Last night, Tim and I were flipping channels for a few minutes before turning in for the night. We paused on the public access station, which was running something from last summer’s local book festival. Basically, fairgoers were invited to step up to the microphone/camera and say their favorite book, and why it’s their favorite.
It was actually kind of interesting, and we started talking about books for a while.
So, here’s my question for you tonight: If you were asked your favorite book, what would it be and why? (I’m looking for something new to read, so I can use ideas!)
I’ll tell you my answer in a day or two.
“JFK: Reckless Youth” by Nigel Hamilton. It’s a warts and all look at Kennedy’s first thirty (or so) years, and I found that learning about the boy explained a lot about the man. The Kennedy family was very unhappy with this book and restricted Hamilton’s access to unpublished documents, so there won’t be a volume 2, and that’s too bad. I thought this book made everyone in the story we think we know seem more human than iconic. It also reinforces a lesson I still have trouble with from time to time — no matter how easy a life looks from the outside, you never know how it FEELS from the inside.
I’m pretty sure it’s out of print, but your library should be able to get it.
“Ball Four” by Jim Bouton. He was a star pitcher years ago and wrote this diary as he was later just trying to make an expansion team.
You don’t have to be a baseball fan to enjoy his story. I highly recommend it to everyone – except those who are offended by foul language.
hmmm.. serious food for thought… I shall think about this and get back to you!!
Oh yeah.. a premonition… Snowbird: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Guess I don’t have to put down my answer – but I have to (two!)- ATGIB and To Kill a Mockingbird.
[...] Of My Favourite Books OK, so BookMama asked "What is your Favorite" But picking one book is hard. You wouldn’t ask me which was my favoutite child, right? [...]
I am not good at singling one out.
I can give you some of my favourites …
but it is like kids … you should never ask which one you love the most!
I started writing my thoughs, and realised it was way too long to litter your comments with, so have posted it myself.
The long and the short of it though is that I would throughly recomend any and all of the following:
Catch 22
A Tale Of Two Cities
Charlotte Gray
(The Whole Harry Potter Series, but I don’t suppose that helps that much)
Gal – I’ve enjoyed reading other Kennedy books (especially “The Kennedys and the Fitzgeralds”) and may just have to track down JFK: Reckless Youth.
btwinny – Have you given it enough thought yet? I’d really like to hear your favorite(s)!
Mr. Geek – Thanks for your list, and I enjoyed your longer post at your blog. I have to confess that Catch 22 adn A Tale of Two Cities are books I never cared for, but that may be because I had to read them for school.