What is your favourite book?

Have you ever come across the ‘What is your favourite book?’ question? Do you also get a slight panic attack when you realise it means one book? ONE book? (Or is it just me?)

I mean, how can you choose just favourite book? Just one? How will your other favourite and well read books feel? Those books with broken spines, or yellowed pages, or spots of food/drink/something , the books that are so old that you fear they will break apart just by breathing near them but re-read anyway… I can’t do that to them.

But I can tell you a series of favourite and beloved books that usually come to mind when the dreaded question comes up.

A Ring of Endless Light, Madeleine L’Engle

This is a book that always makes me cry, every single time I read it. It tells the story of Vicky and her family (the Austins, this is the fourth book concerning the family), and a summer spent near a dying Grandfather and how Vicky deals with being sought after by two completely different young men. My favourite character is Adam (and if you want more of Adam, then there is The Arm of the Starfish). Also, Madeleine L’engle has a way of introducing philosophy and science into her books. This particular book touches on life, death, and dolphins.
When do I re-read this book: When I need to cry, or need to reflect on life and death or feel a little bit alive. It is the sweet kind of sad.
If you’d like to buy it: A Ring of Endless Light

The Love Letters, Madeleine L’Engle

Another one by Madeleine L’Engle. This is a more adult novel and as good as it is, it definitely isn’t YA or younger. There are two parallel stories here, one were a couple is going through a rough patch and she has gone to Portugal to find some answers to her own storms in her heart. The other is about a nun who commits adultery and falls in love, yet she becomes the abbess later in time. The Love Letters mentioned are the letters found from the nun and published (it is based on truth). Once again quite philosophical and it ponders on love, divorce, marriage and even upbringing and how that may affect your choices later in life.
When do I re-read this book: When I want a more adult book and I am trying to figure out what is bothering me.
If you’d like to buy it: The Love Letters

After The Fire, Will Hill

This is a much modern book (as in written more recently) and is the recounting of life in a cult by Moonbeam and what led her to be in a hospital recovering from wounds. Moonbeam has been told not to talk to strangers and that The Governement is evil all her life, so it is interesting to see her retelling bits and pieces and learning about the ‘real world’. My favourite read of the year (2017) so far.
When do I re-read this book: Not re-read yet (it’s too new) but probably when I want to let go of some PTSD, when I want to appreciate humanity and want a story without a romance in it.
If you’d like to buy it: After the Fire

The Hero and the Crown, Robin McKinley

The prequel to The Blue Sword, this book tells the tale of Aerin and her wish to be a dragonslayer, to be more than the daughter of the king. Aerin has always been somewhat of an outsider in her own country, so her adventures are interesting. This is not a perfect “fairy tale” and the happy ending is different than what you would expect. Aerin is a seriously strong female character and goes on to become a legend (she is mentioned in The Blue Sword).
When do I re-read this book: Anytime I am feeling down or sad or not okay. Also good for being okay. Those moments when I want to curl up and sleep or disappear or both.
If you’d like to buy it: The Hero and the Crown

The Blue Sword, Robin McKinley

Imagine finding out that that feeling of not belonging has a deep reason. For Harimad, she learns that when she meets Corlanth and is abducted to join him and his warriors. An epic story of saving a country when no one believes them that there is imminent danger and discovering your own worth. Another strong female character in a delightful fantasy setting.
When do I re-read this book: When I want an adventure, some fantasy. Or when I am not okay or sad. Curl up moments too.
If you’d like to buy it: The Blue Sword

DragonRiders of Pern, Anne McCaffrey

A series, and I have a hard time choosing one from it. Basically, the series tells the story of how Pern was colonised, dragons were genetically modified/created to protect the planet from Thread (a menace that rains into the planet when another planet’s orbit brings it nearby). It shows how they survived and how some things were forgotten. Then it shows stories of the different holds, and the people in Pern throughout time and the different ‘Passes’ until the point when it appears they have found a solution to the Thread problem. It is rich in dragons, adventure, and going against the odds. It is full of strong characters (female and male) and not everything is black and white but there is a lot of grey and it is good.
When do I re-read this series: When I am in the mood for dragons, or want to remember some of the science in it.
If you’d like to buy it: Dragonflight or try The Harper Hall Trilogy

The Time Quintet, Madeleine L’Engle

Another series, sorry. But you can’t just have one of them, you need them all! My most favourite is ‘A Swiftly Tilting Planet’. But the whole series was a good base for my love for physics and science. A Wrinkle in Time talks science to you as if it was normal, and it is. The illustrations help you understand easily things and when Meg confronts IT, it makes you be proud of being human, flaws and all. Then ‘A Wind in the Door’ introduces you more unto biology and medicine and once again, introduces concepts at an early age that are university/PhD level, and you know what is the best part? You are able to understand them as a 12 year old (or at least I was and years later when wondering how I knew so much about mytochondria, I could say it was this book’s fault). ‘A Swiftly Tilting Planet’ is moving characters through adulthood but Charles Wallace is still going through his teenage years and trying to be alive, this is a book about hope and about trusting instinct and once again about humanity. ‘Many Waters’ throws you into Noah’s arc time and you get to enjoy time with the twins. ‘An Acepptable Time’ is one I didn’t read as part of the series and only recently acquired so my opinion isn’t as settled on it (mostly because it has only been read once, whereas the rest have been read countless times).
When do I re-read this series: When science calls, or I need a pick me up, or to feel useful and not just anyone.
If you’d like to buy it: The Wrinkle in Time Quintet Boxed Set

So now, what is(are) your favourite book(s)?

If you are interested in the cute props, the background is The Bizarre Bookshop 2, 1000pc Jigsaw Puzzle, candle came from FairyLoot box and is made by witchwoodremedies, hearts bunting was part of one of Book Box Club‘s boxes, coaster is souvenir from Krakow, Poland and bookmark has a design by Alphonse Mucha.

Disclaimer: Those are Amazon Associates links, but if you choose to use them and buy from them, know that you’re just helping me buy more books and feed my reading needs.
None of the other links are sponsored nor do I get anything from promoting them except sharing the love.