Wow! Th
e first challenge for "Thankfully Reading" is definitely a challenge! I'm supposed to answer what book I'm most thankful for. I could say THE MOUSE AND THE MOTORCYCLE because that is the first book I remember reading all myself and I loved it. If I'd have hated it, I probably would be a different reader today. I could also say Dante's INFERNO as that helped me deal with some issues I was going through as a freshman in college. Then there is ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST that sealed the deal on my studying English in college. TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY and THE LORDS OF DISCIPINE all had huge and lasting effects on me.
But on this particular day in my life I'm going to say I'm most thankful for L.A. REQUIEM by Robert Crais. Yes, that would be right. Crais just topped Dante, Kesey, and Harper Lee. L.A. REQUIEM started my love of crime fiction and my love of Elvis and Joe. That book also led to my friendships with Naomi Johnson, Michael Alatorre, and Elyse Dinh-McCrillis. From there it was just a snowball effect: the blog, Crimespree Magazine, Bouchercon...And it all started with a love affair with L.A. REQUIEM. For those reasons I will always be thankful!
20 comments:
Great post! I had to write about "a" book I was grateful for and went with a childhood favorite. I'm grateful you have read so deeply in the mystery genre and are willing to share with us.
I enjoyed your post! I guess I need to read L.A. Requiem!
Love both A Prayer For Owen Meany and The Lords of Discipline!
I think I went through more than one box of kleenex with A Prayer For Owen Meany. It's a sad one!
I still haven't read One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest but I desperately want too. I did see the movie with Jack Nickleson, so I know that his face will be the image in my head. (He's sooo creepy, yes?!)
Also, Prayer for Owen Meany is fabulous. Actually, I've enjoyed almost all of Irving's books.
Happy Thankfully Reading Weekend. :))
I've never read cuckoo's nest but loved the movie. I may have to pick it up one day.
Blog Hopping?
Wow! What a great list! I have to thank you for introducing me to Crais! I'm still playing catch up with all his books; hope to catch up by the end of the year!
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is pure genius. Love that book and those characters. Thanks!
CUCKOO'S NEST just flattened me with its brilliance. It made a huge impact on me when I read it in school.
I'm extremely thankful that LAR led to our friendship. What wonderful things a book can do.
Fantastic choice. Dante is a favorite of mine as well.
I've not read any of those books, Jen. Wow! Well, maybe the Mouse and the Motorcycle. That really sounds familiar. Great list. More additions to my TBR.
Oh, I loved THE MOUSE AND THE MOTORCYCLE. Ah, memories.
I like crime fiction but I haven't read L.A.Requiem.
I had the same problem, too many books to choose from because they're all important.
Wow, this is such a great list. I also thought a lot about the first books I really read by myself. The very first, full book, was a little, square picture book with a parrot, or something. Obviously it had a mild impact because I remember it and I was only four at the time.
Oh and I read One Flew Over the Cukoo's Nest when it was our competition play for theater guild in high school. GREAT book!
I'm laughing because I beat myself up to choose just one book, and I went for the childhood favorite...but I love your whole list!!
I thought I had read Cuckoo's Nest, and I used to own a copy, but right now I don't recall much about it. And I have worked as a student nurse in a mental hospital back in the 70's. I remember Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance more fondly. That is not my favorite however.
My recent favorite, Kristin Lavransdattar (????spelling), by Sigrid Unset ??? It was a Pulitzer prize winner, written as a trilogy, and fantastic. Translated into English. Found multiple copies in the library, as if some reading group would seize it. I simply could not believe that I was as old as I am and had never heard of it before.
Books of Henning Mankell are my favorite. I won't single out one.
Thanks for all the great comments everyone. This was a fun little post to do. Really made me think about what books have done for me as a person!
Alison and Leslie, if you enjoy crime fiction, L.A. REQUIEM is definitely a must.
Candace and Jenn I'm thankful there are people who will tolerate me running on and on about this obsessive love with the genre and its books and authors! You are both wonderful!!
Mandy I hear you on that box of Kleenex! It breaks my heart when the only way people know Owen Meany is through that tragic movie Simon Birch. Ugh!
Christina and SenoraG Oh, you must read the book of OFOTCN. The movie didn't even come close to capturing the genius of that book.
PCN You're wonderful! Love you, chica!
Great post- I loved One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest, one of my favorites. I also enjoyed Dante & Harper Lee, but have never read LA Requiem. Never one for much in the mystery genre, but since it is one you're most grateful for I may pick it up!
I went with a childhood favorite for my pick. I had forgotten all about The Mouse and the Motorcycle until I read your post. That was another one of my childhood favorites.
How wonderful that you gained so much from reading that one book!
The Mouse and the Motorcycle! I remember that book. I liked it too. When I was a kid I couldn't stand Dr. Seuss books. I just didn't get it and thought they were dumb. I didn't appreciate Dr. Seuss until I was much older and finally saw the genius and politics.
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