Thursday, December 08, 2011

My Favorite Books

I read a lot and I read in a wide variety of genres. However, there are some specific books that I truly cherish. I know not everyone will agree with me on my selection, but these are books held my interest so thoroughly that I could not put them down. If you have a favorite book or two or three, add a comment to this post.

These are rather old books, which means some are now available for free. Some readers don't like antiquated language, but I am a patient reader and there are very few books that I have not finished, but I loved these books--despite the fossilized English. The characters are terrific!

These are not listed in order of preference. They were all great books for me.

Gone With the Wind, by Margaret Mitchell

Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte

Ravenscroft, by Dorothy Eden

Ammie Come Home, by Barbara Michaels

The Crystal Cat, by Velda Johnston

Uncle Tom's Cabin, by Harriet Beecher Stowe

In addition, almost any book by Mary Stewart, Victoria Holt, Grace Livingston Hill, and Charles Dickens.

There are newer, more modern books that I have enjoyed as well and I'll have to put those into another post. However, the books above are what I read when I was young and they had a great influence on me as a writer.

8 comments:

Nancy Lee Badger said...

Sounds silly, but I didn't read most of your listed books until I was in my forties. I had poor eyesight and a reading disability. AFter the kids were older, I started reading old Harlequin romances. Now I always have a book in my hand.

Penelope Marzec said...

I was rather nearsighted by the time I was 12. :^)

Books are wonderful. I'm glad you always have one in your hand. So do I.

Pauline said...

Georgette Heyer, Elizabeth Cadell, if you like Mary Stewart, then you'd probably like Mary Elgin. She only wrote three books. I have no idea if they are available in digital. Also Alastair Maclean remains a favorite. And of course, Anne of Green Gables. Did you ever try Daddy Long Legs? It is available in digital, through GP maybe and I've seen it on amazon, so it's probably in Nook. If you can get the drawings, makes it more fun. My grandmother gave me Anne of Green Gables, Rebecca of Sunnybrooke Farm, Daddy Long Legs and Polyanna one year for Christmas. I got a bunch of PG Wodehouse free not long ago. I think they were PG, too.

I love the books I read when I was young, too. Obviously. LOL!

(I started wearing glasses when I was in 2nd grade!)

Miriam Allenson said...

Did anyone read Kristin Lavransdottir? (Sorry if I'm spelling wrong). I loved Anya Seton's Katherine and when I was younger, Nancy Drew...all of them! Yes, to Georgette Heyer, which is where I developed my love of romance novels. Cecilia Holland's book about a very strong Italian countess, who lived in Italy and married a warrior type. I can't remember the name of the book. I loved that.

Pauline said...

Am I the only one who read Sally Watson's books? First was Jade. About a young woman who turns into a pirate. Very fun!

Penelope Marzec said...

Pauline: I'll have to see if I can find any of Mary Elgin's books. :^) I never heard of Sally Watson. I read Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm when I was very, very young. Our oldest daughter's name is Rebecca.

Miriam: I found Kristin Lavransdatter on B&N. Looks interesting! I read Anya Seton's Green Darkness many, many years ago. I read just about all the Nancy Drew books. I should have posted that. :^)

Linda Hope Lee said...

Penelope, this is a fun topic. Brings back many memories. At around eleven or twelve, I started devouring the Nancy Drew books. Went on to Hardy Boys, Beverly Gray, and Judy Bolton. I loved mysteries. When I grew older, I read Phyllis Whitney, Victoria Holt, and Velda Johnston. Small wonder that when I began to write my own novels, I favored romantic suspense.

Penelope Marzec said...

Linda:

I read every Phyllis Whitney book I could find. I should have had her name on my list of favorites. Duh.

I enjoyed those old suspense books so much. I, too, have included suspense and mystery in my books. It makes the romance more exciting. :^)