My Top Five!

Here's the count-down to number one!1

5. The Five People You Meet in Heaven - Mitch Albom2

Eddie, an old war veteran, dies tragically trying to save a little girl from a falling rollercoaster cart. He goes to heaven and meets five people who affected his life, or whose life he affected. The whole time, he's desperate to discover whether his life amounted to anything, whether the little girl is alive or not.3

This book holds a special place in the corner of my heart because it’s so bittersweet and feel-good. It provides Albom’s own unique vision of heaven, and how Eddie relives his life after death to see how every life is connected, even in the smallest ways. 4

4. The Inheritance Trilogy - Christopher Paolini5

Eragon is just a poor farm boy until he finds a blue gem that turns out to be a dragon egg -- making him one of the legendary Dragon Riders. Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, are determined to make the Empire a better place by someday taking down the malevolent king, Galbatorix.6

This whole tale is so exciting; it’s filled with swords, magic, fairy creatures, and a few sprinkles of romance. Each adventure-filled page keeps the reader absorbed and craving more. The Inheritance trilogy is chock-full of my favorite type of fiction ever: fantasy.7

3. Inkheart - Cornelia Funke8

Meggie and her dad, Mo, lived peacefully until a strange man named Dustfinger turns up at their house. Mo tells Meggie everything, or so she thought. Why won’t Mo ever read aloud to Meggie? Where did Dustfinger come from, and why do he and the villain Capricorn want the book Inkheart so badly? And, what really happened to her mother nine years ago?9

What I love best about Inkheart isn't just the exciting plot, it's the fabulous imagery. Every page is filled with pictures and characters that just come to life; reading it is like walking into a movie theater, with the film playing in your mind.10

2. Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling11

On his eleventh birthday, Harry Potter finds out that there's more to him than his dismal life with his snotty aunt, uncle, and cousin; Harry is a wizard. He goes to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where meets new friends, makes a few enemies, and tries to discover the secrets behind the scar given to him by the most powerful dark wizard of all time.12

The Harry Potter series has always been one of my favorites. Rowling is brilliant; all the little puzzle pieces connect in the end, and in the mean time, she leaves enough room for the readers to keep guessing at the end.13

1. The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho14

Santiago is a young shepherd who dreams of something... more. He sets off on a quest laid before him by a dream, and along the way, he meets many people who help and deter him on his journey to quenching his soul's desire, making his personal legend.15

Simply, I love this book because it's so inspirational. It tells a wonderful story, and the moral inspired me. I first read this book when I decided to be a writer, despite my dad's discouragement about my choice profession. The message it provided -- "chase your dreams!" -- was my Gospel while I was growing up.16