The October 11, 2012 posting on this blog prompted a few people to send emails regarding the list. One person sent a list of twenty-six books which were among her favorites. Of the twenty-six book, I had read seven only.
At some point, and on a future (2013) posting, I will address her list (and those of others who forward their lists). I am already thinking about how I might play with it. So, stay tuned.
For now, let me mention the seven books I have read, and add several obvious recommendations.
Willa Cather, My Antonia, reprinted in Early Novels and Stories, edited by Sharon O'Brien (New York: Library of America, 1987).
Tracy Chevalier, Girl With a Pearl Earring (New York: Dutton, 2000).
Ralph Helfer, Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant (New York: HarperCollins, 1997) (appears on a earlier posting).
Sue Monk Kidd, The Secret Life of Bees: A Novel (New York: Viking 2002) (appears on a earlier posting).
Barbara Kingsolver, Barbara, Prodigal Summer (New York: HarperCollins, 2000).
Jack Kornfield, A Path With Heart: A Guide Through the Perils and Promises of Spiritual Life (New York: Bantam Books, 1993) (appears on a earlier posting).
Caroline Myss, Anatomy of the Spirit: The Seven Stages of Power and Healing (New York: Harmony Books, 1996) (appears on a earlier posting).
In addition to the other pieces in the Willa Cather text listed above, I would also recommend the following from Cather and Kingsolver:
Willa Cather, Later Novels, edited by Sharon O'Brien (New York: Library of America, 1990) (From The Garden Lodge, "There were two things she feared even more than poverty; the part of one that sets up an idol and the part of one that bows down and worships it." Id. at 52.).
Willa Cather, Stories, Poems, and Other Writings, edited by Sharon O'Brien (New York: Library of America, 1992).
Barbara Kingsolver, Animal Dreams (Cutchogue, NY: Buccaneer Books, 1990).
Barbara Kingsolver, The Bean Tree (Tenth Anniversary Edition)(New York: HarperFlamingo, 1998).
Barbara Kingsolver, High Tide in Tucson: Essays From Nowhere (New York: HarperCollins, 1995).
Barbara Kingsolver, Homeland and Other Stories (Cutchogue, NY: Buccaneer Books, 1989).
Barbara Kingsolver, The Lacuna: A Novel (New York: Harper 2009).
Barbara Kingsolver, Pigs in Heaven (New York: HarperCollins, 1993).
Barbara Kingsolver, The Poisonwood Bible (New York: HarperFlamingo, 1998) ("'Don't try to make life a mathematics problem with yourself in the center and everything coming out equal. When you are good, bad things can still happen, And if you are bad, you can still be lucky.'" "The power is in the balance: we are our injuries, as much as we are our successes." Id. at 496.).
Barbara Kingsolver, Small Wonder (New York: HarperCollins, 2002).
