Super duper beyond honored to have Ms. Gini Dietrich posting here today. Even if she is writing because she has held a grudge against me for 10 months 😀 Enjoy!
Last summer I challenged Margie Clayman to write a blog post of her 10 favorite books.
She did. And she cheated.
Instead of her 10 favorite books, she wrote her favorite genres: Books about Abraham Lincoln, books about the civil war, guilty pleasure books, etc. Sure, there were only 10 categories, but it was cheating none-the-less.
When I teased her about it, she challenged me to write my own top 10 list. It’s taken me 10 months to accept her challenge, but here I am!
It’s a good thing I waited, too. Because when she challenged me, I hadn’t read Fifty Shades of Grey yet and you would have missed out on three of my favorite books.
I kid. That was a terrible series. I’m mad at myself for reading all three of them. I have this really bad habit of having to finish everything I start. And that includes terrible trilogies.
Following is my real list of my 10 most favorite books of all time (in no particular order).
- My Name is Asher Lev. My mom gave this book to me many years ago. She wrote inside, “Read this book. It will make you happy.” And it did. Many times over. It’s a book about a boy deeply ingrained in Judaism who feels the need to render the world he knows and the pain he feels through painting and drawing. It’s full of Yiddish, which made me love it twice as much. I picked up certain phrases I use all the time from reading that book (oy vey).
- The Bell Jar. Sylvia Plath led a very distraught and sad life before she stuck her head in an oven and committed suicide, but was extremely talented. I sometimes wonder if you have to be that troubled (cough, Hemingway, in order to be a great writer). In this story, you’re drawn into the life of Esther Greenwood and watch as she has a complete breakdown. Some say this was written as Plath was doing the same in her own life.
- A Prayer for Owen Meany. I am a big, big John Irving fan, but I contend this is his very best book. In the summer of 1953, two boys are playing baseball when Owen Meany hits a foul ball, slamming it into the head of his friend’s mother, killing her instantly. What happens throughout the rest of Owen’s life is extraordinary, as he grapples with killing a his friend’s mom.
- The Fountainhead. I read this for the first time in high school. In fact, during parent teacher conferences that year, my AP English teacher said to my mom, “Is she always this motivated?” I’ve re-read it several times since then and it continues to hit my all-time favorite books. This was Ayn Rand’s first book and her best (IMO). It was my first introduction to how the business world treats women and what we can/should do about it.
- The Bluest Eye. I love Toni Morrison (just downloaded her newest book last night), but this will always be my favorite of her books. It’s about a very pretty young girl who no one notices, even though she has the bluest eyes. She just knew if someone would notice her, things would be different. Her parents would stop fighting, her brother would stop running away, and her dad would stop drinking. And then her dad does notice her…and rapes her.
- Under the Banner of Heaven. Growing up in Utah and being raised Mormon, I read this book in order to dispel any myths and rumors my friends have about the religion. What I found, instead, was an incredibly researched story about polygamy and brothers who killed a woman and her baby, claiming they had a commandment from God to do so. It’s the only non-fiction on my list, but the story seems so unreal it feels like you’re reading fiction.
- The Lovely Bones. Some of you may have seen this movie, but it’s nothing like the book. The book is always better though, right? This is a story about Susie Salmon, who is kidnapped, raped, and killed…and she spends many years stuck between earth and heaven, watching her family cope with their grief and loss. I know it doesn’t sound very enlightening, but the story will capture you from page one.
- An Object of Beauty. My dear friend and colleague, Martin Waxman, sent this book to me a couple of years ago for my birthday. Being a bit of a literature snob, I was reticent to read it because it’s by Steve Martin. Yes, the comedian. But what I discovered inside is the man has a talent for storytelling. It’s about Lacey Yeager, a young woman who begins her art career at Sotheby’s and soon finds herself climbing through the ranks with a lot of power and a lot of money. It’s not what you expect from Funny Man Martin.
- The Red Tent. This may seem like it’s a religious book, but it’s not. I say that because Dinah, who is only hinted at in the Book of Genesis in the Bible, is the main character. It tells a story, from her point-of-view, of what it was like to live as a woman back then. It’s compelling, interesting, and really well told.
