Monday, April 19, 2010

Musing Mondays - "Best Books"

Your regularly scheduled Graphic Novel Monday will return next week.

Musing Mondays2

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about the ‘best’ books'.

Last week I had you all to suggest your top 5 books – and I was surprised by just how different all your choices were! There’s no real question this week, except to look over the list and consider it. Do you agree with the choices? Is it more worth of a “Best Book” title?

I didn't participate in last week's Musing Mondays, so I'm going to just list my top five books and talk about what makes a book a "best book" for me- then I'd love to hear your thoughts, too.

My top five, in no particular order:

  • Possession, by A.S. Byatt
  • Alias Grace, by Margaret Atwood
  • My Father's Paradise, by Ariel Sabar
  • Oscar and Lucinda, by Peter Carey
  • Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte.
Most of these won't come as a surprise for regular readers. But why? Well, for me, a best book has to combine all of the major appeal factors- great writing, strong plot, vivid characters and fully-realized setting. All of these books do all of these things. Possession takes my breath away; Alias Grace is a marvel; My Father's Paradise is a beautiful true story; Oscar and Lucinda makes me cry; Jane Eyre was the formative novel of my younger years. There are lots more I could name- A Walk in the Woods, Cosmos, and on and on (I have 38 books listed as "Favorites" in my LibraryThing account), but virtually every one meets the criteria above. Looking over the list on Rebecca's site, there are a lot of great books there- and some I'd disagree with, too! But that's bound to happen.

Musing Mondays is hosted by Rebecca at Just One More Page...

10 comments:

caite said...

well, I have read one, Jane Eyre.

Now, I do know you are an Atwood fan, but I have never read Grace. Ok, I have never heard of it. And I do have Possession kicking around here, somewhere, but have not read it yet.

I find which you disagree with the more interesting question...lol

Zibilee said...

I agree with all your choices! They are great books and I can see why they are on your top five list! I especially love Possession!

Tribute Books said...

these books look great.

Hannah Stoneham said...

What a cracking list of books - I don't take issue with any of these.... I think that you would probably enjoy the novels of Rose Tremain...

Thanks for sharing

Hannah

Anonymous said...

You know that Jane Eyre is my all time favorite...with Possession being right up there.

Your other choices are excellent. My Father's Paradise is a beautiful family story and journey.

bermudaonion said...

I've only read 2 of the 5 and I loved them both, so I think I should check out the other 3.

Kathleen said...

Of these, I've only read Jane Eyre. I am seriously behind with my reading!

Library Cat said...

I think I would be hard pressed to say what my favorite book is because there are so many that I really enjoyed at the time I read them.

Shelley said...

I loved Alias Grace and Jane Eyre, so I'll have to trust you on the others and give them a try. Time and time again I see praises for Possession and yet I have not read it yet. What's wrong with me?

KY Warrior Librarian said...

Incredibly interesting list. The only one I've read is Jane Eyre, but have added the others to my "To Read" list. Thanks.