Top Ten Tuesday (TTT) brought to you by The Broke and the Bookish.

Welcome back to another Top Ten Tuesday! Well, this week it’s Top Ten Friday. 😉 I was out of town for a few days, and it’s good to be back. Sorry to be late with this post, I just couldn’t quite get it done before I left…

September 13: Top Ten ALL TIME Favorite Books Of X Genre (I know, I know. Picking all time faves. I’m MEAN. But I like knowing people’s definitive faves).

You all know I love mysteries. Do I just pick mysteries? Or Scotland Yard mysteries? Cozy mysteries? Mysteries set in England?

Time travel is out, I’ve done that already. I’ve been reading more and more young adult lately.

Or do I go against what this list suggests and just go for my Top Ten ALL TIME Favorite Books. Period. No genre. Just which ten books would I pick if I could only have ten books on my shelf for the rest of my life?

Bold. I like it. Take it away, Benedict…

Top Ten ALL TIME Favorite Books. Period.

…in no particular order…

The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton. I’m not one for classics, especially those written before the 20th century. However, there’s always an exception to the rule, and The Age of Innocence is mine. It may be because I saw the film before I read the book, and was already hooked. Either way, I love this sad love story.

Landline by Rainbow Rowell. This was the first Rainbow Rowell novel I picked up, and still my favorite. (Don’t get me wrong, the other two books I’ve read are great, too.)

11/22/63 by Stephen King. Long time readers may remember that I love Stephen King (and he’s more than just a horror writer). 11/22/63 is my all-time favorite Stephen King book. Great storytelling. (And if you want a laugh, do not miss Stephen King’s Guide to Movie Snacks. My boys now insist on a “heavy bag” when we go to the movies.)

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling. Of course, I would pick the whole series if I could. But if I have to narrow it down to just one, Azkaban is my absolute, number one, all-time favorite Harry Potter. I love this book. And I still tear up every time I read the ending when Harry reaches for the stag and realizes…Prongs. Sniff. I love that part.

Hamilton: The Revolution by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeremy McCarter. This is a new addition to my library, but I love it. It’s like getting two books in one. It has the history of the making of the musical, and the lyrics to the musical itself. And gorgeous photography.

The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde. I think this is my favorite play of all time. No one can match Oscar Wilde’s wit and play on words.

The Authoritative Calvin and Hobbes: A Calvin and Hobbes Treasury by Bill Watterson. We all need a laugh, and the (now) classic Calvin and Hobbes is sure to give one.

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. It’s been a long time since I’ve read this book, but I remember how exciting the puzzles and twists and turns were. Definitely a favorite that I want to read again one day.

Death of a Village by M.C. Beaton. Hamish Macbeth is probably my favorite mystery series. I look forward to a new outing every year. I had trouble picking a favorite book from the series, so I finally settled on Death of a Village simply because it was the first one I read.

And..of course…

The Hidden Staircase by Carolyn Keene. My first (and favorite) Nancy Drew.

What about you? What book(s) would you choose? Did you keep your list broad this week like I did, or stick with a specific book genre? Link up to your TTT if you’ve got one in the comments below!