Bill Bryson, Notes from a Small Island - rocks you off the chair (with laughter) and makes you love this "island" more. Funny that an American should.
Bill Hybels, Too Busy Not to Pray - gift from an old friend. Very very very inspiring prayer-wise. Definitely will be spreading the word, although I've figured that books are only inspiring when you want to be inspired.
Have discovered am really a 19th century kinda gal, at least for now. In the new year:
Austen - Pride & Prejudice.
Hardy - Tess, Mayor of Casterbridge.
Dickens - David Copperfield.
Trollope - The Way We Live.
Others:
The Heavenly Man - very very inspiring indeed.
The Marriage Book - no, no, don't get the wrong idea.
City Secrets - London - great book. Wish there was more though.
Wildlife Photographer - you should go see the exhibition too!
Oh yes, the Good Pub Guide has been invaluable too... See Food Reviews.
I was just reflecting how this part of the blog evolved. I think I wrote more subsequently (after the My Favourite Books entry) because I felt this compelling need for continuity, but really, I'd much rather be writing about food. Reading is my private, very personal, wrap-self-in-duvet and shut-out-world activity. I think I'd like to keep it that way. So... go check out my food reviews instead!! -AL
As a direct result of writing in this blog, I semi-successfully resolved to try to keep my nights worry-free, with the help of a cosy duvet, cups of apple-cinnamon camomile tea (with lotsa honey), and a good library. Reading Anne Fadiman's "Ex Libris" re-ignited my passion for reading and book-collecting (thank you!). I've lost my copy of her father, Clifton Fadiman's, wonderfully useful anthology of the western canon "A Lifetime Reading Plan", but will pick one up soon enough.
So far, I've finished reading Po Bronson's "What Should I Do With My Life?", which I would recommend strictly as a light read and only if one is not already a tree-hugging life philosopher (because it will make you worse), and of course, the wonderful and delectable A.F..
Presently reading:
Graham Greene, "The Power And The Glory"
At least one thing in my life which I am happy about. -AL
You know, how little I've logged on this page is really testament to my endless work and unborn discipline. I haven't even finished Ravi Zechariah's book! Every night, I'm so tired that it's always easier to give in to more dumbing distractions (read: TV), or there's always something I need to do (read: bills, washing up, email). Have I forgotten how to enjoy myself? Curl up in bed with a book (that is not work-related), take a long bath, bake, run in the park, play chess, open a bottle, silence...? -AL
"Confessions of a Wine Lover" by Jancis Robinson - as A says, this book makes you want to drink more wine...
"What Should I Do With My Life?" by Po Bronson - I bought it not knowing that it was a self-help book. It's not what you'd expect from one anyway - more descriptive than prescriptive. I love reading about other people's lives - this is legitimate voyeurism!
"So I Send You" by Oswald Chambers - a gift from Steve Nichols; he was clearing his house. If a book makes you want to reach out for your Bible, it's in my good books! (sorry for the pun)
The Bible
Would love to go through Clifton Fadiman's "A Lifetime Reading Plan" (at least!) before I die.
My parents have had a profound influence on my love for books (e.g. leaving me in the book section of Yaohan with a stick of chilli fishballs while they went grocery shopping - I was only age 5, for goodness!, buying me a set of the World Book, and mum driving me to the local public library every week).
As a child:
"Through the Looking Glass", "Alice in Wonderland", Beatrix Potter, Dr Suess, Enid Blyton, the Mr Men series, the William series -- these are just some of the books I hope to pass on to my children.
And oh yes, dad is fully responsible for my latent fascination with espionage (Frederick Forsyth's "The Day of the Jackal"... remember dad???).
Of my own:
Hardy, Dickens, Nabakov, Greene, Orwell, Steinbeck, De Bernier, Garcia Marquez, Oswald Chambers etc. have been some big influences.
Hardy's Tess is easily the character I identify most readily with (you know, compelling need to tell the truth etc.).
But if youth is the defining moment, then it has to be Orwell's "Animal Farm" and Harper Lee's "To Kill A Mockingbird", both read at age 13.
Chinese female writers
e.g. "Wild Swans", "Joy Luck Club", "Falling Leaves"
Biographies
... just finished Oswald Chamber's.
My first first edition was Alan Paton's "Cry the Beloved Country".
But to be honest, most of my reading is taken up by Philosophy, Game Theory & CSR at the moment... sigh.
Would like to read more contemporary writers and the Dictionary
Please feel welcomed to browse my Amazon Wish List! (refer Favourite Links)