If you could only name one–one SINGLE book–that was your favorite of all time, what would it be? I’d really love to know!
Here’s mine:
A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY by John Irving.
This is my # 1 favorite book ever. I have read it countless times over the years and each time I am just as profoundly moved.
Funny, Irving used to be one of my favorite authors. I loved The World According to Garp and Owen Meany, of course, and Cider House Rules. But over the past several years, I haven’t read a single book of his that I’ve liked. It is such a disappointment! I felt the same way after I read the first 5 Kathleen Woodiwiss novels. Loved every single one of them…but never could stand another book she wrote after A Rose In Winter.
So, today, I’m just curious about you. Two things. First, that favorite book ever. And second, any authors you LOVE who you eventually gave up on?
Leslie Kelly used to say she wanted to be a doctor when she grew up, but then she discovered Nancy Drew books. Being a flashlight-under-the-covers-nose-in-book reader throughout her childhood, she couldn’t think of anything else she’d rather do as an adult than continue to lose herself in fictional stories. Her real life marriage of 20 years to the man of her dreams is a constant reinforcement that happily-ever-afters really can happen…and that they’re worth writing about. Living in Maryland, Leslie spends her non-writing time laughing a lot with the above-mentioned romance hero and their three daughters. Though an author of more than thirty sexy, contemporary comedies, she has recently branched out to write dark romantic suspense under the pseudonym Leslie Parrish.
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Once Upon A Valentine
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This is a tough one. I feel like I should have some literature masterpiece as my favorite book. But I don’t. The closest thing to that might be East of Eden, but only because I loved the movie so much.
My 3 favorite authors of all-time: Judith McNaught, Lisa Kleypas & Suzanne Brockmann. I still read Kleyas & Brockmann, but haven’t read McNaught for years, mostly because she hasn’t written anything in ages. I have Someone To Watch Over Me and Every Breath You Take in my tbr pile. So I haven’t completely given up on her.
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A tough one for me as well. BUT I think it would have to be Judith McNaught’s Whitney, My Love.
I love JM’s voice, and her sense of humor seems keenly in tune with mine.
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There was another book by Judith McNaught that was always my favorite, but for the life of me I can’t remember which one. It was a historical, a girl traveling to London from the colonies…thinks she still loves the “boy back home” but ends up with a duke or earl or something. Similar to Whitney My Love but without a lot of the anger. Loved it!
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Loved Someone to Watch Over Me.
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Loved East of Eden too! My favorite of the “classics”. (I far preferred this one over Grapes of Wrath.)
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My all time favorite book is Emma by Jane Austen. I was 13 the first time I read it and have loved it ever since.
A favorite author I have given up on is Suzanne Brockmann. I used to race to the store to buy her books and about 2 years ago I stopped caring if she was even writing anymore. I thought I would miss seeing some of my “old friends” but I haven’t yet.
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I used to read Suzanne Brockmann as well but stopped reading her books years ago.
Cher
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I haven’t read Emma. Read a few other Austen’s and liked them but I don’t quite get the “love-love-love” that some readers have for them.
And I guess I’m also in the minority because I’ve never read a Suzanne Brockmann book!
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Woman next to me on a bike a the gym yesterday had one!!
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Great topic for this morning Les. The first question is very easy to answer. My FAVORITE book of all time is, wait for it….JANE EYRE!!!! I have numerous editions of this book. I can’t get enough of it. I feel like it was the very first romance novel I read. I loved how that young girl transcended it all, poverty, lack of love, etc, to become the confident woman she did in the end. And to find love, when she thought there was no hope for it. Wonderful book!!!
In re to the second question. I haven’t found an author that I gave up on. I hope to never have to do that.
I hope that all is well. Have a wonderful day swinging in the jungle everyone. I get to give my Spanish final today, and then I can start counting down for Spring Break. Woohoo!!!
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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Love Jane Eyre, too Paula! I read it first when i was 10, believe it or not, then again in high school, and loved it both times for different reasons, based on my own maturity level. Might have to dig that one out for a re-read!
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Definitely worth another read. I find that re-reading it at different times in my life, enabled me to see and experience many new things. I guess the maturity level has something to do with it.
