And for inspiration for the other thread -- post yout top 5 to 10 FAVORITE books.

[Sue]

...

[Sue]

1. Flowers for Algernon
2-4 not in order -- Kite Runner, Life of Pi and Water for Elephants
5 and 6 The Handmaids Tale and The Red Tent

...

[libbylibbylibby]

Mine are, in no particular order
1. No Country for Old Men
2. Pride and Prejudice
3. Resurrection
4. Cannery Row
5. The Grapes of Wrath
6. Jane Eyre
7. The Kreutzer Sonata
8. The Sound and the Fury
9. Into the Wild
10. Swim the Silver Sea, Joshie Otter
11. Where the Wild Things Are

[jerzymama]

...

Off the top of my head:

1. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
2. The Color Purple
3. Memoirs of a Geisha
4. Clan of the Cave Bear
5. She's Come Undone
6. I Know This Much is True
7. Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, Still Life w/Woodpecker & Jitterbug Perfume
8. The Chalice and the Blade
9. God, Jews and History
10. Interview w/a Vampire & The Vampire Lestat

[hamamelis]

In no particular order-

Island of the Blue Dolphins
All of the Enchanted forest Chronicles (counting as just one)
Middlesex
Mists of Avalon
The Pilots Wife

[gfrach]

7. Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, Still Life w/Woodpecker & Jitterbug Perfume


Oh! Tom Robbins! Is he still writing? I loved those three (and some others of his) but I haven't read anything by him in ages.

[jerzymama]

Oh! Tom Robbins! Is he still writing? I loved those three (and some others of his) but I haven't read anything by him in ages.

I kind of lost interest after Jitterbug Perfume - I think the next one was called Skinny Legs & All; I have it on my bookshelf, I should pick it up again. Actually, I've always wondered if his books will feel dated...I don't necessarily want to find out! :)

[gfrach]

Actually, I've always wondered if his books will feel dated...I don't necessarily want to find out! :)

I hear ya!! LOL!

[chantele]

most of mine are YA

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Sloppy First, Second Helpings... there are 2 more in this series, but not as good as first two.
The Georgia Nicholson series - it starts with Angus, Thongs and Full-frontal Snogging
Watership Down
A Great and Terrible Beauty series
Weetzie Bat series
The Truth About Forever
Born Confused
Charlotte's Web
Harriet the Spy
Mixed up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler

[Sue]

Oh, The Color Purple!! That would have to be in my top ten. BRILLANT book!!

[KMP]

This is really hard. I read constantly, and don't spend much time on books that don't grab me, so in turn everything I read I think is good.

But here are some I adore in no particular order (except for the first one)

Thorn Birds-- bringing it to the beach once again this year
A Woman of Substance
The Shell Seekers
Tara Road
A Sight for Sore Eyes--one of the MOST disturbing, intriguing, page turning mysteries I've ever read.
The World According to Garp (Hotel New Hampshire and Widow for One Year are also great John Irving books too)
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood
Summer Sisters

[Schmirlies]

I tend to enjoy light reading. For a long time I didn't read anything but parenting and programming books. I haven't read anything new in a while... must work on that.

These are in no order at all.

Imajica
Angels and Demons
Lord of the Flies
The Stand
The Four Agreements

[mirage1]

No idea but I'll throw some out there...

