July 25, 2007
Harry and a CONTEST!
Ok - I took everyone’s advice and ignored the yarn for this week’s Sneak Up and am reading Harry instead. 
I’m actually almost done with the book. I will admit that I have stopped to do one thing or another (I’m not ignoring your orders - just the new yarn) but I will finish the book today. It’s good and I’m anxious to see how it all turns out. I have enjoyed the author’s creativity in these HP books. (And there are some inventions in there that I think would be darned handy to have around.)
So, since we still need a contest for July, I thought I’d see what everyone’s favorite book is. I love to read and while I can’t necessarily come up with one favorite book (although I will say I loved all of the Chronicles of Narnia), I thought I’d share my favorite childhood books with you. It’s funny to read them now, because I’m not sure why these became my favorites out of all the ones I had. But they did. The Lonely Doll is not a book I ever owned, but I remember checking it out from the library multiple times because I loved it so much. I majored in Elementary Education in college, with a minor in Reading, and somehow during one of my Children’s Lit courses, I rediscovered this book. (I always remembered it - just couldn’t remember the name or author.) I was so happy to find it available to order and now I have my own copy. It’s about a doll and two teddy bears who live in a house (no adults) and get into all kinds of adventures. I think there might’ve been a sequel or two, but this was the one I liked.
My other two favorites were Bunny Blue and Mr. Snitzel’s Cookies. This is my original copy of Bunny Blue from when I was young, but I found Mr. Snitzel on ebay a few years ago. (Is there anything you CAN’T find on ebay?) Now I have these books displayed in a cupboard and I like having them there. Every so often I have to go back and read them. So what about you? Are there books from your childhood or adulthood that you’d call a favorite? I know that a lot of knitters are also book lovers, so it’ll be fun to get some new suggestions for good books. Leave your favorite book here in the blog comments by next Wednesday, August 1st, and I’ll do a random drawing for our monthly Loopy Gift Certificate! I’m also going to do the August blog contest very soon, in celebration of our one year anniversary - so keep an eye out here for that as well. There is a great grand prize for that contest!
Ok - back to Harry………..
Sheri um,no,mySockapaloozaPal’ssocksaren’tdoneyet.Harryisgettinginthewayofeverything.
bungalowmum said,
July 25, 2007 @ 2:36 pm
Oi! One favorite? Tied between Anne of Green Gables and Pride and Prejudice….but I love HP,too. But for totally different reasons. I haven’t finished 7 yet. Nick and I are reading it together, and since we share one book and only read in the evenings (and had major home remodel the Sat. it came) it’s slow going. He reads about 25% slower than I do. Ask me how I know….
rebecca said,
July 25, 2007 @ 2:37 pm
my favorite book is All Over Creation by Ruth Ozeki
Anon. said,
July 25, 2007 @ 2:38 pm
Darn! There weren’t any comments until I clicked the comment button. Oh well. Almost first. Enjoy Harry! I’m borrowing my friend’s copy when she finishes it- I can’t wait!
meg said,
July 25, 2007 @ 2:38 pm
I must say, Nancy Drew books really make me think of my childhood. I spent many, many summer days sitting on our front porch with my nose in a book!
Now, Although a little racy at times, I love reading the Stepanie Plum Series by Janet Evanovitch. Kind of like the adult version of Nancy Drew;)
Also, James Patterson and Mariah Stewart for more mysteries.
Oh, way too difficult to pick one favorite book!
alyson said,
July 25, 2007 @ 2:39 pm
One of my all-time favourites is A Tree Grows in Brooklyn - I absolutely love that book. I think I first read it somewhere around grade five… and when I was really young, I used to like the Serendipity series of books; I ended up collecting them and until a few years ago I was still picking up each new one that came out. I have a whole huge box full of them somewhere - I hope my future-kids like them!
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve started reading more non-fiction books (save the Harry Potters, obviously) and the one that stands out most in my mind is Fast Food Nation. Scaaaryyyy….
Rebecca said,
July 25, 2007 @ 2:45 pm
My favorite book is Jane Eyre. I’ve read it so many times I can’t count.
It all started when my father gave me a copy when I was twelve; love that although Jane came from nothing, suffered horrible abuse (aunt and cousins), she then found wealth and the man of her dreams. She’s a true success story!
Stephanie said,
July 25, 2007 @ 2:47 pm
Well, I’m not too far away from childhood to have gotten rid of my favorite books yet, so let me think…
My favorite book when I was really young was probably Charlotte’s Web. My dad read it to me. It was really fun. We also read the Berenstain Bears, liked those lots. My favorite favorite favorite book of all time ever since I first read it when I was maybe 7 or 8 is A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle. L’Engle is a GREAT author, inspired my love of science AND reading. It’s fantasy too. I love her books so much.
I’ll have to look for all these books everyone’s talking about, though!
Jenna said,
July 25, 2007 @ 2:47 pm
My favourite book of all time is “The Unbearable Lightness of Being” which should be a huge hint at what a hopeless romantic I am
My favourite book from when was in elementary school is “A Wrinkle in Time” and from when I was just a very wee one “Herman goes to Sea”
Janice said,
July 25, 2007 @ 2:47 pm
Oooh, I love books. As a kid, my favorite series was The Hardy Boys. (I think being the only girl with 4 brothers influenced my liking that over Nancy Drew…). My next series was Anne of Green Gables. Loved them!!! All of the Agatha Christie books have been ready multiple multiple times. (This is when my memory issues works in my favor.. I forget ‘who dun it’ so can enjoy them over and over!). Then there is The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. And that is just to name a few…. I am anxiously awaiting my turn in line to read the latest Harry Potter. My family says it’s the best so far…..
Miss T said,
July 25, 2007 @ 2:51 pm
Hard to pick just one favorite, so I’ll cheat: Song of Solomon and Jane Eyre!
Jessica said,
July 25, 2007 @ 2:53 pm
My favorites from childhood are “A Wrinkle In Time” and “Support Your Local Wizard”. I still read them every now and then and I can’t wait till my little ones are old enough to enjoy them!
Manda said,
July 25, 2007 @ 2:53 pm
Oh, I have to say that I love Anne of Green Gables. Another favorite, that I read recently, is Snow Flower & The Secret Fan by Lisa See. Ever since I started knitting, my reading time has dwindled, but once I started reading this one, the knitting time dwindled! At least until I was finished with it.
Christine said,
July 25, 2007 @ 2:54 pm
My favorite children’s/young adult books were the Anne of Green Gables series and James and the Giant Peach.
My favorite book recently is The Time Traveler’s Wife.
Happy Reading!
Ariel said,
July 25, 2007 @ 2:57 pm
My favorite book as a child was The Giver, and I guess my favorite book now would be Watership Down….or The Stand.
Sarah said,
July 25, 2007 @ 2:57 pm
My favorite childhood book was The Velveteen Rabbit (I still have my beautiful keepsake edition with large, wood-cut illustrations). As a kid I loved Little House on the Prairie and Anne of Green Gables. Anything that was serial and seemingly-never ending, actually!
Cindy in Oregon said,
July 25, 2007 @ 2:59 pm
No way I can pick just one favorite, but. .. .
From the world of kid’s books, The Phantom Tollbooth was a bit favorite of mine.
As a teenager, Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina had to be at the top (I still have my paperback copy from 7th grade), as was Maya Angelou’s I KNow Why the Caged Bird Sings.
As an adult? Really no way to pick. Top contenders would be Wally Lamb’s She’s Come Undone and Stephen King’s The Stand.
But there are SOOOOO many others that I love!
Kristin said,
July 25, 2007 @ 2:59 pm
Can’t pick an adult favorite, just too many wonderful books…as a kid it was “King of The Wind.”
Jenn said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:00 pm
My favorite picture book, and first favorite book, was “Corgiville Fair” by Tasha Tudor. When I moved on to books without pictures, favorites were the Laura Ingalls books and “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.”
