Here is what you said:
“Housekeeping: I read this novel every few years and much of it I read aloud, to myself. Marilynne Robinson’s use of language is exquisite.
The Gastronomical Me: This book shows MFK Fisher at the height of her narrative power. The chapter “The Flaw” is, to me, her quintessential work.
“I’m a simple woman. I see books, and I am sold 🙂 I would love to see what others recommend (as you can imagine, I am always on the lookout for new books despite my ever-growing list).
As a bookworm, I like to read various genres and to alternate them. For instance, after finishing a heavy, deep, thought-provoking, soul-shattering book (I still can’t get over Hanya Yanagihara’s A Little Life, even though I read it a couple of years ago), I always grab something light (though definitely nothing even remotely resembling chick lit – not for me, thank you). So, A Little Life is definitely in my top 20, quite possibly top 3.
Other books that I recommend whenever I am asked (and sometimes even without being asked :)) are Khaled Hosseini’s novels: A Thousand Splendid Suns, The Kite Runner, and And the Mountains Echoed. The rest of his books are on my to-read list.
Jodi Picoult is another writer I adore, and I loved most of her books, of which I am mentioning the ones that stayed with me for a long time: The Storyteller, My Sister’s Keeper, The Pact, House Rules.
Stephen King and Dean Koontz are authors I discovered in my late 20s. Up to that point, I had been reluctant to explore the thriller/horror genre (traumatic experience with a horror film I saw by mistake when I was little; incidentally, it was Pet Semetary, after a King novel). But boy, was I hooked! And I still am. Favourite books from King: Pet Semetary (I just *had to* read the book), Cujo, The Shining, Misery, The Green Mile, Cell, 11/22/63. Favourite books from Koontz: Odd Thomas, Watchers, Hideaway Relentless.
As you can see from my above list (and, to be honest, I really had to restrain myself, as once you get me started on the topic of books, it’s not easy to stop me), I have a tendency to like dark, heartbreaking, soul-crushing books. Quite a few of them have made me cry, and not always in the privacy of my home… I have no idea what this says about me, but I think they are in contrast with my very bubbly personality.
Why I liked all the above books? I think it’s more than just their dark, sad, depressing side. At the end of the day, it all boils down to the authors and their beautifully crafted sentences. A good, talented writer can make any topic interesting.”
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“Saw you are writing a blog on some favorite books.
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine”
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Reading through all the contributions, I saw titles that I had forgotten to mention, such as The Secret Garden and Charlotte’s Web and Wrinkle in Time, which I read to a fifth-grade class.
When our family prepared to move out of state, the rep for the moving company visited our home to estimate the cost said, “Lady, you sure do have a lot of books.” Even today, I cherish that comment.
I just finished Walking Blindly by Jamie Menzie, who teaches high school English in Nashville.
Thanks for the comment and additional books. Bet it cost a lot to move them all! 🙂
I picked up a book several years ago, because I love the writer, Grace Burrowes. This one was a contemporary, A Single Kiss. A lightweight read, right? Grace usually writes Regency and Victorian romance. Boy was I wrong. Nothing about it was lightweight. In fact, I’ve loved it so much I re-read it at least twice each year–or more, thinking that a different life surely must have befallen the female protagonist sometime while I was sleeping, reading, or doing my own writing. No…. It remains the same. Because it’s a romance, it had a perfect Happily Ever After, but in between the covers, there were surprises, both lovely and terrible, piling one atop the other.
I can’t even begin to recall when I first read a book–and no, it isn’t due to Alzheimer’s or anything else of the sort. I was reading books by four years old. It’s the best way to pass the time. Now, I never leave the house without either my Kindle or phone. If I have to wait for something to happen for even five minutes, I’ll read my latest novel–or history–or whatever. I even read books about Grammar, including Arlene’s little books. (You never know when a question will arise!)
Yes, I read Heidi many times as a child, and the Bobbsey Twins, and Jane Eyre. I confess I didn’t read Great Expectations until my daughter was in high school. I’d always read to her as a pre-neonate through her childhood. The last one I’d recalled was Charlotte’s Web. I cried while my daughter patted my knee and told me it would be all right. She was right, by the way. So my dear daughter and I took turns reading Great Expectations for one of her school requirements. We both loved the book–and loved the opportunity to share something she’d always known and loved–reading together. Reading this post has brought back wonderful memories. Thanks so much for offering it, Arlene!
And thank YOU so much for your comments and lovely memories! I now want to read tat book by Burrowes, whom I am not familiar with.