Hi all-
I haven't seen too many book discussions here lately - or maybe I just log in at the wrong times. This evening, before I log on to teach my online Lit and Film class in a few minutes, I have the impulse to share some books that I highly recommend, from several different categories. Two of mine are how-to books; one is a children's book (which admittedly is a classic). I guess I'm not in a high minded literature mood tonight - I'm lecturing on the Western Canon and the definition of Literature tonight, and for some reason that is keeping me from recommending sweeping Epics.
It is not my intention to dominate this diary with my recommendations, however, but rather to invite you to share your recommendations.
These are in no particular order, and represent what is currently on my shelf and on my mind, rather than a "greatest of all time," or "5 books to take on a desert island" type list.
#1 Lies My Teacher Told Me, by James W. Loewen (American History/American Education)
This is a fabulous and enlightening book, explaining not only many elements of American History that we may not have been taught in school, but also the poor quality of the history textbooks we use in American school districts, the reasons these books are so poor, and the negative impact this has on students of history.
#2 The Earth Sheltered Solar Greenouse Book, By Mike Oehler (Sustainability/Gardening/DIY)
This book is written by a Northern Idaho homesteader who has, through trial and error, developed a design for a greenhouse that does not require electricity to regulate temperature. Easy to understand and inspiring (author is kind of a curmudgeon, though). I'll be building a small scale model this summer just to get a feel for the engineering involved (not that the engineering is complicated, but I am not a builder and even "post and beam structure" is something I have to think about to visualize).
#3 One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, By Ken Kesey (American Literature)
I am teaching this book this session, so I add this classic to my current list. A powerful portrayal of institutional scale mind games. In our current era, mind games are being played every day on a massive level in the public square (i.e. "The Holocause Museam Shooter was a left wing radical!"). While the particular mind games of Kesey's era may be different from the currect ones, this is a good reminder not to take anything at face value.
#4 Winnie The Pooh, By A. A. Milne (Children's)
Just finished reading this to my son. This book, and "The House at Pooh Corner," are absolutely magical. My husband didn't want me to buy them because he only remembered the TV series and the Disneyfied Pooh franchise. Oh, no no no! If you've never read the originals, do yourself, and your small children, a favor.
#5 How to Draw What You See (Art/Instruction)
Can't Draw? Never took a class? This book breaks it down and shows you how. What can I say? I couldn't take my eyes off of the sketch I made of my coffee table. I couldn't believe that was me who drew it. I still can't!
....Oh what the heck. My two favorite sweeping Epics of all time are:
#6) Watership Down, by Richard Adams
Rabbits - so brave! so moving! so amazing! You will never, ever, see rabbits the same way again.
and
#7) The Cider House Rules, by John Irving
A must read novel dealing with the issue of abortion rights. John Irving doesn't paint black and white stories with easy answers. He paints every shade of grey, and shows that it is here in the grey area that free choice is most important.
#8) And I Don't Want to Live This Life, by Deborah Spungen
This is Deborah Spungen's account of the life of her daughter Nancy - the one who was killed by Sid Vicious in 1979. Great literature? Absolutely not. Page turner/beach book? Yes. I have read this 20 times. I don't know why. I eventually stopped reading it because I had the whole thing memorized. The story of this mother and daughter, and their disasterous relationship, is so compelling that I can't even understand why myself.