A few of my favourite things, day 1: Novels

Because of the busy holiday season, I have something a bit different planned for you this week. Today, Wednesday and Friday, I”m going to wrap the year up nicely by telling you about some of my favourite things.

First up – this being my usual Book Recommendation day – is novels.

I’m sure that, by now, you’ve picked up on the fact that I tend to read a variety of genres in both the adult and young adult markets. There’s no particular reason for this, to be honest. I just don’t have a particular favourite when it comes to things like genres.

I do, however, have favourite novels.

Now, my favourite novels all seem to meet three criteria:

1. I’m excited to read them every time I pick them up.
2. I’ve read them more than once.
3. I can’t help thinking about them after I’ve finished reading them.

While there are quite a few books that fall into at least two of those categories, there aren’t a lot that fall into all three. Here, in no particular order, are a few of them.

• The Harry Potter series, by J.K. Rowling: I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve read these novels. While I do enjoy some books more than others in the series, the sum of them together is what brings them to “favourite” status. I love the characters, and I found the plot to be entirely unique.
• 13 Little Blue Envelopes, by Maureen Johnson: I recommended this one here back in September. While I haven’t yet read the second novel in the series, this first one makes it to my favourites list. The plot is both light and emotional at once, and I love the humour in the novel.
• Wicked: The Life and Times of The Wicked Witch of the West, by Gregory Maguire: Wicked is one of those books that can be a bit difficult for some people to get through (it’s got quite a religious undertone), but I love its plot. Altered versions of fairy tales/classic stories are something that I’ve always been a fan of, and Wicked is such a wonderful take on the Wicked Witch of the West.
• Howl’s Moving Castle, by Diana Wynne Jones: While this novel is aimed at younger readers, it’s still one of my favourites. I like the little hints and twists Jones threads throughout the novel, and all of the characters make me smile – each in their own, individual kind of way.