15 Books that Will Always Stick with this Librarian

Sometime last week, I read Rhea's post called, 15 Books that Will Always Stick with Me and decided that I wanted to give the exercise a whirl. It wasn't hard to think of 15 books that will stick with me; however, it was harder than I thought to add some explanation as to why they would. Sometimes, I have a specific memory associated with a book, and sometimes a book will just stick with me because it's just so good. I tried to elaborate where possible, but in some instances I have no other recommendations than to read the book. Below is the post's explanation that was posted on Rhea's original entry:

A friend gave me an assignment: List fifteen books you’ve read that will always stick with you. Write down the first 15 you can recall in no more than 15 minutes. So that’s what I did. If you care to join in, please feel free to link to this post and write about YOUR 15 books!

Interpreter of Maladies: Well-written short stories that draw you in completely. I think I read this in one sitting.

Les Miserables: In 9th grade, we read this abridged version and I've since re-read it several times. I'd like to say that I've graduated to the unabridged version; however, Hugo tends to take 15 pages to describe a doorknob... I cried when Jean Valjean died.

Love in the Time of Cholera: As a Spanish language and literature major, this was one of my favorites. Florentino Ariza is a true romantic that needs some heavy therapy.

100 Years of Solitude: This book is worth it for the last sentence alone. Also, I cried the entire last chapter.

The Shining: I read this book one summer while I was away at tennis camp. In retrospect, it's not a good idea for a 13 year old to read this book while alone in a poorly lit dorm room. I scared myself senseless.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: Best HP book, in my opinion. JK Rowling is a fantastic story-teller. I'm re-reading the series for the third time now.

Caddie Woodlawn: My dad used to read this book to me at night, maybe a chapter at a time. The story is fun, and my dad is a gifted narrator. This book brings back nice memories.

Ox Cart Man: I used to love poring over the illustrations in this book. It actually won the Caldecott Medal.

The Finer Points of Sausage Dogs: The 1st chapter in this book is one of the funniest I have ever read. The protagonist, Professor Doctor Moritz-Maria von Igelfeld, is also one of my favorite literary characters.

Naked: I wish I could write like David Sedaris; however, my family would probably disown me if I tried.

The Lovely Bones: I actually did not like this book, but it will always stick with me because I had to stop reading it halfway through because I was sobbing so hard I became nervous.

The Purple Pussycat: My mom taught me to read using this book. I vividly remember sitting with her on our old green flowered coach and sounding out each word. I also remember that the word "something" used to trip me up each time. Like Caddie Woodlawn, this book also bring back good memories.

Summer of my German Soldier: One of my faves as a teen. I always looked for the sequel, but could never seem to find it in bookstores or the library. I'm still tempted to order a copy online.

1000 Splendid Suns: A great story, that was probably predictable to everyone but me. I loved the ending (and cried like a baby.)

The Berenstain Bears and Too Much TV: There's one line in this book that goes something like, "The Bear family used to have lively conversations at the dinner table, but not lately. Lately, they just sat around and chewed." To this day, we'll still say that line if there's a lull in the dinner conversation and it always gets a laugh.

Sweet Pickles series: My mom ordered me the Sweet Pickles series, and sometimes I'd peek out our front window in hopes of spotting the Sweet Pickles van dropping off the books. (Just like in the old commercial.)