The Books with Staying Power

By now you've probably heard of the doctor that researched exactly why Mary Ingalls went blind, as detailed in the Litttle House on the Prairie series of books written by her sister, Laura Ingalls Wilder.
It's fascinating enough that Dr. Beth Tarini found evidence that either meningitis or encephalitis caused Mary's blindness, rather than scarlet fever, as the books detail.
But what I liked most about the story is that a series of books were so influential to a little girl that she grew up to not only remember the details, but to want to research more about a critical plot point.
I read like a fiend when I was a child, and there are so many books that mean a lot to me even today. So I thought I'd make a list of the books that were the most influential to me (in no particular order):

Little Women

by Louisa May Alcott
I read this book maybe dozens of times as a pre-teen, and of course I identified most with Jo. Her zest for life, her spirited defense of friends and family, and her creative spark really appealed to me. I credit Jo for influencing me to write.

Charlotte's Web

by E.B. White
I hate to admit it, but to this day I believe that my pets can understand me, thanks to this book. I also apologize to my sister, because when we were children I convinced her that a bunny lived in our walls and could talk to me, again all due to reading this story.

The Secret Garden

by Frances Hodgson Burnett
This book, along with Burnett's A Little Princess, gave me hope that anyone could find a better life and that being headstrong and determined wasn't such a bad thing for a girl. Blame these two if you find me to be too stubborn.

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

by E.L. Konigsburg
Two interesting points in my life can find their roots in this book. First, there was the time I tried to hide in the bookmobile with the goal of living among the books. And then, later in my adult life, this book inspired me to design a blogger sleepover in the Showtime House while I worked at Metropolitan Home magazine. The second event was much more successful than the first.

The Borrowers

by Mary Norton
Maybe it's my Scots-Irish heritage, but I still want to believe in fairies, sprites, and all manner of little magical people. The Borrowers were my first "evidence" that the stories could be true. As far as influence, though, this book made me look a little differently at the common, everyday things around me.

The Incredible Journey

by Sheila Bunford
Courage, strength, and the idea that you should never, ever give up. Not a bad recipe for a book that taught me a lot.

Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes

by Edith Hamilton
This was an old book that I found at a library sale for $1 when I was about 10. And I still have it. Full of swashbuckling tales of heroes and monsters, Mythology was also an interesting primer on the faults and failings of men, and of the gods they idolize.

Other books I devoured included several series: Little House, Trixie Belden, Bobbsey Twins (leftovers from my mom), Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, and more.
What books from your childhood influenced you the most?

Books in the News

Are things turning a corner in the book world? I'm not saying that books are flying off the shelves or anything, but I am encouraged by recent book launches that have made national news.
First, I received many emails in my inbox from mainstream media outlets, alerting me to Khaled Hosseini's new novel that will be published in May. And the Mountains Echoed will center around the themes of family and generations, subjects that he also visited in The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns.
And, although I am not a fan, Dan Brown introduced his new book on the Today show this week. Titled Inferno and once again featuring symbologist Robert Langdon, the novel also will debut in May.
The "big reveal" was preceded by a social media event on Facebook and Twitter that asked fans to guess which "major literary masterpiece" would be the inspiration for the title.
Even though Dan Brown has "legions" of fans (according to most coverage of the event), the campaign had the unintended consequence of giving his critics a good laugh as they came up with some title suggestions. My favorites: The Bleak House Code, Harry Potter and Demons, and Fifty Shades of Robert Langdon. I even submitted The House with the Seven Demons.
I contend I was closest to the mark because both my guess and his actual inspiration (Dante, of course) are no longer widely read "masterpieces."
While I still say Dan Brown needs a good editor, he definitely scored with his PR team.
McDonald's also entered the literary news recently (using the term "literary" loosely) with the announcement that all Happy Meals in Britain will now contain books rather than toys. That has the good-news-bad-news issue that the Dan Brown announcement also had, but I like the idea that more kids will have books in their hands, particularly since McDonald's says it will hand out 15 million books by the end of 2014.
Now that makes me happy.

