Best Books

As an author . . . 

And a ravenous reader -

I thought I would finally share my list of the ten best books.

All of these books have been read by me more than once,

which is saying a lot!

Fiction for me must be haunting,

a story that has stickiness

that I can't forget

that keeps me thinking

and wondering what happens next?

All of the fiction books below all into that category.

Non-fiction just needs to have a universal appeal.

I will be honest.

Getting my list down to ten was a challenge.

So it came down to which books do I recommend, buy for others, and re-read

often.

First, because I'm eclectic in my reading,

please know I'm going to give books

from a number of genres.

Also, I have many authors not listed that I would consider my favorite authors.

In any event,

Let the fun begin:

1. A Brief History of the Dead

by Kevin Brockmeier

Apocalyptic Fiction

I was at the airport and needed a read.

It was recommended as a book similar to one I'd liked.

Don't remember the book I liked.

And can't forget this book.

It haunts me.

Enough said?

Was recommended by my book club the best book of 2012

And it's the comparison for all other books we've read.

2. Ellen Foster

by Kaye Gibbons

Literary Fiction

I was at an airport and needed a read.

I thought it would be a plane ride's worth.

It was . . .

The voice is evocative.

The story begins:

"When I was little I would think of ways to kill my daddy."

3. The Poisonwood Bible

Barbara Kingsolver

Literary Fiction

My daughter had to read it.

She recommended it.

I couldn't put it down.

Amazing.

Love the women's narrative voices.

4. The Book Thief

by Marcus Zusak

Young Adult

Someone told me our book club should read it.

They did,

You should as well.

5. Norwegian by Night

by Derek B. Miller

Fiction

The characters! Yes! Love!

An elderly man,

a young boy

and a story,

what a wonderful story.

I laughed . . .

I cried.

6. The Prince of Tides

by Pat Conroy

Romantic Fiction

I wanted to read the story before I saw the movie.

I cried.

And then I saw the movie trailer

and I cried - 

every time I saw the movie trailer,

                                                every single time

                                                    even now. 

                      I see the bridge in the movie trailer and I bawl.

7. Layover

by Lisa Zeidner

Women's Fiction

I was intrigued by the front cover.

And the back cover

I read the book.

I have re-read the book.

Haunting tale.

Interesting.

8. True Food: Seasonal, Sustainable, Simple, Pure

by Andrew Weil, Sam Fox and Michael Stebner

Cookbook

True Foods is my most favorite restaurant

so is it any wonder that I love their cookbook?

Not only are the recipes simple

they look and taste wonderful.

Love!

9. Leadership and Self Deception

The Arbinger Institute

Non-fiction

I routinely recommend this book to:

people

like parents

co-workers

employers

like I said people.

                                 It talks about treating people

                                  as people.

                                  Great concept.

                                Great read.

                                

So is:

10. Good to Great

Jim Collins

Business

An overall great business book.

With timeless insight

into what works.

I would love to hear what books are in your top ten.

Someday,

I should to my top ten authors.

It would be an entirely 

different list.