Reading List

Since it's Bookish Tuesday I thought I'd share with you some books that I love.  You know the ones that get hung up in your brain and stay with you forever, or at least for years?

1.  On The Road - Jack Kerouac: This is the first book that "changed my life." I read it while I was in high school and I LOVED it.  Rabidly loved it. I reread it a million times and made notes in the margins, etc.  I tried to reread it recently and the grammar/writing style drove me up the wall.  I could not get past the first few pages.  :(  In high school I remember embracing the stream of conscious writing in it......but I guess if you proof read 8 hours a day as your job then it's harder to embrace it.  I read quite a few of his other novels and liked them a lot also (back in the day).

2.  The Winter of Our Discontent - John Steinbeck:  This was another I read in high school (I spent all my free time in the library searching the card catalog for weird books).  Now, Steinbeck is a TIMELESS author.  I've been meaning to re-read some of his books.  (Travels with Charley - hint Charley is a doggy, Log From the Sea of Cortez - I always wanted to be a marine biologist, East of Eden - think family saga).

James Agee

3. A Death in the Family - James Agee:   I remember I stumbled upon this one in high school one night while looking through the encyclopedia (yea...I don't know.....this was before we had a computer).  The picture of the author caught my eye, he looked so interesting.  I must have drawn his portrait in art class because I specifically remember studying this picture.

4. Vampire Chronicles - Anne Rice:  I feel like this is so cliche, but this is another book/series that I read in high school that absolutely blew my mind.  I remember standing in the book aisle in Wal-Mart looking for a new book to read, when a woman also looking suggested I read Interview with a Vampire. I can still remember the way those books smelled.  For me, it was my generation's Twilight except for not as candy ass ;).  I tried to re-read this series a few years ago and I couldn't stomach the flowery writing and seriousness of it all.  :/  I have read other books by Anne Rice since with no problem.  In fact, I am contemplating reading her book The Wolf Gift.

5. Sookie Stackhouse Series - Charlaine Harris:  Yes I know, not really the same caliber as Steinbeck, and it's another vampire series, but I still love Sookie.  :)  This series is quite lighthearted at times.  A lot of tongue-in-cheek humor. This series is a more recent find, as in within the last couple of years. (Google - Eric Northman.  You're welcome.)

6. Lara - Bertrice Small - This is book one of the World of Hetar series.  I really did not want to put this one on the list.  Why? Because it has smutty parts.  Because the author also writes for Harlequin.  However, these books have hung with me since I read them (about a year ago).  They were good.  They were not my usual fare, outer space, fairies, etc...but for some reason I want to re-read them.  I keep wanting to say that they are stuck in my craw, but that just sounds horrifying.  Side note- When I was in high school my aunt gave me a paper grocery bag full of Harlequin romance novels.  I remember sitting beside my window and reading that entire bag of books within a couple of weeks.

Lastly, what am I reading now, right this very second?  I am reading the newest book in the Dulcie O'Neil series, Malice in Wonderland.  It's good, although it hasn't kept me hanging on like the previous books in the series.  It's another paranormal series - although with the humor I appreciate.  The author, H.P. Mallory, has also written another series (Jolie Wilkin series) that is equally as entertaining and somewhat reminiscent of the World of Hetar series.

I hope I didn't bore you to death!  I <3 books, and I love to talk about books.  :)  I have a run planned for this morning so I am sure I will update later with that!

Need hugs...

Apparently today is National Hug a Runner Day....how appropriate.  I need hugs.  I'm still pretty down on myself about the race on Saturday.  It really did a number on my confidence.

I am not running today because I have tons of stuff to do to get caught up this week and get ready for the holiday.  During the time that I would normally be running today I have to go pick up my daughter's class pet because we are keeping it over the holiday......I will post a picture later of this "pet."  

Since today is Bookish Tuesday I wanted to tell you about a book I read recently......

I read On The Island by Tracy Garvis Graves a few months ago.  I picked it up because it was new and it was on the New York Times Bestseller List. 

I think they are also making a movie out of this one right now too.  It was a good read, and at the time I really liked it, but it does have some controversial material.  It's about a teacher/tutor and her pupil that get stranded on a deserted island.  Over the course of a few years the pupil grows up and they fall in love.  It's all on the up and up and legal (lol), i.e.,  the pupil is 18 when they first start their relationship.  At the time I really loved it.....then afterwards I kinda felt cheap and used.  I have this theory that smutty/easy books are like a one night stand.  They are awesome at the time and lots of fun, but then the next day you feel dirty and cheap.  I'm not sure what the distinction is with this one because it's certainly not full of smut....I'm confused. LOL.  Anyhow, I'm not saying it's not a good book, because I did like it!  Basically, if you are looking for an easy read that will suck you in then this is a good choice.  Just don't be surprised if you're doing the walk of shame the next morning.  ;)