"Head...Shoulders...Knees and...SOCKS!"

Last time I was on WTF, Nomad and I were discussing our love of books and books we've read and recommended.  Last night I thought that one of my birthday resolutions should be "read more books" - like I don't already have a big pile and queue of books to get through.  So I thought that I would list some of my all time favorites that are currently sitting on my bookshelf to share with all...

(presented in no particular order, just off the top of my head)

  The Princess Bride - William Goldman
I first read this in middle school while at sleepaway camp.  My parents gave it to me to take with.  I instantly LOVED it.  When the movie came out I was so nervous that it would ruin the book, and with the exception of the parts with Fred Savage, the movie got it spot on.  I can't wait to share this with my son.


  The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
Another classic, first discovered when I was in Junior High.  It's got towels, pocket lint, great characters, action, fun, witty banter, and the Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal.

Bloodsucking Fiends - Christopher Moore
A romantic comedy featuring vampires in San Francisco.  I've re-read this multiple times, and I enjoy it each time.  I was thrilled when I realized Shiny and I were on our honeymoon and I realized we were in the same locations as are mentioned in the book.  I also enjoy Christopher Moore's other books, which are all recommended.

Harry Potter series - JK Rowling
Discovered this in the airport bookstore - before all the hype began.  I was instantly captured by them.  And even though Shiny hasn't read a single word (watching the movies doesn't count) he has promised to read them with Avi when the time comes.  I'm very curious to see how it all wraps up, and have plans to re-read the entire series from the beginning before the last one is released.

The Chronicles of Amber - Roger Zelazny
Also a middle school discovery.  My father had bought the computer game which intrigued me, but in order to play the game, I had to read the books to follow and understand the plot.  After I moved to DC, I found myself thinking about the books and checking these out of the library quite frequently, and finally bought a set of the books on eBay. 

Night of the Avenging Blowfish: A Novel of Covert Operations, Love, and Luncheon Meat - John Welter
This I initially bought for the title and I found it in the humor section, where it was mis-shelved.  I loved it so much that I had to buy a second copy because the first one was kept by one of the many friends I had lent it out to.  I always imagined that David Duchovny would make a great lead if they ever adapted this into a film.


The Idiot Girls' Action-Adventure Club : True Tales from a Magnificent and Clumsy Life - Laurie Notaro
A recent discovery from a couple years ago.  It took me a while to get going on this, but I laughed out loud.  I've been trying to catch up on her subsequent publications, and she still makes me laugh - which of course always prompts odd looks or Av asking me "What's so funny Mommy?"  Can't quite explain why just yet.

OK - that's my list for now.  Other books I remember loving when I read, but it's been awhile - such as "Shampoo Planet" by Douglas Coupland - so I want to go back and check those out.  That's another list.  I've been keeping a list of all the books I've been reading for pleasure (as opposed to those I read for work) and will post that list and opinions at a later time.

In the meantime, just finished reading another one this morning, and will have to select one from the pile waiting in the dining room. Perhaps I'll have time to start a new book this afternoon, but tonight I'll be enjoying WTF as should you!