All Grown Up

Quick on the heels of the news that the Harry Potter series is available in e-book format (finally), was the announcement about the fall release date for J.K. Rowling's first "grown up" novel, The Casual Vacancy.

In some of the news reports I've seen, there was a consistent and unfortunate theme that questioned whether Rowling can find success outside of the youth category.
What an offensive suggestion.
First, does that mean that because a person is an author of books aimed at children or teens that they are not a "real" writer? I believe that the Harry Potter books were popular with people from ages 8 to 80. And some of the most lyrical and inventive writing I've ever encountered was in the youth genre.
Second, there seems to be an underlying idea that the Harry Potter phenomenon was a one-off deal. Well, as long as you forget that there were seven wildly popular books, eight movies, two theme parks, and one very smart woman who kept control of the entire brand.
The Harry Potter books were a hit because they were well-written and offered well-developed characters that the reader could believe in. How is that different from any other good book, no matter what the genre?
I liked Rowling's writing because it was smart and funny. I liked her books because they offered engrossing stories that pulled me in within the first few pages, and then kept delivering right to the end.
That is why I'm looking forward to her new book in September. She is a good writer. Period.

Passing on a Love of Books

While on a business trip in LA last week, I took two quick tours just for me. The first was to the Los Angeles Public Library, an amazing edifice with a lovely garden in front. Unfortunately, there's a sad population who literally call the front steps home, which made my visit more melancholy than I expected.
The second trip was down to Spring Street to visit The Last Bookstore, a funky book-filled space in a former retail building.
The front desk was constructed of books (above left), the music was indie-fabulous, and the shelves featured handwritten signs for interesting sections such as "Sherlockian." The Last Bookstore offers used books for sale as well as new titles, and has an area specifically designed for albums. My friend Todd would have found some gems in there.
I want everyone to feel the way I do when I'm in a library or bookstore, as if they are about to find their next great adventure.

That's why I'm joining World Read Aloud Day on Wednesday, March 7. Organized by LitWorld, last year's event reached 60 countries and all 50 states, with over 200,000 participants reading aloud to kids.
I started reading to my daughter when she was (as my husband would say) in the larval stage, and we continued reading to her throughout her childhood. That includes the infamous time that I read Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire out loud for about 12 hours straight on a car trip to Florida. Can you say laryngitis?
But I do know that every book, from Hooper Humperdink to Harry Potter, gave my daughter the same love of books that I have.
So pass on your love of books by joining World Read Aloud Day. Click here to learn how.

You Say It's Your Birthday?

If you don't know it's Charles Dickens' 200th birthday today, then you've been living without TV or Internet. You'll find it hard to ignore him on the Web today, since he has a Google Doodle dedicated to him (left).

Dickens is still one of my favorite authors. He was one of the first writers to fire up my need to read, to show me that the characters on the page could come to life in my imagination. I still remember shivering over the evil Quilp in The Old Curiosity Shop and cheering on Oliver as he navigated London's mean streets.
Dickens' stories are timeless and his characters are still inspiring new writers today. For example, the colorful names in Jo Rowling's Harry Potter books owe a lot to Charles Dickens, who was a master at defining a person's character with their name. My favorite is Mr. M'Choakumchild, a horrible teacher in Hard Times.
And a "new experiment" in literature is definitely inspired by Dickens. Writer Mark Danielewski has received a $1 million deal to write a serialized novel that will debut in installments in 2014. Sound familiar? Dickens published most of his works in serialized installments, too. It's what makes each chapter of his books such individual cliffhangers.
If you enjoy Dickens as much as I do, prepare to avoid work all day and explore these celebratory sites instead (click through on the bolded links):

• Dickens Dark London. An amazing app lets you roam the dark Victorian streets like Charles Dickens did in his insomniac ramblings.
• Favorite Dickens Characters. Which of his many characters do you most relate to? The Telegraph has compiled a list of favorites from Brit writers.
• Dickens Book Club. Join the Facebook club, which is planning to read the author's books throughout the year. This month's selection is Bleak House.
• Dickens Exhibition. Travel to London (why not?) to see the first comprehensive Dickens exhibition in 40 years at the Museum of London.
• Dickens Online. Learn more about the man, the myth, the legend (ok, that was too much) at his very own website.

