Favorite Books

 Have just finished and enjoyed immensely , Toni Jordan's debut novel " Addition" about Grace who is obsessive /compulsive about numbers. A really good read from this Australian author.  Jude

My favourite book is Oscar and Lucinda by Peter Carey.  I love the fallibility and vulnerabilty of all the characters and Carey's use of glass imagery throughout the novel.  Sadly none of Carey's subsequent works have engaged me as much.  Although I did enjoy The Unusual Life of Tristan Smith. KL

 

As much as I love a good novel, it is a thrill to discover non fiction that inspires or simply reveals a different perspective on the world. Recent gems include - Mr Stuart's Track : the forgotten life of Australia's greatest explorer / by John Bailey (an epic tale of stamina and dogged determination)

Survival of the sickest : a medical maverick discovers why we need disease / by Dr Sharon Maolem (8 mindblowing, occaisonally nauseating, chapters on the role of disease in human evolution)

The World Without Us / by Alan Weisman (what would happen if all humans disappeared from the face of the earth? A poignant, well researched investigation into our impact on the planet and our legacy for future species). Brian

 

I love books that are narrated from a very different perspective. My favourites are ''The Lovely Bones'' by Alice Sebold and ''The Book Thief'' by Markus Zusak. ''The Lovely Bones'' is narrated by a murder victim and ''The Book Thief'' is narrated by Death. They sound very morbid but they are actually beautifully written. I also love the classic ''1984'' by George Orwell and the more recent ''The Kite Runner'' by Khaled Hoseini. Karen

 

I just finished reading Atonement, by Ian McEwan, and could easily see why so many people thought it was the best book of 2004. Easily one of the best books I've read in the last 5 years.  --Curtis Ferree

 

I love to read children's fantasy books: Harry Potter, Alice in Wonderland, Lord of the Rings, Inkheart... .  Jairia

 

Tow of my favorites are Dracula by Bram Stoker and The Tropic of Cancer by Henry Miller.  Grace

 

 Any books by Donna Leon.  She lives and works in Venice and writes keen mysteries set there.  Always we get a feeling of the underlying corruption, but always we get a very satisfactory solution by the honest and philosophically-minded Inspector Guido Brenetti.  Jane

 

I love multi-cultural fiction.  Here are my favorites for the last two months:

The Cry of the Dove / Fadia Faqir - Bedouin main character runs afoul of her culture and pays the price.

The Kite Runner / Khaled Hoseini - Excellent cultural evocation with great plot twists.

Our Holocaust / Amir Gutfreund- Israeli born children of survivors deal with their unique history. Excellent.

The World to Come/Dara Horn - Superb existential tale with themes of art intertwining with family history.

The Namesake / Jhumpa Lahiri - Indian immigrants to USA struggle with assimilation and identity. Highly Recommended.

Sandy.Teacher46 1/08

 

I also like fiction that helps me understand a different place and time, The Kite Runner, was excellent that way, but I liked his later one, A Thousand Splendid Suns, because it came from the women's point of view. Like historical novels for the same reason. So much easier to get to know a place or time or people through fiction. Not so much time to read lately though cuz of this Learning 2.0.  AbuelaCuenta 4/25/08

 

I can never think at short notice, so can only come up with one goodie...  My Sister's Keeper by Jodie Picoult. The twist at the end really gets you.

Hope you give it a go. Jenny

 

 

My favourite 5 reads for the year are:

The alchemist / Coelho

Tuesdays with Morrie / Albom

The Denniston Rose / Pattrick

Attica / Kilworth

...and did those feet / Dawe

 

Currently reading:

The golden compass / Pulman

Harry Potter and the deathly hallows / Rowling

 

Cheers, justuschikens

 

 

 

I have also loved books all of my life, kind of lost it a bit in my 20's because of children and study and stuff, but it never left, it was just in hiatus.

My favourite books as a child were, "Charlotte's Web" - E.B White and "The silver sword" - Ian Seraillier. As a teenager I loved Leon Uris, with "QBVII" and "Exodus" being the standout's. As an adult I loved Stephen King, with "The dead zone" being the star. I read all his books up to and including "It', but kind of lost interest, or gained maturity, and haven't read anything new of his since. However his memoir "On writing", was a wonderful book on the creative process, and very, very practical for those who want to create any sort of art, in my case photography.

As an adult I found myself gravitating to non-fiction. I was interested in stuff, and the stuff happening in the world. 

So here are some my fave's in no particular order 

•  The body at war - Dwyer
• And the band played on - Shilts
• DisneyWar: the battle for tha magic kingdom - Stewart (outstanding!)
• Power, faith and fantasy - Oren
• Let truth be the prejudice - Maddox
• Band of brothers - Ambrose (both book and TV dramatisation)
• Pride and prejudice - Austen
• The shipping news - Proulx
• Longitude - Sobel (book and TV dramatisation)
• The day of the jackal - Forsyth
• Jurassic Park - Crichton (Genius!)
• The firm - Grisham (simply un-put-downable!)
• The rainmaker - Grisham
• The great war for civilisation - Fisk
• The civil war - Foote
• McDonald's: Behind the arches - Love (surprisingly enjoyable)
• Bearing the cross - Garrow

