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Reviews & Recommendations

Those That Remain: 10 Books That Stayed With Me

Melinda Tognini October 12, 2014 4 Comments

Recently a friend posted a Facebook challenge that requires nominees to list 10 books that have stayed with them in some way. I normally avoid the challenges doing the rounds of social media. They somehow remind me of the chain letters I used to receive during my childhood. And the introvert in me particularly resists those requiring video evidence. But I guess my friend suspected this task would appeal to me, and she was right. So, which books have stayed with  me in some way?

The Magic Faraway Tree, The Enchanted Wood, The Famous Five, all by Enid Blyton and The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis

1. The Magic Faraway Tree and The Enchanted Wood by Enid Blyton

As a child, I loved the magical world of the Faraway Tree and its inhabitants. Blyton knew how to write a cliffhanger, too, and I often found myself begging for ‘just one more chapter’.

2. The Famous Five by Enid Blyton

When I was 11, my family spent a year travelling around Australia, but I think I spent more time in the world of the Famous Five than I did my own. Whenever we arrived in a new town, I’d look out for a second-hand bookshop with which to feed my habit.

3. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

I first read The Chronicles of Narnia when I was about 10, after discovering original editions on the dusty shelves of my grandparents’ beach shack. Now my children have also discovered them.

Tomorrow When the War began by John Marsden, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

 4. Tomorrow When the War Began by John Marsden

Tomorrow When the War Began was published about the same time I began my teaching career. After devouring as much YA fiction as possible, I thought this book had potential to appeal to both reluctant and avid readers. It went on to win numerous awards.

5. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

These words of Atticus Finch truly inspire me and form a large part of why I write:You never really understand a person ... Harper Lee

6. Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

I read Dairy of a Young Girl at about the same age Anne was when she started keeping her diary. I loved her strength, tenacity and way with words; I was devastated that those were not enough.

7. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Hadden

In acknowledging that this is just one representation of someone living with Aspergers, The Curious Incident caused me to change how I viewed those on the Autism spectrum, to see the person rather than the condition, their abilities instead of limitations.

Cloudstreet, The Turning, A Country Too Far, The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul

  8. Cloudstreet and The Turning by Tim Winton

Cloudstreet is set in the same area of Perth in which my mother grew up and where I lived while at university. In The Turning, the settings and characters in one story reappear in another so as a reader, I have the best of both worlds – a story I can read in one sitting without having to say goodbye to the people in them. A technique I’d like to replicate in my own writing.

9. A Country Too Far, edited by Thomas Keneally and Rosie Scott

An extraordinary mixture of fiction and non-fiction narratives about the experiences of asylum seekers in Australia. While I still don’t claim to have the answers to the questions about refugees, each story enabled me to ‘climb inside of his [or her] skin and walk around inside it’.

10. The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul by Deborah Rodriguez

Perhaps it is because I have been reading numerous books about Iraq and Afghanistan this year, but I enjoyed this easy-to-read novel about life in Kabul from a range of perspectives.

 Your Invitation to Participate

Rather than nominate others to complete the task, as the challenge dictates, I offer an invitation. If it appeals to you, I’d love to hear which books are on your list. There are no right or wrong answers; simply those that impacted you in some way. Either leave a comment here, or include as a post on your blog and let me know so I can go check it out.

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Melinda Tognini

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4 Comments

  1. margretdj says:
    October 14, 2014 at 10:56 am

    This is a challenge just because I love to read since I was in elementary school. I owned over 100 books and I have my favorites. I started to read in Spanish and when I was 8, I love Snow White and Sleeping Beauty. Then I get to be in high school and I discovered Marianela by Benito Perez Galdos and Maria by Jorge Isaac. Two romance stories that both have a sad ending and until today they always stayed with me. Other amazing books, Jonathan Livingston Seagull (Juan Salvador Gaviota) and the little Prince (El Principito) they’re books who bring memories and I keep in my heart.
    When I moved to the USA and started to read in English Hercule Poirot stories and Sherlock Holmes was my favorites. Then my son shows on one of my birthdays with Angel & Demons and Da Vinci Code; two awesome books that I read twice.
    You can see, I read anything with a good story. Every time I go to the library or a bookstore I have to get a new book. I’m currently reading The Lost Goddess by Tom Knox. Hurray for writers!

    Reply
  2. melindatognini says:
    October 15, 2014 at 11:03 am

    I remember reading Jonathan Livingston Seagull as a kid; I think it may have been another book owned by one of my parents. I will have to look it up for a re-read now. Thanks for reminding me.

    Reply
  3. Janine says:
    October 15, 2014 at 8:28 pm

    as a preteen I read all my mums Mary Grant Bruce collection and loved everyone
    to Kill a Mocking Bird
    Hobbit
    Fairy Tale
    Narnia
    Road to freedom
    Christopher Robin
    Mary Poppins
    Kokoda
    Lord of the Rings

    Reply
  4. melindatognini says:
    October 15, 2014 at 8:46 pm

    A great list of books here, Janine. I had completely forgotten Mary Grant Bruce and her Billabong series, which I also read as a preteen. Now that you have reminded me, I want to look them up again!

    Reply

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Apologies for the late reply! I shall go check out your post - even the title is intriguing!
In 6 Degrees of Separation: From Orbital to Imperfect
I haven't read any of the books on your chain (though am reading Orbital currently) but love the clever links... And now adding Writer Laid Bare to my TBR.. my post is here - https://www.ladyinreadwrites.com/two-roads-diverged-in-the-words-with-trivia-twists-too/
In 6 Degrees of Separation: From Orbital to Imperfect
You're welcome! Thank you for being so generous with your time in answering my questions as well as all the incredible work encouraging creatives everywhere!
In Reflect. Simplify. Create: In Conversation with Amanda Viviers

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