She who is too fond of books

This week Kim asked "Whether it be your top 5 favorites, 5 best (yes, there is a difference), 5 most disappointing, 5 that stayed with you the longest, whatever. Don't forget your explanations for each."

I love reading, that is no surprise I know, so this question was a real tough one for me. Since I can not presume to name the 5 best books, as I would inevitably put my favorites in with it. I am choosing some of the other categories.

5 Favorites
1. The Stand by Stephen King - I have read this book about 10 times and always keep a copy in my car, in case I am stuck somewhere without something to read. I love it because it is the ultimate story in good versus evil.
2. Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll - This is my favorite book from my childhood, and I still read it from time to time. I enjoy the fantasy of it, the poetry, and the overall message.
3. Charms for the Easy Life by Kaye Gibbons - This book is about three generations of strong willed Southern women who live together (I can totally relate to the strong willed part) and explore the aspects of their relationship, the world around them, and their place in it. It is also a wonderful in depth look at mother/daughter relationships.
4. Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt - This is such a beautifully written memoir, very poignant, and in typical Irish fashion is depressing and humorous at the same time. I love this book as it reminds me of the country, my grandfather, and why I feel so at home around them.
5. Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt by Anne Rice - I am a pretty big Anne Rice fan, I loved the vampire chronicles and have read the first 3 particularly over and over. But this book is absolutely amazing. What you need to understand is that she was raised Catholic, became agnostic, if not atheist as an adult, and returned to her faith many years later. Upon doing that she decided to explore the life of Christ and this book is a result. I had my minister read it, and while no one knows exactly what happened, we agree that this book does a nice job of demonstrating what life might have been like for Christ as a child.

5 That Stayed the Longest

1. Most everything by Stephen King - It is too hard to list them all out, but this is why I say most everything. Thanks to It I cannot stand clowns or to park near/walk by/look at water drains, Cujo made me afraid of dogs, Duma Key made me afraid of Florida, Geralds Game made me afraid of handcuffs and rearview mirrors, the list goes on and on. He stays with me because he makes me afraid, but I love him for it.
2. Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood - This is on my list of favorites too, but I will put it here instead. It stayed with me because I can relate. I can relate to the pain, to the feeling that you are not good enough, to wanting more out of life and yourself, to having friends that have been there forever, I have been all those personalities at different points, but mostly I can relate to being and feeling like a horrible mother, yet realizing through it all that my children are my salvation.
3. The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan - This was the first book that really helped me understand the complex relationships between mothers and daughters, and taught me what love is.
4. To Kill a Mockingbird byHarper Lee - One of the best books ever written, would be a favorite, but is more appropriate here. This is such a pivotal and relevant work, no matter what time frame.
5. Pride and Prejudice/Emma/Sense and Sensibility, etc. by Jane Austen - OK, so I am a big weepy sap who hates normal romance novels with a passion, but I adore these. Because wuv, twoo wuv will follow you fowevah. Seriously, every girl dreams of a Mr. Darcy/Knightly/Ferras...thank goodness I found mine!

And to borrow from the other Kim, my 5 favorite to read to my children

1. Click, Clack, Moo - I cannot read this book without laughing. The second book, Giggle, Giggle, Quack is pretty great too.
2. Clarence and the Purple Horse - My mom found this on a trip to Death Valley and since then we have filled out the series, but this is still the best one. It is such a great story about friendship and selflessness.
3. The Little Engine That Could - A favorite when I was a kid, and now a favorite of Missy G's. This is such a great story of believing in yourself and never giving up.
4. Is There Really a Human Race - This is by Jamie Lee Curtis, which if you don't have any of hers, you should get them. For me it is a toss up between this one and I Feel Silly. I think I like this one more because it explains to kids in such simple terms that we are one race, one people.
5. The Empty Pot - Not only is this so beautifully illustrated, it is a wonderful story about being honest and having integrity.