I have a habit that when someone invites me home, then do not watch cactus paprotek or crystals on the furniture. Some hosts certainly sad because of this. My eyes like a magnet, however, bookcase (this rude, but I really can not resist, even when I sit back on him!). The book reveals not a little about the owner, about his hobbies, spiritual quest, and preferred activities. Today, I invite you on a trip to one of my bookshelves. This is a unique shelf - the absolute top list of 10 most, most, najulubieńszych books of all time (and holidays as well). List is somewhat sentimental, which does not mean that the same. Most of them read the first time as a child - and made friends for longer.
selection criteria are simple: first
I got this book at home and not give! Even if you minimize the rest.
second I read at least 3 times.
third Any time I start reading on any page and it will be a pleasure for me.
The books are arranged by date of creation.
Gust have rather unsophisticated. But I think it tastes like the most about for discussion (indeed, the most interesting discussions are just a taste!), so please go ahead, criticize or applaud, top lists, check their own - in a word, I am inviting you to comment!
first "The Three Musketeers" Alexandre Dumas (French), 1844
"Three Musketeers" Having read the first 9 years old and from then on it was one of the favorite summer reading list. Love, fights, collected, war, friendship, betrayal, and secrets of the mission past - ucieszyłabym happen if the present authors, rather than bore readers with his imaginative writing problems, although they could cobble together a story in 1 / 10 so addictive. From time to time I feel like just for something like this - the story from which you can not tear himself away.
second "Jane Eyre" Charlotte Bronte (English), 1847
classic English literature, postponed several times for the film. It is worth mentioning that the book was in Victorian times, was written against the current trends in force, due to a title character. The figure of Jane - independent, independent, resourceful teachers, the poor, but very much built around is timeless. Jane combines sensitivity with great inner strength (ideal woman?). It sounds a bit pathetic, but it lacks a simple, good-natured humor and cut the tongue. Themes of the novel and character Jane was very pleasantly adapted the novel "The Rape of Jane E." Jasper Fforde was an act of the adventures of Thursday Next - a literary detective (2001), which incidentally is also recommended.
third "Adventure in the Arctic," Peter Freuchen (Danish), 1935 Travel
typically only book on the list. Perhaps less well known than other titles, so her perspective, briefly. Peter Freuchen after graduation he settled in the north of Greenland, where he founded together with Knut Rasmussen trading post. Both lived among the Inuit and how they lived. After several years Freuchen married a local girl - now his life has been associated with the adoptive homeland. Broadcast describes his adventures with humor, but also great humility - not only against nature, but the Inuit, from whom he learned to live in these extreme conditions - though from the beginning. Freuchena words you can read his great respect for their customs, knowledge and skills, and morality, which in our European point of view may seem full of cruelty. Mothers kill children during the great famine, deserted old woman hunting foxes, exchange of wives, murdering "social disgrace", a witch, brought by white habits. At the same time Freuchen not judge, and if you - it's usually standing on the side of Inuit from the north. The whole book is actually a collection of stories and anecdotes from the life of the author, but also an inexhaustible source of ethnographic knowledge. In memory of falls many adventures, which he describes, amazing people, friendships, events, extreme conditions of life and travel. And this grief and alienation, when he returns to "civilization" ...
4th "Autumn in Beijing," Boris Vian (French), 1947
Viana love for an amazing, surreal imagination and intransigence. "Autumn in Beijing" is the story of a group of people whose fate brought on ... desert (with Beijing is not a word - just a joke the author). Engineers building the railway, the hermit, the camp of archaeologists, strange events, all garnished with a large dose of absurdity and black humor. Vian ridicule bureaucracy and social norms, while also being lover of beauty, especially beautiful women. I recommend the author at length, though some of his novels make me depressed.
5th "The Lord of the Rings" Tolkien (English), 1954-1955
Another classic on the list, thanks to the movie a few years ago you probably do not need to specifically provide. I will only add that I'm a fan of sworn written form (though film adaptation was on its way good!). My favorite volume of the "Two Towers" - not as idyllic as the "trip" and not as pathetic as the "Return of the King", but dark and true adventure. I like the multi-dimensionality of Tolkien's prose, the variety of interpretations, but also the climate, the beautiful, rich language (which you can fully appreciate reaching the original) and a good dose of humor. One winter we read the whole of the Sahib on the floor, changing every chapter. Very fond memories of those evenings.
6th "Stay Beautiful" Lilo Aureden (in German), 1958
unusual book on the list - the only guide. However, this is a guide, which reads like a best novel. Ms. Lilo traveled all over the world, on matters beauty and fashion watching and French, and American, and Italians, indeed, even mention the Ruthenian sucks. And it happened at a time when masks are not bought in a store, stocking stitch had to have mandatory, and the jeans were used only for work in the garden. The words of the author rises to a gentle spirit of minimalism - as you do not overdo the makeup, how to be fine with only one dress, etc. Other times, but the philosophy remains the same. My grandfather gave Grandma a book with a dedication, so it is also a family treasure. A grandmother, who is almost 90 years, looks at 60 - to be perhaps through the book and it contains tips:)
7th "The Left Hand of Darkness Ursula Le Guin (ameryk.), 1969
only book of science fiction, my favorite author. Le Guin is primarily associated with the cycle of fantasy, "Earthsea," but in my opinion, "Left Hand of Darkness," it raises. The action happens on the planet is not without reason called the winter, which comes a man - a messenger Ekumeny. I purposely wrote the "man", because winter is inhabited by the intersex society. Not only that freezes all the time and is regarded as a pervert (as a person still revealing the characteristics of only one sex), in addition, is embroiled in various political game. Le Guin's book, contains most of her work as a mild feminism, raises questions about the boundaries of femininity and masculinity, and the "normality" and is also a story about friendship and loyalty.
8th "The art of life and survival," Hans Otto Meissner (German), 1982
classic book on topics survival. The author devotes the bulk of topics such as acquisition of water, food, building shelters, equipment (now a bit outdated). Each chapter begins with a history of lived by the author or his friends, which is illustrated by the question. There is a pilot who crashes in the winter away from human habitations, are the gold seekers who are dying of hunger, they are poachers and hunters, Sami and Australians. The lecture is a tale globetrotter, who "ate from a number of forest berries," or rather "at many a campfire baked caribou." Despite the strong hunting theme, even a vegetarian (-nka), this book may be read with pleasure. The most important message the author is the such: it is not survival gear - it's ingenuity, his head on his shoulders and will to survive, without which survival is impossible.
9th "The God of Small Things" Arundhati Roy (ind.), 1997
book that touched me very much. The tragic, painful history, the world of children versus the adult world, the clash of law and morality, feelings and duty, love and society. And all this in a setting of modern India. Told story goes like a spiral, reeling ever tighter circles, until the culminating moment, which brim over with emotion. Met with the opinion that the language is too sophisticated Roy, a bizarre story structure, but for me it is a literary masterpiece, and just a strong reading.
10th "Prawiek and other times" Tokarczuk (Engl.), 2005
easy to see that this is the only Polish author, who caught up on my list. "Prawiek" I like to be an amazing atmosphere and varied history, rolling down slowly, without haste, by next year. For me it's the best book so far Tokarczuk and certainly it has not yet come back again.
PS. At the end of a brief commentary on the list. Lacking Here a few authors I like, such as Murakami, Dick Lewis, Diembergera so there is not a book about Indian cultures, there is no Latin American literature. I just do not meet the strict criteria of selection. Only 10 - it's really a tough choice! And one more thought - half the titles are "mare" after several hundred pages. Because I really like reading:)