Rachel said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:00 pm
I know this is terrible to delurk for a contest, but I’m going to do it anyway. My favorite book, hands down, is “To Kill a Mockingbird”. No matter how many times I read this story, I never tire of it.
Mary said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:01 pm
I have so many too, including about half of those already mentioned. If pressed for a favorite I would have to say My Antonia by Willa Cather. I wrote my thesis on it for college and read it about eight times in the process. I got something new out of it each time, which says a lot for how amazing it is.
I’m excited to read more comments. I’m about 5 pages from the end of my current book (I won’t say what it is because I didn’t like it very much) so now I need something new!
Mandy said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:01 pm
I have to second Alyson with A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. I read that one for the first time in grade school, and have reread it at least once a year every year since. I wore out the first (hardback) copy I ever owned, and now own two copies -a nice hardback, and a paperback that gets most of the reading and shared with friends who haven’t read it before. I am on my second reading of HP7 - no stitching has been done since Saturday; I’ve been face down in that book!
Sarah said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:03 pm
Favorite book:
Gone with the Wind - between the ages of 15-16 I read it three times.
Also really liked The Secret Life of Bees - Lovely book.
Michelle Martino said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:04 pm
My favorite is from adulthood… The Thornbirds. I named my daughter after the main character Meggie. What a love story… although it the romanticism when south when Richard Chamberlain announced his “sexual preference”…ce la vi
Lisa said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:05 pm
E. B. White’s Charlotte’s Web (long before there was a movie…)
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
All time favorite : To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
Reading right now: Prayer by Philip Yancey
Hibbert’s The House of Medici: Its Rise and Fall
and various needlepoint and knitting books.
It was fun to just think about all my favorites again. Thanks!
Peggy said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:06 pm
As a child, my favorite book was To Kill a Mockingbird. Both of my children detested the book when forced to read it. DD wanted to know why I liked it. Upon reflection, I think it was because it was the first book I read as a child that had adult themes.
One of my favorite books as an adult is The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. I find myself thinking about the premise of time travel in the book occasionally I don’t care for science fiction. This is not ‘out there”. The style of writing make you ‘think’ as the plot moves forwards and backwards in time at the same time.
Dixie said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:08 pm
It’s hard to choose a favourite book — it’s kind of like naming your favourite song. There are different ones for different occasions.
As a kid, I really enjoyed reading anything by Diana Wynne Jones (started with Dogsbody and went on from there), but I think The Phantom Tollbooth (not by Ms. Jones) is the winner.
I believe my favourite book as an adult is The Master and Margarita (Bulgakov), though I reread most of my Gaiman books every few years and will admit to reading Robin McKinley’s Sunshine over and over as a guilty pleasure.
Hillary said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:10 pm
I love books I have many authors that I adore. I really enjoyed reading Jane Austen, Carl Hiaasen and too many mystery writers to name. If i had to choose one book though, it would be Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson. It has stayed with me all these years since I first read it if 5th grade.
When it was made into a movie recently my daughters were a little surprised by my strong adverse reaction and refusal to see it. Instead, I insisted that we read the book first an then they could see the movie if they like. I read it aloud to them (even though they’re 8 & 11) a few weeks ago and they hung onto every word. When I was done I realized that I still don’t want to see it because, as I explained to them, I like the way it lives in my head and I’d rather preserve that. Now that they’ve heard the story they understand and don’t think I’m crazy.
Debbie O. said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:12 pm
Oh, where to even start? Growing up (and even still) I loved anything by Roald Dahl, especially Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Zilpha Keatley Snyder. I also adored the Wrinkle in Time series by Madeleine L’Engle and the House with a Clock in its Walls series by John Bellairs. Who could forget the Beverly Cleary books and the Wonderful Trip to the Mushroom Planet by Eleanor Cameron? I still have copies of all of these books for my daughter to read.
Meghann said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:13 pm
Wow, just ONE book? I love books, still do, though I tend to listen to my books now than actually read them! LOL.
My favorites growing up were always fantasy books, and I still love fantasy books. Some of my favorites are: The Prydain Chronicles by Lloyd Alexander, Beauty, Poisonwood Bible, The Eye of the Dragon, and of course Harry Potter!
Nichole said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:13 pm
My favorite books growing up were anything Judy Bloom…
My favorite books now are Meditations for Women Who Knit Too Much and Woman’s Best Friend: Women Writers on the Dogs in Their Lives (must read for any doggy Mom!).
corey said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:13 pm
hmm….. my favorite books would be all of Harry Potter, but also Neil Gaiman’s books. the first book that i read was Stardust (the movie is coming out in a couple of weeks). i loved it so much i had to check out the rest of his stuff, which is all very wonderful!
KnitSteph said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:15 pm
My favorite books as a child were The Boxcar Children series by Gertrude Chandler Warner and From the Mixed up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Koningsburg.
Adult stuff..now that’s hard! My reading is all over the map. I’d have to say right now my favorites are Edith Pargeters Brother’s of Gwynned Quartet, and any book by Christopher Moore.
Shanidy said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:16 pm
I love old romances…Wuthering Heights is my all time favorite…but I also love anything by Jane Austen. I’m a romantic…what can I say
Beth said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:17 pm
I remember the Lonely Doll as a childhood fave too - also, Peppermint about a kitten from a candy store that jumps in the laundry bluing… Need to find a copy of that.
These days I can’t re-read a book anymore, the exception being the HP series. But I loved the Mists of Avalon (M.Z. Bradley) and wish I could read it again and feel the same things on the second read as I did the first time through. I just saw an anniversary edition of Psion (Vinge, young adult level sci-fi) and I just might try to re-read that one.
Janice in GA said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:17 pm
My all-time favorite books is The Last Unicorn, by Peter S. Beagle. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve read it. It always eases my heart.
Anita said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:18 pm
I read books like crazy… one of my favorite children’s books is one I ran into later: The Hungry Caterpillar. I like many of those already listed. I also loved this one book as a child, about a gingerbread house… could never remember the name, always had to find it on the shelves.
Today… I don’t think I could pick a just one book as my favorite… but my favorite so far this year is The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Satterfield.
I really liked this post, I’ll be checking back often to add to my reading list. Thanks!
Aimee said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:20 pm
My favorite book of all time is hands down Pride and Pred by the AMAZING Jane Austin. I adore the book. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. Gets me every time. The BBC version is great too on DVD, but I am apt to grab the book any time and open it at random and read a bit. Or the whole thing.
There are other books I love, but none so much as this one.
Sara said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:20 pm
my favorite book as a kid was The Witches, by Roald Dahl.
i don’t read so much as an adult, so i’ll have to stick with that one for now.
Lynn said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:20 pm
I loved Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel as a child. Not a very girly book, and it always made me sad that the Steam Shovel was stuck in the hole it dug, but I read it over and over again. It has wonderful illustrations. As a teenager, I fell in love with Gone with the Wind. It’s still one of my favorite books.
Becca said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:22 pm
I read and re-read so many books - anything by Judy Blume, the Little House on the Prairie series, Bunnicula, Charlotte’s Web, Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry, Wrinkle in Time… I keep meaning to reread them now!
Katie said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:23 pm
I never really appreciated The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein until recently and I love the simple majesty of it. There was also this elf Christmas book where the elf was bad. My dad used to trick me into thinking Santa beat his butt and that’s why he was crying in the pictures. My mom found the book a few years ago and gave it me as a joke.
Carol said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:24 pm
My mom was a children’s librarian, so I read some great books! When I read Laura Ingalls Wilder’s series, we made gingerbread from LIW’s mother’s recipe. I also loved James and the Giant Peach.
But my all-time favorite - hands down - is The Secret Garden. I love it still.
