Laura’s Top 10 Stand-Alone Novels
When I started to put this list together, I thought I would struggle as there would be so many books to choose from. But, actually I found it to be a little bit of the opposite as I realised just how many series books I read. In fact, nearly all the books I read are in a series, which left me with quite a limited choice. Which does mean that a lot of my favourite stand-alone books are actually also classics. But it did remind me that the classics, are classics for a reason!
1. Wuthering Heights – Emily Brontë
This fabulously elemental tale of love, betrayal and passion is a literary classic and a love story like no other. It should be on everyone’s reading list.
2. Time Traveller’s Wife – Audrey Niffenegger
I simply adore this book, the love story is so unique and fabulously original. The time travel aspect is one I’ve never come across before and it captured my imagination and my heart.
3. Jane Eyre – Charlotte Brontë
Ahh Mr. Rochester, the ultimate brooding romance hero. But it is without a doubt governess Jane that makes this book. The tale of a governess, who struggles through a desperate childhood to find love as a governess, but as we all know the course of love never runs smooth and a terrible secret tears her world apart.
4. Phantom Waltz – Catherine Anderson
This is a beautifully written and unusual romance as the heroine is in a wheelchair. Anderson is one of my favourite romance writers and she writes with such compassion, her romances sweep you away. I’ve read this one at least three times.
5. The Lovely Bones – Alice Sebold
This is a book you need to read with a box of tissues at the ready. The story of a young girl who was brutally murdered and watches her family as they cope with her death from heaven. A remarkably moving story.
6. I Am Legend – Richard Matheson
This must be the original apocalyptic, vampire horror. If you call yourself a horror fan, then you must read this book, it’s poignantly dark and chilling.
7. Memoirs of a Geisha – Arthur Golden
Golden’s tale of a young girl sold into servitude as a Geisha in the 1930s, is a sensual and often painful story of survival. The writing is poignant and breathtaking, and to think this was his debut novel!
8. Frankenstein – Mary Shelley
This tragic, gothic horror story is a startling tale of human selfishness and betrayal. As professor Frankenstein creates and animates a creature from dead body parts, he unfolds a series of dark events that causes his life to come crashing down around him.
9. The Last Knight – Candice Proctor
You know this is one of those books I would be the first to admit isn’t the best written or the most poignant. I just really liked it, I finished the book with a huge smile on my first, I loved the romance and the characters.
10. The Witches – Roald Dahl
I’m sure you’ll let me sneak in a children’s book at number ten? This was probably one of, if not my favourite book as a girl. See I’ve always liked tales of the supernatural and scaring myself! Roald Dahl’s imagination was an amazing place.
17 Comments
I have read six of these – both of the Brontes, Frankenstein, I am Legend, Memoirs of a Geisha and you've never lived if you haven't read The Witches… or any of Roald Dahl's work come to that.
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Yes on Geisha on Eyre. But Time Trav, nope, I am still angry at that book cos I do not like when thsoe things happen
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I would definitely agree about Memoirs of a Geisha and The Time Traveller's Wife. Two of my most favourite books.
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More books to add to my wishlist!
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All great books! And you're right, classics are classics for a reason. Hollywood made tons of money for turning most of these into movies.
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I haven't read any of these ones… Lol!
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Love, love Time Travellers Wife and I Am Legend is on my list to read
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I love, love, love The witches. I don't know how many times I read it when I was a kid. I never got tired of the book. I saw the movie many times also.
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I love stand alones but they are so hard to find.
I have Lovely Bones on my list to read next year.
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This is a great idea for a list. I may need to compile my own. And I completely agree about JANE EYRE!
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Memoirs of a Geisha is a nice book, and the film is great too
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Roald Dahl will always hold a place in my heart. I don't think there's a book of his I haven't read that I haven't loved, including The Witches; great list!
Kelly @ Radian Shadows
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@Chippy oh yes all Roald Dahl's books are marvellous – love Matilda too
@Blodeudd you ddn't like the Time Traveller's Wife? What made you angry?
@Vivienne fab books aren't they
@Dot my wishlist is soooo long now!
@kimmullican thanks if only Hollywood could get the adaptations right!
@Bookish Brunette none at all? What would be on your list?
@Carmen me too – such an amazing book!
@Books from the Basement I loved all of his books as a kid too
@Marce yes most books are in series now. Enjoy The Lovely Bones
@Angiegirl Jane Eyre is fab! Glad you enjoyed the list
@loobylu72 I haven't seen the film actually, I must
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@Kelly yes all Dahl's book are magical. So glad you liked the list
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There are some excellent choices here. I think 'Wuthering Heights' is my favorite book evah.
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Four of your top ten would be in my top ten too:
• Wuthering Heights (gorgeous, heart-wrenching love story!!)
• Jane Eyre (just a beautifully written novel!)
• I Am Legend( a classic in the genre – one of the best I've read)
• Frankenstein (a book beyond in time, just brilliant)
Great list, L x
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Great list! One of these days I am going to read Wuthering Heights.
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