Books I'm thankful for

It's a pleasant thing to think back at all the books that have moved you over the years. Above all books the Bible has influenced my life, but it's hardly a mere book, is it now...

In the very beginning I remember Bill Wallace's books, Snot Stew, and Totally Disgusting! which tickled my young funny bone with cat and dog capers. But I also remember his more serious book, Beauty, about a boy and his horse. Great reads for Children. I also remember my aunt reading to me the Chronicles of Narnia...those are some great memories.


Next came Jurassic Park in fifth grade. I devoured the book (I was a huge dinosaur enthusiast) and discovered grown-up fiction (and ended up reading almost every Michael Crichton novel written). In 7th grade Lord of the Flies made a big impression on me. In 10th grade it was Ender's Game and Speaker for the Dead. Also in 10th grade was Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451. That book rocked my world with its beautiful prose. I then continued to devour everything Bradbury, including his short stories.

I went on to read Lord of the Rings and Dune in high school. Both incredibly memorable.

In college I devoured the Chronicles of Narnia all over again but also much of his great Christian works, The Screwtape Letters, The Great Divorce, Mere Christianity, The Problem of Pain, and many others. Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men was amazing! So to were his books The pearl, The Red Pony, and Tortilla Flat. 



And recent fiction gold mines have been George Bryan Polivka's Firefish novels and Blaggards Moon, Adam's Water Ship Down, McCarthy's The Road, and now Lars Walkers The Year of the Warrior.

I look forward to what's around the corner!  SO...what books are you thankful for?

17 comments:

KM Wilsher said...

Afghanistan by James Michener
What a strange and brilliant land. And James can sure write the best historical fiction!

Skinwalkers by Tony Hillerman
A great myth/legend from my 4corners of the world. The Southwest!

Blink by Ted Dekker
This story was not only entertaining, but moved me spiritually. I feel revived in my relationship with Jesus after reading this.

The Sacred Romance by John Eldredge
Years ago, this book helped me move from rules and regulations to an intimate relationship with Jesus. If you are a story teller, you must read this book.

By Darkness Hid by Jill Williamson
Okay, after reading this book I went into a great "writers depression" I haven't written in 2 weeks. This story was so so perfect. . .I'll never be able to touch it. (better now. am willing to start writing again. i may not write as good, but may be I can tell a different story just as wonderful)

The Bible. A love letter from my Creator. The beginning and ending. The Redeemer who raised me from my living death.

Here is my list, in reverse order :)
How fun was that?!
Happy Thanksgiving, new momma and papa! You 3 have a great day!

Brandon Barr said...

Hey KM!
Great list :)
I really want to read By Darkness Hid. What a great endorsement you give of it too!

Kat Heckenbach said...

I second that, Brandon! By Darkness Hid is in my Christmas list!

Books I'm thankful for:

Harry Potter series by JK Rowling

DragonKeepers Series by Donita K Paul

The Giver by Lois Lowry

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh by Robert C. Obrien

A Wrinkle in Time (series) by Madeline L'Engle

The Case for A Creator, ...for Faith, ...for Christ by Lee Strobel

Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby

The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis

Mere Christianity by CS Lewis

(I could go on and on...)

Unknown said...

I have read the same list of books that you mention. Out of them came a simple novel in a realistic setting and featuring a 10th-grader and her friends. This is a big departure from what I had published before, fantastic short stories. Some of your readers may be interest in the new book, Angela 1: Starting Over. To find out more, just click on my name and follow the link to my web page and/or to my blog. Thanks!

Brandon Barr said...

Hi Kat :)
You've got a great list there. I can see you also share an interest in apologetics. I have the secret of Nimh (loved the movie) and I plan on reading that to my son when he gets old enough...actually I plan on reading a lot of good books to him that I WANT to read!

Hi David,
Sounds like an interesting book, I'll head over and check out your blog/site :)

logankstewart said...

Awesome post today, Matt. I don't even know if I could begin to think of the books I'm thankful for. But a few I can at least list...

The Name of the Wind, by Pat Rothfuss
This book changed the way I view fantasy novels. No doubt the best book I've ever read.

