Worth Reading

You wouldn't be here if you weren't a reader. And I'll bet you are reader of more than just blogs. Me, too. Below, an ever-growing list of stuff that was worth my time, and that may be worth yours, too. Please comment! Be sure to give the title, author, and a reason why we should carve out time in our busy lives for a particular piece of writing.

Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner
One of my top five favorite books of all time. Possibly a chick book, but written by a man about a male protagonist. Won the Pulitzer. It's a truly epic novel, taking place over multiple generations and across the country from somewhat stuffy New England to the wild west. The main character is a double amputee war veteran struggling to understand his children during the free love
1970s, and meanwhile working to piece together the life of his grandmother through letters and newspaper articles. The reader is pushed to ponder which is more important: honor and duty? or true romantic love?

The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
A really insightful and thought-provoking look at how we are tempted and driven to do the wrong thing. Lewis writes a series of letters that show the relationship between Satan and one of his minions. The devil gives instructions in frighteningly accurate detail about how to get into the hearts and minds of people who are living day-by-day without making any major moral blunders. If this doesn't work, that will. If the person won't sin big, get him to sin small. You'll see yourself in the descriptions, which will lead to a heightened awareness of when and how you are most likely to stumble.

Walter the Farting Dog by William Kotzwinkle and Glenn Murray, and illustrated by Audrey Colman

Who says farting is only funny to kids? This children's book is remarkably tender, very funny, and has a happy ending. Here's to canine flatulation!

[more descriptions and commentary for the following titles coming soon]


1984 by George Orwell

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Tearjerker by Daniel Hayes

The Diagnosis by Alan Lightman

Poetry 180 edited by Billy Collins

Good Poems edited by Garrison Keiller

The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser

The Jungle by Upton Sinclair


While you wait with baited breath for my reviews, please add some of your own!

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