While running is a major hobby of mine, I also like to read. I haven’t had much time for it lately and I’m really missing curling up in bed with a book and Lloyd. I used read constantly as a kid and even in high school I always had some sort of book next to my bed.
As I get older the time for pleasure reading (uh, not that kind of pleasure reading) has waned and I’m just so tired when finally get into bed that I can’t imagine trying to read. I’d get through one page before I zonked out.
However, before my trip to D.C. for the Marine Corps Marathon* my friend Hollster lent me the book Flags of Our Fathers. It’s the story of the men, or young men rather, who raised the flag at Iwo Jima. I brought it to work today to read and after only thirty pages my inner reader has woken up. My love of the book has been reignited!
Today I am thankful for books, and these are my top 5.
1. Life of Pi. Oh my lord, is this book good! It has so many layers and definitely makes you look at the nature of zoos and religion in a whole different way. It sounds odd that one book examines those two different things, but it totally works. It is by far my most favorite book of all time.
2. To Kill a Mockingbird. Obviously, this book is a straight up classic. I remember reading it for the first time and falling in love with the characters. It’s the first book that I read that really stood out with a message. Plus it has a character named Boo, you gotta love that.
3. Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas. Really, I love any book by this author, Tom Robbins, but for some reason this one is my favorite. I think it’s because the main character reminds me a little bit of me. The book is also what they like to say in reviews – laugh out loud funny.
4. The Lord of the Rings – the entire series. I would not be a true nerd if I didn’t list the Tolkien masterpiece. If you haven’t read them, I’ll warn you. The first book takes some getting into, but after that you won’t put it down.
5. The Shining. As you all know my love for the macabre and for all things Halloween, this one had to make the list. It’s one of Stephen Kings’ best and scariest. Red rum! Red rum!
So, what are you thankful for today?
*I am on Old Wonky alert. He’s been showing up and then disappearing. I plan on heading to DC regardless. If I have to walk MCM, then that is what I shall do. I’m not missing it two years in a row!
Just discovered your blog! Great blog! And funny too 🙂
What I'm thankful for today? That I only had one day of actual pain after my first marathon last Saturday, and that I was up and running again last Tuesday and started my training cycle for the NYC Marathon this week. I thank the runninggods for that.:)
Flags of our Fathers is great. I read it a long time ago, and was deeply moved. If you want to see a recreation of it, tune into HBO's "The Pacific" for a graphic, incredible recreation of it. I don't know how those men did it.
What am I thankful for? Only 4 weeks to college football season!
I *heart* reading, too! Maybe that's why I like you so much 🙂
Some great books listed! The Shining is one of my fave S.King books, too. I can remember paragraphs from that book by heart because they just scared the bejezus out of me!
Good luck with Old Wonky – you're smart, I know you will make the right choice.
Today I am thankful for the good ol' county fair. It will be the first time in a year that I get to spend time with my friend of almost 30 years. We're practically sisters and happily she's coming down for the concert and I'm tagging along just for some Q-time!
Today I'm thankful for getting internet installed at my house 🙂 I'm loving the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series.
I got an extra 90 minutes of sleep this morning…… That's enough to be thankful for.
Love me a good book! My top favs "Lonesome Dove", "The Kiterunner", "The Hiding Place" and "The Cape Ann".
Maybe we should have an exorcism for the wonky-one!
Today I'm thankful for my wonderful past workmates/friends that gave me such a glowing reference that I got a job!
Hollster
OMG! I love The Shining!!! I haven't read the book, but I've seen the movie!! (which is against all that I believe in…I usually read the book first then see the movie).
My top 5–The Diary of Anne Frank, The Stephanie Plum series, Harry Potter series, Anne of Green Gables, and Little Women. I would like to read To Kill a Mockingbird…my students gripe about it when they have to read it, but it looks really good!
I'm thankful that I'm reading The City & The City by China Mieville. He's usually a hard core science fiction writer, but this is half murder mystery, half sci fi and totally fascinating. Check it out.
(And anything by Jonathan Lethem – start with As She Crawled Across the Table.)