Teddy's Books of a Lifetime

First I want to apologize to my colleagues here, at Historical Tapestry for not doing this for our blogiversary.  I have to admit that I have really struggled with this post.   Pinning down my Books of a Lifetime is like having to go to the dentist for me.  There are so many books that I have read in my lifetime that it is hard for me to narrow down.  Lets just say that these are my Books of a Lifetime, for the present.  You will see that my favorites vary and are not all historical fiction.

CHILDHOOD

Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter

I have always loved animals and read just about every book with animals I could get my hands on, as a child.

We all know the story of Peter Rabbit.  His mother told him not to go into Mr. McGreor's garden but he didn't listen and suffered the consequences.

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

I read this book as a child and then again in university for a class on death and dying.   I became a vegetarian at a very young age because of my love for animals so this book really struck a cord with me.  Charlotte is a spider whom shares her love for Wilbur, the pig with their human friend, Fern.

James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

This was a book that taught me that reading books can give me a respite from stress.  I was actually in the peach with James and his new friend,s as I read it.  When James losses both of his parents, he is sent to his wicked Aunts.  He is miserable, until one day, a old man gives him some magic crystals.  James accidently spills them on his aunt's peach tree.

TEENAGE YEARS

Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

I was a pretty serious teen and liked to read serious books, for the most part.  I read Grapes of Wrath in high school and started my "love affair" with Steinbeck.  It is about one family's struggle during the Great Depression.

The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury

I did read a bit Science Fiction and loved The short story collection, The Illustrated Man.  The Illustrated Man, himself is an man with exotic tattoos all over his body.  They are all animated and we get to see each story unfold one by one.

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

I must admit that I felt like an outcast as a teen.  Our circumstances were quite different however, since Hester Prynne was an outcast, I related well to her.  In a New England colony, Hester had an adulterous affair that resulted in giving childbirth.  The ramifications ran deep.

ADULTHOOD

The Secret River by Kate Grenville

I have mentioned this book many times as an all time favorite and it still is.  William Thornhill is deported with his family from England to New South Wales Colony, what later became Australia.  It is the story about their struggle.  This book is historical fiction at it's finest.

The Poisonwood Bible by Bargara Kingsolver

I fell in love with thios book from the first page.  Nathan Price gets the "bright idea" to uproot his family and move to Africa to do missionary work.  As with most stories of people who go to far away places, to teach the gospel, "all hell breaks loose."

Gone With the Wind by Margaret Michell

As a young child, I fell in love with the movie.  As an adult, I fell in love with the book.  With sweeping scenes of the south before, during, and after slavery and the civil war, we are introduced to memorable characters such as Scarlett O'hara and Rhett Butler.

Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood

This was the first Atwood book I ever read and it just so happens to be historical fiction.  Set in 1843 Canada and based on a true story, Grace Marks is a housemaid who was tried for the murder of her employer and mistress.

Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran

This is my more recent favorite.  Rich in historical detail this portrait of imperial Rome is a masterpiece.  It is the story of Cleopatra's daughter, Selene and how she fared after her parents were killed and she was carted off to live in Rome to live with Octavian's family.

I really could go on and on naming my books of a lifetime, but I guess I have to stop somewhere, so here is the end.