Laura said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:25 pm
I loved the Little House on the Prairie series when I was young. Such great stories - and as an added bonus, the main character had the same name as me
Another book I read a million times is A Ring of Endless Light by Madeleine L’Engle. I’m not sure why, I just loved that book so much. I may have to dig that out sometime soon. And of course, Harry Potter. I read the last book in lightning speed on Saturday to find out the ending, and now I want to read it again!
Sarah said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:30 pm
I’ve got to second (or third) Time Travelers Wife! Got to be the best book I’ve ever read.
But then there’s the Princess Bride
And the Clan of the Cave Bear series
I’ve read those at least a dozen times each since I was about 10
Abby said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:30 pm
My favorite book as a child was Millions of Cats by Wanda Gag. I still enjoy the story as an adult.
Bev said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:31 pm
So difficult to name just a couple! I read so much my mom used to limit my reading time so that I’d go outside and get some exercise. So unfair! Island of the Blue Dolphins, Are You There God It’s Me Margaret and Nancy Drew were my favorites. Lord of the Rings has been my absolute favorite since junior high. I don’t remember how many times I’ve read it and I always find something new.
Anastasia said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:33 pm
My fav book as a kid was “The Blue Sword” by Robin Mckinley
(I wrote her a letter once, about how much I loved her book, and she wrote me back! :D)
Kim A. said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:34 pm
So many wonderful books already mentioned! My personal favorites are Barbara Kingsolver’s _The Poisonwood Bible_ and Alice Walker’s _Temple of My Familiar_.
Lyn said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:40 pm
I’m too much of a book lover to have just one favorite so here are a few- my favorite book to read to my kids when they were little was The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear. My favorite book that I’ve read within the last year is Eat, Pray, Love and one of my all time favorite books is The Wisdom of Yoga: A Seeker’s Guide to Extraordinary Living. These are all must reads in my book!
jaci said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:40 pm
I loved Beverly Cleary’s book Ramona Quimby, Age 5. As as adult, I would have to say that I have a lot of favorites, but I think the one that touched me most is Marley. I love dogs and this book just made me laugh and cry!!
Lani said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:41 pm
Hmmm…. just one book huh?? Well I would have to say that currently my favorite is Anna Karenina by Tolstoy followed very very closely by The Tale of Genji.
Joanna said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:41 pm
Oh no! I work in a library. Making me choose a favourite book is like making a parent choose a favourite child. But, I will select a book that I can always fall back on whenever I have “nothing” to read: The Beekeeper’s Apprentice, by Laurie R. King, or any of her subsequent Mary Russell novels.
Jenn U. said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:43 pm
My favorite was A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. It left such an impression on me that about 20 years after reading it I revisited the store which I bought it from (I was on vacation at the time 2 states away) and went to see the shelf where it sat. It’s not a bookstore anymore, but it was nice to see where it came from.
I also thoroughly enjoyed my grandmothers copies of Nancy Drew, and anything by Beverly Cleary when I first began reading.
Carrie said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:46 pm
I got a chill scrolling down to read your post - two gals at my SnB were talking about The Lonely Doll last night, unable to remember the name or the author. I had never heard of it, but they both remembered the story and the photos well, and lo, here it is, the first thing I see on the first blog I read during lunch.
The Sword of Shannara was my favorite as a kid, and also Arty The Smarty, from little-kid-hood.
Toni Van B said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:47 pm
I’d have to agree with Peggy about The Time Traveler’s Wife. Strangely, I can’t seem to convince any of my friends to read it though. It wasn’t something that I would have originally read either, but wow - what a story. I’m glad I stretched my literary horizons on that one.
I also liked the earlier books of Arturo Perez-Reverte, especially The Flanders Panel.
From childhood I can remember my teacher reading us books from The Great Brain series by John Fitzgerald. Mystery and drama! They were a lot of fun.
Doris said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:48 pm
I adore reading. I double majored in Economics and English lit at Duke…the econ so I could find a job and the lit so that I could spend a lot of my study time reading! I can’t pick a favorite, as there are so many, but I really enjoy the pure entertainment of the Stephanie Plum books by Janet Evanovich. I am at a point right now that sometimes life itself is so full that I just need some pure entertainment in my reading…and those books make me laugh out loud (which is a whole other story…) I also love how some of the new books out there conbime my love of knitting with my love of reading.
carrie said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:48 pm
Oh man, so many memories are stirred just by reading these comments! The first to come to mind is Gertie’s Green Thumb (and a quick Amazon search reveals that it’s available!), but I also love Nancy Drew, Ramona Quimby, and also some bible series. Nowadays the only fiction I’m reading is Harry Potter and sometimes Charles DeLint.
Pam said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:49 pm
As a child, definitely Charlotte’s Web. I still cry when Charlotte dies. As an adult, that’s a hard one. I love anything by Joseph Wambaugh (we’re reading Hollywood Station right now), all the Michael Connolly books, and some of Stephen King’s books (IT is right up there - clowns scare the bejesus out of me).
Kelly said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:53 pm
My favorite book as a child was Little Women. My most favorite right now is The Lovely Bones.
Kari said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:55 pm
The Lonely Doll was one of my favorites too!! I also checked it out of the library and didn’t actually purchase it until a couple of months ago for my daughter. I think I was just fascinated with the black and white pictures. My other favorite childhood book was the Adventures of Mabel by Harry Thurston Peck, she had quite the adventures! As an adult I really love Jane Eyre.
Adrienne said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:56 pm
My very favourite book is “Possession”, by A.S. Byatt. I’ve read it countless times, and am often reminded of one character/situation or another when dealing with things in my real life. Does that mean I’ve crossed the line over into fantasy/obsession? =P
As a kid, my favourite books were the Little House on the Prairie series. I still read These Happy Golden Years at least once a year. =)
Amy said,
July 25, 2007 @ 3:59 pm
If you have read some of my previous blog entries, you will know reading is my first love - I spend quite a bit of time writing one entry about books that I loved from childhood to adult. I think my favorite book growing up was probaby “The Westing Game.” I was all about the mystery books for quite some time. Now that I’ve delved into the classics, I have to say my favorite is probably “The Brothers Karamazov” closely followed by “The Count of Monte Cristo.”
And, I can’t believe how fast you are getting through HP7! I’ve been taking my own sweet time (started Saturday) and still probably have at least 250 pages left to go. But, then, I haven’t been staying up late and have other things I’ve been busy doing…
Like going to an author reading/signing to see Lisa See! I see someone mentioned “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan.” I can say that it is also right up there - fantastic author! Her new book looks just as fascinating to me and I have already started doing research for more info on the subject matter in her latest, “Peony in Love.” The books I enjoy the most are the ones that make me think about things in a different way, expose me to things I don’t know much about/want to learn more about and satisfy that inner desire I have to learn!!!
Gladys said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:00 pm
I read the Hobbit when I was 11, and the entire Lord of the Rings when I was 12. Yeah, I was a nerd and a geek, even at that young age. I think I’ve re-read the entire series five or six times since that first time, and it always recaptures my imagination.
Oddly, while I loved the movies, they made me put the books on hold for a few years.
Tammy said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:01 pm
That’s a tough one! There are so many books I’ve loved for different reasons. But I’d have to say that The Lord of the Rings trilogy really stands out in my mind.
Tiffany said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:03 pm
Although I have many treasured childhood memories involving every Dr. Seuss book ever published, I have to say that my all-time favourite book as a child was The Magic Paintbrush by Robin Muller.
Even though I am well past an age where children’s books are at all relevant to my life or schooling, I still truck this thing around with me everywhere, every time I move (8 times in the past 5 years!) and refuse to part with it. There are several of these hanging around the literary world, so just to make it easier on all of you, I’ve got a link to it on Amazon for greater clarity:
http://www.amazon.com/Magic-Paintbrush-Robin-Muller/dp/0385253737/ref=sr_1_1/002-1305139-7039215?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1185397052&sr=8-1
Theo said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:03 pm
Johnny and the Monarche when smaller and then all the Boxcar children books and like you, the wonderful Tales of Narnia. Wonder how many of us tried going into closets back then only to discover no magic world there? C:
joy said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:04 pm
My favorite children’s book is called Drummer Hoff by Barbara Emberley. My older sister had the book before I was born, but when I was old enough to enjoy books, I demanded my VERY OWN COPY, and promptly scribbled my name in it, and which I recently recovered from my parents house. Adult book? I suppose I’d have to go with A Tale of Two Cities - can’t argue with the classics.
