12.15.2011

B's Top 10 Books... Baby it's cold outside...

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…and whenever that’s the case all I want to do is crawl under my down comforter with a mug of tea and a good book in hand. I have the reading fever right now so I’m currently lost in the middle of Room, The Happiness Project, Other People’s Children & The Hunger Games. This splendid book hugging got me thinking about my favorite books. Some are favorites because they have simply entertained me, some have tipped my perspective on life, and some just put a nostalgic grin on my face when I hear the title. None-the-less I offer to you my top 10 list of favorite books (simple books, but significant to me)…

The Five People You Meet in Heaven (Mitch Albom): I remember reading this book years ago and feeling so enlightened about life. I am always making the effort to be conscious of my every interaction with people, no matter how grand or petit they are. No other book I have ever owned has been dog-eared, highlighted and tabbed as much.

Island of the Blue Dolphins (Scott O’Dell): I first read this book in the 4th grade and picked it up again two summers ago. There is limited dialogue which I was surprised to be entertained by but I enjoyed it just as much as I had in 4th grade. This beautiful story was the perfect read for a warm summer’s night…. I refused to fall asleep until I had finished it.

Letter to my Daughter (Maya Angelou): My mom sent me this for Valentines Day two years ago and I couldn’t get to a cozy seat and fold the cover back fast enough. I absolutely LOVE this book (my favorite passage: Commencement). Maya Angelou’s words consistently warm a small place of my heart and have a direct impact on my daily actions and reflections.  

Helter Skelter (Vincent Bugliosi): I must confess, I am fascinated by fear. I love sharks, dark nights, and criminal minds. What better entertainment than 700+ pages of investigation from the Manson Murders? Helter Skelter doesn’t miss a beat- from the history of Charles Mansion’s upbringing to the prosecuting attorney’s lengthy case of evidence I was completely consumed.  

The Shack (William P. Young): My mom gave me this book a few years ago and said to me “It’s weird, but I know you’ll like it.” Sure enough it was the right kind of weird for me. As someone who identifies as faithful rather than religious I absolutely loved the spiritual insight in this book.  I felt so enlighten and intrigued, this is one book that I can honestly say changed my life at an internal capacity.

Tao Te Ching, The Book of the Way (Lao Tzu): I was enlightened by Taoism after I read The Tao of Pooh (Benjamin Hoff) and adopted quite the craving to learn more. While this is a quick read there is so much to learn from the simplicity of the scripts and the truth of the words. I often keep this within reach and pull it out when I’m looking for something to provoke thought or settle my mind.

To Kill a Mockingbird (Harper Lee): While I haven’t read this since my freshman year of high school I’m still pleasantly haunted by the good soul of Atticus Finch and often find myself asking WWAD (What Would Atticus Do?)… I must reread this gem in the not-so-distant future.

The Four Agreements (don Miguel Ruiz): Yes it’s a “self-improvement” book but I love this it and what I have learned form it. I’ve blogged about it before (along with 28 Days to a More Magnetic Life another FAVORITE of mine) but could not let it miss the list. I love the agreements and how “tangible” they are and applicable to apply to your life.

Something Blue (Emily Giffin): Emily Giffin is my favorite author. Her writing is so relatable; I can easily connect with so many of the characters and experiences in all of her books. Something Blue has been my favorite yet. It’s the sequel to Something Borrowed and if you’ve read/seen Something Borrowed you must get Something Blue in your hands to find out what happens next. I also love the reminder that every person hosts the ability to grow and change through self realization and that there are always two sides to every story.

Mythology (Edith Hamilton): In high school we read Edith Hamilton’s version and in college I studied the generic text book but none-the-less I am a self classified Greek Mythology geek (I also have two Mythology Bowl championships from college to back up that proclamation as well).  I love the characters, the stories, the lessons, and everything else in between. I love pulling out these tales on a rainy day and relating them to my own adventures.

& I'd love to hear yours....

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Blogging from bed…

6 comments:

  1. Soooo...I found it such a coincidence that I was in the middle of reading my mythology book when I saw you put up a post!! Ahh I'm the biggest mythology geek too heehee. And I can't believe you love the Shack!! I've never met anyone who's actually heard of it. Haha, it is that kind of weird you fall in love with and just can't bear to put down once you've started reading it! Love this list! I'm shocked at how many of these books are actually on my list! Wow, we have really similar tastes. I am going to have to read the ones I haven't read and ,of course, hit you up for reading suggestiona in the near future!!

    Xoxo

    Ariel

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  2. I am reading 'The Happiness Project' and 'The Hunger Games' right now. One of my favorite books is 'The Alchemist' by Paul Coelho. And I also love everything written by Nicholas Evans, especially 'The Loop'. Perfect read for a cosy winter. I also loved 'Sarah's Key' and 'The Help', but that is probably not really very original.

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  3. LOVE this blog! I'll be off to Barnes and Noble to pick a few of those up for the plane ride! Love you gorgeous! See you tomorrow! :)

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  4. I am such a reader although my favorites are none too original. I am a sucker for a Nicolas Sparks or Jodi Picoult novel. I have heard that Something Borrowed and Something Blue are good too. So now I'll have an excuse to read by the Christmas tree :)

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  5. Brittany we read "To Kill a Mocking Bird" when you were a sophomore in Chavez class and I was a freshman remember? Also I didn't know you liked Mythology. I love mythology!! I have read the Iliad and Odyssey like 3 or four times each. Also did you see Percy Jackson and the Olympians? The movie did not follow the book at all but you should read them they are packed full of mythology. There are 7 books in the series now. The last one that came out was "The Son of Neptune" At the end of there series there will be 10 total. Next one is called the Mark of Athena. Oh did you like crime and punishment in Comers class? If so you absolutely have to read "The Brothers Karamazov" Absolutely loved that book. Its Dostoevsky's darkest work. Hope everything's going well over in Tulsa.

    -Ryan Harris

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  6. If you liked The Five People You Meet in Heaven, you absolutely havee to read Tuesdays with Morrie- same author, but it's a true story and just incredible. It's pretty much my bible.
    I also love Angela's Ashes by Frank Mccourt- such a sad story but also really inspiring and great for perspective. I reread it when I'm feeling sorry for myself.

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