Books

I am an obsessive reader. In fact, I can't not read. When I think about it, reading books is the one thing I've done consistently my entire life. As a child, I think I read most every book in my elementary school library and I know that I had to ask the "librarian" in our small town with no library to refill in the bookmobile for me on more than one occasion.

I've recently discovered audiobooks and it's added a whole new level to my obsession. Now, I can read while driving, grocery shopping, taking a walk, or doing anything else I can do with an iPod. (As an aside, I love love love love my iPod). I heard David Sedaris once say that with audiobooks, he can't really call himself a bookworm anymore. Instead, he's a "tapeworm." Me too.

As another aside (these parentheticals are really a good metaphor for what I've been calling my adult-onset ADD), lately I've been working my way through the 300 or so episodes of Ira Glass's, This American Life available on iTunes. I'm never disappointed. But, it has slowed down my actual "book" listening.

Anyway, I've often thought about keeping a running list of books that I've read and books that I love.

Here goes, I'm going to give it another try. I'll add new ones when I remember to do so and old ones when I remember that, yes, I did read that:


The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
The Restaurant at the End of the Universe by Douglas Adams
Life, the Universe and Everything (Hitchhiker's Trilogy (Paperback)) by Douglas Adams
So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish by Douglas Adams

THE HANDMAID'S TALE by Margaret Atwood


The Wonder Spot by Melissa Bank
The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing by Melissa Bank

Open house by Elizabeth Berg

Tara Road by Maeve Binchy

Midwives by Chris Bohjalian.

Okay, it's "teen" lit, but still makes for an enjoyable ride to work
Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants by Ann Brashares - AUDIO
Girls in Pants (Sisterhood of Traveling Pants) by Ann Brashares -AUDIO
The Second Summer of the Sisterhood (Sisterhood of Traveling Pants) by Ann Brashares -AUDIO

The DaVince Code by Dan Brown - ugh, hurry hurry hurry. no time to go to the bathroom. A bit too much but still a good read.


A CLOCKWORK ORANGE by Anthony Burgess

Leaving Cold Sassy by Olive Ann Burns

I love love love memoirs about disfunctional families and folks and any book that advertises itself as "freaky-deaky" has to be a good one.
Dry: A Memoir by Augusten Burroughs
Running with Scissors: A Memoir by Augusten Burroughs (the "freaky-deaky" one)
Sellevision: A Novel by Augusten Burroughs
Magical Thinking : True Stories by Augusten Burroughs

How to Be Popular by Meg Cabot

Shogun by James Clavell - Troy recommended this to me when we first met. Good story.
King Rat by James Clavell
Noble House by James Clavell

I went through a Patricia Cornwell phase and read a ton of these books.

Pat Conroy is a fantastic southern writer.
The Water is Wide by Pat Conroy
The Great Santini by Pat Conroy
The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy
The Lords of Discipline by Pat Conroy

The Hours by Michael Cunningham

House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus III

This is a great book. Would've liked more showing, less telling but still a good one.
The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards, August 14, 2006

A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers
Like Water for Chocolate - Laura Esquivel

The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner

Olivia Joules and the Overactive Imagination by Helen Fielding
Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding
Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason by Helen Fielding

THE GREAT GATSBY by F. Scott Fitzgerald



The Corrections: A Novel by Jonathan Franzen

A Million Little Pieces by James Frey
My Friend Leonard by James Frey

Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood by Alexandra Fuller

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Márquez

Ellen Foster by Kaye Gibbons
A Virtuous Woman by Kaye Gibbons

The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell
Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell

Memoirs of a Geisha: A Novel by Arthur Golden
LORD OF THE FLIES by William Golding

Autobiography of a Face by Lucy Grealy

Babyville: A Novel by Jane Green

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, by Mark Haddon

The Book of Ruth by Jane Hamilton
A Map of the World by Jane Hamilton

Stones from the River by Usula Hegi
The Vision of Emma Blau : A Novel by Ursula Hegi


THE MOON IS A HARSH MISTRESS by Robert Heinlein
STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND by Robert Heinlein

CATCH-22 by Joseph Heller

The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

Florida writer, good quirky stories. I've actually listened to most of these.
Hoot by Carl Hiaasen
Flush by Carl Hiaasen
Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen
Skin Tight by Carl Hiaasen
Tourist Season by Carl Hiaasen
Stormy Weather by Carl Hiaasen
Double Whammy by Carl Hiaasen
Native Tongue by Carl Hiaasen
Sick Puppy by Carl Hiaasen
Strip Tease by Carl Hiaasen
Basket Case by Carl Hiaasen
Lucky You by Carl Hiaasen
Nature Girl by Carl Hiaasen, Dec. 2006