!! The entire Outlander (http://www.amazon.com/Outlander-Diana-Gabaldon/dp/0385319959)series by Diana Gabaldon
One on One (http://www.amazon.com/One-Tabitha-King/dp/0451179811), by Tabitha King
The Time Traveler's Wife (http://www.amazon.com/Time-Travelers-Wife-Audrey-Niffenegger/dp/015602943X), by Audrey Niffenegger
Ender's Game (http://www.amazon.com/Enders-Game-Boxed-Set-Hegemon/dp/0765344955), by Orson Scott Card
The Stand (http://www.amazon.com/Stand-Modern-Classics-Stephen-King/dp/0517219018), by Stephen King
Bel Canto (http://www.amazon.com/Bel-Canto-Ann-Patchett/dp/1841155837), by Ann Patchett
Gilead (http://www.amazon.com/Gilead-Novel-Marilynne-Robinson/dp/031242440X), by Marilynne Robinson
Tunnel in the Sky (http://www.amazon.com/Tunnel-sky-Robert-Heinlein/dp/B0006AU8M), by Robert Heinlein, although I hesitate to choose just one.
Edited to add: Another !!!: The Women's Room (http://www.amazon.com/Womens-Room-Marilyn-French/dp/0143114506), by Marilyn French (Thanks, Stacey!)
And a guilty pleasure that I've probably read 20 times: Princess Daisy (http://www.amazon.com/Princess-Daisy-Judith-Krantz/dp/0553256092), by Judith Krantz. :-)

[darcy]

The Cider House Rules by John Irving
A Prayer for Owen Meany also John Irving
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell
The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry
The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
The Lord of the Rings (the whole trilogy) by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova


That's not even close to all of them... I really could keep going all day.

[jump4joy]

Ooh, this is difficult because I love so many different genres....

The Stand - Stephen King (because he is such a superb storyteller and this story is so engaging)
Illusions - Richard Bach (because every time I read it, I get something different out of it)
Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien (because his language is so beautiful, I've read this trilogy more times than I've read any other, including twice out loud to my kids)
The Poisonwood Bible - Barbara Kingsolver (because she has a way of capturing a sense in a phrase that is unmatched)
The Killer Angels - Michael Shaara (because I'm a Civil War buff and this is the epitome of all Civil War books ever, with the possible exception of The Red Badge of Courage)
Isaac's Storm - Erik Larson (because I've always been fascinated by big weather, by this particular storm, and this is some awesome historical storytelling)
To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee (because it was the first book to affect me very deeply)
Out of Africa - Isak Dinesen (because I feel like I'm standing there in Africa again every time I read it)
The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole - Sue Townsend (because I've never laughed harder while reading a book)
A Perfect Spy - John le Carre (hard to pick just one of his, but this is my favorite)

[MorgnsGrl]

No idea but I'll throw some out there...

!! The entire Outlander (http://www.amazon.com/Outlander-Diana-Gabaldon/dp/0385319959)series by Diana Gabaldon
Ender's Game (http://www.amazon.com/Enders-Game-Boxed-Set-Hegemon/dp/0765344955), by Orson Scott Card
The Stand (http://www.amazon.com/Stand-Modern-Classics-Stephen-King/dp/0517219018), by Stephen King
Tunnel in the Sky (http://www.amazon.com/Tunnel-sky-Robert-Heinlein/dp/B0006AU8M), by Robert Heinlein, although I hesitate to choose just one.

Ooh! *Shadows Margie at the bookstore* I always thought I was the only person who knew "Tunnel in the Sky" existed, LOL. (jk)

Love these, and would add:
The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell (sci fi)
Homecoming by Cynthia Voight (young adult)
Blood series by Tanya Huff (sci fi/horror/detective)
Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie (romance, OMG!snarky characters rock my world)
Windhaven by George R. R. Martin and Lisa Tuttle (sci fi)

[Sarah]

Oh, this is hard. Just off the top of my head -- meaning, I'll probably come back and post again after I have a think and a lot of "Oh! I forgot _____ !" moments -- my short list is:

To Kill a Mockingbird
Harry Potter (yes, really. I read them over and over, so they go on the list)
ALL of Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe books
One For the Money through to High Five (I like them all, but LOVE the first five so very much) by Janet Evanovitch
The Belgariad
Tanya Huff's Blood series (Thanks, Amy!)
The Administration series by Manna Francis

[riversprite]

In no particular order-

Island of the Blue Dolphins


Ooh, I just read this one for the first time this month! Maia and I have been reading it as our bedtime story and finished it two days ago. We both LOVED it so much!

