Haha, I couldn’t resist, but also real questions, serious ones! My list of favourite books can be put down in a top 5 list, but even then, there is fighting for position. For those of you with the thousand+ book libraries drool a top ten may not be enough to cover all that you have experienced within the millions of pages read. How amazing to have such vast lands, worlds, and lives only a few steps away.
From the world of Middle Earth, into the land of Westeros, out toward a galaxy far far away, writing has given us a doorway into a realm without borders, and the freedom to add, create, and build something new, as well as the opportunity to revisit a most beloved classic and build onto a world already known so well. It’s a perfect medium for those eager to add in the wishes, dreams and details we want to see come to those worlds and lands. Fan fiction may be the best love letter an original can receive.
Stories of love, danger, trial, fear, growth and despair. The tales and truths, the lies and doubts, the Never-ending story (wink wink) only waiting to be put to paper. The wonder and marvels and into the deepest darkest revelations, the way we feel during and after. The lingering memory of a character so close that they somehow have become a part of you, shaping you into something different, better, more understanding of those around you. A gateway into thoughts, emotions and lives not yet awake within us.
My favourites range from old to new and horror to love, in no order my favourite novels include, The Stand by Stephen King, The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Black Beauty by Anne Sewell, Watership Down by Richard Adams. That wasn’t as easy as I thought, I really had to think about some on this list, but until I read something to take someone's place, my list stands firm.
If I could read any book for the first time again, one would certainly be Where the Carwdads Sing by Delia Owens. I still think about this one and read it last Christmas, amazing!
Books I highly recommend, besides the list of favourites above. Go and read ‘Misery’, yes Stephen King again, big fan here, always wanted to write horror. The film is amazing, but the book is utterly incredible and horrifying! Go grab it! Hitchhikers Guild to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, is one of the funniest and best reads out there, great to bring a reader back into the game.* Two thumbs up*
An Unrated work, in my opinion, is The Metamorphosis by Frank Kafka, it is bizarre and completely entertaining! A short read too. I also suggest War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells for being writing in 1895-97 its ideas and description of aliens and their weapons are phenomenal, given the fact H.G> wrote this when electricity and its tech were still in its infancy, brilliant!
Re-Reads, I promise the books you read back in school have taken on a whole new meaning, reread, Animal Farm, Of Mice and Men, 1984, and Charlotte’s Web I including on this list. And if you really want to cry your eyes out, my personal fav, is Black Beauty. The wealth of beauty, warmth, knowledge, and hard truth is most important to be reminded of, and given a chance to be seen differently. It is horrifying reading 1984 today. We are living it! We didn’t pay attention back in school, dang.
The last book I leave you with is The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien, make this your gate-way book, the entry into the world of literature for your children <3 A most wonderful bedtime read, which will be truly enjoyed by your children as well as yourself. This book of Tolkien’s is the most relatable, as well as the easiest to read, trust me, LOTR is masterful but hard to read, The Hobbit is simpler yet filled with everything you know and love about Middle Earth and as this blog began I shall end it. The Road goes ever on and on.
Thanks,
Afton Feltham
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