Monday, December 21, 2009

Great Reads

As you've probably been able to tell if you've ever read my blog, I'm a pretty avid reader. It comes with a territory I guess, being an elementary school teacher and all. My life revolves around teaching kids how to learn to read, and then read to learn. I usually try and keep my blog friends in the loop about my current literary indulgences, since I gain a lot of my book recommendations from blogland. Megan asked me if I could put together a list of fave reads I've posted over the years in my sidebar section "Currently Reading."The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
One of my absolute all-time favorite books. I read this for the first time in high school for a school project, and have probably read it about 3 times since. It's a unique story, but I'm one for elaborate description, and this book truly paints the picture for you.The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
A beautifully woven story about cultures colliding, first generation Indian children growing up in America, and growing up "American," much to the chagrin of their traditionally rooted parents. I absolutely adore this author, she writes in through an honest, relateable, and poignant lens.Bel Canto by An Patchett
This was recommended to me by a friend, and while I wasn't interested in reading it at all after skimming the "blurb" on the back of the book, I read it anyway. The plot is totally unique and different than most stories I prefer, but really engaging, moving, and thought provoking. I enjoyed this book.
The History of Love by Nicole Krauss
This book is one of those that while it's pretty recent, it has an old soul. The story is sweet in a powerful, love conquers all kind of way. I devoured this in like 2 days...

Other notable faves
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

Still Alice by Lisa Genova

Educating Esme by Esme Raji Codell

Next time, I'll give you a run down of my fave Children's books...now that could be a LONG post.
Now...tell me your faves- I'm always searching for new great reads!

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14 comments:

  1. CynthiaDecember 21, 2009 at 9:31 AM

    Thanks for the list, some of these are definitely going on my "to read" list for 2010! I got my hands on an advanced copy of Glass Castles- loved it- and passed it on. Now I'm kicking myself for not holding on to it! Doh!

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  2. CarolineDecember 21, 2009 at 9:46 AM

    Oh thank you for the list!!! I LOVE LOVE reading. My sister finished "The History of Love" a month ago and left it on our bookshelf... so I will have to read it. Thanks again for the list and enjoy your Monday!! xo

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  3. LaraDecember 21, 2009 at 9:54 AM

    bel canto and the history of love are two of my absolute faves! the glass castle is also a great one. you have awesome book taste :)

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  4. Whatever Dee-Dee wantsDecember 21, 2009 at 10:53 AM

    The Fountainhead is one of my favorite books too! I read it almost once a year.

    I loved The Glass Castle! Have you read The Liars Club? If you like The Glass Castle you will like The Liars Club.

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  5. Carol {Everyday Delights}December 21, 2009 at 11:17 AM

    The Fountainhead is Nick's fave book too! I really need to read it, sounds really interesting.

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  6. StevieDecember 21, 2009 at 11:30 AM

    Excellent recommendations! Ayn Rand is definitely classic. The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged are both phenomenal.

    And I absolutely loved The Glass Castle. I love reading biographies and memoirs and this one was so beautifully written. (And I used to read her celebrity news column every week on MSNBC!)

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  7. GiovannaDecember 21, 2009 at 1:03 PM

    great list! i'm reading the history of love now and can't put it down. the glass castle is next on my list. thanks.

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  8. Little BirdDecember 21, 2009 at 1:36 PM

    Love your blog! I too love books. I am a librarian currently working on my English degree, so I absolutely love reading lists/recommendations (and GoodReads).

    I do twice-a-month book reviews of classic books over on my (relatively) new blog, if you're interested. :)

    http://thebluebirdandthemountain.blogspot.com/

    Here are a few that I find myself continually recommending to people:

    Beloved by Toni Morrison, The Razor's Edge by W. Somerset Maughm, Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell, Catch 22 by Joseph Heller, and The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo (since you seem to like young books).

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  9. A New England GirlDecember 21, 2009 at 2:50 PM

    LOVE this list... I am a huge fan of "The Art of Racing in the Rain" - it was such a wonderful book. I haven't seen/heard of many of the others, but they are all noted and I am looking forward to exploring at least a few of them. :)

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  10. Jamila FitzpatrickDecember 21, 2009 at 4:00 PM

    Wow! Great list! I love your little sidebar ... I always check your latest read out for ideas. The Namesake is wonderful and The Glass Castle makes my top 5 list for sure... also Prodigal Summer (Barbara Kingsolver) and Memoirs of a Geisha (Arthur Golden) are exquisite if you haven't read them.

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  11. thuDecember 21, 2009 at 4:17 PM

    great list! i'm going to keep them on tab for my monthly book club!

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  12. MeganDecember 21, 2009 at 6:11 PM

    THANK YOU so much for the list!!! One of my goals for 2010 is to read @ least one new book a month and I'm definitely going to dive into some of your recommendations. I'm also a big fan of children's books (actually collect them) so if you ever do decide to do that post :) it would be greatly enjoyed too!

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  13. tintarosaDecember 21, 2009 at 7:04 PM

    I have Fountainhead sitting on my bookshelf. It's on my "need to read" shelf. Thanks for sharing your list. I'll have to look into some of them.

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  14. Kerri LynneDecember 22, 2009 at 6:34 AM

    i am in the middle of the glass castle and i love it so far! i also love educating esme! :)

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