Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
Scarce Books I Won't Part With And You Must Buy
99
items I have loved books all my life and collected many. There came a point thought when I needed to downsize. I reasoned I would never read many of them again and could always borrow my favourite books (or authors) from the library. There were some books ...
Sections
8
These are the best must read and engaging novels
Novels you'll want to read again and again
This is the only author you NEED for your children.
JoEllen Claypool - An undiscovered gem!
Here's What My Husband's Reading
Chapter Books for Children
These are the best must read and engaging novels
There are many different types of books. This list is for novels that have changed my world. These books will never be forgotten, long after you read them.
A series of killings, an unstable Russian wife, and sexual scandal threaten an American Presidential candidate. Vadim's task is to find the killer before Rushton is destroyed.
Vadim
The amazing thing about this book series is it's nowhere in my genre interest and yet I inhaled the series. Be warned that when you read the first you'll be craving the second and third books too. The concept of using harmonies to travel is wrapped u...
Five-Twelfths of Heaven
Book two of the recommended series by Melissa Scott. Silence discovers that she is more than a mage. She can mold reality. She is the only person uniquely suited to reach long lost Earth. Of course there are obstacles in her way!
Silence in Solitude
Silence the female mage and pilot continues her journey to reopen the road to lost Earth. The road is well guarded and she and her husbands (no the ‘s’ is not a typo) must fight.
The Empress of Earth
2
I was really excited to see this book is still available. Reviews call it words like “Breathtaking” and “intriguing”. After the execution of her father, Lady Asano, is in grave danger from the Lord Kira's campaign against her family. Disguising her l...
The Tokaido Road
In my clean out I actually kept four books of Christopher Nicole's. That's high praise. Dragon's blood is a saga set in the east. Michael Harrington arrives off the shore of India in chains. Soon he is involved in the opium trade to the Chinese, and ... Once you've inhaled this book you will want to read The Sun Rises, The Sun and The Dragon and The Sun on Fire.
Dragon's blood
Another book that reflects my love of historical Japanese fiction. I find the culture so fascinating. In this book, John Piper navigates etiquette, bureaucrats and a hidden Japan he never knew existed in the chase for an elusive potential Pulitzer-prize winning scoop - if only he lives long enough to write it.
The Secret Sun: A Novel of Japan
Yeah, yeah…. we all know and have read John Grisham. If you haven't, you should. BUT this one was different than all his others. It was inspired by Grisham's own childhood in rural Arkansas. It is a very moving story of one boy's journey from innocen...
A Painted House
2
The Power of One is the first book I ever read of Bryce Courtenay. Once you read one of his books you'll want to read them all but this is a privileged place to start. The journey will steal your heart.
The Power of One
Why am I featuring a book I haven't read?? My husband loved this book and refuses to part with it. It doesn't sound like my thing but I'm intrigued as we love the same movies and often the same books. This plausible fiction scenario is based around t...
The Accident
This book is recommended by my husband so it's on my bookshelf waiting for me to read. I'm intrigued by the scenario. 1291 AD, Acre. As the city burns the Falcon Temple sets sail, carrying a small band of knights and a mysterious chest the ship vanis...
The Last Templar
2
Another of my husband's intriguing recommendations. Yulia knows she must hide her thoughts and control her emotions to survive in Communist Russia. She can read thoughts when she touches black market traders skin. Anything to help her survive, but sh...
Sekret: An Empty Mind is a Safe Mind
Andy McNab is the author of eleven bestselling thrillers. Maybe more now. His background in the SAS, covert operations, and being the British Army's most highly decorated serving soldier when he finally left the SAS in February 1993 all combine to make this book go down in history as one of the most interesting and riveting.
Bravo Two Zero
Novels you'll want to read again and again
I've never been one to read a book twice - there are so many options in the world to get through. My sister does though and has some she's read many times over. If you're one of these people then the quality of these stories and the language used in ...
This is my current read. It is descriptive, eloquent and fascinating. The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek is about 19-year-old Cussy Carter – the last living female of the Blue People ancestry – who lives in Kentucky. I read the sequel first - The Bo...
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek
If you like historical fiction set during the war in northern France with all the associated drama and romance you will love this relatively modern book. It captivated me from one cover to the other and made me a firm Kristin Harmel fan.