- Me Talk Pretty One Day. I’ll never forget what I was doing when I read this book. I was working on The Catfish Institute account and we were doing a lot of work with media in New York City so I was back and forth nearly every week. A colleague recommended I read the book so I picked it up in an airport bookstore. It is so funny, I was laughing out loud while I read on the plane. In fact, I was laughing so hard (tears streaming down my face), I had to sit on it so I’d stop reading and embarrassing myself. No one quites comes as close to hilarity as David Sedaris.
So there you have. I’ve put my stake in the ground and these are my 10 most favorite books. What are yours?
Gini Dietrich is the founder and CEO of Arment Dietrich, a Chicago-based integrated marketing communication firm. She also is the founder of the professional development site for PR and marketing pros, Spin Sucks Pro, blogger at Spin Sucks, and co-author of Marketing in the Round.
This has inspired me to really do your challenge and pick 10 books. These are all great recommendations – I have seen The Lovely Bones but have heard from many that the book is much better. That’s saying something because the movie really sticks with you.
Thanks so much, Gini 🙂
@margieclayman I know it’s going to be hard for you, but you can do it!
I’m up for the challenge:)
@KDillabough Do it!
@ginidietrich @KDillabough And lo, so it was that Gini started a meme that took over the blogging world. 🙂
Why am I not surprised in the least that Objectivist thought ranks in your top ten?
@jasonkonopinski Right? I’m so predictable.
@ginidietrich Challenge accepted, BTW. I’ll fit in the schedule for this week. 🙂
@jasonkonopinski @ginidietrich I really enjoyed Last Night in Twisted River, although the hammer on your head foreshadowing got a bit annoying.
Also? I heart John Irving. So. Very. Much.
I’ve read about half of these. A Prayer for Owen Meany is one of my all time favorites. On the other hand, can’t really stomach Ayn Rand for a variety of reasons. Good list.
@KenMueller I love Ayn Rand. I probably feel that way about Hemingway. I try and try to read him and I just can’t do it. I’ve been reading A Moveable Feast, in spurts, for two months now.
@ginidietrich It’s not so much the books, but the philosophy behind them. I think objectivism and the worldview espoused by Rand is what creates the culture that permits the type of behavior we’re talking about over on your blog today.
@KenMueller I don’t agree. Perhaps you should read The Fountainhead or Atlas Shrugged and then we’ll debate whether or not you’re right.
I didn’t think it as possible for me to love you more than I already do. Your love of the Fountainhead changes that – for the better. We have much to discuss. Crap. @ginidietrich @KenMueller
@ginidietrich I’ve read them both! But it was back in the 80s. In general, Objectivism is about doing what’s best for yourself, and if you do what’s best for others, that’s a sign of weakness. Trust me, I used to like her and studied her books in grad school when I was bit different in my approach to politics.
@ginidietrich Have you ever read her “VIrtue of Selfishness”? That’s the point of the entire thing.
@Sean McGinnis Are you talking to me or @KenMueller ? Please let it be Ken. Please let it be Ken.
@ginidietrich @Sean McGinnis Sorry. He’s talking to you. You’re stuck with him.
@KenMueller @Sean McGinnis Crap.
@ginidietrich @KenMueller Hahahah! See. THIS is why you can’t have nice things! Next time I’ll be sure to schedule my “be nice to Gini” day with your admin – so you’re not quite as shocked when it actually happens. 🙂
@Sean McGinnis That would be good. Set my expectations.
@ginidietrich @KenMueller I like Hemmingway’s short stories okay. I have never really been able to get into his books.
Great picks Gini. It’s so hard to pick my #1 favorite book. So many books have touched and shaped my life. I’d have to do at least a fiction list, and a non-fiction list. At least….
@blfarris That’s why it took me 10 months to come up with the list. And I left business books off on purpose. I had about six I knew were going to make the list and had a hard time deciding on the other four.
@blfarris That’s what *I* was saying!!!!! See, I’m not crazy 🙂
@margieclayman I loved your list. I’m just teasing you because, well, it’s fun.