It's Her Birthday, Too, Yeah
In all the Dickens hoopla, let's not forget that it's also Laura Ingalls Wilder's 145th birthday. That's an interesting coincidence because I would say her books had as much of an impact on my early reading as Dickens did. I read her Little House on the Prairie books over and over again. If you've never read them, please don't use the melodramatic TV show as your guide – they books are much better than that.
In honor of Wilder, here are some links for her birthday, too:

• Find a comprehensive list of Little House books here.
• Live like Laura in a tour of homes from Wilder's books.
• Visit Wilder's home and museum in Missouri here.

It's a Red-Letter Day

So what else is celebrated today? My parents' 49th anniversary, of course.
Happy day, mom and dad!

A Few of My Favorite Things

As promised, and in time for your holiday gifting needs, here is a quick list of some of my favorite books. Not all of these were published in 2011, so many of these could be found in budget-friendly paperback versions.

Since this is the season of sharing, send me lists of your favorite books, too. My New Year's resolution is to read more, and I'll need all the suggestions I can get!

Favorite Fictions 
(in no particular order)
The Eight, by Katherine Neville ― Forget Dan Brown, this book from 1988 crackles with intrigue, with a woman in search of hidden chess pieces that give the players unbelievable power.

Wolf Hall, by Hilary Mantel ― Thomas Cromwell walked a tightrope of power in the 1520s between Henry VIII and everyone who wanted Cromwell's position and power. This incredible book tells Cromwell's story in an entirely fresh way.

The Thirteenth Tale, by Diane Setterfield ― A young woman is invited to the atmospheric and gloomy Yorkshire countryside to interview a famous, but reclusive, author. A dark and Gothic tale ensues.

Pigeon English, by Stephen Kelman ― This was my pick for the Man Booker Prize, with a captivating story of a young boy trying to navigate a violent life. Read my full review here.

Deception on His Mind, by Elizabeth George ― My favorite of the outstanding series of Detective Inspector Lynley mysteries by George, this edition focuses on Lynley's partner, Detective Sergeant Havers, who finds herself tangled up in tricky relationships and race issues while trying to solve the murder of a young woman.

Non-Fiction Notables
The Wave, by Susan Casey ― The spellbinding story of massive rogue waves, the super-surfers who chase them, the scientists that study them, and the ships that battle them.

The Sisters, by Mary S. Lovell ― A duchess, a Communist, a fascist, an obsessive, and a novelist...those are the eccentric Mitford sisters who blazed their own paths through British society in the early 20th century.

In the Garden of Beasts, by Erik Larson ― Larson has a true knack for telling a historical tale. In this book, he tackles the story of William Dodd, the mild-mannered U.S. ambassador to Germany in the early days of the Third Reich. See my earlier review here.

Founding Mothers, by Cokie Roberts ― Although their husbands and sons garnered most of the glory, the women behind the scenes were notable in their own right. They ran businesses and farms while their husbands formed a new country, fended off the Redcoats in their own homes, and influenced the ideas and politics of the young United States.

The Perfect Summer, by Juliet Nicolson ― In 1911, England had a new king, the aristocratic set was on a non-stop whirlwind of parties, and the summer was suffused with a happy glow. Then the cracks began to appear as the summer heat took a sinister turn and the world began to spin out of control. This amazing book is told from the diaries and letters of people who lived on the cusp of WWI.

Teen Books You Need to Read
Radioactive, by Lauren Redniss ― This is an illustrated biography of Marie Curie, the first person to win two Nobel prizes for her work on radioactivity. Rather than just focusing on the science, Redniss brings Marie herself to life in a gorgeously detailed book.

Scorpio Races, by Maggie Stiefvater ― Every November, a group of youths ride the dangerous water horses in a race that is often to the death. When a girl enters for the first time to save her family, the game takes a new twist.

Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins ― In the first book of a trilogy, the government maintains tight control by demanding a harsh tribute of two children chosen by lottery from each territory who will fight in a televised gladiator game. Read my full review here.

