For no reason other than I felt like it, here is a list of books that I love! Books are pretty much my favourite thing ever (after Labyrinth, of course) so I'm actually quite suprised I haven't done this before. So here, in no particular order, is crystal owl's wonderful book list!
1) The Moth Diaries, by Rachel Klein. I've just re-read this, and it's amazing. It's one of those books when you read it, and then feel so sad that there isn't a sequel - you feel like going right back to the start and reading it again. There's a lot of drugs, swearing and sex but not in a smutty way (sorry norg!) and the images it conjures up are just beautiful.
2) His Dark Materials (Trilogy of Northern Lights, The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass), by Phillip Pullman. These have been my favourite books for years. I'm actually quite sad at the moment - they've finally started casting Lyra for the film version, and I'm way too old. I mean, I knew I would be but...I
am Lyra! I wish I could be her. Just you wait - I'm going to play her at the National Theatre one day. I also have 'Lyra's Oxford' , a short story that come after these which my sister got signed for me. I'm also eagerly awaiting the long anticipated 'Book of Dust', which Pullman has been working on for ages - we'reexpecting it to have loads of extra information, sort of like the Silmarillion. Which brings me neatly to my next point...
3) The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, by JRR Tolkien. I am of the opinion that everyone should read these at least once. If you don't like them, fair enough, but everyone should try them - there are few books out there as richly woven as these. Don't believe me? OK - the history of Middle Earth just barely fits into three books of about four inches each, then there's the Silmarillion, the unfinished tales, Tom Bombladil etc...how many authors these days honestly know that much about their creation? Tolkien knew
everything, and it's that which makes his novels so compelling.
4) Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte. I've always been more of a Bronte gal than an Austen, and Jane Eyre is my favourite. I love the passion and the imagery, and the romance of the whole thing. My brother much prefers Emily's 'Wuthering Heights' as he says there's much more passion and excitement. For me, though, all the violent passion of 'Heights' starts to bore me halfway through - I find the emotions in Jane Eyre much more honest
, and there
is passion in it - Mr Rochester cries out for Jane, and she hears him hundreds of miles away! I love it.
5) The Jane Austen Book Club, by Karen Joy Fowler. Yes, yes, I know I just said I preferred Bronte, but this book isn't
by Austen, or even completely
about her. It's very well written though, and both funny and poignant. The review on the cover says 'If I could eat this novel I would' which I orignally thought was a pretty weird thing to say, but it does kind of fit this book. It's delicious, that really is the best work I can think of.
6) Year of the King, Primo Time and Woza Shakespeare!, all by Antony Sher, the latter written with Gregory Doran. I'm an actor, so I'm bound to love these - they give you such an insight into the world of theatre, and how a production comes together. I get so inspired by the sheer amount of research and experiment that Antony Sher puts into his acting that I took my copy of Year of the King to all my Drama School auditions. Even if you aren't an actor or director or whatever yourself, if you have any interest at all in acting or Shakespeare then you should read the first and last titles. Everyone should read the middle one (Primo Time) as it made me, personally, really reflect on the Apartheid and the concentration camps, which I think is an important time in history to remember.
7) Memoirs of a Geisha, by Arthur Golden. I'd been meaning to read this, and then I was chatting to Atsui who again recommended it, so I borrowed it off my sister to read. It's not my favourite book ever, but I did really enjoy it - it conjured up really strong images, which is what I always want from a book. I love the fact it's in first person - Chiyo/Sayuri is a wonderful narrator, and I just fell in love with her, although there were moments when I felt like shouting 'No! Don't do that, you'll get in so much trouble!' This book is so opulent and descriptive, it's wonderful.
8) The Discworld Series, by Terry Pratchett. Man, I love these. I've lost count but I think we're up to about 30 in the series! My favourites are the ones about Death and Susan, but they're all good. I find these to be perfect for reading in the bath - a bit of light relief, and a story so utterly ridiculous that you just go along with it happily and hope it all works out! The footnotes in themselves would make a pretty funny supplementif you ever couldn't be bothered to read the whole story!
9) Eragon and Eldest, both by Christopher Paolini. I want to say one thing about these before I say why I like them; they are not original. As you read you are constantly seeing references to Lord of the Rings and other fantasy novels. Whether Christopher Paolini is aware of this or not is a moot point, but they are atpoints almost ridiculously similar. That is, however, why I like them. I know that sounds odd, but think about it - they may have copied a formula, but it is obviously a formula that works. Christopher Paolini has not written a groundbreaking epic but he has written an enjoyable, nicely told fantasy trilogy.(Yes, I know there are only two - there will be three in the end) Anyway, I
like dragons!
10) Harry Potter books 1-6, by JK Rowling. Sorry to end on such an unoriginal note, but whatever. These are well-written, original books, and I like them. I'm not a bandwagon jumper, I've read them since the beginning and Iove the magic and intrigue of them, as well as JK Rowlings off sense of humour! I have yet to queue up at midnight to get the latest one, but I am planning to do so for the final book just so I can say I was there! I do, however, get them on the day they're released and read non-stop all day until I'm done. I've had several people accuse meof lying over that, saying it's impossible to read the longer ones in one day. Well,sorry, but it is totally possible and I have done it. So there, too! And in case anyone is interested - I'm a Ravenclaw. :)
So there we have it! I'm sure there are loads I've missed out, but I read so much it'd get plain silly to list every book I like! If you agree, disagree of want to recomment a new book then go ahead and comment! Go on...you know you want to!