Natalie said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:06 pm
Favorite Books…
From childhood: Little House on the Prairie
Of all time: Wuthering Heights/Jane Eyre
Of the Moment: Nineteen Minutes
Kit said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:09 pm
I’m not the only one with passion for Robin McKinley. I love ALL of her books, but I just can’t stop reading Beauty over and over again. That one is just magic.
I really look forward to her new one coming out in September about dragons. If there was a Midnight McKinley Party, I’d be THERE!
Vicki said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:10 pm
I love books in all flavors - it’s so hard to pick a favorite! A previous comment reminded me of my love for the Serendipity series, which I also have quite a few of. I even named one of my pets after a character from one of the books (Kiyomi if you know them). The book that I go back to again and again though (and therefore, might qualify as ‘favorite’) is Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. I’ve read it at least 5 times since I discovered it about 12 years ago.
Kay said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:11 pm
Trixie Belden who was another “Nancy Drew” lol, Pippi Longstockings, The Hardy Boys and I had a favorite fairy tale Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. I loved the faithful servant girl, Morgana or Morgiana? Something like that. lol
Kerry said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:12 pm
I don’t know if I have a favorite childrens. The books that I remember reading are the Bobsey Twins, Nancy Drew. The ones that are favorites came later: The Little house on the Prairie Series (read ‘em all - in order), The Secret Garden, and a Wrinkel in Time.
Current Favorite Authors: Janet Evanovich (I want to be a knitting version of Stephanie Plum when I grow up!
, Linda Howard and Nora Roberts.
Anne said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:14 pm
I just subscribed to this blog, so maybe it’s not so crass for my first comment to be for a contest!
A Wrinkle in Time and Across Five Summers were my favorites until Gone with the Wind in High School.
Jennifer said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:16 pm
Wow favorite book is hard. I think for childhood reading, while I loved the Chronicles of Narnia, the one which I think back to most isLittle House in the Big Woods and the subsequent series. Probably because I think I may be actually living it to some degree.
Beverly said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:17 pm
For fantasy, years ago I started reading the Pern series by Anne McCaffrey - several books about Dragonriders. Also enjoyed Paolini’s Eragon and Eldest - ignore the Eragon movie, they butchered the book, darn it….
Beverly
Barbara said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:20 pm
Some of my favorite books are The Velveteen Rabbit, A Wrinkle in Time and as
I got older War and Peace, a Tale of Two Cities, & Little Women. However, although I’m not well and cannot read any
more I also cannot remember some of the books I have read through my life.
But my really favorite book is Henny Penny the Sky is Falling. I can’t quite remember
if that’s the title or not. Although my brain power has diminished I could read
and write before I went to school and that was the first book I read when I was
close to four years old. Long time ago. Of course now we have fabulous knitting
books. Not too educational, but still enjoyable.
Bee said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:24 pm
I don’t remember my favourite book as a child, although I’ve read many. I really enjoyed the Nancy Drew series and a series called Mallory Towers. I have to say that Pride and Prejudice is one of my faves all time though.
Yeah, read the last Harry Potter book yesterday…couldn’t put it down. Loved it. Can’t believe it’s the last one!
May said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:26 pm
I’m going to say mine’s got to be The Westing Game. Love that book and I manage to forget details enough to rediscover it every few years.
Karen said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:27 pm
This is an wasy one. When my daughter was about 4 or 5, we went to the bookstore and we got Jane YolensBaby Bear’s Bedtime Book. It was such a fun book about Goldilocks babysitting Baby Bear and how Baby Bear did not want to go to bed. Goldilocks tells him numerous stories until he finally falls asleep.
Sadly it’s out of print, but available if you look hard enough and I always look hard enough to find my friends when they have babies. I think I may have to get another copy to put away for my grandkids some day
Kara said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:28 pm
Old favorite - I loved Charlotte’s Web when I was a kid.
The adult favorite (or one of them) is Wicked by Gregory Maguire.
I loved HP7 - could not put it down on Saturday and finished at 2am. I’m a little sad that it’s all over, though.
Lisa said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:29 pm
Wow, so many great books in the comments! I love “King of the Wind”, love “Velveteen Rabbit”, love “The Last Unicorn”. I also have a soft spot for “The Wheel on the School” which is the story of a town in Holland that encourages storks to nest there. Very sweet. My all time favorite ‘grown up’ book, though, is “Atlas Shrugged” by Ayn Rand. It always makes things seem crystal clear when I feel like I am surrounded by fuzziness.
Julia said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:30 pm
It’s a tie, between Where the Red Fern Grows, which, to this day, still makes me cry like a baby, and All Creatures Great and Small, which is the reason I first became interested in veterinary medicine.
Nikki said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:32 pm
As an adult, it’s too hard to claim a favorite. Maybe Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. As a child, hands down it’s The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. I love it so much I bought it for a friend’s daughter as a baby shower gift.
Tamara said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:33 pm
My favroite book from childhood is “A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeleine L’Engle.
KnittingHawkeye said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:34 pm
Growing up I was a Beatrix potter fan. Her books and illustrations were amazing, especially for a woman of her time. I believe she was the top female author in Britain until JK Rowling. I even visited her house when we were in the Lake Country in Northern England.
I also love P.S. I Love You, which is being made into a movie starring one of my favourite actors, Gerard Butler. I’m not one for sappy books, but this one just strikes you in the heart. It is very well written and is lovely. The author is the daughter of the former prime minister of ireland. =) Cecilia Ahern
I love the HP books, but they don’t come close to Beatrix Potter and childhood memories of Peter Rabbit. =)
Darinka said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:34 pm
A childhood favorite that has lasted into adulthood is anything from the Paddington series. Love that bear from “deepest, darkest Peru” and all the hijinks he can manage. As an adult I can now figure out the places in London that were part of his life. The best!
Liz said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:35 pm
When I was around 11 or 12 years old I read a paperback called “Silver”. I remember reading it many times before the copy was lost when we moved back to the U.S. Not too long ago, (nearly 20 years later) and I found that book at the library. My kids thought I was crazy because I was so excited about it. I checked it out and read it and it still had the same effect on me. Eventually, I’ll have to track down a copy to buy.
Beth said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:36 pm
Chronicles of Narnia. Period. Exclamation point. Read through the whole series at least once a year from the time I was eight or nine until I was in my twenties. Slight break for child-bearing and then I started reading it to the three newest fans.
Lisa said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:37 pm
I remember loving the Nancy Drew series as a kid. And the Little House books. I reread some of the LH books a year or so ago, and still found them charming. As I got older, anything by Judy Blume was an instant favorite. As an adult, I’d say The Hobbit by JRR Tolkein if I have to pick just one. If I can say a series, then it’s definitely the Harry Potter books.
elizabeth said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:40 pm
Favorite book as a kid - The Monster at the End of this Book - Grover of Sesame Street was the star. My dad would read it to us and always did the Grover voice - he was pretty good at it too! I wonder if he’ll do the voice for my niece - that would be so cute!
As an adult, there are far too many but one standout is The Dress Lodger by Sheri Holman. It’s just one of the best books - the narration & tone of it is so good - Holman keeps such a good pace & there isn’t a single thing I would change about it.
Chris said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:41 pm
My favorite childhood books were the Dark is Rising series by Susan Cooper. It’s with some trepedation that I await the movie version that is on the way.
