My Favourite Books

It's list time!

One of the things I'm asked a lot is "what's your favourite book?" Well, there's just no simple answer to that. I have favourites in each genre. Since my novel is a fantasy novel, I'll answer that one today. What's my favourite fantasy novel? I have a few, and if any of you are looking for a good book, you can't go wrong with any of the ones on this list. Seriously, if you haven't read any of these, run, not walk to your nearest book store or library. So here is my list in no particular order:

1. The Hunter's Moon- O.R. Melling (makes me laugh, cry, yell. I love each and every one of the characters in this book.)
2. Moonheart- Charles De Lint (He actually managed to make Ottawa a magical city. I seriously went looking for Tamson House while I was there.)
3. Neverwhere- Neil Gaiman (His world building is astonishing here. And to be clear, I am referring to the novel as opposed to the graphic novel which is also excellent.)
4. The Sparrow- Mary Doria Russell (I have read this book twelve times. Each time I find something new and heartbreaking. Also, this book is technically science fiction, but I love it so much I will put it on every list and find a way to justify it being there. Jesuits in space! A planet of musicians who look like cats! A loving older married couple who bicker hilariously and realistically! Sephardic Jewish hacker traveling with the Jesuits in space! Read it now!)
5. Jack of Kinrowan/Jack the Giant Killer- Charles De Lint (Two novellas that were recently published in one since they comprise two parts of the same story. Girls kicking butt. Destiny, fairies, giants, awesomeness.)
6. The Song of the Lioness- Tamora Pierce (A quartet of books surrounding a girl who wants to be a knight. The Tortall books are amazingly detailed, and again. Girls kicking butt with swords on horseback!)
7. Maskerade- Terry Pratchett (It was hard to pick my favourites of the Discworld books. They're really all good. However, I went with this one because of it's hilarious send up of The Phantom of the Opera. I am also a musical theatre geek.)
8. The entire Harry Potter series- J.K. Rowling (I was trying to find books that most people wouldn't have read. However, I couldn't make an honest list of my favourite novels without this one here. I dragged my husband Brian to all the movies. (He asked if Snape was Harry's father.) And I just love these books. A lot.)
9. The Little Prince- Antoine de Saint Exupery (If you have never read this heartbreaking yet satiric little book. Take a half hour of your time and do so. It is one of those little children's stories that just stays with you. Whenever I feel down, or just want something familiar and cozy, this is one of my books I read. (for the record the others are The Secret Garden and A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett.))
10. The Lord of the Rings- J.R.R. Tolkein (The anti Exupery. If you have a year to devote, (maybe less if you read fast) and like maps (you may need to keep checking the one that comes with the book to see where you are) read this trilogy. The sheer scope of what Tolkein created in Middle Earth and its lasting effects on modern fantasy (hello Rowling your dementors are very much like ringwraiths, but I don't care they are all awesome.) is astonishing. I love every word of this over 1,000 page behemoth, and what is amazing is that in every chapter something happens! Every poem has significance to the overarching story. I don't feel that any page is a waste of a good tree. That is awesome.)

So, that is my list. Tell me what you think. I realize looking at it that I tend to gravitate towards sad books. I think I used the word 'heartbreaking' a lot. Huh. Yet, I consider myself to be a happy person. Weird. Also, I realize I cheated. Some of the books are actually several in one. Oh well.