I read Suze Brockmann’s books. I am a big fan of the Troubleshooters series, and some of her stand alones. My fave standalone is definitely Body Language. Les, you should give her a try.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is my favorite book ever. I re-read it almost every year. I’m sure I’ve given up on an author before, but really can’t think of one right now.
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That’s a good one, Liza! A rare case where I loved the movie as much as the book.
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When I ready today’s Blog I didn’t even have to think twice.
Where is Joe Merchant? By (wait for it)…. Jimmy Buffett. I know crazy huh!!!!!!
My Husband introduced me to this book when we first started dating in the early 90′s. I love it. I have ready it so many times that it actually sits on my night stand. This way i can pick it up when ever I’m in the mood.
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Never heard of this, Tricia, I’ll have to keep a lookout!
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Wuthering Heights – Emily Bronte, so powerful, so romantic it’s my all time favorite book.
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I don’t have one favorite book.
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What’s wrong with me?
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I don’t have a favorite book either. I have a few I reread, but none I’d say is #1.
The Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters is one I reread. Not because it’s fabulous on its own, but because it’s the first in my absolute favorite mystery series: Amelia Peabody.
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I haven’t read any Elizabeth Peters in a while, but i did love the first few I read!
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It’s probably heresy, but the author I’ve given up on is Nora Roberts.
I loved her Silhouette writing. I loved her early suspense and contemporaries. But I haven’t really enjoyed one of her books in at least 5 years.
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Try her Bride series it is like the old Nora Roberts especially the 1st one… take it out at the library and try it – it is really good.
Donna
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Not that surprising. I am a HUGE J.D. Robb fan, but not really a huge NR reader.
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Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. The most passionate book ever and not one love scene in sight. The movie version with Toby Stephens and Ruth Wilson is WONDERFUL! My second most favorite is Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry. The characters walked off the page into reality for me. And what a plot! I’ve read it at least 3 times.
Way back in the day I started reading Danielle Steele. Her first few books were actually good. They were well written with vibrant characters and solid plots. Now, I understand she churns them out in just a few hours and it shows. Guess it’s all about the money now.
Cher
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Lonesome Dove is in my top 10 of all time, Cher! Probably even my top 5.
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The Thornbirds is another one of may faves…the television series was wonderful too. Richard Chamberlain as priest.
I also loved Lonesome Dove.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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Ooooh…LOVED The Thorn Birds! Another blogger put up a few really long links to scenes from that movie on youTube and I sat here watching them all…lol!
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My favorite book of all time is “The Last Mercenary” by Diana Palmer. I just loved Micah Steel. He was a jerk at first but as time went by he was really a good guy trying to do what was right for everyone including his heroine Callie Kirby. I think I could read any Diana Palmer book and be satisfied.
I don’t think I have ever given up on an author. Three of my favorites are Carly Phillips, Lori Foster and Roxanne St Claire But Diana Palmer has two shelves on my book shelf full of her books.
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Fav book of all time? Master King’s, The Stand. Do I read him anymore? No. Lost interest with the Dark Tower series and never went back to him.
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Leigh, I’m sure you know The Stand is in my top 5. I LOVE THAT BOOK! It’s probably my # 2 after Owen Meany.
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I recently came across Gena Showalter, para-romance. I devoured some of her books and went in search of her backlists. I loved the LOTU series…until I read the third book. Somewhere in the middle of it I lost interest. I can’t pinpoint why, or what happened. I know she is good. I know the rest of the LOTU series is good because I still track her blog. But since the book I can’t bring myself to open another one of hers. I still have my bookmark in the book waiting for me.
It was because one character did something to go against his fellow “brothers-in-arms”. I know that it was necessary for the good of the story arc to continue but I was disappointed, even annoyed at the character. And now I am disappointed at the author.
Oh Well.
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I’ve read several of Gena’s and really enjoyed them. But I do understand how something in one book can just strike you in such a bad way that it affects whether you want to read future books!
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My favorite book is Gone With the Wind. I first read it when I was 12 and have been through many copies since. I love the movie, too, but the book is so much better. There are several authors who used to be favorites of mine, but I seldom read them anymore, among them are James Patterson and Patricia Cornwell.
