The Last Unicorn - Peter S Beagle
When I was a child me and my sister used to rent the animated video most weeks and it was (and still is) my favourite film of all time. When I first read the book as an adult I loved it too. It takes me back to being a child and I always wanted to be the Lady Amalthea. The cat is also brilliant and Terry Brooks quotes him at the beginning of one of his books.
The Black Jewels Trilogy - Anne Bishop
I read this (shamefully) on my honeymoon and got completely engrossed in it. We spent a lot of time on planes which gave me guilt-free time to enjoy it. I do confess though to spending some of our free days with my head stuck in it instead of doing more traditional honeymoon activities ;)
Memnoch the Devil - Anne Rice
I love love love Anne Rice and have read everything she has ever written. This was probably my favourite though as it was a very interesting look at Christianity and the Devil. Religion and Mythology are passions of mine as well as vampires so this was the best of both worlds!
High Fidelity - Nick Hornby
Another of my favourite authors. This one looks at music (another hobby of mine being a part-time DJ) and the main characters love making lists much like me. The humour is great and it translated really well from London in the book to the USA in the film.
The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
I am counting all three books as one as when I first read it aged 10 it was a one volume copy. This is where my love of Fantasy novels started I think. It also really encouraged my love of reading which I have always had. I loved the characters and Middle Earth where I would love to visit one day. Again it worked really well as a series of films.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Kathrin's list
Okay, just browsing the other participants' lists is wonderful and I keep arranging my list of 5, but I think I should finally get done. So here it as :-)
Meg Cabot: The Princess Diaries This book is for the child in me. I enjoy being like that from time to time. It makes life a bit easier, more fun, more enjoyable...
Charlotte Bronte: Jane Eyre Because IMO Jane has good values.
Rabbi Hayim Halevi Donin: To Be A Jew I picked this book up more by chance than anything else (besides recommendation). I think it explains many "Jewish aspects" quite well, even for those who don't know much about it yet. To me, it's a pick up and enjoy kind of book.
Sophie Kinsella: Can You Keep A Secret? This book in a way represents me, cause the main character is just as clumsy and awkward as I am.
J.K. Rowling: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Because I hope I also have friends who in the end believe in me and help me, though they might have doubted at first.
So, that would be my list of five... Now I suppose I'm off to pick my books to read, right?
Meg Cabot: The Princess Diaries This book is for the child in me. I enjoy being like that from time to time. It makes life a bit easier, more fun, more enjoyable...
Charlotte Bronte: Jane Eyre Because IMO Jane has good values.
Rabbi Hayim Halevi Donin: To Be A Jew I picked this book up more by chance than anything else (besides recommendation). I think it explains many "Jewish aspects" quite well, even for those who don't know much about it yet. To me, it's a pick up and enjoy kind of book.
Sophie Kinsella: Can You Keep A Secret? This book in a way represents me, cause the main character is just as clumsy and awkward as I am.
J.K. Rowling: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Because I hope I also have friends who in the end believe in me and help me, though they might have doubted at first.
So, that would be my list of five... Now I suppose I'm off to pick my books to read, right?
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Vasilly's List
I love this challenge! I'm looking at everyone's list and picking and choosing what I want to read. It's great when you see a book that you love and someone has it on their list. Here's my list:
Blindness by Jose Saramago
It took me three tries before I was able to sit down and read this. Blindness is about the world going blind from a mysterious illness and how people choose to live with it. It is about more then just going blind and living with it. It's about politics, family, life, problems... Jose Saramago is one of the living masters of writing. It is such a good book.
Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott
Anne Lamott is one of my favorite writers though I only read her non-fiction. Traveling Mercies tells of the spiritual path Lamott went on to become the person she is now. Funny, brutally honest, very enjoyable.
East of Eden by John Steinbeck. An epic that includes everything in it: Adam and Eve, free will, Cain and Abel, love, life, death, hope, joy...
So Many books, so little time by Sara Nelson. Sara Nelson is one of my heroes. He book was suppose to be about a selected pick of books that she had planned on reading for a year, but turned into so much more. So many books... is about her personal reading habits, her life, how reading affects her mood, and the joy she gets like every bookworm from reading. A great read. But if you just want a book about good books and nothing else, don't pick this book up. Just get Booklust by Nancy Pearl instead.
Living Judaism by Rabbi Wayne Dosick. I picked this book up by chance about seven years ago in my local library and fell in love. I can't really explain it. Just the language of the book is lyrical and the passion and love that Rabbi Dosick has for his religion and way of life is inspiring and rubs off while he explains so many aspects of Judaism.
Blindness by Jose Saramago
It took me three tries before I was able to sit down and read this. Blindness is about the world going blind from a mysterious illness and how people choose to live with it. It is about more then just going blind and living with it. It's about politics, family, life, problems... Jose Saramago is one of the living masters of writing. It is such a good book.
Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott
Anne Lamott is one of my favorite writers though I only read her non-fiction. Traveling Mercies tells of the spiritual path Lamott went on to become the person she is now. Funny, brutally honest, very enjoyable.
East of Eden by John Steinbeck. An epic that includes everything in it: Adam and Eve, free will, Cain and Abel, love, life, death, hope, joy...
So Many books, so little time by Sara Nelson. Sara Nelson is one of my heroes. He book was suppose to be about a selected pick of books that she had planned on reading for a year, but turned into so much more. So many books... is about her personal reading habits, her life, how reading affects her mood, and the joy she gets like every bookworm from reading. A great read. But if you just want a book about good books and nothing else, don't pick this book up. Just get Booklust by Nancy Pearl instead.
Living Judaism by Rabbi Wayne Dosick. I picked this book up by chance about seven years ago in my local library and fell in love. I can't really explain it. Just the language of the book is lyrical and the passion and love that Rabbi Dosick has for his religion and way of life is inspiring and rubs off while he explains so many aspects of Judaism.
the bookworm's list
Hello and thank you for allowing me to join this!
I look forward to reading some of the other bloggers books listed.
