my book list

I like books so very much. I like words when they crouch before you and make you trip over them, when they make you stop and love them. I like verbs when they are quiet surprises.

I like stories.

I like to learn, and I like when others do too.

So here is a list of books I have thoughts about. You can use this to decide your next library checkout or your next half.com purchase. You can argue with me when you disagree.

TRUTH

Holy Bible by GOD -- Best book you could ever read. The Word of LIFE. This is the only Book I know of that declares itself to be LIVING and ACTIVE.

Children's Lit/Young Adult Lit

I love books written for kids and for teens! I love it when authors don't "write down" in children's books. When I am frustrated with other literature, a lovely YA book will probably make me happy.

Go Ask Alice by Anonymous -- A startling true diary of an innocent young girl who gets drawn into a world of drugs. Such a sad story. The part I love most is the scene with the baby kittens. It made me cry.

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbit -- Ten-year-old Winnie meets Tuck and his family, and she learns their secret about a fountain of youth. GREAT book. Pay attention to the toad in the book; his role is way cooler in the book than in the movie.

The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown -- The "runaway" bunny's mother tells him the extent she would go to be with him. Larry Medcalfe introduced me to this book when he read it during a devotion about how God pursues us. Read this book with that in mind.

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett -- I seem to remember liking the pictures in this book before I actually read it. What a great book! Mary goes to stay at Misselthwaite Manor after her parents die; on the Yorkshire Moors she meets Dickon and Colin and discovers a secret garden that has been locked up for years.

The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney -- One day at lunch, Janie looks at a picture of a "missing child" on a milk carton, and it's HER. Janie goes on a scary search to discover the truth of her past. Memorable phrase: "The kiss was long. And serious. Serious like my hair, thought Janie."

The Girl Who Invented Romance by Caroline B. Cooney -- Kelly creates a board game called Romance for a class at school, and in the process of creating the game, learns a lot about romance and love and the difference between them. Read this book if just for the main guy character Will. Sigh.

I am the Cheese by Robert Cormier -- This book alternates chapters between the story of Adam Farmer going on a bike journey and the dictation from tapes from some type of therapy. Two stories or one?

Love That Dog by Sharon Creech -- Written from the perspective of a young boy named Jack who does NOT like poetry but finds himself exposed to it by his teacher, and the more he reads and writes it, the more he grows to love it. I think younger readers would find this book interesting especially because of its poetry-style look.

Old Yeller by Fred Gipson -- Classic about Travis and his dog. Sacrifice and growing up. A must-read.

Other Shepards by Adele Griffin -- Holland and Geneva live haunted by the ideas of their three older siblings who died before they were born.

Ordinary People by Judith Guest -- "He mimicked her soft soprano." Great book. GREAT book. Teenager Conrad is depressed and suicidal from a tormented memory of his brother's death. This book is about his family, their suffering, grieving, and healing processes. Definitely read this one.

Daphne's Book by Mary Downing Hahn -- Daphne and Jessica are paired up in school to write and illustrate a book together for a project. Although Jessica absolutely does NOT want to work with weird Daphne, once they start on the project, they quickly become friends. When Jessica discovers Daphne's big secret, will their new friendship last?

Wait Til Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn -- This was probably the first "horror" book I ever read. I can even remember where this book was located in the Kimball Elementary School library! The narrator's new step-sister befriends a ghost named Helen. For a young mind, this book had one of THE most terrifying scenes I'd ever read.

Kissing Doorknobs by Terry Spencer Hesser -- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: if you don't have it, you don't get it. But if you read this book, you'll get a better glimpse into that world. Please. Read it.

The Tale of Three Trees retold by Angela Elwell Hunt -- A lovely story of three trees who dream of great things and then ARE used for great things ... but not the way you'd think.

The Arizona Kid by Ron Koertge -- Sixteen-year-old Billy spends a summer with his gay uncle. No, I'm not supporting homosexuality, but I did like this book.

A Ring of Endless Light by Madeleine L'Engel -- One book of a series of four about Vicky Austin's family. This is a story about Vicky's summer on an island with a great boy named Adam whom she helps with his experiments with dolphins. A mostly good book with some weird stuff in it, some evolution-type theory is kinda pushed, but I liked the book. L'Engel is a Christian, although ... a strange one.

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engel -- Meg Murray, her brother Charles Wallace, and this other boy Calvin "tesser" to another planet to find Mr. Murray and fight evil. L'Engel references Scripture in this book, but there's also a weird section that mentions Buddha and Ghandi.

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis -- AMAZING. Seven wonderful books that center around the land of Narnia. I recommend you read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe first, then go back to The Magician's Nephew, then The Horse and His Boy, Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Silver Chair, and The Last Battle. These books are wonderful for anyone to read but will have special meaning to those with the eyes of a believer. You will recognize the parallels between the Gospel and the story. Particular favorite segments: Aslan's comments to Susan and Lucy, the serenity of the final scene in Dawn Treader, the final scene in The Last Battle. These books are incredible. I wish I could write as Lewis does.