Year of Wonders, by Geraldine Brooks ― I realize that a book about the plague could be a downer, but this book is ultimately uplifting as a young girl deals with the disintegration of her village when the plague hits in 1666.

Belle Prater's Boy, by Ruth White ― In a Virginia coal town in 1953, Belle Prater disappears. Her niece Gypsy is determined to discover what happened to Belle. As she digs deeper into family secrets with the help of Belle's son Woodrow, Gypsy also begins to deal with the loss of her own parent.

Banned Books

It is National Banned Books Week, which is held to celebrate the freedom to read what we want. This is the 30th anniversary of the event, organized by the American Library Association in support of our First Amendment rights of freedom of speech and freedom of the press. That doesn't mean you have to agree with what someone is saying, or that you have to allow your child to read a book that you deem inappropriate for their age. But it does mean that you can't prohibit everyone else from reading that book. Three books that found their way onto banned or restricted lists this year are below. For more banned book lists, or for more information about this week, click here.

The Curious Incident of the Dog
in the Night-Time
by Mark Haddon
Christopher John Francis Boone is an amazing 15-year-old. He can name all the countries of the world and he can manipulate numbers in his head with computer-like speed. But Christopher is autistic and has trouble understanding human emotions; he even carries a cheat sheet of facial expressions so he can comprehend his interactions with others. Only animals are easy for him to understand. When a neighbor's dog dies, Christopher is accused of the crime. He decides that he will follow in the footsteps of his hero, Sherlock Holmes, and find the true criminal. Curious Incident is a touching, funny, and insightful look at an autistic boy whose mind just works a little differently.
Removed from the Lake Fenton, Mich., summer reading program after parents complained about its “foul language.” (2004 - Knopf Doubleday)

The Hunger Games
by Suzanne Collins
I discovered the first of this trilogy a couple of years ago and was completely enthralled. Suzanne Collins imagines a future where the government maintains tight control over its 12 districts by demanding a harsh tribute of two children chosen by lottery from each territory who will fight in a televised gladiator game. Katniss offers to take her younger sister's place to fight to the death. She sees no other way except to join in the inhuman reality show, but will she lose her own humanity along the way? This is a searing look at our own modern world, and its fascination with violent games, reality television, and an occasional inability to see the danger in blindly following others. Look for the filmed version of this book in December.
Challenged and presented to the Goffstown, N.H., school board by a parent claiming that it gave her 11-year-old nightmares and could numb other students to the effects of violence. (2008 - Scholastic)

The Diary of a Young Girl
by Anne Frank
The ironic thing about this title being on a banned book list is that it is often held up as a warning against dictatorial societies that repress an individual's rights. The Nazis were well-known for banning and burning books that they deemed inappropriate, or that did not agree with the party line.
Anne Frank was not a paragon of virtue. Much like any other teenager throughout time, she struggled at that precipice between childhood and adulthood. But she went through her awkward teen years locked in an attic and in fear for her life and the lives of those she loved.
I would hate for anyone to read my early diaries. It literally makes me squirm to think about it ― all the earnest writings and over-the-top emotions. But Anne's diary shows her strength and her vulnerability in the face of situations that we all encounter, in a time that I hope we never live through again.
Challenged at the Culpeper County, Va., public schools by a parent requesting that her daughter not be required to read the book aloud. The director of instruction announced the edition published on the 50th anniversary of Frank’s death will not be used in the future despite the fact the school system did not follow its own policy for handling complaints. The remarks brought criticism and international attention to the school system. The superintendent said, however, that the book will remain a part of English classes. (1947 - Doubleday)

Not-So-Horrible History

This summer, my daughter and I went to the British Museum. It wasn't our first time there, so we had a very targeted idea of what we wanted to see. Amid all the incredible displays and stunning sculptures, what do you think made my 21-year-old jump up and down like a kid?

