15 Books in 15 Minutes

When I first saw this meme on Mandi's blog I thought no problem, I can do this. Fifteen minutes came and went without a complete list. But I did finally come up with fifteen books. And what does my list tell me? I probably need to visit my library a bit more. After I started working I began reading, almost exclusively, what my mom would call "trash" books but what I call fluff books - purely for entertainment and books that don't make me think too hard, which means they usually don’t leave much of an impression.

Instructions: Don’t take too long to think about it. List 15 books you’ve read that will always stick with you — the first 15 you can recall in no more than 15 minutes. Copy the instructions into your own note, and be sure to tag the person who tagged you.

1. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens - "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..." I was hooked from the beginning.

2. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas - the intricacies of the revenge plot were so masterful.

3. Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell - Oh fiddle dee dee! I was fascinated in the beginning with the description of the dresses and the plantation and soon was absorbed into the story.

4. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte - This is probably my least favorite book but my dislike has stuck with me (20+ years later) so it made the list. What really stuck out in my head was the fact someone interrupted the wedding. I probably should re-read this now to see if my opinion is still the same but I shudder anytime I think about reading it again. It's like broccoli - my tastes have changed but every time I even think of trying broccoli, I'm immediately transformed into a kid at the dinner table being forced to eat it.

5. Persuasion by Jane Austen - my favorite Jane Austen book by far. I am a sucker for unrequited love stories.

6. Exodus by Leon Uris - an amazing book, interweaving several stories against the backdrop of the birth of the modern Israel.

7. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - Scout was the coolest.

8. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery - the red hair, Anne spelled with an "e" (which is my middle name), Gilbert - such a great story. Prince Edward Island is on my places to visit list because of this book.

9. Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne - this is for both the actual book as well as the Disney read-along version which I wore out as I child. I love Winnie the Pooh!

10. Charlotte's Web by E.B. White - the first chapter book I ever read.

11. Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie - a great mystery set on a train with a satisfying ending. It was a thrill for me when I was in Istanbul to eat dinner at the hotel where the actual Orient Express would stop on its journey.

12. The Babysitter's Club #3 The Truth about Stacey by Ann M. Martin - so when I first saw the title of this book I thought it said The Babysitter's Clue and I was super excited to read it because I thought I had found a new mystery series to read. But no, instead I found the tales of Kristy, Mary Anne, Stacey & Claudia which I devoured. I would save my own babysitting money to buy these books. I had quite a collection until one day I sold it at a garage sale.

13. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett - a simply magical story.

14. Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne - I never actually read this book. I read a lot as a kid and my mom began making me read a "good" book before I could read Nancy Drew, Sweet Valley Twins (later Sweet Valley High), Trixie Beldon, or the Babysitter's Club. I was in a rebellious mood when she gave me this one to read and decided only to read the end of this book (sorry Mom!!) so I could hurry up and read something else. Whew, I feel better having gotten that off my chest. Confession is good for the soul!

15. Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen - Elizabeth & Mr. Darcy, what more can I say? I have read this book many times and still get so caught up in the story.

And there you have it! What's on your list?