Book ‘Em! (She Says, Cringing At The Punny-ness Of It All)

Now that Mama has figured how to “turn on the blog,” as it were, she’s told a couple of her friends about it, and now they “turn on the blog,” as well. And occasionally they ask me questions about it when I see them. And while talking to people about Ye Olde Blogge isn’t exactly comfortable for me, it’s not nearly as bad as, say, Emma Kate introducing me as BooMama to people at her church, an incident for which there are no words to adequately express my embarassment, but my embarrassment was significant enough that EK now owes me a really cute pair of shoes, or at the very least a case of diet Coke.

(I will be available for psychiatric evaluation from 5-7 pm on Thursday. Just be sure to let me know where you set up the couch. And be sure to bring lots of delicious, ice-cold diet Coke. And be sure to send Emma Kate the bill.)

Anyway, this past weekend one of Mama’s very fun friends was talking to me about my blog and asked me if I had ever posted a list of book recommendations. Which of course I haven’t. Because I’ve become a terribly lame reader.

Pre-pregnancy, I read voraciously – usually two or three books at a time – but since Alex came along I do well to read two or three books a year. I’ve tried to do better over the last three or four months by having at least one book on my nightstand at all times, but it’s difficult. I write a lot more than I used to, and it seems like between cooking and cleaning (don’t you even laugh, D. don’t you EVEN laugh), chasing Alex, working, blogging, wife-ing, etc., reading is the thing that gets pushed back farthest on the burner.

(To clarify: reading has not been pushed back as far as, you know, crafts, but those were never really on the burner for me to begin with. Come to think of it, crafts were nowhere even remotely near the burner. In fact, I think that for me, at least, crafts are currently located somewhere just southeast of Idaho.)

And here’s the thing: I miss reading. I really do. But I find that when I do want to read – when I make a special trip to the library or bookstore with the intent of finding a good book – I get completely overwhelmed. I don’t want to waste precious reading time on something that’s not any good; I don’t want to start a book that I’ll have no desire to finish. And inevitably I leave the bookstore empty-handed, usually wondering when people quit writing the kinds of books that I want to read.

Lately it seems like every other blog I happen across has a to-read list for the new year in the sidebar. I can’t even tell you how much that intimidates me because not only are you people reading, but you’re planning it, as well, and I’m pretty wide-eyed at the wonder of it all. On top of that, you’re not reading easy stuff; you’re not grabbing the #1 Walgreens bestseller off the shelf and calling yourself a bookworm. Y’all are reading challenging stuff. Some of it’s not even fiction, and ohmyword I don’t know how you do it.

So, for Mama’s friend who asked about a list – and for me, who really needs a list – here is my humble request. In the comments, give me ONE recommendation for a book that is, in your opinion, a must-read. I prefer fiction, but I’m fine with non-fiction, too.

Also.

Please remember that I have the attention span of your average four-year old, only I can’t even sit still long enough to watch cartoons. So while some of you (SHANNON!) might be intrigued by the idea of tackling Pilgrim’s Progress, I am not. In fact, the prospect of spending precious leisure time fighting my way through classic literature (aside from To Kill A Mockingbird, which is the best book in the history of all time ever) makes me want to throw things. And then chase down the stuff I threw so that I can kick it. Repeatedly. While twitching.

My former English professors must be so very proud.

So hit me with your One Essential Book in the comments. And if you happen to know the the author’s name, pass along that info, too. No need for links – mainly because the links will make my spam filter go cuckoo.

Once I wade through the list, I’m going to pick ten books to tackle this year. And I’m going to put the list in my sidebar so that y’all can point at me and laugh at the end of December when I’ve only read two and a half of them. But I really want to be a better, more intentional reader. And I know Mama’s friend will appreciate your suggestions, too.

By the way: if anyone lists anything by Henry James or James Joyce, I’m totally going to cover my eyes and sing “LA LA LA LA LA LA” and pretend like I don’t see it. Grad school nearly did me in with those two.

Thanks, internets!

I’m so glad y’all read and are smart and stuff. You have inspired me to do better.

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Comments

  1. DayspringDawning says:

    ooh, I hate to leave another comment…you’re probably overwhelmed at this point…but I have to second the book by Shaunti Feldman (?) called For Women Only. A great, great read!

  2. *Mitford Series
    *Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns (I am rereading this and it is so good)
    *I also recently like the SAHM I AM book and think it is a MUST for boomama considering it is about the internet
    *Secret Life of Bees
    *What do you do all day?
    *Kristen Billerbeck’S Ashley Stockingdale series..christian chic lit..first one is called “what a girl wants”
    *the Nanny Diaries

  3. also love Jennifer Weiner’s
    “Goodnight Nobody”
    and “Little Earthquakes” especially

  4. Ok, so I don’t have time right now to read through all your 100+ comments. So, if I repeat what someone else has said…I apologize and will gladly offer up another suggestion. One book I have always loved is Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson. Very, very good! No Great!!! IMHO! :) Enjoy your reading this year!!!

