Name me one book
As I’ve mentioned recently, I am so inspired by Diana Peterfreund’s one-book-a-week habit, I fully intend to try it next year. Of course, this year I had that whole 50-novel challenge going, and didn’t quite make that. (Yes, Barry, I know you’re up to 61 or something because you’re on jury duty this week and reading instead of socializing with your fellow good citizens. Yes, you are far superior to me. Happy now?) I failed this year, but I’m ready to try again, mainly because it’s such a worthy goal. It’s not like I’m promising to give up watching Lost or anything. (Sigh. Still more than a month more to wait for the new episodes. How can we bear it?)
So here’s what I’d like from you: I already have a chock-full To Be Read pile, but I’m willing to move some of those to the bottom of the stack if you tell me there’s a real must-read out there. So please tell me the name of one book–please, only one, because I’m already overstimulated–that you read this year and that you consider worth moving to the top of anyone’s reading pile.
Thank you, thank you.
Technorati Tags: Reading, Reading Lists, Books, Book Recommendations
Is it okay if it’s a children’s book? I just read And Tango Makes Three and I’m telling everyone to go out and get it!! I loved it!!
That’s funny, I’ve made a goal of reading 50 books next year myself. And I won’t be missing Lost to do it either;-)
As for a recommendation, I read The Alienist this year by Caleb Carr and thoroughly enjoyed it. If you like history, murder, intrigue and NYC, you’ll love it.
Yes, Christen, children’s books count. I love all the controversy surrounding And Tango Makes Three. I’m willing to buy it for that reason alone.
Thanks for that idea, Kimmy. I’ve heard of the Alienist and know other people really loved it. Maybe it’s time.
Just one book? That’s hard. Well,if I must,then check out Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl. It’s a wonderful debut novel and a damn interesting read.
So what kind of book do you want? If you want some escapism try Sharon Shinn’s fantasy of the 13 Houses. I am not sure if it is a young adult, because I have some mature students who love this series as I do too.
We need to know what is in your TBR file.
So does reading escapism books count for the 1 book per week or do I have to read some books that are good for Me?
I think you should read Anne of Green Gables, but you know that already.
I’m actually heading to the bookstore right this second to finish my Christmas shopping for others, and I’m going to pick up a few of these that you guys have mentioned (including, yes, Anne of Green Gables–it had better be great! No pressure!).
Thanks for all the tips!
But don’t stop, the rest of you. I’ll be buying books all week to get my pile ready to go in the new year.
And Readerdiane, I say reading is all about escapism. Children’s books, Middle Grade, YA, Fantasy, SF, Romance all count. Reading is for our pleasure. It’s not like having to swallow medicine. In my opinion.
It’s Kind of a Funny Story, by our pal Ned Vizzini. Forgive him his Princess Bride-eaque name; he’s a great writer.
You should set up a LibraryThing account so we can keep track of what you’re reading! =)
I wholeheartedly second Diana’s choice of Anne of Green Gables-it’s a great book. I also recommend “Getting in Touch With Your Inner Bitch” by Elizabeth Hilts. It’s funny with a big streak of truth in it. I remember you saying that as a child you loved to read horse stories, so I’ll add a book I just began reading, “She Flies Without Wings: How Horses Touch a Woman’s Soul,” by Mary D. Midkiff.
Deborah and Diana, I just bought Anne of Green Gables. It goes on the top of the pile, just to get you guys off my back.
Lady T, I’m really glad you recommended Special Topics. With all the hype and counterhype, I haven’t known what to think. I’ll go with your opinion.
Christen, too much pressure! But maybe . . .
The Sense of Paper by taylor Holden.
When I was ten I read the entire Anne of Green gables series from the library. Walked there and back with that heavy tome in my hand. Loved it and still feel it is memorable and since I lived in Canada at that time it resounded with me.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
It’s a great book. I can’t believe more people haven’t read it yet.
Thanks, Alissa. I’ve never heard of that book. I’ll take a look.
Patrick, thanks for spoiling my whole 5-page post about what J.K. Rowling announced today would be the title of the final Harry Potter book. It was going to be great, too–anagrams, the whole thing. Now I’m just going to write about my enormous ball of string.
although our own beloved blog mistress is a “fiction” writer, i really enjoy nonfiction with an adventerous bent. (anything by jon krakauer is a go in my “book”).
“undaunted courage” by stephen ambrose is a favorite. earlier read gems include,
“book of the eskimos” an autobiography by peter freuchens (out of print but so worth digging for); the biography of sir richard francis bacon by edward rice; “pillar of fire” part of the mlk trilogy by taylor branch.
and robin when i was a kid i had a book entitled “my big ball of string” about a boy who collected string and then put it to good use making pulleys and contraptions to operate from his bed while recoving from something. i had forgotten all about it, and i loved it, tried to replicate his many ingenious uses for string, with only marginal success.
You know, she said “one bookâplease, only one”
Four year-old quote of the day, heard coming from the bathtub -
“Let there be FISH!”
Your little girl has powers.
patrick, i quess i don’t follow instructions all that well. but at least i know that your spawn is a male child. i hope you are writing down EVERYTHING (”remember…everything”, “world according to garp”–hey robin, add that to my list) there’s a book there and i think “let there be fish” is a perfect title.
I used to think it was a boy child, too, but then I thought Patrick recently called it a daughter, so I’m just going with the flow.
Patrick, wanna settle this?
I can’t really settle which one of her books you should read. The ball of string sounds promising.
But,
I finally have that Philip Pullman book in my possesion and next on my list as soon as I finish this ‘Eragon’ book.
No, Patrick, please settle the controversy over whether your child is a girl or a boy. The media is waiting for clarification.
Okay, folks, Patrick just sent me a photo of his son, so mystery solved. I’d post it here, but knowing Patrick, I’d have to pay modeling fees. So just take my word for it, the spawn of Patrick is WAY cute.
“In Patagonia” by Bruce Chatwin. I don’t know if the reprints out now are read backwards the way the original was, but . . .
The person who gets the reason for that right should be your next chocolate winner. For the record I got the answer from the author not that long after I read the book the first time it was published. When there was no such thing as email. It’s a doozie.