Some of my favorite books

I've never been one to pick out a "favorite" book, song, or movie.  I just can't narrow it down to just ONE because there are so many good ones out there.  It's like having twins and choosing your favorite twin.  I just can't do it. I can, however, share some of the books that I love - in no particular order. I won't give a detailed description of the books so I don't give too much away.

The Shoemaker's Wife - Adriana Trigiani
I am not a romance novel reader.  If you see a long-haired male in an open shirt grasping a busty woman on the front of a book, you can bet your bottom dollar that I won't be reading it. I just don't think that these books are good for women (or anyone) because they give a false sense of the reality of love.  I do, however, enjoy a good love story and that is what The Shoemaker's Wife is.  It is the story of Ciro and Enza who meet as teenagers in the Italian Alps at the turn of the century.  It is a realistic love story with struggles and triumphs.  I don't often cry while reading books, but this book has such heart and it got to me.  Read it and you won't be sorry.

The Greatest Miracle in World - Og Mandino
I received a copy of this book from a friend who said it helped her get through her very ugly divorce. It is one of those books that either helps you or means nothing to you, depending on what is going on in your life at the time.  It is a beautiful story that I like to read whenever I need a lift.  I don't want to give away anything about the book because you need to experience its story as you read it.

Watership Down - Richard Adams
When you read Watership Down you will enter a world people do not normally get to experience.  The world of rabbits.  You will enter the rabbit warren and join them as their home is threatened with destruction.  It is the story of survival and strength as the rabbits abandon their warren to find a new home.  Fascinating.

Relic - Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
The first book in a thoroughly engaging series introduces us to Aloysius Pendergast, a very interesting FBI agent.  This was a page turner of a book which kept me completely interested.  To those who knock the books as being to over the top with it's creatures, I have to say it is a FICTION story. It is not REAL LIFE.  I have read every book in this series and they were all fantastic, but this one was my introduction to the main characters.  This book was made into a movie, which did not follow the book completely.  While I enjoyed the movie, I liked the book much better.

The Blessing Way - Tony Hillerman
The first book of  the Joe Leaphorn/Jim Chee Navajo Reservation series.  Tony Hillerman weaves a fantastic murder mystery with traditional Navajo beliefs. This was my introduction to this series of books. I have since read all of them.  When Mr. Hillerman died in 2008, it was surprisingly sad to realize that there would not be anymore of these books.

Seven Arrows - Hyemeyohsts Storm
Native American mythology at its best.  This is the story of Night Bear and his people.  It is filled with stories of the Cheyenne people.  It is about how the European invasion of the new world affected the Native Americans.  Wonderful storytelling.

Anansi Boys - Neil Gaiman
I love mythology of different peoples.  This is the story of Fat Charlie and his discovery that his late father was Anansi, the trickster, a West African god who often takes the shape of a spider.  Anansi is the keeper of all stories. This was an engaging book. It is a follow up book to American Gods - which I have yet to read.  I guess you can say I like books with a touch of mythology in them. 

I hope you get a chance to read some of these books and get as much enjoyment out of them as I did.  I will continue to add books that I find that stand out for me as I continue working through my reading list.

What are YOUR favorite books?

Thanks for reading.