Heres my list: (this was harder than I thought since I have so many favorites, it's hard to narrow them down)
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: I am a fan of Jane Austens work and this is my favorite books! See how I'm getting all excited just thinking of it...lol I've read this one several times, enjoyed the movie adaptation and highly recommend this book. Elizabeth Bennett and Fitzwilliam Darcy are two of the best written characters of all time. Yes :o)
I can relate to Elizabeth Bennett's views on love and marriage.
If you like this one, you'll also like Bridget Jones Diary
Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell:
Another one of my all time favorite books and movies. Set in Atlanta during the time of the Civil War this novel is full of romance, drama and courage. Scarlett O'Hara is the true heroine here, you love to hate her. I could relate to her need to survive no matter what.
And no one is more desirable than the handsome Rhett Butler.
'After all, tomorrow is another day'.
The Poinsonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver: I absolutely recommend this book. I cried when I read certain parts.
Missionary Nathan Price, a Baptist preacher, takes his wife and four daughters off to Africa in the 1950's. I could relate to the mother, simply because I am a mother.
They suffer so much and this story is just so amazing. You feel like the characters are real people. I really enjoyed this book.
She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb: I read this one a few times, I discovered it through Oprah's Book club and thank you Oprah for that :) I also discovered author Wally Lamb here. A wonderful book, I could relate to the main character Dolores Price, she battles alot in life and in the end comes out a better person from it. Get your box of tissues ready.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Book 1) by J. K. : I am a big HP fan and once you read this book, you will be hooked immediately. I promise! I've already gotten 3 other people hooked on the HP series. About a boy called Harry, he is 'the boy who lived'.
In a world of wizards, little skinny Harry is famous as a survivor of a wizard who tried to kill him and who killed his parents among many others. Harry is left only with a lightning-bolt scar on his forehead as a result of that encounter.
He goes off to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry at age 10 and from then on soooooooo much happens. Great stories for kids and adults alike!
I look forward to reading some of the other bloggers books listed.
Heres my list: (this was harder than I thought since I have so many favorites, it's hard to narrow them down)
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: I am a fan of Jane Austens work and this is my favorite books! See how I'm getting all excited just thinking of it...lol I've read this one several times, enjoyed the movie adaptation and highly recommend this book. Elizabeth Bennett and Fitzwilliam Darcy are two of the best written characters of all time. Yes :o)
I can relate to Elizabeth Bennett's views on love and marriage.
If you like this one, you'll also like Bridget Jones Diary
Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell:
Another one of my all time favorite books and movies. Set in Atlanta during the time of the Civil War this novel is full of romance, drama and courage. Scarlett O'Hara is the true heroine here, you love to hate her. I could relate to her need to survive no matter what.
And no one is more desirable than the handsome Rhett Butler.
'After all, tomorrow is another day'.
The Poinsonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver: I absolutely recommend this book. I cried when I read certain parts.
Missionary Nathan Price, a Baptist preacher, takes his wife and four daughters off to Africa in the 1950's. I could relate to the mother, simply because I am a mother.
They suffer so much and this story is just so amazing. You feel like the characters are real people. I really enjoyed this book.
She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb: I read this one a few times, I discovered it through Oprah's Book club and thank you Oprah for that :) I also discovered author Wally Lamb here. A wonderful book, I could relate to the main character Dolores Price, she battles alot in life and in the end comes out a better person from it. Get your box of tissues ready.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Book 1) by J. K. : I am a big HP fan and once you read this book, you will be hooked immediately. I promise! I've already gotten 3 other people hooked on the HP series. About a boy called Harry, he is 'the boy who lived'.
In a world of wizards, little skinny Harry is famous as a survivor of a wizard who tried to kill him and who killed his parents among many others. Harry is left only with a lightning-bolt scar on his forehead as a result of that encounter.
He goes off to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry at age 10 and from then on soooooooo much happens. Great stories for kids and adults alike!
Monday, May 21, 2007
Dewey's list
Hi there! Wow, this Blogger format is way different from what I'm used to. Well, that's about as clever as my introductory remarks are going to get. On to the list!
We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver: I'm reading this book for the second time right now. The narrator is the mother of a boy who has committed a Columbine-like school shooting/mass murder. I teach high school. I was teaching high school the day the Columbine shooting happened, and we all stopped what we were doing in class and watched the news in horror. This book really freaked me out the first time I read it, because I'm also the mother of teenage boy -- a white, middle-class, suburban boy, which is what these school shooters tend to be. Although the narrator is really hard to like, I just feel for her anyway, because I can not even imagine what it must be like to be the parent of one of these boys. Yet I have to keep in mind at all times the possibility that something like this could out of the blue happen in my classroom at any time.
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger: I just adore this book. In some ways, I identify with the main character, even though he's a guy. Although he time travels, his normal life takes place in Chicago, where I grew up, during about the same time. You know how it's just cool to have a character in a book doing the things you did and going to the places you go? Aside from that, he has a really deep connection with his wife, and in a lot of ways, it feels reminiscent of my relationship with my husband, except that he's not always time traveling out of my life. The book doesn't read like a sci-fi book, which is what you'd normally expect from a book about time traveling. It's more about relationships and trying to be yourself even when who you are doesn't always make sense to other people.
The World According to Garp by John Irving: I love this book mainly because it's a big, complicated, crazy story, and because the characters stick with you. I identify with one of the characters, Helen. She's a reader. When she and Garp, the main character, meet, he asks her what she'll be when she grows up, and she says she'll be a reader, and she'll only marry a writer. And so Garp decides to be a writer. And Helen ends up as a professor of literature, or as she predicted, a professional reader. And I love the book because so much of it is about loss, and tragedy, and unintentionally hurting people you love, and finally, about healing.
March by Geraldine Brooks: The main character in this novel, is Mr March, the father of the March girls in Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. This book is something about me in so many ways. Little Women was one of the formative books of my childhood (I identified with Jo). Mr March is pals with Emerson and Thoreau, and is a transcendentalist, a movement about which I've always had a lot of interest. Mr March is very idealistic, which leads sometimes to his making huge mistakes. And while he goes off to the Civil War to be an army chaplain (something I would never do) he is reassigned to teach former slaves.
The Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle: This book is something about me because it's a tragicomedy, and that tends to reflect my approach to life: it's all so chronically tragic that you can't help but laugh if you want to stay sane. There are various clashes in this story. One surrounds the U.S-Mexican border, and focuses both on cultural clashes and political boundary clashes. The other is between the ecosystem of southern California and the humans who try to inhabit it: they run into problems with mudslides and coyotes, just for starters. And then it all blends together into one big mess that reflects reality all too harshly.
What these books all have in common is that the writing is absolutely gorgeous, though they're all very different styles, and each book has very strong, memorable characters.
We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver: I'm reading this book for the second time right now. The narrator is the mother of a boy who has committed a Columbine-like school shooting/mass murder. I teach high school. I was teaching high school the day the Columbine shooting happened, and we all stopped what we were doing in class and watched the news in horror. This book really freaked me out the first time I read it, because I'm also the mother of teenage boy -- a white, middle-class, suburban boy, which is what these school shooters tend to be. Although the narrator is really hard to like, I just feel for her anyway, because I can not even imagine what it must be like to be the parent of one of these boys. Yet I have to keep in mind at all times the possibility that something like this could out of the blue happen in my classroom at any time.
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger: I just adore this book. In some ways, I identify with the main character, even though he's a guy. Although he time travels, his normal life takes place in Chicago, where I grew up, during about the same time. You know how it's just cool to have a character in a book doing the things you did and going to the places you go? Aside from that, he has a really deep connection with his wife, and in a lot of ways, it feels reminiscent of my relationship with my husband, except that he's not always time traveling out of my life. The book doesn't read like a sci-fi book, which is what you'd normally expect from a book about time traveling. It's more about relationships and trying to be yourself even when who you are doesn't always make sense to other people.
The World According to Garp by John Irving: I love this book mainly because it's a big, complicated, crazy story, and because the characters stick with you. I identify with one of the characters, Helen. She's a reader. When she and Garp, the main character, meet, he asks her what she'll be when she grows up, and she says she'll be a reader, and she'll only marry a writer. And so Garp decides to be a writer. And Helen ends up as a professor of literature, or as she predicted, a professional reader. And I love the book because so much of it is about loss, and tragedy, and unintentionally hurting people you love, and finally, about healing.
March by Geraldine Brooks: The main character in this novel, is Mr March, the father of the March girls in Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. This book is something about me in so many ways. Little Women was one of the formative books of my childhood (I identified with Jo). Mr March is pals with Emerson and Thoreau, and is a transcendentalist, a movement about which I've always had a lot of interest. Mr March is very idealistic, which leads sometimes to his making huge mistakes. And while he goes off to the Civil War to be an army chaplain (something I would never do) he is reassigned to teach former slaves.
The Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle: This book is something about me because it's a tragicomedy, and that tends to reflect my approach to life: it's all so chronically tragic that you can't help but laugh if you want to stay sane. There are various clashes in this story. One surrounds the U.S-Mexican border, and focuses both on cultural clashes and political boundary clashes. The other is between the ecosystem of southern California and the humans who try to inhabit it: they run into problems with mudslides and coyotes, just for starters. And then it all blends together into one big mess that reflects reality all too harshly.
What these books all have in common is that the writing is absolutely gorgeous, though they're all very different styles, and each book has very strong, memorable characters.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Are we allowed to change our lists?
I don't know if we are or not, but I would like to edit mine just a wee bit. If you see the Think Pink Dana list, you will see two books on there dealing with breast cancer/ breast cancer survival. I couldn't choose between the two, and now I'd like to offer a third alternative in that genre The Five Gifts of Illness by Jill Sklar. Had I known, when I made my list how quickly this book was going to be released, I would have made it that option instead of the other two Breast Cancer specific books. If you really want to know "something about me" pick this book. Why? BECAUSE I AM PART OF THE BOOK. Mrs. Sklar contacted me last year after finding me through my blog and we held several phone interviews. I just received my publisher's copy in the mail today, and having skimmed most of it, I can say that it is very well done. I am so proud to be even a small part of it!
this is me....on vacation~!
Hi everyone!
I'll be on vacation and out of techno-signals until Sunday night. Go ahead and ask to be invited in, or post books, but I won't be updating the site again until next Monday!!
I'll be on vacation and out of techno-signals until Sunday night. Go ahead and ask to be invited in, or post books, but I won't be updating the site again until next Monday!!
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Tiny Little Librarian's List
My list is pretty fluffy. I guess I'm just not that deep! But that's one of the things about me - I'm not a big fan of heavy books. I figure there's enough hard stuff in life without adding extra to it by reading about it. So if you're looking for something light, check mine out!
Angry Housewives Eating Bon-Bons by Lorna Landvik
I belong to a book club of great women, like the ladies in this book. And this was one of the few books that all of our members really enjoyed. Also, it's set in Minnesota, which is where my husband's from and I love visiting there every summer.
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
My childhood favourite! I really identified with Anne (and still do) - I was adopted, I had a big imagination and loved to read, and I hated my name. I even had puffed sleeves on my graduation dress (looking back, a fashion mistake but I loved it at the time). And as I read the sequels and got older, I developed a literary crush on Gilbert Blythe.
Bridget Jones' Diary by Helen Fielding
Ah, the mother of all chick lit! I love Bridget - her calorie-counting, her "v. goods" and "v. bads," her embarassing moments... Like her, I feared that I'd die alone and be eaten by an Alsatian. I'm also a huge Anglophile, so I really enjoy the Britishness of Bridge. (Again, literary crush material in Mark Darcy, who is almost as crushable as the original Pride and Prejudice Darcy.)
The Gallery of Regrettable Food by James Lileks
Hilarious!! Lileks is a (sadly former) columnist for the Minneapolis Star Tribune and also an avid collector of old books, postcards, pamphlets, etc. Husband and I started out laughing at them on his web site (http://www.lileks.com/) and were delighted when he started turning them into books. In this one, he comments on horrifying recipes from 50's cookbooks. There's lots of gelatine, hard-boiled eggs made to look like penguins, and the choice between "cheesy meat dishes" or "meaty cheese dishes."
