My Favorite Things
It’s Friday night, and I have already watched two holiday shows and fallen asleep at least three times. I have pajamas on and mascara smudged under my eyes, and I’ve started three blog posts this week but finished none of them. I can’t think of anything to add to any of them tonight.
It’s been a pretty long week.
But even in a worn-out week, books have the power to set things right. Early in the morning, when I’m the only one up, I’ve curled up on the couch with a book and a cup of coffee, if only for a few minutes, to point my day in the right direction. Just thinking about books I love can give my mood a boost.
This week, Laura Tremaine, host of the podcast 10 Things to Tell You, asked listeners to post on Instagram their ten favorite books. I missed the hashtag and the deadline to share, but I’ve thought about my list all week. My favorites change all the time, but a few books and authors always show up on it. Here are the books that routinely top my list.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. It was one of my favorites to discuss with students, with its emphasis on empathy. I read it first during student teaching and again countless times since.
Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. I only read the first one because in my first year of teaching, it was the book most recommended to me by my seventh graders. I fell head over heels for it, and now one of my great joys is sharing it with my own kids.
Lila by Marilynne Robinson. I spent an hour this week flipping through all the parts I love again. Beautiful, literary writing about the love of a man for a woman and the love of Christ for the church.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. When I was a freshman in high school and in love with the idea of classic literature, I picked this one off a list my English teacher made and was absolutely delighted that something we read for school could have a fantastic story. Spunky, wonderful Jane will always be one of my literary heroes.
Gods in Alabama by Joshilyn Jackson. Jackson is a master of southern fiction. I jump whole into her funny, meaningful stories and then re-read almost immediately. This was my first of her books and will always be my favorite.
The Death of Santini by Pat Conroy. You can’t go wrong with any of his southern fiction either, or his nonfiction. This book is the final story of his parents, and it both broke my heart and filled me with joy. I will never get over the fact that Conroy is gone.
Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist. I make some of these recipes over and over, especially the blueberry crisp, but I really come back for the writing and the relatable voice as Shauna Niequist shows us how to reach out to others with grace and love.
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. I was happy beyond words when my daughter finally decided to read and love this. I read my first copy when I was around her age, and I wore it out. L.M. Montgomery was one of the first authors with whom I really remember starting to notice the craft of her writing, but Anne is just one of those characters who never leaves you.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. This was my first Austen book too--I guess I get stuck on my first work of my favorite authors. The best movie adaptation of this one is the BBC version, even if it is a real investment of time.
Adorning the Dark by Andrew Peterson. I wrote a blog post ages ago about this book but never ended up posting it here. It’s my current favorite on art, faith, and being someone who creates.
A Fine Team Man by Joe Cox. Have I mentioned that my husband is a fabulous author? He’s written several books about sports, and this one about Jackie Robinson is my personal favorite.
When I’m stuck in every direction, these are books I can go back to to help me find my way and get myself moving again. Just making the list and thinking about what I love is sometimes enough to help me start thinking creatively again...or at least turn the TV off and finish a blog post.
Books get me going like little else. What things do you bring to mind to reset your week?
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