I have been an avid reader since I was knee high to a stack of library books. I was the nerdy kid who looked forward to the summer reading program every year. I methodically checked the boxes on the little score sheet after completing each chapter book. My eye was firmly on the prize. A personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut.
For me, the rewards of reading have only increased with age. Seems impossible given the early years of pizza prize, right? Italian pie aside, the current opportunity to have a readily available, lightweight object that provides escapism, confidence boosting, new focus or stretched perspective is highly appealing. In a day and age where media/social media removes our need to be creative or imaginative, it’s a nice change to exercise our brains a bit. We have the ability to decide for ourselves exactly how a character looks, just how thick his Irish brogue rolls out or what the body language looks like during a tense scene.
If nothing else, you might zone out and forget the Fortnite noise droning on in the background. That would be reward enough for me.
I was going to throw out a Facebook post requesting my friends to share their favorite read. Of their entire life. Ever. I hesitated for two reasons:
- The pressure some might feel to list something highly intellectual because others are watching the responses via FB. “I found Sun Tzu On The Art of War to be the most enlightening little read. Only took me ten minutes.” I never actually read this book so perhaps many of you feel exactly this way. However, I feel many of us would simply throw it out in an attempt to redirect the focus from our actual love of third grade Choose Your Own Adventure Books. I want total transparency and for each of you to feel comfortable answering with “I loved Charlie and the Chocolate Factory because my dream life would be falling face first into a chocolate river” if this is how you feel in your heart of hearts. Whether you are pro Sun Tzu or pro Charlie, I’m dying for your authentic book suggestions.
- I have a hard time retrieving old information on social media. I’m also lazy. Having the responses on the blog will allow me to reference this list FOREVER! Or atleast until the internet hacker people totally shut down the world wide web.
All that being said, think back over all the reads you’ve ever read. Which one sticks out? What book made you laugh the hardest? Which plot line left you on the edge of your seat? Which book compelled you to read until 2 AM because you couldn’t put it down? Which book left you wrecked for days because you were so tragically impacted by the outcome?
I’ll go first. When I look back over my reading history, two books immediately come to mind. Bridge to Terabithia
forced strongly encouraged my oldest child to read it last year. He seemed to enjoy it but didn’t cry until his head hurt, which I really think is a prerequisite to reading this book.
A Prayer for Owen Meany
There you have it. The two titles that pop into my head first when I think of books that moved me. Since then, there have been countless other titles that resonated on some level. Books I wouldn’t say I necessarily loved, such as The Goldfinch
In no particular order, here are several others I enjoyed along the way:
The Nightingale: A Novel
Love Does
Everybody, Always
Present Over Perfect
The Glass Castle: A Memoir
Restless
What Alice Forgot
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
Now, it’s your turn to share your favorite life reads. Throw your suggestions in the comments, tag your reader friends in this post and dig deep to share the book that changed your view on the world in fourth grade or your forties. We want to hear them all!
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A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN by Betty Smith
THE ALICE NETWORK by Kate Quinn
THE GREAT ALONE by Kristin Hannah
I have so many!
Thank you, Marta! I will add all three to my list. I have been meaning to read the first for years. Thanks for putting it on my radar. I loved Nightingale….will be excited to read The Great Alone.
Love reading your blog. 🙂
People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
Our 50 State Border Crisis by Howard Buffet (one of Warren’s sons, philanthropist, I learned a lot)
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
I find I read more non-fiction as I get older. 🙂
Thank you for reading, Jane! And for the suggestions. One of my goals this year is to read less fiction so I sure appreciate the suggestions!!
I read Jane Eyre in high school and loved it. I read Wherr the area Fern Grows with my students and cried my eyes out. I can’t remember the name of the book off the top of my head, but the story of Louis Zamperini. I think I spelled it correctly. I believe Angelina Jolie made it into a movie.
Yes, Beth!!!! Unbroken! I’ve heard fantastic things and news to add it to my list. I have never read Where the Red Fern Grows and feel a little guilty since it’s such a childhood rite of passage type book, it seems. 😬. Going on my list! Thank you!
