Hello new readers! I have already received some e-mails about what you are currently reading-- love it. If you haven't commented/posted your current reading (you can do this at the bottom of each blog post where it says "comment"--just roll your mouse over the word and it should turn orange, then click on it), please do so. I'll be sure to put a list together this week of what everyone's reading and why they recommend it. 


For many of us, books are special because they represent that brief increment of time where you can devote yourself to reading-- not to work, not to family duties, etc. So, you want that book to be everything that you're currently looking for. That's why I'm really excited to get everyone commenting and talking-- tell me what you're reading and why you love it.

The first reader/post is from my beautiful grandmother in England and she has just finished: The Veiled Kingdom by Carmen Bin Laden. Yep, you heard me right. Carmen Bin Laden. Born in Europe and raised with Western values, Carmen married into the Bin Laden family and the Saudi Arabian culture. I'm visiting my grandmother in a few weeks and she is going to give me her copy. I'll read it and let you know what I think.

ON THAT NOTE. That reminds me of another reason why I'm very passionate about this blog. Some of my greatest memories revolve around books-- I'm known for giving my books away constantly (I write my name and the date on the title page, so that when the book finally returns to me I know how long it's been gone.) And I love books and I feel that lending out your favorite book really is a wonderful thing.

I can remember one of my best friends from Texas was appropriately nicknamed "Philosopher" (his real name was Josh). The day I left to move to California, he gave me a copy of The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. He told me someone had given it to him, that he wanted me to read it, then immediately give it away to someone else. It is one of my all time favorite books. And it's just the sort of book that needs to be passed on-- it's inspirational and absolutely beautiful. I have purchased numerous copies of the book over the past 6 years, and I have dutifully handed them off after re-reading them.

I'm going to begin with 10 books for my female readers. (My next blog will feature 10 great books for my guy readers, then after that the reading lists will be co-ed, I promise.) There are so many wonderful women in my life. And many of them have forwarded their favorite books on to me over the years. I, in turn, have read them and loved them. Listed below are 10 books that were suggested to me. I think you should consider them if you're looking for a book, ladies. Enjoy.


10 GREAT BOOKS FOR WOMEN (In no specific order)


1) THE RED TENT by Anita Diamant
My cousin Dawn gave this book to my Mom, who read it and gave it to me. It was so good that I read it in two days. I sat for six hours at one point. (This was during Christmas vacation, when six straight hours were available to me.) Every woman should read this book. It's intense, spiritual, heart breaking, and it makes you realize how important the women in your life are. Read it.


2) A ROOM WITH A VIEW by E.M. Forster
I really can't remember who first handed this book off to me. I've read it so many times that the binding can hardly keep the pages together. It's a very leisurely book, something lovely for a plane flight. It's a classic.


3) EAT PRAY LOVE by Elizabeth Gilbert
There was a period of time last summer when EVERYWHERE I WENT there was a woman reading this book. It was like when Harry Potter first came out. I think I didn't read it on purpose for a long time because EVERYONE was reading it... But, it was everywhere, so finally I picked up a copy.

It's so enjoyable. Elizabeth's trip to Italy, India, & Indonesia help her to get through a terrible divorce and she begins to finally do that important thing-- which is to find out who she really is and what she really wants in life. I have handed my copy off to my aunt Robin. (I hope she's reading it.)

I knew I was going to enjoy this when the author, in the beginning of her book, compares her type of loving to somewhere between "a golden retriever and a barnacle"-- which hit home with me... I immediately felt connected to her. Read this in the carpool line, those 30 minutes before bed, and when you can't sleep so you're drinking that medicinal second glass of wine. Wonderful and fun.


4) THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL by Philippa Gregory
Okay, this author has written about a gazillion books since this-- most of which I've read-- don't bother with the other titles, but do read this one. SKIP THE FILM. The film is terrible, and soooooo does not give this book justice. It's all about fiery Anne Boleyn, her sister Mary, and Henry VIII. It reads like a historical romance novel--which means it's a trashy yet classy girly novel with some history (so you don't feel so wrong about reading it). Sooo good. Read whenever. Wherever. Not a classic, but you won't be able to put it down.


5) THE HISTORIAN by Elizabeth Kostova
I have just given this book to my mother. This book just glared at me from a shelf one day, and I gave in. It's the grown up version of a vampire novel-- but reads like real life. It's brilliantly written, and absolutely fascinating. You won't find anything Twilight-esque in this book. It creates a world of historians and professors who find themselves asking "what if Dracula is still alive?" AWESOME.


6) A LOTUS GROWS IN THE MUD by Goldie Hawn
My good friend Mary gave me this book. If you love Goldie Hawn (and who doesn't)-- read this. It's enjoyable from beginning to end and makes you realize that everyone's life is filled with beauty, love, hard times, bloopers, giggles, and times of perserverance. Lovely.


7) THE AWAKENING by Kate Chopin
I first read this book as required reading in high school. I have told many friends to read it. It's about a married woman in New Orleans in the late 1800s and her fight with social standards-- who to love, who to be, and if you can leave it all behind to be free. It's terribly good and not all that happy, but it's a must read. If you like soap operas at all, read this.


8) THE ALCHEMIST by Paulo Coelho
This is a quick read and will be in your life forever. It needs no explanation. Read it.


9) 100 YEARS OF SOLITUDE by Nobel Prize winner Gabriel Garcia Marquez
My best friend and I argue about which book is better--100 Years of Solitude or Love in the Time of Cholera. They are both incredible, but I'm going to recommend 100 years first. Marquez is known for his style of "magical realism"-- it chronicles 100 years in a fictional town-- all about family, love, loss, and fantasy. Brilliant.

10) I FEEL BAD ABOUT MY NECK by Nora Ephron
This book is nothing short of kick-ass-awesome. You heard me. Quick, fun, and for women of all ages. Read it, read it, read it. And who doesn't love Nora Ephron????


And those are my first 10 recommendations! Let me know what you think.

Have you read one of these books and didn't like it? Did you love it too?

What books would you add in a must-read list for women?

And for my male readers-- please send me your favorite book of all time. I'm planning a very interesting list for the boys-- so please send me your input!

And if you prefer to email me your thoughts instead of commenting on this page, you can email me at: dvbfreeparking@yahoo.com!  ALSO, I just found out that previously you had to be a registered google user in order to comment on this page-- I have disabled that function so that you can comment without having to be registered--so now that there are no excuses, I'm going to expect lots of comments!!!


Thank you so much for reading.

"I wish you well and so I take my leave,
I Pray you know me when we meet again."
William Shakespeare