Tag: Books

A List: 64 most-liked books

“The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” ~Dr. Seuss

I like to read — but I think you knew that. 😉 

I also like checking out lists. If you do, too, here is one you might enjoy. Scholastic believes you are what you read. They compiled a list of sixty-four most-liked books, and even though these are included in the adult books list, a few are children’s books. You will notice that some on this list are complete sets and a few of those in the sets are also listed as single books.

  1. To Kill a Mockingbird – by Harper Lee
  2. The Hunger Games – by Suzanne Collins
  3. Harry Potter Boxed Set – by J. K. Rowling
  4. Pride and Prejudice – by Jane Austen
  5. The Giving Tree – by Shel Silverstein
  6. Charlotte’s Web – by E. B. White; Garth Williams (Illustrator)
  7. The Bible – “unknown”
  8. The Diary of Anne Frank – by Anne Frank
  9. The Giver – by Lois Lowry
  10. The Great Gatsby – by F. Scott Fitzgerald
  11. Harry Potter and The Sorcerer – by J. K. Rowling
  12. Twilight – by Stephenie Meyer
  13. Gone With The Wind – by Margaret Mitchell
  14. A Wrinkle In Time – by Madeleine L’Engle
  15. The Catcher In The Rye – by J. D. Salinger
  16. The Help – by Kathryn Stockett
  17. The Lord of The Rings – by J.R.R. Tolkien
  18. Jane Eyre – by Charlotte Brontë
  19. The Hobbit – by J. R. R. Tolkien
  20. The Outsiders – by S. E. Hinton
  21. Where The Sidewalk Ends – by Shel Silverstein
  22. Little Women – by Louisa May Alcott
  23. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – by by J. K. Rowling
  24. Catching Fire – by Suzanne Collins
  25. The Secret Garden – by Frances Hodgson Burnett
  26. Green Eggs And Ham – by Dr. Seuss
  27. Where The Red Fern Grows – by Wilson Rawls
  28. Where The Wild Things Are – by Maurice Sendak
  29. The Twilight Saga Collection – by Stephenie Meyer
  30. Anne of Green Gables – by Lucy Maud Montgomery
  31. Of Mice and Men – by John Steinbeck
  32. The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe – by C.S. Lewis
  33. Wuthering Heights – by Emily Bronte
  34. The Book Thief – by Markus Zusak
  35. Mockingjay – by Suzanne Collins
  36. The Kite Runner – by Khaled Hosseini
  37. 1984 – by George Orwell
  38. Love You Forever – by Robert N. Munsch; Sheila McGraw (Illustrator)
  39. A Tree Grows In Brooklyn – by Betty Smith
  40. Fahrenheit 451 – by Ray Bradbury
  41. The Little Prince – by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (Illustrator); Katherine Woods (Translator)
  42. Nancy Drew series – by Carolyn Keene
  43. Night – by Elie Weisel
  44. Lord of the Flies – by William Golding
  45. The Chronicles of Narnia complete collection – by C. S. Lewis
  46. Alice In Wonderland and Through The Looking Glass – by Lewis Carroll
  47. Eat, Pray, Love – by Elizabeth Gilbert
  48. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – by J. K. Rowling
  49. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to The Galaxy – by Douglas Adams
  50. Little House on the Prairie – by Laura Ingalls Wilder
  51. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire – by J. K. Rowling
  52. The Alchemist – by Paulo Coelho
  53. Eclipse – by Stephenie Meyer
  54. Oh, the Places You’ll Go! – by Dr. Seuss
  55. Matilda – by Roald Dahl
  56. The Shack – by William P. Young
  57. New Moon – by Stephenie Meyer
  58. Breaking Dawn – by Stephenie Meyer
  59. The Five People You Meet in Heaven – by Mitch Albom
  60. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix – by J. K. Rowling
  61. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince – by J.K. Rowling
  62. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn – Mark Twain
  63. Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret – by Judy Blume
  64. The Stand – by Stephen King

How many on the list were you able to check off? Are your favourites on there; if not, what would you add? Are any of these books on your to-be-read list?

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings! 🙂

 

Great stuff added to my Writers’ Helps page!

Last week was a different one at home as I was trying to get over an upper respiratory thing that tackled me. It started before I left my caregiving duties for the week; I woke every morning with a sore throat, and here I am again still hoping to soon get over this! He appears to be fine again, had it before I did but not completely the same way as it didn’t hold on long. I, on the other hand, can’t seem to shake it. It’s not a cold but my voice is raspy and my throat gets tired quickly, so I am not talking much.

