10 Books That Have Stayed With Me- Facebook Challenge

Many of you may have participated in the recent "10 Books" challenge on Facebook (and if you haven't, consider this your invitation--everyone on your Facebook can benefit from your awesome taste!).  I thought it would be fun to share my list, and the rules in case you haven't seen this.

I challenge you to list 10 books that have stayed with you, then tag ten friends. Rules: They don't have to be the "right" books, just books that have had an effect on you. Don't take more than a few minutes. The answers should come quickly. 

My choices:

1. Wonder by R.J. Palacio
2. All Fall Down by Jennifer Weiner
3. The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell
4. A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
5. You Are My I Love You by Maryann Cusimano Love
6. Island Beneath the Sea by Isabel Allende
7. Let’s Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson
8. The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
9. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
10. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

Happy Listing!

The One Who Lived - Queen's Gambit: A Novel of Katherine Parr by Elizabeth Fremantle

Queen's Gambit: A Novel of Katherine Parr by Elizabeth Fremantle

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I won a copy of this novel through the Goodreads First Reads giveaways.

I enjoyed this lush account of Henry VIII's last wife, Katherine Parr. Life in Katherine's world was vividly described and the characters were well-developed. The plot kept moving, never leaving me feeling like I was moving through a history text.

Fans of Philippa Gregory would feel right at home with this novel and I would happily read more from Fremantle.

*Edited to add that I passed it on to a family member who also really enjoyed it, so this is a great book to add to your TBR pile!



View all my reviews

The maybes are worth it - Heft by Liz Moore

Sometime during the summer, I saw someone on staff at my local library recommend Heft via Facebook.  I don't know who wrote the post, I'd never heard of it before, but something in that tiny blurb caught my eye and I added it to my TBR list.  Last week, while helping my daughter find Reading Olympics books at the library, I picked it up...and really liked it!

 

Arthur Opp is an obese recluse, so saddened by losses in his past that food and solitude become his refuge.  Charlene is his former student and pen-pal, with a life spiraling into darkness.  Kel is Charlene's son, a rising baseball star commuting from a disadvantaged neighborhood to a top-notch high school, dealing with his mother's decline while finding his place in the world.  Moore brings their stories together with care and distinct presences, never making them caricatures of their issues.

I'm a sucker for a good character study, and even if I didn't particularly love Arthur Opp, Charlene, or Kel Keller, I felt that I understood their motivations.  I was moved by their struggle to connect with others and embrace the "maybes" in life.

Another example of social media word of mouth in action!  I'd never have picked up this book without seeing the library staff review.  This good read is a great reminder to always check out the library and bookstore staff recommendation shelves!

4 out of 5.