A top 10 list of favorite books: it’s a tricky little devil. I mean, what should the criteria actually be?
The options seem endless…
- Books I’d be happiest to re-read
- Books I’ve actually re-read and been glad about it
- Books whose bindings have fallen apart due to repeated readings
- Books that had the most impact on me
- Books that represent who I’ve been at various phases of life
- Books that represent who I am right now
- Books that represent each of the genres and styles I love best
- Books that spark the most joy
- Books I’d want with me on a desert island
- Books I keep recommending to others, over and over
- Books that are my favorites of the past decade
- Books that have been on my favorites list for more than a decade
You see my dilemma.
Depending on which of these sets of criteria I choose, the list is gonna shift. Some books will always be there because they’re my very top favorites (I’m looking at you, Young Men and Fire and The Right Stuff), but others will appear or vanish, depending on the criteria.
So, after discussing this conundrum with the Dear Man and a good friend, I took their advice and went with:
- Does it feel like a true representation of who I am?
- Does it spark joy? (aka, Do I light up when I talk about these books?)
Based on those criteria, here’s my current list…
Young Men & Fire by Norman Maclean
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
All the President’s Men by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
The Beekeeper’s Apprentice by Laurie R. King
News of the World by Paulette Jiles
The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
So now I’m wondering how you decide your favorites. What criteria do you use? Which books always always always make the list?
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