Thread: Top Ten Favorite Books and Why

6 - Shake Hands With The Devil, Romeo Dallaire - The book that broke my heart. You want to know just how cruel human beings can be? Then read this book. What happened in Rwanda was, on a smaller scale, arguably more disgusting than the holocaust.

I have a book on my shelf that I haven't yet got round to reading; A Sunday at the Pool in Kigali, by Gil Courtemanche, set during the Rwandan genocide. I'm afraid to read it, I'm almost afraid of how good a book it will be, and I'm afraid of crying as at 35 I'm still a book crying virgin.

This list was difficult to compile. By adding some titles I had to remove others. In no particular order here they are:

"D-Day, June 6, 1944: The Climactic Battle of World War II" -Stephen E. Ambrose
Although Ambrose has come under criticism I enjoyed this book. It was well put together, highly educational, yet easy to read, and it encouraged me to read other WW II documentaries.

The Lord of the Rings (whole series) -J.R.R. Tolkien
I love these books. Every time I read them I learn more about Tolkien's world... He created a world, complete with history, cultures and languages. Then he gave us a brief glimpse of some of the things that happened within his world.

"White Fang" -Jack London
A childhood favorite. One of the books that I give credit to for my love of reading.

"Good Omens" -Terry Pratchett and Neilgaiman
I laughed from cover to cover... Then laughed some more... I am laughing right now.

"Hamlet" William Shakespeare
There are many characters that I love in this play, but Hamlet is my favorite... Is he insane?

"My Favorite Summer: 1956" -Mickey Mantle
This was the first adult level book that I read. Also about one of the greats in a sport that I loved.

"The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" -Douglas Adams
Another incredibly funny book. I believe that I came close to unconsciousness from lack of breathing while reading this book.

"Count of Monte Cristo" -Alexandre Dumas
Great plot. Gave me inspiration for plot lines of my own.

"Timeline" -Michael Crichton
I could not make a list of my favorite books without including some of this authors’ works. If I were to include all of his works that I wanted, the list would be comprised entirely of Crichtons books. Every time I read one of his books I feel as though I have just been through a college course.

"White Fang" -Jack London
A chilhood favorite. One of the books that I give credit to for my love of reading.

"Good Omens" -Terry Pratchett and Neilgaiman
I laughed from cover to cover... Then laughed some more... I am laughing right now.

"Hamlet" William Shakespeare
There are many characters that I love in this play, but Hamlet is my favorite... Is he insane?

"My Favorite Summer: 1956" -Mikey Mantle
This was the first adult level book that I read. Also about one of the greats in a sport that I loved.

"The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" -Douglas Adams
Another incrediably funny book. I believe that I came close to unconciousness from lack of breathing while reading this book.

"Count of Monte Cristo" -Alexandre Dumas
Great plot. Gave me inspiration for plot lines of my own.

"Timeline" -Michael Crichton
I could not make a list of my favorite books without including some of this aurthors works. If I were to include all of his works that I wanted, the list would be comprised entirly of Crichtons books. Every time I read one of his books I feel as though I have just been through a college course.

I know this list is a bit hodge podge, but I have been accused many times of being a jack of all trades.

Oh, and how did I not include "The Canterbury Tales" -Geoffrey Chaucer?
I especially enjoy satires which have their attention focused on society (Mark Twain comes to mind).