FBFF: What a Novel Idea!

I love to read. So, the fact that my first FBFF post is about reading is a great coincidence and I've had a lot of fun with this one!

The theme (via Modly Chic): "November is the national novel writingmonth, and since I've been working on my next young adult book for thelast several months with very little progress it got me thinking...what's everyone reading? Let's keep this one basic and fun... name your top five favorite books, or the last five books you read."

The last five books that I've read:
1. Please Kill Me: An Uncensored Oral History of Punk by Legs McNeil and Gillian McCain - This book was an excellent interpretation on the punk movement. It was fascinating and I definitely consider it a must read, whether or not you're interested in the music genre.
2. Howl and Other Poems by Allen Ginsberg - Howl is a classic for a reason. The prose and poetry in this series of poems in beautiful, it really makes you think.
3. Don't You Forget About Me: Contemporary Writers on the Flims of John Hughes - A series of short stories and essays about the eighties films which caused a major shift in film history and pop culture. A definite must-read if you even remotely like/love the films.
4. Trainspotting by Irvine Welsch - The book which turned into one of my favorite British films with the same name. This novel is written in dialect, which makes it a little difficult to read, but it is definitely worth it!
5. Dubliners by James Joyce - a series of short stories by classic Irish writer James Joyce. A definite must read in studying British literature, if you're interested in Ireland or if you even remotely like classic lit.

My top five favorite books:
1. Writings from Prison by Bobby Sands - The smuggled poetry and prose of IRA revolutionary Bobby Sands. Heartbreaking and intense, this is a must read which sheds new light on the Struggles in Northern Ireland.
2. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath - Plath's tale of a woman going insane in New York City in the 20th century. I can read it over and over and never get sick of it.
3. The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway - Hemingway's interpretation of the Lost Generation is riveting. I love his writing style and diction -- the characters and plot line of this novel are phenomenal.
4. Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen - Similar to the Bell Jar, Kaysen's bio-novel of going insane and being in an insane asylum. Riveting.
5. Anything by Janet Evanovich or Sue Grafton - Fluffy and light, both Grafton and Evanovich write great murder-suspense literature with a twist of humor and romance.

I'd recommend any or all of these if you're looking for a good read! (: