Books that Are Precious to Me

Some books wiggle their way into our hearts. I don’t just mean the story, although that too, but the physical book. That treasured childhood copy, a favourite you read to death or a signed copy, slightly crinkled from sweaty nervous fingers when you met the author. Sometimes books have more stories than just the one they contain.

1. A Darker Shade of Magic

Not only did I love the book but I’m very precious about my signed copy, stashed away in my shelf.

2. Mirror Dreams

I picked up this book in the basement of an Oxfam when I’d just started reading and I finished it that very day. With its fallen out pages crammed between its dented paperback cover I still treasure that copy.

3. The Raven Boys

Another paperback with a peeling cover and signature sprawled across its front page. I got this one at YALC a few years back after a side splitting talk by the author herself. I’ll never forget waiting in the convention center for hours after to meet the author on her first trip to England.

4. Muse of Nightmares

Funny story: I have two. I got both copies from a publisher, who sent me one to read and one to take photos of. As my first and only novels from a publisher they have a firm place in my heart.

5. The Maleficent Seven

Derek Landy, author of Skulduggery Pleasant, was possibly the first author I ever met. My friend and I went to YALC just to meet him and giggled our way to front of the queue, me clutching this book, where I asked him to do a Skulduggery impression, which obviously ensured more giggles and a quick snap to send to a confused friend.

6. Legendary

The first hardback book I own, I got given a very pretty copy last Christmas and had read it by the new year.

7. Rebel of the Sands

Before the series took of, this novel was released on a small stand at YALC where the author was enthusiastically meeting all readers. Six months later I got a text from a friend saying it was brilliant, but it wasn’t until after a year later, having waited in a massive signing line for that same, once small author that I fell in love with the signed copy I now own.

8. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Stiff limbed and blurry eyed I crawled out of bed at midnight on the 21st of July, 2007 to follow my big brother to the bookstore for the final installment of his then favourite series. That first edition still sits happily on my bookshelf today.

9. Children of Blood and Bone

I was very sad I didn’t get to meet the author at YALC but I got this novel from a bookseller in Southampton who’d I’d chatted to a couple of times, giving it a happy memory.

10. Rose Under Fire

Another signed novel. I’ll never forget finishing it’s predecessor on a stuffy ferry in Greece, fighting back tears and chatting about the ending with my friend.

Lets Compare Notes

So there you have it! 10 physical novels that have an extra meaning to me. Have you read any of them? Do you have a list? Would love to hear from you in the comments section!