  5. Obviously, I am entering late in the game, but I would ditto: The Poisonwood Bible, Francine Rivers (esp. her trilogy), Brett Lott (Jewel, A Song I Knew by Heart), and The Kite Runner. Another ALL-TIME favorite is Memoirs of a Geisha (which I didn’t see in the comments). Wouldn’t Dr. Dazey be proud? :-)

    PS– I am LOVING the fact that I now have a new list of books to look for at the library!!

  6. I have lots of favorite books, many that others have already mentioned, so I thought I’d recommend one that hasn’t been brought up yet:

    I Know This Much Is True, by Wally Lamb

    Haunting, gripping story, told from the pov of the sane identical twin of a schizophrenic. Not easy ready, but impossible to put down.

  7. Peace like a River by Leif Enger. Or Leif Somethign that starts with an E.
    (and I agree with someone earlier who said Shopaholic. Laugh out loud funny, that one is.)

  8. I agree with so many of the books mentioned, especially The Time Traveller’s Wife or anything by Jodi Picoult.

    For a fun, light read, I recommend anything by Jennifer Weiner (In Her Shoes).

    The “couldn’t put it down” book I just finished was Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. It’s an amazing book set in China.

  9. Looks like this one’s already been recommended, but Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner is wonderful. I read the entire thing the night I spent in the hospital waiting for my son to be born… yeah the whole thing… obviously, he wasn’t in a big hurry. Needless to say, that was almost 8 months ago & that was the last book I’ve read. Meanwhile, my husband (who’s one of those who lists what books he’s reading or just finished on our blog) seems to finish a couple a week. Now, that doesn’t seem fair does it?

    Sorry, I digress… must get blog of my own. ;-)

  10. I didn’t read all 108 previous comments to see if my suggestion has already been mentioned, but… I would HIGHLY recommend ANYTHING (not the title, just any of her books) by Karen Kingsbury. You would NOT be disappointed. Even if you have a short attention span, I can almost guarantee that she will capture your interest. Her books are awesome! I can read one in 2 days flat if my hubby can lend some extra assistance with the kiddos. ;) I last read “Even Now” and “Ever After” by KK, and they were fabulous! Good luck on making your selection of books and getting through them!

  11. Here’s a suggestion from a girl who agrees with you about “To Kill A Mockingbird” being the best book of all time: “Cold Mountain” by Charles Frazier. I LOVED this book. He has a second book out now called “13 Moons.” I haven’t gotten far enough into it yet to know how good it is, but my Dad really liked it. One classic book that I read recently (and I can’t believe I was never required to read it in school) was “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” It was a beautiful, though heartbreaking at times, story (it actually had a few different stories going on at once). Can you tell I like historical novels?!

  12. Oh gracious…I finally got through all of the comments and one of them reminded me about “The Hiding Place” by Corrie ten Boom. If you never read another book for the rest of your life, you need to read this one!!! It’s such a great story of Christians being lights in unimaginable darkness. It was such a page-turner that I was able to read it pretty quickly even though I now have two kiddos!

  13. Okay, I’m not even sure you’re still taking down recommendations, seeing as how I’m comment #48,692. But if you are, I’m currently reading “A Girl Named Zippy,” by Haven Kimmel. It’s the story of her childhood (a happy one, for a change) and is adorable. Easy reading, fast reading, satisfying reading. Perfect for the tub. With a Diet Coke, of course :)

  14. Ok, wow! I’m sure you haven’t gotten this far down but…..

    Whenever I try to get someone to read for a book club, I always start with Poisonwood Bible. It teachs us Americans that other cultures count.

    I must say, again, read Fannie Flagg. I’ve read Standing in the Rainbow 3 times and I’ll read it again.

    That’s for this – I have written down 11 books I want to read!

  15. The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers…it’s a beautiful story around the reason we need a Savior.

  16. I was going to say The Time Travelers Wife too. It does have some explicit content (esp. for us naiive unmarried women, who happen to be Christ-followers and don’t know certian things). BUT, it is very good, and heartbreaking, and sweet, and lovely. I wanted them to both make different choices so many times my heart broke. Plus, I know the Chicago area pretty well, so that was way fun to see things nsd places through them.

    I found it so good, and this being her first book, I am already on the waiting list for Ms. Niffenger’s next book coming out this spring (I think). I found myself engrossed in it and I haven’t been a big reader since college (ok, that’s only been 3 years, but still)- and now I’m a voracious reader again, thanks to that book and Ms. Niffenger.

    I hope you check it out- I’m certain you’ll enjoy it.

  17. If you read Sarah’s rec for “A Girl Named Zippy” by Haven Kimmel, a rec I second, BTW, be sure and read the sequel — “She Got Up Off the Couch.”

  18. I agree with many other commenters about “”Reedeming Love” by Francine Rivers. Some of her other books are also excellent. “”Leota’s Garden” and “The Last Sin Eater” are two of my favorites. “The Secret Life of Bees” by Sue Monk Kidd is also a great read. I also recommend “Blue Like Jazz” by Donald Miller. It’s gives you a different look at Christianity. Happy Reading!!

  19. gods in Alabama-Joshilyn Jackson

    and

    Between, Georgia same author

    can.not.say.enough.good. things. . .or you could just read the archives of her blog–go to http://www.joshilynjackson.com and click on her blog–good stuff.

