My 10 Favorite Books

I don't get to read as often as I would like to these days, but growing up these were my favorite books...ever!

01. Harry Potter and the Everything!

I was in a gym class in my early 20's when the instructor called out "and if you haven't read every word of Harry Potter by now you're an idiot." I had no idea what he was talking about but as soon as I found out I was addicted, so addicted I stood outside Waterstone's at Islington in the freezing sleet, waiting for the Goblet of Fire to be released at midnight. I cried when I finished the series and I still tear up when I think about Snape.

02. To Kill a Mockingbird

This book needs no introduction as I think every school child on the planet has read it.

It took me a while to figure out that Scout was a girl. What can I say other than it is arguably one of the best books ever written.

03. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

What kid didn't want a wardrobe like that in their country house? What kid didn't want to grow up in the country in a house like that either!

This was the first book I ever truely lost myself in. A magical wardrobe, a talking lion and an evil witch. What more could a child want?

04. The Wind Up Bird Chronicle

I still, to this day, have absolutely no idea what the hell this book was about...but I couldn't put it down. It's the kind of book that doesn't really go anywhere but takes you on an incredible journey anyway.

05. A Fine Balance

I knew very little of India before reading this book so was completely shocked to learn about the atrocities committed by the government against it's own people. Equally distressing was delving into the absolute worst aspects of human nature, especially committed against those less fortunate, or in India's case, against lower Caste members. Although many parts of this book are truely horrific, it is the beautiful spirit of friendship that shines through.

06. To The Lighthouse

Such a simple story and so beautifully written. There is no gripping plot, no twists or reveals, just a look inside the minds of a few extremely ordinary people going about their lives as we all do. What made this book so intriguing was just how relate-able the characters were and the complex emotions that exists in the seemingly mundane.

07. My Sisters Keeper

I love Jodi Picoult and have read several of her books, but none were as gut-wrenching as this book. I read this after I became a mother and just cried for days. After J.K. Rowling, she is my favorite author and Catherine Tate look alike!

08. The Bell Jar

Initially written under the pseudonym 'Victoria Lucas', Sylvia Plath committed suic

ide soon after this book was released. It is an incredible look inside a mind wrought by depression in a time where treatment for this illness included ECT.

09. Empire Falls

Another one of those books with a simple story line that doesn't really go where but this book beautifully reflects American culture. I still feel like I didn't get closure at the end of this book, I feel like this is the kind of book that could have gone on every day for the rest of my life.

10. Flowers in the Attic

Before Game of Thrones there was the equally incestuous relationship of Cathy and Chris, siblings forced to hide in the attic of their grandparents house after the death of their father.

As a teenage reader, I was mortified at the thought of 4 children being locked away from the outside world. Of course now as a parent, the idea of spending days in an attic with nothing to do but learn ballet is strangely appealing.

Thanks for reading!

Lee xxx