Sunday, July 29, 2007

Heatherbird's List!

Hello and thanks to Little Willow for pointing her readers over to this community. I'm an elementary education and English graduate student and here are my choices:

1. Christy by Catherine Marshall (Fiction) - the television series based on this book was one of my favorites as a child, and Christy is a wonderful book for future teachers. Additionally, my family is originally from the Appalachain mountains so I enjoy reading about the area's rich culture.
2. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Juvenile Fiction) - the Harry Potter series has truly changed my life. I have met many of my friends through a mutual love of Harry Potter, and now that the series is complete it's a perfect time to start or start over.
3. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (Fiction) - currently my favorite book, and I've recommended it to many friends. I love books that are slightly Science Fiction, but still realistic-- this one is amazing. Henry, the time traveler of the title, is a librarian (and my fictional dream man), and Clare is an artist who has loved Henry since her childhood (his adulthood- it'll all make sense when you read!). Plus, there are field trips and Violent Femmes lyrics. Wonderful.
4. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson (YA FIC) -- the high school in this book is so much like my high school it's ridiculous, and Laurie manages to be hilarious and sarcastic while telling the story of a dark event in the life of a young artist. Since it's one of my dreams to write YA fiction, reading books like this is essential for me.
5. Dancing on the Edge by Han Nolan (YA FIC) -- I used to be soooo seriously into dance it was rediculous. This is also a good portrait of mental illness and I have been dealing with depression since high school.

I will be reading the following books:
1. Persuasion by Jane Austen (F) -- Gracie's List and Becky's List
2. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card (F) -- Karlene's List and Becky's List -- so many people have recommended this book to me as I love Science Fiction and YA books!
3. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult (F) -- Trish's List -- my father had kidney failure so I should be able to relate to the story
4. 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff (NF) -- Historia's List -- sounds delightful!
5. The Historian by Elizabeth Kostava (F) -- Heidijane's List, A Book in the Life's List, and Maryanne's List


Other books I think sound interesting... and might be my alternates if I can't find the above:
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith (F) -- Becky's List
The Writing Life by Annie Dillard (NF) -- Megan's List -- Dillard attended Hollins, which is where I want to get my MFA!
Fresh Brewed Life by Nichole Johnson (Chr.NF) -- Pattie's List
A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson (NF) -- Raidergirl3's List
Evensong by Gail Godwin (F) -- Bonnie's List

3 comments:

Becky said...

You have some great books on your list. I will have to put Christy on my alternate list. I hope I can find time to read it. I haven't read it in a decade, but I loved, loved, loved it as a teen. Let's just say I had a crush on the Scottish doctor! And The Time Traveler's Wife may make my list as well if I can fit it in. And Speak--oh how I love it. I haven't read it since 2001. And I do have a copy of Dancing on the Edge just sitting so close at hand...it may jump onto my list as well.

Little Willow said...

Welcome to the challenge!

Of your books, I've read HP2, TTTW (enjoyed it), and Speak (fantastic).

Heather said...

Oh, I LOVED Speak. Fab book.