Lucy Crocker 2.0 by Caroline Preston
Not one of my all-time faves, a fun enough read. I chose this one because Lucy is a former children's librarian and she designs a popular video game. I love computer games (particularly the Sims and EverQuest) and I'm a children's librarian, so there you are. (I fortunately don't have all of the troubles Lucy has with her husband and kids, though.)
(For all my challenge-ish stuff, check out my new reading blog - The Tiny Little Reading Room at http://tinyreadingroom.blogspot.com/)
Saturday, May 12, 2007
A.book.in.the.life
Right then here goes!
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostava because I love history, I studied history at university and I have always wished I could go on some kind of quest!
The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy. One of the first classics I read I think and I love it so it has good memories for me.
So Many Books, So Little Time by Sara Nelson because I love books and reading and I love books about books and reading. There are just so many similarities to me in this book.
The Stand by Stephen King because this is one of the few books I am happy to reread and it Stephen King represents one pf the ways I went into books for adults as a child.
Educating Esme by Esme Raji Codell because she was a fantastic teacher that really inspired the kids she taught. She now is an advocate for getting kids to read.
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostava because I love history, I studied history at university and I have always wished I could go on some kind of quest!
The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy. One of the first classics I read I think and I love it so it has good memories for me.
So Many Books, So Little Time by Sara Nelson because I love books and reading and I love books about books and reading. There are just so many similarities to me in this book.
The Stand by Stephen King because this is one of the few books I am happy to reread and it Stephen King represents one pf the ways I went into books for adults as a child.
Educating Esme by Esme Raji Codell because she was a fantastic teacher that really inspired the kids she taught. She now is an advocate for getting kids to read.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Athena's List
This was difficult to say the least. These are books that I've read, but I wish I had more choices that were more overt about who I am. I just want to read more after making this list. I also avoided repeats from other lists. I do hope this list intrigues somebody.
Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie - I loved this book as a child. I obviously wanted to be Wendy. I think this book, the imagination, and the characters were all a reflection of myself as a child. My love for children's books and fantasy novels (Narnia, His Dark Materials, Harry Potter) continues to this day so PP was just one of the first. It was this or The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe as I wanted to be both Wendy and Lucy when I was younger.
Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham - I read this last summer. It was not easy, spirit lifting or the funnest read in the world at times, but I think a lot of the issues raised by the author and the protagonist are ones I am relating to now. I think that a lot of people at some point in their life may relate to the conflict Maugham presents here.
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy - I read this when I was 13, and while I loved books before, I often think this marked the true beginning of my "adult" reading obsession. I read W&P last year which I also loved, but there is such tragedy, beauty and mirth in AK. I haven't reread it since, and I didn't relate to the characters so much at time, but I found them interesting, sympathetic, well written and just very human. Tolstoy has always written life in a way that I can perceive as well.
A Cook's Tour by Anthony Bourdain - A nonfiction travel memoirs. Simply because this is funny and brings my love of food and travel together.
The Polysyllabic Spree by Nick Hornby - I recently finished the second of Hornby's collection of criticisms from "The Believer" magazine called Housekeeper vs. the Dirt which followed up TPS. If you read TPS, then I highly recommend its follow up. He's different than your average critic. I find his conversational style very personable, relateable, funny and poignant. As a book (movies, music, etc) lover, I can relate to a lot of what he writes in these essays, and I don't even read or like book reviews. These aren't your average reviews, but more general mediations about the books he reads and the ones we choose for ourselves.
Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie - I loved this book as a child. I obviously wanted to be Wendy. I think this book, the imagination, and the characters were all a reflection of myself as a child. My love for children's books and fantasy novels (Narnia, His Dark Materials, Harry Potter) continues to this day so PP was just one of the first. It was this or The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe as I wanted to be both Wendy and Lucy when I was younger.
Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham - I read this last summer. It was not easy, spirit lifting or the funnest read in the world at times, but I think a lot of the issues raised by the author and the protagonist are ones I am relating to now. I think that a lot of people at some point in their life may relate to the conflict Maugham presents here.
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy - I read this when I was 13, and while I loved books before, I often think this marked the true beginning of my "adult" reading obsession. I read W&P last year which I also loved, but there is such tragedy, beauty and mirth in AK. I haven't reread it since, and I didn't relate to the characters so much at time, but I found them interesting, sympathetic, well written and just very human. Tolstoy has always written life in a way that I can perceive as well.
A Cook's Tour by Anthony Bourdain - A nonfiction travel memoirs. Simply because this is funny and brings my love of food and travel together.
The Polysyllabic Spree by Nick Hornby - I recently finished the second of Hornby's collection of criticisms from "The Believer" magazine called Housekeeper vs. the Dirt which followed up TPS. If you read TPS, then I highly recommend its follow up. He's different than your average critic. I find his conversational style very personable, relateable, funny and poignant. As a book (movies, music, etc) lover, I can relate to a lot of what he writes in these essays, and I don't even read or like book reviews. These aren't your average reviews, but more general mediations about the books he reads and the ones we choose for ourselves.
Kristin's List
I decided to join a new challenge, the Something About Me Reading Challenge This one sounds really interesting. Each participant makes a list of at least 5 books that tell something about them. Then all participants choose to read a selection of books (as few or as many as they like) from the other lists. What a cool way to learn about other people. I just didn't realize how difficult making my list would be! Anyway, here are some books that I think say something about me.
