My Ideal Bookshelf

by Jane Mount and Thessaly LaForce

I was delighted to find this book in our local library.
Two women had asked well-know public figures
to fill in the titles that would be in their 'Ideal Bookshelf'.
Then the titles were painted on to the page.




The book did not live up to my expectations.
I only recognized a few of the public figures
and very few of the books.  Sadly missing
were authors such as; Dickens, Collins, Austen,
Tolstoy, Steinbeck.





The spines were painted and didn't look realistic.
The commentaries were not very interesting.
The authors had written that the books we
read can tell a lot about who we are.  But
I didn't feel that I got to know any of the
contributors.







Now this is what I call an "Ideal Bookshelf".






And here is my 'Ideal Bookshelf'.

An old classic

Jill's favourite book is an old classic- "Anne of Green Gables".  Many generations have been able to enjoy the wonderful characters in this book. When you finish reading the book, you want to read more. Thankfully, Lucy Maud Montgomery continued her unforgettable characters through a series:

Anne of Avonlea

Anne of the Island

Anne of Windy Poplar

Anne's House of Dreams

Rilla of Ingleside

Another passionate reader!

Christina is passionate about her books.  Thanks, Christina, for sharing some of your favourites:

"Trixie Belden" and "Nancy Drew" series

I can't say how many times I read every book in both series, between the ages of 10 and 14.  What I love about these books was that the protagonist was a feisty, clever young lady.  I think these books helped me through adolescence, providing me with excellent role models: females who were intrigued by mysterious happenings; could solve their own (and other's) problems; faced adversity with great bravery, and were generally wholesome.

"On The Road" by Jack Kerouac
This book undid my conformist thinking (cultivated from three years of studying business and economics) in about 3 days flat!  It woke me up, caused me to crave adventure, invited me to think deeply and stunned me with the beauty of language in a way that no other book ever had.  It gave me insight into my own parent's nomadic existence prior to my birth and in my formative years.  It reminded me that relationships with everyone we meet contain magic, but also that the smallest thing, when noticed intimately, also possesses magic.  This book made me want to live, really live, at a time when I had forgotten that life was for living.

 "Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui" by Karen Kingston 
This book had a huge impact on my life.  It caused me to reflect on why I held on to things, and how to let them go.  I spent the better part of a year clearing out our house, throwing out junk and things I did not use or love.  This book has had a far-reaching impact - not only on my spending and acquiring habits, but also in the realm of my behaviour.  Because of this book, I began observing my own habits of holding onto mental clutter, in the form of thoughts and habits that did not serve me, and I embarked on a journey of 'letting go' of that which did not serve me conceptually.


Honourable mentions:

"The Power of One" by Bryce Courtenay
"The Places that Scare You" by Pema Chodron
"The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz
"Why People Don't Heal and How They Can" by Caroline Myss

More Favourites

Love in the Time of Cholera
by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Terri's favourite:
"Love in the Time of Cholera" is a love story in all it's guises; young love, married love,romantic love, carnal love, even love with the symptoms of cholera. It takes fifty years, nine months and four days for unrequited love to become fulfilled almost at the end of life. This shows that love can blossom  even in your 70's! For me this is an unforgettable journey about love.
 

    

The Old Man and the Sea

by Ernest Hemingway

Rob appreciates this book for the strong sense of character that shows the dynamics of life.  The sea and this story about the sea, represent life with its great accomplishments that eventually fade.  It is a beautiful story.




The drama of choosing
a
favourite book!

These pictures show Rob's great sense of humour in spite of his health challenges.
He also is a fan of Gabriel Garcia Marquez,
 really appreciating "A Hundred Years of Solitude" and "Love in the time of Cholera". 
Another important book for him is "On The Road" by Jack Kerouac.

More Favourites! Great!

I have been pleading with everyone to tell me their favourite book.  Penny was my first response.  Now I have a few more.

"The Art of Racing in the Rain:

My Life as a Dog"

by Garth Stein

Carol found this book had great insight into human behaviour.  The dog has understanding and compassion sometimes missing in people.
Her favourite quotes:

Your car goes where your eyes go.

The driver who cannot tear his eyes from the wall as he speeds out of control will hit that wall.

The driver who looks down the track as he feels his tires break free will regain control of his vehicle!

Now you have to remember this is a dog who speaks with the wisdom of a philosopher and sees things that we overlook.

He also says when he gets to be a person he would like to live each day as if it were stolen from death.

                 

                         "Bhagavad Gita"
Barb has read this book, also called "The Song of God" about 25 times and it always rings true.  It is a spiritual guide that was written originally in Sanskrit.  You need a good translation and it's best to read without the commentary in order to experience the essence.  Each time you read it, you will gain more insight.
Barb also enjoyed "Gift from the Sea" by Anne Morrow Lindbergh and "The Clan of the Cave Bear" series by Jean Auel.

        "How to be Sick" by Toni Bernhard
Anne finds this book is her personal favourite because it has been helpful.  It show you how to enjoy life with illness and would be helpful to anyone with chronic illness.



                                                                       


 


     "Stone Angel" by Margaret Laurence

Cathy thinks Margaret Laurence is a great writer.  She has read the book several times since she first read it in her early 20's and thinks it is really easy to connect with the issues in this novel.

                                                                       

"The Guardian" by Beverly Lewis

Evelyn loves all the books of Beverly Lewis but she especially enjoyed "The Guardian".  She could relate to the story because it was real and understandable.