Books to be read (Part 1)

Inspired by a book I read that encouraged me to visualize what I want and the request for a book list (see previous posting) I find myself looking up book lists (Top Ten, What I've Read, Best Reads, Best Sellers . . . you get the idea) to discover and 'claim' books I would like to own and read. First to be 'visualized' is Elizabeth Gilbert's 'intensely articulate, sensible, moving and funny memoir of self-discovery about what can happen when you claim responsibility for your own contentment'. Her book? Eat, Pray, Love.

The next book on my want-to-read list is Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace... One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. I think the following review reveals why this book would catch my interest: "Laced with drama, danger, romance, and good deeds, Mortenson's story serves as a reminder of the power of a good idea and the strength inherent in one person's passionate determination to persevere against enormous obstacles." Along the same line is this book I must get my hands on: Leaving Microsoft to Change the World: An Entrepreneur's Odyssey to Educate the World's Children by John Wood.

In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto by Michael Pollan would be a book I would like to read because it challenges me to eat what I don't like - greens! The book looks impressive.

What should I read?

One of my students, after making the comment that we share a similar interest when it comes to the books we read, suggested that I write for him a list of books that he could check out. I mulled over the idea and the more I thought about it, the more excited I got. Yes, why not a list - Peter's recommended books to read list. There's just so many books out there and searching for the right one to read can be difficult. Why not get someone who shares a similar interest suggest books they liked or like to have read - the chances of those books being suitable for you will be higher than if you had to rummage through bookshops searching for 'the book' to buy and read. So here it goes, my first list of books I read and I think you would enjoy reading too (if you had a similar interest):

1. Paulo Coelho - The Alchemist
2. All of Neil Gaiman's short stories
3. Dean Koontz for action, thrills and some gore
4. Sue Townsend's books on Adrian Mole to put a smile on your face
5. Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and First Things First to get your life in order
6. Jeffrey Archer's short stories - the best collection of short stories with surprising and delightful twists at the end of each well crafted tale
7. Mitch Albom's last 3 books to warm your heart and make you aware of what's really important in life
8. Bill Bryson's books that will help you learn about the world while you are laughing

If you are reading this, do post a comment on my list and even send me your list. What would you suggest students in secondary schools read? Happy reading!