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. This book is set in all my favorite places: libraries, used bookstores and archives. I share interests with both of the main characters, one loves to research and the other is a writer. The main reason I pick this book is that I really, really enjoyed it....I think it's one of the best new books I've read in years! (fiction)
Nicholas and Alexandra by Robert K. Massie. This is the book that started it all! Anyone who knows me knows that I love Russian history, particularly late Tsarist era/Revolutionary Russian history. Well, this is the book that sparked my interest. My senior year in high school I was writing a paper on hemophilia for health class and came across this book while researching. Robert Massie's research is impeccable and his writing make this book read like a novel. I still go back and read it from time to time. (non-fiction)
Coming to Term: Uncovering the Truth about Miscarriage by Jon Cohen. I experienced five miscarriages before getting pregnant with Helen and this is the book I read during that time that I thought was the best. Jon Cohen and his wife also experienced multiple miscarriages so he writes with intimate knowledge of what miscarriage is like for a couple. He also includes current research about miscarriage and many stories of other couples who've experienced multiple miscarriages. I also appreciated that some of the stories he shared did not end with the woman successfully carrying a baby to term, sometimes that's just not the "happy ending" that a couple receives. Anyway, this is a good book, especially if you or someone you love has experienced multiple miscarriages. (non-fiction)
Generation Next Parenting by Tricia Goyer. This is a parenting book specifically about being a Gen X parent and how our parenting style differs from that of our Baby Boom parents. I actually won a copy of this book in a contest on one of my favorite blogs and I ended up enjoying it quite a lot. Tricia Goyer uses all kinds of fun 1980s pop culture references to make her points so, if nothing else, this book is good for a trip down memory lane. Really, though, Goyer provides lots of tips and encouragement for Gen Xers trying to raise godly children. (non-fiction)
Enduring Love by Ian McEwan. I'm choosing this book for a number of reasons. First, I had an ex-boyfriend who was kind of a stalker once so I'm familiar with the panic and fear the main character feels when being stalked. Also, I'm often plagued by the "if only" and "what if" questions of life, much like the main character. I am a huge Ian McEwan fan so I thought it was appropriate to include one of his novels here (if you don't want to read Enduring Love, I also highly recommend Atonement...it's probably better but I don't think it's exactly "about me"). (fiction)
Citizen Vince by Jess Walter. This book is about me simply because it is set in Spokane and features a lot of familiar locations. For the record, I am not an ex-con, I'm not in the witness protection program and I don't hang out with "women of ill repute." Still, this is a fun suspense novel with very interesting observations about politics (it takes place in 1980, right before the Reagan/Carter election) and life. (fiction)
I guess that's my list. It was harder than I thought it would be to narrow my selections down...there were so many more I could have included. I really wanted to include Pride and Prejudice (because I have a crush on Mr. Darcy) but I noticed that it is on another list so I decided not to repeat. So many books, so little time!
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. This book is set in all my favorite places: libraries, used bookstores and archives. I share interests with both of the main characters, one loves to research and the other is a writer. The main reason I pick this book is that I really, really enjoyed it....I think it's one of the best new books I've read in years! (fiction)
Nicholas and Alexandra by Robert K. Massie. This is the book that started it all! Anyone who knows me knows that I love Russian history, particularly late Tsarist era/Revolutionary Russian history. Well, this is the book that sparked my interest. My senior year in high school I was writing a paper on hemophilia for health class and came across this book while researching. Robert Massie's research is impeccable and his writing make this book read like a novel. I still go back and read it from time to time. (non-fiction)
Coming to Term: Uncovering the Truth about Miscarriage by Jon Cohen. I experienced five miscarriages before getting pregnant with Helen and this is the book I read during that time that I thought was the best. Jon Cohen and his wife also experienced multiple miscarriages so he writes with intimate knowledge of what miscarriage is like for a couple. He also includes current research about miscarriage and many stories of other couples who've experienced multiple miscarriages. I also appreciated that some of the stories he shared did not end with the woman successfully carrying a baby to term, sometimes that's just not the "happy ending" that a couple receives. Anyway, this is a good book, especially if you or someone you love has experienced multiple miscarriages. (non-fiction)
Generation Next Parenting by Tricia Goyer. This is a parenting book specifically about being a Gen X parent and how our parenting style differs from that of our Baby Boom parents. I actually won a copy of this book in a contest on one of my favorite blogs and I ended up enjoying it quite a lot. Tricia Goyer uses all kinds of fun 1980s pop culture references to make her points so, if nothing else, this book is good for a trip down memory lane. Really, though, Goyer provides lots of tips and encouragement for Gen Xers trying to raise godly children. (non-fiction)
Enduring Love by Ian McEwan. I'm choosing this book for a number of reasons. First, I had an ex-boyfriend who was kind of a stalker once so I'm familiar with the panic and fear the main character feels when being stalked. Also, I'm often plagued by the "if only" and "what if" questions of life, much like the main character. I am a huge Ian McEwan fan so I thought it was appropriate to include one of his novels here (if you don't want to read Enduring Love, I also highly recommend Atonement...it's probably better but I don't think it's exactly "about me"). (fiction)
Citizen Vince by Jess Walter. This book is about me simply because it is set in Spokane and features a lot of familiar locations. For the record, I am not an ex-con, I'm not in the witness protection program and I don't hang out with "women of ill repute." Still, this is a fun suspense novel with very interesting observations about politics (it takes place in 1980, right before the Reagan/Carter election) and life. (fiction)
I guess that's my list. It was harder than I thought it would be to narrow my selections down...there were so many more I could have included. I really wanted to include Pride and Prejudice (because I have a crush on Mr. Darcy) but I noticed that it is on another list so I decided not to repeat. So many books, so little time!
Maryanne's List
This has been harder than I thought. When I decided not to be so serious and brooding, and just be myself, I began having fun! Here's my list:
1. Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel. This is how I love, with a fiery passion that lasts and lasts and lasts. I've actually watched the movie before I was able to read the book, and when I finally got the book and was ready to read it, I hesitated. I wondered how I would react if the book would come across as very different from the movie. Indeed it was different, and I loved the book more than I loved the movie! Funny thing is, I don't know how to cook at all. This is one of the books that made me realize that the best cooks of all are the ones who cook with love.
2. The History Of The Siege of Lisbon by Jose Saramago. Because I'm working on a book of history at the moment, and I am also plagued by the issues that the main character was worried about. I'm hoping to triumph in the end, like he did! Women writers are said to view history differently, and ask different questions, no matter if they were trained the same way as the men. Right now I'm deep in the work, and although I am currently on a much-needed break, everyday I stop and wonder about all the books of history out there, and how our lives would have been different had they been written differently.