The Winemaker's Wife
I hadn't heard of Minka Kent until I came across The Silent Woman. It's billed as a thriller and has a unique story line of a newlywed whose husband's disturbed first wife lives in the caretaker's cottage on their property.
The Silent Woman: A Thriller eBook
The eerie thing about this read is it's actually a true story of a beautiful woman who tried to murder members of her own family to get what she wanted. I'm a sucker for true crime stories. I find it fascinating and think you'll like it too.
Everything She Ever Wanted
I was going to feature a Jodi Picoult book I had read recently but then I saw this book set. Honestly, once your read a Jodi Picoult book you will want to inhale them all so I'm featuring the set, although it's only the tip of the iceburg. Picoult ha...
Jodi Picoult 5 Books Collection Set
This is a book even I will read again. It was phenomenal. This WWII story is based on a true story. A quiet librarian becomes history's deadliest female sniper. Unforgettable!
The Diamond Eye: A Novel
Another book by Kristin Harmel that is worth a second read. It is also inspired by a true story from WWII in which a young woman with a talent for forgery helps hundreds of Jewish children flee the Nazis. This is the same author as The Winemaker's Wi...
The Book of Lost Names
The critics called this book “utterly gripping.” A mother and son are held captive for years in a room. It is the only world the five year old has known before the pair finally gain their freedom. The book is shocking but riveting.
Room
An absolutely heartwarming and emotional read chronicling the lifelong friendship between a busy sales executive and a disadvantaged young boy.
An Invisible Thread
It is a while since I read this book but it has remained with me, thus I'm including it here. It's a big synopsis but in a nutshell the story is set in the 1918's pandemic and follows the life of a thirteen-year-old German immigrant. Follow the link ...
The Orphan Collector: A Novel of Survival
This novel is billed as being a powerful novel of survival and resilience. It is certainly an emotional tale as a young woman's search for her sister leads her to an infamous institution called Willowbrook State School.
The Lost Girls of Willowbrook
I read the book and then saw the movie and surprisingly I wasn't disappointed at doing both! That's an unusual scenario for me! It is billed to have sold 18 million copies and is a blend of coming of age, widsom of the natural world and the intriugue...
Amazon.ca : where the crawdads sing book
This is the only author you NEED for your children.
My mother was raised on these books. She raised us on these fabulous stories. It goes without saying they captivated my own children. As soon as my children were old enough to listen to chapter books, rather than picture books for bedtime, we began r... children's writer whose books have been worldwide bestsellers since the 1930s, selling more than 600 million copies. I have boxes of these beloved books, one day I'm confident they will be read to my grandchildren.
If you are new to Enid Blyton, or new to collecting her works, this is a wonderful place to start. I don't want to pick favourites but folk of the Faraway Tree ARE captivating and I was transported away with the children on some wonderful adventures ...
Magic Faraway Tree Collection 4 Books Set
These colourful books have been updated and modernized to suit children age 7-10 to begin the transition from picture books to chapter books. We're lucky to have this option nowadays but for me, one of the joys of Enid Blyton books will always be the...
Enid Blyton The Faraway Tree 10 Book Set
Many of the books I recommend in this list are sets. There is no point buying just the first one because ultimately you'll want them all and to own a matching set. The Secret Seven was my first book set that I inhaled one after the other. I think I w...
Secret Seven Complete Library 16 Books
I will never forget hearing the adventures of the Famous Five! My mum used to laugh that they were always going down a tunnel or into a cave and we were always on the edge of our seat! The names of these books are all in my memory and synonymous with...
Famous-Five Enid Blyton 21 Books Box Set
Another series where Enid Blyton excels at creating mystery and suspense for the junior reader. Join the Find-Outers on their next adventures!
The Mystery Series: Find-Outers complete 15 Books
My mother never read us Noddy - but my teacher sure did! It is wonderful for children 4-7. I fell in love with Noddy and a whole host of colourful characters in these books. For a while Noddy became topical and were even banned. Unfortunately this ha...
Noddy Classic Adventures 10 Book Box Set
“Meet Amelia Jane! She's big, she's bad and she's the terror of the toy-cupboard!” Thus this series is billed on Amazon. Amelia Jane and Amelia Jane Again were two of my favourite childhood books. I nearly wore them out and coloured in the black and white pictures that were in my copies. I could never mistreat my toys after following the antics of the toys in the nursery. Amelia J...
