In November, one of you, my readers, gave me a book recommendation—“Coming Home” by Rosamunde Pilcher. I found it in one of my many “to be read” book piles about a week ago and spent several days reading it. The book, about a girl who comes of age in Cornwall, England during World War II, is one of those thick escapist type of novels. I loved it so much that I was sad when it ended and still feel a bit bereft that it’s over. Reading that book and then sharing about it with the person who suggested it was a wonderful literary experience. I love books for many reasons, but one of the main ones is the way they bring people together. If you can share a love for books with someone, you can bridge any relational gaps.
So tonight, with that in mind, I have asked several guests to tell you about their favorite books. They are the people that I’ve shared the love of reading with the longest—my family. They are the most voracious readers I know. I asked them each to share their favorite book. None of them could choose just one book—I couldn’t, either. And some may have cheated by choosing entire series. Here are their favorites, in their own words (except for a few connecting words, here and there, that I provided):
Dad: “There are many books that I loved because I read them at a certain time in my life. They were entertaining, maybe even transformative, but not necessarily favorites: a book that I loved years ago might not be a favorite now. But there are two that are lifetime favorites of mine:
Created for Commitment by A. Wetherall Johnson. This is a biography that reads like a novel. It shows what a fully committed Christian life looks like, even how to pray.
Honest to God by Bill Hybels. This book introduced me to Bill Hybels and Willow Creek Community Church, which has been life transforming. It shows what a fully devoted life looks like and challenges us to live it.”
Mom: “Mine are all non-fiction. I have the longest list ever of my favorite books in fiction. So many touched my life and are so good that I want to turn around and read them again. But these three non-fiction books actually changed my life:
The Disciplines of a Beautiful Woman by Anne Ortlund. I learned about the value of using a time management notebook and establishing true disciplines in my life. I read this book more than once and still incorporate many parts of it into my life.
Woman at Home by Arlene Cardozo. This book inspired me by describing how wonderful it could be to be at home, creating a home and raising my children.
The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom. This one is a favorite because our family read it together. It was such a real life story of faith in action in desperate times. It, too, changed my life and my view of real faith.”
Lisa: “From childhood, I loved the Little House on the Prairie books by Laura Ingalls Wilder and the Anne of Green Gables series by L. M. Montgomery. I also loved the Love Comes Softly series by Janette Oke. And the Betsy-Tacy series by Maud Hart Lovelace. As an adult, I’ve read and reread the Elm Creek Quilt series over and over. I love the subject matter and the way the author, Jennifer Chiaverini, weaves history, the present day, and quilting together.“Heather: Love Walked In by Marisa de los Santos. Good In Bed by Jennifer Weiner. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd.
“These books feature strong female characters, strong female relationships within ‘families’ and women taking care of women. The definition of ‘family’ is not necessarily the traditional description of family. It’s more about the people who support and prop you up during the challenging times. In all three books, there are female characters who rise above difficult circumstances. All three authors bring to life the feelings and depth of emotion in the hearts of their characters. Their stories are ones of risk, failure, hope, and redemption—of rags to riches of their circumstances and their souls.”
Adam: The Martian by Andy Weir. “The narrative nails the two ‘P’s’ in science fiction, which is hard to pull off—the plot is both plausible and probable. Also, it was written by an engineer, so it’s technical, not artsy-fartsy. And Great Expectations. Charles Dickens wrote it. There’s nothing else to say.”
Monty: The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. “I had so much fun reading each book in this series. It was fun to just imagine a world like this and what it would be like to be a part of it. And The Great Escape by Paul Brickhill. I was amazed at what these prisoners endured and achieved with ingenuity and talent. The book reads like fiction but, amazingly, is true.”
Me: I completely cheated on this. Once I heard what Dad said, my answers changed because my definition of a favorite book changed. I agree with Dad—the books I loved at different times in my life may have been favorites then, but now are relegated to a mental pile of books that I loved at one time. So when I thought about my true favorites, I defined a favorite as a book I would read over and over again and would find something new in every time—a book that I love no matter who, where, or how I am when I read it. My all-time favorite books are:
The Collected Poems of Louis MacNeice by Louis MacNeice. This has every single one of my favorite poems in it, including “Autumn Journal,” MacNeice’s novella length poem about his life during the advent of World War II in Europe.
The Betsy-Tacy series by Maud Hart Lovelace. This series was written about Betsy Ray and follows her life from kindergarten to marriage. They’re uplifting stories about a family in the early 1900’s, and the main character, Betsy, wants to be a writer. I’ve read this series countless times. Monty and I spent a week in Mankato, Minnesota, which is the real life setting for the series. Seeing the places where Maud/Betsy lived made the series even more real to me.
Emily of Deep Valley by Maud Hart Lovelace. This is the same author and setting as the Betsy-Tacy books. The character of Emily is more melancholy and much more of a loner than Betsy. Emily lives alone with her grandpa and has few friends. She realizes that she must somehow make a life for herself if she wants any joy in her life—so she “musters her wits” and gets busy doing just that. I’ve read Emily even more times than the Betsy series, simply because I relate to her character more. I always find something in Emily’s strength of character that inspires me.