3. How To Walk In High Heels by Camilla Morton. Because I'm a single girl living alone in the big city. I also have a thing for shoes. This is really a how-to book, which I found so endearing, because it provides instructions for eveerything, including how to unwrap a cd, how to hire a plumber, and how to burp in public!
4. The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. Because when I was young I used to believe in vampires and ghosts. There was a period in my young life when, during summer, I'd pretend to fall asleep and then when everybody else was asleep, I'd get out of bed and peer out the window towards the lot of our next-door neighbor, about 300 kilometers away on the farm, and try to see those strange lights that old wives used to talk about. In the farm, where I grew up, everybody believed in ghosts and spirits and superstitions.
5. Charlie and the Chocolate factory by Roald Dahl. Simply because I looove chocolate!
1. Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel. This is how I love, with a fiery passion that lasts and lasts and lasts. I've actually watched the movie before I was able to read the book, and when I finally got the book and was ready to read it, I hesitated. I wondered how I would react if the book would come across as very different from the movie. Indeed it was different, and I loved the book more than I loved the movie! Funny thing is, I don't know how to cook at all. This is one of the books that made me realize that the best cooks of all are the ones who cook with love.
2. The History Of The Siege of Lisbon by Jose Saramago. Because I'm working on a book of history at the moment, and I am also plagued by the issues that the main character was worried about. I'm hoping to triumph in the end, like he did! Women writers are said to view history differently, and ask different questions, no matter if they were trained the same way as the men. Right now I'm deep in the work, and although I am currently on a much-needed break, everyday I stop and wonder about all the books of history out there, and how our lives would have been different had they been written differently.
3. How To Walk In High Heels by Camilla Morton. Because I'm a single girl living alone in the big city. I also have a thing for shoes. This is really a how-to book, which I found so endearing, because it provides instructions for eveerything, including how to unwrap a cd, how to hire a plumber, and how to burp in public!
4. The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. Because when I was young I used to believe in vampires and ghosts. There was a period in my young life when, during summer, I'd pretend to fall asleep and then when everybody else was asleep, I'd get out of bed and peer out the window towards the lot of our next-door neighbor, about 300 kilometers away on the farm, and try to see those strange lights that old wives used to talk about. In the farm, where I grew up, everybody believed in ghosts and spirits and superstitions.
5. Charlie and the Chocolate factory by Roald Dahl. Simply because I looove chocolate!
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Stephanie's List
Wow. I've been having such a hard time coming up with a list that I was actually starting to stress about it. I finally came to the realization that I was making it way more difficult than it should be. So, I sat down this morning and found 5 to add. And here they are:
- Lincoln by David Herbert Donald. This is a non-fiction bio on Abraham Lincoln. Growing up in Illinois, a stone's throw from Springfield, I've been to every "Lincoln Site" about 10 times. From the Old State Capitol Building to Lincoln Law Offices, from Lincoln's tomb to New Salem State Park, I've seen them all! This looked like a good book to throw into the "Stephanie" mix.
- Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm by Kate Douglas Wiggin - Although no one that I know from my life here in Peoria nor my college life would believe it, I actually GREW UP on a farm! I read this when I was a kid and although she's a little more wholesome, I think I did get some of her spunk!
- Oh My Goth by Gena Showalter - This is the story about a girl in high school (for me it was college) that is a nonconformist and who values individuallity. She dresses "Goth", wears all black. Then one day her smart mouth gets her in trouble at school. (Hmmm...now THIS sounds like me!) She wakes up to find that whole world has gone Goth and she is no longer different....but POPULAR! I've been known to wear a LOT of black, even lipstick and nail polish. I always liked being different. Guess this one is really me!
- I am Legend by Richard Matheson - HUGE vampire fan here. Anyone who knows me knows how much I wanted to be Buffy (not the dumb movie version, but the totally A** kicking TV one!) And this is one of the Classics of the genre. "Robert Neville is the last living man on earth ... but he is not alone. Every other man, woman and child on the planet has become a vampire, and they are all hungry for Neville’s blood. By day he is the hunter, stalking the sleeping undead through the abandoned ruins of civilization. By night, he barricades himself in his home and prays for the dawn."
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. My very favorite book. I read this in high school and fell in love with it. Can't have a list without this one.
That's it for now!! Later!
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Wendy's List
Here's the final list!
1. Place Last Seen, by Charlotte McGuinn Freeman - This book is a touching novel about a lost child and the search which ensues to find her. It represents me on a couple of levels. I have been involved in Search and Rescue for almost ten years now (the first 7 of those years was with a my Search and Rescue dog - Caribou- and now I'm a certified Tracker I for my county team). In addition, the child in this novel has Down's Syndrome. As a licensed Physical Therapist, I work with children and adults with developmental disability. McGuinn Freeman does an outstanding job of portraying both the search teams and the family of this little girl.
2. A Walk in the Woods, by Bill Bryson - A non fiction memoir of the author's trek along the Appalachian Trail. I am a hiker and a lover of nature, and I have a good sense of humor. Bryson's account is hysterically funny and I found that although I have never hiked the Appalachian Trail, I could relate to his escapades!
3. In The Shadow Of Man, by Jane Goodall - Non fiction book about Jane Goodall's work with chimpanzees in Gombe National Park in Africa. As a child I wanted to be Jane Goodall! I love animals and her job seemed like the perfect job to me. I was lucky enough to meet Ms. Goodall several years ago after she gave a talk at the Oakland Zoo in Oakland, California. I had a lot of things I wanted to ask her, but I was struck dumb in her presence! She is an incredible woman. My copy of this book is autographed, so I treasure it even more!
4. The Borrowers, by Mary Norton - This was one of my favorite books as a child. I loved the idea of a family of little people living under the floorboards - with my wild imagination, I could almost hear them in my own house! I actually read the entire series several times, borrowing the books over and over again from my local library. I have vowed to get a copy of this series for my home library - I can't believe I don't have it already!
