TEN BOOKS THAT HAVE STAYED WITH ME

(OK, 20. OK, 21. But who's counting?)

Several of you lately have been sending me this 10 books challenge list — wherein, off the top of your head, you list 10 books that have been important to you in your life. Some of you have asked for mine.

Because I cannot follow rules, I did 21. Ten non-fiction, ten fiction. Just what came for the top of my head. And a bonus.

Non-fiction:

START FROM WHERE YOU ARE, by Pema Chodron
POSER, by Claire Dederer
HARLEY LOCO, by Rayya Elias
THE SPIRIT CATCHES YOU AND YOU FALL DOWN, by Anne Fadiman
BOSSYPANTS, by Tina Fey
THE PRINCIPLES OF UNCERTAINTY, by Maira Kalman
THE RINGS OF SATURN, by W.G. Sebald
THE MEADOWLANDS, by Robert Sullivan
WHEN WANDERERS CEASE TO ROAM, By Vivian Swift
A THREE DOG LIFE, by Abigail Thomas

Fiction:

THE CHILDREN'S BOOK, by A.S. Byatt
GREAT EXPECTATIONS, by Charles Dickens
PORTRAIT OF A LADY, by Henry James
THE SUMMER BOOK, by Tove Jansson
ALL AUNT HAGAR'S CHILDREN, by Edward P. Jones
WOLF HALL, by Hilary Mantel
WANT NOT, by Jonathan Miles
HATESHIP FRIENDSHIP COURTSHIP LOVESHIP MARRIAGE, by Alice Munro
BEL CANTO, by Ann Patchett
THE MASTER, by Colm Toibin

But if I can take just one book, to the proverbial desert island? LEAVES OF GRASS, by Walt Whitman. I would spend the rest of my life memorizing it. Then I would walk around the island chanting SONG OF MYSELF forever. Not a bad way to live out your days on a desert island.

Lastly, here is a picture of my bright and happy new office!

What are your favorite books, all?

🙂
LG

via Elizabeth Gilbert’s Facebook Wall