As a voracious reader, I don’t have a very good memory. I have bought the same book more than once because it sounded good, but I didn’t remember reading it. I knew I read every single Amanda Quick… even if I couldn’t tell you which heroine and hero were in the book or exactly what happened. B.C. (before children) I would pick up three to four books just for the weekend and be sad when they ran out before Monday. I honestly think that’s partly why I started reading fantasy more in the early 2000s. Those books were THICKER. They would surely take me longer to finish!
But I got tired of reading so many books that simply blended together. I wanted those memorable books. Books where I would remember the characters’ names the next day. A week later. A year. Or a huge surprising scene that would haunt me until I’d even dream about it.
Honestly, it was that kind of memorable book that put me on the writing path many, many years ago. I just HAD to rewrite Gone With the Wind’s ending. Over and over and over. And, of course, it would thrill to me to no end to hope that some day one of my characters or scenes would end up on someone’s unforgettable list!
This is my list of haunting favorites:
1. Of course, Gone With the Wind. I read it three times in high school.
2. Lord of Scoundrels, when Jessica shoots Lord Dain. (And no, I didn’t have to look up their names!)
3. Who can forget Christian and Maddy in Flowers from the Storm by Laura Kinsale?
4. Challen from Warrior’s Woman by Johanna Lindsey
5. Rejar by Dara Joy
6. Drago and Dany from Game of Thrones. (Yes, I quit watching as soon as the big event in Season 1. I knew it was coming since I’ve read the first three books in the series.)
7. The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. I know this is cheating to name an entire series (especially one so large), but it’s a testament to the author that I can still remember dozens of these characters and get into an energetic talk of subplots with my friend more than a decade after reading the first books.
What books or characters make your unforgettable list?
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Joely always has her nose buried in a book, especially one with mythology, fairy tales, and romance. Find her on her website, Twitter, and Facebook.. Be sure to check out her freereads!
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I love that you mentioned Jordan’s Wheel of Time. I can still remember the very first scene of the first book. I was hooked immediately, and while I cannot remember the names of the characters, I remember scenes clearly. I think fantasies tend to stay with me longer than romances.
I cried for hours after reading GWTW because the ending was so sad. Later that week I rented the movie, then cursed it when I realized just how empty it was compared to the book. I was glad when the sequel was made to help Scarlett redeem herself.
Warrior’s Woman was my first Lindsey book, though I preferred her Mallory family series.
For me, Julie Garwood’s “The Bride” sealed the deal for making me a romance lover. I loved how Jamie kept inadvertently starting wars…not that it was a hard thing to do in the Highlands back then.
A Proud Taste Of Scarlet & Miniver by E L Konigsberg was the book that led me to the conclusion that women could change the world. It detailed the life of Eleanor Of Aquitaine. I stumbled into this book in the library in 7th grade. She has been my favorite female historical figure since.
There are a few others along the way, but these were what shaped my passion for reading.
Nice list. I think any of Lisa Kleypas’ characters are memorable.
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Ciar, I totally agree. I remember reading that opening scene with the scary watcher in the woods and being hooked immediately. Such a wonderful series! I can’t wait to see how the Last Battle plays out.
Kitt, I love all of Garwood’s books! I’ll have to find A Proud Taste Of Scarlet & Miniver – I’ve never even heard of it. Thanks for sharing!
BN, you know, I can’t say if I’ve ever read a Kleypas book. *hangs head in shame*
On your list, Joely, I’ve only read Lord of Scoundrels *Jots down names* Though I can’t bring myself to read Gone with the Wind, because I’m an HEA girl 🙂 Sad endings make me, well, sad! On my unforgettable list is: Pride and Prejudice and Emma by Jane Austen, the first 3 in J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series, Spirited Away by Cindy Miles, Heart of the Dragon by Gena Showalter, How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire by Kerrelyn Sparks, A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole, The Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer and The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins. Those books… it’s like I just read them yesterday. I love that 🙂
Like you, I have read many books and have forgotten many. I thought that I just had a bad memory. Lol. One of the books that has stayed with me throughout the years is Anne Rice’s Lasher. I could re-read that one over and over again.
Another book that has stayed with me is Graceling by Kristin Cashore. Her world and character building is amazing in my opinion. 🙂
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Jessica and Dain are definitely on my list along with Evie and St. Vincent from Lisa Kleypas’ Devil in Winter and Roxanne and Fletcher Rand from Mrs Drew Plays Her Hand by Carla Kelly