5. The Hotel New Hampshire, by John Irving - This was the first Irving book I read and the one that made me a die-hard fan of his. I grew up in rural New England (New Hampshire) and I was captivated by Irving's quirky characters. I think I relate to John Irving's novels because of his character development; the way he captures the eccentricities of people; the way he demonstrates the fine balance of weaknesses and strengths. And who can resist a book about a family with a pet bear?
1. Place Last Seen, by Charlotte McGuinn Freeman - This book is a touching novel about a lost child and the search which ensues to find her. It represents me on a couple of levels. I have been involved in Search and Rescue for almost ten years now (the first 7 of those years was with a my Search and Rescue dog - Caribou- and now I'm a certified Tracker I for my county team). In addition, the child in this novel has Down's Syndrome. As a licensed Physical Therapist, I work with children and adults with developmental disability. McGuinn Freeman does an outstanding job of portraying both the search teams and the family of this little girl.
2. A Walk in the Woods, by Bill Bryson - A non fiction memoir of the author's trek along the Appalachian Trail. I am a hiker and a lover of nature, and I have a good sense of humor. Bryson's account is hysterically funny and I found that although I have never hiked the Appalachian Trail, I could relate to his escapades!
3. In The Shadow Of Man, by Jane Goodall - Non fiction book about Jane Goodall's work with chimpanzees in Gombe National Park in Africa. As a child I wanted to be Jane Goodall! I love animals and her job seemed like the perfect job to me. I was lucky enough to meet Ms. Goodall several years ago after she gave a talk at the Oakland Zoo in Oakland, California. I had a lot of things I wanted to ask her, but I was struck dumb in her presence! She is an incredible woman. My copy of this book is autographed, so I treasure it even more!
4. The Borrowers, by Mary Norton - This was one of my favorite books as a child. I loved the idea of a family of little people living under the floorboards - with my wild imagination, I could almost hear them in my own house! I actually read the entire series several times, borrowing the books over and over again from my local library. I have vowed to get a copy of this series for my home library - I can't believe I don't have it already!
5. The Hotel New Hampshire, by John Irving - This was the first Irving book I read and the one that made me a die-hard fan of his. I grew up in rural New England (New Hampshire) and I was captivated by Irving's quirky characters. I think I relate to John Irving's novels because of his character development; the way he captures the eccentricities of people; the way he demonstrates the fine balance of weaknesses and strengths. And who can resist a book about a family with a pet bear?
Friday, May 4, 2007
Suey's List
I think I’ve finally come up with my list. Sheesh, it wasn’t easy! I always struggle with deciding whether to pick books I’ve read already, or picking ones I WANT to read... so I did a little of both.
My List of "Something About Me" Books:
The Quilter's Apprentice by Jennifer Chiaverini. My other consuming hobby, after reading, is quilting. I’m not very good at it, but it sure is fun to do! This book is the first in a series called The Elm Creek Quilters Series, and my friend seems to love them, so I’ve been wanting to give them a try.
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. No one else has listed this book yet have they? I admit, I’ve been swept up (or should I say sucked into? LOL!) in the whole Twilight books thing! I love them! I love teen romance stories! I love Stephenie’s style! I hope to write like her some day. (In my dreams...) I’m also finding that I’ve been increasingly attracted to the whole vampire genre and I’m really anxious to read some more books like this.
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. I couldn’t list books about me without some kind of Victorian era classic. It’s truly my favorite genre. I picked this one because it’s about time I re-read it and because there’s just something about this one that gets to me. Something about doomed romance and haunted characters, and ghosts and all that good deep stuff.
Papa Married a Mormon by John D. Fitzgerald. Being from Utah, I find it funny that I’ve never read this book, written by the author of Great Brain fame. I’ve heard it’s wonderfully funny and that fans of the Little House series (I’m thinking that’s many of us) love it. It’s non-fiction but I think loosely based on his family stories.
The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud. Twice a year, I run the book fair at the elementary school. Often, I’ll read some of the book fair books and then talk them up. Last time, after talking about several books, a student raised her hand and said, "Did you read anything that WASN’T fantasy?" I realized that I hadn’t! I love YA fantasy and so I’ve picked this one because it’s been on my list forever to get to and maybe this will help me to finally do it! (Yes I know I’m supposed to read the books on everyone else’ list, but I figured I could read stuff on mine too!)
Anyway, so there you have it! Hopefully these books say a little bit about me!
My List of "Something About Me" Books:
The Quilter's Apprentice by Jennifer Chiaverini. My other consuming hobby, after reading, is quilting. I’m not very good at it, but it sure is fun to do! This book is the first in a series called The Elm Creek Quilters Series, and my friend seems to love them, so I’ve been wanting to give them a try.
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. No one else has listed this book yet have they? I admit, I’ve been swept up (or should I say sucked into? LOL!) in the whole Twilight books thing! I love them! I love teen romance stories! I love Stephenie’s style! I hope to write like her some day. (In my dreams...) I’m also finding that I’ve been increasingly attracted to the whole vampire genre and I’m really anxious to read some more books like this.
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. I couldn’t list books about me without some kind of Victorian era classic. It’s truly my favorite genre. I picked this one because it’s about time I re-read it and because there’s just something about this one that gets to me. Something about doomed romance and haunted characters, and ghosts and all that good deep stuff.
Papa Married a Mormon by John D. Fitzgerald. Being from Utah, I find it funny that I’ve never read this book, written by the author of Great Brain fame. I’ve heard it’s wonderfully funny and that fans of the Little House series (I’m thinking that’s many of us) love it. It’s non-fiction but I think loosely based on his family stories.
The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud. Twice a year, I run the book fair at the elementary school. Often, I’ll read some of the book fair books and then talk them up. Last time, after talking about several books, a student raised her hand and said, "Did you read anything that WASN’T fantasy?" I realized that I hadn’t! I love YA fantasy and so I’ve picked this one because it’s been on my list forever to get to and maybe this will help me to finally do it! (Yes I know I’m supposed to read the books on everyone else’ list, but I figured I could read stuff on mine too!)