  20. ANd I second the Jan Karon Mitford Series, AND Cold Sassy Tree, AND The Princess Bride the Good Parts Version (yes–it’s actually a book and quite good at that.)

  21. “The Notebook”. That’s all I’m sayin.

  22. You should read the Song of Albion Trilogy by Stephen R. Lawhead which as
    “trilogy” suggests is really three books: The Paradise War, The Silver Hand, The Endless Knot. It’s celtic fantasy with Christian elements subtly woven into the story. It’s one you can’t put down. I re-read it on a regular basis. All of Lawhead’s books are great but the Song of Albion trilogy to me is his best. Enjoy!

  23. I’m an avid reader-one of my all time favorites is Swan House. It is set in Atlanta in the early 60’s- a southern coming of age story that is so well written.

    I ditto Redeeming Love and My Sister’s Keeper.

  24. Anything by Jeanne Ray. Her books fit into the category of “quick-n-easy & VERY funny”!!! My favorite was “Eat Cake” (it even had some yummy recipes, but that only added to the story.)

  25. I’M overwhelmed by all the suggestions. Glad I’m not you and in a spot to have to choose 10. Has anyone mentioned “Book Lust: Recommended Reading for Every Mood, Moment, and Reason” by Nancy Pearl? Yes, indeedy. It’s a book about books. It’s lists of books broken down by categories and why she (a librarian) recommends them. Great reading. Seriously. But, no, I don’t expect it to be on your 10 list. Though I think you should shock everyone with one surprise on your list. Like “Plumbers Gone Wild” or “Rendezvous with Dr. Dee Lightful.” ;-)

  26. Marly and Me By John Grogan ( I think that is the author’s name) A dog book, quick and very funny. Of course like all dog books the dog does die in the end, but I thought the whole book was wonderful and I wasn’t sad because the dog had a wonderful happy life.

  27. I would also recommend anything by Karen Kingsbury. The Redemption series was amazing and the Firstborn series is even better. Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers was life changing.

    A fun book about friends is Sisterchicks on the Loose! Sisterchicks do the hula was a wonderful story about friendship.

    And last I would recommend The Yada Yada Prayer Group Series! Great read that is not easily put down.

  28. Peace Like a River by Leif Enger is a great fiction book!! It is not Christian Fiction, but one of my favorites ever!

  29. Phyllis R. says:

    My word at the comments! As a fellow lover of “To Kill a Mockingbird”, I also LOVE, and recommend these:

    If your in the mood for:

    For laugh-out-loud-crime stuff: The Stephanie Plum detective series by Janet Evanovich. The first one is “One for the Money” (hilarious–HILARIOUS)

    For pure sweetness: The Mitford Series by Jan Karon (start with the first one: “At Home in Mitford”

    For a cold, rain, cozy, Diet Coke kinda night: The Thirteenth Tale

    For Deep and meaningful: “The Poisonwood Bible”

  30. Ok, I absolutely LOVE…
    Liz Curtis Higgs, Thorn in My Heart (it has 3 others that follow, Fair is the Rose, Whence Came a Prince and Grace in Thine Eyes). I couldn’t put them down!
    *I agree with anything by Karen Kingsbury (Redemption series with Gary Smalley, and Firstborn series,awesome WELL WORTH the read!) anything by Francis Rivers (Mark of the Lion series, awesome!)
    And the Sisterchicks novels by Robin Jones Gunn!

  31. I enjoyed Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz. The follow-up (Forever Odd) wasn’t as good as the first, and I’ve bought the third, Brother Odd, but haven’t read it, yet.

  32. One of my all time favorites is Fifty Acres and a Poodle: a Story of Love, Livestock, and Finding Myself on a Farm by Jeanne Marie Laskas. It’s non-fiction, but reads like fiction. She’s very funny…reminds me of your writing. The sequels are also very good (Fifty Acres and a Family and Growing Girls: The Mother of All Adventures. Happy reading!

  33. Secrets of the secret place-Bob Sorge is life changing for your personal time with God.
    The Mission of Motherhood-Sally Clarkson

  34. BooMama, I read non-stop, and I read a little of everything…so it’s impossible for me to recommend just one book…but I do post book reviews of what I read so you could pop by and see what’s good…if you want to…let me know and I’ll send you the link.

Trackbacks

  1. […] In light of your many sweet comments and recommendations regarding my determination to READ AGAIN, OH MY WORD, my friend Robin made the suggestion that we start a little book club. […]

  2. […] Best Novel of the 20th Century (or some say “in the history of all time ever”) Jump to Comments In a post last month, Boomama tossed out a request for recommended reading. She felt like shewanted to start reading again, but couldn’t decide where to start. She asked for her readers to recommend one book, non-fiction or fiction, that they feel is essential reading. From that list, she would compile a list of ten that she would try to work her way through in the coming year: “Once I wade through the list, I’m going to pick ten books to tackle this year. And I’m going to put the list in my sidebar so that y’all can point at me and laugh at the end of December when I’ve only read two and a half of them. But I really want to be a better, more intentional reader.” […]