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My all time favorite is Shanna by Kathleen Woodiwiss. That was my first “grown-up” romance and I still love to go back and reread it.
Patricia Cornwell has always been a favorite of mine and her Scarpetta series was always a must read. But I have to say that the last few books of hers I have had to make myself read, maybe out of loyalty or because I thought the books would get better and have some of the zing that her older books had. It’s kind of sad because it’s like losing an old friend.
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Carol, I love Shanna, though it’s probably last in my top 5 favorites of hers. The Wolf and The Dove is my favorite. Followed by A Rose In Winter. Then AShes In The Wind. Then Flame & The Flower. Then Shanna.
I think Shanna had the best hero of any of those…but it took a LONG time for me to warm up to her.
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SO many great books out there, but if I had to choose one it would be SCARLETT by Alexandra Ripley…
I have reread that book so many times it is falling apart…
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Really Colleen? I loved Gone With The Wind so I scooped up Scarlett as soon as I could.
While I absolutely love the overall story and the way the Scarlett/Rhett story ends (oh, thank God he finally had another little girl!) I just didn’t like the book itself.
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I recently did a post similar to this one on my blog. I had visited a website where a writer listed her favorite book of all time at Jennifer Crusie’s Bet Me. I tried to think what my favorite book of all time is, and I could not pick just one. So I read Bet Me to see what made it so special. And it is a seriously good book, high on my top ten favorites, but still, not my all time favorite. I always read Lisa Kleypas, Robyn Carr, Susan Mallery (not her Sheik books though). I still love Suzanne Brockmann and a bunch of others. I used to read Danielle Steele, but haven’t for years, and have no desire to.
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Bet Me is a very good book, but it’s not my favorite Crusie. That would be Getting Rid of Bradley, one of her very earliest! Still, very fun book.
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That’s easy…my all time fav book is A Bend In The Road by Nicholas Sparks. I read it at least once a year and just love the story. I don’t specifically know why I’m drawn to it so much – perhaps because the first line sets the story up on the day I was born. But, throughout the years, that book has always been there for me when I’m down.
As for the second question…I honestly can’t think of an author I used to love but eventually gave up on…hmm…
<3 J
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Jessica, I loved The Notebook but haven’t really gotten any of his other later books. But I do LOVE that first one.
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Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights is my all time favorite. I think I ‘ve read it a dozen times! I’m trying not to give up on Judith McNaught because I LOVE her books, but her newest book was supposed to come out 2 years ago but the pubilcation date keeps switching. I don’t even know when its supposed to be released anymore.
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Jude McNaughty’s “Velvet” series rank among my top 4 fave historical romances ever. Probably Velvet Angel was my favorite, because the hero was such a wicked, sexy rogue. Not at all alpha, just an utterly sexual, sensual ladies man. Loved him!
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Wow, tough questions today, Les. There are two books I always go back to–the first two books I read in the adult section of the library: THE SPY WHO LOVED ME, by Ian Fleming (which I still consider my first romance novel!) and Mary Stewart’s THE MOONSPINNERS (totally different from the Hayley Mills/Disney version!), which was my first romantic suspense novel. I went back and found first editions of both of these books. They now reside on a special shelf in my library, though I may have to see if I can get digital copies so I can read them without scuffing up the pages any more than they already are. (Yes, I’m older than dirt as both of these books are close to 50 years old.
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Why am I not shocked that both of us would like Fleming?
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Uhm…twin daughters of different parents?
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lolol you two! Can I confess I’ve never read Fleming!?!
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i think my daughter just dl’d them to her Sony too.
Possibly Silver, possibly
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Can’t name just one book, there are several: To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee;
For Whom The Bell Tolls, Ernest Hemingway; The Foxes of Harrow, Frank Yerby;
Saratoga Trunk, Edna Ferber; Gone With The Wind, Margaret Mitchell. ( Have I
dated myself or what!) As to a once-favorite author, (I’m ducking as I write
this!) Nora Roberts is an author from whom I have drifted!
