When I first began this blog, I wasn't sure where I wanted to go with it. I knew I wanted to write and engage people, but where my niche was, I wasn't quite sure. And today, it came to me. FREE PARKING now means take those $10 you just saved because the parking was free and go buy yourself a book. Any book.

Don't become a hermit-- that is not what FREE PARKING is about. Besides my professor friends who teach English Literature or the Classics, it isn't possible to read numerous books a week. HOWEVER, read a book ever two weeks and come here to my blog and discuss it with me. That's my hope. I would love it and enjoy it if you decided to be a resident FREE PARKING reader.

I read a book a week. It's my secret pleasure. And I read everything. I've currently been reading a string of biographies that have just made my life all the better. It's wonderful to read about people's ups and downs and truly see how life is what you make it-- and those miracles and mistakes you make along the way are truly a part of what make you, you.

Some biographies/autobiographies that I would highly recommend would be:

1) WALT DISNEY the Triumph of the American Imagination by Neal Gabler
This is one of the most enjoyable books I've read in a while. Inspirational and fun.
I could not put it down.

2) A LOTUS GROWS IN THE MUD by Goldie Hawn
Great book for women and their daughters. Enjoyable throughout.

3) Kiss Me Like A Stranger: My Search for Love and Art by Gene Wilder.
I loved this book-- I picked it up at a growing/emotional period in my life. If you are an artist, read it.

4) DEAR FATTY by Dawn French
If you love this fabulous fabulous woman Dawn French aka The Vicar of Dibley--read this. She writes out her life story via letters to people-- hilarious, endearing, and you can read it in two days. Buy it.


Those are my recommendations for biographies. At the moment, I'm reading:

Citizen Hearst by W.A. Swanberg, which is the complete history of William Randolph Hearst. So far, it's incredibly interesting (because Mr. Hearst was terribly brilliant), but the book has so much factual data in regards to his newspapers, exact business transactions, etc. that it's taking a while to get through. I'm going to say upfront, that unless you enjoy 500 pages of info-- just rent a juicy documentary on Hearst and don't trudge through this. I find him fascinating, so I shall continue to trudge...

And the other book is:

AMERICAN EVE and the CRIME OF THE CENTURY (Evelyn Nesbit, Stanford White, The Birth of the "It" Girl" ) by Paula Uruburu. So far, this book has been beyond fascinating and tantalizing. I have not been able to put it down. It's about a girl and a crime that shook New York City in the early 1900s and I had never even heard of it-- worth the read.

Now, that is just the realm of biographies.

I love all books.

I have enjoyed everything from the classics (what girl doesn't love Jane Austen?) to about-to-be-cult classics (okay, I read all four books in the Twilight series and I have to admit, I skipped a day of work to finish one. Edward Cullen is a masterpiece, even if the writing itself is not.)

I never leave for a trip without one of JD Salinger's books in my backpack.

When I'm lost, I pick up one of Paulo Coelho's books and I'm transported and spiritually fulfilled.

When I'm content in life-- I read Gabriel Garcia Marquez because he takes me to a different world entirely.

I'll even go ahead and recommend The Princess Bride by William Goldman. It's just as fun as the movie and it makes me happy.

I will follow this post with some of my absolute favorites books including plays and poetry. (Let the reading of Tom Stoppard begin.)

I'll also include a list of books that I couldn't read if you paid me (I'm sorry Mr. Heller, by I couldn't get through CATCH-22).

I plan to read a book a week. Everything from best sellers to classics to cook books. Please feel free to comment on this blog--

1) Tell me your favorite books.

2) What books you'd never recommend, which ones have been surprising.

3) Tell me if books are used as coasters in your house and nothing more (then I will kindly and sweetly direct you to something you might like, without judgment.)

4) If you're looking for a book, post what you like and I'll recommend something that might be that perfect book for you.

That's FREE PARKING. Tell your friends! And before I leave you for the evening, (and I do promise hilarity and fun-filled anecdotes on my next post, because really, readers, I know that's what you love most about me)-- I am going to plug two writers that are worth checking out.

"THE TIGER'S WIFE" by Tea Obreht.
This book will be available to the public next Christmas. You can pre-order it on Amazon.com. I was fortunate enough to get a manuscript and it is INCREDIBLE. It's sure to be on the top of Oprah's reading list next Christmas. Check it out on Amazon.

If you're into Science Fiction, check out anthologies that include Jonathan Shipley-- his stories mix mysticism and outer space and are worth the read.

That's it for tonight! I hope everyone is enjoying their Labor Day Weekend!

Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow,
That I shall say good night till it be morrow.
Romeo & Juliet