Lauren's Booklist- Favorites So Far

Well, here it is: I’ve finally composed a list of books I have read and thoroughly enjoyed! I had to do this while I had a break from school- its hard to find any time to read between classes and the loads of homework I have during the semester. I’ll be making another booklist in the future I’m sure, after I’ve had time to read even more good books (very likely, many listed from the rest of the Harrelson family!), but for now, maybe this will give everyone a lead on the next book they want to read, if indeed you haven’t read these already.

Love y’all!

~Lauren

Redeeming Love

This is one of my all-time favorites! It’s a novel that is analogous to the story of Hosea in the Bible, but the author Francine Rivers adds a bit of her own flare of fiction to the account. It tells the story of a prostitute named Angel during the time of the Gold Rush, and how she is swept away by a man named Michael- a man whom God has told that he must marry Angel and take her away from this life of prostitution. Naturally, she resists- she doesn’t understand unconditional love. But this novel is a journey that Michael and Angel take (separately and together) to discover what true, redeeming love really is. I loved this one so much I read it twice. 

Water for Elephants

I read this book on my flight back from Thailand in January of this year. I found that once I started I couldn’t put it down! Its always fun to read about something as exciting as the circus, especially when its got a love story tied into the plot. I just adored Rosie the elephant and all her mischief, and although the movie tried to measure up, it just couldn’t completely capture how charming she was, and how captivating the romance between Marlena and Jacob was. I’d definitely recommend reading if you haven’t done so yet.

Black, Red & White

These 3 books are a series by Ted Dekker. Its an enthralling story about a man named Thomas who is living in 2 worlds- our modern world, with which he is familiar, and another intriguing world, where he has lost his memory and struggles to recollect the details of his life in this beautiful, perfect place. When he falls asleep in one world, he wakes up in the other. However, as the three books progress, both worlds are threatened. Our world faces a deadly virus that could wipe out the human race. The other world faces a great war between the humans and the evil forces that once dwelled in the black forest. Its allegorical fiction, and again was a series I could hardly put down.

Harry Potter series

Of course- how could this not make the list?! What started as a children’s book became one of the most imaginative and epic book series I have ever had the pleasure of reading. I started listening to the series on tape/cd during the long car rides I had between Dothan and Oxford. The narrator, Jim Dale, did the many voices for all the different characters, and the way he read made it impossible to get bored on the 7-hour drive! I LOVED getting to know the characters more and more through each book, and I’m just astounded at the imagination and genius of J.K. Rowling throughout the series. The movies are fun to watch as well, but they leave out so many fun, great details from the books that just shouldn’t be lost! If you still haven’t jumped on the Harry Potter bandwagon, drop your pride and jump on now- you won’t regret it! (And if you aren’t afraid of being a little extra nerdy, Pottermore.com is a fun way to relive the books and get extra details about characters’ background stories and even where Rowling got some of her inspiration from. You can even get sorted into your House at Hogwarts J  Only the first book is currently up on the website, but the 2^nd is soon to follow.)

Hunger Games

I’m already halfway through Catching Fire even though I just started it this morning. I listened to the first book on CD, even though I had a hard copy I had purchased, intending to read it on my journey to Thailand. Since I finished the Harry Potter series and had nothing to listen to on my way home this time from Oxford, I purchased The Hunger Games on Amazon and enjoyed the audiobook the whole ride home! Can’t report on the rest of the 2^nd book or the 3^rd, but I can tell you I’m enjoying it so far! The characters and the plot are wonderfully crafted, and again I find a book series I can hardly stop reading to eat or sleep.

Tom Robbins books

Chris, you may be right- reading Tom Robbins might make me into a hippie. But it’s a risk I’ll have to take. Couldn’t pass up his books on Amazon, some for only one cent each! I plan to read Jitterbug Perfume first, as Meghan said this is one of her favorites. He’s quite a quirky writer, to say the least, but I think it’ll make the adventure through his books that much more fun. Maybe my next entry on the Harrelson Family Blog will be all Tom Robbins books once I’ve finished them! J

Fahrenheit 451

I’ve read this book twice- once in 9^th grade for my English class, and another time after I started college for my own pleasure. This story is set in the future, when firemen start fires instead of putting them out. The government doesn’t want people to think for themselves anymore, so the firemen ignite books to keep the authorities in complete control of the public. One fireman, however, begins to see that this world built of television screens, huge billboards, and people speeding by everywhere they go, is not quite the ideal world the nation’s leaders have tried to make it seem… Very thought-provoking, I really enjoyed it both times I read it.

