Musing Mondays (April 12)

Musing Mondays2 Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about the ‘best’ books'.

There’s been some discussion on my blog this week about what should or shouldn’t make a ‘best' books’ list. What elements do you think lands a book in that ‘best’ category? Think of your top 5 best books and tune in next week to see the collated list.

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link to your own Musing Mondays post, or share your opinion in a comment here (if you don’t have a blog). Thanks.

 

Okay, I know I asked the question, but can I take it back? It’s too hard!

I suppose for me, for a book to put into the ‘best’ category, it needs to be well written, have a good story, characters, be original … but that seems obvious.

When it all comes down to it, I guess the ‘best’ books are the ones that , once I’m finished, I just HAVE to go tell someone. My book friends, my non-reading family, the cat – anyone who’ll even pretend to listen.

On the other hand, there’s something to be said for an old favourite. I’m not likely to run to Wendy and say “Oh my gosh, I just read Little Women, you HAVE to read it!” I’ve read it a hundred times, I know she already loves it, so there’s no need – but this doesn’t diminish it’s status high on my ‘best’ list.

So I guess it’s a bit of both.

  • Little Women – Louisa May Alcott
  • Anne of Green Gables (series) – L.M. Montgomery
  • The Time Traveler’s Wife – Audrey Niffenigger
  • To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee
  • The Book Thief – Markus Zusak

25 comments :

gautami tripathy said...

Great list!

Mailbox/Musings/whereabouts

Anonymous said...

It is so hard to just pick 5!

Here's mine.

caite said...

It is hard to limit it to just 5 but I gave it a go in MY POST.

I will be interested to see what other folks pick.

Brooke from The Bluestocking Guide said...

I didn't have a list per se.

Here is mine

fredamans said...

I haven't picked 5 but...

http://fredasvoice.blogspot.com/2010/04/musing-best-books.html

The Book Resort said...

Love To Kill a Mockingbird, too!

Here's mine:
...http://thebookresort.blogspot.com/2010/04/musing-mondays.html

Allison said...

So hard to pick just five!

Mine is here.

Anonymous said...

mine
http://vampira2468.wordpress.com/2010/04/12/the-best-blood/

Anonymous said...

mine
http://vampira2468.wordpress.com/2010/04/12/the-best-blood/

Nise' said...

My Musing.

MizB said...

I agree with the others, in that it's hard to just pick 5! But, I've kept my list to just that many... and given the question some serious thought!
http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/2010/04/12/musing-mondays-apr-12/

~MizB

Dana said...

Rebecca I want you to know that this is an evil question! Hahaha, I hate when people try to make me list 'favorite' or 'best' books - it's impossible and always ends up leaving me frustrated. Oh well, I tried and you can see my slightly maniacal rant response on my blog, Reading Amidst the Chaos.

Alayne said...

I haven't participated in a few weeks, but this is a GREAT question that I loved answering! My answer and list is at The Crowded Leaf.

Ambrosia @ The Purple Booker said...

Fire & Ice Musing Monday

Lori said...

I can't list 5, the others will get jealous. [Here's Mine].

Sullivan McPig said...

Little women is the only book I read from your list, but that was a nice book I must say.

First time I join, but here's my post and list:
http://mcpigpearls.blogspot.com/2010/04/musing-mondays.html

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for this week's topic. I really enjoyed it and went a little overboard on my blog:

http://pickygirlfoodfilmfiction.wordpress.com/2010/04/12/musing-mondays/

La Coccinelle said...

Picking just 5 was hard!

http://theladybugreads.blogspot.com/2010/04/musing-mondays-18.html

Alison said...

Apparently, I'm a sucker for books that start with a definite article.

atla said...

What a toughie! Here's mine.

Debbie said...

lol....I'm not nearly as literary as all of you!
here is mine:
http://thefridayfriends.blogspot.com/2010/04/musing-mondays.html

Carol Fleserieu-Miller said...

Yes, like everyone has said, choosing 5 is hard. I could name 5 from several categories more easily like 5 non-fiction, 5 romances, 5 fantasies or 5 name your category.

My post is at http://52annualbookreviews.blogspot.com

Emily said...

What a difficult question! Definitely makes ya think.

Here's mine: http://theninjalibrarian.blogspot.com/2010/04/musing-mondays-4.html

Kathy (mommysreading) said...

Great question. Heres my list:

http://mommysreading.wordpress.com/2010/04/13/musing-mondays-april-12/

Bryan R. Terry said...

Been sick this past week and so my Monday Musing post is late: HERE is is.