I was tagged by Cheri Novak to name 10 books that have been significant to me. Those of you who know me best will know why it took me a while to respond. So, here goes: A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving This book is heartbreaking, heartwarming, life-affirming, tragic, hysterical, and ultimately meaningful every time I reread it. My favorite book of all time, and that’s saying something (er, at least I think it is). The Stand by Stephen King This epic, written pre-AIDS and pre-9/11, was my first taste of King’s brand of apocalyptic thinking. I loved every minute of it, and still do. Think of all the images and activities King pioneered here that are the fodder of many movies (Outbreak, Contagion, 28 Days Later) television shows (Doomsday Preppers, et. al.), and reality (CDC: We’re going to stop Ebola in its tracks! . . . ummm, nope.) today. My favorite author of all time. So Cold the River by Michael Koryta Set in my home state, in a spooky hotel that really does look like it was dropped there from some other, fancier place. I love the supernatural elements at play in this story and dearly loved the elderly weather watcher. Worth Dying For by Lee Child My favorite serial character, Jack Reacher (who in no way bears any resemblance to Tom Cruise), takes on the bad guys while trying to solve a cold case mystery of a missing eight-year-old girl. Without giving too much away, this made me think about how far the tentacles of human trafficking can reach. 11/22/63 by Stephen King It’s difficult for me not to use up half this list on Stephen King books. He is a modern, living master of the craft. This book is meticulously researched, and it explains in great detail the bygone era into which I was born, but also explores the sharp corners and dark shadows of that turbulent time and the time that might have/could have/probably followed. Cat’s Eye by Margaret Atwood It was a tough choice between this and “The Handmaid’s Tale.” Cat’s Eye was in some ways an all-too-familiar trip through the childhood of one who didn’t quite fit the mold. Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder You’d actually have to include the whole “Little House” series for me. I read them all multiple times starting in third grade . . . Little Women by Louisa May Alcott Read it in the fourth grade, and loved it ever since. As I have matured, I have been able to read more into the story (father was far away, where the fighting was) and the characters (my middle name is Jo, for real). A classic in every sense of the word. The Dog Stars by Peter Heller Heller writes beautifully. This is not a beautiful story, but it is beautifully told and it does have a beautiful ending. At least I think it does. The Milagro Beanfield War by John Nichols From Ruby Archuleta to “El Brazo Onofre,” this book was filled with charming characters who made me laugh, cheer and weep. It’s one of the usual suspects I revisit often.
Posted on: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 18:50:16 +0000
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