We’re heading into the Holidays, and I know you are wondering what to get Aunt Mildred this year. How about a book? She’s got enough bubble bath, and you know she’d love to cuddle up with the cat and a good book, but which one? I asked the members of the Best Books Club to tell me what they have been reading of late, and got some great tips on books you and your loved ones will enjoy. Here are some of their recommendations:
—–
I will tell you of a book I read recently that I found very moving: East of the Mountains by David Guterson author of Snow Falling On Cedars. A quote from the Chicago Tribune on the back of the novel reads; “East of the Mountains is not about the courage it takes to die, but the courage it takes to live, and Guterson depicts this moral and spiritual struggle with a clear-eyed intensity and intelligence that gives this novel its essential authority.”
—–
I enjoyed Girl with a Pearl Earring. After that I read Girl in Hyacinth Blue, which I thought was okay, but not as good as Pearl Earring. I enjoyed Tracy Chevalier’s writing style, and thought her plot was interesting and had some interesting historical facts.
—–
I have been with a book club for several years. Of their reading list, I can honestly say I haven’t disliked anything. Obviously some I liked better than others, but many of the books I never would have chosen on my own. I have enjoyed being reintroduced to the classics. Many of them I haven’t read since high school some twenty plus years ago. At that time it was assigned reading, this time around I find that given a little life experience and different perspective, I enjoy them very much. Listed below are some of my favorite reads.
Pride & Prejudice Jane Austen
Little Women Louisa May Alcott
The Alchemist Paulo Coelho
The Woman in White Wilkie Collins
Rebecca Daphne DuMaurier
To Kill A Mockingbird Harper Lee
The Scarlet Pimpernel Baroness Orczy
The Killer Angels Michael Shaara
A Tree Grows In Brooklyn Betty Smith
Follow the River Alexander Thom
—–
I just finished Senior Kon-Tiki: A Biography of Thor Heyerdahl. It was an informative book about an incredible person.
—–
This is a good idea. I would like to share ideas of good books. I am especially interested in books on tape because I am always on the run. I am running out of good ones at our library so I just grab one off the shelf and the least several have been very disappointing. During the month of July I reread Gone With The Wind (because, as I said before, I am running out of books) I was pleasantly surprised to find how much I enjoyed the history part of the book, especially with the significant of July 4th. Then I saw a book, The Founding Brothers and read it for the same reason —- No good books to read. Oh, was I surprised. I loved the history of it as well.
—–
My daughter has me reading the Harry Potter collection. I am on the second book now. They are quite interesting.
—–
I am reading through Lund’s The Work and the Glory series and also reading Roberts’ The Missouri Persecutions. Currently I am reading Gerald Lund’s The Kingdom and the Crown vol. 2 “Come Unto Me“. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading about these characters and they have given me insight into some of my own life’s struggles.
The next book on my agenda is the next volume of the Prelude to Glory series. I have appreciated learning more of the beginning of our great nation and the struggles our forefathers overcame. I have learned to appreciate these wonderful people who felt the promptings of the Holy Spirit and KNEW in their hearts that there was a higher purpose in fighting the British. Especially since September 11th I have pondered on our Constition and our motto “In God We Trust”. I truly hope that America will turn her heart back to our Father and follow His ways. I really do love America and I’m thankful to gain a closer view into thelives of those wonderful people. I never did appreciate U.S. history in school but now I can’t get enough of it. Thank you for asking what I’m reading!
—–
You asked what I am reading? Well I don’t know if you include non-fiction, but I like to read this too, maybe because I can put it down easier, when I need to. Before Sept. 11th I finished a book that I had stowed on my shelf for 20 years, wanting to read. It was excellent and pertinent now as people are turning to a deeper understanding of others. It is by a renowned religious scholar and is titled, The World’s Religions although the text I read is an earlier edition titled, The Religions of Man. Although it is a paperback, it was being used as a textbook for a class I could not fit in at BYU. What makes the book heartwarming is that it is written by a man who obviously has a deep love and respect for understanding what is at the heart of humankind, ultimately giving them their motivation for living. I had an enjoyable voyage, learning a great deal from this book. It especially gave me a frame of reference for my own Christianity, having been raised in the church, as only the basics of Christianity were touched on (as I’m sure must be the case with the other major religions) and I could really see how very unique we are. I found bits of my beliefs in each chapter, and it was good to find out how very much all people have in common.