@ginidietrich duly noted 🙂
Thanks for sharing! I completely agree with #3-Owen Meany is by far my favourite Irving. I also agree with #4- I reread Fountainhead (also read it first in high school) and Atlas Shrugged every few years. But we are going to have to talk about #7- Lovely Bones goes on the same list as 50 Shades for me…You will get the space of one drink (double vodka soda, tall glass) to present your argument…
As for me, I would add something by Kundera- Unbearable Lightness of Being maybe- and the best thing ever written in English- Hamlet-then a bunch of dystopia lit- He, She and It; We; The Long Walk; Clockwork Orange-and of course, Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and my all time favourite- Catcher in the Rye. Of course, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. And, um, Marketing in the Round!
@RebeccaTodd Hey, how did that last one sneak in there? 😀
@RebeccaTodd Really? I sobbed uncontrollably through the entire thing. I don’t like any of her other books. Maybe that one just struck me at the right time. We can debate it when I see you next month.
HAHAHAHAHA on Marketing in the Round. LOL!!
@ginidietrich Indeed! Sometimes good reads are situational.
Here’s a favorite of mine that never gets mentioned: The River Why by David James Duncan. I adore this book. I have an extra copy Gini – if you’re nice to me (and interested) I’ll mail it to you. Hard to find, but worth the effort.
Oooh. Another favorite is The Death of Common Sense by Philip K. Howard. Greta book about how law (and bureaucrats) are killing America. You’d like it G, if you haven;t already read it.
@Sean McGinnis Or you can hand it to me next time I see you!
@ginidietrich Sure. I’ll hold onto it until 2014… 😉
@Sean McGinnis Oh look at you embellishing. I saw you 16,000 times in May and now you’re going to give me a hard time?
@ginidietrich
1. We’ve already established that I’m the king of embellishing – especially where you are concerned. You’ll recall just last week where I implied that you created Skynet and the fall of western civilization through your ridiculous support of robo-content-creators.
I want a tiara to sufficiently show the world that I am embellishment royalty.
2. Who said me not seeing you until 2014 had anything to do with YOUR schedule? The rest of us are busy taking over the world too, ya know!
@Sean McGinnis Oh. Good point. Except for #2. I just know that’s not true.
I read, a lot; but sadly to say if any of those you mentioned were literary classics I missed the boat on every one of them. I’m just wondering why Carlos Hathcock’s Marine Sniper didn’t make the list……..
My quest now is to read each and every one; just please tell me if any are ‘girlie’ books and I will have to shave my legs to read them?
I’m sure they are good books indeed, because you are smart like that.
Maybe Margie won’t be so fickle now that you did a GP for her………..just sayin’……….:).
@bdorman264 You be goin DOWN, Dorman 🙂
@margieclayman Put up your dukes………….you know I luv ya…………..:).
@bdorman264 They aren’t girlie books. I don’t like girlie books. You can trust me.
@ginidietrich @bdorman264 Hahahaha. “Trust me.”
Famous last words.
@Sean McGinnis @ginidietrich @bdorman264 I submit that The Lovely Bones is about as girlie as they get.
Asher Lev has all sorts of special meaning to me. I almost named my oldest Asher Lev but that book is part of why we didn’t and not because we didn’t like it.
I haven’t read it in years but I remember it well. The Chosen was good too. Potok did a very nice job there, but you are talking about my tribe so I relate to it differently than many.
I have to think about what my ten are but I can say for certain that the entire of Lord of the Rings (including The Hobbit) series is in there. To be clear, that only counts as one book.
BTW, I don’t want to admit that I have been agonizing over what else to include here for a much longer chunk of time than I care to admit. Love my books.
@TheJackB Again, that was my point exactly. You don’t want to hurt a favorite book’s feelings, right? 🙂
@TheJackB I think trilogies only count as one book, too.
I love book posts!
You want to know mine?
Here they are:
In Cold Blood, by Truman Capote
The Green Mile, Stephen King
Silence of the Lambs, Thomas Harris
Thunderstruck, Erik Larson
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Stieg Larsson
In The Woods, Tana French
The Likeness, Tana French
Messiah, Boris Starling
Where The Red Fern Grows, Wilson Rawls
The Blue Nowhere, Jeffrey Deaver
@bradmarley You know, the Millenium Series almost made my list. I loved those books!
