A Few of My Favorite Books
By Suzanne Bird-Harris • Sep 15th, 2008 • Category: Motivational Monday •
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Books have been such a big part of my life, all my life. I have grown as a person, lived vicariously through others, learned vocations, and escaped the familiarity of my life through books. When my house burned two years ago, a big part of the restoration bill was cleaning and restoring my library of books. (Thankfully, I didn’t lose any, though some are a little marred by the experience of being in a house fire. That just adds to their character and value, in my opinion.)
Loving books the way I do, there’s no way I could give you a complete list of my favorites, but there are some that stick out as being pivotal in my life for unique and varied reasons. Here are a few of them:
The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck
I remember reading this book for the first time in my 20′s and thinking, “I need to read that again!” as I turned the final page. I have since read it many times and it is the oldest book in my current collection. This book sparked in me a thirst for self-knowledge, spiritual answers and an understanding of the purpose of my life that remains a driving force in my life to this day. I’ve read it many times over the years, and I find new insights (no doubt a result of my growth and experience) each time. Reading it now in my 40′s is a whole different experience than that first time so long ago. I love books like that.
Disappearing Acts by Terry McMillan
I have lived this story, and the first time I read this book, it hit me square between the eyes just what would be the likely outcome of the relationship I was in at the time. I was right. And I’m still waiting for the daddy to recognize he’s a daddy over fifteen years later. But instead of this book being an invitation to wallow in self-pity, every time I read it (and I do, about once every year or so, or watch the movie that’s been made since) I realize that sometimes things just don’t work out and there’s not sh*t you can do about it without compromising who you are.
Couplehood by Paul Reiser
Having spent only a sum total of 3 years and 7 months (in two separate stints) of my adult life as a married person, I reread this book on a regular basis to renew my hope that there is a man out there who can put up with me on a long term basis. I’m in no rush for him to show up anytime soon, because I’m busy at the moment, but like most other people out there, I really don’t relish the idea of growing old alone, either.
You become a little team. It’s the “two of you” against “everybody else.” And you look ot for each other. Your partner becomes the one person in the world you can go over to and say, “Do I have anything in my nose?”
That’s your mutual job: protect your Ugly Truths from everyone but each other. Which is kind of nice, actually. Here is someone who will not only be honest with you, but whose love for you is so great it can withstand looking up your nose. Then they go right back to loving you like it never happened.
When I need a lift in spirit, a good laugh and some proof beyond my own experience that marriage really does have it’s advantages, I read this book.
So, tell me APOOO – what are some of your favorite books, and how have they impacted your life?
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Suzanne Bird-Harris is a web designer, coach, blogger, speaker, mother, grandmother and student of life and living. She helps entrepreneurs use the web to make money doing their thing - in this lifetime! Visit Suzanne and download your copy of her e-books, "WordPress: What's In It For Me?" and "Go to the Balcony to Get a Grip".
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I have so many favorite books. I’ll only list three.
Waiting to Exhale by Terry McMillan, The Color Purple by Alice Walker and I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
There are so many more and not enough space to type the full list
Oh my favorite books…whew…okay my old time favorite and one you have to read ms. Suzanne is Mama Day by Gloria Naylor I heart that book!
I have a ton of “favorites” but the one book that opened my eyes was called “To Stand in Love” by Paddy S. Welles, M.D. That book helped me during a difficult period of my life.
Beverly Mahone’s last blog post.."Hey Lady, Why Do You Have a Mustache?"
Some of my favs:
Their Eyes Were Watching God- Zora Neale Hurston. Janie is an inspiration. You’ve got to know God for yourself, live life on your terms. I’ve read it four times.
The Wedding- Dorothy West. Just good writing.
I Know This Much is True- Wally Lamb. A story of love, in many forms.
There are many more, but these came to mind right away.
The Coldest Winter
Waiting to Exhale
Pleasures(new favorite)
Wheel of Time – Robert Jordan (inspired me to write fantasy)
Coldest Winter Ever (first time reading something that reflected my neighborhood)
Hot Target (just love that book)
I have soooo many favorites, but for so many different reasons.
I read Terri McMillian’s MAMA and was blown away. It’a a real family, with secrets, pain, sexuality and death. I hate when you open a book and everything is perfect. Who in real life has a perfect life? It teaches you that you can still overcome any obstacle.
TRYIN’ TO SLEEP IN THE BED YOU MADE by DeBerry and Grant was BEAUTIFUL!!! The friendship that these women shared, the pain and the love went beyond the pages, but it let you know that the authors are really friends.
Now I have plenty more, but, I won’t continue to name them since I see most people capped off at three.
BUTTERSCOTCH BLUES by Margaret Johnson-Hodge wasn’t only a testament of real love, but it also deals with the reality of the color syndrome amongst black people. I had never read a book by Margaret Johnson-Hodge, but was moved beyond words!!!
Nardsbaby’s last blog post..OOSA Online Book Club gave 4 stars to: Running From Mercy
Sheila,
I forgot about the COLOR PURPLE. I loved that book and while I loved the movie, it truly failed in comparison. But, I guess that’s the difference with books and movies. A book vividly flows on forever, but a movie has to end somewhere.
Nardsbaby’s last blog post..Nardsbaby gave 5 stars to: Nan
Ladies,
Looking this over, I realized I put the wrong Terri McMillian book. It should actually be, A DAY LATE AND A DOLLAR SHORT.
My all-time favorite is Just Above My Head by James Baldwin
Other faves are;
Waiting in Vain by Colin Channer.
Blues Dancing by Diane Mckinney Whetstone
angelia
Oh my, I just reading! I have many favorites. Let me see…
Native Son
Coldest Winter Ever
The Darkest Child
Dying Ground
Cold Medina
I could go on, but this is cool>