My Ten Most Beloved Books in Fiction

I have been noticing several book lovers have been blogging lately about their ten best loved books, which started me thinking what books would compose my own list of favorites.  It has been in the back of my mind for a few days and it is not an easy task to set oneself to accomplishing.  I suppose it would be similiar to having to identify your most favorite child; like our own version of Sophie's Choice.  So, after much agonizing thought, here is my list of my top ten favorite books.

Addendum:  since it would not be fair to list all books within one series as one choice, I will be identifying my most favorite book within a series.

1.  Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling.  Even though I love the entire series, I am partial to HBP for two reasons.  First, as Snape is my most favorite character, I appreciate understanding more of his background and motivation.  Second, I really love the time that Harry and Dumbledore spend together.  

2.  Dune by Frank Herbert.  Like many others, I consider Dune to be the best writing in the science fiction genre.  The world building is magnificent and the intelligence behind the prose is most stunning.  This is the first book that evolved into the Dune Saga of six excellent books.

3.  The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien.  Yes, I love The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings, but it is The Silmarillion that gives you the epic backstory of the creation of Middle Earth and its inhabitants.

4.  The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova.   I believe this is the finest example of a first novel that I have ever read.  The author's command of time and place, characterization and plot, gives the novel a enjoyable and thrilling readability.  This book is sheer pleasure.

5.  The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.  Spain, a book shop, plus a mystery.  Need I say anymore?

6.  To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.  The finest example of American fiction.

7.  Beach Music by Pat Conroy.  My wife and I love South Carolina and Conroy, being a Charleston native, easily captures the wonderful nuances of this great city and its people.

8.  The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss.   Fantasy fiction where each and every word is magical.

9.  At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon.  This is the flagship in the Mitford series and introduces us to Father Tim, Cynthia, Dooley, and the others who populate this quaint and beautiful North Carolina town.

10.  Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay.  A haunting glimpse into the French betrayal of the Jews in World War II.

Comments

[Bryan Sherwood]

Since I've not read any of your picks, I should add them to my list of books to read. I've been told that Susan Howatch's series is an enjoyable look at Anglicanism through the eyes of her fictional characters. You might enjoy that series too.

[DEM]

The Mitford series. I love that series!