Bears in Pairs

This was my favorite book as a child. Filled with fun illustrations, it shows a variety of bears making their way to a tea party. I HAD to put this on my booklist, because it’s sentimental for so may reasons. I swear my parents must have read this to me every night when I was a little girl. So often, in fact, that I had the words on the pages memorized based on what the bears looked like. Ganmama was astounded when I sat down with her and opened the book, and began to say what was on the page. “Silly bear, frilly bear!” I’d exclaim as the page turned and I saw the pictures. Ganmama thought I could read at age 2! 

Chris' Mother's Day Post

Afternoon friends and family.  Thought I would take a brief moment to post a few of my favorite book referrals from dear ol mom.  My mom seems to have a similar impact on my literary taste as my little brother has on my musical taste.  She constantly puts me onto what become some of my absolute favorite stories.  She really knows where our tastes converge, but what is better....she knows where our tastes diverge.  Thus, when mom reads a book like READY PLAYER ONE, she knows immediately to tell me about it and knows right off that I'll love it.  On the flip side of that coin, I don't get constant reminders to pick up and read, oh lets say..the Twilight Series.  While mom has read this series and enjoyed it, she knew right off it wouldn't really be my cup of tea and told me so, saving me a the time of reading a series I likely wouldn't enjoy.  Very simply, if mom tells me I need to get and read a book I can generally count on enjoying it very much.  So, thanks mom! and HERE'S TO YOU!  Please keep referring!  And happy mothers day to ALL the great mothers in our family!


( in no particular order)

IT- Stephen King.  This is maybe the first 'adult' story I ever read.  I can't remember exactly how old I was when Mom referred this to me, but I'm almost certain I wasn't driving yet.  I didn't just read this story, I lived in it for weeks and weeks while I was reading it.  Some sleepless nights ( of which there were more than a few) were a small price to pay for this rewarding novel, one of King's best in my humble.  This book showed me what grown up fiction could be and opened the door to what is still one of my top three all time favorite authors.

Name of the Wind- Patrick Rothfuss.  This is maybe the best work of fantasy I have ever read, along with its sequel The Wise Man's Fear.  All works in this genre build off Tolkien, as is only right and true, but there is originality in this series that is unequaled in any other fantasy out there right now.  Just an epically gorgeous story, can't say enough about these books.  Trust that mom and I are both eagerly awaiting the final release in the series and will likely both be incommunicado for the first few days after the final book drops. 

Game of Thrones- George RR Martin.  Another fantasy series, currently a series on HBO.  This is a LARGE story, I'm on book four as we speak, and they are all at least a thousand pages, a very dense series.  The series has all you would expect from a good fantasy story, i.e knights, damsels, court politics and intrigue, battles, castles, even magic and dragons as the story goes along.  What separates this series from others is the moral ambiguity in all the characters.  With stories like Lord of the Rings you have a distinct line between the 'good guys' and the 'bad guys', the Game of Thrones series steps on, across, and over this line, blurring distinctions between good and bad and leaving the readers to make those choices for themselves.  Highly recommended.

Ready Player One- Ernest Cline.  I have reviewed this one for the 2012 book list so I won't go into much detail other than to say this is the funnest book ever. 

Silence of the Lambs- Thomas Harris.  I may have seen the movie first, not sure, but I do remember mom getting me to read the novel.  As good as the movie is, and it is one of my favorites to be sure, the book is as good or better.  Hannibal Lecter is one of the most complex, engaging, and terrifying characters in this genre.  These books are so much more than procedural crime dramas.  There is a deep undercurrent of psychology and sociology running through all the novels.  Furthermore, if you continue into the sequels-prequels, you will find Dr. Lecter is not the most evil character in the series, and you may even find yourself pulling for the good doctor against those who wish him worse than harm.