Amy said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:42 pm
By the way, there’s a fascinating biography out there about the author of The Lonely Doll. The name escapes me at the moment, but if you go to Amazon and search “Dare Wright,” I’m sure it’d come up. She lead a pretty sad life.
Hmmm…childhood favorite. Wow, there are so many. Loved the Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, Anne of Green Gables, Harriet the Spy, The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, The Egypt Game…I don’t think I could narrow it down any more than that.
Gretchen said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:43 pm
My ALL TIME FAVORITE book, the one that I will love forever is “The Hero and the Crown” by Robin McKinley.
I of course love her other books as well. “Beauty” and “The Blue Sword” are also favorites. If you are looking for books with strong female role models those are the best.
I had forgotten about the “Mr. Bass books” (The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet) as we called them at our house. We loved those too, my parents would read them to us out loud in the evenings.
I had to buy the new Harry Potter book on CD so I could still knit while I ‘read’ it. Seems I’m addicted to both knitting and audio books. I have too many favorites to name them all here.
Carole said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:44 pm
I remember The Lonely Doll from the library, too! My favorite book is probably Pride and Prejudice - I can read that one over and over.
Lisa said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:45 pm
My favorite book(s) has got to be Mervyn Peake’s, “Gormenghast” trilogy. My version has all three books in one edition. Its a long read, but amazing. Peake wrote about the same time as Tolkein and both sent their characters on hero quests, but that is where the similarity ends. Peake is a vastly different author. He loved the english language and “Gormenghast” is loaded with words that aren’t in common usage. The world he creates is also more vast and a bit darker than Tolkein.
Stephanie said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:47 pm
HP goes without speaking….there are way too many favorites…..did anyone mention the Highlander series by Diana Gabaldon???? Love those….I can read them over and over. As a very little girl I loved Harold and the Purple Crayon books (I’m an artist…go figure!) and when I got a little older, Alice in Wonderland….still one of my all time favorites
Wendy in Cambridge said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:47 pm
I love Victorian literature, and Dickens is my favorite. “David Copperfield” is my favorite book. As a child, I, too, loved Nancy Drew. In about the fourth grade, I was given a children’s edition of “Lorna Doone”. I probably read that book a dozen times!
tina said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:47 pm
Hands down no contest—- not just one book but the entire incredible wonderful captivating can’t put it down (not scary typical) Stephen King series of the Gunslinger, The Dark Tower series. I can’t recommend it highly enough—– LOVE LOVE LOVE the books. I have read the entire series quite a few times and will never be done.
tina
Stephanie said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:48 pm
ps: forgot to add Nancy Drew!
Michelle in SE AZ said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:49 pm
I simply cannot pick just one. I read modern thrillers, scifi, classics, fantasy, natural history, anything but Harlequins. Here are some that stand out:
I adore Watership Down by Richard Adams.
As a kid, my favourites were the Narnia series by C.S. Lewis and Tolkein.
Now I love anything written by Terry Pratchett or by Lois McMaster Bujold, especially her Vorkosigan series.
tabitha said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:50 pm
As a child it was Lord of the Rings and chronicles of Narnia for me. Fantasy has been a favorite genre all my life. Guess that is why I am so hooked on Harry Potter.
Michelle said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:51 pm
My favorite book growing up was only at my Grandmothers house. I read it every time I visited. It’s ‘Story of the Live Dolls’. My Grandmother and I were both very upset to find that someone that wasn’t a family member decided to permanently remove the book without asking. I now have a copy from eBay and I still really love it!
Laura said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:52 pm
My first love is books, of all kinds. But the childhood book that I read over and over again (and the dogeared, creased condition of my copy proves it) was Anne of Green Gables. And when I discovered Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” in HS, my world changed for the better. But if there’s a book rich in its characters and thought-provoking in its plot (like HP–enjoy #7!) then I’ll probably love it.
Dr. Jackie said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:54 pm
Oh there are so many to choose from. When I was little I loved the entire series by Beverly Cleary…all the stories about Henry Huggins and his friend Beezus. After that it was “Charlotte’s Web” (which still makes me cry every time I get to the end), and as a pre-teen it was “Island of the Blue Dolphins” by Scott O’Dell, a story of a beautiful Indian girl who lives as the solitary survivor on a rocky island off the California coast. As an adult I’ve become a mystery buff, and have read everything Agatha Christie wrote! I just don’t think I can pick one favorite!
Miss T said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:56 pm
All time favorite - Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
Carla said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:57 pm
Enjoy that book! And THEN go back and read it again (I’m going to!) Having to read it so fast before anyone blew the ending for me was a bit sad, but like I said, I’m going to go read it again.. actually the whole series. You will love this book. I have yet to talk to anyone who hasn’t absolutely loved it!
Ok, favorite book. Fave children’s book of all time is Goodnight Moon, though I’m also partial to Theres A Wocket In My Pocket by Dr Seuss (this is actually the very first book I remember reading all by myself, maybe thats why its a favorite) Me and my kids love reading The Polar Express (even before it was a movie!) Where The Wild Things Are, and of course In The Night Kitchen (aaaammmaaazing kid’s book!)
Favorite book as an adult? HP of course, particularly The Prisoner Of Azkaban, though The Deathly Hallows is a contender. I’m also a big fan of The Time Travelers Wife… this is an AMAZING book
Isobel said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:58 pm
The Family from One End Street by Eve Garnett, published in 1937. It’s about the Ruggles family and their midadventures. It has one of my most favorite girls names in all the world - Lily Rose (shortened from Carnation Lily Lily Rose), I loved this book as a girl and re-read it about every five years, althought my forty-five year old copy is getting a little tattered. There are two other books in the series, I own them also, they are good but not as good as the original.
In 2007 it was selected by judges of the CILIP Carnegie Medal for children’s literature as one of the ten most important children’s novels of the past 70 years. It is a gem!!!!!!!
Monica said,
July 25, 2007 @ 4:59 pm
My favorite childhood books were the Anne of Green Gables stories, My favorite book is probably To Kill A Mockingbird, and then Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre
Amanda B said,
July 25, 2007 @ 5:00 pm
Favorite childhood book would have to be Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
melissaknits said,
July 25, 2007 @ 5:01 pm
OMG, BUNNY BLUE!! I still have mine also, in my hope chest. But my all time favorite was The Kitten Who Thought he Was a Mouse, in which a family of mice, the Migg’ I think their name was, take in a parentless kitten and raise him as their own. Also Winken, Blinken and Nod. Winken, Blinken and Nod one night sailed off in a wooden shoe, over a river of crystal mist into a sea of blue….sigh….
Karen said,
July 25, 2007 @ 5:01 pm
My favorite childhood book is Waterbabies, my Mom used to read this to me. Favorite book, To Kill A Mocking Bird.
meredith said,
July 25, 2007 @ 5:02 pm
What a treat to see all these favourites! All you Charlotte’s Web fans - do you have the same difficulty with shooing spiders out of your house that I do? Probably the first favourite I was aware of is Raggs, the Firehouse Dog. I was so young, I wasn’t able to colour properly when I took my crayons to it. So many favourites - the Anne of Green Gables series and the Little Women series, of course. As an adult, I was really moved by Miss Garnet’s Angel by Sally Vickers. And you have to love The Pilot’s Wife. There just isn’t enough space or time is there? My dear friend listens to books on cd while she knits, and I might take that up.
Emily said,
July 25, 2007 @ 5:02 pm
My favorite books as a child were The Grimm’s Fairy Tales. As an adult, my ultimate-favorite book The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley.
Wendy said,
July 25, 2007 @ 5:05 pm
So . . . many . . . books . . .
If I had to pick one? “Under the Net,” Iris Murdoch’s first novel.
inky said,
July 25, 2007 @ 5:06 pm
Ohhhhhh, reading: isn’t it the best?
My favorite books to read as a child were the Mary Poppins series and the series of books by Elizabeth Enright (The Saturdays, etc.).
And count me among the present-day “To Kill a Mockingbird” fans, and HP, of course.
