Turning The Last Page

OK, here's the last of my list of 100 Books. I challenge any of you to do this. If not on your blogs, then just as an exercise to see what you remember of the books you've read over the years. I was thinking of doing this as a meme - say your top 25 favorite books of all time - but I'll leave it open.



Here we go!



100 Books - Part 5



Other

77. The Life of Pi – Yann Martel – another one written like it’s a true story. Loved it.

78. Lamb, The Gospel According to Bif, Christ’s Childhood Friend – Christopher Moore – this is easily one of the funniest books I’ve ever read. It “covers” the years of Jesus’ life missing in the Bible. Another book that led me to buy all this author has to offer.

79. Letters From Earth – Mark Twain – ohmigod, this is hysterical! I love Twain’s views on religion.

80. Calvin and Hobbes 10th Anniversary Book – Read it. Every day.

81. A Time to Kill – John Grisham – I’ve read a lot of Grisham and this, his first book, is by far his best. That’s not to say the others aren’t great, they are, but they’ll never reach what he accomplished in this one.

82. The Constant Gardner – John Le Carre – I had the hardest time getting into this book but eventually it took off and was a great read.

83. Cider House Rules – John Irving – What a great book. Real depth of character (I mention that a lot, but it’s surprisingly hard to find.) Leads me to want to read all of his stuff.


Non-Fiction

84. Mindhunter – John Douglas and Mark Olshaker – (Olshaker likes “hunter” titles, he also helped write Virus Hunter). If you don’t agree with the death penalty, read this book. It’ll change your mind. Not through political nonsense, but just by realizing there are people out there who need to be put down like rabid dogs. (I already agreed with the death penalty before I read it.)

85. Between Heaven and Earth - Harriet Beinfield and Efrem Korn – This is a book about Traditional Chinese Medicine and its 5 Element Theory. I love this book. It breaks it down into laymen’s terms and is very comprehensive. You need to read it with a grain of salt, though. When Harriet became an acupuncturist, her surgeon father and surgeon grandfather were… not very understanding. She has a rather embittered view of Western medicine. There’s a test in the book to let you know which element you’re most like.

86. Reading Lolita in Tehran – Like A Handmaid’s Tale come to life. So sad and moving and scary. Moves slow sometimes but worth sticking with it.

87. History of God – Karen Armstrong – This should be required reading before anyone is allowed/forced to choose a religion. It covers the big three – Christianity, Judaism, and Muslim

88. Believing It All – Marc Parent – I read a ton of “parenting” books when I was pregnant the first time. This one blew them all away and isn’t even sold as a parenting book. The author’s description to his little boy of what death is, is perfect and beautiful.

89. Operating Instructions – Anne Lamott – Same as Believing It All but in a different way. A great view of what it’s like to have a baby. True and almost scary! This is the truest description of the first year of life after having a baby that I’ve ever read.

90. For the Defense – Ellis Ruben – This book is about the author’s most famous cases as a lawyer. He was the lawyer for the famous Twinkie Defense (google it). It’s a very interesting story and includes a lot about the author’s young life. One of his best friends from childhood is Rod Serling!

91. The Tao of Pooh – Benjamin Hoff – This book went along way in making my life better. It’s a fun read with a lot of knowledge.

92. The Te of Piglet – Benjamin Hoff – This sequel to the Tao of Pooh is among my top 5 All-Time Favorites. I re-read it at least once a year.

93. The People’s Almanac – Great bathroom reading (don’t judge, most everyone does it!). It’s informative and fascinating.

94. The Children of the Flames – I read this book at a time when I thought my life was shit. I was depressed and unhappy, had no plan for my future and was stuck in a mire of self-pity and wallowing. I happened upon this book and it really made me pull my head out of my ass. It’s about the twins at Auschwitz and the experiments they were put through. We (you, me, and everyone born in America) have it so easy.

95. America – The Daily Show – Hysterical! And a little sad.

96. Jesus and Buddha – On the left page is a quote from Jesus. On the right page is a quote from Buddha, said almost 2000 years before Jesus. They are usually almost identical. Very interesting.

97. Naked – David Sedaris – ohmigod! This guy makes me laugh my ASS off! He’s hysterical and sometimes poignant and this book is another that prompted me to go buy the rest of his stuff. Even better, get it on audiobook. I can’t stop laughing, just thinking about his stuff!

98. The Black Dahlia Avenger – Steve Hodel – the author gives a pretty convincing argument that his own father is the Black Dahlia killer as well as the killer for several other unsolved murders of the time. A bit hard to get through (slow sometimes) but worth it.

99. Seabiscuit: An American Legend – Laura Hillenbrand – An inspiring, lovely story.

100. Stitch-n-Bitch – Debbie Stoller – I had a friend teach me to knit. Then I went and bought this book for reinforcement. It covers the basics incredibly well and with a tongue-in-cheek attitude that’s never boring. Also, tons of great, basic patterns. I learned in summer 2003. I still knit, but only obsessively.