Book Club Gift exchange by Stephanie Jackson

What is your favorite book you've ever read?

srj24 — 2024-11-18 16:18:13 UTC

I could open this book up whenever and where ever and be easily intrigued and amused by it. Nostalgic memories of the theatrical reading of a second grade teaching reading a Boa Constrictor... Wandering thoughts of could I really sell my sister? I think I tried to read other Shel Silverstein books, but this was the only one I ever returned to over and over again. Now as an adult, there's controversy over this book?

Favorite book as an adult?

srj24 — 2024-11-19 16:30:14 UTC

I haven't read this book in over 15 years. But my Grandma Angie who I always thought was the most sophisticated, hip, stylish (although all my grandmothers were pretty stylish), traveled to Europe, wore fancy scarves, and knew alot about art! She suggested this book (along with how Stella Got her Groove back) to me when I was in my late teens. It was my first exposure to an indigenous artist. First exposure to passion, heartbreak beyond the one's I had experienced, and a curiosity to read more. Later on in our lives I regifted a copy of the book to her and she said it was one of her favorite books as well.

Favorite author & why?

srj24 — 2024-11-19 16:34:46 UTC

I'm not sure I have a favorite author. I go through phases of interest in reading. When I'm all in, I tend to indulge in an author if I enjoy their style of writing. I was looking at my book collection the other day and did notice I have way more female authors than male.

Favorite genre & what sparks your interest in it?

srj24 — 2024-11-19 16:44:23 UTC

Fiction->drama/mystery->science fiction->romance->young adult

For enjoyment and pleasure, I enjoy fiction. If its non-fiction-I need a storyline with the facts.

I want to be engulfed in a different reality, different world, but also need the humanistic points in life that I can relate to.

I guess I really enjoy "How To" books for gardening, building, landscaping, any arts...

How do you like to enjoy reading a book?

srj24 — 2024-11-19 16:56:55 UTC

I do love a good bath with a good book! And bubbles of course!

I will try to read while traveling. I really enjoy early morning sit-downs in front of the fire, our outside in the sun. With coffee. A pastry. My attention can hold 20-30 minutes. And then I start to daydream and the words get lost.

When driving & gardening- audio books! The Dirty Life is one of my favorite audio books to listen to.

I have never done this before, but totally enjoyed the vibe. I sat down with the audio version & printed version of Braiding sweetgrass, highlighters, pen and listened, but also followed along in the book. Then started sketching. Highly encourage!

Holiday book club gift exchange!

srj24 — 2024-11-19 17:04:40 UTC

Criteria for book gift exchange.

Thoughtfulness
Book(s)
Creates a vibe (anything to stimulate the senses).
New or used
$30 budget

Favorite Book Ever?

cag652 — 2024-11-26 20:00:11 UTC

The Crystal Cave Series by Mary Stewart!!!!

This is the series that got me into reading as a middle schooler. Before, I had liked to read but this fantasy series (a reimagining of the King Arthur Mythology) rocked my world. The series is from Merlin's POV, introducing a whole new aspect of fantasy to classic stories. Also, the books came from my Aunt, so they will always be close to my heart.

Favorite Author

cag652 — 2024-11-26 20:06:41 UTC

This one is HARD! I have really enjoyed fantasy authors (both contemporary and classic) such as Holly Black, Mary Stewart, and Sara J. Maas. I don't think I have a favorite author I read so widely across genres. Some of my favorite non-fiction writers are Florian Freistetter, Camille T. Dungy, Robin Wall Kimmerer, and Ellen Meloy. I also love Mary Shelly!

Favorite Genre

cag652 — 2024-11-26 20:08:59 UTC

I read pretty much anything. Literally. My least favorite is probably mystery/thriller but even then I still find myself picking up a few books. Lately, I have been really interested in Southwest History and Indigenous History in the United States.

Reading a Book...

cag652 — 2024-11-26 20:10:22 UTC

I love reading any form of book anywhere! Preferably with a cup of coffee or tea and a little sweet treat. I carry a book with me everywhere I go.

