My friend, Jen, who lives over at Gin & Kerosene challenged me on tumblr to do a book love post. The original challenge says:
Rules: In a text post, list ten books that have stayed with you in some way. Don’t take but a few minutes, and don’t think too hard – they don’t have to be the ‘right’ or ‘great’ works, just ones that have touched you. Tag ten friends, including me, so I’ll see your list. Make sure you let your friends know that you tagged them!
But I cheated… and I have decided to do a blog instead with images cos you know, rules, whatever. You can read Jen’s original post here. And I tag anyone of my lovely readers who wants to join in to do their own. I have been an avid reader since I figured out how to do it myself at four (yes, really… baffled my parents and made first grade into a bit of a nightmare for my teacher but I digress). I have read hundreds, if not thousands of books in my life so far but these are ten of the ones that made the biggest impact although I could easily make a list of 100.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Because it inspired my interest in classic literature
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
Because it was my favourite book when I was a child
The Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Because it’s filled with magic and carries you on its epic journey
Kringe in ‘n Bos by DaleneMathee
Because it was the first time I had an Afrikaans set novel for school that I actually enjoyed and it inspired me to read all her other novels
Watership Down by Richard Adams
Because I have probably read it about twenty times and it never fails to absolutely engross me
The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak
Because it explores what it means to be human and how family is not just who you are related to by blood
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
Because although it is long it rewards you at every step of the way
Rant by Chuck Palahuniuk
Because I had never read anything like it
Forever by Judy Blume
Because it was passed around the girls in our school in year seven and acted as our introduction to sex beyond what we were taught in sex ed
Die Eerste Lewe van Adamastor by Andre P. Brink
Because no book has ever won me over from being so totally disinterested at the beginning
abbiosbiston 
I love Watership Down! It definitely makes my list. I’ll consider myself tagged. 🙂
I haven’t read most of your list, so thanks for the recommendations! I’ll be seeing what I can find at my library.
I’m really looking forward to seeing your list. I hope you find some on mine you can enjoy!
Lol, I already have! I checked out Life of Pi–haven’t gotten to the story yet, but the Author’s Note at the beginning got to me. ‘Your story is emotionally dead, that’s the crux of it.’ I *hate* that realization.
Great post Abbi, really interesting thought for that last one. I find it SO hard for me to commit to something that doesn’t grab me from the start, so good for you for sticking through this book. SOunds like it must be incredible!
Thanks! I didn’t technically have a choice since it was required reading for a class I was taking but by the end I loved it. I read it several times just for pleasure.
Jane Eyre would be my Cinderella pick. I love the story.
Me too. It’s such an enduring story.
Wonderful list here Abbi!
[…] A while back, Abbi from Where The Wild Things Are shared a book challenge: […]