Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Book Impressions

I've read a lot of books...a lot. 
Let's just say, if I don't remember reading it,
it probably wasn't worth reading.

Some books leave a lasting impression, 
these are some of them. 


The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeanette Walls 
This is no ordinary memoir, Jeannette walls has a story to tell 
and her life story no less. 
From surviving life in abject poverty 
with completely dysfunctional parents
to becoming an editor, journalist and writer. 
I found it hard to put the book down, 
in fact...I don't think I did until I finished it. 



Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story
A single mother with only a 3rd grade education 
raises two boys alone in Detroit. 
This is the story of one amazing woman 
and the self determination of her troubled son. 
What she and both her sons did to open the doors 
to become highly successful men. 
Today, Ben Carson is a world renowned neurosurgeon. 
I am a big fan of Ben Carson.
You can meet him in this video.




The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
A novel narrated by the character Amir.
Amir spends his youthful days Kite Fighting, 
something I had never heard of before. 
Race, class, culture, love, career, abuse, life and death: 
A rich story beautifully woven together. 



The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara 
I don't typically read war stories, 
but this one was an exception. 
The writing is stellar. 
The author had a unique gift of packing 
so much meaning into a singular word 
and I read every word. 



The Help by Kathryn Stockett 
If you haven't read it you really should. 
Entertaining and amusing 
yet tackling some heavy issues. 
Very well written.  



Devil in the Windy City by Erick Larson
Chicago, The World's Fair and a Serial Killer. 
A true life mystery, graphic. 



The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck
Powerful.



And here are some Honorable Mentions:
Girl With the Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier 
The Count of Monte Cristo  by Alexander Drume 
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden 
Under the Tuscan Sun by France Mayes 
(The book not the movie, of course!
The Scarlett Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne 


Love reading too?
Look me up on http://www.goodreads.com/
Photos from my Phila Flower Show Gallery

For more book interpretations visit

Also linking to 

Now excuse me while I get back to my book. 

21 comments:

Tamar SB said...

I did a book report on Ben Carson in 6th grade - what a story! I love so many of the other books you listed too!

Jenny's Heart said...

I am a voracious reader as well. I have read some on your list too.
Visiting from Katherine's Corner

Kim Cunningham said...

This is a great list. I've read a few of these titles. I read The Kite Runner two years ago and I remember having to take a break after several chapters and just sit and think before I could move on.

Brea said...

Your photos make me want to sit down and read a good book! Thank you for all the great recommendations.

Lorrie said...

So many great books on this list. And others I want to read. The way you've styled these book vignettes is lovely.

~JarieLyn~ said...

I love how you photographed all of the books and critiqued each one. I don't read as much as I used to but I still love books.

GardenOfDaisies said...

I have read many of your favorites. I had to chuckle when I saw The Scarlett Letter there, as just last week my nephew informed me that it was a "stupid book" and he was not going to read it even though it was a class assignment. Hmmmm..... I should add that I agree with your opinion of the book, not his.

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

These sound like some great reads. I just don't read as much as I used to.
Thanks for stopping by my blog and your nice comment.

Unknown said...

Such beautiful photos and great recommendations. I definitely need to get back to reading :) Thank you for coming to our ready to waltz party at pret-a-vivre.com

Cheryl said...

Before the internet sucked my brain out of my head, I was a voracious reader. Funny how thinking about this FMTSO theme has really brought home how much I miss reading. We're heading on vacation and I'm packing several from my pile.

I love how you set up each of your photos. I think books should pop out of everything and that's exactly what you've done with this set of photos.

Wayne said...

I like this photo series!! I tend to read a lot of Clancy shoot-em-up fiction. My wife has read several of these too!

Unknown said...

I have read all but two of the books you mentioned. One of my all time favorites is Team of Rivals by Doris, can't remember her last two names. You have probably heard of it. You always give us such good ideas Rebecca. A beautiful post.
QMM

Lmkazmierczak said...

Nice series of photos...I tend to read Sci-Fi but I have read The Help...getting more and more into the popular fiction, but then I go back to Sci-Fi. Wlll look you up on GoodReads. My Waltz effort: http://lmkazmierczak.blogspot.com/2013/03/twice.html

Ruth Kelly said...

I tend to read mysteries now. It is interesting how our reading changes through the years.

Katherines Corner said...

lovely photos to accompany a terrific post!!! Thank you for sharing at the hop, your participation makes the hop extra special. Big Hugs P.S. the new giveaway posted today!

Jama said...

I love all your photos, so well taken.

Chef E said...

Fantastic Rebecca! I envy your talent :) and the photos are inspiring...

aspiritofsimplicity said...

We have that same edition of j.r.r. Tolkien!

Pauline said...

Ahh, Rebecca, how did you do that? I wonder where your inspiration comes from? You'd be a good biography subject, I think. The photos are fabulous and how you put that post together ... like Chef
E, I'm envious of your talent.

Anonymous said...

Hi Rebecca, just mesmerized by your beautiful photography and adored your post as well! --- APRIL

EG CameraGirl said...

Look like super choices, Rebecca. I haven't read all of these but the the ones that I have I agree are definitely worth reading. I like to read too. A lot. ;)