15 on 15 - Top Books of All Time
D | Sunday, January 15, 2006

---

Derek's Top 15 Books of All Time*

15. Boy Scout Handbook, BSA
As I was discussing my list, it was brought to my attention that I never really "read" this book cover to cover. True. But I carried this book around with me for years and years. Also this singular book was a reference manual for everything from how to splint a broken arm, to how to use your pants as a personal flotation device, to how to properly identify a red maple. How could I leave off my list a book that has taught me so much?

14. Where the Wild Things Are, Maurice Sendak
My favorite book as a kid. My parents would read this to me and I remember thinking that I wanted to be a "wild thing," just like the kid in the story. (Editors note: And look at the wild life I lead now - tonight Ashley and I bought a puzzle and worked on it while watching AFGM on DVD)

13. The Giver, Lois Lowry
This was one of my favorite reads when I was in grade school. My Mom convinced me to read it. It was probably the only book she suggested I read that I actually finished. I remember thinking that maybe I too was destined for something special.

12. Batman: Year One, Frank Miller
Technically not a comic book - this is a "graphic novel." Miller's work (like so many other Batman fans my age) is probably responsible for a lot of my love Batman. To me, this comic made Batman real. It made Batman interesting.

11. Long Days Journey Into Night, Eugene O'Neill
Simplicity. That's why I like this play. Simplicity and drinking.

10. Walden, Henry David Thoreau
You have to admire a guy who lives in the woods and spends him time just thinking deeply about stuff. If I didn't have any credit cards or student loans, you'd better believe this is what I would do with my life. And of course, I would write a book about it.

9. The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald
This is one which deserves another read from everyone, including myself. Abbey: You planned this all yourself? Bartlet: I'm like Gatsby but without the problems.

8. Jurassic Park, Michael Crichton
Even as good as Spielberg is, this holds true to the old cliche that - "The book is better than the movie." The rafting scene and the pteranodons would have been awesome to see on film.

7. Hamlet, Shakespeare
My favorite piece by the Bard (probably because I participated in a production of Hamlet at Ohio State and the people and production endeared themselves to me; I was Horatio). Three reasons to love this play: crazy women, sword fighting, and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. And quotablity factor.

6. A Few Good Men, Aaron Sorkin
The movie is an extended version of Sorkin's original play. I believe (read this somewhere) that in the original Broadway cast, Bradley Whitford was Kaffee. Someone can look that up.

5. The Polar Express, Chris Van Allsburg
Every Christmas Eve, my Mom would read us this book. Some Christmas Eve in the not-so-distant future, I will read it to my kids. That bell gets to me every time.

4. Star Wars Trilogy, Lucas, Glut, Kahn
This is the book on my list that I have read the most times. It is an easy and simple read, with a story I can basically recite, but I just can't get enough. It's an addiction.

3. Inherit the Wind, Lawrence and Lee
Question: What could be better than arguing at the top of your lungs about Darwin vs. Jesus? Answer: Doing it in a courtroom. Welcome to the Scopes Monkey Trial in play form.

2. The Republic, Plato
My favorite piece of philosophy from my favorite philosopher.

1. Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand
I remember when I once told someone at work that this was my favorite book. The response, "You read the whole thing?" Yes, all 1,000+ pages. With my philosophy background, I loved how the book incorporated Rand's political and economic philosophy (objectivism) with the story of five or six characters and how their lives slowly intertwine. This book is not for everyone - come to think of it, I do not think I have ever recommend this book. Nonetheless, it will always be one of my favorites.

---
Others receiving votes: Life of Pi, Yann Martel; The Hardy Boys, Franklin W. Dixon; Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck; To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee; Flowers for Algernon, Daniel Keyes; Where's Waldo?, Martin Handford; Us Constitution/Bill of Rights, Jefferson; A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens, Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury

Others NOT receiving votes: Catcher in the Rye, Salinger

*I changed up the ordering this time, starting with 15 and working down to 1. I feel it is more suspenseful.

D | 1/15/2006 01:01:00 AM |   Post your comment

---

Comments:

Mine list is up.
IrishBrooke | January 15, 2006 12:41 PM | permalink
 

---

Make that my list, not mine list. I guess nobody would want to read an illiterate person's favorite books.
IrishBrooke | January 15, 2006 12:41 PM | permalink
 

---

Hmmm....is some random reader of your blog allowed to post her own list? I certainly hope so, because I'm going to do it anyways!

15. Devil in the White City (Erik Larson) - The only non-fiction to make my list. This book about the 1893 Chicago Worlds Fair was absolutely gripping. I don't think I've ever read more effective non-fiction, nor been so lured into a story of this type.

14. The Lorax (Dr. Seuss) - This is another one that makes me cry. It is a wonderful story with an important message. And it's Dr. Seuss.

13. Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy "trilogy" (Douglas Adams) - Comic Genius. Exceptionally silly. Really dorky. A never ending source of quotes.

12. The Hobbit (J.R.R. Tolkein) - an odd choice, given the other obvious work of this author. But I remember having this book read to us in Grade 6, and it is one of my favourite memories from elementary school. When my teacher was reading, I was transported into Tolkein's world.

11. The Handmaid's Tale (Margaret Atwood) - I've read this book countless times, and every time I read it I am horrified. I hold my breath in certain parts, willing the characters to make a different choice than the one I know is coming.