There you go just a few. Enzo

 

 

I have loved books all my life and have wonderful memories of my mum and my older sister reading to me. One of those books was Anne of Green Gables which has to rank among the favorites along with Alice's adventures in wonderland. Carol

 

Whenever someone asks the question 'favourite book?' my mind always goes to Rosamunde Pilcher's "The Shellseekers". It could have been the family things that were going on in my life at the time but I really identified with some of the 'life' clues about child/parent relationships and accepting, while not necessarily liking, the people your children have become and not being afaid to be yourself regardless of your children's wishes and opinions. I've enjoyed all of Pilcher's books, even the bread and butter romance ones as she manages to draw you in and provide satisfying outcomes that are entirely possible in everyday life. Another favourite author is Cynthia Harrod-Eagles, both murder mystery series, romance and her continuing Moreland Dynasty series.....great feel for character, setting and sense of humour as well and well researched. (Nearly as good as Georgette Heyer). At about this point I start remembering heaps of other fun stuff I've read, plus absorbing murder mystery series....especially series where you get character development from book to book......so will just stop here. Phine

 

My absolutely favourite book has been for many years, The Gate to Women's Country by Sheri Tepper. She's a fabulous author and all her books are great but this one fascinates me because of the possibilities it raises of changing the way our society runs and re-evaluating what we value. Kim

 

I am enjoying the Diana Gabaldon Outlander/Cross stitch series at the moment, though the second book was a little slow.

 

I have just finished reading Gardens of the Sun by Trevor Nottle. It is polemical writing about the need to move away from traditional English models of gardens in the dry summer Mediterranean climate regions of Australia. Trevor has a great sense of humour, is passionate about his subject and pokes wicked fun at the trendy garden designers and writers that infest Australian garden magazines. Has some good ideas about plants to investigate too. A much needed antidote to my favourite English garden books.Elizabeth

 

Recently I read Life's Golden Ticket by Brendan Burchard. This book was on the hold list for quite awhile at my library. It was a book that I could not put down but was easily read in a day. It told the story of how people can change their life and how they view things that happen in their past can significantly affect how they react to what happens to them. You find yourself immediately caring about the main character as he goes on his adventure of self discovery. Laura

 

Recently I finished reading a book with a somewhat different setting than usual, "Mr. Pip" by Lloyd Jones. This book was short listed for the 2007 Man Booker Prize and was a short favourite to win, but didn't. It was set in Bouganville, Papua New Guinea, during the copper mine dispute/war of the 1990s. Mr. Pip is Dickens Pip from "Great Expectations", and his story becomes intertwined with the lives of the villagers in the story in a most unexpected way. A really engrossing read.

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An unusual book that I enjoyed was the Time Traveler's wife by Audrey Niffenegger. Sounds like Scifi but its more of a love story than anything else. The characters are engaging and the strange premise keeps you engrossed to the end.

 

The Time Traveler's Wife was fabulous. Unusual but very moving. Another book I really enjoyed was 26A by Diana Evans. Books for Young Adults which are definitely worth a read are Coraline by Neil Gaimon and  Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer.  

 

I have just finished The Macheivelle covenant by Allan Folsom. It was fantastic. A constantly moving, twisting thriller which involved a group of people that otherwise would never have met, combine to illiminate a plot to kill millions. Steve Berry is another great author that writes a similar style of book. Heidi

 

I like reading teenage and junior fiction. They are precise and to the point - they have to be to hold attention. None of that padding you so often find in adult fiction. Try "The Door in the Lake" - time travel and its consequences. Not a big book, but sure makes you think.

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I love audio books, adult and junior. Not only are the stories great, but they are a wonderful way of improving listening and concentrating skills.They also give you ideas on how to read out loud with expression and feeling. Its like having your own private theatre inside your head. Wonderful way to escape from this mad, busy world of ours. lee

 

I have recently found a new author that I absolutely adore; J.R. Ward, If you love Christine Feehan(paranormal romance) then look no further, a really fantastic author that really draws you in and best of all she is writing a series; the Black Dagger Brotherhood.

I am reading Snowflower and the Secret Fan. My friend recommended it to me. I love China!

 

 

I am currently reading Katherine Valentine's Dorsetville series. It is similar to Jan Karon's Mitford series, but set in New England with a Roman Catholic priest as the main character. Each book features a different person in the community, but all are interrelated. You really need to read each title in the series in order.

 

I enjoy reading Jennifer Chiaverini's Elm Creek Series. As an avid quilter I love the quilt history she gives along with the intrigue of the various lives of the Elm Creek folk. I look forward to each new publication and have pleasure in recommending them to like minded borrowers.

Meg.

 

I have just finished reading The kite runner by Khaled Hosseini. I read the book as part of a library run bookclub. This is the best book we have read this year.

 

My favourite book so far is Dark Prince by Christine Feehan. She is a great author and her Dark series is fantastic try her other books by visiting her web site at

http://www.christinefeehan.com/. have fun. Christina. : )

 

 

Roma Sub Rosa

If you like a bit of Ancient History mystery, try Steven Saylor's Roma Sub Rosa series. Set in the time of Sulla to Julius Caesar, the hero, Gordianus the Finder, is on the hunt for killers throughout Rome and Egypt. Great historical references and characters. Figures such as Cicero, Catullus, Catilina and many others turn up throughout. It is very hard not to become very involved in the lives of Gordianus and his family over the 11 books.

