I love quotes. I love copying beautiful poems or just sayings from books that for some reason stand out for me, especially if I find them in the most obscure places. I have notebooks full of scribbles scattered all about the house. Here are a few of my favorites things within the books that have somehow touched me...
The Master and Margarita - This is one of the most beautiful stories ever written. It was difficult to read in that the names were Russian and I had a hard time keeping them straight, but the story is magnificent. It opens with Pontius Pilate washing his hands and essentially sealing his fate along with Christ's. And then the ending...beautiful. My favorite quote was this one: Satan is speaking to his collected guests when Margarita is allowed to make one wish and she chooses something for another, not for herself. He says "I am talking about mercy. It sometimes unexpectedly and slyly creeps through the narrowest cracks."
The Elegance of the Hedgehog - There was so much in this book. So so much. For this moment, I'm choosing this quote but this book is so worth the time to read it slowly and patiently: "...for art is emotion without desire..."
The Velveteen Rabbit - My daughter has a bear who has become very 'real' because real doesn't necessarily mean beautiful.
Cloud Atlas - Another great one - also difficult to read. Here's my favorite quote: "Our lives are not our own. We are bound to others, past and present, and by each crime and every kindness, we birth our future.”
The Secret Scripture - Just a beautiful story - very difficult to read for me so I actually listened to it on audio. The Irish produce some seriously talented writers.
Dracula In Love - Any story having to do with Dracula is good for me. This one combined Fey lore with Dracula - absolutely gorgeous. I'd love a second installment with Mina and Dracula in the years to come.
The Story of O - OK, what can I say? This is like a bible for BDSM. It's absolute elegance, completely erotic, the most sensual book ever written.
The Fever Series (by Karen Marie Moning) just because. Jericho Barrons is the perfect man...
The Four Agreements - I first heard about this at a yoga teacher training and the book outlines four little things you can do to simplify your life. Here they are: be impeccable with your word, don't take anything personally, don't make assumptions and always do your best.
Phantom (Susan Kay) - I love The Phantom of the Opera and in this version, Christine's true love is the Phantom, not Raul. That is a more beautiful end.
That's my list at the moment, but it is constantly changing. What books have stayed with you and why?
16 comments:
I loved The Master and Margarita too! Although, I didn't have the issue of keeping their names straight. Possibly because I read it in Russian. Heh.
Love it! It's nice to see these.
Well, Story of O definitely stayed with me. I agreed with every single word you said about it.
Since you listed several items I'm unfamiliar with, it looks like I have some reading to do today:)
Great list!
I've only read two of those, is that weird?? I'll have to check out the rest!
Love your list!! Four of them I hadn't heard of before, but I'll have to look into them! :) I also totally stole your idea for the blog post on this. I love the fav books being explained!
And I have to read the Story of O. Even my vanilla friends have read that one. I'm totally out of the loop. ;)
That is amazing to me - the Russian thing I mean. And that you've read that book. My FIL tried to read it - poor man - he spent his entire vacation trying to get through the book to figure out some part of me I guess. Bless him. He hated the book!
I want to see your list!!
What are yours?
Nope, not at all. I want to see your list.
I told James he needed to read Story of O too - maybe you can read it to him out loud. One stone, two birds and all... You'll likely have to take breaks though ;)
Lina Sacher listed her 3 top books and I piggy backed on her idea so hey - it's just sharing, not stealing!! I loved you post.
Some books for me to look up! If you like Dracula stories - have you read The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova?
Thanks for sharing this Natasha, I've only read snippets of Story of O and haven't read the others so will have to check them out. Some great quotes!
Hugs,
Roz
I just googled it and am putting it on my Kindle! Sounds like it's just up my alley!! Thanks Jaye.
hmm, I have only read the Velveteen Rabbit. Looks like I have some books to check out!
I love reading what books other people enjoy and why they are important to them. Thanks for sharing this list in this format.
Great list, Natasha! I'll have to look up a few of them...
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