[Bonny]

Blue Like Jazz
Irresistable Revolution
The Red Tent
Kite Runner
Outlander series

[riversprite]

I kind of lost interest after Jitterbug Perfume - I think the next one was called Skinny Legs & All; I have it on my bookshelf, I should pick it up again. Actually, I've always wondered if his books will feel dated...I don't necessarily want to find out! :)

I don't know if I grew up or he got annoying :-P but I LOVED Jitterbug Perfume and a few others in my late teens/early twenties but when I read a few others a few years ago (Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas is one that i recall the title of) they irritated me a bit.

[Jeb]

Not prioritized. I tend to like books by certain authors as well as like non-fiction books/books about people's lives.

1. The Nun's Story by Kathryn Hulme (was also made into a movie staring Audrey Hepburn).
2. Conrad Ricter's trilogy; The Trees, The Fields, The Town
3. Out of Africa (in English and Danish)
4. Never Cry Wolf by Farley Mowat (and his other books)
5. All books by Barbara Kingsolver
6. Made in America and Mother Tongue by Bill Bryson
7. One Man's Wilderness by Richard Proenneke
8. Kristin Lavrensdatter and Master of Hestviken by Sigrid Unset
9. Harvest for Hope and In the Shadow of Man by Jane Goodall
10. For light, feel good reading the Mitford series by Jan Karon

[lisabelle]

1. American Tabloid, James Ellroy
2. jPod, Douglas Coupland
3. The Stand, Stephen King
4. The Wheel of Fortune, Susan Howatch (this one is more of a guilty pleasure)
5. One Hundred Years of Solitude, Gabriel Garcia Marquez
6. The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Doug Adams
7. Girlfriend in a Coma, Douglas Coupland
8. Dune, Frank Herbert
9. Anna Karenina, Lev Tolstoy
10. Beloved, Toni Morrison

[Ali]

I don't really have "favorites" more like books that have just stuck with me. I read a lot, so mostly I can't remember what I read last week, lol.

But overall -- I read a Louis L'Amour book in high school called "Last of the Breed" about an air force pilot who crashed over Russia during the cold war. It was about his survival during a Russian winter and getting back to Alaska. After that I read as many of his books as I could. Hehehehe

Oryx & Crake -- strange, strange book but so entrhalling to me.

That book about what happens after the Long Emergency. What's it called? LOL

:dunno: I guess that's about it. I am no literary genius by any means ;-)

[jerzymama]

I don't know if I grew up or he got annoying :-P but I LOVED Jitterbug Perfume and a few others in my late teens/early twenties but when I read a few others a few years ago (Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas is one that i recall the title of) they irritated me a bit.

Seemed to lose their attraction after I had DD. :-P :-D Plus I stopped being able to relate to his main characters who uhm, almost always seem to lack the "committment" chromosome.

[jerzymama]

I got inspired to look up TR on wiki...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Robbins

TODAY is his birthday! How truly TomRobbinsesquel LOL

[riversprite]

Seemed to lose their attraction after I had DD. :-P :-D Plus I stopped being able to relate to his main characters who uhm, almost always seem to lack the "committment" chromosome.


Uh huh...and omg, just how many female main characters who are incredibly HOT can I stand? I mean, really...what's the liklihood? Geez. LOL!

His writing style also started to annoy me. :-P
Okay, now I'm feeling badly for bashing him...I'm thinking of re-reading one of the earlier ones just to give him a fair shot!

too funny about today being his birthday!!

Oh, and I've found that I can handle Christopher Moore (wait, did we talk about him before? LOL!) if I want that kind of whimsy in my reading.

[jerzymama]

Uh huh...and omg, just how many female main characters who are incredibly HOT can I stand? I mean, really...what's the liklihood? Geez. LOL!

His writing style also started to annoy me. :-P
Okay, now I'm feeling badly for bashing him...I'm thinking of re-reading one of the earlier ones just to give him a fair shot!

too funny about today being his birthday!!

