Let's Read!

Today is Read Across America Day. So let's talk books!

Obviously I believe the most important book we can read is the Bible. That notwithstanding, there are so many AMAZING books out there!!!

As a kid I loved reading. There was only one year my parents had to beg me (okay it was a bribe) to read 100 books at school. There were a few years after high school where I didn't enjoy reading as much so I really slacked off. Then in 2009, I came across a book that was sitting on a coworkers desk that sucked me in. Between May of 2009 and April of 2010 I read 19 novels by the same author! Who caught my attention? Ted Dekker.

The first book by Dekker that I picked up was Black. At the time it was the first book in a series called "The Circle Books." There is a young adult series, "The Lost Books," that intertwines with Circle and a trilogy spin-off, "The Paradise Novels," that came a bit later. Of course I read the young adult books as they released. The second in the Circle series is Red and then White. Not long after completing the entire series, young adult and spin-off included, Dekker released a sort of prequel to them called, "Green." Yup. Got that one, too. These books were amazing...ARE amazing! They renewed my love of reading and Dekker's writing is unlike any other! I like to say the are the best movies I have never seen because he writes so vividly that I can see it all in my head as if it were playing out in front of me. The metaphor and symbolism are wonderful and the emotion of the storyline sucks you in.

The image above is my personal collection minus the first two of the Lost Books because my boys are reading them. Pay attention to the titles though because, mind-blowing, they spell C-I-R-C-L-E!! Chosen, Infidel, (both not pictured) Renegade, Chaos, Lunatic and Elyon. Small detail that shows how much Dekker cares about even the smallest part of his writings and for the reader to make a connection! Unfortunately I only own Showdown from the Paradise novels...it was sort of my favorite! The other two in that series are "Sinner" and "Saint."

In total I have read 25 of the man's novels and I enjoyed all of them very much, even his thriller books such as Three and House. Creepy. but oh so good!

Of course as a parent I have other books that I love and have for my kids. Books like, "Alexander and Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day," and the "Ready Freddy" series of beginner chapter books. We also have quite a few "Captain Underpants" and "Dogman" books now as well. I know I'll take heat from the majority of Mommas when I say that I absolutely loathe and despise the classic, "I'll Love You Forever." It bothers me greatly. But I never desired to have a "momma's boy" relationship with my kids...I have wanted from the beginning to help my boys grow to become godly men who are productive members of society who love their parents but can function well away from us. The idea of getting a ladder and climbing into my grown son's bedroom to rock him is frightening to me. This is why counselors exist!

I don't mean to disrespect those of you who love it and cry every time you read it. I just never have. Even as a teenager when I first read it I wanted to run away from it.

As a kid I LOVED the Amelia Bedelia books. She was a fun and quirky lady. Who didn't love Judy Blume books or Louis Sachar's, "Sideways Stories from Wayside School?" Excuse me while I reminisce fondly of "Strega Nona," or anything by Tomie dePaola, and I can't tell you how many times I read, "Miss. Nelson is Missing."

As my kids began to grow and enjoy reading they brought home favorites like "Pete the Cat," "Skippyjon Jones," Walter the Farting Dog (yup! FANTASTIC!), Magic Tree House, and honestly I could go on and on and on!

What about you? What are some of your favorite books you have read?