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| Tink *~*~* |
OK, I know there was some mention of people's favorite books when we did the introduction thread Out Back, but I thought I'd ask in here with a thread of its very own.
To repeat: My favorite authors have typically been Americans from the 19th and 20th centuries, namely Alcott, Fitzgerald, Salinger. I adored Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird and also Betty Smith's A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. I especially like serials and historical fiction. Mary Stewart's Merlin/King Arthur books were a great escape to Camelot, likewise the Marion Zimmer Bradley stuff from the same historical period, but from the female perspective. In the last maybe ten years I have read every piece of fiction ever produced by Andrew Greeley, who is a Catholic priest, sociologist, and story teller. He's written many series, chiefly from the Catholic Irish American point of view, and my favorite story of his is called Star Bright, which is a slim little volume and a Christmas story. Most very recently, I went to Sanibel for a week to restore myself and tore through that Three Sisters series by Nora Roberts. Otherwise, I generally don't read her.
As the years have worn on, I've really sort of limited my fiction reading in favor of seeking out books on different spiritual practices and the history of religion. Also anthropology/paleoanthropology. Love all that study of ancient man stuff.
When I was a kid, I was voracious as a reader. I entered kindergarten already reading, and was sort of bored there and in first grade. I guess I just picked it up when my big brother was learning. My favorites then were the Little Women stuff, the Little House on the Prairie stuff, all the Betsy books and Ellen Tibbits books, Charlott's Web and Stuart Little, The Five Little Peppers series, all of those kiddie classics.
These days, I have to read a lot of techie stuff and then there is psychology, whatever I am studying at school (this semester it's management).
soooooo....what are YOUR favorite books, and what are you reading now?
[Edited by Tink *~*~*] |
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| fantayzya |
I just love books! and various subjects.
I just finished Prince of Tides. Before that was The Cider House Rules. Currently it's a re-read of Jane Eyre with Wuthering Heights or Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde neck and neck for next probably the not so good Dr will win out in honor of Halloween coming up soon.
I love many different types of books leaning toward mysteries, espionage, historical fiction things like that. Gardening books are high on my list too. I love the old masters as they tell us the tried and true methods they used to create the gardens that have outlived their creators. I'm on a kick right now to get back to the classics, thus the Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. My oldest son told me he needs to read something by Poe for his English class and wants something no one else will pick (at least not likely) so I'll be pulling Edgar out this week to help him find something for that. Also a timely choice so I may forego the other options in his favor too.
Great question!
Lori |
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| Tink *~*~* |
Prince of Tides was a really, really excellent read. My favorite part was the rescue of the white dolphin. And I have to say that Nick Nolte really impressed me in the film. Up until that time, I didn't know he had it in him.
Poe: My favorite was always The Telltale Heart. I did a research paper on Poe once, a long long time ago. He had a very strange life, and it's no wonder that his stuff is so macabre. |
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| Ahnalira |
I read lots of books about understanding and caring for horses:)
and I am very fond of fantasy that is rich in plot and character development that inspires an evolution of the Spirit. My favorite authors are Robin Hobb, Sheri Tepper, and Orson Scott Card. I am also very fond of Fannie Flagg and Alice Hoffman.
Cider House Rules ROCKS!
Ahnalira |
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| samogram |
I love mysteries, both the gory and terrifying and the funny with women as the protagonists; Sue Grafton, Rita Mae Brown, Patricia Cornwell, Faye Kellerman, Diana Mott Davidson, Earlene Fowler....
I love, love, love the Diana Gabaldon time travel Outlander series.
The best book I've read recently was The Lovely Bones. With all the child kidnappings rampant today, it was strangely comforting. |
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| fantayzya |
quote:
samogram wrote:
The best book I've read recently was The Lovely Bones. With all the child kidnappings rampant today, it was strangely comforting.
I keep looking at that one on the shelves. You may have just made the decision to toss it in the cart next time I see it.
Thanks-I think lol.
