All about books today

So a short while ago Robyn got a book swop going on her Bookclub blog and I joined in without thinking twice - as most of you know I am one of life's perpetual readers - have been since I was 5 years old and will be until I can see no more. There is very little better than a good book.

What she asked of us is to send someone our favorite novel of all time. Wow, such a difficult decision for me as I love so many. I have had a list in the back of a note book for years - I add to it, I take away, but I have not ordered it in numbers for years. And I did find it daunting to do - in fact, I have settled on a top 10 (in no specific order) and then a top 10 to 20 etc. Down to 40 - I have some that I have fallen out out the top 40 as I have added new books. I use the following criteria to build my list: 1. I have to immediately think that I need this on my top list, 2. I possibly gave it a 10/10 when reviewing it in my book journal, 3. I want to read it again or have read it several times and 4. I must remember the name and author's name - that way I know it stuck well enough to recommend to someone else.So I decided to send her my top love story ever -" Love in the time of cholera"(see below).

In return, Shayne sent me " Five quarters of the Orange" by Joanne Harris, a book that I actually have a history with - I have read many of her books (loved "Chocolat and "Coastliners" best)  but somehow gave up on this book and had to give it back to someone I borrowed it from - so I never finished it. So now, I will attempt it again but only after I finish "7 Dae" the new Deon Meyer released today and delivered to me by the friendly Kalahari folk this morning. I took my lunch time, had a coffee and read the first 65 pages. But back to my top 10 books.


Although through the years I have taken care of reading the prize winners as well as most of the classics (yes, I have read the whole of War and Peace), I must stress that this is a very very personal top 10. Those that spoke to me, those that moved me and those that I love to read time and time again.


 So, my top 10 books of all time (in alphabetical order):
Atonement - Ian McEwan


Ian McEwan is the master observer of the human emotions and dealing with it. This is just such a masterfully told story of a young girl's world going wrong and influencing so many around her. Stunning read - have read it 3 times already and have never seen the movie - I have to admit that I am scared the movie will take some of the magic away

Lord of the Rings Trilogy - JRR Tolkien
Such a  classic - the very very best fantasy ever written. Have read the whole trilogy twice, and some a third time.For once, the movies did well with the books. And do read The Hobbit before you tackle these.



 
Love in the Time of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez 
 
The best love story ever written - spanning over more than 50 years. I can just imagine the two on the boat at the end of it. I have read it at least 4 times and want to read it again. Never saw the movie but apparently it is crap. So just don't - read the book! It will make you believe in love forever.



Midnight's Children - Salman Rushdie 
 
A wonderful story of the birth and the life of a man and two nations - colorfully woven with the magic of India.  Not exactly sure of how many times I have read it (I do not always make the note in my book), but I bought my own copy after having borrowed one as a student.


One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Yes, I know, two books by one writer (which must make him my favorite although I am not so sure about his newer books - he was the Nobel literature prize winner in 1982). The magical family saga that introduced magical realism to the world. Stunning - but remember to refer to the list of characters - after 4 reads I still sometimes get confused between all the Aurelios.


 People of the Book - Geraldine Brooks 

A more recent first read -The magical story of a little Jewish prayer book and how it came to be saved through many wars by many people of other religions. Read my full review on my Bookclub blog




The Book Thief - Markus Zusaf
I have only read it this year for the first time, but a magical magical book and story. In general I avoid World War 2 stories but this one is wonderful and imaginative and so uplifting. Do read it.



The House of the Spirits - Isabel Allende
Stunning family saga over many generations taking place in Chile and to the background of the never ending South American wars and civil wars. I love how she portrays woman and the relationships between them. I have read it 4 times and the movie is ok - great actors, but totally ignores one of the generations.


The Songlines - Bruce Chatwin

Without a doubt the most unusual choice in the list and a very personal one - I am quite sure you will not find it on many "Top 100 books" lists. But to me, something that speaks to me about man, and our restless nature. I have read it many times, lost my original copy when I loaned it to someone and had to re-order one. I only know one other person who have ever read it - Dana Snyman, the travel writer, and he says it is one of his favorites too. 
Wuthering Heights -Emily Bronte

The only real classic on the list - there has to be one and currently this is my top one ( some of the others are Modern Classics thought). I love the story of Heathcliff and Catherine and the incredible moody atmosphere that permeates the whole book. One to be read over and over again. During dark and light moods.



So please tell me - who is your favorite writer and which are your top books (be it 1, 3 or 10) . And have your read any of my top 10 and what is your opinion of it?