discover The Annotated Alice (one of my favorite birthday presents of all time!). And now I know... do you?

Almost too obscure for Amazon! There are no new copies for sale. And that's a shame, because of all Agatha Christie books this one is my favorite. Maybe that's because it's so different! It doesn't follow a predictable path like a typical Agatha Christie mystery will. It's romantic and keeps you guessing until the end. A fabulous story! You've got to track this one down...

If you liked that Keira Knightley mess, then you have to read the original. You'll discover just what dry wit is and you'll fall in love all over again with Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy. A book I can read again and again. In fact, I have!

At first I was a Potter-skeptic (being a Christian and listening to lots of people who had something negative to say about the books) but one movie trailer won me over. When I saw Hermine punch Draco Malfoy in the face... I laughed so hard, that was the end of that--a Potter-fan was born. I had to read up and find out what was going on! I found the books to be just as other-worldly as Lord of the Rings is, so the wizardery never bothered me. It's part of Harry's world and I loved reading Harry's story. Book 7 was so jam-packed, I'm calling it my favorite--the resolution of all mysteries and the end of the series. Fabulous work, J.K.! You tell a great story!

Ever since I first read this book I've loved it dearly. I'm not such a fan of all the books that come after it, though. This one is the gem for me. I can't wait to read this one to my daughter (some day soon now!). I know she'll love Anne Shirley as much as I do!

So, why is this listed as my all time favorite novel? Harry could have easily taken this spot (but that's a little to be expected, isn't it?). I love The Voyage of the Dawn Treader because it's such an exciting adventure book... and it involves sailing (I grew up loving to sail). The scene where they are drifting slowly on ever towards the sun--well, I think that effected me down deep inside and ever since, this has been one of my favorite books!