Lori |
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| Parker |
I'm on a Steinbeck kick right now. I just finished reading Grapes of Wrath and my wife bought me East of Eden and Steinbeck's book about King Arthur and his knights. |
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| Tigerlily |
My all time favorite book is Les Miserables, closely followed by Hunchback of Notre Dame, Gone With The Wind, and Divine Secrets of the YaYa Sisterhood. Just finished The Nanny Diaries and The Dive From Clausen's Pier, and I'm about to start The Princess Bride. I guess you could say my tastes vary widely. ;-) I don't like mysteries or scary books. I love biographies and non-fiction books about travel. |
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| DWDreams |
I raed pretty much everything I can get my hands on. What I read at certain times depends on the mood I am in, I could go from a serious scientific theory book to a trashy novel, it all depends. I do tend to save the trashy novels for beach reading lol :)
The last book I read is "Mystic River" by Dennis Lehane. I believe they are making it into a movie actually. I picked up a copy in the Orlando airport a few weeks ago on my return from DW. It's a suspense/mystery cloaked in extreme drama. Very good and I recommend it highly.
Someone mentioned "Nanny Diaries," I'm dying to read that. How was it? |
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| samogram |
DWDREAMS wrote: "Someone mentioned "Nanny Diaries," I'm dying to read that. How was it?"
I've been wondering about the "Nanny Diaries," too? Please tell us about it.
Fantayzya: "The Lovely Bones" is told from the murdered child's perspective as she navigates heaven. It's comforting because she's no longer in pain and because she is wishing to comfort her parents. It's funny at times too. I don't think you will be sorry if you buy it and read it.
I just reserved "The Three Junes" and tried reading that. I finally turned it back in before I was halfway through it. I wish we had a smilie for sound asleep and snoring zzzzzzzzzzz. |
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| Tigerlily |
quote:
samogram wrote:
DWDREAMS wrote: "Someone mentioned "Nanny Diaries," I'm dying to read that. How was it?"
I've been wondering about the "Nanny Diaries," too? Please tell us about it.
I really liked it--a very easy read, funny, sometimes heart-wrenching when you remember that it's based on the two authors' real-life experiences as nannies. Waaaay back in my youth, I used to be an au pair in a very large house on Long Island. I could really relate to some parts of this book. ;-) |
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| Tink *~*~* |
quote:
Tigerlily wrote:
I really liked it--a very easy read, funny, sometimes heart-wrenching when you remember that it's based on the two authors' real-life experiences as nannies. Waaaay back in my youth, I used to be an au pair in a very large house on Long Island. I could really relate to some parts of this book. ;-)
Oh my - have we another Islander in our midst?? |
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| Tigerlily |
quote:
Tink *~*~* wrote:
Oh my - have we another Islander in our midst??
No, only for that one period of time. I spent my first 25 years in Syracuse, and the remainder here in Houston. I'm a Tex Yorker. You should hear my very interesting accent.
;-) |
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| TrpltJanie |
I adore mysteries---no surprise that I ended up working in a toxicology lab---like Mary Higgins Clark, Agatha Christine classics, and etc :D I'm now reading "Cold and Sassy Tree" to relax me during those 'hot flashes' nights.
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| Peggo |
I'm reading the 23rd or so book in the Xanth trilogy right now.
I love books. My favorite hang out is a book store/cafe. |
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| Bill J |
I am currently reading Harold Coyle's "Against All Enemies" and Patrick O'Brien's "Letter of Marque"
Good stuff! |
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| Abra Cat |
quote:
Parker wrote:
I'm on a Steinbeck kick right now. I just finished reading Grapes of Wrath and my wife bought me East of Eden and Steinbeck's book about King Arthur and his knights.
I love East of Eden, it's my favorite book! One of these days I'm going to read a Steinbeck biography so I can see how much he wrote about his mother's family is true. |
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| Abra Cat |
My favorite authors are Ellen Gilchrist, Carl Hiaasen, John Irving, Elizabeth George, Sue Miller, Anne Tyler, Rumer Godden, Armistead Maupin, David Sedaris, Amy Tan, Carson McCullers, Willa Cather, E.M. Forster, Kate Chopin, and Jane Smiley. I've read the Harry Potter books through twice, and can't wait for the next one. Right now I'm rereading Edith Wharton's Ethan Frome, and when I'm done with that, I'll be reading the two books my friend sent me for my birthday, Nick Hornby's About A Boy, and Richard Russo's Empire Falls. Also, I'm addicted to magazines. |
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