Amelia Jane Bind Up
Enid Blyton was the master of imagination, magic and delightful characters. What adventures! In this series, Mollie, Peter and Binky the pixie fly away on a magical chair that can grant wishes.
The Wishing-Chair Collection: Books 1-3
I went looking for Enid Blyton's circus series and found this book! It also includes The Naughtiest Girl in the School and The Naughtiest Girl is a Monitor. I had forgotten about these last two so this was a wonderful find.
Enid Blyton 5 Books in 1: Mr Galliano's Circus / H
I was actually looking for the Animal Stories and found this amazing bundle of 200 short stories. You can't go wrong with this. There is something for every Enid Blyton loving child … or adult!
Bumper Short Story 8 Book Set by Enid Blyton
Are you confused about where to start first? Too many box sets and what if you choose the wrong one? Well be assured that's not possible BUT these traditional tales are ideal for younger children being read to or to read alone. Each story stands alon...
Bedtime Stories: Bumper Short Story Collection
Well I've suggested all the books I own and have been special to my family (and other families) for generations. Who was this prolific author? Read her biography and find out.
Enid Blyton: The Biography
JoEllen Claypool - An undiscovered gem!
JoEllen has become a good friend to me and one of my favourite writers since I first fell in love with her unique voice on https://medium.com/@joclaypool. Go and check out her profile there to see if her mastery of words and various genre's she writes also resonates with you. Then come back here and choose a book or two. All these links support JoEllen and her beautiful family. I'm proud to share her ...https://benable.com/JoEllenClaypool
It must take a big heart to be a pastor's wife. The journey is one of compassion and friendships with a big dose of understanding and wisdom.
A Realist's Guide to Being a Pastor's Wife
Santa doesn’t receive much company. When he does, he is eager to please. Imagine his delight when he encounters two visitors in his home. Tom Turkey and Pete Pumpkin are found lurking in Santa’s workshop, but are their motives pure? Children and adul...
The Battle for Christmas
Author JoEllen Claypool weaves thoughts and writing tips throughout the 52 quotes and prompts of this journal. The exercises invite the writer to share their ideas and refine their writing skills in a variety of areas. A bonus section (Sold Hook, Lin...
If Words Were Falling Down Like Rain: Quotes
Follow Me Hummingbird will fill you with facts about this incredible little bird that is able to do great big things!
Follow Me Hummingbird (The Follow Me Series)
Creative Authors’ Workbook-Journal is a writing course designed to lead you down this exciting journey of authorship. The step-by-step process is intended to help you begin and publish your book with confidence. Allow this 214 page workbook to motiva...
Creative Authors' Workbook-Journal Guide
This book has a five star rating on Amazon. Truth in Troy Valley introduces you to The Triumphant Trio, Luke Tyler, his sister, Angie, and “Tiny” Collins. Luke and Tiny have been friends for years. With no secrets between them, Luke has to muster up ...
Truth in Troy Valley
Bullies are never fun to deal, with and Luke has already had one run-in with them. His friend, Tiny, doesn’t seem to be afraid of them, and his sister, Angie, just wants to introduce them to Jesus. But when Angie goes missing, many emotions are stirr...
Faith in Troy Valley (Triumphant Trio 2)
The Triumphant Trio has a mystery to solve. Trouble is stirring in Troy Valley. All evidence is pointing to Luke, Tiny, Angie, and their new friends causing them to question each other’s loyalty. As Pastor Joe teaches them about the armor of God, the...
Loyalty in Troy Valley
Author JoEllen Claypool weaves thoughts and writing tips throughout the 52 quotes and prompts of this journal. The exercises invite the writer to share their ideas and refine their writing skills in a variety of areas. A bonus section (Sold Hook, Lin...
If Words Were Falling Down Like Rain: Quotes
Here's What My Husband's Reading
My husband and I enjoy similar books and similar movies which is fantastic. However, we do tend to gravitate to different books as there are so many to choose from! His list may resonate with you!
“One of the best books I’ve read in my entire life. It’s epic. It’s transportive . . . It was unputdownable!”—Oprah Winfrey. My husband also says it's an epic story and having been to the part of India this book describes, my husband can visualize it...
