I have been working through a well-known writing book called, Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Mass. His writing exercise was too hard for me. Three favorite books of all time? That’s an impossible task! I have too many favorite books to choose only three. I tried my best and came up with the three in the picture – The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski. Three is unrealistic, many others are clamoring to be included in this group.
I would also choose A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman along with The Help by Kathryn Stockett, Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White, and One Good Mama Bone by Bren McClain. These are all books that have fundamentally shaped me as a person and a writer. Then Jodi Picoult tapped me on the shoulder and asked “What about The Pact and My Sister’s Keeper?” Yes, I would answer, those made a big impact, reinforcing my love to write in multiple POV’s (points of view).
I’m sure that you have as long a string of books on your favorites list. Books that you discuss time after time, when someone asks you, “Do you know a good book to read?” There are others clamoring for inclusion on my list, like the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon and the Mitford Series by Jan Karon. They couldn’t be more different, and they are both written in lyrical prose, captivating and funny at the same time. They include everything you want in a good book – drama, tension, love, and humor.
Choosing only a few favorite books sounds like a plausible task to set for someone, but for a book lover like me, it’s impossible. I know that I’ll be adding to my list as I read more books. What books would you include in a list of your favorites? Look forward to hearing your answers.
