Books That Stuck

A few weeks back my dad made one of his many 'retirement has it's pleasures' lists (I do come by it honestly) this one of books that made a difference to him, that stuck with him and that never fail to please when he recommends them to others. He challenged me to do the same but limited me to only ten. So, after some pondering and painful cuts (Sorry George! Sorry Ann Patchett!) here they are for the man who gave me many of them and made me the reader I am today.


10 Apples Up on Top Dr. Seuss

This one is the subject of my earliest book memory and one of my first memories period. Judging by the house I must have been 2 or 3 at the time and my parents had gotten me a subscription to the Dr. Seuss equivilant of the Book of the Month Club. My mom got the mail that day and called out to me that I had a package. I remember grabbing it from her and running down the hall, skidding on the hardwood floor at the turn and flinging myself on my bed with delight. The book inside was 10 Apples Up on Top. When evaluating the whole Suess ouevre now perhaps not the best (the Grinch or Put Me in the Zoo are probably my faves now) but I never fail to smile when I see this book's cover.

Where the Sidewalk Ends Shel Silverstein

I don't think there's a reading child that came up when I did in the 70's that didn't have this book on their shelf. It's a tribute to Silverstein's genius and the basic unchanging nature of childhood that so many kids today still have it on theirs. After reading the man's biography it's easy to say he was writing for kids to make up for his own childhood and the distance he felt from his own daughter but I'd also argue, living in the Playboy mansion or no, he was just a big kid himself.

Little Women Louisa May Alcott

One of the classic girl reads which can pack a wallop if you catch it at the right time in life. Like Watership Down (later on the list) and the Little House books it's full of archetypes that force the young reader to consider themselves. Are you an Amy? Are you a Meg? I wanted to be truly good like noble Beth but was, and am, Jo all the way (the hoyden of ALL hoydens). Even though I know well the coersion, fianancial and editorial, that led Alcott to write her best known work and I am a member of the legion who find the romance unsatisfying (why can't you end up with the one you can run with who also makes you laugh?) this book still speaks to me on a deep, deep level. And more so after reading Geraldine Brooks' terrific reconsidering March.

The Lottery Rose Irene Hunt

My sixth grade teacher, Miss Valone, read this one aloud to us, something that couldn't happen today given the grim child abuse storyline. I am heartily sorry for that as this one clued me in on how unfair life is, which is a lesson that can hardly be learned too early. And unlike some other childhood faves, Hunt's story holds up to adult scrutiny as well.

Watership Down Richard Adams

In eighth grade I checked this book out from the library incessantly-check it out for 2 weeks, rest a week, 2 weeks more and so on. My dad finally took pity on me and bought me a used mass market copy (which I still have though it's held together by rubber bands). One of the ultimate quest stories, it's good at any age but especially when you are young and impressionable. I wanted, of course, to be a storyteller like Dandelion but am also a huge fan of Blackberry and Hazel. One of my favorite work memories came from a former staff whose book lovers would occasionally call me Sam-rah as a tribute,which is about the finest compliment I can think of for a leader. This is one whose layers of meaning keep getting revealed the more you scrutinize, a sign of a true classic.

To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee

In eighth grade literature class we studied the mad dog chapter which I enjoyed and went home to tell my mom about. A week later the movie was on the late show (these was pre VCR/DVD/Netflix days) and she let me stay up to watch it-a rare treat. I was by turns excited, fascinated and saddened. Thus began my love affair with this story which, given my TKAM mousepad, Macomb Co. Neighborhoodie and reservation of the names Harper & Atticus for possible progeny, continues to this day. If you haven't read this you should. The audio version read by Sissy Spacek is also highly recommended.

Jacob Have I Loved Katherine Paterson

One of the best young adult outsider stories ever especially when you recognize the irony that Sarah Louise mostly isolates herself-the battle for self acceptance sometimes being the hardest a person will ever face. Paterson doesn't write bad books but this is my favorite and the one I come back to oftenest.

The Catcher in the Rye J. D. Salinger

There was a time when I would reread this one every year. Though I am long past that now (Holden seems kinda annoying when shot through my current adult perspective) I wouldn't part with my copy nor could I not include it here. Holden said then, and continues to say today, you are not alone which is one of the most important messages any art can carry.

Endurance Alfred Lansing

Despite its lack of photos (remedied during the Shackleton renaissance of the early 90's) this is still the definative story of the Endurance expedition. Lansing wisely just tells it straight recognizing it needs no embellishment or exclamation points-everything needed to thrill and inspire the reader is all right there in the facts.

Northline Willy Vlautin

This one is as important to me as ever. I still listen to the soundtrack daily and I still evaluate my emotional progress againest Allison's. And I still don't consider my debt near paid.