Editor’s Note: Lisa See, bestselling writer of novels such as SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN and SHANGHAI GIRLS, doesn’t discriminate when it comes to the genre of books she enjoys to read. Just in time for the release of her latest novel THE TEA GIRL OF HUMMINGBIRD LANE, we got a peek into the beloved author’s bookshelf.
Whenever I’m asked to name my favorite books, I go into a whirlwind of indecision. Should I list my favorite books written by women? Or make a list of my favorite books in a category—historical novels, adventure, autobiography, crime, mystery, thriller, or food? Maybe the list should be made up of the books on my nightstand, because surely what I have still ahead of me to read will be my absolute favorites. Or maybe it should be books by those writers who influenced me the most when I was growing up or have made me laugh or cry. You see? A whirlwind of indecision. The 13 books on this list are my favorites from a variety of categories, and here’s what they’ve meant to me.