Oh, and I've found that I can handle Christopher Moore (wait, did we talk about him before? LOL!) if I want that kind of whimsy in my reading.

*Groan* :loveit: Yes, and I have Lamb and Suck it Up just waiting for me (Oh the things I will accomplish while DD's in camp....)

[muse2clio]

These are some of my favorite fiction/literature books -- I count general non-fiction and history in other categories.

This is especially tough b/c 90% of my books are in storage at the moment!

1) A Fine Balance and Family Matters by Rohiton Mistry. His writing is breathtakingly beautiful.

2) A Kite Runner and 1000 Splendid Suns by the guy who wrote these books.

3) March and Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks. Some of the best historical fiction I have read (and I tend to be a tough critic of the genre).

4) Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston.

I'm going to have to come back to this thread because that's it off the top of my head but I know there are others!

[Sue]

T
by the guy who wrote these books.



:rofl::rofl:

Was 1000 Splendid Suns as good as Kite Runner IYO? I keep waiting fo rit to go to paperback, because I don't like owning hardcovers now that they have the tall paperbacks (Hardcovers take up too much room.) But maybe I will borrow it from the library.

[Annamarie]

But one author that I have enjoyed all of is Robert Morgan. The first title I read was Gap Creek because it was an Oprah book club pick. I liked it so much I read everything he wrote.

[muse2clio]

:rofl::rofl:

Was 1000 Splendid Suns as good as Kite Runner IYO? I keep waiting fo rit to go to paperback, because I don't like owning hardcovers now that they have the tall paperbacks (Hardcovers take up too much room.) But maybe I will borrow it from the library.

It's also difficult and heartbreaking to read at moments, but it's beautifully written and I actually sobbed reading the last few pages.'

I got to borrow it from a yoga friend when it first came out, which was great, because I almost never can justify buying a hardcover book, unless I need it for school, or of course if I find it on the bargain bin, lol

[Debra]

The Chronicles of Narnia
The Lord of the Rings
The Hobbit
The Harry Potter series
Pride & Prejudice
I'm sure there's more but that's off the top of my head

ETA: Oh! I can't forget Pillars of the Earth.

[Pensive]

If I listed them, it would just be a random list like: "The Good Earth" by Pearl S Buck, some random historical books about the Cherokee and Tibetans, some Paul Theroux travel lit, "A Wrinkle in Time", stuff like that...very random.

I will say that one of the best fiction books I've ever read that was simultaneously the most upsetting I've read was "100 Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. I got so into it and then when horrible things happened, I was really affected and disturbed. It was so good and so hard to put down and I'll never ever be able to read it again.

I generally don't enjoy fiction, however. Isn't that weird? The more I think about it, the more I realize that I overwhelmingly gravitate to non-fiction.

[Debra]

If I listed them, it would just be a random list like: "The Good Earth" by Pearl S Buck, some random historical books about the Cherokee and Tibetans, some Paul Theroux travel lit, "A Wrinkle in Time", stuff like that...very random.

I will say that one of the best fiction books I've ever read that was simultaneously the most upsetting I've read was "100 Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. I got so into it and then when horrible things happened, I was really affected and disturbed. It was so good and so hard to put down and I'll never ever be able to read it again.

I generally don't enjoy fiction, however. Isn't that weird? The more I think about it, the more I realize that I overwhelmingly gravitate to non-fiction.

OT, but O.M.G. I love those B&W pics of your GORGEOUS boys. Those are so frame-worthy it's not even funny.

[Tangwystl]

In no particular order;

The Sunne in Splendour, Sharon Kay Penman
Here Be Dragons, Sharon Kay Penman
Pillars of the Earth, Ken Follet
The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove, Christopher Moore
Good Omen's,Neil Gaman and Terry Pratchet
The Stone Angel, Margaret Lawrence
A Wrinkle in Time, Madeleine L'Engle
The Shape of Snakes, Minette Walters or anythng by her
The Farseer Trilogy, Robin Hobb or anything by her
She's Come Undone, Wally Lamb

[gfrach]

A Wrinkle in Time, Madeleine L'Engle

Oh, I just reread this the other day and was reminded all over again how much I love that book. I had to go buy the whole set because I have only read the first three.