 

 

 

I love to read. It's been a lifelong passion. One of my favorite books is The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. It's a remarkable book, full of insights. I read it a few years ago and just finished listening to it on CD. The narrator did a wonderful job.

I also liked The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns. About 15 years ago, I read Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. That held the spot as my favorite book for many years. Now Follett has written a sequel and I can't wait to read it.

 

Pillars of the earth is also my favourite book. I have read it a few times now and never cease to be amazed at the detailed descriptions Ken Follett provides bout the building of the cathedrals. It is so different to his other books - all of which I have enjoyed. I am now waiting for my turn for World without end to arrive at the library. Sue

Do you have a favorite book? A title that you'd like to share? Use this space to add your favorites ...

 

Anything by Terry Pratchett.

 

I've been thinking about my favourite childrens books. Growing up in the 50s, books were our main source of imaginative stimulation so had a powerful effect on our mental landscapes. Ballet shoes, The Painted garden, Dancing shoes and others by Noel Streatfeild have also become favourites of my daughters. As have the Anne of Green Gables series (which I can virtually quote by heart), the ballet books by Lorna Hill, the Katy books by Susan Coolidge and The Abbey Girls series by Elsie J. Oxenham. I read many of these out loud to my daughters and loved doing so. They were (for the most part) very well written, packed with interesting language, three dimensional characters and a multitude of detail. Who can forget lines of Anne's like "my life is a perfect graveyard of buried hopes"?

 

Dorothy Dunnett is the Queen of historical fiction. Her Lymond Chronicles are my absolute all time favourite books. They are sophisticated and demandign to read. They inspire a cult following. there are a number of Yahoo groups devoted to a discussion fo the author and her works. They (positively) ruined my life for a good six months and then I had to read them all over again ...

 

I agree! I liked the House of Niccolo series just as much as the Lymond Chronicles. I have just read the Morland Dynasty series by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles which is definitely worth a read. Great for getting your English and European history facts in order. As well as a great historical series, it's a good family saga read too. Learnerplater

 

I love crime novels and have just finished reading David Hewson's Lizards Bite- other good reads by the same author are Season for the Dead, Villa of Mysteries and Sacred Cut. I also like Steve Berry - The Amber Room, Romonov Prophecy etc as you can see I like the yarns with a bit of history woven through them.

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I am a Jane Austen fan, with Pride and Prejudice as my favourite title. I also enjoy reading other author's works which relate to Pride and Prejudice, such as sequels by Linda Berdoll, Mr Darcy Takes a Wife and Darcy & Elizabeth: nights and days at Pemberley, as well Darcy's Diary by Amanda Grange.

 

I am just reading Ian Rankin's Exit Music - DI Rebus is set to retire. I don't know what I'll do if Ian Rankin stops writing Rebus books. They are not just great crime fiction, they also contain the most evocative descriptions of Edinburgh - better than any travel guide. Just reading about the weather and the cold wet winding wynds makes me shiver.

 

Only occasionally do I find a book that so deeply moves me. Suite française by Irène Némirovsky is a book that I have been recommending since I read it last year. The book clubs of two friends have chosen it because of my suggestion, and they have also found Suite française moving and an ideal book for discussion.

 

My favorite comfort series right now is still The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency. Everyone that I've shared it with has gone on to read the others and recommend it to their friends as well.

 

My Favorite book today is "Prodigal Summer" by Barbara Kngsolver. I love the way she twists three stories together into one; the imagery is like a lush forest, which is , in fact, where part of the story takes place.

 

My favorite books are the Repairman Jack series by Francis Paul Wilson.

They are fun and interesting.

 

My favourite books would be any of the Shakespearean works. Classics in every sense of the words. Favourite children's book would have to be ''Charlie and the Chocolate Factory''

 

• I love Drusilla Modjeska's 'The Orchard' and Alex Miller's 'Prochownik's Dream', also books by; Gabriel Garcia Marquez, John Irving, AS Byatt, Margaret Atwood - there are too many good books to have favourites - bibliophile

 

My favourite books are by Dee Henderson, a Christian author. I also like all the Sue Grafton books eg A is for Alibi. And then there's David Eddings. So basically, romance, crime/thriller and fantasy. Ngaio Marsh is a great NZ author for crime too.

Michelle.

 

Crime/fantasy and Harry Potter are my favourites. I have read "Lord of the Rings" many times and enjoyed the movies, (as much for the New Zealand scenery as for the film). Other favourite authors are Ursula Le Guin, Marion Zimmer Bradley and C P Snow (for the slow paced involved English style). Dick Francis is a good author for a rainy Melbourne Cup weekend. - Tricia

For my most recent readings, My vote would go for "the Kite Runner". The author has just come up with a new novel, "A thousand spendid suns", almost as good as th efirst one. Go read them!!

 

My favourite Australian author is Peter Carey and his power with words transports me across time to other epochs and landscapes. He has crafted unforgettable stories such as Oscar and Lucinda, Illywacker and the great Booker prize wininng work, True history of the Kelly Gang.