I recently read When Life Gives You LuLulemons. Not going to change your world, but it will make you laugh!
I think laughing may indeed change the world so you’re one step ahead, Satty!!!!! Thanks for the rec. Hope you and your two cuties are staying warm and well. ❤️
I haven’t finished a single book in this post! Last year my goal was 50, and I squeezed in the last one in on New Year’s Eve. My favorite genre is literary fiction, but I’m a sucker for a good self-help book.
I’ll have to add these to my list!
My favorites here are from my adult reading life. If people are either character-driven or plot-driven, I’m definitely the latter. Also, historical fiction is my jam.
Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier (all-time favorite forever and always)
Bear Town by Frederik Backman (I love ALL his books)
Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon (I read this in college about the time I met my husband. Poor Ryan.)
11/22/63 by Stephen King (This was not a gory Stephen King)
Rising Strong by Brene Brown (all hers are good)
Tell Me More and Glitter and Glue by Kelly Corrigan (essay collections that made me laugh and cry – read just last year. Loved loved loved.)
Oh my goodness this is my favorite topic. We should start a book club. Are you in one? I’ve always wanted to be.
Oh, you speak to my heart. I’d say def plot over character, as well!
Love Brene Brown although one of them (maybe Braving Wilderness?) was a mental grind for me. Likely because I knew I desperately needed the content and poured over it sllloooooowwwwwly.
I’ve always wondered about Cold Mountain. I tried so hard last year to steer away from anything that would bring me completely down because I totally take it out on Matt 😂. Sad Emily is not fun.
Love your suggestions! Can’t wait to compile everything for everyone!
Book club seems like a fabulous idea! Live is better for connection but something online might be fun for people across the land?!
Hahaha I realized I typed “latter” and meant “former” — i prefer character-driven books over plot-driven, but having both is always better!!
I do NOT recommend Cold Mountain if you’re opposed to sobbing, being morose for weeks, and occasionally bursting into tears randomly for months after. 🙂
A Confederacy of Dunces for certain. Laughed until I cried. Cried because it reminds us of our human frailty.
Trinity by Leon Uris. Conor Larkin is a character I will never forget. It’s a wonderful book about Ireland and its political problems.
A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle. Changed my life.
The Shift, Dr. Wayne Dyer. I cried all the way through it. Read to out loud to Dan on our way to Texas to visit Holly. Soul stirring.
These are just a few of the bazillion books I have read in my lifetime. I was like you. Lived at the library. Thanks for this post.
Donna, thank you for sharing these! I love seeing titles I would’ve otherwise never known about! I’m anxious to compile everyone’s into a list. So many soul stirring reads to share, so little time!
I hope you and Dan are well!
I always enjoy reading your posts but Girl…now you’ve really got me! I love sharing books with Book Lovers! And boy! my list is growing from all the suggestions here. Here are a few of mine: first & always To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. I’ve read it multiple times & love it every time! Second absolute favorite author is Charles Martin…I love each & everyone of his books and HIGHLY recommend them all! Recently I find I am picking up a lot of Lisa Wingate books & especially liked Before We were Yours and The Story Keeper Series. There is a series of books by Leisha Kelley starting with Julia’s Hope that is wonderful. Francine Rivers latest, The Masterpiece is very good. For some reason I really enjoy C J Box novels–Joe Picket, Wyoming Game Warden…usually murder mysteries. I learned a lot from the William R Forstchen’s One Second After series about how to survive after nuclear attack on the USA. (Terry Blackstock has a similar series titled Restoration Series starting with Last Light.) I could go on & on but that would be obnoxious! And if you start a book club count me in please!!!
These are fantastic suggestions! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I kept a running list of my books in 2018 and wish I had done that for my entire life. So many excellent reads that I have now forgotten about. I love that you were able to recall so many.
I think the book club must happen!
Oh I LOVED Before We Were Yours, so I’ll be checking out Lisa Wingate’s other that you’ve suggested here!
