Wednesday, April 23, 2008

The Books I Love

I have been carrying aroung The Kite Runner in my "go-to-work" bag for a couple of days now and have yet to start reading it. I know it's a good book - I've had several friends tell me and I know I'll get to it soon but right now I seem to be drawn back to my old favorites that I call "My Comfort Books" - they're the ones that when I am really sick I reach out for them and read all my favorite parts and sometimes I read them cover to cover again just for the coziness of them.

The all time favorite is Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton Porter. My Mom introduced the book to me when I was a little girl and I remember I ordered it from the bookstore in our town and when it came in I walked to the store and carried it home - I still have that copy - it is an interesting story about a young girl and how she survives through school and finds the love of her life - with wonderful descriptions - especially of food (making myself smile writing that - there's a description of the contents of a picnic basket that I love to read and imagine).

Another favorite is The Twenty Fourth of June - the main character of this story is Roberta - and my Mom was named for this character because the book was given to her parents as a wedding gift and she was their first child - and again it is an old fashioned love story with high ideals and I just love it.

Then there are my Grace Livingston Hill books - again it started with one of my Mom's old books by the writer entitled "Maris" - but my favorite is Crimson Roses and then The Man of the Desert - my sister's favorite is The Enchanted Barn - all of her stories are mainly Christian love stories from I guess the 1920's and 30's - I can usually find these in second hand book stores - and I have a huge collection that I keep in a plastic under-bed-storage box in my room.

I love Louisa May Alcott's book An Old Fashioned Girl and her book of short stories, A Garland for Girls.

My Mom had asked me quite a few time to read two of her favorite books by M.M. Kaye, The Far Pavilions and Shadow of the Moon - and finally I did - and - I loved them and couldn't stand it when they were finished - they are two wonderful big thick books that you know you just can't "run" through - and the stories are great and the characters are fascinating - just really great stories. I had to give her copies back to her so I really need to buy my own copies.

One of the artists here at work told me to read The Count of Monte Cristo - that I would love it and he was so right - and then he kept telling me to read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings - and he was really right about those too - I read really fast so I love a book that makes me slow down and savor the experience a little.

So what are the names of your "book friends" - maybe you don't read them again but they stay in your mind as a really good read? I would love to hear what you think.

10 comments:

Kuckie said...

Any Stephen King book! I have a huge collection, and am always ready to pull one out. I LOVE the way he writes...his descriptions and way with words are captivating. On the softer side? I loved Les Miserables...and of course, Eat, Pray, Love. Being that I love to read, though, I will read almost anything and enjoy it. In fact, your list has just added quite a few to my "to read" list!!! Thanks!

Logzie said...

Reading?...what's that?? I only read blogs these days but as my children grow I hope to read more. Right now, if I sit down to read anything...if it's not on a computer screen...I fall asleep. True. Ha!

Claire said...

Kuckie - Have to admit I think I have only read one short story by Stephen King - always seems like a scary writer - am I wrong? and thanks for mentioning Les Miserables - I bought the book but haven't read it and that is another one that people who know me say I will love it - I wanted to know about some of the books you took on your trip!

Logzie - I remember reading the Bourne Identity at red lights and telling my kids to tell me when the light turns green because I couldn't put the book down - there are "seasons" for reading I go in and out of them!

Etiquettely Correct said...

One of my favorite books is Anne of Green Gables. I love that story and mini-series :)

Claire said...

I didn't read Anne of Green Gables and all of her books until after my fourth daughter was born - and I loved the books - one of my favorite depressing quotes is, "My life is a perfect graveyard of buried hopes." We loved the TV series too!

Chachi said...

I love to read but don't find much time for it and if I read a novel nothing gets done til I finish it.

My favs are Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers and Anne of Green Gables, I have watched the mini-series many times over. My fav line is about being in the "depths of dispair".

Rock Chef said...

I love books!

My favourites - Terry Pratchett's Disc World books, The Lord of the Rings, more or less anything related to military history, be it ancient Egypt or Vietnam!

Rachael Rae Diaries said...

Right now I am reading a book by Lori Copeland called Faith and I started to read another one by James Patterson called The diary for nicholas. Ooh so good. Hard to put down! I also love reading Janette Oke but I wish i could find some good christian romance books that are clean! I love romance but not the dirty stuff. Any suggestions? Thanks for sharing your books!

Deb said...

I thought it impossible for someone to blog about books and include on their list no books that I had read. You are the first person I've ever met whose list of favorites didn't hold one of my own. You've given me so many new things to read! I love it.

kenady said...

I know it sounds silly, but I love the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series. Just good ole fun that reminds me of my time in high school and beyond and the wonderful friendships forged there. I also enjoyed the Lord of the Rings and all of the Harry Potter books. I am currently reading The Other Boleyn Girl, which is just fantastic fictional history, as I am smitten with the Tudor reign over England. I could go on, but don't really have time. Thanks for sharing your book loves, I will be checking them out soon.