 

A favourite novel of mine is ''Dirt Music'' by Tim Winton. It is accompanied by a double CD of music (some Blues n Roots music, some classical) the author has chosen especially to reflect the sentiments of the book. It's great. And it's Australian, pure OZ.

 

My favorite novel of all time is ''To Kill a Mockingbird.''My fave children's books are ''The Great Brain''series by Fitzgerald.

 

I have a favorite author, Alice Hoffman, and would recommend anything - 'Ice Queen, Blackbird House, Skylight Confessions...'

 

 

'My favorite alltime 'read for the umpteenth time cause you want to feel good' book is Coming Home by Rosamunde Pilcher. My daughter will be in England to study next year and we're going to visit Cornwall!

 

I agree with the next message, Mistress of the Art of Death was a fabulous historical mystery. I just finished the second book in the Rashi's Daughters series (Miriam) by Maggie Anton, set in Troyes, France in the 11th century, and it was a great sequel to the first book, Joheved.

 

As a girl growing up, some of my favorite books are: Girl of the Limberlost, Anne of Green Gables, Nancy Drew mysteries, Kirstin, and Old Ironsides. My 2 girls have also read the first 2 books. I have original publishings of the first 2 books.

 

One of my recent favorites is Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin it is about a female pathologist in the time of Henry II called in to solve the deaths of some children in Cambridge that are being blamed on the Jews.

 

My all time favourite - didn't want it to end - was Gone With the Wind

 

• In honor of the late and dearly missed Kurt Vonnegut, I'll have to say Breakfast of Champions.

 

The DressmakerIstanbul Intrigues, by Barry Rubin (New York: MacGraw Hill 1989). True life spies where east and west met in World War 2. Just 'cause it's old doesn't mean it is bad. The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley. I have always loved reading the variations of the Arthurian legends and this version is decidedly feminist which makes it dear to my heart. S. HerzogBold Spirit: Helga Estby's Forgotten Walk Across Victorian America by Linda Lawrence Hunt - A recent read of mine that left me awestruck that a family would throw away such rich history. I reviewed it for Readers Club here. -- H. BlowersThe Cluetrain ManifestoThe Bible - the best book ever written! L. TompkinsTheir Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston is one of my all-time favorite books! --KimTo Kill a Mockingbird remains my favorite book of all time. It opened my eyes to the true meaning of "loving your neighbor as you love yourself." Some members of my church and myself agreed to read this over the summer. We are getting together this Wednesday to talk about our experiences. Shelia BThe Berrybender Chronicles by Larry McMurtry-I have just finished listening to the four books in the Berrybender Chronicles. The story follows the family of Lord Albany Berrybender of North Hamptonshire, England, as they travel throughout the American West in the early 1800's. I am not a regular fan of Westerns, but McMurtry's writing is so enjoyable, that I have found myself counting his Lonesome Dove as one of my all-time favorite books. Now I add to that list the Berrybenders. The reader, Henry Strozier, made the books come alive for me. I honestly came to feel that the characters were real people. (In some cases, McMurtry does use real people as characters, e.g. Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie, Kit Carson, and the famous artist of American Indians, George Catlin.) The four titles in the series are: The Sin Killer, The Wandering Hill, By Sorrow's River, and Folly and Glory. The Happy ReaderRUN WITH THE HORSEMEN or THE WHISPER OF THE RIVER and finally WHEN ALL THE WORLD WAS YOUNG. It will make you laugh, cry and rejoice in the written word. Susan CJoey Pigza trilogy he combines humor and compassion in telling the story of a boy with ADDH. You can't help but love Joey. MJEverything Bad is Good by Steven Johnson. If you ever wondered about kids spending so much time watching TV or playing video/computer games this will put your mind at rest. It really is making us smarter. - MKyleJonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, which I am currently reading. I've never been so glad a book had 800 pages. I'd have been done with any other book by now and wishing the author would write another. In this case, I still have 300 pages left to read! It's wonderful, like Jane Austen meets Harry Potter for grown-ups. But better than you're imagining. - JamieEgyptology- This is a great title to introduce someone to journal writing or scrapbooking. - Christie BWThe Wrong Hostage by Elizabeth Lowell, an edge-of-your-set thriller which makes me cancel any ideas I ever had to trave to Mexico! Another good read is Into the Storm** by suzanne Brockmann which has good characters. -E.Novak

• by Rosalie Ham... a quirky, dark novel that is set in rural Victoria, Australia....all about small towns, mysteries and dressmaking!

 

• My favourite book is "Cloud atlas" by David Mitchell a curious exploration of every genre of writing in one book what ever they style you like sciencefiction historical, narrative all there great read but I wanted sometimes to get back to the first style .Try It

 

*One of my favorite books is Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver. It is not like her Bean Trees series or like Poisonwood Bible. This book tells four very different love stories. Kingsolver's descriptions are so lush and her characters so well drawn, it is hard not to enjoy the read.

 

My favorite book is the book I am reading right now. It is called the Last Season by Eric Blehm. It is a true story about a park ranger in the Yosemite area of California who mysteriously disappears.

