Back to School Book Week: Fiction

It's "Fiction Day" of Back to School Book Week and I wonder what to pick as my favorite fiction book.  For sheer escape fiction, I really like the sassy, action-packed J.D. Robb mysteries and recently have discovered the South-based mysteries of Greg Iles.  Dean Koontz writes horror in the most compelling way, and it turns out that he's United Church of Christ, at least according the UCC Tribute song by "Lost and Found" which is the only Christian band I've ever loved.  But I wander ...

If I had to choose one book to highlight as a favorite, it would be Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist.  It is a fable about a man who says he is looking for treasure but there is so much more to be searched for and found.  I have liked a good fable since back in the day when Aesop's fables were read to me from the Childcraft books (links provided to enlighten the post-baby boom, not-yet AARP crowd).  This book is about journey and meaning and it's also an easy, good read.

I have a few other favorite adult fables ("allegorical novels") on my bookshelf:

• The Princess Who Believed in Fairy Tales (a tale of recovery)
• The Knight in Rusty Armor (Does our armor really protect us?)
• God on a Harley (Motor-cycle riding God adorned in a black jacket and long sable hair)
• The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari (a fable about fulfilling your dreams)
• and, of course, The Shack (you've never met God, the Holy Trinity like this!)

 Thanks to Eren at Vintage Chica for creating this fun challenge!