My Favorite Books of All Time

  Since today is September 7th and National Buy a Book day, I've decided to take the time to write a list of my all time favorite books! These are books that have made me laugh, cry, swoon and have left a huge impression on me. I have more favorites, but I figured I'd only bombard you with fifteen...so here they are, my lovelies! My top fifteen favorite books:

15) Wonder by R.J. Palacio 

Wonder is the story of August Pullman, a child who was born with a facial deformity. After being homeschooled for the first ten years of his life, he decides to spend his next school year in public school...and the kids aren't as nice as they seem. This book broke my heart for so many reasons. For the pain August goes through, emotionally and physically, and how society reacts to someone who's different. Everyone should read this book, even though it's considered "Children's Fiction." Everyone, young and old, will learn something from it. 

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14) Just Remember to Breathe by Charles Sheehan-Miles

(Series)

  After a complicated past, Alex and Dylan find themselves in a work study program to help restore a semi-famous author's career, but what they end up restoring instead is their love for each other. Everyone has a dark past, but for Dylan- who's recovering from a grievous leg wound and suffering from post traumatic stress disorder after serving in Afghanistan- it's haunting his every dream. The story of Alex and Dylan, from beginning to end, is a heart breaking tale of recovering from war wounds, physically and emotionally, rekindling old relationships and battling personal demons. I love this series, this author, these characters and everything else that Charles Sheehan-Miles has compiled into the Thompson Sisters series. 

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13) Matched by Ally Condie

(Series)

 Cassia Reyes, the main character in Matched, lives in a society where the government (A.K.A. Officials) decides who you are supposed to fall in love with. Every 17 year old has their own Matching Banquet where they will finally see who they are meant to be with...and for Cassia, things couldn't be more confusing. All is well. Cassia's match has been chosen for her and it just so happens to be her best friend, Xander. But when another's face flashes across the screen, Cassia can't help but feel there's a reason behind it... Everything Ally Condie described- the pages of books fluttering out of the spine like brittle bones from a corpse, and the passion a boy has for words and poetry- was pure magic. The way she wrote, even describing a simple leaf, was absolute poetry. At points I even stopped reading, put the book down and closed my eyes to picture perfectly what she was saying.

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12) To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

We all know the story of Scout, Jem and Atticus Finch's timeless tale of hope, courage and bravery when times are more than tough. This book is so inspiring...so sweet and at times, even funny. To Kill a Mockingbird came out well before its time, but I'm thankful that it's more popular than ever in this day and age. I feel that everyone should read it at some point in their life.


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11) Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte 

  Born into a poor family, Jane Eyre was an ugly duckling from the very beginning. After her parents died, she was forced into the custody of her Aunt and Uncle Reed, who were less than loving to her. Following her husband's death, Mrs. Reed becomes tired of Jane's attitude and decides to send her off to Lowood School, where Jane is treated equally as horrible.But even after her rough childhood, Jane becomes a well adjusted young woman who finds a job as governess for a girl named Adele at Thornfield Hall. Where she also finds Mr. Rochester, the unpredictable, cocky and frustrating master of Thornfield Hall. (In my opinion, when women now read books about frustrating men who challenge the heroine's intellect and opinionated views, they're attracted to the original cocky yet charming man, Mr. Edward Rochester.)  I was given Jane Eyre by my uncle, who's absolutely in love with Jane's story.After reading and appreciating this book, I have to agree with him. Jane Eyre is possibly one of the best books I've ever read. It's shockingly scary, surprisingly addictive and absolutely wonderful.

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10) Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

(Series)

  Outlander by Diana Gabaldon is the story of Claire Randall and her adventure through the stones...

  In 1945 Claire and her husband, Frank, are vacationing in Inverness, Scotland, but Claire's vacation is about to get a little more adventurous...And Scottish. While searching for herbs located around a stone circle, Claire hears a faint buzzing emanating from the stones which rapidly turns into a loud humming, accompanied by sounds of battling men and galloping horses. Leaning in a bit too close, Claire falls through the stones, blacks out and is transported to 1743 Scotland. Almost 200 years prior to her vacation with Frank. I absolutely adore the Outlander series and its commitment like relationship. I've cried over it and I've reread some of my favorite scenes (i.e. the ghost Scotsman watching Claire brush her hair in front of the window in the first Outlander novel) over and over again. Diana Gabaldon's books are beyond incredible. Inhumanly amazing.