The Covenant of Water (Oprah's Book Club)
My husband recommended this book to me as he knew I would love the deliciously descriptive writing and engaging storyline. He was right. Don't bother just buying the first book, you need to have the second one to go on to straight away! My husbands c...
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek: A Novel
My husband works in the film industry and so he LOVED this book. He could relate to the story and the different perspectives Tom Hanks shared. I started it but didn't get into it… I think I was just busy with other things.
The Making of Another Major Motion Picture
I have an Andy McNab book on my list of recommendations too. We both love these intense and engaging stories. My husband re-reads books and Andy McNab is one he revisits.
Andy McNab: Books
Chapter Books for Children
Children enjoy chapter books before they're even old enough to read them. We read a chapter (or two) together before bed every night. I devoted a whole section to Enid Blyton which brought my mother, me and my kids hours of joy but here you will find...
Spunky tomboy Trixie Belden can’t stay out of trouble . . . or stay away from mysteries! As a child I LOVED this girl detective's adventures with her rich friend, Honey. As a child I spent all my pocket money buying every single book in the series. I...
Trixie Belden 39 Book Series Kindle Edition
My husband suggested Motorcycle Ralph and my kid's LOVED it. A mouse and a motorcycle?? What's not to love?
The Ralph Mouse Collection (The Mouse and the …
Franklin W. Dixon wrote this classic mystery series about two brother, Frank and Joe. They were a favourite of both my husband and I so of course we introduced our own kids to them as well.
Hardy Boys: Books
When I was a child it was Alfred Hitchcock and the Three Investigators. The books seem to have various authors, but they all have exciting mysteries to inhale! My husband, sister and I all read these books.
The Three Investigators Books
Tom Swift books are about a boy genius who invents incredible machines and solves mysteries. The books are a series of American science fiction and adventure novels for young readers. My husband grew up with Tom Swift although I hadn't heard of them,...
Tom Swift Books
Jack Russell: Dog Detective, is a lighthearted series about Jack Russell, who lives in Doggeroo with his human friend, Sarge. If you read nothing else to your kids, please read them this series! I first picked up a couple of the books in the LAX airp...
Dog Den Mystery (Jack Russell, Dog Detective #1)
The Adventures of Captain Underpants is full of borderline mean jokes, puns, bathroom humour, and disrespectful behaviour BUT they are some of the only books my kids would read themselves and our family has a broad minded sense of humour so, yes, I'l...
Captain Underpants: Books
Despite reading to my children since they were babies, none of them wanted to read. Two of them had learning difficulties that made reading a challenge and the other just wasn't interested. Then we discovered Diary of A Wimpy Kid. This series follows...
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Books
James Charles Bigglesworth, nicknamed "Biggles", is a fictional pilot and adventurer, the title character and hero of the Biggles series of adventure books, written for young readers by W. E. Johns. My sister and I both loved the Biggles books and my...
Biggles
My Kid's Favourite Picture Books
When we moved from Australia to Canada we had to downsize. I donated boxes of books to my children's classrooms. Before doing this, however, I let my children go through all their books and keep the ones they loved. My children are now in their twent...
I can't list all the Little Golden Book we owned and the kids loved. Many of them were the classics. The Poky Little Puppy, I Can Fly, The Sailor Dog, Scuffy the Tugboat, The Three Bears, The Whispering Rabbit… they are all in this classic set and ma...
75 Years of Little Golden Books: 12 Best-Loved
It's debatable whether my kids loved this the most or if I did. Such a beautiful book with the most wonderful message! How much does Little Nutbrown Hare love his daddy? And how much does Big Nutbrown Hare love him back?
Guess How Much I Love You Book
My husband insisted on buying the anthology of Curious George stories. Curious Who?? I'd never heard of it, but my kids agreed with their dad. Wonderful stories about a mischievous monkey!
Curious George Books: Books
Pizza is fun to make. Pizza Pat stretches the floppy dough, puts on the gloppy tomatoes, adds the sloppy sausages, sprinkles on the cheese, and then pops it in the oven. But just before he cuts into his delicious pizza pie, he turns his back for one ...