My top 5

cag652 — 2024-11-26 20:21:31 UTC

I don't want to expose my cringy romance reading list BUT here are some books I am looking forward to:

Turning to Stone: Discovering the Subtle Wisdom or Rocks
Mirror of Simple Souls
Sing Like a Fish: How Sound Rules Life Underwater
I am Woman: A Native Perspective on Sociology and Feminism
Pride and Prejudice in Space
The Bridge Kingdom

My wish list of books for 2025 and onward...

srj24 — 2024-11-26 21:31:51 UTC

Not in any order of wishfulness...

Night of the Living Rez, by Morgan Talty
Your Brain is Always Listening, by Daniel Amen
Wintering the power of rest and retreat in difficult times, by Katherine May (so is this one.. a little more wishful than the others)
Bel Canto, by Ann Patchett (and its a movie, so I can put my judgy pants on!)

Favorite Author(s)?

2024-12-03 04:16:07 UTC

I can't pick just one! I love reading Barbara Kingsolver and have read nearly all her books except the last one. I have it - just haven't started it yet. For light reading, I enjoy Louise Penny. Don't have her latest book.

Favorite Book(s)?

2024-12-03 04:20:30 UTC

I love almost all books! I like kid books and adult books. I love poetry and nonfiction. I adore mystery series - not gruesome ones though. I really like magical realism. House of Spirits by Isabel Allende is one of my favorites. i even like self-help books. Last year for my birthday my daughter Janine gave me a fun one - What to Wear.

Favorite Genres

2024-12-03 04:25:14 UTC

I already said I like magical realism. I like mild mysteries. One that I am reading now is Chief Bruno - set in France. Other favorite genres is good fiction - the kind like Anne Patchett writes - although one knows you have to hang in there through all the immense character development. I love getting lost in a book. I find that quality fiction does that for me. I also like nature guide books. Who doesn't like a good bird guide?

How I enjoy reading

2024-12-03 04:30:34 UTC

My all time favorite place to read a book is on a beach. I love having the sound of waves in the background and feeling warmth of the sun. It's also nice to take a break and swim :)

Otherwise I like to read in bed at night, with a cup of tea on a cloudy/rainy/snowy afternoon, or outside on my porch with a morning cup of coffee.

I adore listening to audiobooks while driving in my car. I think for the next 4 years, I will forgo NPR and just do that.

Favorite book read as an adult

lori_hare — 2024-12-03 17:48:46 UTC

I really enjoyed the style of writing and the story itself. It was heartwarming. The movie was terrible!

Favorite place and way to read

lori_hare — 2024-12-03 17:51:01 UTC

I love to sit in the sun and read, either on a beach, in my hanging chair in my back yard, or on a beach!

I also enjoy bubble baths.

Regardless, I prefer Kindle books because I travel so much and I want to be able to carry my books when I'm on the go. Kindle makes that easy. I also enjoy audio books on Audible when I'm traveling.

Favorite Genres and Authors

lori_hare — 2024-12-03 17:56:58 UTC

I really like contemporary fiction with lots of interesting characters and a good message. The writing has to be interesting as well. For example I recently really enjoyed Tommy Orange's There, There and Wandering Stars - he changed his style from first to third person within the book and each character had a chapter. Eleanor Olyphant is Completely Fine was also really funny at times, and fun!

Mysteries are fun - think Jodi Piccoult and Liane Moriarty.

Twists and dark themes are great - I love Gillian Flynn.

I also like to read stories set in places I intend to visit, or have visited.

I also enjoy science fiction if it's not too out there. I liked Station 11, The Power, The Circle, and The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake.

I also enjoy historical fiction, but I have to be in the mood for that time period. LOL. I really liked Horse by Geraldine Brooks.

In terms of non fiction, I'm loving Braiding Sweetgrass, I enjoyed The Emerald Mile, Educated, Killers of the Flower Moon, Brave the Wild River and Malcolm Gladwell's Talking to Strangers, I think because they are told through stories.

