Favorite Fiction
When I was a kid, I was a geek.
I had bushy hair, and I was almost a full year younger than everyone else in my class. And when it came time for recess, I much preferred sitting against the brick wall with a book.
Good writers read a lot.
(OK, bad writers sometimes read a lot, too)
We read to be influenced, we read to be touched, we read to be entertained. We even read to learn what NOT to do.
So when people ask “What’s your favorite book?” I have a hard time answering.
But because it’s Fiction Friday, I thought I’d share some of my all-time favorites with you:
- Ender’s Game: Sci-fi for people who aren’t really into sci-fi. This is the story of a boy specifically bred to save humanity. The pressure of his role is high, but he’s still a kid, struggling to figure out who he is. Excellent characterization and story that just happens to be set in space.
- Lord of the Flies: Survivor without the production crews and medics. This might have been my first foray into the disturbing truth about human nature. (guess that explains a lot, eh?)
- Cold Mountain: I love this one for Frazier’s language, and because, despite my general distaste for historical fiction, I immediately connected with Ada and Inman and was captivated with a world so incredibly different from mine.
- Jonathan Livingston Seagull: While I haven’t cracked this in 30 years (and honestly don’t even own a copy of it anymore–Christmas gift idea, people…), I remember a roadtrip when I read this cover to cover seven times. I think this is what sparked my passion to be awesome. Or maybe just gave me permission to be different.
- Watership Down: Another one that never gathered dust on my bookshelf. So many different levels to this story…from cute little talking bunnies to allegorical social commentary.
Of course, this list is far from complete. There are a million other amazing books that I have loved, and a million more coming that I will love.
And I’m incredibly thankful that someone smart invented a Kindle that is cheap and fits in my purse, so I can keep a massive pile of books with me at all times! Great Christmas gift idea for the readers on your list!
What are some of your all-time favorites?? Leave a comment…
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About Christine
I am a writer, a project manager, and a corporate refugee with a heart for orphans around the world. My two daughters were adopted from Ukraine at ages 12 and 14. I post about writing, chasing dreams, and making a difference in the world, and sometimes I share fun snippets of fiction in-progress.
I am really loving Catcher in the Rye. I need to re-read Lord of the Flies. I’ve always thought Lost was like that book (but I never watched Lost except for the first episode..)
I like the Hunter by Richard Stark a lot too. It was the story used for one of my favorite action movies Payback.
Fiction is absolutely addictive!
Addictive is a great way to describe it, Jim!! Catcher in the Rye was almost on the list too!
I don’t read a lot of fiction anymore, but I have really enjoyed Lee Child’s Jack Reacher books. They are intense and keep you wondering what is going on. I really admire people who can write fiction. Keep up the great work!
I’ll have to check those out, Tammy!!
I love Watership Down! I never thought I would meet another fan.
Obviously, my favorite is Lord of the Rings. It’s the original fantasy epic, from which all others hail.
Funny, I always struggled reading Tolkien. One of the VERY few situations where I liked the movies better. I have never actually read The Hobbit. Made it through Fellowship, but only because it became a matter of principle! But i’m excited for the movie next week…
…one I read every summer…
To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee
(growing up in the South…this one’s a Must Read).
Njoy u’r Wknd…>
GREAT addition, Mark (even for us Yankees). How could I forget that??
Watership Down; Lord of the Rings; Narnia Chronicles; The Phantom Tollbooth; Anna Karenina; Starship Troopers; Storming Heaven; Pilgrim at Tinker Creek; To Kill a Mockingbird; Ender’s Game; A Prayer for Owen Meany; All Creatures Great and Small… yeah, this list could go on for ages.
Great list, Chess. A couple I forgot, a couple I need to check out. And someday, I’ll get your copy of Ender back to you!
I love fiction, Christine. I haven’t read Ender’s Game, but last year I read Pathfinder by Orson Scott Card and loved it! Looking forward to reading the sequel. One of my all time favorites is How Green was my Valley, by Richard Lewellyn. Beautiful prose!