To Kill A Mockingbird- Harper Lee.  No introduction needed.  One of the most important works in American literature and written by a lady from good ol alabama.  I had to read this in high school and like so many books that are forced upon a student it was given short shrift, and read as a study, not a story.  I reread it not long after hearing mom mention it was one of her all time favorites and now holds a special place on my bookshelf and in my heart.  A must read for any child of the south.

The Harry Potter Series- J.K. Rowling.  Of course!!!  I have to say mom almost NEVER berates and badgers me into reading any book..ALMOST never....  This one she did, and I am so thankful.  I remember hearing her say over and over how awesome these books are, how much imagination and imagery are in all the books.  Finally, I consented to get over myself a little bit and try the first one.  While I still say the first one is written for smaller kids, it still had enough of a hook to get me onto the second one.  After reading the second one, I still figured it was a series for children but I was invested enough in the characters by that point and obviously intrigued by Rowling's imagination.  Thus, I read the third one and from there it was all over.  In my humble the writing and plot line take off from number 3 transforming the series into something to be enjoyed by ALL age groups.  To me, the entire series really takes off from #3, The Prisoner of Azkaban, and soon after I was eagerly awaiting the release of the rest of the series, just like mom.  For the release of the final two I drove from Tuscaloosa to Birmingham just to get a copy at midnight.  And yes, I felt like a great fool weaving through the line at Barnes and Nobles with my copy clutched tightly to chest, surrounded by squealing children in witch and wizard costumes, swinging plastic wands or plopped down in the middle of an aisle eagerly drinking in every word.  Once escaping the chaos inside the store I would have to sit in my car in the parking lot, 1 am, and read the first chapter before I could bring myself to drive back to Tuscaloosa for a LONG, LATE night of reading.  I am tremendously grateful for mom's persistence on this particular series. 

Meghan's List

I have been in Thailand for 16 months, yet I don't even have 16 books to report on.  I'm a slow reader.  Fortunately, this year has afforded me plenty of down-time, and I've gotten to read more books than average for me.  As Thai time is always slow, I've learned to carry a book with me so I'm never "waiting".  This year I've read alot about the part of the world I'm in, all from a Western perspective.  I've read books on India, China, Thailand, and Burma (and a couple about the circus for good measure!).  Before coming here, I can't say I had any real interest in this part of the world.  It is backwards from everything I knew before, in good ways and bad.  My friend P'Pomm compares it to a meatball on a stick, where Thailand is the stick's point of entrance and the US is the exit point.  I got in almost over my head, and at this point I am more than ready to return to some sleeveless shirts, good music, family, hugs, and understanding.  It has been a rough year, while at the same time full of amazing adventures.  Here's a list of the books that have kept me entertained on those quiet nights and long train rides:

Saving Fish From Drowning - Amy Tan - I just started this book today.  I'll update when I'm done, but as of now, 20 pages in, I love it already.  This story was given by a ghost to a transcriber, which Tan based the book upon.  There's a murder mystery to unfold in the Burmese wilderness... this should be good!

The Hundred Secret Senses - Amy Tan - Tan is a great storyteller, and this book weaves two stories--one from present day SF and the other from 19th century China--together through communication with the supernatural.  Intriguing characters, especially Kwan.

Yoga School Dropout - Lucy Edge -  I think I'd find this super helpful if I was planning a yoga holiday in India... but I'm not.  Thorough Indian yoga travel story, not brilliant literature.

Another Roadside Attraction - Tom Robbins -  Was Amanda's character created for me?  All my favorite elements smashed into one book by one of my favorite authors... I hated for it to end.

Food of the Gods - Terrence McKenna - Ethnobotanist talks about human evolution, altered states of consciousness, and our connection with the Divine.  Some parts (especially the archaeological sections) are dry and slow to get through, but this is a small portion of the book.  Overall an interesting read to shed light on an unconventional subject.

Reefs to Rainforests - Thom Henley - Natural History, Plants & Fauna, on 5 ecosystems found in Southern Thailand: mangrove forest, tropical forest, coral reef, mountains, and tidal areas.  This guides you through those hikes and swims, lets you know what you're looking at, and makes it 100 times more interesting.

Waterfalls and Gibbon Calls - Thom Henley - Natural history, Plants & Fauna, Cultural background, Park info on Khao Sok National Park.  Detailed info with great sketches and totally readable.

