Saturday, December 11, 2010

The Ultimate Book Review

For the last four years, I have been keeping track of all of the books I have read in this nifty little "what I read" noteook I received as a gift. I am a self-proclaimed nerd in that there is nothing better than keeping a list, crossing off a list, and looking back on the list to remind you of everything you did. And books are one of the best things to track.

Some books are so knock-out that you never forget the characters, but others need a gentle reminder such as a character's name, a specific scene, etc to take you back into the story. So this morning, as the snow comes down inch by inch, I took out my little blue notebook, which was filled to capacity last night to look back on all of the stories I have devoured in the last 4 years, and here is my top must-read list! Listed in no particular order  (because to me they are all awesome!).....

1) Jesus Land by Julia Scheeres
2) The Good Good Pig: the Extraordinary Life of Christopher Hogwood
3) Snow Flower and the Secret Fan  by Lisa See
4) Water For Elephants by Sara Gruer
5) The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
6) What is the What by Dave Eggers
7) Molokai'i by Alan Brennert
8) 102  Minutes by Jim Dwyer and Kevin Flynn
9) The Russian Concubine by Kate Furnivall
10) Still Alice by Lisa Genova
11) Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay
12) The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff
13) The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Is it unlucky to have a list with 13 items on it? Perhaps, but I don't want to lead any of you astray with a pretty good, it was alright or it held my attention sort of book. I promise that although this list is long, those that did not make the list is MUCH longer--remember this is a 4 years-in-the-making-list here people.

So, time to start a new notebook to fill with all of the books that are waiting for me on my overflowing book-shelf. If anyone has any recommendations of books that I must start 2011 off with let me know!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Stay safe in all that snow. I will pass the list on to some of the avid readers at work. Love to you and Nate, Mom

Anonymous said...

WOW...WHAT A GREAT IDEA..I THINK I'LL START A LIST...I'VE READ SOME OF THOSE ON YOUR LIST...AND WILL TRY SOME THAT I HAVEN'T.....HAPPY READING THIS WEEKEND...YOU GUYS STAY IN AND RELAX...AND WATCH WINTER'S WONDERLAND FROM A COZY SPOT.....LOVE TO YOU BOTH...TOF..(BY THE WAY WINTER SUCKS!!!!)

Anonymous said...

Thank you... I will add some of these to my list. I think there were only 4 that I have not read! Are they all typical "Greta Books"?

Marie

Anonymous said...

Words always get in the way of reading...
Uncle Todd

Sina Teskey, RD, LD said...

I'm so proud to say I've read 4 and am part of the way through the 5th (most from your recommendations). Keep the book reviews coming.
P.S. 13 is a very lucky number...take it from the girl with a birthday on the 13th! :)

Becca said...

Hooray! Love this list :)
Happy to say that I read some of these with you and even happier that if I haven't read them I own them.
Oohhhh I heart books.

Anonymous said...

My boss is wondering if you would consider looking through the book again and recommend favorites 14 - 26. She is just finishing the 2nd on the top 13 that she had not read. Or...just email me some other favorites. Love, Mom

Anonymous said...

Nancy, you wrote what we were just thinking. Greta my mom and I both love the idea of keeping a list and the books that you've picked. (I had no idea anyone else knew about most of these. So exciting!)

Happy reading and Happy New Year! Thanks for posting your list!