Diary of a Semper Fi Wife: Top 10 best books I've ever read

I have decided that I am going to start a "Top 10" theme on my blog. Movies, books, foods, whatever comes into my vast and infinite mind. So for my first installment, I have chosen my all time favorite thing, the book. Call me what you want, but I truly believe that the best thing in the world is curling up on a rainy day and getting lost in the world of fiction. I can't remember who said it, but there is a saying that says "You know when you've read a really good book when you turn the last page and feel as though you've lost a very good friend." So without further ado, I present the Top 10 Best Books I've Ever Read...

10. You've Been Warned by James Patterson

This book is by far one of the weirdest I've ever read. It's literally a grabbing-your-seat, trying-to-force-yourself-not-to-read-ahead kind of book. Dead father, hearing voices, and a forbidden affair...does it get any better than this?

9. Bad Astronomy by Phillip Plait

Now, I'm by far the biggest nerd I've ever met, so of course a science book is going to be on my list. Plait is delightfully cynical, and refutes all of the nonsense that people come up with in regards to the infinite universe. Here he refutes "evidence" that the NASA moon landing was a fake, the "proof" of Astrology, and Hollywood's ten worst examples of really bad astronomy.

8. The Night I Disappeared by Julie Reese Deaver

This is actually a young-adult novel, and one of two Julie Reece Deaver books that are on my list. Jamie is best friends with Webb, a guy who is always there for her, and she seems to be falling for him. And it's not until she has to move halfway across the country from him that she realizes that Webb isn't exactly who he says he is....... A not-so-typical teen novel that, even though I'm way too old for it, it is still a huge joy to read (and reread).

7. A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah

By far one of the most disturbing books I've ever read, while still being deep and staying with me long after I finished it. His brutal honesty, and the imagery he uses in his writing make you feel as though you're there with him doing the corrupt government's bidding, wielding AK-47s, and stuffing yourself full of the drugs that they said were good for you. A wonderful book about redemption, survival, and hope.

6. Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

Another pretty disturbing book. It tells the story of an outcast; a boy who was made fun of his whole life, and then suffered the ultimate betrayal by his bast friend. He finally had had enough, and went on a Columbine-style shooting spree, shooting everyone he thought was responsible for his depression. The ending, however, will blow your mind.... Definitely a must-read.

5. Wildwood by Drusilla CampbellThis book is totally my best friend and I when we get older. Hahaha. Thirty years ago, after no longer being able to handle the sexual advances of her trashy neighbor, Hannah pushes him actidentally over a cliff to his death. Hannah and her two best friends swear never to mention it again. No one in the town was particularly upset about this, so the police let it go as an accident. The nightmare of that day reverberates throughout the lives of the three friends, until one of them is no longer able to hold the silence. A wonderful book about the power of friendship and forgiveness.

4. Say Goodnight, Gracie by Julie Reece Deaver

I am a girl of my word, and this is the second Julie Reece Deaver book on my list. Again, this is a young adult novel, but I could still read this book and love it as much as I did when I was 13. To this day, it is the one of only two books that has made me cry. Morgan (The Night I Disappeared) is the main character of this book, and she and her best friend, Jimmy have been inseperable since birth. But when Jimmy is killed by a drunk driver, she has to teach herself how to live her life without him.

3. The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

Alas, this is the second book that has made me cry. If you really love your father, and he is your hero like mine is, it will make you cry too. 100% money back guarantee. Jeanette Walls and her family bounce around the country, running from the creditors (or the landlord) when they come calling. Her father is a drunk, but in her eyes, he is a superhero. Untimately they move in with his mother, who is horrible, and Jeanette and her brother run away to New York and make their dreams come true. Her parents follow them, and end up homeless (and happy). I'm not going to spoil the ending, but I can promise you that this book will stay with you for a long time after you close it.

2. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. RowlingAgain, being the nerd that I am, I had to put my all time favorite fictional character on my list. Yes my friends, the phenomenon of Harry Potter. I love these books so much that I did a research paper my sophmore year in college about him. This book in particular is one of my favorites. The more the series progressed, the more dark and adult-like the books became. Dumbledore dying?? I mean come on! Who was expecting that?? Definitely not me.

And now, the Number One all time best book I've ever read........

1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Another Harry Potter!!! I'm truly sorry if you don't like the Harry Potter series, but no lie, this is the best book I have ever, ever, ever read. I (refer to nerd comment above) love the mythology and symbolism that this book offers. Kids read it thinking it's just a really good book, and little do they know that its chocked full of smart stuff too! J.K. Rowling is just a genius. I give her serious props for coming up with a series that goes as deep as this one does. If you haven't read it, I strongly urge you to do so immediately, or bad things will happen. (Ok that's not true, but seriously, you should totally read it.)