- The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay – Tied with #2 for my favorite book of all time. This book is powerful and uplifting and every time I read it I’m inspired to stand up for others. This is also the only book that survived the mandatory High School reading curse for me.
- Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell – I read this for the first time in middle school and it’s an annual read for me now. All of the characters are so vivid and I find myself learning new things about all of them with each rereading. I think I dislike Ashley more with each reading.
- Tandia by Bryce Courtenay – This is the sequel to The Power of One. I think I would actually save it first because it’s out of print in the US and just finding this copy was a challenge. Its darker than the first book, but still immensely powerful.
- The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins – OK so this is sort of cheating (3 books as 1) but I have the box set so I’m going with it. I identify so much with Katniss’s protectiveness of her younger sister (I’m that way with my brother). I think every single book made me cry.
- The Passage by Justin Cronin – Just finished this one on Sunday night and it is incredible. Its 700+ pages long and plot is packed into every single word. I’ll definitely have to reread it before The Twelve comes out and it wasn’t as easy to find as it should have been (Seriously Barnes and Noble?).
- One Child by Torey Hayden – I think I read this for the first time in high school but it was not required reading. It’s the true story of a violent 5 year old girl who turns out to be very neglected and a genius and her teacher’s efforts to reach her. This book has stayed with me for over a decade. It’s been reread so many times pages had to be taped back in. I covered the entire emotional gamut reading this book (and it’s not that long).
- The Help by Kathryn Stockett – Wonderfully written book with true characters and depth. All of the characters have flaws but that makes them more loveable not less. I loved how not all of the women with "help" were portrayed badly.
- East of Eden by John Steinbeck – One of my friends recommended this to me post high school. I think it’s the first time I truly “got” symbolism without it being forced on me in school.
- The Girl who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest by Stieg Larsson – I love them all but I haven’t read this one yet and I need to find out what happens (although I’m not ready for it to be over yet).
- Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer– Krakauer is the most amazing non-fiction writer – he weaves history into the narrative effortlessly making non-fiction a page turner. This is my favorite of his books.
