In a Chair, With a Book

Books have always been a part of my life. I was blessed with two parents who read to me as a child. A mother who brought me to the library or bookstore. Parents and family members who likely read to me every night before bed or even throughout the day. I actually didn't realize how much this meant to me until I was older. My mom recently put all of our children's books on a small bookshelf for my nephew. After I picked up a couple of them, it all came flooding back to me. The "Tooth Fairy" by Audrey Wood, "Jillian Jiggs" by Phoebe Gilman, and "The Magic School Bus: Inside the Earth" by Joanna Cole — to name a few — are just three that I remember LOVING.

And as I got older, I read the Babysitters Club series. But then I got into my high school years and if I can remember correctly I didn't really start getting into reading again until I found a book by V.C. Andrews in my school library. I can't recall exactly how it happened, but her "Flowers in the Attic" opened up a whole new perspective of reading for me. Could it have been the gritty dialogue? Maybe. But I was hooked and began to read all of her series books.

Now there were a couple assigned readings in high school that I liked and have stuck with me. We'd call these classical literature that have withstood the test of time. I'd like to go back to reading these classical books, as I think now I'd be more appreciative of them.

Truth be told I'm not of a fan of people who make fun of people who read particular books or genre's. Yes, I've had many "friends" make fun of me for reading the likes of V.C. Andrews, Nora Roberts, and others based specifically on its genre. Reading is reading. Who are you to make fun of me for reading? Hoity toity readers who think only reading "sophisticated" material or autobiography's need to get a life. And I've met many in my young 29 years. Phew! Had to get that off my chest!

I say be bold. Experience every genre. Read what you love. Who's it hurting? No one. Below I show you some of my life changing books. I say "life changing" because these books have stuck with me over the years. They touched me in certain ways. Books create or expand upon experiences and relationships. Here's how these books affected my life, in no particular order. And I recommend them as a good read if you are looking for a book!

 

My Aunt Wendy introduced me to the author Nora Roberts probably almost 10 year ago. Ever since then, she's been a go to author for a relaxing, enjoyable read which includes a little love, mystery, and suspense. Nora's Chesapeake Bay Saga series is my favorite. Each book is the story about one of four brothers who were adopted by an older couple, their backstory, trials of the present time, and an underlying story between all leading up to the finale in Chesapeake Blue.

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck was the first high school assigned reading that I actually enjoyed and WANTED to read. I specifically remember sitting in class as we were discussing the end of the book where the  young woman let the older man drink from her breast. That seemed so scandalous to talk about in school at the time. Hahaha... But overall, I loved the story and the characters.

I kept hearing about this book called The Lovely Bones and how great it was. It was my junior year of college. I was back home living with my parents to save money and commute to school. I bought the book and remember reading it every day in the basement and thinking about it every day while at school and work. I'd never read a book like it before — dealing with the murder of a life-like kid and the thought that you really don't know your neighbor. Creeped me out, but I loved it. I think this book is honestly my all time favorite. I haven't read anything like it since, which says a lot because it's so original. I saw the movie when it came out, and it was one of the first times I realized that the books are always so much better than the movies. 

Nicholas Sparks will always have a place in my heart. He was my first true love author. By that I mean I remember falling in love with his books and his stories. The first book I read by him was when A Walk to Remember was released. I had not read his previous books The Notebook and Message in a Bottle, but I had seen the Message in a Bottle movie (not really knowing it was based off of a book at the time). Talk about life changing. I was a senior in high school. It was love at first sight, and I read every single book of his that came out thereafter. (Except I had taken a break and need to catch up with a couple of his latest books).

This book is one of four memoirs or autobiographies in my recommended list. I honestly can't recall how I found this book, Tales from the Bed: on living, dying and having it all." But it's a book I've read a couple of times. It seems to put things into perspective for me. This women had everything going for her, living in New York City with her sisters. Then one day she got sick and was diagnosed with ALS. It's very inspiring and if I'm ever feeling down and out, it's a book I think of. I also seem to have this fascination with death. Not like killing people, but death in general. Where do we go when we die, what do we leave behind, etc.

Talking about what we leave behind when we die... If Anne Frank only knew how inspirational her diary would be. An innocent diary that she kept while in hiding, leaving behind her most personal thoughts. This was probably the first autobiography that I read, while in high school. It's when I first started trying to keep a diary or journal about my thoughts and feelings. I've always had a hard time doing that because I tend to think "what would people say or think about it." I tend to edit myself, which I need to stop doing. Anyways, I love this book.

I found this book after reading Autobiography of a Face (recommended below). Ann Patchett and Lucy Grealy were very close friends, as Ann writes about in this book Truth & Beauty. It's just a great real-life look at friendship and what it means to other people besides yourself. 

My friend Angie gave me this book for no special occasion but just to recommend a book. I love that. Summer Sisters speaks to me on various levels because it deals with two really close friends who grow up together. The jealousy's, the fights, the friendship, heartache — everything we all experience with a really close girlfriend. It's also a great summer read.

Ah, another high school assigned reading. This would be book No. 2 that I enjoyed. I just remember bombs going off and stuff. It was also one of the first and last books I'd read on end of the world type stories. 

Another type of inspirational story about a real person struggling with the way she looks. It's one of those stories that puts everything into perspective for you — that you're not the only one thinking certain things about appearances. That it's OK to be different, though it's true that it can be a struggle. And that is also OK.

I didn't start following Twilight until after the first movie came out. Then one day I decided to try and read it. I say "try and read it" because I didn't think I'd enjoy reading this type of genre. I could never get into the Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter books, but I loved the movies. So I put assuming aside and bought the first book. Love it. Thought about it every day and every night. I probably read every single book in a month and a half. I then recommended to my friend DeDe, who also loved them and it's another thing we can share together.