The other night I fell asleep thinking about the books that have stuck with me over the years. My friend had tagged me in a Facebook post about the ten books that have stuck with her—not necessarily the best books or her favorite books, but the ones that come to mind first. She then tagged me and nine other friends to do the same. I figured it would make for a fun blog post because some of the books may come as a surprise.
Without further ado…:
- Bread and Honey by Frank Asch
- Squiggly Wiggly’s Surprise by Arnold Shapiro
- Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White
- Gypsy Summer by Wilma Yeo
- Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery
- Sins of the Father by Eileen Franklin
- The Dangling Man by Saul Bellow
- On the Road by Jack Kerouac
- The Pillow Book by Sei Shonagon
- Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller
I could probably write a blog post for each of these titles on why they stuck with me! I could also add so many more books to the list.
There are a few things I’ll point out about the books that actually made the list, though. The first half of the list are children’s books, or perhaps YA. The first two, in fact, are children’s storybooks, but even today their message remains with me. Adult books have a lot more “grey” in them when it comes to morality and message, as we come to understand the complexities and nuances of life, but I think there’s something to be said for the simple and beautiful messages of children’s picture books.
The other thing I’ll point out is that the second half of the list was all read more than ten years ago. Actually, number 6 on the list I read in middle school, and the only book post-undergrad on the list is number 10. It’s obviously not that I haven’t read since then or that I haven’t read good books since then. In fact, I took fantastic literature classes while working toward my MFA and was exposed to books that shaped the way I think about literature and writing. It’s just that when I think of books that have really stuck with me over the years, I was thinking of books that have stood the test of time.
I tag you! What 10 books have stuck with you? Leave them in the comments below.
Stephanie Nikolopoulos 
I don’t know if proper etiquette responds to blogs that are back in the queue, but it has taken a couple of days to come up with my list. I have read most of these more than once and if I had a summer day to reread any of them on the beach I definitely would.
Paul, The Novel, by Walter Wangerin
Shepherds Abiding, by Jan Karon
A Girl from Yamhill, by Beverly Cleary
Bittersweet, by Shauna Niequist
Patricia’s Secret, by Ruth Daggett Leinhauser
An Hour Before Daylight, By Jimmy Carter
My Grandfather’s Blessings, by Rachel Naomi Remen
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, by Barbara Robinson
Once Upon a Town: The Miracle at the North Platte Canteen, by Bob Greene
Sarge, by Scott Stossel
It looks like I am a memoir Christmas and biography girl, which is true. I love to know the stories of people becoming their true full selves and there is a piece of Christmas that for me, makes that possible.
I’m such a dunce I messages you my 10 — about your thoughts. I agree the books of long ago – like first loves – are the ones that resonate most. And fine children’s books — are always keepers
Our first loves remain with us always.