Swept away by the words.

I've read three really good books this year: Water for Elephants, Snowflower and the Secret Fan, and The Friday Night Knitting Club. But none of these books has rated making my Top Ten Favorite Books Ever List. They were good... really, really good... but not the best ever. In fact, it is rare when I find a book that comes close to making my personal favorites list. The last book that made the list was The Glass Castle. Before that, it was A Prayer for Owen Meany. And before that... well, I can't remember because it had been a while since my list had changed.

Always, when a book makes my top ten list, it means a shuffling of previous favorites, something I am hesitant to do because I tend to be very loyal to my favorite books ever list. For the record, my all time favorite book is an obscure fantasy titled Daughter of the Forest, by Juliet Marillier (this book is part of a trilogy). I've read it six times and fall in love with it more each time I read it. I don't know if there will ever be a book that takes over the number one spot, but spots two through ten are always open for alteration.

Last week I read a new book. It came as something of a surprise that this book was immediately added to my Top Ten Favorites List. The book wasn't recommended to me, nor had I read any reviews of the story. In fact, I don't recall hearing about the book at all. Instead, I found this book in the Young Adult section at Borders. I am not ashamed to admit that I search the Young Adult section on a frequent basis. I've found some very good books in this section: Harry Potter (years ago, before Potter mania swept the nation), Ender's Game, and Holes, to name a few. Last summer I discovered Eclipse (the entire series) in the Young Adult section and couldn't put the books down. I also couldn't wait to share the books with my niece, who also fell in love with the series. So Young Adult books are scattered throughout my bookshelves and held in high regard, right along with everything else I love. Note: a book only goes on the bookshelf if I think I will read it again, which I do all the time. If I don't think I'll read it again, then I pass it along without thinking twice. Currently, my bookshelf has about 75 books on/in it. Of those books, I've read at least half of them more than once. And several of the books have been read three, four, and five times. When I find a book I like, I think it is worth visiting again and again, because the words that tell a really good story sweep me away more with every telling of the story. And to be honest, a very good book is often hard to find, therefore, I collect them in case I run across a dry spell.

And so it was with The Book Thief - one of the most beautiful stories I have ever read. And as I fell into the pages, I was taken away to a time and place that we only learn of in history - a place that we have no comprehension of, because the truth of the matter is, we are blessed not to live in the midst of war and oppression and the evil domination of one single man. The Book Thief is a story of courage, friendship, love, survival, death, and grief - all which fit the criteria for being added to my Top Ten Favorites List. But more importantly, this book is about the power of words - something that resonates deeply within me.

When John saw me reading the book, his comment was, "Geez mom, you are as bad as the people at my school." I asked him what that was supposed to mean, and he told me that a teacher at his high school had challenged all of her students to read this book. But because I happen to be raising a teenage rebel, all it took for John to run far away from the book was a recommendation by a person of authority. And once again, I had to ask my self where I went wrong... not about the rebel thing - I will always wonder what happened there - but about the reading thing in general. Neither of my kids are book lovers. I don't know how that happened. I read out loud to them every night for the first ten years of their lives. And I have always offered to buy them any book they want (because, remember, I don't believe in book censoring). The last book John asked for was titled The Indigo Children - a research study of children with some kind of special insight to the world. Oiy. That's not a story... that's a study. When I was encouraging them to read, I certainly steered clear of research books. But of course, I bought it for him, because in my mind, even a research book is better than no book at all.

And so because my children are not readers, I did not discover The Book Thief from them. In fact, they both seemed to be a little offended that I was reading a book that they were supposed to be reading in school. Yep, I missed the boat when it came to passing my love of literature along to my kids - something that will always make me wonder where I went wrong. To be honest, it makes me sad. They have no idea what they are missing out on - this love of books and the ability to be swept away by the words.

As always, after reading a really good book, I turn to something light and fluffy (Jennifer Weiner, Janet Evanovich, Norah Roberts - these are good authors to turn to after reading something of high literary value. Their stories are pure entertainment and do not detract from the really good book that went before them) . I do this in an attempt to not tarnish the beauty of the few and far between really good books I find because I want those stories to linger in my mind. I want to cherish the words and live with the characters just a little bit longer. Back-to-back really good books would take something away from the lingering. For me, that would be a travesty, and it would negate the beauty of the really good book altogether. And since really good books are so hard to come by, I will do anything to make the experience last.

