You asked… (Part 5)
Today I’m answering Emil’s question. What is my favorite book of all time?
Sounds reasonably simple. My favorite book is XYZ. The End.
But of course I’m going to make it more complicated and share a few of my favorite books and authors.
Books have always been a big part of my life. Both my parents are avid readers and my sister and I grew up with a love of books. If you want your kids to read (and who doesn’t?), you’ll have to set an example. Whenever I enter a strange house I always feel right at home if there are lots of books. When you love reading you are never bored and you will have great general knowledge.
I read for both knowledge and pleasure and my interests vary quite a bit. I have lots of books on natural health and fertility. I have self-help and motivational books. And of course I treasure my favorite stories.
So, what is my favorite (story) book of all time?
A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY - John Irving
This book has it all. It is extremely funny, very poignant, full of symbolism and covers a wide variety of issues about growing up. Owen Meany is the most memorable literary character that I have ever come across. It’s one of those books that you either love or hate. And I love it! I must have read it about 8 times by now and I feel I’ll probably read it again soon.
My second favorite book is also from John Irving. The Cider House Rules was made into a crappy movie starring Charlize Theron and Toby Maguire, but the book is simply wonderful. I’m not so enthusiastic about John Irving’s more recent work, but I’ll never part with these two books.
Tom Clancy is another favorite author, particularly his Jack Ryan novels. They are so well-written and researched and I find myself unable to put one down once I start reading. One day I hope to own them all and read them in sequence.
I love crime thrillers and find Michael Connelly to be a master of this genre.
My favorite spy thriller is Robert Ludlum’s The Bourne Identity. I first read it about 20 years ago and was disappointed that the movie was so different from the book. I recently gave Craig a copy for his birthday and promptly read it myself.
For sheer fun and entertainment (like on a beach vacation) nothing beats Jilly Cooper’s sex-and-high-jinx novels Riders, Polo and the rest of the series. She has a wicked sense of humor and I am always entertained.
I have always had a huge fascination with the Race to the Moon and have read many books about that era. My favorite is Jim Lovell’s Apollo 13.
This list would be incomplete without Milan Kundera’s The Unbearable Lightness of Being. I first read it in French, but loved it in English too.
A lot of the books that I like have been turned into movies but without fail the books are better!
I must admit that I’m not a huge fan of the classics. I read them in school and at university. That was enough for me.
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I would like to mention two non-fiction authors here.
I’ve talked about John Robbins before. Reading his work is like taking the Red Pill (like in The Matrix). Your world will never be the same again. And that’s a good thing!
If you are struggling with infertility, you simply have to read Julia Indichova’s Inconceivable. It’s not a how-to-get-pregnant book. It’s a journey towards yourself and your fertility. Deeply moving and very inspirational. And it may just get you pregnant… (like my friend Terri).
There are so many more, but we’ll leave it at that. My book is calling!
What about you? Have you read any of these? What is your favorite book?
hanlie on May 15th 2008 in By The Way...
Mrs. Who responded on 15 May 2008 at 4:53 pm #
I could NEVER choose just one book - there are way too many fabulous ones out there and more being written every day. I do like some of the ones you mention (I also read “The Bourne Identity” and the movie was such a disappointment!) but also love Janet Evanovich, all the shopoholic books, Clive Cussler, Dean Koontz - as you can tell, my taste if pretty diverse!
Netjane responded on 15 May 2008 at 5:04 pm #
I loved “The World according to Garp” and really like John Irving - wasn’t crazy about the last one I read: “Until I find you”. Have not read “A prayer for Owen Meany” only because I’ve never come across it in any second hand shop, maybe the owners don’t want to part with it!
I think you’ll like this post - all about books!
http://randomburblings.wordpress.com/2008/05/15/speaking-of-a-man-of-one-book/
Netjanes last blog post..Doen dit self!
Tigerlilly responded on 15 May 2008 at 5:05 pm #
My absolute favorite book is Ahab’s Wife by Sena Naslund… a real treasure!
Tigerlillys last blog post..Day 41 P90X
Netjane responded on 15 May 2008 at 5:09 pm #
Oh! If you like John Irving, try Wally Lamb - I’ve read two of his books and LOVED them both.
Netjanes last blog post..Doen dit self!
hanlie responded on 15 May 2008 at 5:33 pm #
Oh, and I forgot to mention “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” series by Douglas Adams, another long time favorite.
Mrs Who: Welcome! I also went through a Dean Koontz phase a few years ago, but haven’t read any of his books lately. Clive Cussler is definitely on my list of authors I must still get to.
Netjane: I’ll definitely try Wally Lamb. We’re going to have to buy a book or two for our upcoming long journey…
Tigerlilly: I’ll keep an eye out for that one!
Tell me more!
BigGirl responded on 15 May 2008 at 6:02 pm #
I totally heart books. There’s so many I love and for different reasons, but here’s three which I remember being transported by.
The Ginger Tree by Oswald Wynd
Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner
Jayber Crow by Wendell Barry
If you decide to pick them up, I hope you enjoy.
BigGirls last blog post..Misery Loves Company?
WVSooner responded on 15 May 2008 at 8:01 pm #
I have an entire book case holding my collection of astronaut autobiographies (Mercury through Apollo programs only). Except most of mine are signed by the authors including, but not limited to - Jim Lovell, Michael Collins, Alan Shephard, John Glenn, Deke Slayton, etc. Plus Chuck Yeager.
And I knew I liked Hanlie - Hitchhikers and Clive Cussler are fantastic.
WVSooners last blog post..Scale Whore II - WVSooner and the Quest for 14 Stones… my favorite snack idea… getting my car back… a guaranteed way to kill your career…
chanda responded on 15 May 2008 at 8:19 pm #
Oh my God I love love love John Iriving! And yes, A Prayer for Owen Meany is one of his best. Though I have to say, out of all his books, “The Water Method Man” is my favorite.
If you ever get a chance to read any Tom Robbins novels, he is also a good read.
chandas last blog post..Dirt Therapy
Netjane responded on 15 May 2008 at 8:52 pm #
@ Chanda - you are the very first person, apart from my partner, who I’ve ever heard mentioning Tom Robbins. Yay for you!
Netjanes last blog post..Waar is die dae?
Sue at eLuckypacket responded on 15 May 2008 at 9:59 pm #
“Midnight’s Children” by Salman Rushdie … or just about any book by Rushdie to be honest. Big fan.
Sue at eLuckypackets last blog post..Why She Moved to Australia
Pamela responded on 16 May 2008 at 9:18 am #
I enjoy Ken Follett - Pillars of the Earth. I read it first time quite a few years ago and have re-read it a number of times since.
My tastes are quite diverse though and I also enjoyed Trainspotting. I think I like different books at different times.
Pillars of the Earth - I was living in England
Trainspotting - I was living in Scotland
The Beach - I had just been to Thailand.
hanlie responded on 16 May 2008 at 10:44 am #
I’ve never read Tom Robbins or Salman Rushdie, but I love Ken Follett!
Michelle responded on 17 May 2008 at 8:40 am #
Thanks for sharing your books. I am not a huge fan of fiction books. I only read a few a year. Most of my bookshelf is filled with non fiction books.
Michelles last blog post..Beginning of Gratitude
Emil responded on 22 May 2008 at 1:22 pm #
Late as usual - sorreeeee!!
It is impossible to list just one book, I think. I guess everyone has a top 10 or top 100 - those who read, that is.
For me a standout book is “The Life of Pi” and now that I have finished it after a few months “Against the Day”. Thomas Pynchon is brilliant, even if I don’t understand most of it.
Emils last blog post..Here we go again - Mbeki calls in troops!