[Pensive]

Oh, thank you so much!!

[Vicky]

Not prioritized. I tend to like books by certain authors as well as like non-fiction books/books about people's lives.

1. The Nun's Story by Kathryn Hulme (was also made into a movie staring Audrey Hepburn).
2. Conrad Ricter's trilogy; The Trees, The Fields, The Town
3. Out of Africa (in English and Danish)
4. Never Cry Wolf by Farley Mowat (and his other books)
5. All books by Barbara Kingsolver
6. Made in America and Mother Tongue by Bill Bryson
7. One Man's Wilderness by Richard Proenneke
8. Kristin Lavrensdatter and Master of Hestviken by Sigrid Unset
9. Harvest for Hope and In the Shadow of Man by Jane Goodall
10. For light, feel good reading the Mitford series by Jan Karon

I was just talking to Paul about The Trees when we drove through Ohio a few days ago.

[Vicky]

I was reminded of a few as I read this thread!

Set This House in Order and Bad Monkeys by Matt Ruff

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (I have read it three times - I don't know if I have the emotional wherewithall to read it again, though!

Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

The Crystal Cave,The Hollow Hills and The Last Enchantment by Mary Stewart (so beautifully written and totally engrossing)

The Poisonwood Bible and Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver



I know there are more. I will post more if I think of any.

[Holly]

Naked by David Sedaris
Farenheit 451
Kite Runner
Galapagos by Vonnegut
Farewell to Arms by Hemingway
The Celestine Prophecy
Tom Sawyer
Wuthering Heights

[Tangwystl]

I have only ever read the first two and really would like the rest as well! nft

[Tangwystl]

The Crystal Cave,The Hollow Hills and The Last Enchantment by Mary Stewart (so beautifully written and totally engrossing)



Someone gave me the first two and i really liked them but I never got the third one! I need to get these thanks for reminding me!

[riversprite]

Rebecca is one of my all time favourite books. Ever. I can't count how many times I've read it!

For fun, I read Rebecca's Tale by Sally Beauman which is a novel which tries to tells the tale from Rebecca's pov.
Rather, it's 20yrs after her death and the destruction of Manderley and a few ppl look into the real Rebecca, and the truth of what happened to her.

[Vicky]

Rebecca is one of my all time favourite books. Ever. I can't count how many times I've read it!

For fun, I read Rebecca's Tale by Sally Beauman which is a novel which tries to tells the tale from Rebecca's pov.
Rather, it's 20yrs after her death and the destruction of Manderley and a few ppl look into the real Rebecca, and the truth of what happened to her.

I just love how the entire book and movie never mention the protagonist's name. Joan Fontaine was perfect in the role.

[riversprite]

I just love how the entire book and movie never mention the protagonist's name. Joan Fontaine was perfect in the role.

I love the film, too!
It drove me nuts when I was rather young and reading it for the first time...not knowing her name! I kept thinking that somehow I had missed it!

[winterwoman]

Hmmm....
Harry Potter (last 4 books)
Wizard's First Rule (and most of the other 12? books in the series)
Beloved
Like Water for Chocolate
Anne of Green Gables (esp. Rilla of Ingleside - also Jane of Lantern Hill)
Atlas Shrugged
Dawn's Early Light (although I haven't read it for years - Early American historical fiction)

It's too hard to remember!

[libbylibbylibby]

Janet, I have just started The Wreath (which is the first in the Kristin Lavransdatter series, and I forget the Norwegian name, but think it's the same?), and I am LOVING it. Can't wait to read the next two books.

[Stacey]

In no particular order:
Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver
Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell
The Women's Room by Marilyn French
One On One by Tabitha King
The Other Boleyn Girl by Phillipa Gregory
We Need To Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver

[deeka]

...

