A Few of My Favorite Books

Once upon a time, I said that I hoped this blog would be a little like Nick Hornby's column in The Believer. There he lists books he's bought and books he's read and writes about them. I'm glad that the blog has covered both books and several other topics instead. I soon might post something a good friend of mine wrote about his volunteer work with the American Red Cross in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. First, though, I'd like to ask you for your favorite books.

Actually, several months ago, Mr. Squiddles asked me for a list of my favorite books. So, here it is: books I would read (and have read) again and again (listed in alphabetical order by author).


Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott
I used to read this book each summer. And each time hope that Jo would say "yes" to Laurie.

Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen
A friend of mine can recite the opening paragraph from memory. I can't do that, but I know I love Mr. Darcy.

The Mists of Avalon, by Marion Zimmer Bradley
I read a lot of fantasy when I was a teenager. This was my favorite book for years and years. It retells the tale of King Arthur from the perspective of the women in his life--mom, step-sister and even dear Gwen. Lots of cool Celtic mythology and Goddess lore. And, unlike her portrayal in Malory's book, Morgaine (aka Morgan Le Faye) is a sympathetic character and the heroine in this novel.

Middlesex, by Jeffrey Eugenides
Ostensibly just about a hermaphrodite, Middlesex also tells the story of the American Dream and growing up in America. Eugenides' The Virgin Suicides is also a masterpiece. I can't wait until his next novel comes out.

Love in the Time of Cholera, by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Romantic and Romanticism in every sense of those words. Recommended by an old friend.

Atonement, by Ian McEwan
Crazy book. I read it in one day and was completely turned upside down at the ending. Makes you question truth while realizing the power of imagination.

Inspector Rebus series by Ian Rankin
John Rebus is my all-time favorite detective. If he were real I'd move to Edinburgh and drink whisky with him.

The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien
I think I've read these books a dozen times. I would have been one of those people who commented on the movies' Web site about the absence of Tom Bombadil and the enlargement of Arwen's role if i weren't just so delighted about the movies in general. Merry is my favorite hobbit, but I like to believe I am as brave as Eowyn.


Other books I'd recommend:
Anything by Bill Bryson. He makes me laugh.
Most things by David Sedaris. He makes me laugh too. The essay "Six to Eight Black Men," which was first published in Esquire and can be found in Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, is laugh-out-loud funny. (You can read it online here or here).

And The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, by Michael Chabon
How the comic book was born? That and lots more.

So far this year, I've read S Is for Silence, by Sue Grafton and The Truth About Celia, by Kevin Brockmeier.
I'm still reading Quicksilver, by Neal Stephenson, and Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, by Susanna Clarke.