Ana said,
July 25, 2007 @ 5:07 pm
I think my favorite kid kid book is “The Saggy Baggy Elephant”. In the closer to adult reading material, the books I can always go back and read again are Heinlen’s “Have Spacesuit, Will Travel” and the “Wrinkle in Time” set by Madeline L’Engle.
My current favorite books are the Foreigner series (now three sets of three books each) by C.J. Cherryh. Her descriptions of the alien species are compelling — they are TRULY alien down to the way their thought processes work, not just human responses and emotions in a different shape.
Anway.
Sarah in OH said,
July 25, 2007 @ 5:10 pm
The first book I fell in love with was in 4th grade (maybe 5th, but I’m pretty sure it was 4th). I read books before, obviously but this book was the first book I had to OWN and REREAD and made me actually want to seek out books and read for pleasure- The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. We read it in class then I had my mom buy me my own copy and I still own it and look forward to reading it to my kids.
One of my favorite books as an adult is Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett. I can not say enough great things about it so I wont even try.
Cathy said,
July 25, 2007 @ 5:10 pm
As far as children’s books, I’d have to say “A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeline L’Engle, “The Phantom Tollbooth” by Norton Juster and Judith Viorst’s “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day”
karen w said,
July 25, 2007 @ 5:16 pm
As an adult, I’ve read mostly non-fiction, except what was required reading for Lit classes. As a kid, I *loved* to read. Still do, but now most of my reading is on a flat-screen monitor. So, aside from the Suze Orman personal finance type books, the knitting books and the art books, I can’t think of one darn thing I’ve read. Which is a shame, because I obviously retained very little from those Lit classes. LOL.
My favorite book(s) as a kid were the Little House books, as others have mentioned. A close second would be the Nancy Drew series and by my high-school years, I was hooked on Harlequin romances and trashy novels (a la Jackie Collins and Judith Krantz). I also read a lot of Danielle Steele books until they became totally predictable with seemingly re-run story lines. Very formulatic. So, after reading the 1st 100 posts, it looks like I should dive into some reading!
Amy said,
July 25, 2007 @ 5:22 pm
I read a lot when I was younger, to the extent that if I got in trouble, my punishment was to take my book(s) away. My favorite books growing up were those by Roald Dahl , the Wizard of Oz series by Frank L. Baum, and the books of E.B. White, with Charlotte’s Web taking the honor of most favorite ever. I wore the cover off of that book.
Allison said,
July 25, 2007 @ 5:25 pm
Oh dear how can you choose just one? i still love Little Women, all the Little House books, Anne of Green Gables and Gone With the Wind, I managed to read Harry on Saturday, then passed the book to my oldest son who finished it on Sunday. Now my husband is readling it. I worked in the library while I was in high school, so I love to read, and always have something going
Rahime said,
July 25, 2007 @ 5:29 pm
I could never decide on just one! When I was a kid I liked the Betsy-Tacy books, and a series about a girl detective whose best friend was named Honey - the best friend’s hair was supposed to be the color of honey, and I would always pull some of my hair in front of my eyes and wonder if it could be called honey-colored.
Now I lean more towards non-fiction. A lot of fiction ends up annoying me. I guess I’m getting grouchier the older I get…
Wannabe said,
July 25, 2007 @ 5:31 pm
Not sure if this counts cause it’s a baby book but Goodnight Moon. My mom read it over and over and over to me. I still love it to this day. When I found out I was preggers with Syd a few years ago the first book I bought her was Goodnight Moon. We read it every night. She’s my only baby since I can’t have anymore so I’m hoping she passes her copy of Goodnight Moon to her babies and reads it to them every night too.
Hattie said,
July 25, 2007 @ 5:31 pm
Hmm, one favorite. I’m still in love with the book Watership Down. I have a thing for animal books. Anyway for those who haven’t heard of it, it’s about a group of rabbits who travel and face a whole bunch of trials, to form a new warren free from the rules and traditions of their old one. It’s such a good book.
Trish said,
July 25, 2007 @ 5:37 pm
Oh boy one favorite. When I was a kid I loved the Little House on the Prairie books. Now besides Harry Potter my favorite are The Lord of the Rings books.
Plus there are the favorites of my kiddos…The Cat in the Hat, Goodnight Moon, & Winnie the Pooh.
I just can’t pick one favorite.
Jenn said,
July 25, 2007 @ 5:37 pm
Anne (with an “e”) of Green Gables. Love it still.
rhoda said,
July 25, 2007 @ 5:39 pm
hmm…my favorite book was A Little Princess and I still have my original copy of it. I loved Velveteen Rabbit as well. I’ve got a copy of The Lonely Doll too! When I taught preschool. I was all about finding picture books that were unique and different and that was one of them. I know in the sequel or sequels there’s actually some knitting pics!
Grace said,
July 25, 2007 @ 5:46 pm
I think my favorite book is Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott (Rose in Bloom is a dandy sequel, too). But I love anything by Elizabeth Enright, L M Montgomery, Beverly Cleary, and, oh! I forgot about Skating Shoes by Noel Streatfeild, which is sadly out of print and the cheapest PAPERBACK edition on Amazon is $54! I am a total bookaholic (my mother used to leave me and my brother at the Library when we were little while she was running errands as we were very obedient children and never ran away). Anyway, I love most of the Newberry Award winners (Miss Hickory! Caddie Woodlawn!). Oh, I love Rumor Godden, Madeleine L’Engle–I have too many favorites!!!
Grace said,
July 25, 2007 @ 5:47 pm
One more thing…I do love the Harry Potter books…I managed to get a hold of a copy earlier than most and just about BURST because I couldn’t talk about it!!!! LOVED IT!
amy said,
July 25, 2007 @ 5:52 pm
Can’t possibly do one, so I’ll give you my two favorite series as a kid. #1: The Black Stallion series by Walter Farley (I’ve probably read that series, start-to-finish a dozen times. Five of my set are hardbacks that were my dad’s when I was a kid), and #2 The Great Brain series by John D. Fitzgerald. Nobody has ever heard of that one.
As a teen, I’d probably say “The Thorn Birds.” As an adult? impossible. Just impossible.
Heather said,
July 25, 2007 @ 5:58 pm
Omg, just one book?! That’s virtually impossible! My favourite fiction book can’t even be compared to, say, my favourite knitting book (Sensational Knitted Socks, if you must know). And, narrowing down a fiction book isn’t exactly easy, either… From childhood, it was likely either the Uncle Wiggly series, or a book that had been my grandfathers’ when he was a small boy. I don’t remember the name of it, but it was a lovely anthology with loads of beautiful Art Nouveau illustrations, and it had all kinds of poems & stories & myths in it. My children get to read it once in a while now.
My favourite book that I’ve *recently* read is Forbidden Knowledge, by the Mental Floss people. All kinds of juicy little tidbits from throughout history, presented in an incredibly engaging and entertaining manner. I loves me some Mental Floss!
ringer said,
July 25, 2007 @ 5:59 pm
“A Toad for Tuesday” by Russell E. Erickson, or any of his others, such as “Warton and Morton” or “Warton’s Christmas Eve Adventure”.
In the adult category, I’d have to say “The Jungle” by Upton Sinclair, because scenes from it still pop into my mind twenty years after reading it.
Denise said,
July 25, 2007 @ 6:04 pm
As a kid, “A Wrinkle In Time.” Now that I’m grown up (hah) my favorite kids’ books are “The Giver,” “Holes” and the Harry Potter series. My 17 year old brought HP7 home at midnight Friday, and by Tuesday we had both completed reading it.
If I have to read adult literature, I chose anything by Stephen King (the man’s mind is seriously twisted,) John Grisham, Nicholas Sparks or Janet Evanovich.
Katy said,
July 25, 2007 @ 6:10 pm
My favorite book changes just as much as I change my socks. I’ve always been an avid reader and always will be. Now that I’ve found a few fictional books that also involve knitting, I’m a pretty happy camper.