Here on Earth by Alice Hoffman
The Ice Queen: A Novel by Alice Hoffman
Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman
The Probable Future by Alice Hoffman
Blue Diary by Alice Hoffman
Turtle Moon by Alice Hoffman
The River King by Alice Hoffman
Property Of by Alice Hoffman


How to Be Good by Nick Hornby
About a Boy by Nick Hornby

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini


A Prayer for Owen Meany (Modern Library) by John Irving
Until I Find You: A Novel by John Irving
The World According to Garp (Modern Library) by John Irving
The Cider House Rules: A Novel (Modern Library) by John Irving
A Widow for One Year by John Irving
The Hotel New Hampshire (Ballantine Reader's Circle) by John Irving
The Fourth Hand by John Irving

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro - AUDIO

Why I'm Like This : True Stories by Cynthia Kaplan

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
The Mermaid Chair: A Novel by Sue Monk Kidd - AUDIO

IT by Stephen King


The Poisonwood Bible: A Novel (Perennial Classics) by Barbara Kingsolver - excellent novel
The Bean Trees: A Novel by Barbara Kingsolver
Prodigal Summer: A Novel by Barbara Kingsolver
Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver
Pigs in Heaven by Barbara Kingsolver

Sophia Kinsella - fluffy good chick lit
Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella
Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella
Shopaholic Takes Manhattan by Sophie Kinsella
Shopaholic Ties the Knot by Sophie Kinsella
Shopaholic & Sister by Sophie Kinsella
Girls Night In by Meg Cabot, Jen Weiner, and Sophie Kinsella

The Nanny Diaries : A Novel - Nicola Kraus, Emma McLaughlin


Life Expectancy (Dean Koontz) by Dean Koontz and John Bedford Lloyd

I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb
She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb

Anne Lamott is one of my favorites. I really like her books on faith.
Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith by Anne Lamott
Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith by Anne Lamott
Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith by Anne Lamott
Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott
Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Son's First Year by Anne Lamott - The best gift for new mommies.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - a classic for a reason. if I had to pick my favorite book, this would be it.

I'm obviously not a big non-fiction reader, but this is a very interesting and thought-provoking book.
Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner

A classic. I can still feel my childhood yearning for a magic wardrobe.
The Chronicles of Narnia (Narnia) by C. S. Lewis and Pauline Baynes

I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb
She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb

The Sea Wolf by Jack London -- Where Wolf got his name.

It's My F---ing Birthday: A Novel (Paperback) by Merrill Markoe

I'd marry Steve Martin
Shopgirl by Steve Martin
The Pleasure of My Company: A Novel by Steve Martin


Good idea, but ehhh. It's okay.
Reckless: The Outrageous Lives of Nine Kick-Ass Women by Gloria Mattioni

Tis: A Memoir by Frank McCourt
Teacher Man: A Memoir by Frank McCourt
Angela's Ashes: A Memoir by Frank McCourt - the best of the three.

Charming Billy by Alice McDermott

A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry

The Deep End of the Ocean by Jacquelyn Mitchard

I just "discovered" Christopher Moore this year at the recommendation of a book club friend and I can't get enough of him - obviously.
A Dirty Job: A Novel by Christopher Moore
Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore - my favorite so far.
Island of the Sequined Love Nun by Christopher Moore
Practical Demonkeeping by Christopher Moore
Bloodsucking Fiends by Christopher Moore
The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove by Christopher Moore
The Stupidest Angel: A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror by Christopher Moore
Coyote Blue, Christopher Moore - Sept 1, 2006
Fluke, Christopher Moore - Sept 9, 2006
You Suck: A Love Story by Christopher Moore -- Jan. 2007

The Time-Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

More great girl stories. She's hilarious. These almost fit into the category of disfunctional but not quite.
We Thought You Would Be Prettier: True Tales of the Dorkiest Girl Alive by Laurie Notaro
An Idiot Girl's Christmas: True Tales from the Top of the Naughty List by Laurie Notaro
The Idiot Girls' Action-Adventure Club: True Tales from a Magnificent and Clumsy Life by Laurie Notaro
I Love Everybody (and Other Atrocious Lies): True Tales of a Loudmouth Girl by Laurie Notaro Autobiography of a Fat Bride: True Tales of a Pretend Adulthood by Laurie Notaro


