What is your favorite book and why? via LetsBlogOff
….This is akin to asking a man dying of starvation what his favorite food is. Answer – does it matter? I LOVE to read. I have a stack of books on my night stand, book shelves full of books that I’ve read, will read, and will read again; boxes stacked in my attic of books that I’ve read in years past. I’ve given away more books than I currently own, and I read them all. I read fiction, literature, non-fiction, biographies, architecture books, magazines….I READ. A lot. It gets on my wife’s nerves, but oh well.
Currently I’m reading Thunder from Jerusalem by Brody and Brocke Thoene, which is book two of a historical fiction series about the struggle to found the nation of Israel in 1948. Great stories, great characters and rich descriptions. Certainly won’t make the list of “favorite”, but damn good nonetheless.
If I had to pick just one that sticks out, that means something to me personally, that comforts me, the one book that I go back to over and over again when nothing else seems to hold my interest, it would be:
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, pere (senior). Written in 1844, it recounts the early life, betrayal, salvation, resurrection, revenge and redemption of Edmund Dantes – a young French boat captain engaged to the beautiful Mercedes betrayed and imprisoned by his friends conspiring for their own personal gain. His life becomes one of a singular purpose – revenge on those who betrayed him.
The genius to the story is the characters. You can see their faces, hear their voices, live in their lives all during a real time of turmoil and uncertainty in European history. There is a sense of being a part of the story, not just a passive observer.
I first read this book in middle school (6th grade?) for a book report and I remember taking it everywhere with me – EVERYWHERE…well, not the shower, but everywhere else for sure. I was captivated, enthralled, wrapped up, no other world existed but the pages of this amazing story. I’ve since read the book at least 5 or 6 more times, and every time I read the book I see something new, I relearn some character that I had overlooked the last time. It’s the only book I can’t get tired of reading, and I revisit it every couple of years.
Reading was my refuge, and still is. I was an only child, so I had two choices really – either play with myself (not like that you perverts) or read. More often than not I chose to read and still do.
What do you love to read? Join the LetsBlogOff circuit and tell us all about your favorite book and why.
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Excellent choice, my man! I mentioned this one in my own blog on this subject, although my all-time favorite was something else. Like you, I first read “The Count of Monte Cristo” in grade school. It was an abridged version, and later when I learned the difference between that and a full-length book, I began searching for the full-length novel. It’s not an easy thing to find. You can go to almost any bookstore and find an abridged version, but the full 1264 page version… not so easy to find. A couple of years ago I finally came across the Robin Buss translation (Penguin Classics) and scooped that baby up. I honestly believe you miss a lot more than you think if you read a shorter version, plus you get the satisfaction of watching Edmund Dantes spin his revenge, one person at a time.
Hm. I’ll have to check my copy. I’m pretty sure it’s the full version. I’ve read abridged versions in the past. Who knows, this could open up a whole new dimension to the book for me. Thanks! 🙂
Yes, reading is my refuge, too – it continues to save me. I must reread “The Count”.
“This is akin to asking a man dying of starvation what his favorite food is. Answer – does it matter? I LOVE to read.”
Bloody brilliant! Well put.
I also had tons of books everywhere: kitchen, attic, basement, bedrooms… So last year I said enough is enough. I bought a massive complicated book shelves system (modern, cool and functional), spent almost two weeks putting it together and today all my books are proudly displayed in my study room.
I know that iPad is here and e-books will do to the real prints what cinematography has done to the theater, but I don’t care. Because I LOVE to read…