Hear the silence?  *crickets chirping*)

It acts like laryngitis but without total loss of voice, so whatever it is seems to have settled around my larynx for a lengthy stay. Have you had anything similar this season? (I hope you’re enjoying a healthy summer.)

I planned to get a book review written by now, but which will come in my next post instead. This one is to let you know that you can find some new things added to my Writers’ Helps page, including a new category. In it you will find a link to music by Lee Fitzsimmons for your promotional book trailer! yay! And I’m loving the free music. (Be sure to contact Lee and remember to give him credit for creating the music you select.)

I hope when you check out my Writers’ Helps page that you’ll find something of use to you there, maybe even music for your book. 🙂 You will also find a link to Free Rice which is a challenging and educational word game. It makes for a fun change when you need a break from your writing, and in a big way it helps others at the same time. It might even give you ideas for whatever creative writing you’re working on. I will warn you though, you may want to set a timer so you don’t spend too much time playing the game. 😉  Yes, it is that captivating.

Also, I very much appreciate the feedback I receive on my posts. I enjoy the interaction, and it’s so interesting reading your comments. I’m learning from you as we make progress in our writing journeys. 🙂  Thank you.

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings!  🙂

Are you a spoiler?

Today the question on my mind is … are you a spoiler?

By that I mean, when you pick up a book to read it, do you go to the last page and read the ending of the story before reading the beginning and middle?

If so …

why do you do that?! Why do you spoil it for yourself?

Are you impatient? Can you not wait to know how it ends? Does it bug you too much to have to read through from the beginning?

Okay, I admit to having done that a few times. I have skipped ahead to know if it’s worth the build-up of anticipation and suspense, or if I will be disappointed. Or I’ve quickly flipped through if I simply couldn’t stand the too-many-words-in-between until I could find out what I was waiting to know. I have occasionally found a book that became too wordy or slow resulting in the story losing its magic for me,  making it very hard to wade through all the blah blah blah’s without skipping a few pages to move ahead.

On the most part, though, I make myself resist the urge to peek. The times I have read the last page out of turn were usually when I was almost there anyway.

Are you one of those people who just has to start at the end of almost anything you are reading? Do you read magazines or the newspaper or brochures from the back to the front, too?

Would or does reading the last page first spoil your appetite for the main part of the book? Do you ever not read the rest after doing that?

Speaking of appetite, do you eat dessert before the main course? Some people do, you know. I knew a family whose daughter always wanted to do that. It didn’t spoil her appetite for the rest of the meal so they let her.

Oh dear, that’s making me hungry. Back to the main point …

When I am looking for information on a book before I buy it, I don’t like reading spoilers. I like some info but not too much. But, it seems I am almost the opposite with movies. I like a certain amount of information, especially to know if it gets overly violent or vulgar or stupid. I consider those to be a waste of my time and I usually choose to not watch something that will really bother me. But, on the other hand, spoilers of movies that interest me tend to draw me in and I accept knowing more ahead than if it is a book. I’m not sure why that is, unless because when reading one’s own visuals are formulated and if it’s out of order that gets all messed up. (Does that make any sense?)

It’s funny how we form habits. I wonder why do we have to rush ahead, and why do we find it so hard to take things in order?

Maybe there is another very simple explanation for this, and not just impatience or having to know it all first. If so, please clue me in to what it is.

I know, I asked loads of questions this time, (which I hope you will think about and tell me what your habits are, because I find it very interesting) but they all boil down to the main one.

Are you a spoiler? Why or why not?

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings! 🙂

 

What is your favourite quote about reading or books?

Here are a few interesting quotes about reading and books. Some are funny, some are serious, but all are thought-provoking. Enjoy!

“A fondness for reading changes the inevitable dull hours of our life into exquisite hours of delight.” – Charles de Montesquieu

“The time to read is any time: no apparatus, no appointment of time and place, is necessary. It is the only art which can be practised at any hour of the day or night, whenever the time and inclination comes, that is your time for reading; in joy or sorrow, health or illness.” – Holbrook Jackson (1874-1948)

“To acquire the habit of reading is to construct for yourself a refuge from almost all of the miseries of life.” – W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965)

“So please, oh PLEASE, we beg, we pray, Go throw your TV set away, And in its place you can install, A lovely bookshelf on the wall.”  – Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

“Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.” – Emilie Buchwald

“Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.” – Groucho Marx

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss, “I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!”

Do you have a favourite quote about reading or books?

