Last January I started writing down every book I read, including a rating of 1-5 stars. I’ve been meaning to share all of last year’s 5 star books for a while now. . .
Rise to Rebellion by Jeff Shaara – recommendation from Dad // American revolution // historical fiction as it should be // characters felt like real people not impersonal figures // made a world-changing war feel close and personal // engaging & informative
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens – one of my old favorites // deserves to be a classic // French revolution // sacrifice // dark but beautiful // predictable but satisfying
Why Pro-Life? by Randy Alcorn – advocating for pro-life // relevant book // promoting love not hatred // hard (graphic) read but helpful for me
The Chestry Oak by Kate Seredy – WWII Hungary // deep book from a child’s perspective // people who love trees and storytelling // good adoption representation // GOOD story & gorgeous writing
The Genie Bone by Savannah Grace – unforgettable setting // tight world-building // fun characters // unpublished story // furious that it got rejected 😉
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee – another deserving classic // written from a child’s perspective // real life // hard issues // challenging prejudice & assumptions // vivid characters // unforgettable climax
The Wingfeather Sage by Andrew Peterson – two of four books got 5 stars, two books got 4 stars // quirky fantasy // sympathetic characters // positive authority figures (finally!!) // magic // wolf-people! bat-people! dragons! <3
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare – under-appreciated author // early American historical fiction // rivers, ships, springtime, gardening // vivid word pictures // lovable characters // heroine who loves reading (and Shakespeare) // beautiful romance
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis – duh // childhood favorites // classics // wonderful characters // courage and strength // talking animals // Aslan <3 // the best fictional “happy ending” ever
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott – one of my first favorite books // civil war historical fiction // sisters forever // cute romance // a book about a writer! // characters doing their very best to make good choices
The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare – New Testament era historical fiction // love and forgiveness // despair & hope // darkness & light // letting old dreams die // letting new dreams bring healing // another beautiful romance from Ms. Speare // sibling relationships
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien – coming back to my fictional home // just as good as I remember // leaving the comfortable hobbit hole for adventures
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens – best Christmas story ever // crazy character arc // remembering what’s truly important // party games, hot punch, and ghosts // story that sticks with you
*scrolls down list* *practically chokes when I see my name* OH MY GRACIOUS, girl, you’re the best!! Thank you! I’m so glad you loved The Genie Bone :D.
And so much yes to the Wingfeather Saga!! Which of the four books did you give five stars?
Still haven’t had time for HP, I see. Yes, I’m certain you’d give it 5 stars. Somewhere in my boxes of old stuff from my early twenties I hope I still have the list of books I read during the five years between high school and college. I should try to find it.
This was such a fun post, Hanna!
And SAVANNAH YOU MADE IT ONTO HANNA’S FIVE-STAR READS LIST!!! *applause applause*
I should look into some of these books sometime. Thanks for sharing! 🙂