Mistborn trilogy, by Brandon Sanderson
Another epic and beautiful story, Sanderson weaves a powerful story

The Lord of the Rings, by Tolkien
Influential in getting me into reading fantasy novels

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, by Susannah Clarke
An alternate history set during the Napoleanic wars, this book was astounding

As I said, there are too many to list or name. Should I include graphic novels, cause that would make my list even longer. Great post!

Brandon Barr said...

Logan,
Good list here :)
Sadly, I've only read Lord of the Rings...wish I had more time to read!

owo xD said...

Man, I've yet to read Ender's Game. Funny, isn't it, that I haven't read that yet? People tell me it's a classic.

Here's my book list:

The Bible, I just can't leave this one out. lol

By Darkness Hid, Jill is an amazing person. I'm so grateful that I got the chance to critique her second book, which, btw, is just as good as the first. ;)

The Chronicles of Narnia, C.S. Lewis is AMAZING.

The Hobbit and LOTR, the first books that got me into fantasy.

The DragonKeeper Chronicles. I met Donita K. Paul in person and she was one of the first people to urge me to write my book.

Ted Dekker, anything by him. His books always bend my mind out of shape. I'm not sure if my brain will ever straighten back out.

The Daystar Voyages, by Gilbert Morris and Dan Meeks. I read all ten of these books twice years ago. I couldn't get enough of them.

Hmm... I could go on, but I think this is long enough. lol
Nice post!

Brandon Barr said...

Hey Chris,
Excellent list :)
And yes...you must read Enders Game...and then after that, read "Ender's Shadow" it's incredible!

Andra M. said...

"By Darkness Hid" is a definite must read. It's one of my top books of the last five years.

My list is similar to yours; in fact I just finished "Ender's Game" and am 20 pages into the sequel, "Speaker for the Dead."

Terry Brook's "Sword of Shannara" developed my love of fantasy along with Anne McAffery's "Pern" series.

At the same time I'm reading "The Case for Faith" by Lee Strobel and your recommendation of "Year of the Warrior."

Good recommendation of that one. I loved how Lars Walker held nothing back. It's raw, brutal, honest, and Lars makes sure God's love shines through.

Brandon Barr said...

Hey Andra :)
Wow, we have read a lot of books in common!
I've also read Dragonflight, the first book in the Pern series. A very enjoyable read! And If you like the Ender's series (I read them all!), you'll want to pick up the Bean series which starts with "Ender's Shadow"--which is an excellent book!
And I'm thrilled you're enjoying Year of the Warrior. I found it an incredible feat...what a great story.

The Cowgirls said...

Hey Brandon,
Thanks for commenting on our blog! Your blog is pretty interesting!! Thanks Hannah

Brandon Barr said...

Hi Hannah, thanks for stopping by!

Jill Williamson said...

Wow! Thanks for the kind words, guys!

Luke (my 8-yr-old son) says:
-Star Wars (he knows it's a movie)
-Harry Potters
-Alice in Wonderland
-Sideways School by Loius Sachar
-Wally McDoogle by Bill Myers
-Black, Red, and White by Ted Dekker(graphic novels)

Jill says:
-Blink is my favorite Dekker book, too!
-Ender's Game
-Hobbit, LOTR, and Narnia
-Anything by Frank Peretti
-Megan Whalen Turner's The Theif, The Queen of Atolia, and the King of Atolia
-Timeline by Michael Crichton(though this is one case where I think the movie actually improved the story.)
-Randy Ingermanson's time travel books
-The Percy Jackson & the Olympians series, though I haven't read them all yet.
-The Harry Potters (her storyworld is amazing and inspiring)
-And anything by Jenny B. Jones (I know it's not spec fiction, but she makes me laugh so hard I cry.)

Brandon Barr said...

Hi Luke and Jill!
Great lists. Star Wars the original movies are so good, we might as well add it to the book list :)
And Jill, we share Ender's Game and the Tolkien/Lewis novels. Oh, and I'm looking forward to getting your book. It's on my Christmas list. :)

Jill Williamson said...

Thanks, Brandon. :-)
Did you draw that spaceship at the top of your blog? It's awesome!

Brandon Barr said...

Hey Jill,
I wish I could draw that good! No, Glenn Kim drew that as a concept sketch...He's a Pixar artist so even his sketches look sweet!