My Favorite Fiction List!

If you are like me, second to reading a good book is talking about good books!

Coming from a family where reading and learning were encouraged, my early years consisted of eating, sleeping, reading, and more reading. I remember an occasion where my oldest sister even fussed at me because that was all I ever did.

But among the lines of ink blots staining the thin sheets of tree shavings other worlds existed, and the stories woven and characters living and breathing there called to me with the euphoria of a sweet dream.

I will admit, there were times when it presented an escape from the difficult aspects of my life, and I eagerly fled to the serenity of nature to find a tree to rest against that I might return to a life where adventure reigned, daring deeds called upon the heroine to set aside her personal safety and do what was right, and you always knew there was a solution to her problems hidden in the remainder of those pages. I love, and at the same time, cringe (in a good way), at those moments especially, when the heroine ventures into the fray with strong conviction, but all the while you know she is making a bad decision and it will cost her dearly.

Classics have always been of a superior sort compared with the rest of my reading, such as, if you get one point for reading a book, you get two for reading a classic. So with this, perhaps, silly mindset, I sought to add as many classics to my mental library as I could.

That being said, here is my list of favorite fiction books, and yes, it is a little random:

Scarlet Pimpernel (Baroness Orczy)

The writing style is not so difficult compared with Jane Austen, and I think I read it over a weekend in my early teens.

Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte)

I adore Bronte's poetic writing style, and while the cinematic adaptions tend to give this story a dark atmosphere, I did not get this vibe from the actual writing.

The Secret Garden (Frances Hodgson Burnett)

Sir Knight of the Splendid Way (W. E. Cule)

Again, I thoroughly enjoy the poetic flow and the allegories reflecting the Believer's journey through life.

The Door in the Wall (Marguerite de Angeli)

I read this only a few years ago while going through a personal Medieval genre reading list. I know this is a children's story, but I enjoyed it nonetheless, and the lesson behind the story resonated in my own life. It received the Newbery Medal for excellence in American children's literature in 1950.

The Margo Mysteries (Jerry B. Jenkins)

Excellent crime mysteries!

The Zion Covenant (Bodie Thoene)

A Gown of Spanish Lace (Janette Oke)

The Chronicles of Narnia (C.S. Lewis)

Hands down the ultimate classic! I never cease to be amused and entertained with C.S. Lewis' style.

Buccaneers Series (Linda Lee Chaikin)

Over the years, I have held this series at the top of my favorite's list. The 1600's Port Royal setting holds a certain attraction for me, and having read a similar series where there was entirely too much emphasis placed on cheap romance, I like that Chaikin weaves an authentic romance throughout while not sacrificing a deep storyline.

Monster (Frank Peretti)

I had previously been under the misconception this was one of Peretti's supernatural novels, and not being keen on that genre, I steered clear of Monster. But when my sister went crazy about it, I gave it a try, and I am so glad I did! Great suspense, and it was hard to put down! Plus the way Peretti subtly adds the underlying message to the novel has since then, influenced me in the direction of my own writing.

Now it's your turn! What do you include on your fiction favorites? What are some moments in books you've read that you simply adore, or hate, or both at once? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

~Alissa