Friday, July 03, 2009

On The Nightstand

I've been inspired this week by the summer reading bug, Newsweek and the blog, Everyday I Write the Book. I'm an avid reader, typically reading about 3 books and 2 magazines at a time. I read standing up while cooking dinner, I read in the car while waiting even if it's for a mere moment. I scatter reading material all about the house so that there is always something handy if I have a free second to read.

When Newsweek devoted a whole issue this week to author interviews, a revised 'must' read lists and the pure joy that is reading I found myself in a state of bliss. I had just finished 'Testimony' by Anita Shreve and I'm working my way through these two books as well. Books are piling up on my nightstand and my local library just waiting for me to unleash their secret worlds. A new book is exhilarating. So is an old one. I have a lot of favorite books from various authors ranging from David Sedaris and Augusten Burroughs to Edith Wharton and Margaret Mitchell. There are a few I could read and re-read for the simple reason that they never fail to reveal something new, provide me with comfort and characters that I love to reacquaint myself with over and over again. Here are just a few:

Gone with the Wind, Margaret Mitchell- My all time favorite book. I read it in three days at the age of thirteen and have been continuously re-reading it ever since. It has everything and the story never gets old to me.

The House of Mirth, Edith Wharton- The Gilded Age, a woman torn and trapped by the narrowness of her social standing. It is everything this History major and woman's studies minor focused on for four years in college. It's beautifully written and I fall in love with it every time.

On Leaving Charleston, Alexandria Ripley- Not very typical of me but it describes clothing, places and food in a wonderful way. It takes the reader through many decades that showcase the changes our country went through in the post-Civil War era up until the Great Depression. This history nut can't help but investing her time in it many times over.

Dry, Augusten Burroughs- At times dark, other times laugh out loud, tears running down my face funny. This tale of addiction and rehab is candid and identifiable. To me, it is Burroughs best.

I've got a whole slew of others but I would love for you to share some of your favorite books with me.

2 comments:

  1. Anonymous12:54 PM

    Life of Pi, Kissing the Virgin's Mouth, The Hundred Secret Senses, The World Acording to Garp - some of my all-time favorites.

    ReplyDelete
  2. A Tree Grows In Brooklyn - My favorite book as a kid and I still like to re-read it every couple of years.

    The Blind Assassin - Margaret Atwood - She is one of my favorite authors and this is my favorite book of hers. The way the story unravels is really interesting and beautiful.

    The Kitchen God's Wife - Amy Tan's best book as far as I'm concerned (and I found out she agrees after reading her memoirs!). Sure, she writes about Chinese Americans but this story is really about a mother and daughter...and how the mother's history has shaped the daughter's life.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for commenting! It's always good to hear from a reader and not say, a robot.