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings! 🙂

 

Book Review: Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore

Book: Magic Under Glass
Author: Jaclyn Dolamore
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Date: January 2010
Genre: Fantasy (paranormal)
Pages: 225, hard cover
Price: $16.99 US
My Rating: Intriguing, entertaining, hard to put down

I first learned of Magic Under Glass in a writer’s chat room where I ‘met’ the author. Enthusiasm for this book was high so I added it to my long list of “must reads.” I don’t regret it. Once I started reading this novel it didn’t take long to make my way through it. Why? I didn’t want to quit until reaching the end!

The story is about Nimira, a young dancer and singer who left her own country to make her fortune elsewhere. As is often the case, she fell on hard times instead, but eventually she is approached by a wealthy gentleman (who happens to be a sorcerer) who has better plans for her – an offer she is willing to chance. From that point the author swept me into a fantastical adventure of mystery and magic, murder and mayhem, but also love and loyalty and hope.

Nimira is hired to sing as the accompaniment to an automaton that is rumoured to be haunted and that plays music on a keyboard. What Nim discovers impacts her life and draws her into the power struggle between good and evil, fairies and men, hope and impossible love.

For the reader who enjoys paranormal and fantasy, Magic Under Glass isn’t overly involved and has a bizarre side to it that is quite inventive.

I enjoyed this novel, the first I’ve read of its kind, but – yes, there is a ‘but’ – it ends so abruptly I was taken aback. I was so into the story that I was expecting another chapter, at least. It left me asking, is there more? Is there another book to finish this? So, well done, Jaclyn Dolamore!

You can find Magic Under Glass listed on my BUY THE BOOK! page.

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings!  🙂


			


	



			
				


	

		
What do you like to read, what would you write?

			


	

		
If you have been here before, you may notice that I changed my blog theme.  I like that now the comments link, where you share your thoughts with me, is located at the top of the posts.


Thank you so much for taking time to come here and read what I have to say, and for leaving comments for me. I look forward to reading next week what you write to me this week. Time away from my computer for the next few days will be used for reading and hopefully a little writing.


In all the reading I am doing I’m discovering more about my varied taste in books – from children’s picture books, middle grade, young adult, to adult novels in different genres. If you want to check my 2011 “have read” book list page, I’m keeping track there, as I did in 2010.


I have been learning what I am not very interested in, what I like but with qualifiers, what I get totally lost in, and what I would love to write myself.


Lately I have been wondering about something, and I would love to hear from you on these four questions.


1. What do you like most to read? Themes, genres, authors?

2. Do you have favourite authors and would read anything written by them?

3. What have you found that you are not interested in spending your time reading?

4. If you were to write a book, what would it be about?


Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings! 🙂



			


	



			
				


	

		
What are your reading and book buying habits?

			


	

		
How’s your reading coming along?


I have been slowly making my way through the large and varied collection of books I have accumulated over the years. I got into the habit of obtaining a book and not taking the time to read it yet, so now I have a great amount of catching up to do. To make matters ‘worse’ – or rather, more complicated – I keep gaining books. I am either buying them or winning them, but either way my bookcase is getting stuffed with new books. And I love it! (You can see most of my books listed on Library Thing – link in right sidebar, if you want to take a peek.)


Want to know what my newest classic addition is?


War and Peace.


Yes, you read that right. I bought a copy of the newly revised War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. You may ask, why did you do that, Lynn? Wellll .. I’m not really sure except that it is on the BBC’s 2009 list of 100 books that people should read – and I hadn’t read it yet. War and Peace is number 24 on that list, as you will see in my January 13’10 post: https://lynnadavidson.wordpress.com/2010/01/13/have-you-read-these-100-books/ Also, I had heard people talk about this book that is long to read, but not much about it otherwise. Curiosity got the best of me, I want to be able to say I read it, so now I have eliminated one excuse. 🙂


Have you read War and Peace? 


If you check the above link you will find that number 18 is Catcher in the Rye by J D Salinger. Such a little book which I bought last year and have yet to read. I’ve heard mixed reviews of that one so I’m interested in finding out if it makes any sense to me.


So much to devour, so little time free to do it! But I am trying to read, read, read, while not totally forgetting the writing. Not that I’ve been doing any writing, what with all the changes happening in our lives right now, but I haven’t forgotten about it. 😉


So, what are your reading habits? And what are your book buying habits? 


Do you buy and read one book at a time? Or do you buy the book when it comes out and then file it away to read at a later date? Or do you have another method? I’m very interested in hearing from you on this.


Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings!  🙂


This post has been scheduled, so I look forward to early next week, if not before, when I can enjoy your comments and reply to them.