Keeping a Book List
I’m completely obsessed with “The Help,” by Kathryn Stockett for two reasons:
1. It’s a great story set in 1960s Mississippi about the lines drawn between white women and their “colored” maids. I’ve been reading it since our trip to Miami and I’ve been hooked ever since. I read walking down the street, in elevators, on the subway — you name it! I savored the last 15 pages because I didn’t want it to be over.
2. I love Kathryn’s story – she was turned down 60 times before selling this book! I mean – at that point..some people would have said “enough.” But I’m so glad she didn’t. What a great lesson in perseverance.
I always have an on-going reading list. I’m lucky enough to work with a bunch of readers so we swap books often. I also have a Kindle and an iPad but I must say – it’s just not the same for me. I haven’t gotten used to not holding a book. Although—those electronic devices are much easier to carry on the subway!
Some of my favorite books include anything by Jodi Picoult, Philippa Gregory, Jennifer Weiner, Emily Giffin, Kristin Hannah or Dan Brown. I’m always open to suggestions but I think that having a list of books will help you remember everything you want to read. It will also serve as a goal-setting tool. I’m convinced that if you write it down…you will do it.
But back to my book list – here is my most recent one:
• The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz
• I Was Told There’d Be Cake by Sloane Crosley
• Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
• Sin in the Second City by Karen Abbott
• The Color Purple by Alice Walker
• Bossypants by Tina Fey
• Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang by Chelsea Handler
• Columbine by Dave Cullen
• The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
• One Day by David Nicholls
What’s on your reading list?
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I really enjoyed The Four Agreements – I listened to the audio book. Actually, I listen to it repeatedly off and on for reminders. I hope you enjoy it too.
Hi Beth — glad to hear you enjoyed it! I will definitely get to it one of these days!
I laughed a little to myself when I read this. I know a few of your books are on the list because of me 🙂 But you loved HELP – so glad… I told you.
Hahaha — Jess — basically that IS your list that we all made on our Harpo trip!
Paula, I’m a new reader of your blog, and LOVE it! I’m a listmaker myself.
Just a note re: book lists. I’m a voracious reader and kept stumbling when folks asked for my favorites…as there are so many. I discovered LibraryThing.com which is an excellent resource to catalog books – essentially lists of fave reads, wish lists, etc! Keep up the great work here!
Hi Katie —
Welcome! So glad you’re reading and liking the blog! Appreciate the kind words and the recommendation — I didn’t know about LIbraryThing.com but it sounds perfect for me! Thanks so much and keep reading! Let me know if you have any blog suggestions — I’m always open to new ideas! Thanks, Paula
I, too, have a book list – and it seems that our tastes are VERY similar! It’s alpha by author and it lives on my phone, so whenever I’m in a thrift store or at a library sale I can refer to it as needed.
What a great idea! So what are some on your current “must-read” list?
I love to read, I also keep a list of books that I would like to read. Will have to check out that website LibraryThing.com, thanks for the tip
Hi there – thanks for reading! Let me know what you think of the site!