Top 10 books...in no order

I threatened you with it and here it is! I like to read, so here are my 10 favourite books, in no particular order:

1. Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers (J.R.R. Tolkein). I know this is the middle of a trilogy of books, but this is the most gripping. By this point the characters are well established, the ring discovered and the Fellowship broken. Against all odds a battle must be fought and won in the hearts of Men and on the barricades of Helm's Deep. Meanwhile the friendship and solidarity of two Hobbits will be tested by Smeagol/Gollum and two other Hobbits will earn their place in the history of the tale with bravery and diplomacy. There is just so much that happens in this book and being the middle book it sets up for a gripping finale! 
2. Wuthering Heights (Emily Bronte) - When her sister was writing about a mad woman in an attic, Emily was exploring the dark and brooding nature of the human condition. The passion of the swarthy Heathcliff for Cathy, his love. The moors are a metaphor for the tumultuous relationship of the two and their doomed entwining of souls. The book braved new ideas including naming towns and dates, Emily pushed boundaries and wrote a tale as haunting and brooding today as ever.
3. Dracula (Bram Stoker) - The original and best. This story is followed via letters, journal entries and newspaper articles. The character of Dracula gets under your skin and whether a metaphor for loss of innocence or just a bloody good horror, Dracula today still has the power to shock and disturb. The ship coming in to Whitby with the man lashed to the wheel is still one of the eeriest and disturbing images.
4. Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austin) - Another brave, female author of her time. Austin's tale deals with more than just love. She creates a strong, independent female character who is not tamed by Darcy, but rather, able to flourish from his seemingly stern and patronising figure. With comedic characters such as Mr Collins and dastardly rogues, such as Mr Wickham, we learn with Miss Elizabeth Bennett to stay strong, but not to judge a book by its cover.
5. The Walking Dead (Robert Kirkman) - A series of very graphic novels. This is not so much about the zombies as it is about survival and taking risks for those you love. Rich will do anything to keep his son, Carl, alive and it turns out the living are more of a problem than the dead.
6. Ruple and Evelyn (Laurence Beveridge) - A story of love, loss and the supernatural. All of this in a back drop of an alternative British past. Due to an unusual set of circumstances, the British monarchy has almost deliberately come down to one line of kings who rule under the ideals of enlightenment. One stormy night, triplets are born whoo will change the course of history. First, they must survive the loss of their parents at the hands of the evil Cardinal, Seth Septus, before transforming their land into the centre of enlightenment, education, architecture and music that it was always intended to be. It is Ruple, the youngest of the three who must lift the curse of his family while he fights his own demons of excess regarding women, alcohol and self loathing. All of this while losing the only woman he ever loved, Evelyn and all against while dealing with Seth Septus's evil religious cult, which has more to it than it seems and which is determined to bring the triplets down. Will he succeed, or will the power that runs through Ruple prevail? All of this was written as a novella to accompany Fearless Vampire Killers' first E.P, 'In Grandomina...' and tells the history of 'Grand London' and 'Grandomina' leading up to the tale told in the album, 'Militia of the Lost' regarding the Prince, Eveline and 'The Cardinal'.
7. Crusade (Robyn Young) - The second in a trilogy of books following a young Scotsman named Will, as he enters into the pious Knights Templar and goes to Crusade in the Holy Lands. He has to deal with an egotisical Prince (and later King) Edward, who is determined to use Will to his own ends and also reconcile keeping the love of his life secret. This book is based in history with some real characters and events providing the stimulus to the fictional Will's life. It is this history that drives the story forward and creates the suspense required by the reader. It also creates a sense of mystique that keeps one gripped to the tale.
8. 1984 (George Orwell) - Written during the Cold War when nuclear armageddon seemed just around the corner, Orwell predicted a frightening future, where humans are constantly watched and could be taken by the 'Thought Police' for even thinking of crimes against 'Big Brother'. Always at war, and as 'Air Strip One' for America, the world is divided and the populace controlled. History can be re-written and never questioned, sex is prohibited and the 'daily hate' is mandatory. One man and one woman strive to learn the truth, only not all is as it seems. Will 'Room 101' break them? Will 'Big Brother' survive? Please read and find out.
9. Through the Dark and the Dawn (Jack Anthony Ewins) - Described as a romantic adventure story with dinosaurs seems to be the best way to sum this up. This book follows the story of a young man, Rowan, who has no memory of his past after being found on an enemy ship. All he knows is his first name. Rowan falls in love with the one woman he should not and this woman is Amber, daughter of Lord Alexander of Altus. War is imminent and the infamous 'Skyfire' is roped in to help prevent it happening. Lord Alexander forces Rowan to join their mission to keep him away from Amber, but love is stronger than that. In this world there are still dinosaurs who are either wild or controlled by evil forces. This is a kind of alternative future, but the dinosaurs are not necessarily the most dangerous creatures on the planet. Rowan must fight for Altus, the crew of the 'Skyfire' who he comes to love as family, Amber and find out who he is and where he has come from. The personal story of Rowan is compelling and as you find out very little about him until the end, you are left guessing throughout. The love story element is beautifully executed and very sensitive. The sci-fi elements only add to the action and adventure of the story. Yes it is clear that the author grew up (like me) in a time when dinosaurs were everywhere. We grew up with Jurassic Park and the Land Before Time in the cinemas and on TV. On top of that, there were constant new discoveries of fossilised dinosaurs throughout the 1990's. This influence was bound to find its way into this story, but you know what? It works! Just buy it, ok?
10. Dangerous Liaisons (Laclos) - Written and set in pre-revolutionary France, it tells of the lusts and social climbing of the upper classes. Wrongly identified after the Revolution as a pro-republic work that showed the upper classes as immoral and perverse, this book actually explores the lives of two ex-lovers as they try and amuse themselves by bringing vengence on those who have hurt them and by destroying innocence and virtue. The plans backfire when true, loving emotion gets in the way and innocent bystanders lose their reputations and their lives. The bad get their just desserts and the ones too innocent for their own good learn a valuable lesson on life and love. A compelling read if not mis-interpreted, many film versions have been made including 'Cruel Intentions' starring Sarah Michelle Geller. This book follows the same format as Dracular, in that the story is moved along by letters between the main characters and this is how we learn everything. A beautiful, tragic read.

So this is my view on various books. What do you make of my choices?

Please also keep in mind that I am not a professional reviewer and these are merely my own opinions on literature. It is just for information and fun!