The Hunky-Dory Dairy by Anne Lindbergh -- Zannah travels through time to a 19th-century utopian dairy farm while she is dealing with problems in real-time life.

The Giver by Lois Lowry -- Jonas lives in what appears to be a utopian society, until he is appointed the new Receiver of the village and begins to hear the horrible truth of the community. Intrigue will keep you turning pages!

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle Series by Betty MacDonald -- Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle is a fantastic woman who lives in an upside-down house (because she had always wanted one when she was a kid) and supplies the mothers of her neighborhood with "cures" for their different problem children: Bath-Haters, Answer-Backers, Never-Want-To-Go-To-Bedders.

Winnie-the-Pooh Books by A.A. Milne -- The adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends Christopher Robin, Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore, etc. Such lovely simplicity.

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery -- MY FAVORITE BOOK! Anne is a wonderful, creative, hilarious redhead who is adopted by a brother and sister whose lives are radically changed by her presence. Anne has a great heart but always seems to be getting into some kind of trouble. GREAT stories, wonderful characters, ... and then there's Gilbert. Gilbert Blythe, a girl's dream boy.

Anne of Green Gables series by L.M. Montgomery -- The series gets a separate "entry" from the first book, because the other Anne books are ALSO great. The continued adventures of Anne Shirley ... book number three Anne of the Island is my next favorite. Oh Anne. Oh Gilbert.

Z for Zachariah by Robert O'Brien -- The world has been devasted by nuclear war, but for some reason, the radiation hasn't affected Ann's valley. She wonders if she is the only person left alive in the world until Mr. Loomis shows up in his "safe-suit." A chilling book.

Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell -- 12-year-old Karana lives alone on an island for 18 years. I think in 4th grade I did a presentation on this book AND created a paper slideshow (remember, it was pre-Power Point) on this book. A Newberry Award winner.

Bridge to Terabithia by Kathleen Patterson -- Run, do not walk, to your nearest bookstore and purchase this book. I endorse it that much. Although it has questionable theology, this book about a boy named Jess and his friendship with a girl named Leslie is FANTASTIC. Have kleenex ready.

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin -- Great book! So intricately woven! The story of Sam Westing's fortune, and the crazy game he orchestrated to determine those who would stand to inherit it.

Summer of the Monkeys by Wilson Rawls --

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls -- TEARS! I wonder if this is the first book that made me cry ... it just might have been. The story of Billy and his hunting dogs, the beloved Old Dan and Little Ann. A TERRIFIC book.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson -- A fantastic and funny story about a horrible family of dirty, mean, rotten children who insist on being a part of a church's Christmas pageant, what ensues, and what they teach the others. Quick and good read.

For Your Eyes Only by Joanne Rocklin -- For younger readers. Two 6th-graders' English class journal entries that allow the reader to learn more about their lives and to see how they are growing in their appreciation of poetry.

Holes by Louis Sachar -- Stanley Yelnats gets sent to a juvenile detention camp (Camp Green Lake) where the boys are forced to dig to "build character" -- there's an interesting back story to it, and all ends are tied up. Go read!

Small Steps by Louis Sachar -- Armpit, one of the boys from Camp Green Lake, is back home in Texas, where no one expects much out of him. Another boy from Camp Green Lake gets Armpit involved in a get-rich-quick scheme, despite Armpit's hesitations. Mix into that a meeting with a young, beautiful pop singer, and you have the book Small Steps. Loved this book!

There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom by Louis Sachar -- Bradley is a 5th-grade troublemaker and Carla is the new school counselor. I seem to remember loving Carla's character and how she handled Bradly when I read this book.

Baby Sister by Marilyn Sachs -- I loved this book in junior high! Penny has always adored her beautiful older sister Cass; when Cass goes away to college, Penny finally starts realizing who she is. Awww! Thinking about this book makes me want to go read it right now!

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! by Jon Scieszka -- We read this book in elementary school, and I thought it was so great -- then we got to write our OWN stories using this one as a model -- great project! It's the story of the 3 little pigs but told from the "innocent" Wolf's perspective. Love it!

Amazing Grace by Megan Shull -- Grace "Ace" Kincaid is a tennis superstar with millions of dollars of endorsements but she WANTS OUT. She gets a "make-under" and moves temporarily to hide from the media backlash -- to Medicine Hat, Alaska, population 813 ("including one cute boy: one very cute boy," says the book flap).

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak -- Classic! Max is sent to bed without supper and imagines sailing away to the land of the Wild Things, where he is their king.

Oh, the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss -- What a fantastic book! For years, I read this book to my cabin girls at Pine Haven. It's such a good commentary on life, in poetic, Dr. Seuss style. "And will you succeed? Yes, you will, indeed! 98 and three-fourths percent guaranteed! Kid, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!"

