Nonfiction Book: Infidel (Aayan Hirsi Ali)
This book is incredibly compelling. It chronicles the author's youth growing up in the Middle East and Africa, her escape to the Netherlands to apply for political asylum, and her work in Dutch government. It reads like a novel, but it's based entirely on the author's life experience. It concludes with a really powerful dialogue about family, religion and citizenship.
Children's Book: The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes (Du Bose Heyward)
This was my favorite book as a child. The illustrations are beautiful, and the story is really powerful. In the book, the mother bunny works toward becoming the Easter Bunny while taking care of 21 children at home. The message is that young women can follow their dreams and have a family. Surprisingly, this modern feminist tale was written in 1939.
Classic Novel: The Great Gatsby (F. Scott Fitzgerald)
Fitzgerald is such an incredible writer. I love the way he sets a scene; I can always visualize his characters in specific detail. I was immediately hooked on Daisy Buchanan the first time I read the book, and I have a continuing love affair with the 1920s. A classic that will always be in our collection.
Gifted Book: Jonathan Livingston Seagull (Richard Bach)
My dad got me this book when I was in high school. It's a fable about self-discovery and the pursuit of knowledge. The depths of this book are staggering. I continue to pick up on new themes and nuances each time I read it.
i love the great gatsby ... i actually can't wait for the movie about it to come out =) thanks for sharing the others, i'll have to check them out!
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