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?

February Book Choices

Last night was so great, all! Doesn't it always seem to fly by too quickly?

Just quickly, did you look to see the Printz winner(s)?

2008 The White Darkness, Geraldine McCaughrean
2007 American Born Chinese, Gene Luen Yang
2006 Looking for Alaska, John Green
2005 how i live now, Meg Rosen

And Newbery

2008 Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village, Laura Amy Schlitz
2007 The High Power of Lucky, Susan Patron
2006 Criss Cross, Lynne Rae Perkins
2005 Kira-Kira, Cynthia Kadohata

And Caldecott

2008 The Invention of Hugo Cabret, Brian Selznick
2007 Flotsam, David Wiesner
2006 The Hello, Goodbye Window illustrated by Chris Raschka and written by Norton Juster
2005 Kitten's First Full Moon, Kevin Henkes

Still My Favorite

I hardly ever, never reread books, even my favorites. I always feel propelled to move forward because I am obsessed with the idea that there are just so many amazing books out there. And I am certain that I will die without having read even one tiny fraction of the things I'd like to read in my life. But for Grapes of Wrath I'm happy to make an exception (that and maybe Twilight and, ahem, Breaking Dawn). As I reread GOW I am resavoring and rediscovering everything--each detail, each minute observation, each heartbreaking tale within it--anew. And it's still my favorite. I am amazed by this book. Absolutely (unconditionally and irrevocably) in love with it (and Edward, too. OMG, did I just say that out loud?).

Jade's GOW notes

For my entire reading of GOW, I couldn't help but think of present-day immigrants who have migrated to the U.S. for a better life. I would like to live in my suburbian bubble and think that we as a society do not treat people the way the Joads were treated, but I know that it isn't the case. Has anyone seen the movie The Visitor? I really enjoyed this movie. It's about a couple of illegal immigrants who wanted a better life in the U.S. Also, did anyone see the show on TV the other night (I think it is called What would you do?) that secretly filmed what would happen if actors working in a cafe would discriminate against Spanish-speaking customers in their cafe. Fortunately, most people stood up for the Spanish-speaking customers. 

Quotes that struck me:

• End of chapter 12: "The people in flight from the terror behind––strange things happen to them, some bitterly cruel and some so beautiful that the faith is refired forever." Beautifully put. 
• Chapter 14: "We could love the tractor then as we loved this land when it was ours. But this tractor does two things––it turns the land and turns us off the land. There is little difference between this tractor and a tank. The people are driven, intimidated, hurt by both. We must think about this." Later in Chapter 14: "For the quality of owning freezes you forever into 'I,' and cuts you off forever from the 'we.'"
• Chapter 26: "I'm learning one good thing. Learnin' it all the time, ever' day. If you're in trouble or hurt or need––go to the poor people. They're the only ones that'll help––the only ones." 

This book has made me think more than I have time for! It is pack full of thought-provoking topics that are very relevant still today. I'm looking forward to tea at the palace (wow, we're a sophisticated bunch!). 

confessions

OK girls, I blame you (Kj, Theresa, Jade) for officially ruining me! I'm speaking of You know it'Twilight here, not GOW as I should be, of course. But, when I'm out on a jog and start giggling, you know I'm definitely ruined! I think you discovered my genre - I haven't been so engrossed since Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles! This book is so thrilling, though, because it also takes me back to highschool and that "bad boy" boyfriend who I luckily eventually dumped, but still looked around every corner for that multi-colored Volvo. OK, I've said too much... anyhow, it's fun to get so giddy! I don't know if I'm enjoying it so much because it's such a thrilling fantasy, or if I simply need it after 6 months with two kids, but I am enjoying it. Thanks for introducing me!

Thank you

for suggesting we read "Grapes of Wrath" -- was it you, Theresa? I still have not gotten through it what with all the holiday eventfulness, but I love the book and can't believe I've never read it. My husband told me how he skipped over all "lyrical exposition" chapters (to quote Kristen's blog entry) in high school because he thought they were boring. I am not sure how I would have felt about them as a teenager, but I am mesmerized by them now. I just found out that our daycare mom's family homesteaded in Kansas so now I am full of questions for her. Thanks for opening this window for me. There is so much I am clueless about ...

Also, Kjirsten suggested I share with all of you my exciting news -- I am going to the inauguration in 2 weeks!! Should be back in time for tea so hopefully I will have a few good stories for you!

Happy New Year, everyone...