Water for Elephants - Sara Gruen - Gripping from the very beginning.  Laughing and crying within minutes of starting this book.  I LOVE THE CIRCUS! and TRAINS!  2 in 1 fun!

Real Magic - Wayne Dyer - An inspiring read about miracles and the power of living from the present with love.

Diet for a New America - John Robbins - Animal husbandry, pesticides, slaughterhouses, nutrition, science, all kinds of facts to help you convince your family that you are the normal one...  This book is SO old, yet surprisingly still relevant.  I found it lying around at the beach for free, but it might serve you better to pick up a similar read with updated stats if you're interested in knowing the truth about what you're feeding yourself.

Piano Demon - Brendan Koerner - (Kindle single) The globetrotting, gin-soaked, too-short life of Teddy Weatherford, the Chicago jazzman who conquered Asia.  Nice short read, interesting look back into history, from a view rarely exposed.

                                   WHO IS THIS BEAUTIFUL GODDESS?
                                          CAN ANYONE GUESS?
                         IF YOU GUESS WRONG I WILL GIVE YOU A HINT
                               AND YOU WILL KNOW HER IMMEDIATELY!

SANDY'S 2012 LIST CONTINUES

by Augusten Burroughs

57.  KILLING HOPE by Keith Houghton****
A free book on Kindle that I enjoyed.  Fast paced. About a serial killer and the super detective that handles the case. Once I began this book I couldn't put it down and finished it in one night. 

58. BREAKING TWIG by Deborah Epperson**** A southern story about the strength and endurance of the human heart.  Twig has so many struggles, mostly her vicious, abusive mother. Through incredible strength of spirit she perseveres.  This book was offered as a free book on kindle and is the authors first book.  I found several spelling and grammar mistakes in this book but  I like to find things the editor overlooked. Just saying. 

59. A VISIT FROM THE GOON SQUAD by Jennifer Egan****This novel won a Pulitzer Prize for fiction and I expected  it to be beautifully written but didn't expect the shape shifting format.  The book jumps through time at every chapter. Some characters are never heard from again by the end of the book.  This book is about people on the fringes of the punk music industry, a kleptomaniac, and the way lives intertwine over time. I enjoyed this book and think that when I re-read it later I will like it even more.


60. THE MILL RIVER RECLUSE by Darcie Chan **** Never think that some books offered for free on Kindle aren't gems because this one was free and a beautiful story. A first novel from the author, set in Vermont, and I loved these characters.   

Best Loved Books – Carol

Emma – Jane Austen  -  I love this book so much, it is so wonderfully written , I read it at least once a year, actually I read all her books at least once a year!  This one is my personal favorite of Austen, narrowing beating out Pride and Prejudice, which is also very high on my list.  Of the main character,  Emma Woodhouse, Austen said “I am going to take a heroine who no one but myself will much like”, but I love Emma and her meddling ways.

Christy- Catherine Marshall – PopPop recommended this one to me when I was just barely in my teens.  I have always loved it and read it many times.  The heroine, Christy Huddleston, leaves home at age nineteen to teach school in the Smoky Mountains, and comes to know and love the resilient Appalachian people, with their fierce pride and terrible poverty.  I loved the character Christy, but most loved her friend Fairlight Spencer.

Coming Home – Rosamunde Pilcher – This beloved book is my favorite Pilcher novel, which is saying a lot, because The Shell Seekers as well as September are also very high on my "favorite books ever" list.  In all her books, but especially Coming Home, Pilcher creates characters that I fall in love with, care about, and who stay with me forever. 

Harry Potter, the entire series – J K Rowling – I fell in love with these books way before any movies were made, and still love the characters, the storyline, and wish more than anything that Rowling would continue to write about Harry, Ron, and Hermione.  If you have only watched the movies, I encourage you to read the books, there is so much more to the story than the movies portray. 

Ender’s Game, the entire Ender and Bean series – Orson Scott Card – These books will totally take over your life if you aren’t careful.  I came to care so much about these children,  and love that Card continues to write about them as they grow up, and indeed even after they are grown.  This is another series that I re-read often.  I wish you all would read these books, they are just that wonderful.