Tuesday, February 8, 2011

the books of my life

last week, the ethereal beauty that is amber blue bird graced me with a sweet award, the honest scrap, with a challenge to write five facts about myself.
amber's blog is one of my daily reads. i swear the girl could wear a burlap sack and i would wonder which agricultural feed and seed store she got it from. she's just that pretty, and just that stylish.

i'm supposed to list five facts about myself, so i'm compiling my five favorite books of all time. because honestly, a person's favorite book choice speaks volumes, and mine will tell you more about me than my favorite color or restaurant, hands down.

they are:


1. the Bible: because it's a map, and for someone terrible with directions, it's a daily necessity. and because it's the most tangible connection i have to my Father, and like an old pocket watch handed down generations, it has meaning and history to me that is deep and personal.

2. of mice and men: john steinbeck. the first book that made me cry. i sympathize with lennie so much. with loving something so tightly, so feverishly and so overwhelmingly that you crush it. and squeeze it. that steinbeck, his words get me every time.

3. love in the time of cholera: gabriel garcia marquez. the movie was an utter disappointment, but this novel is breathtaking. i've highlighted and underlined almost every paragraph in my worn copy. i lost it for about six months when robert and i moved into our little cottage, and my heart broke. imagine my great joy when i found it in the basement! that taught me a valuable lesson: take care of the books you love. yes, you can get a new copy from any barnes and noble. but your original copy, the one held between your fingers as you read the words for the first time-that is special and sacred and irreplaceable.

4. the way the crow flies: ann-marie macdonald. this is a lengthy, thick, doozy of a book. one that should take whole months. but i read it on a long train ride to visit a friend. it was that engrossing. a beautiful study on how children interpret their environments. how the little intricacies weave together with the big events to play on and manipulate their psyche. heartbreaking and honest, and holds all adults accountable.

5. love is a mix tape: rob sheffield. never before has love transcended pages so deeply. and the funny thing is, rob doesn't get mushy or romantic in this book. but the way he describes the way he met, courted and lost the love of his life is as tender as it gets.

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these books are my heartbeat, and to share them is special. cherish reading. savor it. because life is life. but sometimes, we can escape into an adventure. and who doesn't love that?

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p.s.

i'm passing this fun award to:

1. shalyn of laugh until your cheeks hurt
2. melissa of perfect peace
3. becca of adorable optimism
4. kristin of kristin in america
5. jenni of jenni austria germany

24 comments:

Dee Paulino said...

Love is a mix tape sounds interesting. I will give it a read sometime soon!

Peaches said...

Except for the Bible, I have not read any of these books. But you have me intrigued Ms. Courtney. Perhaps I'll stop by the library on the way home. =)

Crazy Shenanigans-JMO said...

I really want to get love is a mix tape! It sounds like a great book!

Unknown said...

I love the lesson that you added! It's very true! Love is a mixed tape really sounds wonderful! Thanks, dear friend! Have a lovely Tuesday!

Unknown said...

PS Congrats on your lovely award!

Unknown said...

ooo of mice and men! such a great book - i cried too. and i loved the movie just a much.. aww thank you high school for introducing me to this wonderful read. ♥

jeanette from everton terrace said...

Great idea. Haven't heard of the last two but have jotted the titles down. Very intrigued by The Way the Crow Flies.

Amanda Moury said...

I really need to read 'Love is a mix tape', I heard it's fabulous!

Discovery Street said...

Oh...thanks for some good reads...I've needed some new books!

Nicki said...

Oh, I've been meaning to read Love is a Mixed Tape! So glad to hear that you really enjoyed it! :]

Totally agree with what you said about the Bible. It truly is a daily necessity!

Diana Smith said...

LOVE how you include the bible cause it is soooo true! I haven't heard of the other books except for mice and men, but im not the biggest reader! Will have to check them out!

Some Korean Website Highjacker said...

Courtney,

i've loved hearing about your top 5 books, you're right it is insightful into the mind and heart of the person that cherishes them. i've never heard the bible being described as a map before, you really characterized it with that symbol and the personal closeness of the pocket watch.

thanks for sharing these, i've read a couple but am particularly interested in "love is a mix tape", will have to look for that on my next bookstore visit. xo ♥

Rebecca said...

great book choices

Unknown said...

aw, thank you for the tag! I'm writing my post right now :) You're awesome! And I haven't heard of many of those books, but I love the Bible (of course) and Of Mice and Men. Two of the best books ever!

Southhamsdarling said...

Congratulations on your award dear friend! Like the others, I must try to read "love is a mix tape".It's wonderful that all those books mean so much to you and give you so much pleasure.

Unknown said...

I am goign to have to read Love is a Mix Tape. It sounds great! I also need to do this Honest Scrap post but I need to think of what to post about because I've done the random facts thing a few times so there's not much new to discover!

Shay said...

You are so sweet to tag me in this, thanks friend!

I love your first choice!

Amber said...

you are too kind dear. I love your books choices although I have never read Love is a Mix Tape. I am putting in on my list for this year. :)

Jenni Austria Germany said...

how fun! thanks for the tag!! :) i'll be thinking of my 5 facts immediately...

Emily said...

You made me want to read #5! I may have to save it for a summer read! As for # 1, i'm currently going through Jonah by Priscilla shirer. talk about needing directions! Its really awesome you should definitely do it if you get the chance!

Kaylia Payne said...

I have only read love in the time of cholera, but I thought it was wonderful!
That was such a good idea about listing favourite books, they say so much about a person.

Dawn said...

What a clever idea...to use books! Great pics for sure...and it does tell us a lot of who you are! Thanks for sharing:)))

Jessica said...

um..your tidbit about a book being magical when you hold it between your fingers and experience the words for the first time...made me tear up. Don't judge haha.

And great inspiring words about the bible as well. Great post darling!

karly from [kar[+]wade] said...

i love this! i need to read a good book, pronto! What a fun blog you have! I love it, and am excited to start catching up on all your posts!
–karly
www.karpluswade.blogspot.com

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