Personal Reading Profile

The title of this blog comes from the quote by the famous Frank Zappa - "So many books, so little time." When I pause and think about the world of books, and the vast amount of books that are out there, I really feel this statement resonate. And from this, comes my desire to make this reader's advisory blog a place where you, the reader, can find some truly great books to fill your time!

I approach reading the way that I approach cooking and eating - I select books based on what I'm craving at that time. For the most part, I stick to genres such as literary fiction, historical fiction romance, contemporary women's literature (i.e. chick lit) and suspense/thrillers. I rarely venture into horror or mystery, and am trying to learn more about fantasy and science fiction, though I doubt they will become favorites. I used to enjoy books in series, but lately, reading for pleasure has been sporadic, so I do find it difficult to follow characters through multiple books! Being in school has required a great bit of my free time that was devoted to reading, so I cram a lot of reading into school breaks and light homework weeks! This year, my goal will be to read three books a month, and I hope to pick up suggestions from classmates and colleagues.

It is challenging for me (as I'm sure it is for a lot of people who are reading this blog!) to narrow down my "favorite" books, but if I had to choose, I would do so based upon those that are timeless to me - relevant whenever I have read, and re-read, them. They include:

1. The Alchemist and By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept, Paulo Coelho
2. The Bridge of San Luis Rey, Thorton Wilder
3. Change of Heart, Jodi Picoult
4. A Little Princess, Francis Hodgson Burnett
5. Charlotte's Web, E.B. White
6. Brave New World, Aldous Huxley
7. Anything by Philippa Gregory that relates to King Henry VIII

I am greatly looking forward to exploring new genres and expanding my understanding of those with which I am familiar!