The Dark Tower Series (Stephen King) - I started The Gunslinger when it was initially released, and read the last three books of the series during one internet-less week last summer. When I finished the final book, I sat on my couch, stunned. Then I got up and wrote a letter to King.

9. The Poisonwood Bible (Barbara Kingsolver)- This book made me think about the problems with religion, about the extortion of African nations, and made me want to learn everything I could about the history of the Congo. On top of that, her characterization and writing style is brilliant.

8. Of Mice and Men (John Steinbeck)- This book started my love of Steinbeck. The plot is simple, but it's a stunning book.

7. Hamlet (the Bard)- Derek said it all. Though MacBeth would be a very close second for me.

6. Good Omens (Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett) - Laugh out loud funny and really, really clever. My introduction to Terry Pratchett. Good thing Pratchett is so prolific, because I just can't get enough of his work.

5. Harry Potter Series (J.K. Rowling) - As an elementary school teacher, I can't give these books enough credit. I've seen non-readers become readers because of these books. I was unlucky enough to start reading these when the 2nd book was released, so it's been a LONG wait.

4. Polar Express - This is my all time favourite kids book. It was the very first present I bought for my son (a December baby). I can't read it to my students because I always cry on the last page.

3. Not Wanted on the Voyage (Timothy Findley) - I adore this retelling of Noah's Ark. Noah is a tyrant and his wife is a drunk. It explains the disappearance of the unicorn in a truly horrifying way. I adore this book.

2. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland/Alice Through the Looking Glass (Lewis Carroll) - I have read this at least once a year every year since I was 10. It has been the basis of my usernames and passwords at different times for over a decade. I have dreams about the characters. I started (and abandoned) a novel that weaves its way through the setting of this work.

1. To Kill a Mockingbird (Harper Lee)- When I grow up, I want to be Atticus Finch.
dolmansaxlil | January 15, 2006 7:51 PM | permalink
 

---

Brooke,
Nice grammar.

Dolmansaxlil,
I liked your list. We had a lot of similarities, but more impressive was that you had a lot of books on your list that I too think are excellent or have wanted to read.
The Lorax - classic
Handmaid's Tale - has been recommended to me many times
Tolkein - a master
Poisonwood Bible - also recomended

So here's my question: Where's your blog (for everyone else to read)?
D | January 16, 2006 11:05 AM | permalink
 

---

Mine is up too
Ruvym | January 16, 2006 11:09 AM | permalink
 

---

Is it just coincidence that one of your favorite books is titled "Walden?" I also don't understand what you hate so much about "Catcher in the Rye." Is it because it's overdone when it comes to "best lit" lists? Were you genuinely annoyed by the book? Or is it something else altogether? If you want a pretty interesting read that probably won't end up on your "Top 15 Books" list but will be entertaining, check out "The Time Traveller's Wife" which I just read over break.
Ruvym | January 16, 2006 11:14 AM | permalink
 

---

Mr. Walden,

Four of your list are movies. Did you really read the books or did you just watch the movie?

I wanted to be a boy scout so I could join my brothers' troop. Even though they couldn't find a rule that excluded girls -- trust me, they searched really hard -- they wouldn't let me join. Even at a young age, nobody took me seriously.

That is all.
nugatory | January 16, 2006 4:58 PM | permalink
 

---

R,
Catcher in the Rye blows. B-L-O-W-S. Sorry man, I know it is in your Top 15, but that's the way it goes. I am truly annoyed with this book.

It was recommended to me and I read it in two days, almost withotu end, because I was convinced that something would happen. That the story would have something interesting occur - but nothing happened. I remember it was like 2AM, I was reading it with a flash light in my tent, and I had 20 pages to go and I would think, "Wow, something great is going to happen in these last pages." Then 10 pages, "Wow, the author is really going to have to cram something awesome in these last 10 pages." And then the book ended and I felt like I had wasted my life.

Maybe I need to re-read?

Nuge,
Yes, I only posted books I my list that I have personally read. And depending on how you count, up to 9 of the books on my list have been made into films. But yes, I've read them all, and almost all of them before they were movies.

Sorry about the BSA thing. I think they should let women participate in scouting. I know Venture Scouts allows women to camp/hike/etc - we see their crews at Philmont from time to time.
D | January 16, 2006 5:39 PM | permalink
 

---

Sorry, Derek. No blog. I just don't have that many interesting things to say. I'm not even a big blog reader. I read yours, Wil Wheaton's, and www.thehedgemaze.com C'est tout.
dolmansaxlil | January 16, 2006 6:34 PM | permalink
 

---

In regards to "Catcher," depends on how old you were when you read it. I first read it in high school and hated it too. But then I reread it a couple of years ago and loved it. I think the older you get, the more you can appreciate a book where little happens, but a lot is said. Maybe that's why I liked it the second time around.
Ruvym | January 17, 2006 1:22 AM | permalink
 

---

Nuge's list.
D | January 18, 2006 4:07 PM | permalink
 

---

Here you go.
Kate | January 18, 2006 8:19 PM | permalink
 

---

Nothing about A Confederacy of Dunces? Man, that's a GREAT one.

Also, I know you put Catcher in its place, but if you've never read Salinger's other works (most notably Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenter or Nine Stories), then get on it immediately. Salinger is a friggin' genius and awesome writer, but I agree Catcher is totally overrated.
Ace Cowboy | January 19, 2006 4:37 PM | permalink
 

---

Post your comment