Life by Jen

1. The Lacuna. By Barbara Kingsolver.

I love this book. This is one of those books that changed my world. All of the books I’ve read by Barbara Kingsolver are amazing. They are thoughtful, gentle books that leave you thinking about the characters, their stories, and their worlds for years. This book happened to be my favourite because of the main character and the surrounding history. A beautiful story that incorporated historical figures and their stories, alongside the beauty backdrop of Mexico. This book, for some reason, has just lived on with me. If you’re a fan of her newest book, Demon Copperhead, which was a wonderful story, you’ll love this. Poisonwood Bible and Animal Dreams are also excellent.

2. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. By Betty Smith.

I’m very much someone who loves happy endings and joy in stories. I don’t usually love darker books or anything too depressing. I read for a pleasant escape, not to be confronted by the harsh realities of life. I think that’s what life is for. That isn’t to say that I won’t read an exceptional book that isn’t happy, but it’s not my normal go-to or my typical favourite. In this case, the pragmatic story by Betty Smith is diverges from my regular books. This was a beautiful story about a little girl growing up in a very real world. Such a fantastic read that I just happened to stumble upon at a local library book sale. Total gem.

I am planning to read her other works, but not sure which one to dig into first!

3. On Writing. By Stephen King.

I wanted to read this book for a very long time. I had known of it and had heard that it was a wonderful read. I have read many books on writing and many that are dry, stuffy, and hard to force myself to get through. This book was anything but that. Stephen King’s On Writing, was a easy, personal, and genuine book. His stories and insights made it so easy to picture him writing in a closet and taking his long walks. I wish I could read this one again for the first time. I’m not a re-reader by any stretch, but I could definitely take this one on again. I heartily recommend this for writers and non-writers alike.

I’m admittedly not a scary book fan, but this book makes me want to try a Stephen King novel. Maybe I’ll start with the Dark Tower series?

4. Barney’s Verson. By Mordecai Richler.

I confess that I had to read this book. I read this in a Canadian Literature class in University. We dissected the book, and of course, I have watched the movie. While no movie ever lives up to book, Paul Giamatti is pretty spot-on casting. This book was, again, not a cheery read, but an excellent one with a great story and stellar characters. Mordecai Richler’s books are some of my favourites, but this one is one is the best. Hands down.

5. The Blind Assassin. By Margaret Atwood.

Ok, I know. My Canadian is showing. But, what a book! I am a huge Margaret Atwood fan. Not just her books, but her. I remember listening to an interview with her a could of years back and she said that she finger types her books. I mean, can you imagine crafting a book so amazing, so measured and with such slow, steady flowing words. That makes such a fantastic picture in my mind. In any event, I just loved the storytelling of this book. The jumping from place to place and time to time. A must read.

I think The Testaments is my next Margaret Atwood read. There are so many excellent choices!

What are your top would-love-to-experience-again-for-the-first-time books? I am sure I could list off 50, but these are just the ones that come to my mind.