Lisa's favorite childhood books

Thanks for this idea, Kristen! I was talking to my mother about this month's book selections and she also suggested that it would be interesting to talk about this. Cool beans!

A few items on your list triggered memories for me. I didn't read Where the Red Fern Grows until I was in my early thirties, and coincidentally it was just after my grandparents died within a week of one another. I was with Kristen in the sobbing department.

The Misty of Chincoteague series by Marguerite Henry (who also wrote Brighty...) was huge for me. I read all of them, and even corresponded with the author (I'll have to see if I can find the postcard she wrote me).

Madeline - I've never pronounced that name as "Madelinn" because of the rhymes in this wonderful book, which AP (and I know Fia too!) enjoys immensely

Pippi Longstocking & Raggedy Ann

Through the Looking Glass - our 3rd grade teacher Mrs. Zimmerman mesmerized us by reading the poem Jabberwocky from this section of Alice in Wonderland - we would beg her to do it again and again! I can still hear the way she made it come alive.

Anne of Green Gables - can't wait to read this one to my Anne!
The Secret Garden, A Little Princess
To Kill A Mockingbird - I could read this one over & over again

A Wrinkle in Time - my best friend and I were obsessed with this book in 5th grade

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn - 7th grade oral book report, one of my proudest moments

The Great Gatsby - one of my faves in H.S. although now I really can't remember much :(

Huck Finn vs. Lord of the Flies - in 10th grade we had to do a comparison/contrast paper about these 2 books. That difference in philosphy about evil being inherent in man, vs. the influence of society really made an impression on me.

Also, Anne Peyton and I have been reading Mary Poppins lately. I don't remember it from childhood, but want it to be a big part of hers. It's lovely! If you've only ever seen the Julie Andrews movie, you must read the book. It's a totally different (and refreshing) portrayal of an English nanny. I also got the book on tape from the lib and listen to it whenever the kids are in the car with me (otherwise, NPR!). At first they struggled with the British accent of the narrator, and some of the advanced English words, or downright British words (such as "perambulator"), but they're catching on. Both kids will call out "Mary Poppins!" as soon as we get in the car. I actually not sure if Tommy understands a peep of it - maybe he's just crazy about that lovely accent.

What were your most memorable books?

I'm just curious. Thinking back to childhood and early adulthood, which books to you most vividly remember? Which books changed you, and how? Which books left a lasting impression and why?

I need to brainstorm some more, but I definitely remember reading:

Goodnight Moon - just a great children's book
Where the Wild Things Are - scared me
A Dog for Suzie - the first book I checked out from the library and read by myself
Where the Sidewalk Ends - I loved it!
The Giving Tree - so sad but beautiful
Brighty of the Grand Canyon - my first LONG book
The Phantom Tollbooth - absolutely confused and intrigued me
Sounder - this is when I decided never to read another book about animals
Dear Mr. Henshaw - just something I remember
The Chronicles of Narnia - my 5th grade teacher read them all to us
The BFG, The Twits, The Witches - my Roald Dahl phase
A Wrinkel in Time, A Swiftly Tilting Plant, A Wind in the Door - my dad read these to me aloud
Romeo and Juliet - how can I leave out Shakespeare?
The Fountainhead - a life-changing read, full of independence and self-discovery
The Mists of Avalon - brought me into the power of womenhood! It really was a very powerful, influential book for me.
The Lord of the Rings - I can't deny it's impact
The Incredible Lightness of Being - I can't remember why!

I may add more to this if something comes to mind, especially after I see what you gals post. But I think that's a good start of my most influential books.

Random Book Thoughts

I just finished Grapes last night! Wow.

Does anyone know if you can download books to an ipod or other device (I'm without any device or knowledge of how they work) from the library?

I heard someone call Twilight a love story, and I think that's the most appropriate categorization for me. What do you think? When I said "romance," I don't think that was quite right. "Romance" conjures up s-e-x, sort of, doesn't it? And, I don't think sci-fi is quite right either, though it could fit into fantasy.

Need to get to the library to decide on next month's books. And coordinate with Lisa and Janell on who's going to host next. Did we decide on even a day? Did it finally come down to Friday night??

I called the library to see if they could offer a "book talk" along the lines of what we thought the T. Cover would do, and they don't. They would offer to help us find all sorts of resources to help with book discussions, but we were kind of hoping for "an expert" to lead us, right? No such luck. Sarah, do you know anyone? Anything?

Has anyone decided what she's reading for next time? Oh, Jade The Book Thief. How is that going? Anyone else?