Thanks for the list GD. I thought I read a great deal but after going through this list I realized I have quite a lot of literary history catching up to do. I took a class in college called “African and Carribean Women in Fiction” (the class was 23 ladies and myself, it was a Woman’s Studies course which was required for my major) and throughout the semester we read 12 novels, all of which were fascinating.
There was one in particular called “The Grass is Singing” by Doris Lessing that stuck with me. A wonderful book about a white Rhodesian woman, her struggling marriage, life growing up with black servants and how horribly she treats them, only realizing later in life through her frailty that she needs them to survive. The end was kind of shocking but the book was just so well written and made you think about how you should treat everyone with respect lest you need them for something down the road.
I can’t believe this is the first time I have commented on the infamous Margie Clayman’s blog.
@John_Trader1 It turns out you’re the only smart person in college. One guy with access to 23 women?!? Super smart!
Some of my favorites on here–The Bell Jar, Me Talk Pretty One Day, the Bluest Eye. English geeks unite. 🙂
@LauraScholz Book nerds!
Wow! What an awesome list! Adding them all to my list to read.
@LisaMarieMary You crack me up about Sylvia Plath.
I can’t believe there are only 2 on here that I’ve read. I obviously have some summer reading to do.
@bobledrew Ohhhh. Maybe you should give me eight to read, then!
gertie… some great choices… I am adding a few to the pile
i still cant believe they even TRIED to film the Lovely Bones
@faybiz You know what I can’t believe? They’re making movies out of Fifty Shades of Grey. Bleck.
@ginidietrich @faybiz Of course they are.
@RebeccaTodd @ginidietrich 50 Shades of Lame… you sucker
@faybiz I’m only liking this comment for the “Gertie.”
Well played.
@Sean McGinnis @faybiz He always calls me that. You know why.
@ginidietrich @faybiz Because he pays attention! And because it bothers you. 🙂
@Sean McGinnis @ginidietrich Bother her? SHE LOVES IT
Great list Gini. I’ve read some of these (Fountainhead, Lovely Bones, Under the Banner of Heaven) and enjoyed them. But favorite books? For me, that’s like asking a parent to name their favorite child. Some books were my favorites at the time because at the time they spoke to me in some way. I don’t know that I have all-time favorites. A few that I enjoyed very much: Shantaram, Life of Pi, Pillars of the Earth, Merle’s Door, and A Man Called Intrepid. Thank You For Smoking was one of the funniest books I’ve read; The Shadow of The Wind was very interesting as was The Genesis Code, and Charlie Wilson’s War was fascinating. What I Saw at the Revolution was very interesting too. The Last Days of Ptolemy Gray was a favorite from last year.
I read a ton, and there’s no way I could narrow down favorites into a top 10 of all time!
@jenzings You know how I did it? I spent Friday afternoon going through my library. The books I’ve read multiple times made the list. Otherwise I’d had to have cheated, like Margie did, and list books in the top 10 genres.
I find that my list changes over time. This is how it stands, today.
1) A Suitable Boy, Vikram Seth
2) Fathers and Sons, Turgnev
3) On Writing, Steven King
4) Harry Potter 1 – 7, J,K. Rowling
5) Call of the Wild, Jack London
6) To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee
7) An Equal Music, Vikram Seth
8) Candide, Voltaire
9) Snow Crash, Neal Stephenson
10) Collected Stories, Rudyard Kipling
@ExtremelyAvg To Kill a Mockingbird! Yes! And you can’t do Harry Potter 1-7. That’s seven books (which I also loved)!
@ginidietrich I really can’t be trusted when it comes to top 10 list…but Top 16 lists, I’m fine.
The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.
The Enchantress of Florence.
The Lord of the Rings.
Mindset.
The Robber Bride.
A Thousand Splendid Suns.
The Life of Pi.
A Long Way Gone.
The Dip.
The Pilgrimage.
@rdopping Lots of Hitchhikers Guide, Hobbit, and Life of Pi in the comments. I also loved all three, but not in my top 10. Maybe top 20.
@ginidietrich That’s what’s great about individuality! How could you not LOVE “The Robber Bride”?
@rdopping Um. I haven’t read it.
@ginidietrich @rdopping Excellent Canadiana! I do prefer The Edible Woman of Atwood’s books, though.