I finally decided to make a favourites shelf on goodreads! I went through all the books that I have read and hand selected the ones that I would consider my favourites of all time. It turns out that of the 405 books that I have apparently read only 20 made the cut! I thought it might be fun to show you 10 of those books and briefly tell you why I would consider them favourites! I will do a part two at some point as well! I am going to order this in the order in which I have read them (or at least in the order I think I have read them).
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton– I had to read The Outsiders in the 7th grade and it was really life changing for me. I think it was the first time that I felt truly affected by a book. I cried until my eyes hurt!
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee– I think I read this book the same year as The Outsiders. I remember having to do a book report on it and just absolutely loving everything about it. I think it says a lot that I have not read this book in years but the characters still stick with me. I will forever have a soft spot for Atticus Finch and Boo Radley!
The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants by Ann Brashares– I often credit this series for really getting me in to reading. I am actually writing this post in the same beach town where I was as a kid when this book was recommended to me. I always enjoyed reading but after The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants I became passionate about it! I look back on that summer as the summer of reading!
The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom– I have said before that Mitch Albom is an auto-buy author for me and this particular book of his is my favourite of his works. It is less than 200 pages and I find myself rereading it when I am in a little bit of a slump. It really makes me think.
Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini– Another auto-buy author for me and it all started with The Kite Runner. I truly think that reading this book made me a better person.
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne– Just thinking about this book can bring a tear to my eye. It is one of those books that has remained with me throughout the years.
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen- My dad bought this book for me thinking it was something I would love and he was so right! Since then he has managed to buy be quick of few of my favourite novels. Water for Elephants is so atmospheric and wonderful that just talking about it makes me want to go read it again!
Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay– This book was gut-wrenching for me! If someone asks me to recommend them a book I usually suggest Sarah’s Key first. I have made my mother, best friend, and neighbour read this book and they all loved it!
The Help by Katheryn Stockett– I loved that this book was both hilarious and moving! The Help has a lot of my favourite characters. The movie is also really great!
While putting this post together I started to see a theme in almost all the novels that I adore. Apparently I am drawn to books that are heartbreaking but somehow moving and hopeful. If there is a book that you think I would like I would love your recommendations!!
I love the Help! And Mitch Albom writes so well, his stories are always incredibly moving.
The Help is so good!
I always love to find other people who appreciate Mitch Albom! 😊
That’s a great list! I haven’t read any of them but have seen a few of the film adaptations, and they all are amazing 🙂
Thank you! It makes me so happy when the movies for my favourite books are actually well done!! 😀
wow, this is a great list. i am so happy that mitch albom made it. <3 i have a feeling that not many people now his books…
I feel like people have just heard of Tuesdays With Morrie but don’t realize he has written many other amazing novels!! 😀
yes people! go read mitch alboms other novels! 😀
Heartbreaking is a good summery for these books. I can honestly say I only read four of these books – need to do some catching up. 😀
There’s just so many great books out there it’s impossible to read them all!!
Great list! I read and loved some of the books on this list as well (the outsiders, the sisterhood, 5 people you meet in heaven, and the kite runner). Sarah’s key sounds like an amazing book, and I’ve added it to my tbr 🙂 I’ve been reading lots of YA these days so I am excited to branch out and try something different
Oh my god, I used to love The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. In middle school I had a friend group with three other girls, and each of our personalities matched up perfectly with one of the girls. Unfortunately we were drastically different body shapes, and we were not able to find a magical pair of pants that fit us all perfectly.
I also love The Outsiders, TKAM, and The Kite Runner!
I had very similar experience with my group of friends! That is pretty crazy! Which one were you?
Hahaha I love it. Lena!!! What about you?
You have some very nice book selections on your favorites list. If I tried to narrow down the books I have listed as read from Goodreads, it would be quite the task…There’s almost 1500 books on my read shelf, and I know that isn’t anywhere close to my actual total. I really wish I had kept track of the books I read as a kid and teen.
That is awesome! I feel like it would be impossible for you to narrow it down to your top 20!
lol. I think even narrowing to a top 100 would be quite the task. I’m safer to just not make the attempt.
I loved the Outsiders!! I had to read it for school but still loved it a lot
It is one of the required readings that I actually enjoyed!
So many fantastic books on here!! To Kill a Mockingbird is phenomenal- I love Boo and Atticus too!! And Sisterhood, Kite Runner and Boy in Striped Pyjamas are amazing!! I really want to read the Outsiders and the Help too!!
I think we have similar taste in books so I know you will love The Outsiders and The Help! ❤︎
Yes!! <3
This is basically a list of my favourites and books I’ve always wanted to read but never got around to reading !!
That is awesome!! I love finding people with similar taste in books!! 😀
Lots of excellent titles on here! I loved To Kill A Mockingbird, The Kiterunner, The Boy In The Stripes Pajamas and The Help as well. 🙂
They are so good!