Tag!

I was flipping through my O Magazine and got to the celebrity Reading Room list. In case you're not familiar with the magazine, allow me to explain: A celebrity lists their top five favorite books then tells a bit about them and why they love them. I'm sure some folks pick books that will be the most complimentary to them but this month's "celeb" described the list making process and how she decided to avoid the first (rather pretentious) list that came to mind. Instead she chose the books that she had read over and over again.

I decided to toss up my own list here. They're not necessarily the smarty pants books I've read but the ones that have influenced me the most. (I tried to read Anna Karenina as Oprah had asked but, dammit, that Tolstoy kept going on and on about farming then just breezed right over the revelation that Anna was knocked up. God knows I tried, but it was just too annoying to finish.)

Here are my top five faves:

The entire Little House on the Prarie collection - As I've mentioned numerous times, I think about pioneer life ALL the time and it's because of these books. Also, my Dad read the entire series to me and that makes them extra special.

All the President's Men - I was forced to read this in college and I'm glad I did. It is single handedly the reason I'm so fascinated with history today. Before reading this book I believed all history was incredibly boring. About half way into the book I realized history can be so much better than fiction. You couldn't make this stuff up.

The Other Boleyn Girl - I've been obsessed with Henry VIII and Elizabeth I for a long time. Although this book is historical fiction it was so much fun that it spurred me into hauling my bones all the way to London just so I could see The Tower of London and visit the site where Anne lost her head. Any book that makes you travel overseas must be good.

Pride & Prejudice - Ok, this is a semi-smarty pants selection but it is sincere. I love this book and it is probably the biggest reason I'm not yet married. I keep looking for Mr. Darcy and until I find him... no dice. I think I'm in for a long-ass wait.

Slouching Towards Bethlehem - Another one I had to read in college but I absolutely love it. I always have a copy on my bookshelf and have pulled it down for a visit more times than I can remember. I genuinely love Joan Didion's voice, for that reason this book is especially inspirational to me.

So there you have it. My faves. Of course there are MANY more but these most likely had the greatest impact on me and I truly enjoyed them.

Now, I'd like to tag a few people to find out what their faves are. Shandon, Trooper and Abnorman... give up the goods. I'd love to hear about your faves/most influential books. I can probably guess a couple but I'd like to know what they are and a little about them.