—–
I just finished reading Cane River that was earlier featured on Oprah’s Book of the month club. Cane River is a location in southern Louisiana and the book is an historical account of a family spanning several generations from slavery to freedom. It provided insight into their desire to maintain family ties, genealogy records, and survival in the face of racism.
—–
Being a Relief Society pres. I am always looking for inspiring self-help books. I just finished Pain Is Inevitable, Misery Is Optional, so Stick a Geranium in your Hat & Be Happy.
I know this has been around for a while — in fact I started it about a year ago & never got past the first few pages.
But, it really held my attention this time around. Several women in our ward are facing some of the challenges she faced, and her humor, coupled with her faith, is a very refreshing look at adversity. I recommend it highly – the author’s name is Barbara Johnson. Also, I’ve just finished Sweet Is the Work by Mary Ellen Smoot and rereading Quiet Moments by Pat Holland. Both very inspiring books, especially Pat Holland’s.
It’s become kind of my enhanced scriptures.
—–
My present book is, The Life of Helen Keller. I find this to be an incredible book. Knowing what she accomplished as a blind and deaf woman is amazing. It beats what most of us can do with good eyes and ears. When I finish this book I am going to send it to my daughter who is an Interpreter for the Deaf. I was surprised to hear that she has never read it. I think she, too, will be surprised to find what Helen accomplished under such great handicaps.
—–
I just this minute finished reading a book by General Paul Tibbits, titled The Return of the Enola Gay. I had the opportunity to meet him again after many years and to acquire several copies for friends. If his name escapes you, recall that he was the pilot of the “Enola Gay.” He covers the subject more than adequately of whether we should have dropped the bomb. I am indebted to him like no man since Joseph Smith, because he did, without a doubt, saved my nineteen-year-old life…. The orders were “cut” for the invasion of Japan when I graduated from flying school a few weeks later. A conservative estimate by Winston Churchill had it that we would have lost more than one million men and the British a quarter of that. The Japanese, even more than we lost. Then too, the nightly fire bombing raids were costing the Japanese up to a hundred thousand lives a night in the firestorms that resulted. Not only is he a hero of mine but he is one of the characters in the book and the academy award picture, “Twelve O’ Clock High.”
—–
I have been reading a wonderful book called, Made in America: An Informal History of the English language in the United States by Bill Bryson. It describes how English has evolved in this country because of so many things and places and conditions that were unique to our nation. It is very interesting, informative and funny. Bryson has written several books, all of them good, especially The Lost Continent and I’m a Stranger Here Myself, and I would recommend them highly.
—–
Marilyn’s note: I loved A Walk in the Woods, by this author as well.
Final note: My delightful cousin Kieth Merrill, film editor for Meridian, likes to give me a hard time about all the long, stuffy books we read. Here is his response to “What are you reading?” Let me just note that my husband Craig agrees with Kieth on this recommendation, and the men on your list who like some action will love this one:
Dear Marilyn, Does SHOCK WAVE by Clive Cussler count?
Well, Clive Cussler may not be Shakespeare, but his novels are well researched and full of excitement, so go for it! Write and tell me what you are reading – we’ll share favorites from our readers each month. Many of you continue to request the list of books for the next several months – any or all of these would make great gifts for any reader. I’ve added a few alternate suggestions that would make fine gifts.
Happy Holidays – MGF
—–
Best Books Club Reading List: December 2001 – June 2002
December: The Human Comedy, William Saroyan
The Christmas Books, Charles Dickens
January: O Pioneer, Willa Cather
(also Death Comes for the Archbishop and My Antonia by this author)
February: Possession, A.S. Byatt
March: Cranford, Elizabeth Gaskell
(also The Life of Charlotte Bronte by this author)
April: Angle of Repose, Wallace Stegner
(also Mormon Country by this author)
May: The Phantom of the Opera, Gaston Leroux
(also The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy)
June: The Once and Future King, T.H.White
(also The Crystal Cave, by Mary Stewart)
