One Author’s 12 Favorite Books
Yes, these are my favorite 12 books of all time, books that touched me mentally and spiritually and were just darn good reads.
Education of a Wandering Man
Author L’Amour is best known for all the Western novels he wrote, but this autobiography from him is my favorite of all his writings. Louis talks mostly about his early days in the 1930s before he became a full-time writer, his days working all kinds of jobs from mining in Death Valley to steam ships in the Pacific Ocean. He tells that one of the reasons he wanted to travel so much before settling down as a writer was so that he could experience all walks of life and meet all kinds of people to make him a better writer. Even if you’re not a fan of Westerns, you should read this book, because this isn’t a Western. It’s a story of a life well lived.
In Cold Blood
In my opinion, the best true-crime book ever written. Capote’s writing here is at his strongest, and whatever side you take on the death penalty, this book will question your beliefs. This non-fiction book looks into the 1959 murders of a Kansas family and the two men responsible for the slayings. You will never look at crime or crime stories the same ever again, the writing is that strong.
Dark Tower IV: Wizard and Glass
Of all King’s books in his Dark Tower series, this is by far my favorite. It’s different from any of the other novels in this series in that most of the book takes a look back into the past of Roland Deschain, the gunslinger and the protagonist of the Dark Tower books. Without giving anything away, it is one of the saddest and most heartwrenching tales I have ever read. Interestingly enough, fans of the DT series are often split on this book, some loving it and others hating it because it halts the main action for a tale of Roland’s past. I come down on the loving it side.
Paradise Lost
This blank verse, epic poem was first published in 1667 and it concerns the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. With Satan as the main character for the most part. Yes, that’s right, I said Satan. And it’s one of the most beautiful stories ever told. Satan’s point of view comes across well in this tale, though he is still a bad guy. It’s just that he offers up his reasons for being what he is and for doing what he does, though his reasoning is futile and not always logical. If you are a Christian, you should read this story to learn a different viewpoint. If you are not a Christian, you should still read “Paradise Lost” for the beauty of the words. Also, Milton’s writings have definitely had their affect on Christianity over the last 500 or so years, and this is the place to find out just what he wrote.
Something Wicked This Way Comes
I don’t have children, but I do have parents, and in my opinion this novel by a science fiction great says more about fatherhood and boyhood than any other book I’ve ever read (about a thousand books at last count … yes, I keep track). But there’s also adventure here, and by today’s reading standards this is more of a horror novel (or maybe dark fantasy) than it is science fiction or straight-out fantasy. A definite must-read for boys, teen boys, fathers and expecting fathers.
Starship Troopers
Military science fiction at its absolute best, but this novel is more than just action and combat (though there’s plenty of that, too). This novel touches upon patriotism and honor and machismo and all that goes along with it. If you’re one of those readers of modern military sci-fi from Baen and DAW, I suggest going back to the roots of the genre with this classic novel.
The Iliad
Quite possibly the first classic adventure story in a written form, “The Iliad” tells of the Trojan War with the hero Achilles pretty much being the main character, though there are literally hundreds and hundreds of warriors and kings and princes and gods of all types throughout this epic tale. If you are a fantasy reader, I think you ought to check out this one. It’s an original.
The Road Less Traveled
It’s almost unfair to pick out this one book from those written by Scott Peck because this was the first book and it’s just the beginning of his writings and his own personal journey of faith. At the writing of this particular book, Peck is still what I would call a secular humanist, but 20 years later, book by book, he becomes a Christian. Whatever your thoughts and feelings on Christianity and secular humanism, this series of books, starting with “The Road Less Traveled” is worth checking out. You might not agree with everything Peck wrote, I know I don’t, but these books can open your eyes to a new way of looking at spirituality.
The Stand
The King of horror makes the list again, and it is much deserving. “The Stand” is an epic tale for modern life. Part epic fantasy, part horror, this long novel follows both good guys and bad guys in a world that has been devastated by a vicious flu bug that has destroyed nearly all of humanity. Good and evil work against one another throughout this tale, leading to a climax that won’t please everyone but feels kind of right.
The Three Musketeers
This novel has been made into a movie many times by Hollywood, but not of the films have done this story justice. And none ever will. It’s nearly impossible. “The Three Musketeers” is a complicated tale that roams all over the place and is simply too large and complex to venture onto the silver screen correctly, unless possibly a director did three movies based upon this single novel. Yes, you will find here the expected adventuring and good laughs often portrayed in the film versions, but “The Three Musketeers” is much more. There are darker tales lurking within, and tales of humility and humanity. Tales that stretch throughout all the human emotions.
Watership Down
This novel is about rabbits. I realize that sounds kind of cute and quaint, but the story isn’t. No, “Watership Down” is an epic tale on the level of Homer’s Odyssey or Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. Yes, the rabbits can talk, but only to one another and some other animals. These rabbits can’t communicate with humans, so you’re not going to see something out of Disney here. What you will get is a tale of adventure, travels, life and death and struggles physical and even spiritual. Adams even created a sort of mythology for his rabbits, and a language, and it works quite well.
World War Z
The most modern of all the books on this list. Yes, it’s a zombie novel, but it’s so much more than that. Sure, there are some gross parts in this book, but emotionally and even spiritually this book goes far beyond the simplistic horrors of the walking dead. You get humor and horror, yes, but you also get hope and empathy and so much, much more. Really, this book has a bit of everything emotionally. And I really hesitate to call it a novel since it’s more of a collection of stories, though there is a theme that runs throughout. Even if you can’t stand horror, you should give this book a try.
Honorable mention – The Sandman
There’s one piece of literature I have to mention here among my list simply because I love it so much, and that is Neil Gaiman’s graphic novels called “The Sandman.” Truly, I believe Neil’s writing for this series is the best thing the English language has seen since Shakespeare, and I do not mean to exaggerate when I say it. If you are a fan of fantasy fiction, horror and similar tales, “The Sandman” series should be to your liking. Don’t push it aside just because you think it’s a comic book. “The Sandman” is much, much more than a comic book. It is sheer genius on the page.
Other book links
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Nice list! I’ll check out some i didnt read. Waka baby
Wonderful list! I will check some of these out.