• My favourite author at this moment is Peter James a British writer, his character is Detective Superintendent Roy Grace along with his team try and solve a very visious murder and try to stop future murders. Interesting enough the theme is about Internet websites.

jane_rover

 

 

• My fav book series is The Tomorrow Series by John Marsden. Even though this is a Teenage series. I am about to start reading Circle of flight, No. 3 in The Ellie Chronicles, the continuation series. I was disappointed to read that Marsden has decided to end the series and this will be the last of Ellie & friends. (Sheena)

 

• Ditto to everything Sheena said about John Marsden's Tomorrow series. They are breathtakingly exciting and some of the most gripping books I've ever read. I was so excited that the third book in The Ellie Chronicles was just released, then I read that it's the last of a trilogy, so now I want to read it but I don't want to read it, coz then it will be over. More please, Mr Marsden! More! (Green_Girl_Graffiti)

 

• Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
• My favorite book is Burnt Sienna - Corpservchick
• The Coldest Winter Ever by Sista Soljah.

 

• My favorite book is Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are. We all have those special books in which we grew up with and have never grown apart from. The storyline, phrasing and illustrations are perfection. The Antiquarian

 

 

• Anything by Taylor Bradford

 

• Some of my favorite books are Watership Down, Salem's Lot, Anything thing by Tolkien, Panter in the Sky, etc. Impossible to list all the books I love!!!!

 

• My favorite is usually the new mystery writer that I've found. I like the mysteries that don't give an up close and personal description of gore. The tea cozies are just wonderful for a relaxing evening. Last Lessons of Summer by Margaret Maron was a good read. I'm also a Madeline L'Engle fiction or nonfiction fan.

 

• My favorite book of all time is the Bible. I have read it 3 times and am in the process of doing so again. Another favorite is Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin. In this century, Donna Andrew's mystery series is a winner.

 

• Hands down it would have to be Milton's Paradise Lost. I wish I could write dialog like that. If you've never read this classic, try it out.

 

• Love Wilbur Smith, have read all his books to date. Makes you want to go to Africa and see the land in real life. Maybe one day???

 

 

• I am reading the Music of Dolphins by Karen Hesse. I thought I would comment on it since someone else seemed to enjoy it. This is definetly and interesting concept for a book. Reminds me a little of __Island of the Blue Dolphions __by Scott O'Dell.
• Of course, I loved the bible. There are a wide range of stories and characters. As well, there are many good ideas for living a good life.

 

• I've just found a delightful "tea cozy" mystery series. It's Cynthia Riggs' Martha's Vineyard books. As the title indicates, the books are all set in the Martha's Vineyard vicinity. The "detective" is 92 year old Victoria Trumbell.

 

• My all-time favorite book (well, so far, that is) is

 

• I have almost finished a book called, "Rashi's Daughters: Book One Joheved" by Maggie Anton, it is a fascinating story about a Jewish family in 11th century Paris. The book reveals historical teachings from the Talmud and how they were interpreted by this one particular family.-- j.m. smith

 

• Favorite Book is "Cold Comfort Farm" by Stella Gibbons. A satire on those crazy old lady in the attic/dark classics such Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights etc. Movie is funny too. Have to like dry British humor. LK

 

• I forgot about this book. It is an absolute hoot. Thanks for reminding me. I think I will recommend it to my book club. Shelia

 

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• - a quick an easy read that demostrates the power of online convesations, just like these. The book started out as a blog :) -- H. Blowers

 

 

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• Cold Moon by Jeffrey Deaver . Another pageturner Lincoln Rhyme thriller involving torture killings. J. Griffin

 

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• Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny. It's like the bible with a plot. Ed M.

 

• The Music of Dolphins by Karen Hesse. I was entranced by this narrative of a feral child who was raised by dolphins, then captured and taken to a research center to be socialized. It is a captivating coming of age metaphor. - P.Shook

 

• A Country Year. Sue Hubbell, a former librarian joined the "back to the land" movement in the 70's and ended up beekeeping in the Missouri Ozarks. This is a wonderful memoir. - R. Held
• A Favorite title of mine is "Dark Assassin" by Anne Perry. It has lots of plot twists and turns. R. Kuehl
• The Kite Runner. My new favorite book. I just finished reading it for my neighborhood book club. - Jersey Librarian

 

• My all time favorite trilogy is by southern writer Ferrol Sams...his books about Porter Osborne Jr are the funniest and most wonderful ever...try

 

• My favorite book is whatever mystery I'm currently reading, especially if it's in a series! I too really enjoyed the Ferrol Sams series noted above. Dr. Sams as one of the few medical doctors for a long time in the Fayetteville, GA area. I grew up near this community and Dr. Sams' patients were surprised and thrilled when he started writing relatively late in life. Relevant Library

 

• The Missing Piece by Shel Silverstein, Power and Glory by Emily Rodda, Yo! Yes? by Chris Raschka, The Sneetches by Suess - this is a great storytime for preschoolers; high energy all the way with many of my favorite titles. One of my all-time favorites is also The Lion, The Witch & the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. The Devil in the White City is a great nonfiction thriller about the Chicago World Fair. The Plot Against America for adult fiction. I need to read a book but I don't have time... Michael Lambert

 

 

• My favorite books are Stalkers, I shudder at your touch and House.- shundra

 