So—if you need a book to read, choose any one of the above. If my family suggests them, I can guarantee you that they’re good. Whatever you’re reading, talk about it to someone else. You’ll build a literary bridge. And you can start right here, if you’d like. Tell me what your favorite books are. It’s Saturday—we have the whole weekend to read as much as we want to.
“Books have a unique way of stopping time in a particular moment and saying: ‘Let’s not forget this.’” Dave Eggers
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Favorite books, a topic which could occupy me and much of my family for hours! I, too, love The Hiding Place, and am reading it again at this very time, something I had not done since I read it to my kids when they were all still home, many years ago. Trinity by Leon Uris; this is a story of the Irish potato famine, the response of the British to the needs of the Irish, and the efforts of a few of the Irish people to establish their independence. Included are unforgettable scenes of a fire in a clothing factory, as well as scenes of everyday life in a few of the homes. My last two picks for today? Our Mutual Friend and A Tale Of Two Cities, both by Charles Dickens. The sacrifice of Sydney Carton in A Tale Of Two Cities has stuck with me since we read this book in Junior High or High School; I do not believe there is any more noble act in all of English literature, though there may be some which are just as noble. Thanks for this exercise, Renee! What fun!
Thank you for the comment, Heather! Isn’t it fun to remember books? I’ll never forget “The Hiding Place.” Wow. And I agree with you about “A Tale of Two Cities”–the plot, the setting, and yes, the sacrifice–such a good book. Now I need to head over to Amazon and check out the Irish book! Thanks again.
Good Morning Renee. Reading, understanding what you read is so valuable in life. Early on,grade school, I loved reading, Mark Twain (Huck Finn, Tom Sawyer). Gravitatedbto Zane Grey Westerns. At age 9, I fell in love with Baseball. Baseball books, anything to do with sport, as well as playing it (morning,noon and night ), during summer vacations. Teenage years, I did only “required reading”, in H.S Then, in the 1960’s, got “turned on” to the Political scene. Two books that stand out during that period, 1) “Nation of Sheep”, 2) JFK’s, “Profiles 8n Courage”. Always kept up my Sports reading. Now, in my Golden Years”, my kids say I am getting to be “older than dirt”., I have “gravitated” toward” “Faith Based Books”. My favorite writer, Mr. Max Lucado, Methodist Minister. Two of his books, have read and re -read, several times 1) before Amen, And 2) “Because of Bethlehem, Love is Born, Hope is Here. Also! Enjoy, J,Ellswort( Kalas, “I Lov3e Growing Older, But I will Never Grow Old, Finally, I am similar to my Friend, Klara, I look at the Back covers, to “Speed ReaD what the book is about,, to see if I will purchase it. Lastly,I saw a n interview on TV th e other day. Dolly Parton said her Dad, never went to school, none in the area. He taught himself to read. And became a self taught” Man, Dolly, in her adult life, has “Championed” Reading for children, teens and adults. Her charity organization has purchased and distributed over 50 million books, in the U.S. and throughout the World.:What an effort. Reading is “The Key”, or one of them, to life.
Harold–you ended your comment with something I am so passionate about–literacy. Because, as you said, reading is one of the main keys to life. I love the work that Dolly Parton has done for literacy; I didn’t know it was because of her dad–that’s amazing. Anyway, your list of books is just so good. I, too, love Mark Twain. My parents took us on a “Twain-themed” vacation when I was a young teenager, and it was so cool to see the settings for some of his books. My grandma introduced me to Zane Grey and to Louis L’Amour, whose books I have read and reread. I think it’s cool that you incorporated your love of reading into your love of baseball. I wish more kids knew that they can read about the things they love, not just watch videos on YouTube! And, finally, Max Lucado–such a favorite of mine. He has a beautiful way with words. Thank you so much for the comment and for sharing your special books–I loved reading about them.
Never read the above books, but I can always try one day. I tend to pick books by reading the back cover to see if they may interest me. No murder mysteries or gruesome stories for me or detective ones for that matter. I pick books randomly from almost any author whether I know them or not. Years ago I had one favourite author who was Pearl Buck. The one book I remember the most and can never forget is ” I heard an owl call my name”. It was always in my possession, but can not find it now? I want to read it again even as I have read it many times over the years. It is about a young priest who is going to die and is send to a far away village of Indigenous people and learns much about their lifestyle and rather than bringing his religion to them, he receives much wisdom from them instead. heartbreaking beautiful story of life, acceptance, knowledge and love. One book that helped much in my time of need when ill and how to stand up for myself against my abusive husband at that time was ” Speaking the truth in love”, a Christian book for Stephen ministries. It taught me the difference between being always held “responsible” for everything under the sun– to be ” respond-able”–the ability to respond in truth rather then to be responsible when it had nothing to do with me. I still use the techniques to day.
Klara–I try to pick books randomly but so often gravitate back to the authors I know and love. I’m intrigued by “I Heard an Owl Call My Name.” It sounds so good. I haven’t heard of “Speaking the Truth in Love”–the difference between being “reponsible” and being “respond-able” has had me thinking all day. Great concept. And I’m grateful for any book that helped you through such a difficult time. Thanks for such a thoughtful comment.