Top Ten books you must read at least once

Random Ramblings have a new topic of top tens so me and chris put our heads together to come up with this list,

By Jess

1.Lord of the Rings, J.R.Tolkien

If anything just to say you have. I haven't read this and I doubt I ever will but Chris has and he's still proud – he should be.

2. Catcher in the Rye -J.D.Salinger

This is a real hate it or love it book, for example I loved it, Chris hated it. Sometimes books are like this and its good to know what side of the fence you sit on.

3.The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole aged 13 ¾ - Sue Townsend

This is an hilarious diary of poor Adrian as he struggles through school, friendships, the naughtiness his parents get up to and his love for Pandora. Honestly you wont regret it.

4. Wedlock - Wendy Moore

If you ever need reminding of exactly how far women really have come over the past 200 years then read this.

5. The Road - Cormac McCarthy

This book again seems to be a love it or hate it book but even most people that claim they hate it (Chris again) read it within a couple of days which says something about the power this book has.

and from Chris....

6.To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee

The only book written by the reclusive Harper Lee this story chronicles the life of a family living in a small, backwards town in the US. Surrounded on all sides by ignorant, bigoted racism and prejudice two white children try to make sense of the world watched over by their loving father Atticus Finch; the town lawyer, who makes history when he chooses to represent a black man accused of raping and assaulting a local white woman. Atticus’s decision has far-reaching consequences for his family. A thrilling read that can teach genuine lessons. I wasn’t the same person after reading it.

7. Of Mice & Men - John Steinbeck

A famous tale of two ranchers in 30’s America trying to scrape a living in the midst of the depression. I absolutely love this book and was glad I had the opportunity to study it in school when I was a teenager. Put simply it is a tale of friendship and the hardships that we sometimes have to face. It is the only book I have ever read in one sitting. One of those rare books that stays with you after you’ve read it.

8. The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath

I have only just finished reading this book and must say it has jumped straight near the top of my favourite book list (please see my recent review) I won’t repeat myself here but I will say it is a wonderfully sad story about the journey of a young woman suffering from mental illness who eventually attempts suicide.

9.Notes from a Big Country - Bill Bryson

Bill Bryson is my favourite author. I own many of his books and enjoy reading all of them. Asking me to pick out my favourite Bill Bryson book is never easy but, with a loaded gun pressed against my head, I would have to say this book pips the others at the post. It was actually the first Bryson book I ever read, I was introduced to him by my wife and have never looked back. I don’t have room in this brief space to highlight all the reasons why I love this work (I suspect an article on this very subject will appear here soon) but the book is unbearably funny, very true and full of Bryson’s unique brand of dry, sarcastic humour. A must-read for anyone with a sense of humour; I own three copies of this book just to ensure I am never without one!

10. The Illustrated Man - Ray Bradbury

This is a very well put together and imaginative series of science fiction short stories. Another fairly short book I only finished it about a week ago (I’ve been very lucky with books lately) full of original ideas and gripping tales. I often thought it fitted more neatly into the category of science fiction horror (some of the stories are quite frightening and violent) but this doesn’t mean I enjoyed it less. If you love sci-fi give this book a go.

So there you have our top ten.