Things I Love - Books

I like to talk about books that I love.  My friends know this about me.  But I try not to bore them with my latest read so there are just a couple of people that I can really get into a good book "discussion" with.  (So instead I will bore the one person that probably actually reads this blog!)  I'm really not a complete nerd that just sits around thinking about books all day, but I do love to read.  I think that I learn something new every time I read a book - no matter how small or big.  I have been to some great places in my life but never to Europe (yet!) or Canada or the Middle East but sometimes I feel like I have because I go there in a book. 


I'm also a "teacher".  (I say that in quotes because although I have just recently earned my degree and certification, and I am subbing almost every day, I do not have my own classroom yet.  Therefore, I feel I have to use the " ".)  So I think that to be an amazing teacher of elementary children, I have to be passionate about reading.  Because if I'm not excited about it, they won't be either.  I think it is so fun to get into a conversation about books with kids.  They have so many things to add that I would have never thought of without them.  So, I guess I'm in the right profession.  :) 


People that know I love to read are forever asking for book recommendations so this is my version of the Oprah Magazine's 5 Books That Changed My Life.  Please know how hard it is for me to pick only 5.  Its like torture.  I really could go on forever.  But I will spare you, dear reader(s) (Mischelle - is that you?)!  Also - I have put a link on all book titles...


1. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold 
This is one of the very first books that I remember being really affected by.  I'm sure you all know the story by now.  A young girl is murdered by a man in her neighborhood and she tells the story of her life in between earth and heaven while her family is searching for the truth about her death.  So beautifully written and actually made me less scared to die.  I know that no one knows what heaven is like, but I like to think of it like Susie Salmon's heaven.  Little pieces of things that you loved the most on earth formed together to make your own magical place.  I know that mine will have all of my family that have gone before me, Baskin Robbins Jamoca Almond Fudge Ice Cream, US Weekly magazines, reruns of The Real Housewives of ..., music, and a library. 


2. The Drowning Tree by Carol Goodman
Okay - I first have to say that I LOVE everything this woman writes.  She is hands down my favorite adult fiction author.  All of her books are so interesting and I feel smarter after reading them.  They are not easy reads and have a lot of references to mythology and things that I know nothing about but when I get one of her books, I literally drink it down like water on a hot Texas summer day.  I am re-reading The Drowning Tree for probably the 6th time right now.  This book is extremely complicated and I could never write a synopsis about it, so if you want to know you will have to click on the link above.  (Read the Publishers Weekly entry, not Booklist...)


3. Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
I had a really hard time picking between Sarah's books.  (I can call her Sarah - we're friends.  Okay, I emailed her a looong time ago when I worked at the bookstore and she actually emailed me back.  Now she's this famous NYT Bestseller, but we're still BFF.  Right?)  Anyway, my other faves of her are Along for the Ride, The Truth About Forever, Lock and Key, and Someone Like You.  Also, if you are a consistent reader of her books, you notice that some characters show up in several books - just her way of seeing if you are paying attention.  I know.  I am obsessed with her.  Her books are categorized as Young Adult fiction, but I think they could also be in the adult section of the store.  They are thought-provoking, heart-breaking, characters-you-want-to-meet-in-real-life books.  And Sarah Dessen has a great blog (you can find the link on the right of this page) that I have been reading for years that makes me think we really are supposed to be friends.  I mean come on.  I think she loved 90210 as much as I did and she is so not understanding this Twilight phenomenom.  Nor am I.  But I digress.


4.  The Mitford Series by Jan Karon
My mom loves to read as much as I do and she gave me the first book in this series.  I was a little doubtful at first - did I really want to read a book about a country preacher and the little town where he lives?  But my mom said I would love it if I gave it a chance.  And guess what - Mom always knows best.  These sweet books are just what I need when I feel like I'm living in a dark, cynical, nothing ever goes right world.  There are 9 books in the series and I have read them all too many times to count.  My mom gave me the whole set as a birthday gift one year and I almost wet my pants.  They are so good. 


5. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
This is the first book where I was actually sobbing uncontrollably at the end.  I mean - inconsolable.  My husband thought I was nuts.  But Oh. My. Gosh.   The book is so good and raises so many interesting questions and debates and I just can't say enough about it.  I will never see the movie because I love the book too much.  She has so many great pieces - The Pact, Plain Truth, and Nineteen Minutes to name a few.  They all make you question your beliefs and your morals. 


So there you have it...the longest blog in the history of the world.  There are so many more I love, but I will save those for other entries.  Thank you for sticking around - it was all the things I would love to tell someone if they asked about my favorite books.  Although no asked, I just told.  :)  And yes, I will continue re-reading all of these wonderful pieces of art because my brain does me a crazy favor.  Ask anyone - I have a scary-good memory.  I remember practically everyone that was in any class with me in elementary school.  But I don't remember the end of my favorite books.  My mind lets me forget those things so I can read them over and over always be surprised and interested. 


Let me know if you have read any of these and what you think or if you have suggestions for me!  I am always willing to try something new.  Told ya I liked to talk about books...