Anyway, so there you have it! Hopefully these books say a little bit about me!
Link Love!
Links to books on this list at discount prices!
The Writing Life - Annie Dillard (5.99)
Boys and Girls Forever - Alison Lurie (3.99)
The Black Book: Girls, Girls, Girls, Vol. 1 - Jonah Black (2.49)
The Amateur Marriage - Anne Tyler (7.99)
Charlotte's Web - E.B. White (2.99)
Mere Christianity - C.S. Lewis (9.99)
The Complete C.S. Lewis (including Mere Christianity) - Lewis (24.96)
This Side of Paradise - F. Scott Fitzgerald NO LONGER AVAILABLE
Twelfth Night - William Shakespeare (2.49)
Seven Blessings - Ruchama King (4.99)
Close to Shore - Michael Capuzzo (4.99)
Fresh-Brewed Life - Nicole Johnson (4.99)
Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen (3.49)
Cheaper By the Dozen - Frank Gilbreth (3.99)
Place Last Seen - Charlotte McGuinn Freeman (4.99)
A Walk in the Woods - Bill Bryson NO LONGER AVAILABLE
The Borrowers - Mary Norton (2.99 9.99)
The Victoria's Secret Catalog Never Stops Coming - J. Nash (3.99)
Why I Wore Lipstick To My Mastectomy - Geralyn Lucas (4.99)
Essays of E. B. White - E.B. White (5.99)
Fall On Your Knees - Ann-Marie MacDonald (4.99)
Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier (3.49)
The Historian - Elizabeth Kostova (6.49)
Heidi - Johanna Spyri (6.99)
So Many Books So Little Time - Sara Nelson (4.99)
My Desert Kingdom - Jill Koolmees (4.99)
The Childless Revolution - Madelyn Cain (4.99)
Making Work Work for the Highly Sensitive Person - B. Jaeger (5.99)
Biblioholism - Tom Raabe (5.99)
Evensong - Gail Godwin (3.99)
The Dance of the Dissident Daughter - Sue Monk Kidd (5.49)
The Quilter's Apprentice - Jennifer Chiaverini (3.99)
Place Last Seen - Charlotte McGuinn Freeman (4.99)
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm - Kate Douglas Wiggin (3.49)
The Eyre Affair - Jasper Fforde (4.99)
I hope this will help some of you who are on the fringe with some of these books. In most cases I tried to provide you with the cheapest available book. I didn't include some scratch and dent prices. Sometimes the hardcover was cheaper and sometimes the hardcover was available for only a dollar more. The best way to check on alternate prices with this site is to click on the author's name.
This site has been one of my favorite for years. They have the most reasonable shipping rates I have ever seen. If you are planning on making a purchase I suggest you register and sign in before filling up your cart because doing so can possibly clear your cart. Coupons are often available for this site. Here is a link to a coupon site. These sites are not always reliable so sometimes you have to mess with them. The discount coupons often end up covering the cost of shipping.
The Writing Life - Annie Dillard (5.99)
Boys and Girls Forever - Alison Lurie (3.99)
The Black Book: Girls, Girls, Girls, Vol. 1 - Jonah Black (2.49)
The Amateur Marriage - Anne Tyler (7.99)
Charlotte's Web - E.B. White (2.99)
Mere Christianity - C.S. Lewis (9.99)
The Complete C.S. Lewis (including Mere Christianity) - Lewis (24.96)
Twelfth Night - William Shakespeare (2.49)
Seven Blessings - Ruchama King (4.99)
Close to Shore - Michael Capuzzo (4.99)
Fresh-Brewed Life - Nicole Johnson (4.99)
Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen (3.49)
Cheaper By the Dozen - Frank Gilbreth (3.99)
Place Last Seen - Charlotte McGuinn Freeman (4.99)
The Borrowers - Mary Norton (
The Victoria's Secret Catalog Never Stops Coming - J. Nash (3.99)
Why I Wore Lipstick To My Mastectomy - Geralyn Lucas (4.99)
Essays of E. B. White - E.B. White (5.99)
Fall On Your Knees - Ann-Marie MacDonald (4.99)
Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier (3.49)
The Historian - Elizabeth Kostova (6.49)
Heidi - Johanna Spyri (6.99)
So Many Books So Little Time - Sara Nelson (4.99)
My Desert Kingdom - Jill Koolmees (4.99)
The Childless Revolution - Madelyn Cain (4.99)
Making Work Work for the Highly Sensitive Person - B. Jaeger (5.99)
Biblioholism - Tom Raabe (5.99)
Evensong - Gail Godwin (3.99)
The Dance of the Dissident Daughter - Sue Monk Kidd (5.49)
The Quilter's Apprentice - Jennifer Chiaverini (3.99)
Place Last Seen - Charlotte McGuinn Freeman (4.99)
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm - Kate Douglas Wiggin (3.49)
The Eyre Affair - Jasper Fforde (4.99)
I hope this will help some of you who are on the fringe with some of these books. In most cases I tried to provide you with the cheapest available book. I didn't include some scratch and dent prices. Sometimes the hardcover was cheaper and sometimes the hardcover was available for only a dollar more. The best way to check on alternate prices with this site is to click on the author's name.
This site has been one of my favorite for years. They have the most reasonable shipping rates I have ever seen. If you are planning on making a purchase I suggest you register and sign in before filling up your cart because doing so can possibly clear your cart. Coupons are often available for this site. Here is a link to a coupon site. These sites are not always reliable so sometimes you have to mess with them. The discount coupons often end up covering the cost of shipping.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
I know that the reading part of this challenge doesn't officially start until August, so I hope nobody minds if I start reading some books now. Some look really good, or were books I wanted to read anyway. So even if I read them early, now I'll be thinking aboout the person who suggested it and why.
My concern is there are so many books I want to read, how will I ever get the time? Since I don't have a time-turner like Hermione, pretending that May is August is my best chance.
My concern is there are so many books I want to read, how will I ever get the time? Since I don't have a time-turner like Hermione, pretending that May is August is my best chance.
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