• Sara Guen's Water for Elephants is a recent favorite that I recommend everyone read! Jamie

 

• I just read a really great children's book called Shakespeare's Secret

 

• Some of my favorite children's books are by Jack Gantos. In the

 

• I have so many favorites but if I had to pick one it would be Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. Another of my favorites that came out in 2004 is Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. It's great because it mixes romance, suspense and mystery all into one book. E.Smith

 

• There are lot's of great books I've read, I working on 3 right now. However as far as this exercise goes I think my favorite is:

 

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• Sufficient Grace --This is a book I read in June that fell into the category of "just a plain old good read" which is somewhat unusual for me...seldom do I use that phrase to describe a book I like. It's a first novel by Darnell Arnoult. Beautifully written, but could very easily be made into a fine movie that would fair well with southern moms!

 

• Tough call. Tie maybe, between The Grapes of Wrath (Steinbeck) and Ender's Game (Orson Scott Card). I just keep going back to both of those again and again. - T. Kozak
• Just finished reading

 

I read the Bible almost every day. It was written by men under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It has had an impact in my life. I have read a few books by Francine Rivers. The series "The Mark of the Lion" is great. - Other favorites: Redeeming Love, Leota's Garden, At Home in Harmony by Phillip Gulley. Aura

 

• The Black Company - one of the first fantasy books that tried to break away from the Tolkien-esque good vs. evil plain-jane fantasy. The book follows the adventures of a mercenary company and is told through the viewpoint of the company surgeon, Croaker. Things are dark, gritty and the difference between "good" and "evil" are purely who is currently winning. Its definately worth a read if you don't mind the bleak nature of the book. - J. Stubbs

 

• The enite Star Wars: New Jedi Oder series is fantastic. Specifically, Traitor is the best in the 13 book saga.

 

• I just finished "Cage of Stars". mm

 

• I love Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain. Hip, insightful and funny book about his experiences in the resturant world!

 

• Watership Down is always a great read.

 

• I am a "Harry Potter" fanatic! And then because of that, I love children's fanatasy in general! Carrie

 

• One of My favorite books of all times is "The Bean Trees" by Barbara Kingsolver. At first it seems like it's going to be a general Southern novel, with Taylor itchin' to get out of Kentucky. However, the more you read, the deeper the novel is. Taylor drives across country, finds a daughter along the way, and builds a new family of choice and love. Sarah

 

 

• I absolutely love anything by Helene Hanff and it would be hard for me to pick a favorite from among her books. David Sedaris is another favorite, and if I had to pick a favorite of his it would probably be Me Talk Pretty One Day. One of my favorite books is Not Wanted on the Voyage, which I first read for a Canadian fiction class in university. ~ Lesley (aka BiblioChick)

 

I don't have many favorite books--but I have many favorite authors. I like John Lescroart, John Sandford, Thomas Perry, Lee Child, Elizabeth George, Vince Flynn, Jack Higgins...you can probably see where this is going http://bookpicksbysheila.blogspot.com/

 

• My favorite book is the Alchemist by Paulo Coelho...the whole story is so simply written that anyone can relate to it.

 

• I love "The Good Earth" by Pearl Buck. I was excited to find out that it is the first book in a trilogy, so I had two more great reads!

 

• For those of you who are not children's people, but will be someday, my very favorite of all time is Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, which I heard referenced on the radio this past week as Goodbye Moon. I look forward to reciting it to my grandchildren as they fall asleep, as I did to my own.

 

• My favorite is 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff. It's a great story about the correspondence between an American reader and a British bookseller during WWII.

 

• I really like A Confederacy of Dunces and The Shipping News.

 

• My favorite book is also by my favorite author Kate DiCamillo and it is called "The Tale of Despereaux". Lisa R.

 

• My favorite book is "Montana Sky" by Nora Roberts. My second favorite book is "A Piece of Cake" by Cupcake Brown. This book will surely encourage you to be successful in life. This is a book for everyone.-Sassy

 

*Harry Potter.....Any title. I can't get enough of him.

 

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• Today my favorite book is Some Things that I never Thought I'd do by Pearl Cleage. You MUST try her.

 

• Well, I was going to say my favorite book is anything by the Bronte Sisters. But I can't help but notice that at least a couple of "PB-ers" have listed Helene Hanff as a favorite, so I must chime in. She's one of my favorite writers and I recently purchased a copy of her book "Apple of my eye." It's about New York but I haven't had a chance to read it yet. Two other writers I like: Susan Allen Toth and Barbara Holland.

 

• I guess I'll be the boring one and say that I like a lot of non-fiction books. My favorite right now is I Know What You're Thinking. I don't remember who wrote it off the top of my head, but it had a lot of interesting stuff on unspoken communication. So if you're lying...

 

• My favorite all time book is "The Diary of Anne Frank". I read it in 7th grade but never really understood how emotional and traumatic the book was until I re-read it as an adult.

 

• Ditto to R. Held's favorite: A Country Year. Way, way more accessable than Annie Dillard, Sue Hubbell has a remarkable gift for homing in on and describing the natural world in a way that inspires joy and reverance.

