First of all, wow - wow - WOW for the list of amazing charities yesterday. It can be overwhelming to think of all the good that needs doing in the world, so much better to read these comments and be overwhelmed with all the good that is being done. Keep them coming!
Today's giveaway: Your favorite quotation handwritten on a 5x7 card, suitable for framing (or using on a scrapbook page or hanging on your bulletin board or giving to your best friend).
Today's question: I'm about 20 pages from the end of the book I'm reading, and I'm heading to the library tomorrow.... What was the best book you read in the last year? (Last year I asked specifically for non-fiction titles, and The Happiness Project became one of my favorites for the year. Thank you!)
"Let The Great World Spin" by Colum McAnn
Posted by: gina | May 18, 2011 at 12:19 AM
I re-read Devil in the White City by Erik Larson. What a fantastic combination of history, architecture, and a murder mystery!
Posted by: Rachel Greenhouse | May 18, 2011 at 08:08 AM
My favorite re-read of all time has to be "Redeeming Love"... the story of redemption and self-worth is unlike any other.
Posted by: Kim Salewski Almeida | May 18, 2011 at 08:29 AM
["Redeeming Love" was written by Francine Rivers]
Posted by: Kim Salewski Almeida | May 18, 2011 at 08:30 AM
The Hunger Games series.
Posted by: Angela | May 18, 2011 at 09:36 AM
I loved My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
Posted by: Alice C. | May 18, 2011 at 10:44 AM
"Jane Eyre" by Emily Bronte!
Posted by: terry hendrickson | May 18, 2011 at 10:55 AM
oh, i loved the happiness project, too! i've been following gretchen's blog for a few years, & she's great.
the *best* book i read? well, it was written by a dear friend of mine, & while i did read it through once, i tend to use it more as a sort of reference or workbook: The Mother's Guide to Self-Renewal by Renee Trudeau.
Posted by: kristen | May 18, 2011 at 10:58 AM
Moloka'i by Alan Brennert is an incredible book about a young Hawaiian girl with leprosy, exiled to live on an island colony. It's set at the turn of the century and although fictional, it is based on historical events. Beautifully written novel!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0312304358/ref=aw_d_detail?pd=1
Posted by: Joy | May 18, 2011 at 11:43 AM
Last year I completely fell in love with Peter Pan. I've known the story for years, but if I read Peter Pan as a child I clearly didn't appreciate the brilliance of J.M. Barrie. There is imagery in there that I will delight in for the rest of my life!
Posted by: tami lyn | May 18, 2011 at 12:08 PM
I loved The Book Thief, by Marcus Zusak. Powerful, beautiful, sad, and life affirming.
Posted by: Sara B. | May 18, 2011 at 02:25 PM
"The Cookbook Collector" by Allegra Goodman was a really great reading.
Posted by: Baboon | May 18, 2011 at 03:10 PM
I loved "The Corrections" - getting ready to read "Freedom" - also really liked "The Professor and the Madman" about the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary - also really enjoying "Bossypants" by Tina Fey right now - very funny and insightful!
Posted by: Elizabeth | May 18, 2011 at 04:04 PM
I would have to say Unwind by Neal Shusterman. It's a young adult novel (middle school teacher here!)
Posted by: Kimberly | May 18, 2011 at 04:59 PM
Hmm--probably Pride and Prejudice:)
Posted by: Keshet Shenkar | May 18, 2011 at 06:02 PM
Correction, "Jane Eyre" by CHARLOTTE Bronte.
Posted by: TLHendrickson | May 18, 2011 at 06:25 PM
"Cutting for Stone" - beautifully written, engaging, sad. Loved it.
Posted by: Emily | May 19, 2011 at 12:31 AM
The Glass Castle was fabulous
Posted by: tammy stieren | May 19, 2011 at 11:53 AM
I actually really enjoyed Water for Elephants.
Posted by: Nicole | May 19, 2011 at 12:39 PM
I'm bookmarking this for all the great suggestions from other commenters! I'm currently reading Little Bee, after just finishing Incendiary (opposite order from Roberta)! I really enjoyed Three Day Road (Boyden) this past year, as well as The Carnivore (Sinnett), and What I Talk About When I Talk About Running (Murakami... if you're into Murakami, or running, or both)!
Posted by: Nancy K | May 19, 2011 at 01:39 PM
The Glass. Castle and I just finished The Art of Racing in the Rain. Wonderful books.
Posted by: Barb Langlois | May 19, 2011 at 05:52 PM
Princess Smartypants. She's a kid's book role model for independent girls.
Posted by: Em Manson | May 19, 2011 at 08:01 PM
Had a baby recently so read mostly parenting books last year...."Breastfeeding made simple: 7 natural laws for nursing moms" :)
Posted by: Carrie | May 20, 2011 at 12:25 AM
currently reading Jane Austin books
Posted by: Shannon | May 20, 2011 at 08:20 AM
Is it cheating to say The Boxcar Children. I'm reading it to my youngest, and lamenting that it is the last time reading the book for the first time with one of my own children. Makes it all the more sweet! Dear Benny and his cup...
Posted by: Michael Nelson | May 20, 2011 at 08:44 AM