Yesterday was World Book Day over here in the UK so to celebrate here is a list of my favourite books and why I enjoy them so much …
1. Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife …
I have loved P & P from the first read. I think I actually watched the BBC series in 1995 first and the picked up the book and ended up reading all of her novels and becoming addicted to all things Austen (even visiting her home in Hampshire). I love this book because it’s funny, romantic and transports me to a time where men were gentlemen, courtship was chaste and chaperoned and balls were held with beautiful gowns. I love Lizzie – she’s sparky and witty and Darcy is the man we all want to fall in love with. Plus there is a happy ending 
2. Jane Eyre – Charlotte Bronte
I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being with an independent will.
After I got into Austen I started to read The Classics as they are so called and picked this one up. I adore the character of Jane starting from when she is a bullied and neglected child to the serious young woman she becomes – steady, sweet, intelligent and loyal she faces hardships but keeps her strength of character and her love story with Rochester is no fairy tale and yet her love is passionate and unwavering. When they are finally united at the end, it is bittersweet and beautiful.
3. Little Women – Louisa May Alcott
If we are all alive ten years hence, let’s meet, and see how many of us have got our wishes, or how much nearer we are then than now…
A family member gave me this when I was younger and it is a beautiful story about sisters, their love for each other and the journey they take together. I like the fact the sisters are different but realistic characters - they have flaws, sometimes are actually quite annoying but you feel so much affection for them anyway, you want them to be happy. My favourite is Jo, the wannabe writer who falls in love in spite of her nature and who completely charms you with her fierce loyalty.
4. Harry Potter series – J K Rowling
It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live, remember that
I didn’t start reading these until the first 4 had come out. I was intrigued about the hype that was building and even though it was technically a children’s book I gave it a go. I quickly got through that set of books and had a long wait for book 5. Books 5 – 7 I brought on the first day of release, book 5 I even got at midnight. This series is a great example of good storytelling that stretches beyond age or genre boundaries – it’s exciting, scary, fun and a classic pitch – good vs evil but with wands and spells! I can’t wait to read it to the children I will hopefully have one day. Plus I heart Dobby
5. Twilight Saga – Stephenie Meyer
Edward: “And so the lion fell in love with the lamb.”
Bella: “What a stupid lamb.”
Edward: “What a sick, masochistic lion.”
Okay so I might get some flack for this one but despite its flaws, as soon as I started reading Twilight I was hooked. I read all 4 books immediately and then re-read them straight away. Something sucked me in and I can’t break out of the world. The romance is intense and deep and the vampire twist adds excitement and I’m sorry but yes I fell in love with Edward. It also put me on the road to wanting to write my own supernatural book and has kept me in the dark romance bookshops section for a while!
6. I Capture the Castle – Dodie Smith
I write this sitting in the kitchen sink.
This book is written in first person and Cassandra our narrator is pitch perfect in how she describes her world and the people in it. There are also several references to Jane Austen, a plus point! I’ve always felt a bit disappointed by the ending as it’s left open whereas I like a solid happy one but the journey Cassandra makes leaves me smiling.
What are your favourite books and why? Happy World Book Day!
Vix x
Sophia @ Raven Waves
/ March 4, 2011I’ve read all these books except for the last one!! I thoight P&P was really good, but to be honest with you, I’m more a Bronte sister fan than JA. I think Emily Bronte’s character’s would cause a crazy parlon scene in one of JA’s books haha! Harry Potter is so amazing, and the Twilight books are great, quick reads. Love your choices
vixter2010
/ March 4, 2011Yay thanks, glad you love them all too! I could never get into Wuthering Heights weird, prob because they are all crazy in it
Elin @andserenitytoo
/ March 4, 2011Fun list! I have also read Jane Eyre (loved it!), Twilight (can’t stop reading them once you start), and Harry Potter (really fun).
One of my absolute favourite books is Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. It really had an impact on me when I first read it. Beautifully written and the main character seems so real and relatable (is that a word?). It’s time for me to read it again soon!
vixter2010
/ March 4, 2011Woo glad you enjoyed them too
I haven’t read that one but I know it’s a fave of lots of people so maybe I need to check it out!
thoughtsappear
/ March 4, 2011I’ve never really been able to get into Jane Austen, but I love me some Dobby!
vixter2010
/ March 4, 2011He’s so cute, I cried in the last film
melissasmeanderings
/ March 4, 2011Great post…I’ve never read Pride and Prejudice…I think I should!
vixter2010
/ March 4, 2011Thanks, you def should
Lauren Pritchard
/ March 4, 2011Love all you’re choices – especially Harry Potter!
