Everything I Love

1. Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon – It is rare that one comes across a book containing adventure, mystery, drama, romance, and an intricately woven plot line; however, it is rarer still that one comes across all of these and absolutely beautiful writing. There are very few books that have pulled me in so entirely as this one, and I would recommend it to anyone in a heartbeat.
2. The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom – Mitch Albom is by far one of my favorite authors. His writing style, which is filled with incredible language and real emotional knowledge is unlike that of any other author I’ve read, which is why I read this book about four times a year, and every time it amazes me just as much as the first time I picked it up.
3. City of Thieves by David Benioff – A strikingly intelligent novel which combines horrors of wartime reality and two of the most incredible characters I have ever come upon. In fact, one of them, Kolya, makes my Favorite Character list.
4. One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest by Ken Kesey – I have never fallen in love with a book (and a character, Dale Harding) so quickly. Everything about this book, from its off-the-wall humor to its deep symbolism allows me to understand why Kesey is so highly regarded in the literary realm.
5. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini – One of the many books that was just as difficult to read as it was amazing. There were so many scenes of horrendous reality, but at the same time, some of the most incredible writing and story telling that I’ve ever come across. I’m not sure I’ve ever cried harder at the end of a book.
6. The Red Tent by Anita Diamant – At first I didn’t think I’d ever like a book that dealt so heavily with a story based off of a religious tale, but the main character, Dinah, with all of her headstrong imperfections, is one of my favorite characters ever.
7. Gone With The Wind by Maragret Mitchell – Unarguably one of the greatest literary romances ever. The second I finished this book, I decided I’m going to name one of my future children Scarlett or Rhett.
8. Catch 22 by Joseph Heller –. This book was the perfect blend of witty writing and intelligent satire. Yossarian’s (by far one of my favorite characters I’ve ever come across) witty habit of signing “Washington Irving” and when he grew tired of signing Washington Irving, “Irving Washington” on his censured letters also gave my blog its name.
9. Farenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury – I loved this book. I loved everything about it; the 1984 feel, the almost tangible psychological maturation of Guy Montag, the amazingly frightening world concocted by Bradbury of a future with no books and thus no individual thought
10. Death Be Not Proud by John Gunther – One of the saddest, and at the same time, most honest books I’ve ever read. Somehow Gunther was able to do something I so admire, which is to blend complete reality with the most gorgeous writing.
11. Women of the Silk by Gail Tsukiyama – A book of Chinese life filled with everything I enjoy to read about; culture, strong characters, an entirely unique plot line, and courageous women.
12. Old Yeller by Fred Gipson – The first book I can ever remember reading on my own, and one I remember sobbing over for hours. Though I love it more than anything, to this day I (stubbornly) refuse to reread it, because I have no idea what I would do if I didn’t hold it in the same high esteem I did when I was younger.
13. Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? by Edward Albee – I am so amazed by the fact that Albee was able to write an entire play and story line that takes place in just one evening and all in one room. The wit and intelligence and hilariously deep conversation that husband, wife, and dinner guests have is expertly written, and more captivating than most dialogue I have come across.
14. Sophie’s Choice by William Styron – Focuses around an idea incredibly painful to grasp, and yet, the choice of choosing one child over another is buffered by deep passages and intricate relationships. Though she serves only as a character, I couldn’t help but feel so much for Sophie throughout the entire novel.
15. Shakespeare for Children – Though I can’t remember the exact title or authors, I love this book. I remember Shakespeare’s way-too-difficult-for-a-child plays written next to little cartoon drawings of Hamlet, Macbeth, and Romeo, all equipped with speech bubbles saying things like “Basically, lets go on a date sometime, Juliet”. Most importantly, I remember my grandmother reading to me nightly, and I’m convinced it is why I am completely in love with every Shakespearean play I’ve ever read since then…even without the cartoons.