Today is National Book Lover's Day. I'm thrilled there is a day to celebrate us bibliophiles. For as long as I can remember I have always enjoyed reading.
Currently, I am reading three books: Sarum by Edward Rutherford, The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane, and I Am Rosemarie by Marietta D. Moskin. The last two titles are novels for teens, but I never read these when I was that age.
Being a genealogist means having a personal library of reference books, historical books and family history books. Most of the titles in my collection are have to do with genealogy, local interests, Canada, Loyalists or England. When I attend a genealogy conference, institute or workshop, I usually return with at least a few new books.
Also, I have a library of personal interest books ranging from historical fiction to popular novels. I would rather read than watch television. Recently, thirty more books were added to my collection when I attended a used book sale with some friends.
I have only one #1 all-time favourite book. I discovered this book when I was in elementary school. Our school librarian had a special room for students in Grades 7 and 8. The book was A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. I loved the story of Francie Nolan so much that I read and re-read the book until our librarian told me I had to borrow another title. So, I read something else, but then borrowed A Tree Grows in Brooklyn again.
Ten years ago, I purchased a first edition copy on Ebay.
The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger, and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald are two books I have read and did not like at all. I know these two titles are American classics, but I just couldn't stand the main characters. I kept hoping the storyline would improve, but it didn't. I think F. Scott Fitzgerald owes me a few hours of my life back.
There are all sorts of '101 books to read before you die' lists online. I have browsed a few, and am inspired to read many of the books listed. One day I may create a list of my own. Here are a dozen or so of my favourite books to start:
- A Tree Grows in Brooklyn - Betty Smith
- The Outsiders - S.E. Hinton
- Where the Red Fern Grows - Wilson Rawls
- Frankenstein - Mary Shelley
- The Cider House Rules - John Irving
- The Taming of the Shrew - William Shakespeare
- Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
- The Book of Negroes - Lawrence Hill
- I've Got a Home in Glory Land - Karolyn Smardz Frost
- Loyalist and Layabouts: The Rapid Rise and Faster Fall of Shelbourne, Nova Scotia: 1783-1792 - Stephen Kimber
- Outlander - Diana Gabaldon
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl
- The Book Thief - Markus Zusak
Have you a favourite book I should read? Let me know by leaving me a comment. And now, if you will excuse me, I'm going to celebrate National Book Lover's Day by reading a book.
Copyright by Kathryn Lake Hogan, 2012.