1984 by George Orwell
ANIMAL FARM by George Orwell

The Dive from Clausen's Pier - Ann Packer

creepy good
Diary: A Novel by Chuck Palahniuk
Choke by Chuck Palahniuk

Man and Boy: A Novel by Tony Parsons

Ann Patchett is an awesome Nashville writer. Patron Saint of Liars is another one of my very favorites.
Patron Saint of Liars: A Novel by Ann Patchett
The Magician's Assistant by Ann Patchett
Truth & Beauty: A Friendship by Ann Patchett
Taft: A Novel by Ann Patchett

When the Wind Blows by James Patterson

Thought provoking. A good book and a good read, but I did not like the ending.
My Sister's Keeper: A Novel by Jodi Picoult - 8/21/06
The Pact: A Love Story by Jodi Picoult - Dec 2006
Vanishing Acts: A Novel by Jodi Picoult- Nov 2006

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath, Jan 2007


I can't wait for Anna Quindlen's Newsweek articles every other week. It's like she is tuned into my thoughts, but much much better at articulating them. Her novels are really really good too.
Black and Blue by Anna Quindlen
A Short Guide to a Happy Life by Anna Quindlen
Blessings by Anna Quindlen
One True Thing: A Novel by Anna Quindlen

Fraud by David Rakoff

ATLAS SHRUGGED by Ayn Rand
THE FOUNTAINHEAD by Ayn Rand
ANTHEM by Ayn Rand
WE THE LIVING by Ayn Rand

Not as good as her daughter, Ann Patchett, but an enjoyable easy read
Eat Cake by Jeanne Ray - AUDIO
Julie and Romeo by Jeanne Ray

I know it's "teen" lit, but these are snort milk out your nose funny - especially the audio version. I love the British accent and nothing beats laughing your way to work.
Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging (rack): Confessions of Georgia Nicolson (Confessions of Georgia Nicolson) by Louise Rennison - AUDIO
Then He Ate My Boy Entrancers: More Mad, Marvy Confessions of Georgia Nicolson (Confessions of Georgia Nicolson) by Louise Rennison - AUDIO
On the Bright Side, I'm Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God: Further Confessions of Georgia Nicolson (Confessions of Georgia Nicolson) by Louise Rennison - AUDIO
Dancing in My Nuddy-Pants: Even Further Confessions of Georgia Nicolson (Confessions of Georgia Nicolson) by Louise Rennison - AUDIO

The God of Small Things by Arundati Roy

Icy Sparks by Gwyn Hyman Rubio

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

Drowning Ruth by Christina Schwarz

Alice, please write some more. The Lovely Bones is the only book that got my book club actually talking about the book.
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
Lucky: A Memoir by Alice Sebold

David Sedaris is a fantastic storyteller. He makes you love him and his family because of their flaws, not despite them. Does that sound corny?
Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris (Paperback - Jun 5, 2001)
Children Playing Before a Statue of Hercules by David Sedaris (Paperback - Mar 29, 2005)Naked by David Sedaris (Paperback - Jun 1, 1998)
The Book of Liz by David Sedaris and Amy Sedaris (Paperback - Sep 2002)
Holidays on Ice: Stories by David Sedaris (Paperback - Nov 1, 1998)
Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris (Hardcover - Jun 1, 2004)
Barrel Fever: Stories and Essays by David Sedaris (Paperback - Jun 1, 1995)

The Reader by Bernhard Schlink

ON THE BEACH by Nevil Shute

The Kitchen God's Wife by Amy Tan
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan


Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy



The Dirty Girls Social Club: A Novel by Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez
Make Him Look Good by Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez (Nov. 2006)
Playing with Boys by Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez

SLAUGHTERHOUSE-FIVE by Kurt Vonnegut

The Color Purple by Alice Walker

I'm embarrassed to admit it now, but I read these and at the time, I loved them.
The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller
Slow Waltz in Cedar Bend by Robert James Waller

This is probably my favorite memoir.
The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeannette Walls

Ya-Yas in Bloom by Rebecca Wells
Little Altars Everywhere: A Novel by Rebecca Wells
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells

More good chick lit
Goodnight Nobody: A Novel by Jennifer Weiner
Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner
Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner

Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood: A Novel by Rebecca Wells
Ya-Yas in Bloom by Rebecca Wells
Little Altars Everywhere & Divine Secrets of the Ya-ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells

Night by Elie Wiesel