Listmania

I'm really enjoying getting to know all these new lovely people through Effy's Blog Along, 
so in keeping with that 'getting to know you' vibe today I thought I'd make a list!  
While I'll used the Top 10 format I do so very loosely as in these are the 10 things that 
popped into my mind but not necessarily in this order. And to keep it simple I'm not 
going to put any linkadoodles on them. Okay...ready? Here we go!

Favorite Books or Book Series

1.  Harry Potter series JK Rowling~ 
Magic, wonder, good vs. evil, enduring friendships and love...what's not 
to love about this wonderful series?  These books touched me so much
 I remember where I was and what was happening in my life when I read 
them.  We were in Germany and we became obsessed with Harry Potter 
so much so that my daughter had 2 Harry Potter birthday parties, I worked with the military movie theatre to organize a Girl Scout exclusive double feature when the second movie came out and went to the other troops in costume to invite them to the showing, and we won the costume and trivia contests at the book release parties for 5,6, and 7.  My daughter was in kindergarten when the first book came out and by the time the last one was published, she was a freshman in high school.  Even though my son's grown up with the movies, I'm looking forward to diving into the books with him this year.

2.  Lord of the Rings series JRR Tolkien~
This is another series that I remember where I was when I first read it.  I was a freshman in 
high school when I was introduced to these books.  And because of them,  I wanted to go on an 
epic quest of my own.
  
3.  Mists of Avalon Marion Zimmer Bradley~
I only read this one book of the series and it was enough.  It came to me around the same time 
I started reading about Goddess spirituality.  It nourished my spirit in ways I didn't know I needed 
and too this day I look at it as a touchstone that brought me to where I am today.

4.  Percy Jackson and the Olympians Rick Riordan~
This sweet series is a modern day rendering of the Greek Gods.  While not as multilayered as the 
HP series it's still one of those that I find myself returning to read again and again.  Plus Rick Riordan 
is from my old hometown San Antonio, Texas!

5. Peter and the Starcatchers Dave Barry~
So this one is a recent addition as in I just discovered them at the beginning of this year.  Basically 
the story of how Peter became the Pan and how his rivalry with Captain Hook began.  And I have it on 
audiobook read by Jim Dale who also read the HP audiobook series.

6.  Artemis Fowl Eoin Colfer~
This was another 'if you liked Harry Potter try this' series recommendation.  
Artemis is a boy that is just too smart for his own good going against the LEP recon (leprechauns...get it?) 

7.  Immortals After Dark Series Kresely Cole~
There is something to be said about reading trashy novels.  This series is total brain candy...not good in large 
doses every once in a while is okay.

8.  Friday Night Knit Club Kate Jacobs
I was just beginning to knit and discovered there were books about knitting groups!  I believe this was the 
audiobook I really got into because with so much beautiful yarn who has time to hold a book?!

9.  Goddesses in Every Woman Jean Shinoda Bolen~
This is another touchstone along my Goddess spirituality path.  Because of this book I really got a clear sense of how Goddess moved through every woman and I began to see her everywhere especially as I got to know the stories of Goddesses from other cultures.  

10.  The Moon Under Her Feet Clysta Kinstler
This book reads like it could have been a historical account of Jesus as told by Mary Magdalene.  Beautifully 
moving this book was instrumental in my learning to love the Christ again...just holding it in my hands makes me want to go back and read it again.

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So that's my top 10 books and series but I'm always looking for the next great read so leave some suggestions with your comments! Oh!  If you're on GoodReads, I'd love to add you as a friend and see what you're reading!