Favourite Books

This week I voted in a favourite books poll run by the Sydney Story Factory in conjunction with the Sydney Morning Herald. Artists will be designing new covers for a book of their choosing from the top 50 and these will be sold at auction with proceeds going to the Sydney Story Factory. Keep an eye on their website for results and get behind this excellent initiative.

It was this poll that got me reflecting not only on my favourite books, but on the concept of favourite books in general. I love hearing about other people’s favourite stories, and over the years I have discovered some wonderful books and authors through recommendations including Dodie Smith’s I Capture the Castle, Paulina Simmons’ The Bronze Horseman, and Richard Matheson’s I Am Legend.

I regularly pore over Top 100 lists looking for new inspiration in undiscovered gems - not necessarily the 'best' books, but something immensely enjoyable to read and something vouched for and loved by another reader. To this end I am often surprised by the books taking up residence in the top ten. A few stalwart regulars remain, but more and more people vote for very new bestsellers which, excellent as they may be, have surely not had the time to find a truly strong footing in lists of cherished favourites. For sentimental me, true favourites are unassailed by trends and literary flashes in the proverbial pan. They are the books which we can read and read again, that we love flipping through to find a half-remembered quote, that hooked us from a first reading, inspired us, made us think, made us smile. They helped shape our reading tastes and influence our future book purchases. We recall their characters fondly, like distant family members and old friends.

It is no small thing to be included on a list of favourites and, for the record, here are mine...

 

The Hobbit - JRR Tolkein

The first time I encountered The Hobbit, it was read to my class in primary school - an event which catapulted that particular teacher to new heights of respect and coolness - and I loved it from the very first pages. Years later, I received a lovely hardback edition as a farewell gift when I left an old job, after many times lamenting the poor declining condition of my battered paperback, and the two sit side by side on my bookshelf. I can’t part with the paperback even though it is falling apart - I bought it that same year in primary school. While the order of the books on this list may vary at different times, The Hobbit remains firmly fixed in the top spot.

Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen

There’s nothing like writing an honours thesis on a book to ignite irritation (Meg, circa 2006: “John Fowles is foul...”), but somehow P&P survived my thesis and therefore avoided being supplanted on this list by its endearing forerunner, Sense and Sensibility. The first book I ever bought from the 'classics' section, P&P is funny, romantic and satisfying. Imagine what might have happened had I picked up Moby Dick instead that day? I might never have ventured near the classics section ever again...

Black Beauty - Anna Sewell

I was one of those girls who loved stories about ponies. There, I said it. And you know what? I still am.
  

Dracula - Bram Stoker

If you visit this blog often, you will know about my affection for vampires. Admittedly, as much as I’d like to say I climbed aboard the bandwagon for intelligent, literary reasons, it was a teenage crush on Brad Pitt which started me off following his turn as Pantene-haired Louis in Interview with the Vampire (obviously the subtext was completely lost on thirteen year old me). Dracula was the first proper vampire book I read, however, and I am forever grateful that I chose such a logical starting point. The book is atmospheric and genuinely scary in places - I still shudder as poor Jonathon first sees Dracula climb out of the window and descend the walls of his castle.

The Day of the Triffids - John Wyndham

One of the things I find most challenging about compiling any Top 5 list is choosing what will fill the last spot, and favourite books are no different. I’ve always been indecisive and the last on the list comes at the exclusion of every other book, making it something of a big deal. The Day of the Triffids, for me, was completely unexpected, totally compelling and played on my mind for days. It only improves on a second or third reading, and that's why it makes the cut for my Top 5.

If you have a favourite book or a recommendation, I'd love to hear about it. Just hit the 'post a comment' link below.

Next up for me? After a few months of reading travel books in order to plan fantasy overseas trips, I’m still working through volume one of George RR Martin’s enormous Song of Ice and Fire series. I’m still deliberating whether or not to commit to the second volume right away, but I think a quick detour may be in order. Top of my list at the moment are Margaret Atwood’s The Penelopiad or spoofy horror Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. I’ll keep you posted.