Just a thought o'mine

I wrote this a while back in response to a tag on facebook. The challenge was to talk about fifteen books you've read that will always stick with you. As you can guess, this was a really tough task for me being that I love books so much that I chose to spend my days teaching them to the youth of America. I reread it today and just thought I'd share it with any of you who might be looking for a good read as we start the new year. :)

1. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee- one of my all-time favorites. I've read it at least five times and taught it more than that, and I love it more every time I open it.
2. The Scandalous Summer of Sissy LeBlanc by Loraine Despres- This is by no means a literary masterpiece, and it's a bit mature (by that I mean it is indeed scandalous), but it inspired me, interested me, and made me laugh-- outloud. It is my very favorite non-literary book.
3. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury- I love this book b/c I totally agree with his ideas on human nature and laziness and totally think we as a culture are headed in this direction.
4. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens- This remains the greatest love story I've ever read...I read it in 9th grade and can tear-up just thinking about it to this day.
5. Autobiography of a Face by Lucy Grealy- This book, while it is a bit graphic, tells the story of a woman who loses part of her face due to cancer. It really made me think about how we treat each other and deal with differences.
6. The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom- This simple story really made me think about what my life has been so far and what I want it to one day be.
7. Peter Pan by James Barrie- This was my favorite book when I was little, and I think everyone has that one special childhood book they will always treasure; this is mine.
8. Ellen Foster by Kay Gibbons- I read this in college and loved it. I really liked how even though Ellen is a child, she still has a voice and takes a stand to better her situation.
9. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd- I love the overall message this book sends about the South and stereotyping.
10. The Life of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck- Well, I love Steinbeck in general, but I just remember the emotions this book brought out in me when I read for the first time in high school. I love teaching it and seeing my kids get as fighting mad as I did.
11. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley- I know, I know-- there are a lot of preconceived notions out there about this book, but have you actually read it? It really is a timeless tale of greed, selfishness, and how sometimes good intentions don't turn out to be so good after all...
12. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston- I love, love, love this book despite its difficult dialect. I just really like what it says about finding yourself and how the people we love shape who we become.
13. Believing God by Beth Moore- THis book really changed, and I think strengthened, my relationship with God. It is fabulous, and I highly recommend it.
14. Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo- I love this book because I saw myself as a child when I read it.
15. As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner-- I love anything by Faulkner. Period.