Favorite Series | Favorite Books | Favorite Non-Fiction | Favorite Short Stories

Almost every job I have had has been in a library, either public or academic.  As a result, I have had vast exposure to many different kinds of books.  Listed here are just a few of my favorite books.  This list is ever-changing and will continue to grow with the books that I read.  Since my tastes are varied, this list is rather eccentric.

For most of the books, I have tried to link them to Amazon.

Favorite Series

The Little House Books
Laura Ingalls Wilder

No matter how you look at it, the Little House books are true classics, employing sincerity of voice, clarity of language, and honest adventure.  There is no other series of books that shaped the foundation of my writing style more.

• Little House in the Big Woods

• Little House on the Prairie

• Farmer Boy

• On the Banks of Plum Creek

• By the Shores of Silver Lake

• The Long Winter

• Little Town on the Prairie

• These Happy Golden Years

• The First Four Years

The Cooper Kids Series
Frank Peretti

The Cooper Kids Series is one of the only sets of books I remember reading that truly changed the way I viewed storytelling.  They are books for kids, but I still enjoy reading them today as an adult.

• The Door in the Dragon's Throat
• Escape from the Island of Aquarius
• The Tombs of Anak
• Trapped at the Bottom of the Sea
• The Secret of the Desert Stone
• The Deadly Curse of Toco Rey
• The Legend of Annie Murphy
• Flying Blind

The Trixie Belden Mysteries
Julie Campbell/Kathryne Kenny

Nancy Drew was great, but Trixie Belden was spectacular.  Her relationship with her friends and family taught me the essentials of character design before I even knew how to create a character.  (Trixie Belden on Wikiepedia)

• The Secret of the Mansion
• The Red Trailer Mystery
• The Gatehouse Mystery
• The Mysterious Visitor
• The Mystery Off Glen Road
• The Mystery in Arizona
• The Mysterious Code
• The Black Jacket Mystery
• The Happy Valley Mystery
• The Marshland Mystery
• The Mystery at Bob-White Cave
• The Mystery of the Blinking Eye
• The Mystery on Cobett's Island
• The Mystery of the Emeralds
• The Mystery on the Mississippi
• The Mystery of the Missing Heiress
• The Mystery of the Uninvited Guest
• The Mystery of the Phantom Grasshopper
• The Secret of the Unseen Treasure
• The Mystery off Old Telegraph Road
• The Mystery of the Castaway Children
• The Mystery on Mead's Mountain
• The Mystery of the Queen's Necklace
• The Mystery at Saratoga
• The Sasquatch Mystery
• The Mystery of the Headless Horseman
• The Mystery of the Ghostly Galleon
• The Hudson River Mystery
• The Mystery of the Velvet Gown
• The Mystery of the Midnight Marauder
• The Mystery at Maypenny's
• The Mystery of the Whispering Witch
• The Mystery of the Vanishing Victim
• The Mystery of the Missing Millionaire
• The Mystery of the Memorial Day Fire
• The Mystery of the Antique Doll
• The Pet Show Mystery
• The Indian Burial Ground Mystery
• The Mystery of the Galloping Ghost

The Chronicles of Narnia
C.S. Lewis

There are few stories in the history of fiction that have as much meaning and symbolism as the seven books in the Chronicles of Narnia.  Besides being good stories on their own merit, the truths behind the stories themselves is amazing.  These books taught me the meaning and importance of allegory and symbolism.

• The Magician's Nephew
• The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
• The Horse and His Boy
• Prince Caspian
• The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
• The Silver Chair
• The Last Battle

The Circle Trilogy
Ted Dekker

The Circle Trilogy revolutionized the way I looked at Christian fiction.  Few Christian authors are able to weave as intense and thrilling a web of plot and action as Ted Dekker.  This trilogy taught me how to create a fantastic action story that doesn't sacrifice morality or faith by mixing a powerful message with the tenants of science fiction.

• Black
• Red
• White

The Harry Potter Series
J.K. Rowling

Though disputed by many Christians, I believe the Harry Potter series is one of the most important works of fiction that has ever been written.  J.K. Rowling has created an incredible world that not only appeals to children but to adults as well, and her stories communicate truths in ways that many people can identify with and learn from.

• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkeban
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (forthcoming)

The Thrawn Trilogy
Timothy Zahn

These three books pick up the Star Wars legacy after the movies leave off.  Zahn does a spectacular job of recreating George Lucas's characters and telling the story in its original voice.

• Heir to the Empire
• Dark Force Rising
• The Last Command

The Maximum Ride Trilogy
James Patterson

This trilogy is perhaps one of the most amazing I have ever experienced.  The voice Patterson has created in Max, his main character, is astonishing, brilliant, and engaging.  The action is fast-paced and complex in its simplicity.  This series taught me how much a great voice can add to the storytelling experience.

• The Angel Experiment
• School's Out - Forever
• Saving the World and other Extreme Sports

Other series I enjoy:

• The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (J.R.R. Tolkien)
• The Mandie Books (Lois Gladys Leppard)
• The Dominion Trilogy (Robin Parish)
• Star Wars (multiple titles, various authors)

Favorite Books

Ishmael
Barbara Hambly

Yes, it's a Star Trek book.  But it's a great Star Trek book, well written and full of humor and irony and action.  It's a must read for any science fiction fan.

Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen

Pride and Prejudice is the classic of classics.  I believe it's Jane Austen's crowning achievement.  It's the perfect combination of romance, cultural dignity, and humor.

Frankenstein
Mary Shelley

Frankenstein is a classic story about the sanctity of human life.  It's an amazing novel with a complicated story, beautifully crafted characters, and a complex framework.

The Scarlet Letter
Nathaniel Hawthorne

The Scarlet Letter is full of symbolism and beautiful imagery that many people miss on first read.  The symbolic names, images, places, and colors create an amazing story that is far-reaching in its message.

Oh, the Places You'll Go
Dr. Seuss

This book, with it's encouraging message and implied references, is so much more than a children's book.  It was given to be when I graduated high school, and I still read it today.

Eli
Bill Myers

Eli is a modern-day allegorical retelling of the Passion of the Christ.  This is a beautiful story that really imagines who Jesus is and how He interacted with the people around Him.

Favorite Non-Fiction

Blue Like Jazz: Non-Religious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
Don Miller

This is probably my favorite book of all time.  Its casual, conversational tone is engaging and humorous, and it tackles difficult-to-discuss "Christian" issues with grace and depth.  It's undoubtedly one of the best books I've ever read.

The Dream Giver
Bruce Wilkenson

This is a tremendous book.  The first part is an allegory, and the second part is the explanation of the allegory.  Overall, it is encouraging, inspirational, and uplifting. 

Favorite Short Stories

"Harrison Bergeron"
Kurt Vonnegut

"Young Goodman Brown"
Nathaniel Hawthorne

"War"
Jack London

"The Pit and the Pendulum"
Edgar Allen Poe

"The Gift of the Magi"
O. Henry

Thoughts from the Booktruck (my blog)

Dictionary.com

Christian Writers Guild

Fanfiction.net

My Fanfiction

Half.com

NewSpring Church

Clayhouse

Kidzworld

Wichita State University

Wichita State University Libraries

Haven Public Library

© 2007 A.C. Williams