by Richard Smith

Created on: July 19, 2008   Last Updated: May 01, 2010

It has proven surprisingly hard to distill down to ten from the great number of books that I have read over the years and something that has seen me sitting shifting through a couple of boxes of books that I had almost forgotten about. In the end, a couple of criteria have been applied that the chosen ten have to satisfy; the first is that I will have read the book in question at least twice over the years thus implying that it is a good read and secondly that the book will have had an influence on me or hold some special meaning to me either because of the content or what was happening in my life at the time that I read it.

So here we go, with the exception of number one they are in no particular order however the first book is my all time favourite.

1. To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper Lee

I have probably read this book a dozen times not counting the fact that I first came across it as part of my English Literature studies in high school. It is a beautiful moving story that charts the early years of a small girl, Scout, growing up in a small town in the Deep South and her relationship with a reclusive neighbour who is the local boogie man amongst the children in her street. It is also a damning portrayal of the racist prejudices that existed during this period as her father takes on the case of a black man accused of raping a white woman. I get genuine pleasure from reading this book as it is told through the innocent eyes of Scout, there are moments to make you smile and others that will bring a tear to your eye and it is a beautiful piece of work.

2. e. by Matt Beaumont

This is one of the funniest books I have ever read and will strike a cord with anyone who has ever worked in an off ice with the inherent politics and back biting that goes on. Set in an advertising company the entire story is told through a series of e-mails and it is hilarious and an innovative way to put a book together. There have been a number of follow up stories, as well, but I have never bothered with them as for me the novelty of the style was part of the enjoyment in reading this book. It is still one of those books that I will pick up and read a section at random just to bring a smile to my face.

3. Way Past Cool by Jess Mowry

Set in Oakland California this is the story of a group of young black teenagers seeking to survive on the streets and to avoid falling into the employment of the local drug dealer. I enjoyed this book because of the gritty way in which it told the story and

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