This has gone around facebook over the past few weeks, and then I was tagged a couple of times. I decided to break the rules a bit (shocker) and move it to my blog.

Anyway, here is the original post: In your status line, list 10 books that have stayed with you in some way. Don’t take more than a few minutes and don’t think too hard – they don’t have to be “right” or “great” works, just the ones that have touched you.

In no particular order:

1.) A World Without End, by Ken Follett. This is actually the second of his two books in the series (the first being Pillars of the Earth – also a great book). This book is absolutely fantastic. My goal in life is to write a historical novel this engaging, with such fascinating characters and such detail on the time period. I listened to this as an audio book before I picked up a paperback copy and went through all 50+ hours of audio in a crazy amount of time. I listened to it whenever I had five minutes to spare. Train rides, short walk to the grocery store, etc.

2.) Summer of My German Soldier, by Bette Greene. Growing up, I’ve always been fascinated by world war 2. This book was so different from most other books I’ve read because it was focused in the US. I remember it leaving me heartbroken (even at a young age). I looked forward to the sequel, but sadly it didn’t deliver. In fact, if you haven’t read it – don’t.

3.) Misty of Chincoteague, by Marguerite Henry (actually all of her horse books). I love horses and Marguerite’s books made them come alive in my mind. I actually have the Misty Breyer Horse (and her foal). I think I’ve read most of these books at least twice and have them saved in a box under my bed due to space rather than not wanting them on my shelf. Also on my bucket list is a trip to the island of Chincoteague.

4.) The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt, by Edmund Morris. I find Roosevelt to be so fascinating. He has forever impressed me with his love of science and what he did for our National Parks. This book was a fantastic look at his early years and the live he lived (both ups and downs) before he reachedoffice. Interesting tidbit – Because of public demand to meet the great TR, on New Years Day, 1907, The Roosevelt’s held an open house where the public could shake hands with the President. By the end of the day, Roosevelt had shaken the hands of 8,510 people, setting a new Guinness World record. That record would hold until July of 1977 – over 70 years.

5.) Number the Stars, by Lois Lowry. Another book I read as a young girl. This one stood out to me because it took place in Copenhagenand I could so easily picture the exact streets in my head.

6.) Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl, by Anne Frank. I read this book at least twice, once was during a family vacation in Germany. I finished the day before we visited the concentration camp where Anne and her sister Margot died just a month before Liberation. A book that everyone should read.

7.) The Black Stallion, by Walter Farley (and the rest of his Black Stallion series). Again with the horses. After reading these books (also stowed under my bed) I was so dead-set on owning an Arabian. I think it was the imagery that I created in my head that made these books so great. The beautiful horse in the movie helped.

8.) Tales of a Female Nomad, by Rita Golden Gelman. Who doesn’t want to just get rid of everything and explore? But then I remember I’m broke.

9.) Indian in the Cupboard, by Lynne Reid Banks. Forget turning little toy people into real people, bring on all the animals! I had plans for the greatest zoo ever in my room. All my breyer horses? “Sorry mom, can’t do chores right now. The ponies needs to be fed.”

10) The Cat Who Wore a Pot On Her Head, by Jan Slepian. One of my favorite books as a little kid. Loved it.

Funny how so many of the books I’ve mentioned were books that I read as a kid/pre-teen. Not that I haven’t really enjoyed books that I’ve read a little more recently, but I think it says a lot when I book sticks with you for so long.