More than 10, LOL, in no particular order:

China Court (Rumer Godden)
Foreign Affairs (Alison Lurie)
A Book of Ruth (Syrell Rogovin Leahy)
Gone With The Wind (Margaret Mitchell)
Atonement (Ian McEwan)
Charlotte's Web (EB White)
Snow Falling on Cedars (David Guterson)
The People Therein (Mildred Lee)
The Four Story Mistake and Then There Were Five (Elizabeth Enright)
A Severed Wasp (Madeleine L'Engle) (Although after the New Yorker profile a few years back, I find I can't enjoy her books like I used to)
Bridget Jones' Diary (Helen Fielding)
The Little House books (Laura Ingalls Wilder)
Cat's Eye (Margaret Atwood)

[gfrach]

(Although after the New Yorker profile a few years back, I find I can't enjoy her books like I used to)

Oh, care to share why? Or do I not want to know???

[sarahrose]

This is really hard. I read constantly, and don't spend much time on books that don't grab me, so in turn everything I read I think is good.



This is me exactly. Everything I read is good from the smut to the occasional literature. I just like reading for the sake of reading.

[deeka]

Oh, care to share why? Or do I not want to know???

Well, you may not want to know...but if curiosity gets the better of you:

http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2004/04/12/040412fa_fact_zarin

What bothered me so much is that I always so loved her descriptions of family life--they seemed to clearly autobiographical. I felt so betrayed when I learned that much of it was fantasy on her part. I don't usually hold authors to such high standards, but then...she wasn't the typical author, you know? She was *special.*

[kokoro]

I'm sure there are more I can't think of right now...

Windup Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami - I LOVE this book! He is one of my very favorite authors ever.

The Kite Runner

Pride and Prejudice - Love Jane Austen

The Stand - glad to see I'm not alone in thinking this book is great! :)

Kokoro by Natsume Soseki

The Unbearable Lightness of Being - loved both the book and the movie

A Thousand Names for Joy by Byron Katie (not a fiction book--more spiritual)

[gfrach]

I felt so betrayed when I learned that much of it was fantasy on her part. I don't usually hold authors to such high standards, but then...she wasn't the typical author, you know? She was *special.*

Yeah, she was special. However, somehow it really draws at me more to know that it was something she made up because her own childhood was clearly lacking this. Thanks for the link--she was a bit wacky, it sounds like, but I still love her books.

[Kim]

Jonathan Tropper--How To Talk To A Widower

Aimee Bender--An Invisible Sign Of My Own

The Time Traveler's Wife

Jonathon Tropper-- The Book Of Joe

Anne Lamott--Operating Instructions

Anne Lamott-- Traveling Mercies

Emily Giffin-- Something Borrowed

Jimmy's Girl

Doris Lessing--The Fifth Child

[deeka]

Yeah, she was special. However, somehow it really draws at me more to know that it was something she made up because her own childhood was clearly lacking this. Thanks for the link--she was a bit wacky, it sounds like, but I still love her books.

For me, it wasn't her own childhood experiences that bothered me. In fact, she always reported her childhood as pretty unhappy, even if it turns out that she embelllished some of the facts of it. Indeed, it makes me feel sad for her that she probably made up the story about her father having lung problems--certainly his having health problems is a better explanation for her parents effectively abandoning her in boarding school (which is what it seems it felt like to her) than the truth which is probably just that they wanted to travel and be together without her along.

What bothered me terribly about the article was how unhappy her books made her children, and how little concerned she was about protecting them. Having to be cajoled into dropping a miscarriage scene based on your own DD's experience? Writing about an orphaned little girl who completely disrupts a happy family's life and then in a later book, sending her off to live with another family, when you have an adopted DD who arrived in your family in much the same way?!?!?!? It's just cruel, IMO, no matter how much of an "artist" you are.

I always loved the "Rob" character, and it made me really sad to know his real-life counterpart had been so unhappy in his adult life.