Books! I absolutely love reading and in a way it is my escape from a sometimes stressful reality. You can go anywhere you want to, meet so many intriguing characters and give your imagination a little exercise every once in a while. Now that we are reaching Winter, it is the perfect time to cuddle up with a book...which is sometimes the best cuddle buddy there is!
10. Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
This book is fabulous - especially if you have kids. The illustrations are exciting and truly draw you into the story. Another fun thing about this book? They are making it into a movie! So read it with your kids and follow up the experience by going to see the movie!
9. Mark Twain: Autobiography Volume One
Okay...I'll be honest, I have not actually read this book yet. But, I am hoping to get it for Christmas and you can bet your booty I will be diving right in! I have been excited about this book since I first learned of its existence. Before Mark Twain died, he wrote his autobiography. Unfortunately for the general public, he put an embargo on it stating that it could not be published until one hundred years after his death. That right there is enough to make me want to read it. He did this in order to ensure that no one mentioned in the book would be alive by the time the book was available to readers. There must be some scandalous information included!
8. A History of Love by Nicole Krauss
This book was chosen for a book club I am in and I must say, it caused me quite the headache. This is because the book has so many story lines and connections that it is hard to keep track. However, it was all worth it in the end when everything came together. If you do choose to read this book, I recommend keeping some sort of character log as well as reading the book in its entirety in a short span of time. If you wait too long to finish, you might forget important things and miss out on some crucial connections. Everyone who read this book said they wanted to turn around and read it again after the last page.
7. Unbearable Lightness: an autobiography by Portia de Rossi
I never would have thought this story would appeal to me, but I truly found that I gained something by hearing her story. This is a quick and easy read that will give you some insight on the world of eating disorders.
6. Hunger Games (series) by Suzanne Collins
Such a fun series! This series was written for young adults, but once I started I could not put it down. Luckily, since it is written at an easy level - it was an incredibly easy read for me. The topic is kind of heavy and might be disturbing to some. I like the message it sends about our society as a whole and also the relationship our country has with other nations. Such an intense read!
5. Summer of the Monkeys by Wilsom Rawls
This is another great book to read on your own, or with your children. My sixth grade teacher read it to me, and to this day, I still consider it one of my favorites. This is a coming of age story with an adventurous twist as well as great humor.
4. The Rum Diary by Hunter S. Thompson
I loved this book because it was different than what I am used to reading. A friend recommended to me a while back and I read the entire thing in one or two days. This story is "cool" in a sense that the characters are people you want to hang out with. The book takes place in Cuba, which is the perfect getaway in this rainy winter weather.
3. The Likeness by Tana French
This book is the sequel to In the Woods but is much better than it's predecessor. The first book is entertaining, and I definitely recommend reading it first. This is a mystery with many twists and turns that will certainly keep you on your feet. You might not want to read these at night when you're all alone.
2. Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (series) by Steig Larsson
Incredible! When I first began this series I was very doubtful of the joy I would find in reading these books. After I struggled for the first chapter or two - I was hooked! It is hard for me to fathom an imagination capable of creating this plot and the characters involved. The first two chapters are very factual and technical and truly were hard to get through. It is so worth it and although the books are very long, you will find yourself wishing they would not end! Great for people who love to solve mysteries!
1. South of Broad by Pat Conroy
This book gets the number one spot because of it's diversity and value to me in my life. Conroy is one of my favorite authors because his books are so sincere and real. This book takes place in the South and really makes you feel like you are there. While reading this book I frequently found myself thinking of the characters as my friends, only to realize...oh wait - they aren't real. A book club I used to be in read this book and I can honestly say, the discussion was one of the most meaningful discussions I have ever had with a group of people. It brought up so many feelings and thoughts and most people in the group got very emotional over the topics discussed. This is a long read and it's not necessarily a page turner. But in the end you will feel like you have gained something by reading this story and getting to know it's characters.
No comments:
Post a Comment