Well, thanks to Autumn I decided to put together my list of "good reads". This of course gets updated and changed regularly. Keep in mind I like big books and books that have lots and lots of sequels and volumes. I like some biographies, some histories and have recently delved into fantasy. Don't knock fantasy my friends, it is like taking an amazing trip and gets your imagination working. At least for me. Ok, so here is my list.
1) New Spring: The Novel by Robert Jordan (fantasy). It is a prequel to a series, but is a great stand alone as well. Relatively short, 378 pages, it is a fast and fun read. In fact, it was the one I stayed up all hours reading. You can always get involved in the series, or not. But a good fun book.
2) The Blue Castle, L.M. Montgomery. From the Author of "Anne of Green Gables" this is a great story. A very short read at 208 pages it is a thought provoking and entertaining read. The places and people come alive to me. But if you haven't read all the AOGG books (there are 7 I believe, don't quote me though) read those too. Easy to understand and she is a great story teller.
3) The Last to Know by Wendy Corsi Staub (suspense). Do not under any circumstances read this book alone at night without your husband or someone else at home. This is a page turner that kept me up many a night, even after re-reads. An ending you don't see coming and so easy to read. Her early books are good, but her later books unfortunately are filled with profanity and sex. Which for some people isn't an issue but I get enough of that without needing to read about it.
4) October Sky (Rocket Boys) by Homer Hickam. This is a true story that had a movie made about it. The movie was great, the book...better. Much more detail and you feel it more. Not that the movie didn't make it feel it, it did, but it is more with the book. At 428 pages it is a bit longer, but a great read.
5) Mother Teresa No Greater Love. This biography details the life of this amazing woman. While I am not catholic, the way she was so dedicated and believed so fully in what she was doing was inspiring. I bought this book and it is well read. People look at me a little funny when I pull it out sometimes, but it is a very inspiring book.
6) Selected Poems of Rainer Maria Rilke. I have a version of this book that has the orginal german and english translation...very cool. There is something about this poetry that draws me in. This book also has a comentray that intrigues me. Talks about Rilke and his life and where and when he wrote the poems which make them more meaningful to me I think.
7) Sonnets from the Portuguese by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. I have a very old copy of this book that orginally belonged to my great grandfather and it is priceless to me. I could see the delicate pages being turned by him (of whom I have a few memories). This particular set of poetry is just so perfect to me. Not that it is perfectly written or amazing ideas...but the emotion you can feel is amazing. Worth getting a copy and purusing.
8) In the Glass Room by Roger McGough. This is simple, plain english poetry. Easy enough for kids to read and entertaining enough for adults to enjoy. Written in the 70's I am sure there are reasons for that, but I really enjoy it. I'll share a quick one with you:
Chicken
Some nights
when I've had a few
I ask the world
to take off its coat
and step outside.
Luckily for you
its always chickened out.
See, easy, funny odd poetry. Which my friends is very me.
9) You: The Owners Manual. Ok, maybe I didn't pay attention in high school...or I copped out and took Marine Biology and concepts of physics but I never really did the anatomy thing. I don't like guts and blood. So this easy to read and understand book that shows no guts, just cute animated germs and the like is perfect for me! I understand better why things happen and how it is connected to other things. A great basic guide to your body. It was a fun read too. I was shocked, but I enjoyed it.
10) The Host, Stephanie Meyers. I had to put a number ten...nine just wasn't right. I read twilight and while I enjoyed it, didn't love it. Too young for me. Good story basically, except for the stupid ending (still a little miffed about the stupid renesmee name and jacob). So when some one told me to read this book, I was more than a little wary. I went into it expecting more bella and edward type drama and finished it annoyed that it had ended! So different from twilight but in my opinion so much better. This book really shows off her writing talent and her crazy imagination. I may be made a Stephanie Meyers fan after all.