Pizza Pat (Bright and Early Books)
The Little Engine That Could is a classic tale of a little engine that, despite her size, triumphantly pulls a train full of wonderful things to the children waiting on the other side of a mountain.
The Little Engine That Could (Classic Ed.)
Hand, hand, fingers, thumb. One thumb, one thumb, drumming on a drum. Dum-Ditty, Dum-ditty, dum-ditty dum. Hand in hand more monkeys come! Eeeekkk… over 20 years later it's still in my head!
Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb (Bright & Early)
This amazing poetry book was given to me as a Christmas present when I was a little girl. I spent hours and hours (did I say ‘hours’?) pouring over the magnificent illustrations and reading the poetry again and again. When my children were little I w...
Hilda Boswell's Treasury of Poetry
Eric Carle is acclaimed and beloved as the creator of brilliantly illustrated and innovatively designed picture books for very young children. When I asked my younger son his favourite children's books this was the first one he mentioned. The Amazon review says that The Very Hungry Caterpillar is sold somewhere in the world every thirty seconds! Unbelievable!
The Very Hungry Caterpillar:
A lesson on giving and sharing and that beauty comes from within. When I asked my younger son what books he remembered from his childhood this was one he mentioned.
The Rainbow Fish
Shel Silverstein wrote this children's classic over 50 years ago and I've never heard of it. My son has though and it was in the list of books he instantly mentioned when I asked for childhood favourites. He must have heard it at school. It sounds a ... between a little boy and a tree.
The Giving Tree
If you give a pig a pancake, she'll want some syrup to go with it. You'll give her some of your favourite maple syrup, and she'll probably get all sticky, so she'll want to take a bath. She'll ask you for some bubbles. When you give her the bubbles.....
If You Give a Pig a Pancake
Little Mouse loves strawberries, but so does the big hungry bear . . . How will Little Mouse stop the bear from eating his freshly picked, red ripe strawberry? I wouldn't have thought of this wonderful classic but my younger son did. One of his favou...
The Little Mouse and the Red Ripe Strawberry
My eldest son rightly comments that you can't go past a Dr Seuss book. One of his favourites is Green Eggs and Ham. When my children were little I actually joined a subscription to receive Dr Seuss and other like books in the mail. We had all (??) of them so this is a stand out!
Green Eggs and Ham: Dr. Seuss
My husband, eldest son and I all got excited when this book was mentioned. “Oh YEAH!!” we enthused at the memory. The kids loved the monster at the end of the book and I loved reading the final page, “I'm so embarrassed!"
The Monster at the End of This Book
I have already recommended Little Golden Books, especially the classics, but this one has a card of it's own because my eldest son remembers it as one of his favourite stories and as a child it was one of mine too.
The Train to Timbuctoo (Little Golden Book)
A lesson on giving and sharing and that beauty comes from within. When I asked my younger son what books he remembered from his childhood this was one he mentioned.
The Rainbow Fish
My Sister's Favourites!
Growing up my sister, Julie, was the book worm of the family. Despite my love of reading, she took the prize. Sharing a bedroom meant I saw her reading after lights out by holding her book to the window to see by the street light and tracing the word...
My sister did up a list of her favourite books and there were 10 suggestions for Nora Roberts! Luckily she noted her favourites from that ten. This was one. Synopsis: In the town of Hawkins Hollow, it’s called The Seven. Every seven years, on the sev...
Nora Roberts Sign of Seven Trilogy Box Set
Julie's pic includes another trilogy by Nora Roberts. This is what it's apparently about: Just outside of Memphis, against the backdrop of a house steeped in history and a thriving new gardening business, three women unearth the memories of the past ...
In the Garden Trilogy Box Set (1-3)
From the recommendation of Julie who says, “My absolute tops series. The way the characters are drawn.... it takes a lot for me to get teary EVERY time I read certain scenes.” If you want to try Nora Roberts maybe start with this series. Trust me, Ju...
Nora Roberts' The Chesapeake Bay Saga
Julie's not the only one who read Dick Francis. She chose two of his MANY books as read again favourites. This one: After his friend is killed in a horse-racing accident, up-and-coming glass artisan Gerard Logan finds himself embroiled in a deadly se...
Shattered (A Dick Francis Novel)
Dick Francis was the author of more than forty acclaimed books and won many awards. Julie considers this one of his best!
