Comments on: Books, books, books

By: G1000

G1000 — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 13:11:20 +0000

Well, the “Harry Potter” series would obviously be #1 in terms of books that “changed my world”, due to the fact that they were the books that turned me on to fantasy (which is now my favorite genre). Another would be “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak. Before reading it, I never really realized books could be that powerful. It’s still the best book I’ve ever read, and one that everyone should read.

By: Tori C.

Tori C. — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 04:55:41 +0000

I haven’t read any of those I have to say. But the books that I still am reeling from the impact of are The Hours by Michael Cunningham and Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Cafe. Though I have to admit I have a problem where the most recent books I have read tend to be on my mind the most. I don’t know if I have the experience to indicate any particular books as my favourites!

By: Ariana

Ariana — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 00:14:17 +0000

Yikes! I have been looking at Sirens and wishing to go… Knowing that you are attending makes me want to go even more!

I only recently read Ash, and absolutely loved it. I started reading it without knowing what it was about – only that it was a novel with faeries in it – and I loved watching the wonderful relationship between Ash and Kaisa unfurl. I’ll be following your blog now!

By: Gayle Fishel

Gayle Fishel — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 10:01:58 +0000

If we’re talking childhood books, I’d have to say “Robinson Crusoe” by Daniel Defoe. It was the first “grown-up” book I ever read by myself. We had a battered old collection of “classics” that someone gave my parents, and these books (along with a completely surreal and irrelevant, 20 volume collection of Bret Harte’s writings) were the first things I ever read. And, boy, did I read them. Over and over. I identified with Crusoe, because I, too, felt alone and abandoned (that’s another story) — and I was bolstered by his courage and resourcefulness. He taught me about survival and hope; Defoe taught me that literature could save your soul.

By: Meg

Meg — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 05:37:49 +0000

Count me in on the Little Women love. I totally agree that Amy/Laurie are perfect for each other, and I also had a crush on Jo. Tomboys are awesome.

Also, thanks for mentioning Wildthorn. YA lesbian historical? I’m so there! Now, just trying to decide if I should order from the UK or wait for it to come out in hardcover here.

By: Leslie

Leslie — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 00:45:17 +0000

In young adolescence I fell in love with Monica Furlong’s Juniper and Wise Child: well-written fantasy and I identified with the feminist heroines. In high school, Crime and Punishment showed me that literature could be something I’d never thought possible (and in college, the same book taught me the importance of a good translation). Recently Francine Prose’s insightful How to Read Like a Writer has renewed my love for fiction after too long immersed in the non-fiction realms of science and medicine! I just finish Flannery O’Connor’s A Good Man is Hard to Find and am seeking out other short story collections. Oh, and I read a lot of bad gay lit in college, but Florence King’s Confessions of a Failed Southern Lady was a winner.

By: Malinda Lo

Malinda Lo — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 00:02:57 +0000

Thanks for your comment, Jasmin. That’s so great that Meg Cabot’s review turned you on to ASH!

By: Malinda Lo

Malinda Lo — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 00:01:57 +0000

Woo! Amy fans unite! That pickled lime incident was extremely excellent. I was a big fan of Jo, too (probably she was my second favorite character in the book), but for some reason Amy always cracked me up. I felt like she was often misunderstood and as she grew up had to learn how to be genuine. Whereas Jo was always genuine from the get-go, but her character arc sort of fizzled out, which thus disappointed me.

By: Jennifer Hubbard

Jennifer Hubbard — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 23:57:44 +0000

I think you are the only person I’ve ever known, besides me, who likes Amy!
Only I wasn’t so thrilled about her ending up with Laurie. To me, Amy was at her best at the art fair where the other girls were being mean and backstabby toward her, and she rose above it.
(Though I also loved the episode of the pickled limes and the one where she gave the huge party that only one person came to.)

By: Jasmin

Jasmin — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 22:40:40 +0000

Oh, I absolutely love little women, but I, like most people, loved Jo and didn’t give much a damn about Amy.
I don’t know if you know, but Meg Cabot also wrote a review about Ash in her blog (she mostly made comments on the side of another review), that’s how I found out about Ash!