How to choose?

I love the question “If you could take 5 books to a deserted island with you, which ones would you take?” This is an extremely challenging question for me and I feel it changes every time I’m asked! I am going to do my own version of this today, and tell you what some of my favourites are and why.

1.       Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares (General Fiction)

·         This story is the adult installment of the teen series Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. It takes place a few years after the fourth book in the series and is absolutely incredible. This book is an emotional read for me, but I absolutely love it. I have read it twice so far and look forward to reading it many many more times. While I was not in love with the teen series, it is imperative to read them to understand the depth of emotion and the issues the characters go through in Sisterhood Everlasting. It is a story that makes you look at your own life and ask yourself if you are truly happy with your life/the person you are with/your job? A must read in my opinion!

2.       The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (Classics)

·         One of my all-time favourite classics, The Secret Garden is another must-read. It is full of adventure, mystery, and friendship. It shows how a little hard work can go a long way and you never know what you may find in life (or behind a wall!) I have only read this book once so far, but I am really excited to give it another go! It really appeals to my imaginative side and makes me want to find a secret garden of my own!

 3.       The Hunger Games (Teen)

·         I’m sorry, but who doesn’t love The Hunger Games? Okay, those of you who don’t are just crazy! Lol. I absolutely fell in love with this series and I have Tara F. and Carrie H. to thank for urging me to read it! I have read it twice since Mockingjay came out and it was even better the second time around! I find post-apocalyptic stories to be fascinating and also scary in that we never know what the future holds for our species! Will we live in a barren desolate place? Will items such as books, chocolate, and technological devices be a thing of the past? Who knows!

 

4.       The Clearing by Heather Davis (Teen)

·         I randomly chose to read this book a few years ago because nobody I worked with (or customers for that matter) had ever read it or heard of it. It is a fun little story that deals with time travel and, of course, has a bit of a romance in it. It is a short read, but I think it is very sweet and just a nice story. Not all aspects of it are nice, but I really really enjoy it! I would LOVE to hear what someone else thinks of it! PLEASE let me know if you read it!!!!!

 5.       Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly (Teen)

·         By FAR my favourite teen novel!!!! I fell in love with this book from the get-go! It is such a great combination of things! History, music, romance! LOVE LOVE LOVE! This book just spoke to me in a way no other teen book has. It is such a fascinating story and I cannot WAIT to visit the Paris catacombs someday! I love books that bring a little history into them, especially in teen and kids books because I think those things may be lacking in that generation. I feel it is creatively written and it speaks to many of my interests.

 6.       The Ranger’s Apprentice by John Flanagan (9-12)

·         This is one of my ABSOLUTE favourite series! John Flanagan is SUCH an amazing author! He makes you fall in love with his characters and want to live in their world! Halt is my favourite. I love grumpy men lol. There are no words for this series. It brings a smile to my face, warms my heart, and I am dying to read it again.

 7.       Kill The Messenger by Tami Hoag (Mystery)

·         When I think of mystery books, this is one of the first to come to mind. I haven’t read it for a few years so the details of the story are a little fuzzy, but the feeling I have for the book has yet to fade. It is by far the best Hoag book I have read (and she’s written some really great books) and it was full of excitement and on-the-edge-of-your-seat moments. If you are looking for a new mystery book, add this to your list. It’s fantastic.

 8.       Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson (9-12)

·         This book was recommended to me by a former co-worker and was such a great story. It’s one of those books that makes you appreciate the things you have and be the best person you can be. I think it is a really great book for kids to read, as well as adults. Anyone who reads it is going to walk away with a different perspective and look at the things they say and do differently.

 9.       Fablehaven by Brandon Mull (9-12)

·         I am realizing that a lot of kids books are ending up on my list lol. By far the BEST 9-12 series I have ever read. I really love fantasy books and this is the ultimate fantasy series. I found it randomly and picked it up because I was drawn to the cover of the first one and I have not looked back since. I HIGHLY recommend you read this series and anything else that Mull has written. He has a way of drawing you into his world and you don’t have to wish you were part of it because you are!!!

 

10.   The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (General Fiction)

·         Hands down favourite adult book. I will read this book so many times in my lifetime, I am so excited. I remember feeling a bit confused when I started it the first time around, but by the end I was dying for another go at it! I’ve read it a few times now and it will forever have a place on my bookshelf. READ IT! READ IT! READ IT!

 

These are just a sample of the hundreds of books that I love. I realize it does not appear so, but I read a wide variety of stories and genres and it is so hard to choose which ones are the best or which ones I could not live without. I love most of the books I read for vastly different reasons. Mostly, I love being taken away from my worries and troubles and getting lost in a completely different world. I love learning about other people and their beliefs and thoughts, and imagining worlds that could not possibly exist (or could they?) I love books. I love stories. I love reading about the worlds that exist in other people’s heads. I would LOVE to hear what some of your favourite books are and why. So let me ask you, if you could only take 5 books with you to a deserted island, which ones would you take?????