Well you're wrong. It was the display of Horrible Histories books in the bookshop.
The first time my daughter was in England, she was a 7-year-old who was just hitting the perfect age for gross-out humor and subversive ideas. She found her first Horrible Histories book at the Tower of London. It was Measly Middle Ages, and she begged for an entire selection of the series. Luckily, they were (and are) very cheap, so we scooped up several for the flight home. I am unashamed to say that I also read them on the plane, and was completely (and literally) engrossed by the time we landed back in the U.S.
The series, written by Terry Deary, is designed to engage and entertain while imparting facts and figures about history. The action is fast-paced and the illustrations by Martin Brown are hilarious. If you have a child who thinks history is boring, I promise you'll change his/her mind with any of these books. Or if you are an adult who forgot everything you once knew, these will make you laugh out loud while you re-learn. Just FYI, they aren't all about England. You'll find plenty of other world events in books like Groovy Greeks and Rotten Romans.
My daughter bought her way around England this summer, acquiring Smashing Saxons, Vicious Vikings, and more (luckily this time with her own money). I haven't yet told her that publisher Scholastic has branched out into new series and genres ― Murderous Maths, Horrible Geography, Horribly Famous, and the one I know will be on her holiday list, Horrible Science.
For more terrible fun, be sure to check out the Horrible Histories website here.

Oh, Bother!

Winnie the Pooh turned 90 on Aug. 21. The little stuffed bear with the sweet disposition has warmed hearts for years as he shared adventures with his friend Christopher Robin.

Of course I'm talking about the actual stuffed bear that A.A. Milne purchased from Harrods for his son and then used as inspiration for his popular books, the first of which debuted 86 years ago. The original Pooh is still on display in the New York City Public Library.
In all those years, the books themselves have charmed children around the world. They have been translated into 46 languages and the spin-off merchandise has netted nearly $5 billion dollars.
Ironically, the picture hasn't been quite as rosy for another Milne creation, this one launched by the writer's son Christopher Robin Milne. The same week that Pooh celebrated his birthday, The Harbour Bookshop in Dartmouth announced it was closing after 60 years in business. It was opened in 1951 by Christopher Robin and after his death in 1996 it was purchased by Rowland and Caroline Abram. The only independent bookstore in the English town, The Harbour Bookshop was hit hard by the economy and by chain bookstores, including the local grocery.
Rowland Abram also blames the publishing industry, accusing them of selling books at much lower margins to bigger retail groups.
I am, obviously, a huge consumer of books. I purchase them for gifts, for my own reading, and for local charities. I do have an original Barnes & Noble member card, and I have shopped in Borders (R.I.P.) and Books-A-Million. But I will always, without fail, search out an independent bookstore before I spend my cash. When I travel, I research what local bookstores are available before I even leave.
Independent stores are usually staffed with very knowledgeable and passionate readers, ready to find your next favorite book. The stores also stock unusual or short-run books, hidden gems that bigger stores don't carry.
So the moral of this Pooh story is ― please support your local independent bookstores whenever possible. It should be as important as the local-food movement has been. If you need help finding a store near you, check out the list I've compiled on the right. Or click on the Indie Bound link here. That site has a terrific store locator that will help you find just what you need.

Seuss on the Loose

I love Dr. Seuss books to this day - the cadence, the whimsy, the illustrations. It's the total package for children's literature. His books are my go-to gifts for any new parents.
This September, there will be a new book to add to the list - The Bippolo Seed and Other Lost Stories. The collection of stories by Theodor Geisel - aka Dr. Seuss - was originally published in Redbook magazine in the 1950s. A Random House publishing director was searching for Dr. Seuss materials on eBay when she came across a collector who claimed to have old magazine covers drawn by Geisel, as well as stories that hadn't been seen since they were originally printed in Redbook.
The publisher, named Cathy Goldsmith, was intrigued and purchased the publications. Goldsmith was the art director on several of the last Dr. Seuss books, and she collaborated with the collector on this new book that includes stories such as "The Bear, the Rabbit, and the Zinniga-Zanniga," "Gustav the Goldfish," and "Tadd and Todd."
As the Random House website says, it's "the literary equivalent of finding buried treasure."
I'll add this to my usual baby shower gift list ... but I'll also get a copy for myself.