This is a MEME I saw on amyxaphania s LJ this morning and decided to snag -

Fifteen books you've read that will always stick with you.

So, here goes .... in no particular order :-


1) Anne of Green Gables (and series) - L.M. Montgomery
Mum has the full series, and I was given book 1 when I was 10, which I read and loved.  Mum then lent me the rest.  To read of an un-wanted 10 year old moving and settling into a loving family, and then going on to university, marrying, and seeing her children in World war 1.  A great series, and one I still re-read.


2)  Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
A great story of an impossible love - starting again with an unwanted child growing up to care for another.  It is a beautiful story, full of heartache, and written about some of the sad social problems of the time, such as schools.

3)  The Mallory Towers series - Enid Blyton
When I was a kid I think I wore these books out - and although haven't read them in years, they will always be part of my life - dreaming of lacrosse and midnight feasts!

4)  Gone with the Wind - Margaret Mitchell
I read it before I saw the film.  It is the first book that I actually fell asleep reading ... at about 4 am!  An amazing love story set during the American Civil War.

5)  North and South (trilogy) - John Jakes
The middle book is set during the American Civil War as well.  A great story of 2 families who, although they come from different backgrounds, find friendship is the over-riding factor.  Sadly the third book is not well written, but the other 2 are lovely.

6)  The Princess Bride - William Goldman
I first read this book in 1980.  A friend borrowed it from the library at the advice of one of the staff ... and she read it straight through.  She lent it to me, as it was an escape from revising for our first year finals at college!  Great book that I am so glad was filmed, so more people could discover it.

7)  The Thorn Birds - Colleen McCullough
The first book I actually read through the night.  Couldn't wait to find out if the Catholic priest would break his vows!

8)  Noddy series - Enid Blyton
As a kid Mum and Dad always read to me each night - and dreaded me getting out a Noddy book, as I knew the off by heart and they couldn't skip a word for an early night!

9)  The Following of the Star - Florence L. Barclay
Starting at Christmas it is the story of a rich cynical woman who marries an ailing vicar the day before he travels off to Africa to become a missionary.  It is a story of discovery - both of faith and of love.

10)  H.M.S.Ullyses - Alistair Maclean
I have read a lot of his books as a teen and 20s, but this one sticks in my mind, because like all his books there is that final twist, and although expecting it, I was still suprised when it turned up!

11)  The Dresdon series - J.M. Butcher 
I haven't read much other than Spuffy over the last few years, and only started listening to the CDs as they were given to me as a gift (Thank you Carolyn!), and because they were James!!!!  But having heard 1-4, I couldn't wait to know what happened, and have now read ... and re-read.  I just love the characters, and do always hear James voice in my head for some of the sentances!

12)  Testament of Youth (and Testament of Experience) - Vera Britten
A girl, her brother and 3 friends during World War 1 ... a great book written by her, and based on her diaries.

13)  When We Were Very Young (and Now we are 6) - A.A. Milne
I am hopeless at remembering poetry, yet these 2 books are different - I still love them, and know about 1/2 of them from memory even now.

14)  1066 And All That - W.C. Sellar and R.J. Yeatman
A short and cynical view to British history.  I gave up history at school, but this is full of lesser know details, and a graet read.

15)  Brave New World - Aldous Huxtley
I have always enjoyed sci fi on TV - but also in some books, and this is my favourite.  A great idea at trying to regulate humanity, yet discovering that those who don't fit the pattern are great.