Favourite Reads

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We all have our favourite reads––some inspire us, provide a comfort zone, teach us about life, entertain us.  Whatever the reason is, we are all unique, so we may all have different books that we enjoy; and so much the better––as variety is the spice of life!

     Here are a few of my top choices.  But it can be a challenge to choose as there are so many good novels with merit.  But these are some that have inspired me:

  The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger––I first read Catcher in the Rye when I was 15 years old.  Being the same age at the time as the main character, Holden Caulfield, I felt I really could relate and still can in some ways.  I used to reread it every year on my birthday, as it is a story about growth.  A habit I may pick up on again.

2.  Anything by Jane Austen, of course, especially Pride and Prejudice and Emma.  I love Jane’s wit and consider her an early feminist.  I love the comedy of the five sisters in Pride and Prejudice and the strong female protagonist, Elizabeth Bennet.  And in Emma, the character Emma, already rich, a change from Austen’s usual plotline of impoverishment, is more lacking in morals than wealth, as she goes on a journey to find herself.

3.   Anything, of course, as well, by WIlliam Shakespeare, more so his comedies or tragicomedies––a favourite being Much Ado About Nothing.  His use of language and wit, like Jane Austen, is an amazing application to life’s lessons.  He also has many memorable lines.  I also enjoy his sonnets, #116 is very beautiful.

4.  The poetry of John Keats.   There are many great poets that I admire, but Keats is at the top.   The language he uses is so beautiful and deep with meaning.  Particular favourites are “Bright Star” and “Ode to a Nightingale.”  It seems each time you read his poetry you can discover new things and feel more each time.

5.  Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.  I appreciate all the strong female characters in this story and the setting.  The interaction of the characters gives the story a feel good element.

6.  Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling.  I find this series magical––every pun intended!  All the details she gives us about the world of magic brings the story to life and makes us believe that it could actually exist and in a way it does or relates to our own world as she show us that the real magic in life is love itself.

7.  The Jack Aubrey, Master and Commander series by Patrick O’Brian.  I love historical fiction and a good sea story with some adventure.  O’Brian’s historical detail and nautical knowledge are amazing; and he adds a strong comical element to his stories, along with great characters.

8.  The Beatrix Potter Peter Rabbit children’s stories.  Potter’s artwork is equally as engaging as her endearing tales.  She is masterful at matching her art to her stories.  I love to read them again and again, or just look at the pictures!

9.  I also enjoy reading letters and journals––they are a nice, quiet, personal read.  Some favourite letters are John Keats, especially his love letters to Fanny Brawne; and also the letters of Elizabeth Barratt Browning and Robert Browning.  A good journal is Mary Shelley’s journal of their travels in Italy with Percy Bysshe Shelley and Lord Byron.

I will finish my list here, but it could go on!  Feel free to share your own favourite reads in the comments section or you can also find me on Twitter and Facebook under L.P. Kirkbride.  Happy reading!––L.P. Kirkbride, 22 September, 2018.