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein -- Another book I take with me to camp! Boy loves tree, and tree loves boy. Tree sacrifices for boy. An interesting picture of sacrificial love.

Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein -- Fantastic book of poems for children. These poems are funny and wonderful, and there are illustrations to go with them!

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli -- Oh wow. SUCH good writing. Go read this one. Even if you didn't like Maniac Magee, read Stargirl. I read it and was wowed. Stargirl is the main character, and she is so different, it's crazy, and there's a little love story in there.

Wonder by Rachel Vail -- Loved this one in junior high! Jessica (nicknamed "Wonder") is tormented by a clique of girls called SCANTA, one of whom used to be her best friend. This is her story of how she survived her first year of junior high. GREAT BOOK. She refers to the boy she likes as "Orange Crush" because of his red hair, and there is a wonderful little scene with a belt loop that I'm thinking about now ... Oh! Love this book!

Shots on Goal by Rich Wallace -- Bones deals with being on the same soccer team with his best friend Joey along with his resentment for Joey, as Bones likes Joey's girlfriend. I like Rich Wallace's writing style and interesting interjections. Wrestling Sturbridge was the better of Wallace's two books I've read, but I liked them both.

Wrestling Sturbridge by Rich Wallace -- Since Ben wrestles at the same weight class as his outstanding wrestler best friend, he is forced to sit the bench. As his senior year season comes toward its close, he decides he must challenge his friend. Loved this book! Another one I want to pull off my shelf right now!

The Green Book by Jill Paton Walsh -- I need to check on this one again, but I believe it is from the perspective of a young girl whose family has just left Earth after a nuclear war destroyed it. Quick but interesting!

Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White -- Louis is a trumpeter swan with no voice! He learns to play the trumpet to communicate his love to Serena. Great book.

The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams -- Classic story of how a child's love can make a toy real.

The Pigman by Paul Zindel -- LOVE THIS BOOK! Lorraine and John are best friends who each have problems with their parents; they randomly meet Mr. Pignati, and he teaches them much about life. The Pigman is a really, really good read. This is a book that I read pre- AND post-college.

The Pigman's Legacy by Paul Zindel -- The continued adventure of John and Lorraine.

Fiction

I love storytelling! Intriguing plotlines, characters you love or hate, beautiful imagery ... the wonderful world of fiction. ENJOY.

Persuasion by Jane Austen -- I am not a huge fan of "manners" books, and Persuasion took me awhile to get into, but by the end of the book, I liked it. It had won me over. The Sandra Bullock/Keanu Reeves movie The Lake House talks about this book and says it's about waiting. And it is. 8 years of waiting for Anne and Captain Wentworth, who were once engaged, are currently not, and in the future may be.

The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle -- I think Kevin bought me this book for Christmas 2005; I wanted it since I have a weird fascination with the animated movie of this book. I love the movie (just watched it this week, in fact!), but this BOOK is FANTASTIC! So interesting and such lovely writing! Oh the writing is wonderful. Listen to the first paragraph: "The unicorn lived in a lilac wood, and she lived all alone. She was very old, though she did not know it, and she was no longer the careless color of sea foam, but rather the color of snow falling on a moonlit night. But her eyes were still clear and unwearied, and she still moved like a shadow on the sea." YES. The unicorn discovers that she is the last one left in the world, that the others have been driven to the sea by the Red Bull of King Haggard, and she sets off with a magician and a spinster to find the truth and rescue the others. I'm not a huge fantasy genre fan, but this is a TOP BOOK ON MY LIST.

The Line Between by Peter S. Beagle -- A variety of excellent fantasy stories by Beagle, but BEST: a short sequel to The Last Unicorn! I was sooooo excited, and I wasn't disappointed. I am such a nerd that my thought while enjoying the story's characters once again was, "It's good to be with them again."

The Secrets of the Simple Youth Ministry by Carl A. Blunt -- An allegory about a young youth minister who is struggling with the ministry and a wise mentor who walks him through a plan. This book was fantastic, and I recommend it to ANYONE who works with teenagers. It is a good reminder of the importance of Scripture, and it includes wonderful advice in an easy-to-swallow story format.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury -- So interesting! A classic about the future when the job of "firemen" is to burn books. One of the firemen realizes how wrong this is, and this is his story. GO. READ.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte -- When I think of "soap opera" books, I think of The Great Gatsby and Wuthering Heights. PASSION runs rampant through this book about an orphan boy who falls in love with a rich girl. The outcomes affect even the next generation. A must-read, and NOT a traditional "manners book" as you might expect when you see the last name Bronte.

The Emperor of Ocean Park by Stephen L. Carter -- Although this is not my typical genre, this book pulled me in and kept me turning the pages. Talcott Garland is a law professor whose father (the controversial Oliver Garland, who was once considered for a Supreme Court seat, but denied the seat because of scandal) dies suddenly. Talcott's sister believes their father was actually murdered, and Talcott gets pulled deeper into the secret world of his father as he attempts to find out the truth.