 

*A book not for the faint of heart but for the lovers of L-O-V-E, "Their Eyes Were Watching God", Zora Neale Hurston. Simply Lovely!

 

• Julie and Julia: 365 days, 524 recipes, 1 tiny apartment kitchen, Julie Powell. So vastly entertaining on every level! Loved the food, JP's writing, and her outrageous personality.Pillars of the earth by Ken Follett. The Art of the Engine Driver'' by Steven Carroll, set in Malbourne (Glenroy) and using a real story of a train accident to create a suspenseful and thoughtful drama, all based in one night (with flashbacks) as the town sets off to an important party. Give it a go!

 

Books by children's authors: Wilder, Voigt, Whalen Turner. Teen author: Zusak. Adult authors: Austen, Bronte, Lee, Janet Gleeson. Just for fun: Joan Hess, Evanovich, Tamar Myers.

 

Any books by Laurell K Hamilton, J.R Ward, Keri Arthur. Basically any Paranormal authors I love to read.

 

 

My favourite book is \"I Capture the Castle\" by Dodie Smith. It was written in the fifties (I think) and has recently been made into a not too bad film. It is in diary form and is written by a 17 year old girl who lives in semi-poverty in an old castle

 

Keeping with the season, the very best horror novel ever written is the original Bram Stoker's Dracula. Stephen King's, Salem's Lot, is a close second. I read King's book many years ago, & made the mistake of reading it alone, at night!!! ko

 

It is hard to pick just one favourite but one of them would have to be Fiesta by Hemmingway. I read this book whilst travelling through Spain and will always associate the book with my travels. Beautiful writting, characters and sense of location.

 

Moby Dick has to be one of my all-time favourite books.....unbelievable language, epic narrative and yet extraordinarily personal and humane. Fantastic!

"

It's difficult for me to choose my favourite book - I have so many and each I love for a different reason. "Wind in the Willows" will always be especially loved because it was the first book my dad shared with me when I was eight. I like books with a strong female character, such as "Chocolat" by Joanne Harris and the "Black Swan" by Mercedes Lackey - but then I also like the Harry Potter series as well as anything by Terry Pratchett. I guess I'm spoiled for choice, but I am certainly not complaining!

 

Hi my favourite book is The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks which by the way was made into a movie, but the movie is no way as good as the book. It's a book about a love that lasts a life time. A true love story which the author wrote about his wife's grandparents. It will make you laugh, feel good inside and cry like there was no tomorrow. So go ahead give it a read. Ciao Noorjahan

 

My favourite sf book is A Civil Campaign by Lois McMaster Bujold. My husband and I read chunks of it out loud to each other; LMB also wrote my favourite fantasy which is The Curse of Chalion. I wasn't sure how she'd go writing fantasy. Oh ye of little faith. And what is it that sets this books apart from countless others? It FINISHES!!!!! Yes, there are two others that follow on but each book is a complete story in itself, something other fantasy writers should consider. My favourite Georgette Heyer is The Corinthian because I love Freddy, and the bit where he explains to his father how they've all been diddled because the Elgin Marbles are broken and don't have any heads is just priceless.

 

 

"One of my favourite books which I enjoyed reading was A great drama unfolding and coz the book is thick, you know you will be entertained for hours. I know there is the sequel out now."

 

I generally don't read much fiction, but when I need to escape the world, get some solace -- I head for anything by Charles de Lint. He's far more than an author of urban fantasy -- he's a master of contemporary mythology and characterisation. In his Newford series and individual novelas and novelas, he explores the conflicts and blurred boundaries between our consentual reality and the world of faerie. He draws on First Nations and Celtic mythology, weaving them into the fabric of modern otherwordlyness. Additionally, as a traditional musician, he draws many themes from the world of folk music.

 

I read mainly fiction, on the grounds that too much reality is bad for you. I particularly enjoy historical fiction, and, as has been said earlier, the late Dorothy Dunnett was a brilliant exponent of this genre.I loved the House of Niccolo series, and King Hereafter - the novel that introduced me to Dunnett's work. When I'm not reading historical fiction, I enjoy history, so it goes without saying that my historical fiction must be well researched. As well as history, I enjoy detective fiction and whodunnits, but please, no true crime!

 

 

Pride & Prejudice Jane Austen

 

I first read this book for yr12 English and have loved it ever since. I particularly, the lively and witty discussion between characters. This really brings the story alive for the reader. I've read the book and seen many versions of the movie since. Love the fashion and elegance of this period in history. For other authors of this period Charles Dickens, Charlotte & Emily Bronte make great reads.

 

Raylee

 

I just finished Learning Joy from Dogs Without Collars, a Memoir by Lauralee Summer. On its most basic level, this memoir is the story of a girl who went from "Homeless to Harvard." Of course, the story is not that simple. Link to more information about the memoir. http://www.dce.harvard.edu/pubs/alum/2003/13.html

 

Truman Peabody.

 

I just finished reading the sequel to Trainspotting which is called Porno and written by Irvine Welsh. This was a pretty good book I must say, but one thing did bug me. I don't know who has seen the movie Trainspotting but some of the characters have very thick scottish acccents. So much so that is is very hard to understand what they are saying. Well when some of the characters speak, it is written just how they would be saying it. If you get past that though its actually not bad. It is set 10 years after Trainspotting.

