Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Moving Books(es): Kristen of We Be Reading


Welcome back to Moving Books(es)!

While I am in the midst of moving boxes from one state to another and getting settled in my new home, I have a handful of fabulous fellow bloggers stopping by to share their moving books(es) ... books that they feel have moved them in one way or another.  I am excited to share a little something today from Kristen of We Be Reading, one of the blogs that I have been reading the longest!



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Choosing books that “moved me” proved to be tougher than I thought it would be. After all, what exactly does “move” mean? Is it a book that stuck with me for longer than average (I have a very poor memory for books)? One that changed my life in some way? Or merely a book that made me feel more than I was used to feeling while reading? I decided on a mishmash of these ideas. Here is my list ...


The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf -- The message of this book has stayed with me (consciously and unconsciously) all my life -- you don’t have to be what you are expected to be if it’s not what you truly desire to be. Plus, it has awesome Spanish words in it like “banderilleros” and “picadores”.


Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë -- Being handed this book as a tween, I read it before I ever heard about “boring classics” and it saved me from (almost) ever being intimidated by an older book. Reading this story early is likely what enabled me to be reading Moby Dick right now.


David Copperfield by Charles Dickens -- I chose to read this in high school and not only did it become my favorite Dickens novel but it cemented his name on my top authors list. It has some of my favorite characters in all of fiction. And again, it kept me discovering and enjoying classic authors.


The Ground Beneath Her Feet by Salman Rushdie -- I picked this up at a time when the fatwa against Rushdie was regularly on the news. I was a bit afraid of The Satanic Verses but this allowed me an introduction to another author that has since become a favorite. It didn’t seem at all what one would expect from him but, now having read many of his other stories, it is so very much one of his. U2 also recorded a lovely version of the titular song that was in the movie The Million Dollar Hotel (2000). They were my favorite band at the time so this made the book extra special.


The Meaning of Night by Michael Cox -- This is the book that stoked the fires of my love of neo-Victorian stories (modern tales written in the time and voice of Victorian times). It led me to Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, The Quincunx, Fingersmith and many other favorites.


The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman -- When I read this book last year, I was amazed at its perfection. The moment I turned the last page, I wanted to turn back to page one and begin again. I am now listening to it on audiobook as a re-read and am again enjoying the beautiful language, the mystery, the nostalgia and the brilliant mind of Neil Gaiman. This is also the book that allowed me to meet him which makes it that much more special.


The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern -- I read this book last year and adored it as well. It was perfectly constructed, perfectly paced and perfectly magical. It was also a refreshingly original story. I will likely re-read this one again this year.

Thank you to Tif for letting me share these books with you! Links to these books at Powells.com are on my “Books that Moved Me” Pinterest board if you’ve been moved to get any of them for yourself.

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Thank you so much Kristen! I am a fan of The Night Circus, but so many of the others are ones that I am determined to read in 2014 since I have copies on my shelf (Jane Eyre and The Meaning of Night, in particular). However, I am lucky enough to be listening to The Ocean at the End of the Lane on audio right now!!

14 comments:

  1. I really need to re-read The Night Circus too!

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    1. I didn't read this one for the longest time because I thought that my expectations were unrealistic after so many rave reviews. Luckily, this was one of those rare books that deserves every bit of praise!

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  2. I loved this compendium of books, Kristen! Such wonderful choices...many I've read and a few on my TBR. :)

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  3. I have only read Jane Eyre and The Night Circus. Loved them. Will have to check out your other books. :)

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    1. I hope you find another one to love from my list!

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  4. I read Jane Eyre as a teen and I still name it if I have to pick only one favourite book of all time. Ocean at the End of the Lane and Night Circus both definitely moved me. Books as experiences, not just stories. One Hundred Years of Solitude, by Gabriel Garcia Marquez fits into that category, too.

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    1. I need to reread One Hundred Years of Solitude. I read it in my early 20s and I know I must have loved it because I picked up a few more Garcia Marquez books after it but I don't remember it now (almost 20 years later). I have a short list of books like this that I really need to revisit!

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  5. Wow, Kristen, what a list! Thanks SO much for sharing them and your thoughts as to why they "moved" you. The only one I've read is Ferdinand and I have to say, I was the opposite of you---I hated any heavy reads when I was a kid/teenager. Can't turn back the clock on that one, though, for the "do over" I wish I could have!

    I happen to own two of Neil Gaiman's books and have yet to read them! (This is a common M.O. for me *sigh*) Unfortunately, the Milk and The Graveyard Book. I've only read the first chapters in each and know I LOVE the way he writes. Wish I could get to them and more!

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    1. Reading habits are definitely formed in childhood and it's harder to change them later. I really do need to thank my mom for not making a big deal about book length or publish dates when giving me suggestions!
      Those are both fantastic Neil Gaiman books. I hope you find time to get through at least one soon. :)

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  6. Thank you for sharing your list! I love that Neil Gaiman made your list, and how cool that you were able to meet him! He's one of my favorite authors, but I still haven't met him. Some day! :)

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    1. If you ever get the chance, definitely take it. He's so incredibly nice!

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  7. Thank you so much for stopping by Kristen to share the books that have moved you! I finished The Ocean at the end of the Lane while I was unpacking boxes the other day. I am left with a few mixed emotions and I really think I need to re-read that one (versus listening to it again)!

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    1. Thanks for asking me to participate, Tif!

      And, you know, I just tried listening to Ocean (my library rental period ran up before I could finish it) and it felt different than reading it -- more sinister and evil. Definitely try it in book form!

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