Mel's My Fav Books

Mel's blog Good Yeah is a another new one that I have been following and I really enjoy reading Mel's honest an open writing and her positivity in the face of tragedy really inspires me. I think you should all pop over there (after you've finished reading this post that is!) and show her some blog love, she totally deserves it!

In her own words -

I started the blog after my 13 year old son died suddenly, and I needed a way to process my thoughts and feelings. I love the way I can incorporate mutlimedia and internet goodness into my blog, and the way that I can 'talk' to my readers without worrying if I'm boring or depressing them (they can choose to read or not). My blog has been such a great part of my grieving process, and I am well and truly hooked!

Where is your favourite place to read? In your bed, on the lounge? Somewhere nice outside?  

I love to read in a nice warm, comfortable spot (in summer, in a hammock in the shade; in winter, on the lounge in the sun). But the place I read most often is in bed. It's not so bad. At night I tend to fall asleep after a couple of pages (unless the book is REALLY great), but I do like spending an hour or two on Sunday morning reading there while everyone else is still asleep.

We all know the old adage, 'You can't judge a book by it's cover', but how true do you believe that really is? And, if you can remember (no pressure here, if you can't think of one) what is your fav book cover? Do you have a fav?

I don't really have a favourite, but I do tend to go for the books with good covers. Ben Elton has had some great covers over the years, as has Stephen King.

Tomorrow, When the War Began - John Marsden (and the 6 more books in the series).

I discovered this series late. I have always liked John Marsden's work (in fact, he's one of the people who inspire me), but strangely enough, it was only 2 years ago that I picked up the first book in the series. I was instantly hooked and devoured the next 6 in quick succession. Even though it's teen fiction, there are great characters, and enough suspense, drama and story in it to make it great reading for adults too.

Magician - Raymond E Feist (and the multiple-book saga that follows it).

The first three books in this series are books I can read again and again and again. I was never a big fan of fantasy fiction until I read this series. I'm still not, but I love the weird combination of dragons, aliens, magicians and royal intrigue. Great stuff!

The Stand - Stephen King.

This book is nowhere near as gross as some of his other books, but I love the story. It's nasty and creepy and political; one of those books that makes you wonder about where humanity's going. It's probably a bit outdated now (it was written in the 70s), but I'm *just* old enough to understand the pop culture and other references.

Gridlock - Ben Elton.

Ben Elton is one of my favourite writers (his TV shows as well as his novels). I love his warped sense of humour and the way that his green sensibilites creep into everything he does. This is my favourite of all his novels. I love the surprises that happen all the way through, and the 'almost' happy ending.

It took me a long time to decide on a 5th. I had thought about Jodi Picoult or Roald Dahl (definitely my favourite children's author), but in the end I decided on:

A Walk in the Woods - Bill Bryson

This was the book that introduced me to both Bill Bryson and the joys of reading non-fiction. It's a great story, and Bill has such a great sense of humour. Thanks to this book, I am now a avid reader of travel fiction, and Bill Bryson books.