The Awakening by Kate Chopin -- I love this book! This is the story of Edna Pontellier's awakening and her pursuit of love outside of her marriage. NO, I'm not condoning adultery. Sigh. Do I have to keep putting my disclaimers on this list?

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier -- The title refers to the first Mrs. de Winter, who has passed away. The new Mrs. de Winter -- the book's narrator -- is haunted by her husband's first wife as their home seems like a shrine to her. She wants her husband's heart but feels he is still in love with Rebecca. There is a fantastic twist to this "sort-of-horror" book. Also: du Maurier uses the image "fat laugh" -- "fat laugh"!! I love it.

Peace Like a River by Leif Enger -- FANTASTIC book! I. LOVE. THIS. BOOK. This is another book that I kind of avoided -- I think because of its title. But I heard wonderful things about it and finally picked it up. And now I am enamored with it. A family goes on a search for one of its members that has broken out of jail. The characters in this book are phenomenal. Reuben is the boy whose perspective we get. His sister Swede is a hilarious spitfire who writes epic poetry. Davy is the troubled brother/runaway convict. But the best character of the book is their father, a devout believer whose character gives us an amazing picture of what a RELATIONSHIP with the Lord looks like. A MUST-READ BOOK.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald -- Can anyone here say SOAP OPERA? Gatsby is well written and SO INTERESTING. Fitzgerald did a very good job with this one ... a classic. Jay Gatsby throws extravagant parties and crazy for a married woman named Daisy whose husband is having an affair. All these adults misbehaving. Tsk tsk. But I still recommend this book, and may the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckelberg watch over you.

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame -- The adventures of Mole, Ratty, Badger, and Todd. My favorite scene in this book is when they are sailing around Pan's island, and they say:
"Are you afraid?" whispered Mole to Rat in the presence of the Vision.
"Afraid! Of Him? O, never, never! And yet -- and yet -- O, Mole, I am afraid."
What an excellent way to think of the fear of the Lord, eh?

Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne -- The story of Hester Prynne, forced to wear a red letter A -- the sign of an adulteress -- on her chest, and how she endures it and even thrives despite the scorn. An interesting look at guilt and a classic.

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo -- I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!! (Yes, five exclamation marks!) Although I have only read the abridged version (about 500 or so pages), it was remarkable, fantastic, passionate, well-written, intriguing. The story of Jean Valjean, an ex-criminal, who is pardoned by a priest but on the run from a relentless officer, and Cosette, the young orphan he adopts as his own. Also featuring horrendous characters such as the Thenardier family members, passionate Maurice, and young Gavroche. Fantastic book. There is a scene where Valjean is being threatened if he does not reveal where Cosette is, and Valjean calmly takes a heated rod and places it on his flesh, burning him badly. It was to say: you cannot do a thing to me to get me to deliver up Cosette, and I thought it was a phenomenal and powerful scene. Oh good, good book!

Hinds' Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard -- This book is a Christian allegory, the story of crippled Much-Afraid's journey toward healing and the Shepherd. She learns many lessons and must continually lay down her will. The writing is a bit ... expected ... and even corny at times, but the book still made me cry and, taken as a whole, is a lovely story of trusting in Christ Jesus.
Blue Shoe by Anne Lamott -- Maddie Ryder is a recently divorced wreck whose father has died. When she discovers a small, blue rubber shoe that belonged to him, it sparks a search for the truth about her father. Not my favorite of Lamott's books, but her writing is still worthwhile.

Hard Laughter by Anne Lamott -- Jen's father is diagnosed with a brain tumor, sending her and her family into an emotional wake. A quirky, funny, and well-written novel that -- I believe -- is based very strongly on Lamott's real experience with her family.

The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis -- A fictional book of letters from a veteran demon named Screwtape to his nephew Wormwood, a younger demon. An interesting concept, and Lewis said it was SUCH a hard book to write.

Out of the Silent Planet by C.S. Lewis -- The first book in Lewis' space trilogy. The story of Dr. Ransom's travel to and experience on the planet Malacalndra. Not just a zap-the-bad-guys space book ... it's really interesting because Malacandra has three different species on it who do not fight with one another. As one should expect from Lewis' books, it will make you think.

Perelandra by C.S. Lewis -- Book two of the space trilogy, and OH MY GOODNESS, this book is CRAZY DENSE. It takes a giant leap from the first book, and this one made my head SPIN. Dr. Ransom goes to a different planet -- Perelandra -- which is basically like the pre-Fall Garden of Eden. There is an Eve-type character there (the Green Lady) and also a "devil-like" character. The Un-man and Ransom almost play the role of good and bad "angels on the shoulders" with the Green Lady ... lots of dialogue between the two. It was probably one of the best books I read within the last year, but WOW, it makes you think. I don't necessarily agree with the theology Lewis presents (but I guess I don't necessarily DISagree either!), but this book is AMAZING. Go read it NOW. (By the way, this book and Till We Have Faces are the two books that Lewis considers his best, although he more often cites TWHF as his best.)