Pat Cochran
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All time favorite book, I don’t think I have one! Gone With The Wind is a book that goes way back for me. I may have been around 13 when I first read it so it sticks in my mind. It has been ages since I read it.
Authors I no longer read, Danielle Steele & Lori Foster are the only ones that come to mind. I’ve learned to never say never!!!!
Interesting subject Leslie. I’ve really not given much thought to my all time favorite book. I have so many keepers you wouldn’t believe it!!
:Irish1:
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My favorite book of all time is A BOY’S LIFE by Robert MacGammon. I have his new book ordered from Amazon, but I have no expectation that it will be as good as Boy’s Life. That book was just plain magic.
An author I’ve given up on? Dare I say it publically? Janet Evanovich. Actually, just the Stephanie Plum books. I think I was up to six or seven before I said, “Enough.” Stephanie was not growing as a character and the interactions felt like more same old, same old. It wasn’t funny to me anymore. But apparently, I’m in the minority!
BTW, I heard that Suzanne Brockmann is writing another single title contemporary. I will buy it. I *loved* The Bodyguard and her other one…Heart Throb, maybe? I loved her contemporaries she wrote before she started doing the SEALS. That never appealed to me for some reason. What I mean is, I don’t think I ever read one. I think I read some of the Intimate Moments ones, but not any of the single titles.
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OMG, Julie! I had no idea McCammon had new books. I had heard he quit writing after Speaks the Nightbird, but it looks like he’s done two more in that series and another new one, so YAY!
Have you read The Wolf’s Hour? It’s my second fave of his after Boy’s Life.
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Oh, and my own favorite book is The Thorn Birds.
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Skye O’Malley by Bertrice Small. I have never given up on an author.
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I have to say that 2 books come to mind: Catcher in the Rye by J Salinger and The Promise by Danielle Steel. I love my books !! Also loved 5 Smooth Stones read that when I worked downtown and couldnt’ put it down.
Donna
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I love the classics. The Adventure of Tom Sawyer and Huckeberry Finn, Call of The Wild, Treasure Island are just a few. I recently have gotten hooked on old Perry Mason stories by Earl Stanly Gardner. What can I say, I love to read.
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The very first romance book that I read (many years ago) was ‘The Flame and the Flower’ by Rosemary Rogers. It was the book that started me on the road to romance books and is still my favorite for which I sometimes find myself comparing books with. Of course books and authors have become much more descriptive these days and that’s not a bad thing…
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Flame and the Flower was actually Kathleen Woodiwiss, and it was my very first-ever romance novel, too! I read it by flashlight in the closet when i was 12. lolol! I also read Rosemary Rogers during those days but I so hated Steve in Love’s Tender Fury (I think that was the title?) that I just quit on her. (So there’s another one…lol!)
One author who quit on me…Laurie McBain. I LOVED EVERY WORD SHE WROTE and then she STOPPED! Whimper…
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I’ve discovered romance novels through Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander. I’ve read it again and again. It’s one of my favorite book ever, possibly the THE favoirte. Anyway, I enjoyed her other books, some a lot like voyager and some very little like Dragonfly in Amber. Eventually I had to give up. I baught the hardback copy of a Breath of Snow and Ashes but couldn’t bring myself to finish it. I did’t even bothered to order her last one (echo in the bone). Unfortunatly I fell out of love with her books. Jamie and Clare are still PERFECT charcters but their stories have become really boring to me, with too many different characters and point of views… Too Bad :-(
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Em, I haven’t read Outlander, but it’s on my list. I just know it goes on and on through book after book and I’m not sure I want to get engaged in that!
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I go in two totally different directions. The first book I immediately though of- “Battle Cry” by leon Uris. It was one of his earliest books- 1953 I think. I have a first edition copy and was sad when he died a few years ago. I love his books. In many ways it’s a love story and it just always tugged at me. I love the movie to- Aldo Ray (yes, the one the character in Inglorius Basterds was named for)
The other would be Jennifer Weiner’s “Good In Bed”. I don’t even have to read to the book to bring a smile to my face. I loved it! I like all of her books. They always hit home for me.
