Check It Out-Reads
I love reading too, but it’s dangerous for me because once I start a book I can’t put it down until I finish it. Have you ever tried making sloppy joes with one hand while holding a book in the other. It’s not pretty.
Feel free to share your comments and favorite or not so favorite books.
East of Eden-John Steinbeck
Beyond any words I could try to put it into.
The Sun Also Rises-Ernest Hemingway
Especially memorable after reading The Paris Wife.
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft-Stephen King
Loved it, learned from it; now I want to live it.
The Awakening-Kate Chopin
It’s a haunting story. My perception of it changes with every reading.
The Truth About Forever-Sarah Dessen
A good read, but a dangling plot-line kept me from totally enjoying it.
Daughter of the Forest- Juliet Marillier
I read it all evening then I got up at 3AM and read until 5AM. That says it all.
The Paris Wife-Paula McLain
Told from the perspective of Ernest Hemingway’s first wife, Hadley Richardson. Hemingway’s comment that he would have rather have died than fallen in love with anyone but Hadley (he had three other wives), was McLain’s inspiration for this book.
Rachel’s Contrition-Michelle Buckman
The blurb on the back doesn’t do it justice. Buckman does a great job taking the reader inside Rachel’s head.
Secrets to Happiness-Sarah Dunn
A fun read. By the end of the book, the secret to happiness is still a secret. Maybe I have a different definition of happiness.
Augustus Caesar’s World-Genevieve Foster
Awesome book. Unique part narrative nonfiction and “horizontal history”. It is written for junior high/young adult readers. Everyone in my family older than ten has read this and loved it, including my husband.
Laura said,
March 31, 2011 at 12:38 PM
Some books I’ve read with my children and absolutely love (and are ‘must haves’ in my childrens book collection —
“Diary of a Wimpy Kid” (the series by Jeff Kinney) — love the humorous side of trying to grow up in a grown up world. The illustrations and the stories are just so simple, yet funny and really speak to me! 5/5
“Spiderwick Chronicles” by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi — fantasy — so vividly written and beautifully illustrated. One reason why hardcover books can never be replaced by ebooks and why I had to own the extra art books that enhanced the story. 5/5
“10 Second Rainshowers” by Sanford Lyne — an inspiring collection of poetry written by children of all ages and stages of life. Very moving — reminds me that be it art or the written word, some of the most masterful work comes from children. 5/5
Anything illustrated by “J. Otto Seibold” — LOVE his colorful, bright and fun illustration style! I admit to owning every one of his childrens books and accessories that he has illustrated and designed. (Ok…..so I’m obsessed….I’ve even painted murals in my basement of some of his characters like Space Monkey and Olive, the other Reindeer….) His color palette that he uses in his books even inspired the colors for my basement rec room….Even though he is an illustrator, he inspires me to want to write and illustrate a childrens book to add to my collection. It’s on my someday wish.
5/5