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9) The Red Tent by Anita Diamant

  The Red Tent is Anita Diamant's telling of the classic biblical story of Jacob and his four wives; Rachel, Leah, Zilpah and Bilhah. Although in Miss Diamant's version, she tells us the details of the story we didn't know, what we haven't learned from the bible; Jacob's relationship with each wife, and the love story of Leah's daughter, Dinah. I am not a religious person whatsoever. I have faith, I was born with a religion, I plan on keeping it that way, but it does not control my life/lifestyle. I get overwhelmed with religion very easily and I try not to immerse myself too deeply in it. I was apprehensive to read The Rent Tent because of its religion-based plot, but I was convinced by several friends that I needed to read it...and I did. It was fabulous. Interesting, entertaining, full of depth. There was nothing that bored me- it was just nice. A nice, sweet, inspiring and educational read.

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8) The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Taking place during World War Two, The Book Thief is a serious and emotional read that'll use and abuse everything that makes you human. But Markus Zusak's ability to do that, with just words, is incredible and mind blowing. The Book Thief is a book that'll stick with you forever. 

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7) Eat, Pray, Love and Committed by Elizabeth Gilbert

(Book and sequel)

Elizabeth Gilbert (or "Liz" Gilbert, as she's called by friends) has just gone through a really rough patch in her life, a few years after her overwhelmingly traumatizing divorce. So she ventures out on a trip to Italy, India and Indonesia to find food, faith and herself (and in my opinion, renewed hope for love and a romantic future). Eat, Pray, Love is semi- (if not completely) autobiographical, so when I read all about Liz's character, adventures and misadventures, Elizabeth Gilbert climbed to the top of my "Most Inspiring People" list. I absolutely adore her! She's so normal...no nonsense, clear headed (most likely because of mistakes she's made in the past) and most of all, the heroine of her own life. Committed is the "sequel" to Eat, Pray, Love and it follows Elizabeth Gilbert's life after her spiritual journey. I love Committed as much, or maybe even more than Eat, Pray, Love. 

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6) The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

The Perks of Being a Wallflower follows a very unique character named Charlie and his letters to "Friend" about his experiences in high school. It's sad, sweet, funny and an absolutely amazing read. Five stars all around! 

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5) The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley

Written by one of my favorite authors in the world, The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley is an all time favorite of mine. It has time travel, historical fiction and a love story that'll make you swoon and tear you to pieces. This book is perfect escapism and a complete delight to read. 

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4) Looking For Alaska by John Green

Okay, besides The Fault in Our Stars, THIS is my favorite John Green book ever. It's beyond incredible. It's your typical story with very non-typical events and characters...boy meets girl, boy falls in love, boy has adventures, etc. It's...oh gosh, it's just so amazing, I can't even...

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3) I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak

After Ed Kennedy starts receiving "Ace" cards in the mail with instructions on them...he starts to follow them. The first card has addresses on it...and after some convincing Ed visits each location. After finding interesting situations at each address, he realizes that whoever sent him these cards wants him to help fix...the world. It has a mysterious beginning with an intriguing middle and an end that'll blow your mind. 

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2) The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

 The Fault in Our Stars is my favorite book ever. It's a book to go into without knowing anything about it. Refrain from reading the book jacket, don't look up a short synopsis...just go into it with eyes (rhetorically) closed and let John Green's words take you over. Escape into it, let the characters tell you their story and let John Green lull you into a state that you wont want to get out of.

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And last but not least...the book (series) that (in my opinion) can never be beaten is none other than...

1) Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

(Series)

This is the story of Harry Potter, a normal and every day boy, with an abnormal secret. He's a wizard. Read about Harry's adventures at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, fight alongside him as he battles the dark lord, Voldemort, and reclaim your childhood. 

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I hope you enjoyed my top 15 all time favorites! Go on, tell me your own favorites and why in a comment. Thank you and Happy Reading! <3