My Top 10 Books of All Time
There are so many beautiful books out there. It seems wrong to narrow it down to ten, but that’s what I’m going to do.
I’m always reading, which means this list could change, but in general, these are the ones that have stuck with me. Some of them I first read as a teenager and have re-read as an adult. All of these books have impacted my life, and I am grateful to the authors for their gift of words.
I anticipate that you may have read some of these books and hated them. That’s okay. We don’t have to like the same things. Tell me the books you love in the comments below, and I promise not to hate on your choices! As long as we’re all reading, right?
Heidi’s Reading PICks
1. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
This book is many people’s favorite. It might seem cliché to have it as my number one, but there’s a reason why so many people love it and I’m proud to claim it. Long live Atticus Finch! (The audio book with Sissy Spacek is awesome).
2. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
This is one of those books I never wanted to end. A blind French girl, a Nazi boy, hidden treasure. Yes!
Several years ago, I had the honor of hearing Mr. Doerr speak at the University of Portland. He talked about the decade it took to write this masterpiece, which encouraged me to keep on writing even when I feel like giving up. Thank you, Anthony Doerr.
Me in hog heaven when my husband and I visited Salinas and toured the Steinbeck Museum. I’m the one with “nerd alert” stamped across my forehead.
3. East of Eden by John Steinbeck
I’m a Steinbeck nerd. (Here’s a link to the episode of The Chasing Ebenezer Show where I talk all about it). There is something about the raw, jarring imagery of Steinbeck that prompts me to examine my life and what I believe. East of Eden is both a literary gem and introduces one of the best psychopaths I’ve ever encountered. Magic.
4. The Good Earth by Pearl Buck
This is a book I first read in high school and have re-read again as an adult. Faithfulness, betrayal, greed, suffering. So many themes with vibrant characters that have tugged at my heart throughout the decades.
5. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Okay, another cliché favorite, but if you’ve read this book, you know why it’s on my list. And yes, it’s set in the 1920’s, which means I can’t help loving it.
6. The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
I love this story so much because it makes me want to understand the people I love. Ms. Tan masterfully weaves back and forth between characters and different moments in time to give you a meaningful tale of mothers and daughters.
7. Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster
This is one of those nonfiction books I’ve used many times as a resource guide. If you are a person who desires to have a life that incorporates prayer and fasting and generosity but don’t know how to view them as joyful expressions, this book is for you.
8. The Wild Iris by Louise Gluck
If I tried to describe this little book of poetry, I would annihilate its beauty. I just know it made me fall in love with poetry and nature all over again.
9. The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffeneger
This is another one of those huge books I adored. Yes, I cried at the ending. I’m not sure why I love it so much, but we can’t always control what we love, and this story is one of them.
#10 BONUS:
I spend a lot of time in my car, which means audio books are my friends. Since I’m giving you an audiobook as one of my favorites, I’ll actually give you three. I think listening to the cadence of writing and speech helps you hear how language sounds, which can make you better at writing.
-10. A Man Called Ove by Frederick Backman (The movie is great too). Spoiler alert: this book does address the topic of suicide, so if that is a trigger for you, then don’t read it.
-Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen (read by the author)
-Born a Crime by Trevor Noah (read by the author)
TELL ME:
Alright, readers. Tell me what your favorite books are. I’m building my 2020 list and would love your suggestions.
BOHEMIAN CHALLENGE:
Make a list of the books you want to read in 2020, even if it’s just 1 book that takes you all year to finish!