That Hiddeous Strength by C.S. Lewis -- The final book of the space trilogy was very hard for me to get into. I tried reading it more than once but kept putting it down until finally a prospective student from Oklahoma convinced me that it would be worth it. I picked it up and began reading again ... then I consumed it. He was right! It is SO INTERESTING once you dive in! I think the problem is that Dr. Ransom (the main character of the first two books) does not appear in this book until partway through. READ IT, friends! Definitely worthwhile. In this book, the National Institute of Coordinated Experiments (N.I.C.E.) is -- basically -- beginning to take over the world with horrendous morals and force. It's fairly terrifying the way that evil can sometimes look so progressive and fine; but then again, Satan masquerades as an angel of light. This is the story of the N.I.C.E. and Dr. Ransom's small group that opposes it.

Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis -- Orual is the ugly princess and her sister Psyche is the beautiful one. Orual loves Psyche so much that it is ... destructive? I don't know if that's the right word. This book is worth the whole read if just for the last part of it. It's a good story, but I don't sense the real "WOW, C.S. LEWIS, WOW" until the last part. Which IS WOW. A good book to have read.

Spring Moon by Bette Bao Lord -- "The Chinese Gone With the Wind" -- I'm not sure if the book is acclaimed that way or if that's what my professor called it or both. Spring Moon's story from being a young girl and throughout her life. An interesting look at Chinese history through fictional eyes of a Chinese woman. Definitely worthwhile.

Life of Pi by Yann Martel -- If you can overlook the confused entanglement of religions in this book, you will enjoy it. The story of Pi Patel, a teenager from India, who survives 227 days on a lifeboat with a 450-pound Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. Soooo interesting! And I definitely bought a tiger stuffed animal afterward and have my own Richard Parker now.

The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien -- A collection of stories about soldiers in the Vietnam War and their pasts. It's a really interesting compilation of somewhat interrelated short stories. Pretty rough language, but I highly recommend!

Animal Farm by George Orwell -- A great satire on totalitarianism as the animals of the farm decide to take over.

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath -- Almost Plath's autobiography, in fictional form. Esther Greenwood, a talented young writer, spirals into depression. This book is both funny and sad, and knowing that it is true adds a new dimension to it. Highly recommend.

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling -- I can't help it! I LOVE THESE BOOKS!!!! I wasn't sure what to think about them at first (before reading them); as a Christian, the word "witchcraft" doesn't exactly sound warm and comforting to me. My friend Megs loaned me the first book YEARS ago ... and it sat on my shelf for years. My friend Anna told me that I HAD to read them, so (with prayer) I took Megs' book off my bookcase ... and read it in a weekend. What a page-turner! I love the adventure; I love the characters. I repeat: I LOVE the characters. I ended up reading all seven books in under two months. My favorite books of the series are probably Half-Blood Prince and Goblet of Fire, although I really liked the ending of Deathly Hallows. I definitely cried multiple times in this series. And here's the clincher: I cried the day after I finished because I MISSED THE CHARACTERS. I am out of control.

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger -- Now here we have a book that I am not quite sure what to say about. Holden Caufield's adventures in the city before he goes home to tell his family that he has been kicked out of school. (I think I'm remembering this right.) When the book ended, I seemed to have thought, "That's IT?! It's over?!" which doesn't seem like a GOOD reaction, but somehow I still think ... it's ... a good ... book. I think. Horrid language. Good writing. I ... don't know what else to say about this one.

Love Story by Erich Segal -- "What can you say about a twenty-five-year-old girl who died?" That is the first line of this book. Hooked yet? I read this book in one night. It is what the title says: a love story.

Oliver's Story by Erich Segal -- 2 years after Jenny's death, Oliver is still grieving; can he fall in love again? I didn't know that I would like this book: who wants a sequel to a love story (literally)? Yet ... I did. It seemed realistic. I especially like the ending.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith -- Francie Nolan's coming-of-age. Well done.

Cannery Row by John Steinbeck -- Another character-driven novel of Steinbeck's. The vagrant men who hang out on Cannery Row. One might go so far as to say this book has no plot ... but I liked the characters and I still liked the book.

East of Eden by John Steinbeck -- Two books have made me horrified at the sight of evil. A scene from Perelandra and the character of Cathy from East of Eden. This is a riveting book that pulled me in headfirst. The story unfolds in the Salinas Valley of California and depicts the rivalry of Cain and Abel: Adam Trask's sons Cal and Aron. A GREAT read.

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck -- Oh, this book. When I was buying a different Steinbeck book at Barnes and Noble, the person at the checkout said The Grapes of Wrath was his best, and I was inwardly ashamed that I hadn't read it. So -- I bought it. This book ... at first I didn't like it. Let's just say that typically, if a book doesn't hold my interest or I don't like it, I'll put it down. This book I didn't necessarily like but I plodded through it nevertheless, and ... somewhere along the way to California with the Joad family ... I began to love them. Although this is not my favorite Steinbeck book, he certainly does have a way with creating characters. In the end, I do give this book my endorsement.