Present over Perfect
One Beautiful Dream by Jennifer Fulwiler ❤️
I really enjoyed Present over Perfect! Thank you for the recommendation of One Beautiful Dream!
There are two books that come to mind immediately:
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte–I first read this in early high school, again in my late twenties, again around age 40, then ordered for my AP class in my mid-50s since we had to incorporate a British Victorian novel and I like gothic books over the brilliant light and humor of Jane Austen.
The last year of Bryan’s life I read one book and it was my guide and helped me make wiser decisions and cope with the stress of illness and death of my spouse–Being Mortal by Atul Gawande. It is the only book I have purchased for several people in similar circumstances. I highly recommend it if you have aging parents, questions about the practicalities related to end of life issues or like to be prepared for one of the most profound journeys in life and hope to avoid mistakes to screw it all up.
For sheer laughter I loved A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson and Kick Me: Adventures in Adolescence by Paul Feig. The latter is the only book I had stolen off my shelf because the rumor of its humor permeated the classroom.
Thank you so much for sharing these. I was eyeing Being Mortal on Audible a few months ago. Thank you for the push to download it. (I’m a diehard paper book gal but I’ve found Audible is great for the road. 😉) I am so glad to hear there was something that proved helpful or practical during such a tremendously hard time. Death and dying cannot be avoided yet there seems to be little shared in the way of how to cope. Thank you ❤️
I am embarrassed to say I’ve never read Wuthering Heights or Jane Eyre. So much to read. Adding them to the list. Your suggestions hold extra clout, of course 😉. I hope the book thief at least found the read to be funny.
The Great Alone is a recent fave!! I ❤️ reading, keeps me sane!
This has been suggested several times! Can’t wait to read it. I loved Nightingale.
Last comment – I promise! My favorite book-related podcast is What Should I Read Next with Anne Bogel (Modern Mrs. Darcy). She is spot on with her recommendations, and she has her own virtual book club. I’m a MMD book club dropout but may give it another shot this year.
FYI I am your fathers age. Met your parents on recent SE Asia cruise.
Enjoyed talking to your mother. She gave me this website and I got around to looking it up this morning. I love it. We had three boys. I am not a reader and have also reached the age I love to enjoy life and laugh. You young people need to change the world, I am too old. I loved James Herriot, Erma Bombeck and Lewis Grizzard books. You remind me of Erma. Entertainment doesn’t have to be filthy. On the other end of the spectrum is “Why Bad Things Happen to Good People” by Rabbi Harold Kushner.
Oh, Dewey, what a pleasure to hear from you! Mom told me all about her new friends and you topped the list. It sounds like she ‘sold you’ on my blog 😂. Mothers are always mothers, right?!
I so appreciate you calling me young because I find myself facing down my own kids hoping they too will be the ones to change the world!
I couldn’t agree more with your thoughts on entertainment. I can’t tell you how many movies or shows we have watched where it feels like they throw in obscenities just to make a really great show edgy. Sad.
I love Erma! Thank you for the kind association. I have heard about Rabbi Kushner’s book for years and need to add it to my list. It’s a tough question even for those with the heartiest of faith.
Wishing you a comfortable ease back into your time zone! Thanks for reaching out, Dewey!
Oh, Dewey, what a pleasure to hear from you! Mom told me all about her new friends and you topped the list. It sounds like she sold you on my blog 😂. She’s a great promoter! Mothers are always mothers, right?!
I so appreciate you calling me young because I find myself facing down my own kids hoping they too will be the ones to change the world!
I couldn’t agree more with your thoughts on entertainment. There seem to be so many movies that are just perfect but they throw in a string of expletives just to keep things edgy. So sad. I love Erma and so appreciate the kind association you made.
I’ve heard of Rabbi Kushner’s Book for years and need to read it. Those with even the heartiest of faith grapple with that question when faced with tragedy. I know I did.
Wishing you well as you adjust to your time zone. Thank you for reaching out and thank you so much for reading!