My favorite book of all time though is Eyes of the Dragon by Stephen Kin. Originally written as a fairy tale for his daughter, this is the tale of two princes and their kingdom. This was also one of the last Christmas gifts from my Mum, so my copy is well worn and pretty tattered.
If you’re looking for a good read though, I highly recommend The Stolen Child by Keith Donahue.
Hanna said,
July 25, 2007 @ 6:13 pm
I absolutely adore A Tale of Time City, by Diana Wynne Jones. I first read it on recommendation from the children’s librarian in 3rd grade, with my father. I still enjoy it today!
Phoebe said,
July 25, 2007 @ 6:21 pm
I’ve got many favorites depending on where I was in life but my top five are:
The Brothers Karamazov
The Kommandant’s Mistress
The Sparrow
The Time Traveler’s Wife
The Shadow of the Wind
I’ve been reading Harry too…got home a little after 2am on Saturday morning, read 60 pages in 20 minutes and then slowed to savor every word.
Pam said,
July 25, 2007 @ 6:22 pm
I don’t have much time for fun reading these days, but I do love the Harry Potter books. My favorite is book 3, Prizoner of Azkaban.
My 3 year old son is charmed by a series of little British books called Ant and Bee.
trek said,
July 25, 2007 @ 6:23 pm
My favorite book as a child was a particular version of Robin Hood - I read it until I’d memorized chapters and the covers fell off. And I’ve never been able to replace it.
Also in my all time hit parade are The Robe (Douglas), The Chronicles of Narnia, and Harry Potter.
Kaylee said,
July 25, 2007 @ 6:40 pm
Childhood favorites: Little Women, Trixie Belden series
I love Little Women- I read it at least once a year. I still cry every single time when Beth dies… you think I would be used to it by now.
Current favorite: Archangel books by Sharon Shinn
Kathy said,
July 25, 2007 @ 6:41 pm
I was a crazy busy reader as a child, but I seem to remember just loving the Little House books and the Anne of the Island books, as many have mentioned. I grew up with loads of bookshelves full of books - some of which I read before I should have! And I found one called The Sojourner by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings that really shook me. The thought that people married and were not quite happy, that they had children and preferred one over another, that they just didn’t fit in this world had not occurred to me yet, and it was a valuable lesson. Then I discovered John Steinbeck and read everything by him by the time I was 14. Cannery Row is still one of my favorites!
Lately The Time Traveler’s Wife has touched me, I listened to it on CD, wonderful! I find it so interesting that so many on these comments have listed that book! I am not a sci-fi reader usually, but I listened to an interview with the author and was fascinated over how she came up with her premise.
Karen in Toledo said,
July 25, 2007 @ 6:44 pm
So many, many books. As a youngster, The Little House series, Anne of Green Gables series and A Secret Garden. A book I can read over and over, even as an adult, is To Kill a Mockingbird.
Kristi Podesta said,
July 25, 2007 @ 6:51 pm
I too love to read. My favorites include The Five Little Peppers and Nancy Drew. As an adult, as Michelle mentioned - The Thornbirds. I also love the knitting mysteries by Maggie Sefton; the quilt series books by Earlene Fowler and the catering series books by Diane Mott Davidson. Oh and the knitting series books by Debbie Macomber.
Megan Larsen said,
July 25, 2007 @ 6:52 pm
Ferdinand the Bull. He just liked to stop and smell the flowers.
Elysbeth said,
July 25, 2007 @ 6:53 pm
The Phantom Tollbooth. So many great little plays-with-words. Even now I have “grains of sand” days. And the little bird at the beginning that rushes home to be with it’s family. Yup.
carolyn said,
July 25, 2007 @ 6:58 pm
Hands down - A Tree Grows In Brooklyn. I made may daughters read it, although as soon as they got started they loved it too.
Janelle said,
July 25, 2007 @ 6:59 pm
So very many favorites… but the books I treasure the most are my Laura Ingalls Wilder ones. I can’t wait to read them to my kids! I am rather obsessive about Harry Potter, as well.
Kathy said,
July 25, 2007 @ 7:00 pm
My favorite books now are the same as when I was 8 years old: The Little House series. I’m not sure what this says about me, but they’re the only books I can read over and over again. I read the series at least once a year.
The Harry Potter series is second on my list. I have a feeling I’ll be reading these books yearly, too and may add them to my yearly ‘to read’ list.
Enjoy Harry. I absolutely loved this book.
Nell said,
July 25, 2007 @ 7:02 pm
My favorite as a child- The Trixie Belden Series. Awesome girl detective books.
My favorite now- The Kiterunner. I’ve never balled so hard at the end of a book.
Lexy said,
July 25, 2007 @ 7:03 pm
My favorite story growing up is a Eugene Fields poem that we had in a collection. It’s called “The Sugar Plum Tree”
It makes me cry everytime I read it… I wrote a paper in an English Lit class once where I took the poem and wove it in with stories from my childhood… I bet I still have that paper. My mom still has the book (My grandmother and her sisters grew up reading from that book as well) It also contains Winken Blinken and Nod and a version of the Little Engine That Could.
Good book…
Ali said,
July 25, 2007 @ 7:06 pm
My favourite is Sundiver by David Brin, a sci-fi book that’s the prequel to the Uplift series. Fantastic read that gets the science right. It really ticks off us science grads when authors screw up the science…
dana said,
July 25, 2007 @ 7:12 pm
my favorites were all of the Eloise books. she was a little girl growing up at the plaza. when i was young we made a special trip to visit her room there - i wonder if its still reserved for her. i particularly remember her trip to moscow and named my secret friend after the title.
i appreciate everyone sharing favorites. i just finished evening by susan minot. it was a really emotional read and takes a bit to get into. i am sirendana on shelfari if you would like to get the whole shebang.
my recent (five-year) favorite is a pocketful of names by joe coomer. i loved all of his books but this was my favorite.
Glyn said,
July 25, 2007 @ 7:19 pm
As a child/teenager I read Laura Ingalls, Judy Blume, the Nancy Drew books, and many others. I can’t have just one favorite!
As an adult, there are too many out there. I’ve always been a fan of Ann Rule, but currently knitting books are taking control. =)
Alex said,
July 25, 2007 @ 7:19 pm
I love E.L. Konigsburg books–especially The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler and The View From Saturday. I also love the Narnia books, A Wrinkle in Time and the books that followed that.
As for adult literature–my favorite book of all time is Catch-22. I also like Kurt Vonnegut.
I liked this last HP book. I thought the ends were wrapped up nicely, and my questions were answered.
You’ve still got a week to finish your Sockapalooza socks…go, knitting needles, go!
Joan Callaway said,
July 25, 2007 @ 7:28 pm
Oh, without question my favorite children’s book is The Voyage of the Basset by Mames C. Christensen with Renwick St. James and Alan Dean Foster. They take you on a fantastical journey through flight of faeries to the mermain’s siren songs, learning about all the mythology that has been referenced in literature throughout the ages. I’ve read it with every one of my grandchildren, as well as all of my tutoring students. One of my grandchildren has been so inspired by the art work of Christensen that she is off to a writing/art camp back east somewhere this summer. She’s written and illustrated two fantasy novels - unpublished, as yet, but then she’s only 12~
Joan Callaway said,
July 25, 2007 @ 7:29 pm
Oh, without question my favorite children’s book is The Voyage of the Basset by James C. Christensen with Renwick St. James and Alan Dean Foster. They take you on a fantastical journey through flight of faeries to the mermain’s siren songs, learning about all the mythology that has been referenced in literature throughout the ages. I’ve read it with every one of my grandchildren, as well as all of my tutoring students. One of my grandchildren has been so inspired by the art work of Christensen that she is off to a writing/art camp back east somewhere this summer. She’s written and illustrated two fantasy novels - unpublished, as yet, but then she’s only 12!