Although I’ve never read Capture the Castle – so that’s one for me to watch out for.
Have you read Dorian Grey? Based on your choices I think you’ll really like it!
Lauren Pritchard
/ March 4, 2011totally meant ‘your’. This is what a Friday afternoon does to me! haha
vixter2010
/ March 4, 2011Haha don’t worry, my brain is fried too!
vixter2010
/ March 4, 2011Thanks Lauren! Yeah you should give it a read. I haven’t read it no but I saw the film with Ben Barnes and Colin Firth, not sure how accurate it was!
elvishjesusfreak
/ March 4, 2011I enjoyed this post a lot! Reading is the best so it makes me quite excited that yesterday was World Book Day! I too love Pride and Prejudice, Little Women and Harry Potter is my absolute favorite! I haven’t read Jane Eyre or I Capture the Castle though.
I like you didn’t start reading Harry Potter at the beginning, in fact, I didn’t read them until this summer but that was purely because my parent’s wouldn’t let me. I know it sounds lame but they had forbidden me to read them so I respected their wishes then they finally let me this summer, I read them all in a week. It was amazing! I will say I don’t agree with you about Twilight but I’m glad you enjoy them. 
vixter2010
/ March 4, 2011Glad you enjoyed and love reading too. Yay that you got to read HP finally! That’s ok, we cant all like the same things
elvishjesusfreak
/ March 4, 2011Oh yes! Yes, it was well worth the wait! And I was able to go see Part 1 of Deathly Hallows at the Midnight premiere in November! And I plan on doing the same in July for the last part!
vixter2010
/ March 4, 2011Ah cool, I can’t wait for it but it’ll be sad to see the end of the films. I just heard they’re going to open up the studios they made them all in for tours over here next year yay!!
Lisa
/ March 4, 2011I’ll agree with every one of your picks except Twilight. I can’t get past the poor writing and whining characters. I haven’t I Capture the Castle, but it is on my list.
vixter2010
/ March 4, 2011Haha fair enough
Let me know if you do read it, hopefully you will enjoy it!
Nicole
/ March 6, 2011Lisa I am so with you there!
A.
/ March 5, 2011Hi, (still thinking on a blog name, ha).
They are great novels for an adventurous “take me away” read. I’ve only read the first 4 HP…I know, thats not cool…must re-read those and then finish the series for sure.
Nice post. Interesting that you live in the UK! I live in Canada. I’m a bit embarrassed to say that I’ve never read those classics – but have always been intrigued by them.
Twilight – yay – despite the belief they are “cheesey”..who cares
vixter2010
/ March 5, 2011Thanks Jill. I’ve never been to Canada! Good to see another Twilight fan and you must finish HP so good
katielabovitz
/ March 5, 2011Christopher Columbus! Jo March is one of my favorite literary characters of all time!!
Have you read “Atonement” by Ian McEwan? (or seen the movie?) If not, one of its main characters, Briony, is also a writer. Both the book and movie are so beautiful and heart-breaking. Basically anything Ian McEwan writes is awesome, though.
vixter2010
/ March 5, 2011Haha good phase
I’ve seen the film and I got a bit confused embarrassingly! I’ve met Ian Mcewan tho at a publishers I used to work at and watched him sign lots of books
simplyshaka
/ March 5, 2011I haven’t read any of these! I’m not really into the classics I’m more into light stuff like Chick Lit. My favorite authors are Sophie Kinsella and Jen Lancaster (I swear, she is my twin, we think waaaaaaay too much alike!)
vixter2010
/ March 5, 2011The Shopaholic books are great! Have you read Marian Keyes or Lisa Jewell, I think you’d enjoy them too!
This Italian Family
/ March 5, 2011Ahh! So many good reads in here! Love it! P&P, Little Women, Harry Potter and Twilight are especially great!
vixter2010
/ March 5, 2011Yay, glad you love them too!
Gian Carlo
/ March 7, 2011I love Harry Potter series. I’m hooked with it. Before, i really don’t read fictions. but when i read Harry Potter for the sake of our NOVEL REPORT in DEVELOPMENTAL READiNG, my “love for reading” that was sleeping inside me had awakened. And i thank J.K. Rowling for that. She’s a great writer:).
Since then, reading became my habit (the best habit, indeed). My next favorite series was the TWiLiGHT SAGA of Ms. Stephenie Meyer. It’s soooooo great
i just love them:)
vixter2010
/ March 7, 2011Glad you have started to love to read, it’s one of my fave things! I hope you continue to enjoy it
Gian Carlo
/ March 8, 2011Yup. I will
I even started to write my own stories and novels. It’s kinda hard 