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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by NikkiT2 on May 22, 2005, at 8:08:29
OK, so you've got a great friend, who has, say, a birthday.. That friend has asked that each person in her life buy her *one* book. One book that blew you away, or made you change the way you thought about things.. or a book that gives you great comfort.. you get the idea..
Tell me what book you would buy, and also why you would buy that book if you can.
Trilogy's can count as one book (or even trilogy's in 5 parts *L*)..
(And yes, I know 90% of you will know exactly what I will be choosing *L*)
I'm so excited to see what others will choose!!
Nikki xx
Posted by NikkiT2 on May 22, 2005, at 8:17:27
In reply to OK.. a thread of amazing books.., posted by NikkiT2 on May 22, 2005, at 8:08:29
"His Dark Materials" trilogy by Philip Pullman.
Childrens books are a real passion of mine.. But when I read this, I honestly don't think I have ever been so affected by a book.. To read a book that so matched my ideas on "God", on a greater power was pretty amazing for a start. The characters, the settings, everything about HDM just sucked me in.. Lyra and Will became my friends, and I've been missing them terribly.
One part that sticks in my mind so strongly was the land of the dead.. it was so sad, but so so beautiful when they released tem all.. Thats what I want when I die.. I want to be part of *everything*.. part of the air, part of the grass, of the tree's..
"Lyra's Oxford" is a lovely little follow up novella, and I'm so lucky to have been able to see the plays, and get the amazing programme with an extra little story in.
Plus, I can console myself that Pullman IS now writing "The Book of Dust", which will be the 4th part of the trilogy.. At the symposium he did that I went to, he said Lyra will be 16 in it, and it will follow a vitl part of her life.. but he made no mention of Will..
Its a truly wonderful book, that as so much in it on so many different levels. No one should be put of by the fact this is a supposedly "young adults" books, as its one of the most mature books I think I have ever read. It nourished aswell as soothed, and drags you along on a superb journey..
So, thats my choice!!
Nikki xx
Posted by Daisym on May 22, 2005, at 12:59:00
In reply to My choice.., posted by NikkiT2 on May 22, 2005, at 8:17:27
Such a hard question! Books have defined most of my life. Right now I'd say the most recent book that touched my soul was "A Shining Affliction". It is a book about mental health, which has been my bent for awhile. But the writing is clear and beautiful. It makes me cry everytime. I think I've read is 6 or 7 times now.
"Little Women" was my escape book when I was a child. I read them all "Little Men" -- "Joe's Boys" -- It has always made me sad that I didn't have a daughter to discuss these books with. My boys won't read them.
Surprisingly on my list is "Ender's Game" -- probably because I have all boys. It is a wonderful story but it calls into question the idea of military training of our children, survival and choices.If I was on a desert island, forced to bring only one set of books to read over and over again, it would be Tolkein's middle earth stuff -- from "The Hobbit" all the way through "The Lord of the Rings" including the "Silmarlin" which most people haven't read. You just can't top these books, not even with "Harry Potter."
And that just scratches the surface...
Posted by Racer on May 22, 2005, at 13:52:23
In reply to My choice.., posted by NikkiT2 on May 22, 2005, at 8:17:27
I loved "His Dark Materials", too. And I did read "Sabriel" and have the next two waiting on the shelf for me to get to them. (Next, I think.) "Ender's Game" is high on my list, as is "A Wrinkle in Time" -- but at rock bottom, there's no question which book I'd have to choose.
"The Princess and Curdie" by George MacDonald. Now, if you know me, you'll know that I get my back up when you hand me dogma wrapped in a pretty package. But there's something so humane in this one that I could forgive the Reverend MacDonald. In fact, I could embrace the religion that lies at the foundation of this book. Something about it touched me so deeply when I first read it -- it was read aloud at a summer camp when I was ten. I read it again that year, and have reread it since. It is a lovely, magical book.
So, my choice would be "The Princess and Curdie."
"His Dark Materials" -- by the way -- is high on my list because I have such a soft spot in my heart for Metatron, and he's so overlooked...
Posted by NikkiT2 on May 22, 2005, at 13:54:38
In reply to Re: My choice.., posted by Daisym on May 22, 2005, at 12:59:00
Ah, but you can only give your friend one book *grins*
Thats the rule of this game *giggles* Was terribly hard for me, as books are my friends, books are what get me through the toughest times, and books have saved me on more than one occasion *l*
So go on.. I dare you.. Pick one book that you think everybody sould read atleast once in their life *G*
Nikki xx
Posted by Minnie-Haha on May 22, 2005, at 14:20:33
In reply to OK.. a thread of amazing books.., posted by NikkiT2 on May 22, 2005, at 8:08:29
Without a doubt: Mark Twain's "Roughing It" That book makes me laugh when nothing else can. (It got me through post-partum depression.)
Posted by Daisym on May 22, 2005, at 16:32:58
In reply to Re: OK.. a thread of amazing books.., posted by Minnie-Haha on May 22, 2005, at 14:20:33
And what you said was: A book everyone should read at least once, I'll step away from the obvious list and land on this one:
"The Last Convertible", by Anton Myrer. Great story, well told and sentimental enough to relaly stay with you.
And I doubt many people have read it. But you should!
Posted by partlycloudy on May 23, 2005, at 8:56:11
In reply to OK.. a thread of amazing books.., posted by NikkiT2 on May 22, 2005, at 8:08:29
Is "A Wrinkle In Time" by Madeleine L'Engle. It opened up the world of speculative and science fiction to me at a young age and I still love to read it.
pc
Posted by Minnie-Haha on May 23, 2005, at 12:43:35
In reply to My single choice, posted by partlycloudy on May 23, 2005, at 8:56:11
> Is "A Wrinkle In Time" by Madeleine L'Engle. It opened up the world of speculative and science fiction to me at a young age and I still love to read it.
Ah, that is a good one. I was pretty young when I read that, too. I read it with my son (now 11) a couple of years ago, and we both enjoyed it. It's so fun to re-read books from your childhood.
Posted by Jazzed on June 7, 2005, at 10:27:52
In reply to Re: My single choice, posted by Minnie-Haha on May 23, 2005, at 12:43:35
If I could only choose one it would be Lad, A Dog
by Albert Payson Terhune. This is one even my kids remember fondly from listening to the unabridged version on tape years ago. It's just one of those books that touches your heart and stays with you forever.Jazzy
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