Ok, so those are my ten must reads. Pick one or two or go for the gold and read all ten. If you read even one, let me know what you thought of it. Everyone has different taste so I am not at all offened if you don't want to, but I really enjoy them. I like all kinds of books so there should be at least one that intrigues you.
Happy reading everyone!
1) New Spring: The Novel by Robert Jordan (fantasy). It is a prequel to a series, but is a great stand alone as well. Relatively short, 378 pages, it is a fast and fun read. In fact, it was the one I stayed up all hours reading. You can always get involved in the series, or not. But a good fun book.
2) The Blue Castle, L.M. Montgomery. From the Author of "Anne of Green Gables" this is a great story. A very short read at 208 pages it is a thought provoking and entertaining read. The places and people come alive to me. But if you haven't read all the AOGG books (there are 7 I believe, don't quote me though) read those too. Easy to understand and she is a great story teller.
3) The Last to Know by Wendy Corsi Staub (suspense). Do not under any circumstances read this book alone at night without your husband or someone else at home. This is a page turner that kept me up many a night, even after re-reads. An ending you don't see coming and so easy to read. Her early books are good, but her later books unfortunately are filled with profanity and sex. Which for some people isn't an issue but I get enough of that without needing to read about it.
4) October Sky (Rocket Boys) by Homer Hickam. This is a true story that had a movie made about it. The movie was great, the book...better. Much more detail and you feel it more. Not that the movie didn't make it feel it, it did, but it is more with the book. At 428 pages it is a bit longer, but a great read.
5) Mother Teresa No Greater Love. This biography details the life of this amazing woman. While I am not catholic, the way she was so dedicated and believed so fully in what she was doing was inspiring. I bought this book and it is well read. People look at me a little funny when I pull it out sometimes, but it is a very inspiring book.
6) Selected Poems of Rainer Maria Rilke. I have a version of this book that has the orginal german and english translation...very cool. There is something about this poetry that draws me in. This book also has a comentray that intrigues me. Talks about Rilke and his life and where and when he wrote the poems which make them more meaningful to me I think.
7) Sonnets from the Portuguese by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. I have a very old copy of this book that orginally belonged to my great grandfather and it is priceless to me. I could see the delicate pages being turned by him (of whom I have a few memories). This particular set of poetry is just so perfect to me. Not that it is perfectly written or amazing ideas...but the emotion you can feel is amazing. Worth getting a copy and purusing.
8) In the Glass Room by Roger McGough. This is simple, plain english poetry. Easy enough for kids to read and entertaining enough for adults to enjoy. Written in the 70's I am sure there are reasons for that, but I really enjoy it. I'll share a quick one with you:
Chicken
Some nights
when I've had a few
I ask the world
to take off its coat
and step outside.
Luckily for you
its always chickened out.
See, easy, funny odd poetry. Which my friends is very me.
9) You: The Owners Manual. Ok, maybe I didn't pay attention in high school...or I copped out and took Marine Biology and concepts of physics but I never really did the anatomy thing. I don't like guts and blood. So this easy to read and understand book that shows no guts, just cute animated germs and the like is perfect for me! I understand better why things happen and how it is connected to other things. A great basic guide to your body. It was a fun read too. I was shocked, but I enjoyed it.
10) The Host, Stephanie Meyers. I had to put a number ten...nine just wasn't right. I read twilight and while I enjoyed it, didn't love it. Too young for me. Good story basically, except for the stupid ending (still a little miffed about the stupid renesmee name and jacob). So when some one told me to read this book, I was more than a little wary. I went into it expecting more bella and edward type drama and finished it annoyed that it had ended! So different from twilight but in my opinion so much better. This book really shows off her writing talent and her crazy imagination. I may be made a Stephanie Meyers fan after all.
Ok, so those are my ten must reads. Pick one or two or go for the gold and read all ten. If you read even one, let me know what you thought of it. Everyone has different taste so I am not at all offened if you don't want to, but I really enjoy them. I like all kinds of books so there should be at least one that intrigues you.
Happy reading everyone!