Today I started a book titled Ask Again Later. I don't know how light and fluffy this book will be, since the story is about a girl who quits her job to tend to her mother who has cancer. But the jacket of the book says something about the author being a writer for The David Letterman Show, and the way I look at it - anyone who writes for David Letterman must have a sense of humor.  I saw the word "hilarious" listed among the book reviews, which is the sole reason I bought the book (that, and I liked the cover!). I'm hoping there is some humor inside the pages, because after reading The Book Thief, humor would be the perfect thing to balance the poignant beauty of the pages I just completed.

Either way, because I am a lover of almost every book I read (The Road is excluded, because it was the worst book in the history of books), I am certain that I will once again be swept away by the words, because, unlike my children, I cherish each and every book that tells me a story.

Comments

[Helena]

Just finished, still bawling.

[Pinky Z.]

I just had a girlfriend loan me a copy of The Friday Night Knitting Club today. I'm going to attack it this weekend. Have you read this one: http://www.amazon.com/Men-I-Didnt-Marry-Novel/dp/0345490703? I enjoyed it. It was a cute, easy read.

[jenidallas]

I read Ask Again Later a couple of weeks ago and really enjoyed it - it spoke to my neurotic OCD side. I like her writing style although I can't see it being for everyone. :-)

[Marla]

Thanks for the book recommendations. I keep a notebook right here at the computer to write them down and maybe, just maybe someday I will remember to put the list in my purse so I can check out or purchase them! LOL! I've always been a reader but it hasn't rubbed off on my kids either and I just don't know how that happens. My parents were both readers and I couldn't remember a bigger thrill than going to the library and spending the afternoon. Such is life I guess.

The worst book ever written is "The Wind Done Gone". Trust me on this.

[Barb]

THere is hope, Kel. I was never a reader until I was out of college and no longer viewed reading as just another task on my endless to-do list. Now I love to read, but it took nearly 30 years to get there.

[Helena]

I am cracking up at the kids' reactions. Maybe you could start reading it to them at dinner or something.

[Amy Sorensen]

The Book Thief is one of my top twenty favorites...it is a great one, isn't it??? I'm glad you liked it. I'm LOLing at your comment about The Road. I liked that one, too, but I read it knowing his writing style and that the story would be bleak. I just finished "The People of The Book" (will blog about it later today)...I'm certain you would like that one, too.

[Nancy G.]

I am also a voracious reader and tend to read many different genres as well. Loved both Holes and Ender's Game, but never joined the Harry Potter fan club. These sound like great books and I will put them on my "to read" list for the next time I hit Borders.

My most recent memorable book(s) was "Beautiful Boy" by David Sheff and it is about the his perspective of dealing with a son addicted to meth. It was so powerful that I immediately went out and purchased "Tweak" by Nik Sheff, his son which details his journey through addiction. The combination of the two books will leave a lasting impression on any parent. They are at times difficult to read, but very intense. I think "Tweak" should be required reading in the high schools.

If anyone has read either of these books, let me know what you thought.

[Betsy]

I love to read too. Right now I'm reading Devil In The White City. I just finished Water For Elephants and liked it! The Book Thief sounds good! Thanks for the recommendation.

[Randi]

Neither one of my kids were readers in school. After Kelli started college did she get interested in reading. Now, during her spare time (what little there is due to college studies) she is reading. So there is hope for your kids yet. Jim isn't a reader - never was, most likely will never be. On my bookshelves I have over 300 books, including young adult and children books. Check out the e-mails I sent you, pictures of our weekend at the coast and flowers in my yard. Randi

[Kim B.]

I'm slowly getting back into reading. I used to love to read but having 4 kids drained every ounce of free time that I have. I'm asleep before I hit the pillow. I recently purchased a book (keep in mind I am a Harlequin Romance addict because they are quick reads) called "The Dowry Bride". I so recommend it. You won't be disappointed. But that book got me back into reading novels again.