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck -- The story of George and Lennie, two migrant workers, George acting as a father-figure to strong but simple-minded Lennie. Interesting ending.

The Pearl by John Steinbeck -- Kino, a poor Mexican pearl fisher, finds a magnificent pearl which seems to promise prosperity for his family and health for his son -- interesting commentary on the "American dream." It seems that a lot of people DISLIKE this book, but I approve of it. In its simplicity, it tells a powerful message about temptation and greed.

To a God Unknown by John Steinbeck -- Joseph Wayne's attachment to the California land he is homesteading is strong -- incredibly strong. I don't know what it IS about Steinbeck! I am pleased with and disappointed by his books, and I am saddened by but endorse them! This is another of those. I guess I just have to accept that Steinbeck's strength is in his characters, and if I read his book, I will fall in love with them, and then the plot doesn't matter so much. Sigh. I liked this one too but don't quite know what to say about it.

Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe -- I didn't read this book until college; I had perhaps an misconstrued idea in my head of what it would be. It was, in fact, wonderful. About slavery's cruelties, yes, but it's bigger than that. The character of little Eva was beautiful, and she made me cry. This is a classic, and Abraham Lincoln told Stowe that her book was a catalyst for the Civil War, and it was more than I expected it to be. If you've been avoiding this book, stop. Go read it and love it.

Exodus by Leon Uris -- I remember Mrs. Grams talking about this book when in my high school Creative Writing class; I read it that summer ... and the next ... and the next. FANTASTIC storytelling of the plight of the Jewish nation, centering around the present story of an American nurse and an Israeli freedom fighter. Such an intriguing tale of the Jewish nation, with strong, passionate fictional characters swirled into the mix. Great book.

The Lamb and the Fuhrer by Ravi Zacharias -- Zacharias creates a conversation between Jesus and Adolf Hitler.

The Lotus and the Cross by Ravi Zacharias -- A book wherein Zacharias creates a conversation between Buddha and Jesus as they discuss what they can offer to a girl named Priya. I read this book in one night, LOVE the ending.

Sense and Sensuality by Ravi Zacharias -- Zacharias creates a conversation between Jesus and Oscar Wilde, a writer known for his pursuit of pleasure.

Non-Fiction

There is so much to learn and know. Biographies of fascinating lives, advice from saints and scholars, truth in a variety of formats.

The Rhetoric and the Poetics of Aristotle -- We read from this book for my Writing Theory & Ethics course, and I remember being so intrigued with the art of persuasion. Interesting! Take a look.

Confessions by Saint Augustine -- Augustine's journey to faith and his thoughts on many topics. Very interesting book! I appreciate Augustine's honesty and thoroughness. Struggle through the old-school language, folks! This one is definitely worthwhile!

Life on the Edge by Dr. James Dobson -- I taught senior high girls Sunday school from this book one summer. A terrific book of life advice for teenagers by a wonderful man.

Boy Meets Girl by Joshua Harris -- A book about courtship, worthwhile for Chapter 11 which asks 10 questions; it was this chapter that sparked the end of several relationships I know of. In fact, I think when Tracy started dating Bryan, I told her to read Chapter 11 and see if they survived that. :-) They did. :-)

Transformed into Fire by Judith Hougen -- Judy is my college mentor and a strong woman; this book is her contribution to the Christian community with encouragement to live life in the TRUE self, not performing for the approval of others, but resting in our belovedness as the bride of Christ. Great book!

A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis -- Written after the death of his wife Joy, this book is a valuable collection of thoughts on death and faith. If I'm remembering right, I read this book in one night. Very worthwhile.

Letters to Children by C.S. Lewis -- A delightful collection of letters from Jack Lewis to children on a variety of topics. Fun for Lewis fans.

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis -- Lewis' popular book of Christian apologetics, his VERY rational defense of the faith. I especially love the first part of the book in which Lewis takes concepts and explains them so clearly that the READER feels smart!

Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis -- Lewis' autobiography, the story of his journey to faith in Jesus. Interesting for a Lewis fan to read (although not one of my favorites of his).

Traveling Light by Max Lucado -- Lucado takes apart the comforting 23rd Psalm in an effort to encourage readers to lay down their burdens.

When God Writes Your Love Story by Eric and Leslie Ludy -- YES! A practical book about dating. The Ludys don't make you feel like a dirty sinner if you want to hold a boy's hand! Brice Hemmer once gave a speech and said that he thought this book should be required reading for anyone before dating, so I thought, Sigh. I guess I'd better read it, and I did, and it was fantastic.

