THE LIST (of books I want to read) is already so long that I won’t finish them in this life. But did that stop me from attending the Friends of the Houston Public Library book sale on Saturday and buying the following to add to THE LIST, mostly for a dollar apiece?
The Masterharper of Pern by Anne McCaffrey.
The Walking Drum by Louis L’Amour. I became interested in Mr. L’Amour’s westerns and other fiction when I read his autobiography, Education of a Wandering Man.
High Lonesome by Louis L’Amour.
The Children of Green Knowe by L.M. Boston. I read the Green Knowe books a long time ago, but it’s time to re-read. I only remember that I enjoyed them very much as a child.
Standing in the Rainbow by Fannie Flagg. I have a special fondness for Southern fiction, and I loved the movie of Fried Green Tomatoes. So I’m hoping this one will be good.
The Shell Seekers by Rosamund Pilcher. I actually purchased this book at another book sale some time ago, but I haven’t “gotten a round tuit” yet.
Song of the Magdalene by Donna Jo Napoli. I’ve read another book by this YA author and liked it. This one is about Mary Magdalene.
Brothers by Angela Elwyn Hunt. A Bethany House fiction title about Joseph and his brothers.
Mennyms Under Siege by Sylvia Waugh. I’ve heard of this series of children’s books, but I don’t think this one is the first in the series. I may have to check out the first one to read them in order. Anyone know what that is?
Lake Wobegon Days by Garrison Keillor. I’ve been meaning to read this one for a long time. Now that Computer Guru Son has become a Prairie Home Companion fan, I must read Keillor’s book so that I can keep ahead of said son.
Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith.
1984 by George Orwell. Computer Guru Son has also been discussing secret government plots and conspiracies and privacy issues with a relative, so I recommended 1984 to him. So now I need to re-read it. It’s been over twenty years, and all I really remember is the rats and the slogans.
Nothing Like It in the World by Stephen Ambrose. The story of the transcontinental railroad. I thought this book would be good to read in preparation for the AP US history class I’m teaching next year.
The Memory of Old Jack by Wendell Berry. Eldest Daughter has become of a Wendell Berry fan, and I see his name mentioned freely in agrarian circles and blogs. So I thought I should read something of his, even though I’m a city-girl myself.
A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle.
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe.
A Heart-Breaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers. I think this book is another one of those semi-autobiographical novels of questionable truthiness, but I’ve heard it’s good nevertheless. I opened to a random page at the book sale and found more yucky language than I care for on one page, so I may not get through it. We’ll see.
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. Another book I’ve been intending to read and perhaps recommend to Computer Guru Son who likes good science fiction.
The Magnificent Ambersons by Booth Tarkington. Someone whose blog I read read this book recently (this year). Who was it?
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving. Is it really good?
Queen’s Own Fool by Jane Yolen and Robert Harris. A novel of Mary, Queen of Scots. I have a weak spot for Mary, even though she was a sort of weakling, sinful queen herself.
1066 and All That by Sellar and Yeatman. I thought this “memorable history of England, comprising, all the parts you can remember, including on hundred and three good things, five bad kings, and two genuine dates” looked like fun.
Darkness at Noon by Arthur Koestler. Should I know something about this book? I know I’ve heard of it. I have vague impression that it’s about Communism or conservatism or something of the kind.
Yeah, and that doesn’t count the children’s books I bought for the urchins, the science books I bought for Engineer Husband, and the paperback copies of American literature classics that I picked up for my American literature class at co-op next year. Don’t you just love book sales?
PS: Comments on any or all of these books are welcome. Your comments might help me decide what to read first.
We got *Walking Drum* and several other Louis L’Amour at the last library sale. I haven’t read them, but DH enjoyed *Walking Drum*. One of the westerns had the last ten pages or so missing, and he didn’t realize it until he got to the end. Painful.
“Walking Drum” is my favorite L’amour. Also, if you don’t enjoy “Brothers” by Angela Hunt, don’t let it put you off trying some of her other books. I read “Dreamers” – another one about Joseph – and didn’t particularly enjoy it, but I have enjoyed everything else of hers I’ve read. I just read her book “Magdalene” and reviewed it – it was terrific. I enjoy her modern novels more than her historicals – you might try “The Canopy” or “The Proposal”.
I loved “Nothing Like it in the World.” I usually don’t enjoy reading history, but I really had fun reading this book. Enjoy!
Oh Ender’s Game… I love that book – and all the others in the series!! Orson Scott Card is truly a master. (a slightly new age-y Mormon master – but a master nonetheless)
I hope you enjoy it! On top of being stellar science fiction – that book is on the Marine Corps required reading list for Officers.
I will second Ender’s Game! Make a family pact though, not to give away the ending to those who haven’t read it.
A college age friend recommended it to me, saying both he and his sister thought it was the most exciting book they’d ever read, and I think I might agree. My dh loved it, and my son is now reading all Orson Scott Card’s books. (I read the next one, Speaker for the Dead, and wasn’t crazy about it, but my son says it’s not the best.)
Wow, I didn’t know Anne McCaffrey was STILL writing Pern books! Looks like I’ve got some fun catching up to do. Have you read many of the recent ones? Are they as good as the early ones?
I read several L’amour westerns years ago and found them very pleasant. The Walking Drum and Jubal Sackett were two of them, and perhaps The Haunted Mesa(?), or did he even write that?
I love the Green Knowe books, and meant to mention them when you wrote your post on summer reading. The Shell Seekers was a summer read, and not bad, but I will warn you that all of Rosamunde Pilcher’s books are faintly reminiscent of each other, so you’ll either like them all or not.
I read Lake Wobegon Days about 11 or 12 years ago and thought it was very funny. Nothing Like It was a good read as only Ambrose can do – make history reading seem almost light in a great way, not a fluffy way.
A Year in Provence was fun and funny enough that after reading the library’s copy I bought a copy for myself to reread.
My Marine husband, my soon-to-be Marine son, and my oldest daughter all have told me repeatedly that I need to read Ender’s Game.
I struggled through Darkness at Noon when I was 15 and found it difficult to enjoy. Not much of a memory to share with you, and possibly my reaction would be different now that I’m 45.
So what will you read first? (Or which 3 or 4 will you start first?)
I’m reading The Shell Seekers because I felt like reading something light and not overly taxing to the brain. I’ll probably choose something a little more challenging next; Ender’s Game seems to be the crowd favorite.
Master Harper of Pern is one of McCaffery’s best. Dragon Drums starts the series of Menoly, first female Harper on Pern. Toss in the politics of the Craft Guilds and mere mortals being able to impress fire lizards, and you’ve got some good stories. I lost interest in Pern after The White Dragon, I think. There were so many of them after a while.
Standing in the Rainbow is great. After crying through wonderful, touching parts of it, I doubled back and read Welcome to the World, Baby Girl! Overall, it was not a welcome read. The language was foul in spots and the story depressing. Fanny Flagg has grown as a writer!
Ooh. The Shell Seekers. Rosamunde Pilcher is who I turn to when I need “comfort reading.” Easy, cozy, books.
A lot of people dismiss her as an author, but I love the way she can create characters that we can sympathize with in spite of all their flaws.
The first Mennyms book is called simply The Mennyms. My sister liked these books a great deal, but I have to say I found them somewhat disturbing and depressing. I like books about dolls, but these ones are just a little strange.
The Magnificent Ambersons is on my 2006 list; Odious loves Booth Tarkington, which is one of the reasons I’m going to read it. I have a vague memory of reading his book Seventeen a very long time ago, but other than that I can’t tell you much about him.
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