Thursday, March 17, 2011

The Book-It List

Spring break is just around the corner (next week, actually!), and I’m looking forward to snoozing longer, puttering around on a few house projects, grabbing coffee with friends, hiking local trails, and reading to my heart’s content.  There is almost nothing better than curling up with a delicious book, so I thought I would share some of the best books I’ve read recently (in no particular order), many which were recommended to me by my wonderful teaching colleagues and a few of my students!

1.        The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, by Alan Bradley

2.       Still Alice, by Lisa Genova

3.       The Power of One, by Bryce Courtenay

4.       A Walk in the Woods, by Bill Bryson

5.       Born to Run, by Christopher McDougall

6.       We Were the Mulvaney’s, by Joyce Carol Oates

7.       The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak

8.       I Capture the Castle, by Dodie Smith

9.       Seabiscuit, by Laura Hillenbrand

10.   The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas

11.   The Good Earth, by Pearl S. Buck

12.   Cry, the Beloved Country, by Alan Paton

Books are some of my dearest friends, so it almost feels wrong not to include all of them.  I suppose I’ll just have to spotlight books more often, right?  In keeping with our house theme, I just picked up a Bill Bryson book from the library, At Home.


I’m a big Bryson fan, so I hope it doesn’t disappoint!

What books are you loving right now?  Or what classic do you read over and over again?  Fill me in!
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6 comments:

  1. BetsMarch 17, 2011 at 10:35 PM

    Am about to finish The Nightcounter by Alia Yunis...fun, enjoyable, light, imaginative.

    "Sweetness" was recommended to me by someone else too. Did you like it? Would you recommend?

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  2. JessMarch 18, 2011 at 2:06 AM

    Loved The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie! It's full of British humor--but not the stuffy or over-your-head kind. The writing style drew me in right away, and the protagonist is a delightful young girl who solves mysteries. Your description of The Nightcounter would fit Sweetness as well. Definitely worth adding to your list.

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  3. Hannah FellerMarch 19, 2011 at 1:17 PM

    YAY!! A book list!! :)
    I loved The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie! So funny! Great book...
    When I have time I'll have to pick a book from your list.
    xo

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  4. AmyMarch 22, 2011 at 2:36 AM

    Hey jec,

    I have been reading along, sorry I haven't been commenting, everything looks great! I love your creativity and your decorating. Now I just wish we lived closer!

    My reading lately has been in a Perspectives text, but I have a stack to get to, I have just finished "One Million Arrows" (parenting focus), "In Love and Logic, Beyond Consequences" and am starting "Forgotten God".

    Someday when Perspectives ends, I will hopefully get to a few of yours!

    love,
    amy

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  5. ElizabethApril 16, 2011 at 1:05 AM

    So...what did you think of the Bryson book?

    Have you read anything by Annie Dillard? I have her book "An American Childhood"...I think you'd like it. She's a fantastic writer, and this one is a memoir from her childhood--the kind of book that you can read in bits and pieces (perfect for a busy teacher : ) ).

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  6. JessApril 17, 2011 at 12:57 PM

    Ooooh...yes, I'll have to borrow your Annie Dillard book. I own a copy of Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, and I agree that her writing style is fantastic. As for the Bryson book, I was pretty disappointed. It felt drier than his other books and the humor was just not as...funny. But if you're willing to give Bryson another chance, I highly recommend A Walk in the Woods (adventures on the Appalachian Trail), I'm a Stranger Here Myself (on returning to American after living in Europe), and The Mother Tongue (right up an English teacher's alley). Thanks for reading, E!
    Cheers--
    Jess

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