FIVE Challenge: Great Re-reads

The FIVE Challenge was created by Adele of Persnickety Snark. A few weeks ago Adele challenged her fellow bloggers to create lists of their favorite books of the year. Today's list includes the books I enjoyed so much that I've wanted to (or actually have already) reread.

The Book Thief
Markus Zusak

This book is the reason I learned to read. It is the one book I would reread for the rest of my life if I had nothing else, the one possession I'd wish for on a deserted island, the one novel that should be required reading for everyone. It is, in a word, phenomenal. The impact it has on me as a reader and a person is astounding.

If I Stay
Gayle Forman

While at times this book had me gasping for air between sobs, it was one of the most hopeful and inspiring love stories I've ever read. I can barely talk to people about this book - I just tell them they have to read it. Period. I could never give this book (or its sequel) justice, so I just tell people they must read it because they, too, will love it.

The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay
Suzanne Collins

I feel like there's really nothing left to say about The Hunger Games trilogy. If you've read it, you get it. If you haven't, you need to go out and get them. Right now!

Anna and the French Kiss
Stephanie Perkins

I'm going to include a quote from my review: "My initial reaction to finishing Stephanie Perkins's debut novel was letting out the breath I'd been holding and hugging this book close to my heart." This book was so wonderfully perfect that it felt like an old friend - one you'd like to revisit very often.

Looking for Alaska, An Abundance of Katherines, Paper Towns
John Green

I feel as though I must bunch all of John's books together because 1. I read them consecutively and 2. they're equally amazing and I just can't pick a favorite. Okay, so maybe Looking for Alaska holds the title, but I swear it's only by a nose. One of my favorite quotes ever actually comes from Alaska, and it exemplifies the quality of writing John Green possesses:

"...I was gawky and she was gorgeous and I was hopelessly boring and she was endlessly fascinating. So I walked back to my room and collapsed on the bottom bunk, thinking that if people were rain, I was a drizzle and she was a hurricane."