I am almost to the point of giving up on LKHamilton. And I gave up on Stephanie Meyers 24 pages in. Real Vamps don’t Sparkle.
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Wow, what a GREAT conversation today. So many great books…I really appreciate the recommendations, and the reminders of some long-lost loves that are definitely due for a re-read!
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PS: Ev, I loved Leon Uris’s The Haj.
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Glad to know I am not the only one who likes him- he tends to be a “mans’ read.
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One is too hard. TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, FARENHEIT 451, LITTLE WOMEN & CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY are my all-time favorites, but I also loved JANE EYRE & WUTHERING HEIGHTS that so many of you mentioned. :)
Author I gave up on? Hmm… I would have said Jude Deveraux, but I picked up a couple of her more recent books and enjoyed them. Maybe Julie Garwood with the newer suspense books.
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My favorite book of all time – the one I pick up and read over, and over, and over again – is THE CHEERLEADER by Ruth Doan Macdougall.
It’s amazing. I recommend it to all for a great read. The book is set in the 50s and, while I wasn’t born until the 70s, it is the truest story of being a teenage girl and growing up, complete with angst and all the emotions that go along with first love.
Seriously – a fabu read.
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Forgot the ‘who have I given up on’ part….well, unfortunately it would have to be Danielle Steele. Sad but true. Nothing new or exciting in her work for me I’m sorry to say.
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Chrissy, I don’t think you’re the only one. I will have to look out for The Cheerleader! My teenager daughters might really be into that!
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It is a tie between Barbara Delinsky – Three Wishes and Linda Howard – Sarah’s Child.
I used to read Brockmann, Sandra Brown, Linda Howard. Occasionally read them now – Since Brown and Howard went to romantic suspense, lost my interest. While I did read some of the rom susp and have enjoyed them; I rather read straight contemp romance.
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Oh Pat, that’s too funny. I read Sarah’s Child and refused to read another one of her books. Hated that hero so much…lolololL!
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My favourite is “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. I’ve tried many times to explain to people how wonderful it is, but it’s one of those stories you have to discover page by page.
Regarding drifting away from authors, I loved Jackie Collins’ books and always looked forward to her next release, but over time I’ve lost interest. I think it’s because of the celebrity-obsessed culture around us, I used to read Jackie’s books to escape into that world, but I see it everywhere, every day. I’ve found myself seeking books with more meaning to them.
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My favorite is “Treasure Island” by Robert Louis Stevenson.
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It’s gonna surprise you…it’s not a romance or anything…it’s a book called…love you forever by Robert Munsch… a kids book that I read to my kids every day…..actually I sang it more than I read it but that’s neither here nor there….it’s just something that’s really special to me and the kids and they each have their own copy that they are saving. It’s such a cute and deeply touching story that I admit that most times I’d have tears in my eyes reading it. Did you mean any type or did you specifically mean romance?
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One favorite book, that’s tough! 1916 by Morgan Llywelyn, probably would be my choice. I love all things Irish, so I’ve read a lot about the land, but I fell in love with her hero and with the time period reading that book, which has lead me to read a lot more Irish rebel stories and learn more of the history.
I haven’t given up on too many authors. Katie Macallister, loved Hard Day’s Knight and Corset Diaries, etc, but just can’t deal with dragons as heroes. After one too many gruesome animal scenes, I vowed to never read another Stephen King, but other then The Dead Zone (book and tv show were genius), I wasn’t that into his stuff anyway.
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My favorite book is The Guardians: Loving Eyes Are Watching by Richard Williams. The author has been active in Christian Ministry for over 28 years. It’s a romance mystery where two people’s (a sister and brother) life is turned upside down and they find out where true help comes from. Two dogs will help them find their way back to the path of God’s love.
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Favorite To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
I gave up on Elizabeth Lowell sorry but its the truth I kinda got ticked when I felt like she turned her back on her historical fans and just wrote contemps. I know that was selling and historicals were not but never to write a historical again
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my one favourite book of all time would have to be “stardust” by Neil Gaiman. i love, love, love, love it. :)
and an author that i loved that i gave up on?? Anne Rice. and way before she started writing stuff bout Angels and Jebus.