Joan
Patti in Maine said,
July 25, 2007 @ 7:31 pm
I am an avid reader…usually at least a book a week. But I have to say that my favorite all time ever book, the book I’d choose if I could only choose one to be stranded with on a desert island, would be Man’s Search for Meaning. So inspiring!
As a kid I remember my favorite being The Wind In The Willows. I wore out my copy. i read it yearly, every spring as I was growing up and I’d always tuck in a spring flower between the pages to be pressed. As the years went on, the pages were stained, but the flowers are still in that book and I still have it.
Tracy said,
July 25, 2007 @ 7:39 pm
I don’t think it’s possible to pick a favorite book. As a kid I read all the Nancy Drew books, all the Little House Books, all the Narnia books, and so many others. I think I have a thing for series books, like The Harry Pottter ones. I like a good run of books with great characters you can get atached to and want to keep following. My husband and I work our way through detective and mystery series these days as grownups, but always enjoy reading the things the kids do now also. They are currently working on a series by Erin Hunter.
meg said,
July 25, 2007 @ 7:48 pm
Oh, Sheri….I forgot to mention the Mitford Series. I LOVED all of those books! I only have a little bit left of HP7 and I had to take a break for awhile. Ugh..I want to savor it but I am driven to know the ending!
Emma said,
July 25, 2007 @ 7:49 pm
Love Harry Potter. You must be having a lot of fun reading the last one.
I read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn when I was about ten. It was such a great book, and it’s still one of my favorites.
Frarochvia said,
July 25, 2007 @ 7:52 pm
My childhood favorite book, no lie, was A Tale of Two Cities.
You know you can do it! You can finish your sockapalooza socks!
Carol Macke said,
July 25, 2007 @ 7:55 pm
I was an avid reader but my favorite all time book is still Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss. I love the rhymes & can still recite most of it. Another favorite is My Side of the Mountain.
Bertha said,
July 25, 2007 @ 7:56 pm
Anne of Green Gables. It was my childhood favorite and still is. I reread all the books in the series just about every summer at the beach. The Lord of the Rings trilogy is a close second.
Jenny Raye said,
July 25, 2007 @ 7:56 pm
All time favorite: The Lord of the Rings.
Before Bilbo, Sam and Frodo……Laura in the Little House books.
Meri said,
July 25, 2007 @ 7:56 pm
Oh Sheri — this one is too hard! You are going to get a lot of favorites.
Childhood — I loved Nancy Drew and the Sweet Valley Twins (especially the two “novel” size books they put out that followed a few generations — can’t remember the name now — may have to check ebay and see if they still exist out there anywhere)…
Teen years — I read the “Love Comes Softly” series by Janette Oke at least a hundred times.
College years — anything Lori Wick.
Teaching year — I read aloud to the students, and my hands-down favorites were “Beauty” and “Cheaper By the Dozen.” I love those books.
Knitting years — Anything by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee.
I especially loved “Yarn Harlot” — had her autograph it for me last year.
Cathy said,
July 25, 2007 @ 7:57 pm
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo . . . unabridged. I absolutely love this book and have read it more times than I can count. It’s such a wonderful story of the triumph of the human spirit over adversity.
Lynda said,
July 25, 2007 @ 7:57 pm
My son’s favorite bedtime story, The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka and illustrated by Lane Smith, always makes the top of my list for children’s books. Of course all characters must be read with “voices”.
Kelley said,
July 25, 2007 @ 7:58 pm
As a kid I read The Chronicles of Narnia to tatters. Then I read ” Gone with the Wind” As a GRIT ( Girl raised in the south) it just doesn’t get any better than Rhett and Scarlet. I have to admit I adore HP. Wish I could bewitch myself some more knitting time.
terry said,
July 25, 2007 @ 7:59 pm
My favorite was Ferdinand the Bull - “take time to smel the roses” kind of theme. I forget who the author is tho’.
Frances said,
July 25, 2007 @ 8:00 pm
It’s hard to pick just one favorite!
Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, and Anne of Green Gables have all been my staples for many years, but I recently discovered I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith and I wish I had found this book when I was younger!
Lauren said,
July 25, 2007 @ 8:01 pm
My favorite children’s book is Where the Wild Things Are. I didn’t like it when I was little, though, because it was too dark and scary. And I just can’t pick an all-around favorite - there are just too many.
Casey said,
July 25, 2007 @ 8:04 pm
As a child one of most favorite books was Misty of Chincoteague. Now I read more than ever but is hard to find time except late at night. I have favorite authors such as Nora Roberts, James Patterson, Stuart Woods, Iris Johansen,Nickolas Sparks, John Grisham, David Baldacci, Dorothea Benton Franks, Perry Osaughnessy, and many others. Two of my most favorite books are by Barbara Delinksy (She is a knitter)
Family Tree and Shades of Grace. I have been know to knit and listen to books on tape, but not really my thing.
Kristen said,
July 25, 2007 @ 8:05 pm
My favorite book as a child was James Herriot’s “All Creatures Great and Small”. The copy I read was the same one my mother read over and over as a child. My love for those stories was a way to connect with my mother, and got me my first volunteering gig at a vet’s office. Even today I dream of someday visiting the Yorkshire countryside and curling up with the books that made it feel like home despite never having been there.
Casey said,
July 25, 2007 @ 8:08 pm
After going back and reading the comments before, it looks like knitting and reading go hand and hand with the group.
penny said,
July 25, 2007 @ 8:18 pm
I can’t choose one. Here are four off the top of my head.
a) Go Dog Go. (great learn to read book. my mum now twitches about it)
b) the secret garden
c) ender’s game.
d) the giving tree…
Linda said,
July 25, 2007 @ 8:22 pm
I used to have a book about a Big Yellow Bear that I loved. I’m not sure if that is the title, but I can still remember parts of the story. Also I loved “Peter Rabbit”.
Bronwyn said,
July 25, 2007 @ 8:27 pm
Sheri, you are cruel. There is no way to choose! I read over a book a day once I was trained out of my dyslexia in grade school - but my favorite AUTHORS would be Agatha Christie, Leo Tolstoy (Anna Karenina), L.M. Boston (Green Knowe series), Arthur Conan Doyle, Carolyn Keene (Nancy Drew), Richard Adams (Watership Down), Piers Anthony (Xanth), David Eddings (Belgariad, Mallorean), C.S. Lewis (Chronicles of Narnia) and Lois Gladys Leppard (Mandie), Angela Elwell Hunt (Keepers of the Ring, good historical christian fiction, if you go for that sort of thing!)
I’m sure there’s more, but I need to go read others’ recommendations!
Tan said,
July 25, 2007 @ 8:27 pm
I can’t help it, I still love Lord of the Rings best. I’ve loved it best ever since I first read it the summer I was fourteen and cried when I finished because it wasn’t real, and I couldn’t go there. I watched every minute of the extra materials that came with the LOTR movie DVDs because Middle Earth had, in a way, become real, and those people HAD gone there.
Kelly said,
July 25, 2007 @ 8:30 pm
Fox In Socks.
Good plot twists, excellent prose, and the main character wears socks. How can you go wrong?
Claire said,
July 25, 2007 @ 8:32 pm
“The Outlander” and it’s sequels, by Diana Gabaldon are my favorite books! They’re books I can read over and over and over. They’re considered historical romances, but have a sci-fi twist, with plenty of action, and lots of Scottish brogue! And the main character happens to be named Claire. =)
Debi said,
July 25, 2007 @ 8:37 pm
My favorite book as a child was Little Black Sambo. I still love pancakes!!! As a teen I read and reread the Black Stallion series, the Trixie Belden series and the Lad a Dog series. My favorite book, though, was Treasures of the Snow. I don’t read much now, too much knitting to do, but I love to listen to my Lord of the Rings books on CD.
claire said,
July 25, 2007