On my list

lori_hare — 2024-12-03 19:02:07 UTC

Most are here because I read or heard these were good and are on hold at the library. I will read most anything if it is recommended. If it's not at the library, then it's really on my wish list because I usually just borrow books. It is rare that I purchase a book because I rarely revisit them.

Braiding Sweetgrass - I think I'm going to want to re read and revisit this book and I only have it digitally

Squeeze Me - Carl Hiaasen (not in the library)

The Body Keeps the Score - Bessel van der Kolk (long wait at the library)

Favorite Book and Author

ksmichaels2001 — 2024-12-04 17:18:41 UTC

This is a book that changed the way I saw story telling in books. Reading this in high school gave me a kind of itch in my brain that I still love to scratch. I love the humor in Vonnegut's writing, and he's an author I enjoy coming back to - he seems like someone who loves to live.

Favorite Genres

ksmichaels2001 — 2024-12-04 17:42:26 UTC

I enjoy reading a bunch of genres - lately I've been reading more nonfiction: 1491 by Charles C. Mann, Assata by Assata Shakur, and The Jakarta Method by Vincent Bevins. I'm more interested in nonfiction concerned with people that explains how/why our institutions and social/relationship structures are the way they are today, and I also like books that imagine (in a more concrete way) how we can change things.

I enjoy reading youth/YA fantasy/fiction - I recently read The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas and loved it (think Percy Jackson but with Latin American Gods and queer!). Other genres I enjoy: sci-fi (A Memory Called Empire), fantasy, contemporary fiction, horror, mystery, poetry (I love Billy Collins), and short story collections (Nadine Gordimer's Jump is a great read). I don't usually read historical fiction or plays - but I'll read people's recommendations.

I enjoy being surprised by a book, but even if I predict the outcome, a good book will keep me wondering if I'm actually right. It's also fun reading a book that subverts its genre or mixes genres (like Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Slayer).

I also like reading books that will make me cry.

How I Read

ksmichaels2001 — 2024-12-04 18:24:23 UTC

I prefer reading physical books above anything - I like flipping the pages and writing in the margins.

I usually read in bed before I go to sleep, on my porch when the weather is nice, or in a coffee shop with a little treat.

Top 5 for 2025

ksmichaels2001 — 2024-12-04 18:45:17 UTC

I'd really like to read more books by authors who aren't cishet, white men. Here are some of the books I'm looking forward to reading next year!

The Language of the Night by Ursula K. Le Guin
Celestial Monsters by Aiden Thomas (sequel to The Sunbearer Trials)
Goddess of the River by Vaishnavi Patel
Fresh Banana Leaves by Jessica Hernandez
Mysterious Setting by Kazuhige Abe

Favorite Book Ever

ack62 — 2024-12-06 14:49:36 UTC

I love the action and adventure of this outdoorsy person book as well as the historical context and the local references. I also love the radical environmental activism of Edward Abby.

Favorite Author

ack62 — 2024-12-06 14:53:21 UTC

I grew up in the Harry Potter era and have re-read the series at least 7 times. The last time I read it I was pregnant and I finished the last book while in labor. It was a fantastic distraction, way better than the hypnosis crap I had planned ;)

Favorite Genre

ack62 — 2024-12-06 14:58:40 UTC

I love fantasy most of all, but also historical fiction, and especially books that are placed in real earth places that I have lived or visited. I read a ton of non-fiction too that could be considered self help, but its almost always based in neuropsychology. No Self No Problem is my all time favorite, but Scattered Minds is great too and helped me heal from lifelong ADHD.

How do I like to read?

ack62 — 2024-12-06 15:01:15 UTC

My favorite place to read is my backyard hammock. My dog, cat, and son join me in the hammock sometimes and it hangs all the way to the ground! But I will read anywhere, its a great way to rip yourself away from a long flight or while your in laws are watching football ;)

Top 5 books on my list for 2025

ack62 — 2024-12-06 15:07:07 UTC

I am big into the ACOTR series right now! ITS SOOOO GOOD. I just finished the second book so the rest of the series is number one.
The Myth of Normal
The Body Keeps the Score
Grow Wild
There There

Most recommended book

2024-12-07 04:47:20 UTC