To the Hilt: Dick Francis
Synopsis. When Devil, the most infamous member of the Cynster family, is caught in a compromising position with plucky governess Honoria Wetherby, he astonishes the entire town by offering his hand in marriage. No one dreamed this scandalous rake wou...
Devil's Bride (Cynster Book 1)
Julie comments: Lisa Kleypas. Once again, where does one stop? She usually writes regency, but one series that stands out is set in modern times, and would be my absolute favourite. Emma (Julie's daughter) and I have read it more than once.
The Travis Family: Complete Series
Are you starting to get a feel for the type of book Julie reads and recommends?? Here's another series you might enjoy. The Wallflowers: four young ladies at the side of the ballroom make a pact to help each other find husbands . . . no matter what i...
Lisa Kleypas Wallflower Series
There are five books in the Hathaway series. Julie knows if you start on the first you'll want to read them all.
Hathaways (5 book series)
The international best-selling series with over FIVE million copies sold in the US alone! They have always scared him in the past - the Rangers, with their dark cloaks and shadowy ways. The villagers believe the Rangers practice magic that makes them...
Ranger's Apprentice: The Ruins of Gorlan
Julie recommends these young readers books as equally enjoyable by adults. John Flanagan is an Australian author of international acclaim. This book is full of seafaring adventures and epic battles
The Outcasts: Brotherband Chronicles 1
Julie loves Georgette Heyer who is one of the most successful and best-loved romantic novelists of her age. Her popularity endures to this day and this book is one of Julie's favourite's.
The Unknown Ajax: Georgette Heyer
Georgette Heyer was one of the most successful and best-loved romantic novelists of her age. Her popularity endures to this day and this book is one of her favourites in Julie's book picks.
Devil's Club: Georgette Heyer
Dara Joy gives us a different look at ourselves, our society, and our expectations in relationships. "Ritual of Proof creates a vivid new world; it's a book you will remember long after you've reached its riveting conclusion. This is a dazzling tale ...
Ritual of Proof:Dara Joy
Now available in one extraordinary box set—Naked in Death, Glory in Death, and Immortal in Death—the first three novels in J.D. Robb's #1 New York Times bestselling series featuring Lieutenant Eve Dallas. Julie recommends this series and it has great...
Naked In Death: J D Robb
Julie likes a little Agatha Christie. Who doesn't? This is her recommendation. In Agatha Christie’s classic mystery 4:50 From Paddington, a woman in one train witnesses a murder occurring in another passing one…and only Miss Marple believes her story...
4:50 From Paddington: A Miss Marple Mystery
A phenomenal worldwide bestseller for over thirty years, Richard Adams's Watership Down is a timeless classic and one of the most beloved novels of all time. Set in England's Downs, a once idyllic rural landscape, this stirring tale of adventure, cou...
Watership Down: A Novel: Richard Adams
James Herriot books are the most wonderful books. Many people have and will enjoyed these amazing books! Julie and I agree on this selection.
If Only They Could Talk: James Herriot
Julie and I agree on this one. I have loved EVERY Wilbur Smith but when he published River God I found one of the best. It is probably the only Egyptian historical fiction I have read and I never forgot the impact it made on me.
River God (The Egyptian Series) - Wilbur Smith
Julie's memory of this book was sobbing in the school bus line. It had the same effect on me. Such an intensely emotional book. I have remembered it forever. Not your typical Wilbur Smith, maybe it's even better!
Eagle in the Sky: Wilbur Smith
Julie's husband has worn out two of these box sets. My husband and I read Lord of the Rings on our honeymoon! Of course we recommend these books!
The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings Boxed Set
My brother in law (Julie's husband) has worn out two box sets of Sherlock Holmes. They're classics!
The Complete Sherlock Holmes by Conan Doyle
Julie comments: “Scarred me for life!! It is soooooo sad.” I couldn't agree more. All about the life of a convict in Australia. A life changing read for sure.
For the Term of His Natural Life: Marcus Clarke
This is an unusual pick for this list but it's one of the most helpful books Julie has recommended. The language of dogs is through smell and in this book you will learn how you can use this language to gain an insight into where your dog may need su...
Help Your Dog Heal: Essential Oils & Herbs