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This is my bookshelf.
Here is a snippet of what’s on it, ten at a time.
A Family Daughter (2006) by Maile Meloy
Half in Love (2002) by Maile Meloy
Both Ways Is the Only Way I Want It (2009) by Maile Meloy
Liars and Saints (2003) by Maile Meloy
Paradise Lost (1667) by John Milton
Gone with the Wind (1936) by Margaret Mitchell
Beloved (1987) by Toni Morrison
The Bluest Eye (1970) by Toni Morrison
Three Cups of Tea (2007) by Greg Mortsenson
Reading Lolita in Tehran (2003) by Azar Nafisi
This section includes some of my very favorites, including novelist Maile Meloy’s work, and Azar Nafisi’s touching literary memoir. Which have you read?
The Bookshelf of Emily J. 
Reblogged this on oshriradhekrishnabole.
🙂
Interesting selections. What is “Liars and Saints” about beside what the title says, which I love?
It is about a family, one that has ups and downs, and I think is set in San Francisco, but I might be misremembering and conflating it with an Anne Tyler novel. Anyway, that isn’t much of a description, but that’s really what it is about. Isn’t that what everything is about? 🙂
True. I wish folks could better understand that you cannot compare yourself to the spit-polished Facebook version. We are the proverbial ducks on the water, calm above, but paddling like heck beneath. Thanks for the summary.
Well said! Facebook is artifice.
I hadn’t read any of the first half of your list but all of the second half except Three Cups of Tea. I don’t want to read that one after the bit scandal, though. I think you’ll really enjoy Reading Lolita in Tehran.
I’ve already read all of these, and I LOVED Reading Lolita in Tehran. What a wonderful book.
My first thought was it was right up your alley!
🙂
I got Reading Lolita in Tehran after seeing your review! I too decided not to read Three Cups of Tea after the allegations…
My sister read three cups of tea. I’ve not read any of those, only started Gong With the Wing in sixth grade and set it aside for Red Blazer Girls. Would you reccommend finishing it?
I haven’t read either of those. But I don’t think you should have to finish a book that you don’t like!
Well, that was two and a half years ago, so it was harder for me then. Maybe I’ll revisit it.
I have not read any Maile Meloy – I guess I will have to fix that!
Do you have to have read Lolita to appreciate Reading Lolita in Tehran?
No, you don’t! Good question. I read Lolita after I read this, and it still made perfect sense.
Good to know! 🙂
I love books so much. Please share 🙂
Me too!
I’ve read the two Tony Morrison’s novels and Mamma Day that I could see picking…
Yes! Mama Day will be highlighted next time. I love Gloria Naylor!
I’ve read Paradise Lost, but it’s been a few years. Beyond the oft-quoted “better to reign in hell . . . ” line, nothing jogs my memory of it. I suppose that means its time I re-read it.
I read it a few years ago, but I could stand to reread it again. I think it is one of those that you can read over and over and always see something new.
This is great!
Thanks!
Meloy is on my TBR list, haven’t yet tackled Paradise Lost. Love Toni Morrison, but really feel the need to reread the ones I’ve read and then the others she has published. Just recently learned there was scandal surrounding Mortsenson… 😦 I still want to read this though. Slogged halfway through Reading Lolita in Tehran and left it for later. That was about 4 years ago. I’ll pick it up again in the future, just now sure when! 🙂 I don’t know if it just wasn’t a good read for that point in time, or what. And, one of my favorite books ever, GWTW!! Am participating in a read-along now. This is the 6th or 7th time I have read this book. I absolutely love it and am reminded that regardless of the fact it is a very long book, I feel every single word is essential and necessary to the story! And what a saga it is! I always felt it to be an accurate depiction of the southern U.S.–it’s rise and fall. I read your review–I absolutely adore the ending! 😉 Having just completed reading One Day by David Nicholls, I can see similarities between the two couples. Just because Scarlett has finally grown up somewhat, doesn’t mean Rhett hasn’t had it with her!! At least at that point in time.
I would love to reread GWTW. That was such a fun read the first time around. I hope you enjoy Meloy!
[sigh] These posts are too much fun. One day I might have to steal the idea for my own blog.
I’m glad you like them. Steal away! Imitation is the highest form of flattery, right?
Browsing the new books at the library today, I notice Stephanie Kallos has a new book out!
Oh! Oh! Oh! Thanks for telling me. 🙂
Reblogged this on elmerizing and commented:
after seeing this, i’m so inspired in starting my own book shelf.
I hope you do!
I haven’t read any of the Meloy, Milton, or Mitchell, but I’ve read and love the second half of these. Toni Morrison always has a point to make and I love her prose. I could care less about the scandal around Three Cups, the story is a good one despite that. And Reading Lolita in Tehran was a life changer for me. Definitely my favorite of this group by far. I actually took the reading list from this book and read them all with a mind to what it would feel like to read in secret and how different Lolita would seem in a culture where women and girls are given in marriage so young and by arrangement. I think Lolita ceases to be a creepy American tale and begins to say different things in that context. Anyway, very very interesting book. Kudos Nafisi!
I’m sneaking in here, Emily, but I just wanted to thank Denise for giving me a totally different perspective on Reading Lolita in Tehran! I bet that makes a difference when I decide to tackle it again in the future! Thank you! (Sorry, Emily! :))
Sneak in all you want! 🙂
I love what you have said about Reading Lolita in Tehran as well. Nafisi is amazing, and I wish I were as smart as she is. I would love to read all the books she did with her circumstances in mind. Thanks for the perspective!
The only one that I’ve read from the list is Gone with the Wind. I still haven’t seen the movie version of it, but I want to watch it sometime.
I think I saw the movie a really long time ago. I remember enjoying the book more.
Reblogged this on keopibougeotte and commented:
Arrangement of books is awesome. Different mindset. 🙂
Thanks for the reblog!