Today I am participating in a blogfest hosted by Teralyn Rose Pilgrim. The wonderful object of this blogfest is to provide a list of your 5 favorite books, with a one-sentence synopsis of each and a one-sentence explanation of why they are so adored.
The challenge, of course, was picking only 5 books. The books below were selected primarily because I do love them, but also because I have read all of them more than once. I figured that must mean I really, really liked them...
1. East of Eden, John Steinbeck: A modern-day retelling of the Garden of Eden story, the story centers around the family life of Adam Trask, his beguiling and cruel wife Cathy, and their two sons, Cal and Aron. I am not skilled enough to do justice to this book in one sentence - but, I loved it primarily because it so beautifully explores the fallen state of man and the redemptive power of our ability to act for ourselves.
2. Anne of Green Gables, L.M. Montgomery: The precocious, indomitable Anne finds her home with the Cuthberts on Prince Edward Island. But I don't really need to tell you this, do I? I loved this book when I read it as a child, and I loved it when I read it as an adult - both for the innocent, simpler setting it takes place in, and for the wonderfully alive characters Montgomery creates.
3. The Street, Ann Petry: Set in Harlem in the 1940s, the novel follows Lutie Johnson, a single black mother, as she struggles to find a way to move her and her son out of their dead-end environment. The novel turns on its head the notion that all it takes to succeed is hard-work and education; it is a powerful, emotional, engaging story.
4. 1984, George Orwell: The classic dystopian novel follows Winston Smith's fight against, and ultimate acceptance of, Big Brother. My husband and I recently listened to the audio book, and we were blown away by the fantastic writing and were so engaged in Winston's attempt to resist Big Brother - when the narrator read the last line of the book, we both were yelling in disbelief.
5. The Time Traveler's Wife, Audrey Niffenegger: An untraditional love story between Clare and time-traveling Henry. I love this book because it is like no love story I have ever read before, and I loved how it explored time, self, and agency.
I'm always looking for new favorites. What are some of yours?
I love Anne of Green Gables, although I think I actually appreciated it a lot more when reading it as an adult.
ReplyDeleteI've read Animal Farm but not 1984. It is however on the to read list. I loved Animal Farm although I loved watching my midget sister who actually studied politics at school reading it even more. She got so angry.
The Time Traveler's wife I also loved although I prefered the pace of the first half of it.
Now I shall have to go search out some of these that I haven't read.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea this was. :)
I hope 'The Street' has a happy ending ...
ReplyDeleteGreat list of classic books and I will seek out the audio of 1984. I also think you sold yourself short when you said you can't do justice in a line - you did very well so I'm going to be a new follower. I came via the blog fest and you can read my selections, (which I don't think are as well done as yours) on my blog. I'm number 13 - the one about kangaroos!
ReplyDeleteI loved Anne of Green Gables, too. Such a simpler world back then. Thanks for the reviews, they were great! I'm a new follower :)
ReplyDeleteI've wanted to read 1984 for years. I'll go to the library and pick that one up. I really like John Steinbeck but have not read East of Eden. Thanks for your reviews.
ReplyDeleteOf course you already know how I have adored East of Eden since I was 16 but I think it's time for me to read 1984. That book keeps being brought up. It's like being hit with a hammer :)
ReplyDelete1984 is a good one! I didn't think of that one when putting together my list.
ReplyDeleteI loved Anne of Green Gables as a child. I've recently downloaded to my Kindle to read it again, but I'm a bit anxious because I'm afraid rereading it might ruin the magic.
ReplyDelete1984 is great as well. I haven't read the other 3, so thanks for the suggestions. :-)
Recently read my first Steinbeck - loved it! Some of these were already on my TBR list, the others I added ;)
ReplyDeleteI always like to read what you approve. Seeing how you are a true book snob. I have read Anne of Green Gables and 1984. The rest will be read by the end of summer! Thanks!!
ReplyDelete-Stacy
I just re-read 1984 not long ago and it really is a fantastic book. My favorite books ever are the Hunger Games series. My kids and I just read The Maze Runner and that's a new favorite, too.
ReplyDelete1984 is a creepy book but oh so good!! And Anne of Green Gables used to be my favorite as a kid. :) Great choices!!
ReplyDelete~TRA
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