Life Books Challenge - My Life Books

Small World Reads has a fabulous idea for this challenge. It's called the Life Books Challenge. There is no timeline; you just need to pick two books on other people's "Life Books" lists, then read and review them.

Aaaah, I love this idea so much. Books really are such an important part of our lives, and I love the idea of sharing the books that really matter to us with other people. I love it!

Here is a list of the books that have been an important part of my life:

1. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betsy Smith
When I read this in 8th Grade, I was stunned to find that the thoughts the lonely and creative main character Francie had were the exact same thoughts I was having at that awkward stage in my life. This book is very special to me.

2. Middlemarch by George Eliot
My favorite novel of all time. Supremely well-written, this book is incredible to me. But more importantly, the last few paragraphs of the book are words I hope people can say about my life when I am gone.

3. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
I don't think there is anything that could change the world more than every person taking Atticus' advice to walk in another person's shoes. Tolerance and empathy are qualities I try to cultivate in my life. I cannot read the end of this book without crying, because the main character truly learns to understand another person and how they feel.

4. Persuasion by Jane Austen
I love the respect that is engendered in this book for women who are intelligent, feeling, sensitive to others, and just as capable as men. This type of respect from a man is something I have finally found in my life.

5. Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte
I choose this book mostly because the bird-crushing scene in it made me a vegetarian. That's rather a big impact I guess!

6. Grover and the Everything in the Whole Wide World Musuem
This one is certainly not a novel, but it is the book that my deceased father read to me all the time when I was little. Every time I read it feel connected to him. It's very important to me.

7. Lizard by Banana Yoshimoto
Love is everything to me. I have been searching for a healthy romantic relationship for a long time, and I have it now with my husband. The different romantic relationships in this book were important for me to think about what we really need from another human being.

8. Pale Horse, Pale Rider by Katherine Anne Porter
This short story is heartbreaking. But I could really relate to the main character's intense desire to connect with another person and find lasting love in a world that is sad and scary.