What's your favourite book?
What's the number one book that you've really enjoyed and has stayed with you?
For me personally it's Memoirs Of A Geisha by Arthur Golden. I have a real passion for Japan and so this book really fascinated me as I got to imagine all of the beautiful scenery as the plot took place.
One book really stands out. The Gunslinger by Stephen King (really, the first four books of the Dark Tower series) was the first "grown up" book my mom let me read. I've read it probably a hundred times since then and have worn out two copies of it.
I also really enjoy the following, no matter how many times I read them:
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides
Mythology by Edith Hamilton
Beowulf translated by Seamus Heaney
Original Post by popthestack:
Audiobooks especially have this effect on me. I traveled through Europe last summer and anytime I think about a book I was listening to while walking around I remember very specific details about where I was. Sights, smells, etc. It happens in the reverse too. I'll walk a certain way through Central Park or something and all of the sudden remember a very distinct scene in a book. I love it. Normal books don't have quite the same effect on me, probably since I'm just sitting and staring at the book instead of looking around at other things.
Is anyone else into audiobooks? I've been an audible member since 2006, I think, and don't think I could live without it anymore. :-P
I'm actually listening to my first audiobook. Well, not the first but the first of my choosing. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. It wasn't entirely my choosing; my 7-year-old's interest helped solidify the decision. I could listen to Barbara Caruso all day.
Now I must check out Audible.
Hard to pick a favorite, but one of the most memorable for me in the last few years was The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz.
I have a couple more to list...
Life of Pi by Yann Martel -- that one will stick with me forever.
Anne Rice's Vampire Series -- Really just the first 3, I read a couple of the later ones, but they were not in the same class (in my opinion). I know for a fact I wore out multiple copies of "The Vampire Lestat".
Watership Down by Richard Adam -- wonderful story.
The Reader by Bernhard Schlink -- powerful and heart wrenching.
ETA -- And I have to mention a Stephen King book Gerald's Game -- in my opinion the scariest/creepiest book he ever wrote. From the reviews I've read people either hate it, or love it.
Original Post by saussi:
To popthestack:
Have you listened to the Harry Potter books as audiobooks? Jim Dale does an EXCELLENT job as a narrator. I can really relate to what you say about remembering where you were when you heard certain parts of the book (or vice versa, as it were).
Thanks for starting the books group. How do we sign up?
i simply cannot resist: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHboMLW-Zn0
But to answer the question...i think it works best to divide it up (sorry for lack of formatting, phone is being a pain).
age 3-15: the phantom tollbooth, the call of the wild, cycle of the werewolf, swan song, the belgariad series, the mallorean series, the clan of the cave bear, watership down, 1984, cat's cradle, slaughterhouse five, the incredible journey, green eggs and ham, oh! the places you'll go, the eyes of the dragon, fear and loathing in las vegas, the left hand of darkness.
16-now: the average american male, choke, the great shark hunt, the rum diary, fight club, snuff, on the road, diaspora, i hate you don't leave me, world war z, the song of ice and fire series, sick puppy, lamb, basketcase, divine misfortune, neverwhere, american gods, good omens, the terror, carrion comfort (best horror novel i've read).
not much of a reader, but, from what I read so far, I pick "Jane Eyre" for the strong message and sense of hope it gave me.
I could read Palahniuk all day though, so hard to pick favorites!
I read this a few years ago and really liked it. Sad, but good. I haven't seen the movie yet, but I heard it was good. Anyone seen it?
Ella in Europe: An American
Dog's International Adventures - Really fun read - True story about a man that plans and take his dog on vacation to Europe.
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
I could come up with a thousand. Always a big reader. At one time or another I was reading sci-fi, fantasy, history, classics, mystery, philosophy, self-improvement, nutrition, as people and life changed my interests. Many have already been listed so I will try not to repeat them. I must be an over-aged immature nerd (an escapist) because Sci-Fi and Fantasy is back to my favorite category at the moment. I started out reading J.R.R.Tolkein, Robert Heinlein and Issac Asimov's books as a teen: too many good books to list from them. I do have to mention The Space Trilogy series by C.S. Lewis. I reread this series a few years back to see if I still loved it, and even though a very old series even when I read it as a teen, it still brought back the original adventure. Another favorite, Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game series I read a few years back. It recently rose in my estimation when someone pointed out to me that most of what he wrote about (blogs, internet, PCs, etc) were way off in the future at the time of writing. I read Harry Potter books aloud to my children, so loved them too. Christopher Paolini's Eragon series also great.
Most current favorite series -The Dresden files series by Jim Butcher. Sci-fi fantasy, about a detective who is a wizard. First one in the series seemed a bit weak but his writing gets stronger from then on (in my opinion); also do not go by the short-lived TV series. I could not watch past the first episode, as it seemed not to have anything from the book other than the character's name.
One last mention in the Fantasy category: Paladin of Souls by Lois McMaster Bujold. It is the second book in the series, but I read it out of order and still enjoy it most. I became drawn to the main character, Ista, recovering from a long sad past series of events; there is adventure, battle, love, mystery.
Any Amy Tan book for stories of China and Chinese-American families. I like to vicariously experience other lives and places.
For mysteries any Dick Francis book. Another favorite is a series I scrounged from used bookstores written between 1929 and 1962 by Australian author Arthur W. Upfield and his detective Napoleon "Bony" "Bonaparte. I have heard they have more fame in England and Australia. Favorite of the series of books was Wings above the Diamantina.
As to classics- well they are classics... but I do like Charles Dickens.
Being Happy by Adrew Matthews.
I first read this book at least 3 or 5 years ago. It did make me look at life a little differently then and forever (honest!) It might be a little corny, but it is simply written, and it reinforces that being happy is a decision you can make. I recommend it highly!!!!
This is the one book that I refer to over and over again. My copy is dog-eared, highlighted throughout, and has tabs on my favorite pages.
Why do I love this book so much? Well, it is by far the best "self-help" book out there! The author takes a serious subject, sadness and depression, and makes it light and enjoyable to read. The content is very basic and common sense, such as the law of attraction, the power of positive thinking, forgiveness, etc. Messages that I need to read over and over. The secret to the success of this book, is that the author is a cartoonist, so the pages are loaded with relevant and humorous cartoons. It's a quick, easy read that packs a powerful message.
Reason: removing links
The side effects of allergy medications keep some people from using them. Natural remedies can be a great alternative, but some are more effective than others.
