WARNING: Most of the books I read are not squeaky-clean and contain profanity, immorality, or murder. My favorite genre is nonfiction, and true historical accounts often contain these vices. In no way do I want to promote evil, but many times good outweighs the evil and I choose to focus on that. Also, I am not a believer in living in purposeful ignorance to the world we live in and historical events. Most of the books listed here are for mature adults.
Top ten nonfiction (not ranked):
- We Die Alone (David Howarth)
- The Long Walk (Slavomir Rawicz)
- Unbroken (Laura Hillenbrand)
- The Sun Does Shine (Anthony Ray Hinton)
- Night (Elie Wiesel)
- Shadow Divers (Robert Kurson)
- A Higher Call (Adam Makos)
- In the Heart of the Sea (Nathaniel Philbrick)
- Roots (Alex Haley)
- The Boys in the Boat (Daniel James Brown)
Most favorite classics:
- Les Misérables (Victor Hugo)
- A Tale of Two Cities (Charles Dickens)
Top five fiction (not ranked):
- The Book Thief (Markus Zusak)
- The Nightingale (Kristin Hannah)
- The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (John Boyne)
- All the Light We Cannot See (Anthony Doerr)
- The Hobbit (J.R.R. Tolkien)
My top five all-time favorites are a mix of fiction and nonfiction. Some of the books that are on these lists are favorites because I love the way they're written and the language the author uses. Best first line ever? (my opinion) "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times . . ." comes from A Tale of Two Cities. The Book Thief is narrated by Death and has some of the most beautiful writing I've ever read, but again that's my opinion. You might not agree.
Top five all time favorites, ranked:
- Unbroken
- Night
- A Higher Call
- A Tale of Two Cities
- The Book Thief
Hey! Thanks for the list! I love nonfiction stories and definitely have read a few WWII! The last book I listened to was The Elephant Whisperer.
ReplyDeleteCool, now I have some more ideas! 5 out of your top 10 N/F I've yet to read, listening to "Night" even now. ;-)
ReplyDeleteWhen I listened to "Night" it affected my mood and made me sad for several days!
DeleteI can tell you have different reading taste than I do! My favorite genre is young adult. I also like reading memoirs of people who are still living. In With the Out Crowd (YA) or Expecting Adam(memoir) anyone? I did read some of Unbroken and I think what made it bearable to me was the beautiful ending.
ReplyDeleteGoing to check out Expecting Adam! I enjoy YA also. I believe The Book Thief and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas are in that category.
DeleteI picked up The Book Thief at a second hand store but have yet to read it. I did not expect it to be narrated by death and was taken back! But now I may read it after all! I also own Tale of Two Cities, yet to be read.. I enjoyed The Nightengale and All the Light We Cannot See. Jacob LOVES Unbroken and other books from that era.. 😏 My last favorite read is Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine!!!! I'm so happy to be reading again.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, when I started reading The Book Thief I wasn't super impressed! But by the end of the book I had changed my mind. Also I think the second time I read A Tale of Two Cities is when I began to appreciate it. I think I was too young the first time and didn't know the historical context. It helps if you know a little about the French Revolution. I enjoy Charles Dickens' writing style as well, but I know some people don't.
DeleteAnd yes, I liked Expecting Adam! Educated is another fascinating memoir by Tara Westover.
ReplyDeleteYeah... join Goodreads. ;) Currently reading Hearts of Resistance and Issac's Storm over here.
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