This post might go a bit outside of our typical genres but it was such a neat idea we couldn’t help but ask our fellow Crew members what their most beloved books are. And by beloved I don’t just mean books we love to read but books that are special to us. Books we treasure and will never let go of. Books that we would love to find again because they hold a special place in our heart. Our most beloved books.
Lilyn’s Book
Knight of a Trillion Stars by Dara Joy
Every time I buy it and loan it out, someone steals it. It’s a self-purchase I made years ago and that book is my book. Whenever I need a pick-me-up that is the book I go to. Reading it is like visiting an old friend that always makes me laugh.
GracieKat’s Books
80 Fairy Tales by Hans Christian Anderson
My grandpa was Danish and the only time I’ve ever traveled out of the country was when I was 9 years old. My grandpa and grandma went to Denmark to visit relatives and I went with them. It remains one of my happiest memories from childhood. They bought this book for me there and I read it often. It is one of my most treasured books.
A Dragon Lover’s Treasury of the Fantastic edited by Margaret Weis
It’s pretty well known that I don’t read much fantasy. However! Dragons are beautiful and I’ve always loved them (dragons in various shapes, sizes and stuffies are currently taking over my house). This book is special to me because it is the first gift my husband (boyfriend at the time way back in 1997) ever bought me. We have literally known each other our entire lives and I love that he knows me so well.
The Anything Box by Zenna Henderson
When I hit ages 7-8 I did a leap from kid’s books to ‘grown-up’ books and The Anything Box is one of my earliest reading memories. I still have the original copy my mom let me “borrow” (and quickly disappeared into my bookshelves).
Olly’s Book
Danse Macabre by Stephen King
I have a copy of Danse Macabre by Stephen King which was given to me by a girlfriend of mine with a lovely message inside, shortly before she died.
Sam’s Book
The Hobbit: Or, There and Back Again – Illustrated (The Rankin Bass Deluxe Edition w/ Clear Dustjacket)
My dad used to read a ton when he was younger and he had a massive illustrated Rankin/Bass edition of The Hobbit when I was a kid. When I think about learning to read and where my love of books comes from, I 100% think of that book and remember my dad reading it to me and teaching me to read from it. I want to get a copy for my shelves but in decent condition they’re…a little expensive.
Tracy’s Books
Creature by Hunter Shea
Hunter Shea gave me a personalized hardcover copy of Creature in a giveaway he held. It was just supposed to be signed but he went the extra mile. I loved this book so this means a lot and I treasure it.
Secretary of Dreams (vol. 2) by Stephen King
I obtained a copy of Stephen King’s Secretary of Dreams, vol. 2 from Cemetery Dance via giveaway from Richard Chizmar. This gift edition is pricier than anything I’ll ever be able to afford, so I cherish it.
Prose and Poetry of England edited by Elizabeth Frances Ansorge and Prose and Poetry of America edited by H. Edward McGraw
Two years ago a student gave me these two old classic anthologies. Inside are signatures and dates on end pages dating back to the 30s. They get passed around within and without their family and friends when they find someone to pass them on to that will cherish the gesture and the book. She chose me.
I felt so unworthy and so honoured at the same time.
Tiny Tentacle’s Book
Dracula by Bram Stoker
It was our first horror book that my mom (mom being a very proud GracieKat) and I finished, taking turns reading together. It was also my first step into the genre I’ve come to love.
Above are a few of our most beloved books. It’s amazing and somewhat awe inspiring what a book can do. The feelings it can evoke just by looking at it. Reading is truly powerful. We’d love to hear some of your most cherished books and, if you don’t mind sharing, why they are precious to you.
GracieKat was the first co-host of Sci-Fi & Scary, Lilyn’s partner-in-crime, and sub-head of the Coolthulhu Crew. She reviews horror books, movies, and games for the site. She also does a weekly Focus on the Frightful feature, and is the site list-maker. She is also in control of the Sci-Fi & Scary podcast which will relaunch soon.
Gracie is also a member of the Ladies of Horror Fiction crew.
I have too many books that have unique stories behind them like maybe a BFF gave it to me, or I got it autographed by a fave author, so I can’t chose a physical book as my most-beloved. i will choose my first horror book, The Exorcist. I was a kid (had to sneak the book), and I was astounded at the powerful reaction a book could give me. It was certainly different than the wussy, too-happy, lesson-yielding stories they made us read in school! I was hooked on horror from then on.
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I’m not a huge horror fan, so I’m not familiar with your site, but your response to Mr. Klein was . . . epic.
I just hope *I* never tick you off!
As long as you aren’t a jerk we shall never have a problem 🙂 (We also review sci-fi too!)