Fish Out of Water by Abby Nye -- Abby is a Christian student at a secular college. This is what she faced and how she survived. I want my campers to read this and see just how important Christian education is -- and how muffled sin and evil can seem in certain environments. Good read. Great for teens who are deciding between a Christian or secular college -- and also for any Christian student who decides on a secular school.

Traveling Light by Eugene Peterson -- I've said before that, after the Bible, this was the second most impactful book I've ever read. Peterson, the translator of The Message version of Scripture, examines the book of Galatians and writes a lovely book on freedom in Christ. After reading this book, I felt more liberated than I had in quite a long time. PLEASE read this book. Please.

TrueFaced by Thrall, McNichol, and Lynch -- GREAT BOOK. GREAT. BOOK. READ THIS BOOK. I sat down with it at Northwestern Bookstore and almost cried right then and there. The idea is this: if our main motivation is to please God, we will always fall short, but if our motivation is to trust God, that is pleasing to Him. If I enter the Room of Grace and start living out of Who God Says I Am, I can experience freedom. I repeat: READ THIS BOOK.

Can Man Live Without God? by Ravi Zacharias -- Apologetics unlike you've experienced before. Ravi almost goes backward and says, "Ok, if God is not real, is life worth living?" INTELLECTUAL arguments. Oh, I love Ravi.

Walking from East to West by Ravi Zacharias -- Ravi's autobiography. His journey to Jesus Christ and from India to America is interesting, and God's call on his life is amazing. One part of this book made me weep.

Books by Writers

But Jackie, aren't ALL these books by writers? I say: some. Some are written by experts.

These books are those that I've deemed are written by true writers (not just experts in their fields) for the sake of writing. There are many books on my list that could fall into multiple categories (for example, Hougen is a true writer, yet her book is under Non-Fiction; Buechner's memoirs are here, yet I've listed many autobiographies elsewhere; my poets and many of my favorite fiction writers are The Real Deal); please let me know if you think any books are misplaced.

These lovely books on this list are by WRITERS. Some of you will GET IT, and some of you will not. It's ok either way.

Peculiar Treasures by Frederick Buechner -- Witty profiles of over 125 biblical characters.

Telling Secrets by Frederick Buechner -- Buechner's memoirs in which are woven his thoughts on secrets and sharing them and how our secrets are all rather alike.

Wishful Thinking by Frederick Buechner -- Witty definitions of "Christian" words.

For the Time Being by Annie Dillard -- How can I even explain how beautiful the writing in this book is? I'm sure there's funky theology in here (and definite departure from Christianity), but strictly speaking to her writing prowess: brilliant. "I saw a beached red dory. I could take the red dory, row out to the guy, and say: Sir. You have found a place where the sky dips close." GORGEOUS.

Teaching a Stone to Talk by Annie Dillard -- Dillard does it again with another lovely collection of stories. My favorite scene from this book is one where she vividly describes a full eclipse: masterfully done!

The Writing Life by Annie Dillard -- I didn't feel that this book gave me tons of practical advice on writing ... but it made me want to write. That's definitely something, eh? Even when I don't know what Dillard is writing about, it is still typically beautiful. This is the first book I read by her, and after that, I was hooked.

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott -- Lamott's hilarious take on the writing life and how to approach it. Lamott is hilarious, and this was the first of her books that I'd ever read. I definitely did not stop there.

Grace (Eventually) by Anne Lamott -- Her third book of thoughts on faith, and while I didn't think it lived up to Traveling Mercies, Lamott fans won't be able to resist the temptation of another collection of her stories.

Operating Instructions by Anne Lamott -- A book about raising Sam! Her son is now something like 17 years old, and it's bizarre how you can watch him grow through her books. When I pick up a Lamott book, Sam usually enters in at some point and I stand in shock at how he's grown, wanting to reach through the pages and tweak his cheek and smack him into shape.

Plan B by Anne Lamott -- The second book of thoughts on faith. Well done. Still can't beat Traveling Mercies.

Rosie by Anne Lamott

Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott -- FABULOUS. Go read this book. Lamott has a very quirky Christianity and a lingering confusion over God's gender, but the book as a whole is fabulous. One of my top ten? I LOVE LOVE LOVE Lamott's conversion story. (Although it is possibly the only one I've ever heard where someone curses and accepts Christ in the same breath!)

Walking on Water by Madeleine L'Engel -- Definitely worthwhile for Christian writers to read, although since reading it, I've regarded L'Engel as a bit odd. RIP with Jesus, Madeleine.

Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller -- EXCELLENT BOOK. Don't bother with the library for this one; just buy your own copy to have and to hold.

Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller -- I love Donald Miller, and I'll say it again: I LOVE DONALD MILLER!!!! Another dynamite book of practical Christian insight and lots of hilarity. I orginally purchased Blue Like Jazz because the book said Miller was like the male version of Anne Lamott. I can definitely see it. Although I think his head is screwed on straighter.

Through Painted Deserts by Donald Miller -- The chronicles of Don's journey from Texas to Oregon with his friend Paul: the many adventures and the lessons he learned. Slower start but still worthwhile. Be sure to have a box of Raisin Bran ready and available while reading this.