 

I like to read anything by Bill Bryson. I enjoy his practical viewpoint and the way he will point out the ridiculousness of human behaviour. He is also very funny.

 

 

 

I have just finished reading The thirteenth tale which is a book about twins, being a twin myself I found very interesting. It made me wonder if the author herself was a twin!!!

 

 

**Around the World in Eighty Days

• a Jules Verne classic that always holds my interest!

 

I have many favourites, but always like to suggest

 

One of my favourite authors is Haruki Murakami, whose book "The wind-up bird chronicle" is one of my all time favourites. Like many of his books it would be hard to give an outline of the plot but I love the way he blends the strange and everyday.

 

I've been catering to my inner child over the past 2 weeks and have been re-reading The Bagthorpe Saga by Helen Cresswell.  The first in the series is "Ordinary Jack" where you are introduced to the Bagthorpe family which contains a manic father, agony aunt mother (who is also a local magistrate), a manipulative grandmother, a selectively deaf grandfather, 3 siblings with many strings to their bows, Daisy (words cannot describe her impact), Uncle Parker and Aunt Celia, along with Jack and Zero (the dog).  While the books are aimed at children, I must admit to laughing out loud at some sections as the improbable and fast moving saga unfolds.  There are 10 books in the series, give them a go.

 

 

There are so many books I love, I've learned to think "favorite of the moment" instead of permanent favorites. Right at this moment, I'm remembering a book which will always have a special place in my heart; The Hot Jazz Trio by William Kotzwinkle. There are a number of lovely, surrealist tales in the book, but the best of them all is "Django Reinhardt Plays the Blues". It is a stunning display of his skill at creating unique images full of mystery and beauty, and along with "Blues on the Nile" is one of my very favorite stories ever written. Unfortunately, it's a bit hard to find.

 

I've long said that my favorite books are two "blue" books--The Blue Castle, by LM Montgomery, and The Blue Sword, by Robin McKinley.  Now I'd like to add The Goose Girl, by Shannon Hale, and Enchantress from the Stars, by Sylvia Engdahl

 

 

I have just finished the book "Marshmallows for Breakfast" by Dorothy Koomson and thoroughly enjoyed it. It is quite an emotional book but it struck a chord with me.

 

My favourite books are:

• His Dark Materials (trilogy) by Philip Pullman
• The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
• the "Sandman" graphic novels by Neil Gaiman
• the Dune series by Frank Herbert

- Michael L.

 

Just discovered an author - Cecilia Ahern

Loved the books she has written so far, hope for more.

Best known for 'P. S. I LOVE YOU' which has just been released as a film with Hilary Swank.

 

I like a good engrossing story like - Cloudstreet by Tim Winton - great Australian drama within 2 families living in one house, and Scapegallows by Carol Birch - (Historic novel) very real characters of many walks of life. - Noelle

 

I actually enjoy reading children's books, especially the Newbery Award winners.  Helen, Connecticut.

 

My favourite books are: 1. The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien (Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers and The Return of the King)

                                      2. The "Cross" series by James Patterson (If you like thrillers- you will love James Pattersons books!)

-Michael D.

 

The books I would take on a desert island:

 

East of Eden , by John Steinbeck.  If you fall into despair and feel you are doomed by your genetics, upbringing, or past experience....lear the meaning of Temschel.

 

The Prince of Tides, by Pat Conroy. My second all time favorite. Laugh and cry on the same page, get immersed in the evocative quality of his writing.

 

 She Walks These Hills , by Sharyn McCrumb.  In case you start forgetting things a lot! Also, to enjoy her ability to set you in time and place and get your mind of your desert isle.

 

The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World, by Michael Pollan.  To change your paradigm for the natural world around you.

 

The Mistress of Spices: A Novel , by Chitra Divakaruni.  To remind you of home and magic.

 

I have a very hard time with "All Time Favorite" books, but I am loving the book I am reading right now.  It is called The Perfect Scent by Chandler Burr.  It is all about perfume and the creation of the perfect scent.

 

 

I'm in the middle of rereading Cranford for the first time in many years. I'm watching the DVD of the BBC series Cranford which was shown in the UK last year. I couldn't wait for the ABC to show it so I bought my own copy. The series is based on three short novels by Elizabeth Gaskell- Cranford, My Lady Ludlow and Dr Harrison's Confessions. When I read the classics, I sometimes wonder why I read any modern fiction at all. They did it so much better in the 19th century.

- Lyn

 

Harry Potter is one the best books ever...even though it is over there is still so much mystery surrounding it.  I have never been moved by another book as much as this one. 

 

I've read so many great books that it is hard to choose just a few, but some recent favorites are:

 

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

The Princess Bride by William Goldman

The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham

Stardust by Neil Gaiman

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

The Riddle Master triology by Patricia McKillip

 

- Mary A.

 

For those of you who like non-fic., Wild Swans by Jung Chang is a good read  -SAW

 

I have so many it is almost impossible to pick but I will try:

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Nightwatch by Terry Pratchett

Memories of Ice by Steven Erikson

It by Stephen King

Lightning by Dean Koontz

Watership Down by Richard Adams

 - Sian

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