Christopher's Ten for 10: Top Ten Favorite Books/Book Series

It's post #47 which its time for yet another edition of Christopher's Ten for 10.  Today I give you my top ten favorite books/book series (plus one honorable mention),  Enjoy.

Honorable Mention goes to Ted Dekker's, The Bride Collector.  It's a tense crime thriller that never loses sight of its main theme, unconditional love.  I highly recommend it.

10. The Kingdom Series: Written by Chuck Black, this medieval themed allegory is full of references to Biblical events and characters and includes a bible study just in case you miss any of the occasionally subtle lessons.  It's chalk full of swordplay and battles, but all of the action has purpose, it's not just action for actions sake.  Finally, if you like this series, check out Black's spin-off series, The Knights of Arrethtrae, for additional stories.

9. The Cooper Kids Adventure Series: If Indiana Jones was a) a Christian and b) had kids, you would've had the Cooper Kids Adventures.  The books of my childhood, this series was never short on thrills, including Peretti's penchant for super-sizing certain things to increase the drama (see Trapped on the Island of Aquarius and The Tombs of Anak).  Although the characters never age and character growth is minimal throughout the series, the exception being Trapped at the Bottom of the Sea, Peretti delivers emotional family moments aplenty along with dramatic conflicts and revelations which should make up for the series weaknesses.

8. Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi*: A book series that feels like a TV show, this mammoth, nine book series is not only in huge scope, but also in heart.  The characters aren't caricatures or archetypes, they're individuals.  Each decision, each choice, each thought that a character has is based upon where that character is at particular point in the story.  The action isn't bad either.  Ironically, one of the strengths of this is series, the individuality of the protagonists, is also one of its weaknesses as it is very easy to grow attached to one character and not to others; a problem when the character you like doesn't share any scenes with the one you don't, leaving your to trudge through entire chapters until you catch up to the story-line your actually interested in.

*Read ONLY AFTER you have read Star Wars: Legacy of the Force

7. Left Behind: The Kids:  The plot of this series is very simple.  The rapture has occurred and the only people left on earth aren't Christians.  This 40 book series (don't worry, the books are short in both stature and length and easy to read) spans a seven year period where the protagonists, those who were left behind but have accepted Christ, struggle to survive a myriad of challenges. This series stands on the shoulders of its characters, which is why its important to read the books chronologically.  Once you get to book twenty seven and the story-line goes down hill a tad, your feelings for the characters will carry you through to the end.  Trust me, it's a journey worth taking.

6. Star Wars: Legacy of the Force:  While the scale is bigger in its sequel series, Fate of the Jedi, the emotional conflict is so much more meaningful in this series.  It's family conflict with universal consequences,that will tear at your heart. Two enthusiastic thumbs up!!

5. Piercing the Darkness:  Written by renown author Frank Peretti, this novel builds on the characters and concepts established its preceding brother, This Present Darkness. Although a sequel, Peretti changes the good guy-bad guy status quo from the first book; creating a new and enthralling dynamic.

4. This Present Darkness:  Peretti's best selling novel, this book has it all: breathtaking action sequences, conspiracy, emotional conflict, redemption, grace, hope... It's just fantastic.

3. Wild at Heart: Easy to read and full of memorable of quotes jam packed with meaning, this book not only taught me a lot about myself, but also people in general.  John Eldredge  doesn't hold back when honestly examining the trails and tribulation experienced by himself and others, which only serves to make the tales of their triumphs all the better.

2. The Chronicles of Narnia:  'Nuff said.

1. To Kill a Mockingbird:  Looking at all the previously mentioned books, y'all probably wouldn't have guessed that this is my favorite.  Neither would I.  This is a case where I can't really explain why I love this book than the others, I just do.  The best way to sum up my feelings for it are with a quote from Veggietales.  "I laughed, I cried (or choked up, in my case), it moved me, Bob".