To Own a Dragon by Donald Miller -- Don's thoughts on growing up as a boy without a father. I avoided this one for awhile, as I am a) a girl who b) grew up with a father. But finally, my love for Don Miller was too great to avoid the purchase any longer. I bought it and read it and enjoyed it ... and I learned from it too. Very worthwhile, regardless of your background. And once again, Miller's a riot.

Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris

Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris

A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf -- I wrote my whole NWC research writing paper about this book. It was called Discrediting Woolf and something like "Fallacies in A Room of One's Own." I didn't like this book when I read it my senior year of high school. I still didn't like it in college. I don't know if I'd like it if I read it TODAY, but I have come to a better understanding of what Woolf says about women writers and their needs: an "incandescent mind" and a room of one's own.

Poetry

Ahhh, poetry! Delicious writing. These are some favorites, Collins for his wonderful subject matter and wonderful imagery, cummings for his sheer imagination and buck-the-system attitude, Raab for approaching metaphysical topics with confidence and gusto. Lovely, lovely poetry.

The Art of Drowning by Billy Collins -- "But if something does flash before your eyes/as you go under, it will probably be a fish,a quick blur of curved silver darting away,/having nothing to do with your life or your death./The tide will take you, or the lake will accept it all/as you sink toward the weedy disarray of the bottom,/leaving behind what you have already forgotten,/the surface, now overrun with the high travel of clouds."

Nine Horses by Billy Collins -- Go read everything Collins has written.

Questions about Angels by Billy Collins -- Excellent. Love the title poem. LOVE IT.

She sways like a branch in the wind, her beautiful
eyes closed, and the tall thin bassist leans over
to glance at his watch because she has been dancing
forever, and now it is very late, even for musicians.

Sailing Alone Around the Room by Billy Collins -- Brilliant collection of old and new poems.

The Trouble with Poetry by Billy Collins -- I repeat: go read everything Collins has written. Why are you still at your computer?

Selected Poems by e.e. cummings -- The king of avant-garde. I remember discovering cummings ... 11th grade creative writing class ... the bottom of a handout had only the beginning of a cummings poem, but I was so intrigued that I looked it up in the school library later on: "electric fur." And I was hooked. Check this out:

we are for each other:then
laugh,leaning back in my arms
for life's not a paragraph

And death i think is no parenthesis

The Singer Trilogy by Calvin Miller -- Fabulous, brilliant writing. Although I have some theological scrupples with this mythic re-telling of the New Testament, it is a book you MUST read as a literature-loving Christian. BRILLIANT, I SAY.

The Probable World by Lawrence Raab -- I love this guy.

What We Don't Know About Each Other by Lawrence Raab -- I still remember Kimmi Lambright showing me this old library book she'd gotten for free or cheap. I liked it so much I bought my own copy and more of Raab's work too!

I was afraid,
she tells him. And in the morning
I also knew it was you, but I just
answered the phone
the way anyone
answers a phone when it starts to ring,
not thinking you have a choice.

The Green Earth by Luci Shaw -- You want Christian poetry that's not too cheesy or watered-down? Try Shaw on for size. Check this out:

Mary's Song
Blue homespun and the bend of my breast
keep warm this small hot naked star
fallen to my arms. (Rest...
you who have had so far to come.)
Now nearness satisfies
the body of God sweetly. Quiet he lies
whose vigor hurled a universe. He sleeps
whose eyelids have not closed before.
His breath (so light it seems
no breath at all) once ruffled the dark deeps
to sprout a world. Charmed by doves' voices,
the whisper of straw, he dreams,
hearing no music from his other spheres.
Breath, mouth, ears, eyes
he is curtailed who overflowed all skies,
all years. Older than eternity, now he
is new. Now native to earth as I am, nailed
to my poor planet, caught
that I might be free, blind in my womb
to know my darkness ended,
brought to this birth for me to be new-born,
and for him to see me mended
I must see him torn.

Jackie says: I'm sold. :-)

Listen to the Green by Luci Shaw -- Ditto kiddo.

Books NOT Recommended

Yes, I have a few. Feel free to argue these with me.


Tripping: An Anthology of True-Life Psychedelic Adventures by Charles Hayes -- I thought this book would be rather intriguing and full of colorful images, but as I read it in a South Dakota motel room, I felt it was almost evil. I thought about selling it online but didn't want to pass it along. I threw it in the garbage there at the Best Western.

Main Street by Sinclair Lewis -- This book is about a young woman named Carol who decides to change the town of Gopher Prairie, MN (based on Sauk Centre, MN), for the better ... and never really succeeds. When I was done with this book (which we read for class my junior year of high school), I felt angry with Lewis and actually read Oh, the Places You'll Go! to my classmates to combat the negative message from the book. I have not revisited it since; I wonder if I would think differently now, 7 and a half years later.