| Liz's Book List |
| I love to read. Below is a list of books I really enjoyed reading, and a little synopsis. There's no real order to the list, but these are pretty much my favorites. I tried to note which ones were chick reads (text is purple). So check 'em out if one seems like it might interest you... and email me if you're reading something good! |
| Circle of Friends - Maeve Binchy. Light read, girlie, drama, fiction. 2 girls grew up as best friends in a small irish town. This is the story of their friendship as they go to college together in Dublin. I love the ending, let me tell you if you've seen the movie, the movie ruined the entire point of the book. I stay up for hours reading this book. I love it. This book will probably not be as big a hit with the guys. Coming Home - Rosamunde Pilcher. Moderate read, girlie read but guys may enjoy, too, drama, fiction. One of my favorite stories. RP writes so well, you feel like you are there. This is a story of a girl who, at the start of the 2nd World War, was left in Britain by the rest of her family. She grows up with a school friend and they sort of adopt and accept her into their family. Extremely well written tale of the lives of this group of people. I don't want to say it's a total chick-read, but I can't see guys appreciating it as much... It's Not About The Bike - Lance Armstrong. Moderate read, drama, non-fiction. Outstanding recap of his battle with testicular cancer. I was not a fan of the guy before reading the book, so even if you really don't like him, you should read it. Especially if you know people with cancer. The book really is not about the bike or riding. Microserfs - Douglas Coupland. Moderate read, humor/drama, fiction. This is probably my favorite book. Anyone who went to school or has worked in a technical setting will get a huge kick out of this book. It's the story of a few computer geeks who just want to be successful and stay close to one another. Excellent social commentary, as are all of Coupland's books, but this one is my favorite by far. The Perks of Being a Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky. Moderate read, humor/drama. Fiction. Diary of a teenage boy in the early 90's. Extremely well written. Quick read that can change your whole outlook on life. More upbeat than Catcher in the Rye but just as - if not, MORE - profound. The Skeptical Environmentalist - Can't remember the author. Moderate/Heavy read, non-fiction. This is one of the most interesting books I've come across. Excellent observations on environmental crises, statistical manipulation and half-truths about the state of the earth's ecosystem. Basically it tries to get the reader to take things environmental groups are zealous about and look at them from an objective platform. Bonus: you learn all kinds of random facts, too, such as more birds die every day by flying into plate glass windows of buildings than were killed the entire duration of cleaning up the spill from the Exxon Valdise. WHO KNEW?? Can You Keep a Secret - Sophie Kinsella. Light read, girlie, humor/drama, fiction. Funny little story of a girl who can't do anything right - but she ends up getting it all in the end by spilling her guts to a stranger on an airplane. This is definitely a girlie-read. 'Tis - Frank McCourt. Moderate Read, humor/drama, non-fiction. A follow-up to Angela's Ashes, this book is much more light hearted than Angela's Ashes and reflects the author's time spent in America as a young Irish immigrant. Extremely well-written read, it will be even more hilarious if you were brought up in (or know anything about) the Catholic faith. A Prayer for Owen Meany - John Irving. Moderate-heavy read, humor/drama, fiction. Another of my favorite books. Follows the life of 2 boyhood friends, one of whom (Owen) believes he is God's Instrument. John Irving paints detailed pictures with his words, and had me laughing out loud or crying on numerous occasions. There is one scene in particular, involving a theatre and a teacher's volkswagen beetle, that still makes me laugh out loud when I think about it. An EXCELLENT book. Me Talk Pretty One Day - David Sedaris. Light read, humor, non-fiction. Short stories of incidents in the author's life and the lives of his immediate family. This guy is absolutely hysterical. The book is so entertaining. Harry Potter books - J.K. Rowling. Light read, fiction. Why haven't you read these? These are really great imaginative stories! And they're made for kids, so they aren't very complex. It's a whole other world, one you should definitely find out about. Getting Over It - Anna Maxted. Light read, girlie, drama/humor. Fiction. Another girlie read. If you liked Bridget Jones and any of the Shopaholic books, you'll love this story about a girl coping with the death of her father and trying to make sense of her crazy little life. A Walk In the Woods - Bill Bryson. Light read, humor, non-fiction. Absolutely hilarious description of the author's hike on the Appalachain Trail with a friend. Anyone would love this book, but especially if you are into hiking or camping. White Oleander - Janet Fitch. Moderate read, drama, fiction. This book is LITERATURE. It's the story of a girl's experiences growing up in various foster homes, and her relationship with her mother, who was imprisoned for murder. Very interesting story, written incredibly well - couldn't put it down. I'd like to read it again to appreciate all the literary aspects. Please email me if you have any suggestions, I am always looking for something good to read. |
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| For now, none of my stories are ready to be posted... but I'm giving you my booklist to read from. Check back here in the future for stories and other fiction I write. Until then, enjoy what's below. Happy reading! |