I’m sure you’ve picked up I’m a little of a bibliophile. Of course, two kids and an addiction to the internet has turned my book lovin’ down a little. I used to be the girl who started a new book the minute I closed the first. I’d always read before bed trying to savor each chapter. Then I started doing the whole open-up-about-three-books-and-read-them-all-at-once thing. But now my modus operandi is to not read very often but when I do, I devour it in one sitting or as close as I can…I’ll read while cooking, while sitting in the passengers seat of the car, while folding clothes, while watching TV, etc. So, here’s my top ten list of books that were so good I had to read them in one sitting. (Or thereabouts.)
The book that inspired this list. I read Book One & Two of the Twilight saga a few months ago. And I really enjoyed them. When Becky let me borrow the 3rd and 4th, I was excited but I didn’t have that urgency to read them. Anyway, I picked them up this week and have barely come out of Bella-Edwardville to take a breath. I think Breaking Dawn was the best of the four. It’s the one where I finally started liking Edward. (I know.) I also loved hearing Jacob’s voice.
Arguably Francine Rivers’ best. Yeah, it’s historical romance, but I know MEN that loved this book. It’s the story of the Bible’s Hosea and Gomer set the 1850’s gold rush. I can still feel the pain and yes, redemption I read in that novel. Anyway, I read this one when we first moved to Celebration. I didn’t have a car and I was stuck at home with nothing to do…except read! *bliss*
Another by Francine Rivers. This is actually the 2nd in the Mark of the Lion series. I remember borrowing these books from my mom when I was in college. Les and I were married and we lived in a trailer next to a chicken farm. (That has nothing to do with it, just an interesting oh-fact.) Anyway, I was so into the first book I was reading it one morning in the bed while Les was still asleep. When I read the last page, it was such a cliffhanger I screamed, jumped out of bed and ran into the other room to get the 2nd book. I’m pretty sure I read this book faster than any human alive.
I love Anne of Green Gables. My aunt gave me the whole series for my birthday when I was about 10. But I never got into them until I was much older. Anne’s House of Dreams tells the story of Anne’s first year of marriage to Gilbert. It’s such a beautiful sweet book. Especially the sub-plot of Anne’s neighbor Leslie. *sniff* It still makes my heart tighten a bit thinking about it.
5. Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire
I’ve actually probably read most of Harry’s in a day because of the long wait between books. But I specifically remember reading Goblet of Fire like a speed demon. I read the first two books in this series and enjoyed them thinking they were akin to Roald Dahl’s humor. Then when I read the The Prisoner of Azkaban I realized JK Rowling was going somewhere with them and I got hooked! So, when Year Four hit the shelves, I couldn’t contain myself. We were actually speaking and performing at a kids’ camp that week. I remember sitting in our little room with an air conditioner that barely worked and I hardly took my nose out of Hogwarts!
I never did read Kholed Hosseini’s The Kite-Runner. I started it but when I got to the…well, the pivotal scene, I had to stop. It was too much for me. Becky let me borrow this one, too and oh. I know it’s sick but I LOVE sad books. When there is heartache and devastation, I could read for hours. *sigh* I still get sad thinking about this book.
7. Felicia Cartwright by Bernard Palmer.
I get my love of reading from my mom. When I was little, I had all the old books she had saved from when she was a kid. Once such series was Felicia Cartwright. I guess they were the Christian version of Nancy Drew. Well, I remember being about 10 years old and grabbing my gymnastics mat (oh yeah, I was a gymnast. ahem.) and setting it on it’s side in the corner of my living room to make a secluded reading nook for myself. And I read every single Felicia Cartwright book my mom still had. In one day. He wrote 20, I’m thinkin’ I read at least 5 or 6. I have NO memory of the stories. But still, it was fun to read them all in one sitting. I’d love to do that again.
8. The B Book
Oh, wait I’m confused. I read this one 24 times a day. Nevermind…
9. Uncharted
I picked this one up because the cover reminded me of LOST and Survivor. But when I started reading it and the first thing that happened was a…well, I don’t want to tell you. But YIKES, once it started I couldn’t stop.
10.First Light
OK, I’m not really sure if I read this in one day. But considering I’ve read all 50 (fifty!) of their books, I’m pretty sure I read at least ONE of them in one sitting. Brock & Bodie Thoene are the most prolific and insightful authors I’ve ever read.
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Do you have a Top Ten to share? I’d love to hear it! Thanks to everyone who participated last week. There were….wait for it….TEN of you! Woo-hoo! I’d love to double that this week. Can we do it?!
All you have to do is write your own Top Ten list on your blog. Leave your permalink on the Mr. Linky below. Then visit the other Top Ten-ers and spread some comment love! Who knows, you might make a friend or learn something new!
(“official” rules and grab-able button here)
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And now for the winner of last week’s set of TEN mini cards from SarasSmile—Dolly from The Dolly Mama! And oh, did you read her top ten? It was so sweet–all about her mama! Dolly, I’m emailing you asap!
Will Blog For Shoes says
I finally got New Moon from my niece, but I’ve yet to start it. I am going to make myself read The Shack first.
The only Francine Rivers that I’ve read was this series on the women of Ruth’s (I think) lineage. Well, I just read one of them, but it was amazing. I think I’ll reserve Redeeming Love from the library.
