(I did this on my livejournal [yes I’m back on livejournal, stop laughing!!! THERE ARE STILL PEOPLE THERE!] and it got a good response so I thought I would post it here too)

List ten books that have stayed with you in some way. Don’t take but a few minutes and don’t think too hard — they don’t have to be the “right” or “great” works, just the ones that have touched you.

1. Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams – One of the books I credit with getting me into reading for fun. I had all but given up on reading by middle school but Douglas Adams made me laugh too much.

2. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak – one of THE most beautiful books ever written. I don’t think I have ever been so emotionally involved in a story like I was with this one.

3. Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton – I obsessed over JP the summer of 6th grade – my mom said if I read the book I could see the movie (rated PG-13 ooooooh) and then my uncle got me the book on cassette (lol I r old) and I listened to that ALL SUMMER while paying Tetris so somewhere in the deep dark recess of my brain are huge chunks of text about Chaos theory and Dino DNA.

4. Shopgirl by Steve Martin – This book surprised me so much. I had been a fan of Steve Martin since I was a kid and I loved L.A. Story so when this book came out I had to read it. I don’t think I was prepared for how much it spoke to me. It’s a melancholy, bittersweet story but it’s so well written. I need to read it again to see if it still moves me as much.

5. The Stranger by Albert Camus – one of the few books I actually read in high school and liked and I always feel like a little bit of a bitch for actually ENJOYING this book since it is kinda messed up. I need to read more Camus.

6. Uglies by Scott Westerfeld – one of the first YA books I read as an adult and the series that sucked me into that section of the library. I’ve never looked back. Fantastic dystopian YA (before it was cool).

7. Y The Last Man by Brian K. Vaughan – best comic book series. ever. the end. Just go read it. I’ll be here when you have feels.

8. Everybody Sees the Ants by A.S. King – Do you ever just pick up a book based on the cover or an author and know nothing else about it and then it just blows you away. That was this book. I was not ready for how amazing this book ended up being. I couldn’t read anything for months afterwards because nothing else stood up to the story or the message. (my book thoughts post here)

9. The Last Unicorn by Peter Beagle – modern classic. So much there. I’ve gushed about Last Unicorn in another post so I will just link you there.

10. Blankets by Craig Thompson – a true graphic novel and one of the most TRUE love stories I have ever read. Not a “true love” story but a story that is completely honest about first love and young love and how that first love can change your life even if it’s only a part of your life for a short time. Craig Thompson may only put out books every now and then, but when he does, wow. (Habibi is also amazing and beautiful but Blankets just hit home for me so it gets to be on the list)