This is actually a meme going around on FaceBook. One of my friends did this list and I found it fascinating, so I decided to do one of my own. Some of these titles are not seen as “classic” literature, but for whatever reason, these books are the ones that resonated with me the most. And not to brag, but I have read a lot of books. Here they are, in no particular order.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings- Maya Angelou This book opened up a world completely unfamiliar to me, but was so well-written that I identified immediately with Ms. Angelou. I admire her strength to this day.

The Brothers Karamazov- Fyodor Dostoevsky Now I may not have liked this book as much if I hadn’t had a professor to guide me through and help me make actual diagrams of the different families in this saga, but this is truly a fantastic book and worth the effort.

Henry IV and V- Shakespeare I think well-written footnotes are the key to enjoying Shakespeare to the fullest. Without a good explanation as to what the words mean, it often can be confusing. I’m no Shakespeare expert, but it is my humble belief that the characters in these two Henrys are the most fully developed in all of Shakespeare.

Nancy Drew Mysteries- Carolyn Keene I so very much wanted to be Nancy Drew! Her dad allowed her to pretty much do whatever she wanted, she was smart, and she had a steady boyfriend. And a convertible!

The Little Prince- Antoine de St. Exupery I still do the ugly cry every time I read this book, even though I know damn well how it is going to end.

The Wind in the Willows- Kenneth Grahame The adventures of Toad, Rat, Badger and Mole will always have a very firm place in my heart.

Ethan Frome- Edith Wharton Not exactly a book, but one of her short stories. But oh, what a short story it is! The impact of this story is huge, even though Wharton displays an enviable economy of words, which is what I love so much about it.

(more…)

Word reaches me in frozen Canuckistan that our Great Leader has returned to La-La Land, presumably to stamp out the following abomination before it can come to full term delivery, with or without a pitter-pattering chorus of sixteen little overcommercialized feet:

Actress Kalimba Bennett has the lead role as Nadya Suleman. “The main thing about it is, it’s just fun. There’s no being made fun of. It’s all fun and games,” Bennett said. “It is just a very well-written, hilarious show. People will love it…”

Here are some sample lyrics:

“I went to usgovinfo
Where I read life-changing facts
Our birth rates are running low
We need to act!
I’m a patriot first and foremost
Took an oath and I have sworn
Don’t be forlorn
Enter me and be born”