During my childhood:
- A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle--- This book was my favorite and most important book of my childhood. I read it over and over and used it repeatedly for reports, etc.
- The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis--- This series rocked my world as a child. All of the symbolism, creativity, and wonderful characters opened my brain to a whole new world. I still love this series and reread it often.
- Where the Red Fern Grows by Rawles--- I went through a phase where I only read animal stories. This was my favorite and it still holds a special place in my heart. I can cry just thinking about it.
- Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns--- This is the book that brought me back to reading after a long hiatus. It was after reading this book that I helped form a book club and started reading great literature.
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen--- Though I have read many classics, this remains my favorite and it reminds me why great literature is important in my life. It is still one of my all-time favorite books and I reread it every few years.
- Pigs in Heaven by Barbara Kingsolver--- This was my first Kingsolver book (read out of order) and my introduction to a favorite author. All of her books speak to my better self.
Audiobooks that are especially delightful:
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, read by Roses Pritchard. I didn't read this book as a child. This audiobook was my introduction to this classic. It remains my favorite book and favorite audiobook of all times.
- Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince by J.K. Rowling, read by Jim Dale. If you haven't listened to a book read by Jim Dale, you are missing one of the highlights of life. My family listened to this audiobook when we took the favorite family car-trip vacation. We were all enraptured by it.
- The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie, read by the author. This semi-autobiographical story is both funny and poignant. The experience was heightened by Alexie's unique reading.
- Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese--- This is my favorite book of 2011. I liked EVERYTHING about it.
- The Giver by Lois Lowry--- I finally read this classic piece of children's lit. Now I know what all the fuss is about.
- The Help by Kathryn Stockett--- I think this book is very transformational. I want to encourage everyone to read it.
- Looking for Alaska by John Green--- I am a John Green fan, so I like everything this author writes. But if I can talk students into reading his books, it seems to change the way they look at literature, too. His books are all excellent. Looking for Alaska was his first book.
- The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak--- This historical fiction is so well-written, it just blows readers away.
- Going Bovine by Libba Bray--- Funny, symbolic, and poignant. This book represents the best of the best of recent YA lit.
- Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling--- these books have done more for children's/YA literature than any other series, ever!
- Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer--- a whole new genre was spawned by this series, Paranormal Romance. Many, many students found the joy of reading because of this series and have continued reading after finishing it.
- The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins--- just when it seemed that reading was going to slip back into an unpopular past-time along came the Hunger Games. Kids love it and now can't get enough of Dystopian lit.
What books are you especially thankful for?
*TGIF followers, forgive me for not following the question of the day. I wanted to express my thankfulness this week for books, so I actually am answering last week's question now.