Five books I would never throw away

As much as electronic books have been a lifesaver, or more appropriately a shoulder/back saver, the book lover in me still loves possessing physical copies of books, especially when they hold special memories for me. Below are five books that are very dear to me, with little stories of their own and I cannot see myself throwing them out anytime soon.

Let me know down below if you have any books that you love so much that you will not part with it so easily.

1. Murder on the Orient Express
One of the masterpieces of English writer Agatha Christie, it is a must have on the bookshelves for all die-hard fans of ‘The Queen of Crime.’ I absolutely adore this book and think that it epitomizes the beauty of her huge collection of crime fiction writings.

2. The Social Contract
“Man was born free, and he is everywhere in chains. Those who think themselves the masters of others are indeed greater slaves than they.” – Jean-Jacques Rousseau
This is the first political philosophy book I ever had and I remembered Rousseau’s ideas about democracy were so radical that it left a deep impact upon my young and impressionable mind. This copy that I have with me, I have read it to death, having flipped through, highlighted and scribbled on it so many times.

3. Harry Potter series
Ok, I know that I am cheating here because the Harry Potter series contains more than one book, but still, Harry Potter was the bomb for most of us who grew up with it and fantasized endlessly about Potterland. Unlike the collector’s series available these days, my books have different covers and designs because I was never too picky about the exterior or whether it was hard or soft cover. Instead, my main concern was which bookstores I was able to place my pre-order for the upcoming installment since they always sold like hot potatoes even before they were officially released. There was always so much anticipation and buzz amongst my siblings as we waited with bated breath for the next Harry Potter book.

4. The Element
This book has been mentioned several times on my blog because it was truly made an impact upon me. Written by renowned educationalist Ken Robinson, I first read it when I was freshly out of college and in need of some advice before making life choices. The book came in handier than I ever imagined, inspiring me to make some hard choices. Looking at the book now just reminds me of the crossroads I once stood at.

5. 寫給你的日記 Nina’s Journal
A travelogue/diary by Taiwanese author Nina Chung Wen-yin during her stay in New York as an art student, she wrote in beautifully poetic manner about her desire for independence yet a longing for her loved ones back home. Reading this during high school empowered me to be a stronger woman who would not be afraid to take the leap of faith when necessary. And if you are wondering, this book is written only in Mandarin Chinese and yes, I am able to read and understand completely in Chinese.