BTW, you love sad books…I love sad music. Seriously, I’m sick!
Great TOP TEN!!!
Katie @ Heart Gone Walking says
So….six of your books are definitely on my favorite reads list too. I think I’ve read “Redeeming Love” about 20 times. Amazing book!
Rebekah says
I love all the Twlight books!!!
Tiffany says
I’m a big reader, like you. I haven’t read Twilight yet though. I borrowed my daughter’s copy….just have been busy reading books I have to review that I haven’t gotten around to it. I was also a BIG Harry Potter fan. But I certainly didn’t read them as fast as you!!!!
Vanderbilt Wife says
I am a big reader but I haven’t read very many books in one sitting. But definitely Harry Potters 5-8 (wasn’t into them until after 1-4 were already out), Elementary, My Dear Watkins (3rd in a series by Mindy Starns Clark), and Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchy (one of the many times I’ve read it. The first Christmas we lived in TN we couldn’t travel nor had anyone here, and I spent most of Christmas Day curled up on the couch with it!)
annie says
Those are some of my favorites too!
Mandi says
Ah, I forgot it was Tuesday!!! Waaah! I love your list – Francine Rivers is my favorite!!!
AmyG says
I loved all of the Anne books! 😉
TCKK says
I’ve read some of the books you listed. I love reading, but I’m pretty slow so it usually takes me a lot more than one sitting.
Cynthia says
There are several of those that I have not read…thanks for some new ideas! I did read all the Harry Potter books at breakneck speed after they were all out. Great list!
Heather @ Domestic Extraordinaire says
I have read some of those books, but being reminded of Anne of Green Gables-well those would take up my top 10, that whole series I could read over and over.
Another one “Jacob Have I loved” A great book I got from the school book sale in like 5th grade. Didn’t get it then, but love it now.
misty says
Breaking Dawn is my least favorite book… it was the hardest to get through. Maybe because i loved Edward from book one. 🙂
I read a Thousand Splendid Suns in one day, too. I LOVE that book.
Stephanie says
This is a neat idea! I love many of your books!
Jean M. says
This is a great list. I may have to run with your idea and go with my top 10 favorite books as well.
I loved Kite Runner and still have yet to read Thousand Splendid Suns-I need to get on it!
Dolly says
So excited to win! And thanks for hosting. My favorite form of blogging is in lists.
Loved yours today BTW. We must be sisters I’m sure I’d have about half of yours on my list too. I just finished the Twilight series and was pretty disseminated with the last one. But, at least I found out what happened. 🙂
Dolly says
LOL umm…..didn’t mean disseminated!!!! Darn that automatic spell check!!!
ahem….
DISAPPOINTED is what I meant!
Becky says
I think I’m going to have to steal this topic in a few weeks!!
Mary-Carolyn says
When I first read this, I thought you had read all ten books, together, in ONE day. I was thinking you were doing a ton of speed reading! The only one on your list I’ve read in Harry Potter, but A Thousand Splendid Suns and Uncharted sound especially intriguing to me!
Liz says
Now I have some books to add to my list!! Thank you!
Karen says
I’m also a fan of Anne of Green Gables. I haven’t read the one about her and Gilbert’s marriage. Maybe some day I’ll get around to it.
Staci says
Call me simple, but I couldn’t figure out how to add the button…
…hmmmm books…my favorite topic. I have; however, read Redeeming Love. Very good!
KAT says
Great list! I LOVE Redeeming Love! Oh man! I also love Atonement Child by her as well…it is a toss up which one of those two is my favorite.
I broke down and saw Twlight the other day. I must say I need to at least try to read the books now. (And I don’t like Edward very much right now, but I’m glad to know he gets better!)
Janna says
I am now convinced…I will start the Twilight series when take a month or two off from school!
As for Harry Potter, I could have read most of them in a day – given the opportunity. I get so mad at myself when I read that fast though (and the whole experience is over), so I try really hard to pace myself.
Jen says
FUN! I loved this and was happy to join in this week! Some of your top ten are mine too (LOVE Redeeming Love!), and a few I’m going to put on my reading list.
Shawna says
I, too am a fan of your top ten list! I don’t think I have the patience for that length of post. I may have to make shorter style lists.
And on an unrelated note, I still can’t get over the fact that they’ve cancelled Pushing Daisies. I miss the Pie Man and his Chuck.
Kacey says
Oh, I’ve always loved the “Anne of Green Gables” series. I have re-read them many times. Also love love love Harry Potter and the “Twilight” series. 🙂 Now I’ll have to check out some of the others on your list!
Stephanie says
Loved, loved, LOVED “Redeeming Love.” I read it years ago and it’s always stuck with me.
And I’m pretty sure I cried through the last 100 pages of A Thousand Splendid Suns. And then sobbed when I was finished. And then instantly wanted to read it again.
BusyMom says
Love the Anne of Green Gables series. Plan to share with my daughter when she is older.
Jeni says
Thanks for posting this list – I’m planning a trip to the library, and I’m always looking for new books/authors to try!
Maegen says
Redeeming Love is possibly my favorite book, I have no idea how you read it in a day! Breaking Dawn was my favorite book from the Twilight series. I read it in a day and Caleb was so glad when I finished the “dumb books”! I’ve got to read A Thousand Splendid Suns next.