Possibly the first time in 5 years that I haven't bought a science-fiction, Discworld or political book. - Anika

You are a Pratchett fan? Again, I knew I liked you. - Heather Solos

Yes I am. Learned of him on a trip. I brought 4 books with me to a weeklong trip to Jamaica, finished them by day 3. Went to the gift shop and picked The Fifth Elephant. Hooked. It was manic how I ran through those Discworld Novels, but I own every single one f them except 5 of the kid's ones. - Anika

That's a great idea. PS 4 Past Midnight, ranks right with The Stand in my favorite King books - Steve C

Nice grouping! (I think I might have at least three of those books in the same exact edition - weird!) - Jennifer Dittrich

All these books were less than $20. I could have probably gotten them cheaper at a used bookstore, but they would probably would have been in less better the condition. The hardbacks in this place were pristine and they had a huge selection. - Anika

My reasoning for the classics: Even though we were a family of readers as kids, our bookshelf was solely my mother's. It was full of training manuals, self-help books, hadiths and Qu'rans. I always felt lacking because if I had known we were going to read certain books in high school, I would have done so in elementary. Now I own them so my kid's can read them before they're forced to. - Anika

Nice selection and I co-sign your logic. My daughter has already read "Ann of Green Gables" & "Little Women." and sundry others. I'm introducing her to "The Langston Hughes Reader" this summer with "Invisible Man" in the wings. I read Siddhartha a couple of years ago. Really enjoyed it. Tried to read The Inferno when I was around my daughter's age (10). May try it again now that you remind me. Thanks! - MASTER OF THE OBVIOUS

The Inferno is a good read.. This one I bought for the kids so they don't mess up my nice, illustrated one. Same with Othello. I own too many of Shakespeare's plays over and over again, but they're all hardcover and many are in compilations. - Anika

Oh with Steve C, the Stand is one of my favorite SK books. I also like the short story bit he did with the gunslinger alternate world traveling topic. I still am unable to get the vision of the giant sand crab description out of my brain. Have you read any later Koontz books? Odd Thomas series is great. - Janet

Funny you mention the Odd Thomas books. I did read Odd Thomas long ago and had no idea it was a series until I went to the library yesterday. I almost checked one of them out and decided against it. When I got to the Salvation Army, it was funny to see that they had all of the Odd Thomas books in hardback and paperback. - Anika

The first Odd and third Odd were my favorites. 2nd and 4th were just okay. I am reading an old Koontz book, title escapes me, but the water tower scene will never leave my being EVER! - Janet

I'm reading The Dark Tower books by SK. Busy reading volume IV. - Rutger Blom

I was just thinking last week that I want to reread Lord of the Flies. Trouble is, I can't remember if I already own it so I'm stuck till I get my books out of storage. Plus, when I read LotF, that always makes me wanna read A Brave New World too. Which is also in storage. - pea ♥ fierce as a woozle

Who has time to read?! I'm on friendfeed!!! - sean808080

Read them to me Anika. k? - Brian Ginn

Sure, Brian. I'll make videos. Then probably get sued by the publishers. LOL - Anika

Anika - Pratchett's kids books are really good! Especially the more recent ones. You've just reminded me that I haven't been to the local Goodwill store in a while to check out the book selection. It is usually small, but I've found some good stuff there in the past. - Katy S

Anika, I see you have Jane Eyre there. Look out for Jasper Fforde's 'The Eyre Affair'. I have a feeling you are going to love it. - Kate Foy

yay - anna sauce

OK - I'm really curious - Which Little Golden Books do you have there in your stack? - Katy S

You get props for the Jane Eyre there :) - Colette

The Little Golden books are all ones I'd never heard of before. Don't give me props on Eyre. I detest that book and all of the Bronte sisters. I only got it because it will be a school read. I will try to read it again, though. - Anika from fftogo

Anika, that's why you should read 'The Eyre Affair' - hilarious stuff. - Kate Foy

SK FTW! - Rahsheen ™, Coach of FF

I enjoyed The Eyre Affair, seconding the suggestion. - Heather Solos

I like Jane Eyre - and I liked it when I was young - but I appreciated it much more when I re-read it for a grad class when I was 25 or 26. I really like CB's Shirley and sister Anne's The Tenent of Wildfell Hall. But then, I have a thing for gothic fiction from that era. I keep meaning to read Wide Saragasso Sea by Jean Rhys, which is often taught alongside Jane Eyre. It's from Bertha's point of view and deals with the issues of labeling the Caribbean woman as "mad." - Katy S

fwiw, I think that there are a number of books taught during middle school and high school that kids aren't ready to read/appreciate and that this turns them off reading. It's really unfortunate since there are so many good books written for this age group that just aren't used in many schools. - Katy S

I agree, Katy. I certainly wasn't ready for Crime and Punishment in high school! - Ladybug Heather

I finally forced myself to read the Bronte novels and Austen's. Even though I've always been a voracious reader I could not get into them until just a few years ago. Even now, I call them my literary Valium and keep a copy on the nightstand. - Heather Solos

Austen - I'm always conflicted when it comes to her novels. I think she wrote fabulous dialogue, but the other parts don't excite me. I do think Northanger Abbey is amusing as a mock gothic, though. Both Austen and the Brontes wrote books that are great examples of specific genres from particular periods, but they aren't for everyone. Despite of all my formal education, I'm not very good at being a book snob. :-) - Katy S

Heather, I feel like I should like them, but to me Austen is just trash. Katy is right, the dialogue is good though. I like *seeing* Austen's work vs. reading it as long as it's not a period piece. Don't enjoy watching most period films. - Anika

Go Anika! - Shevonne

The Little Golden Books I got were "The Giant Who Wanted Company", "The Good-by Day" and "The Rabbit is Next". The last one I bought only because the title and the cover. - Anika

I finally got around to reading The Good-by Day to the kids last night. Sad. It's about a little girl moving away from her best friend. Everyone was depressed by the end of that story. - Anika