When we asked everyone about the book they’d carry around with them for our When You Reach Me Contest, I expected a lot of very different answers. I didn’t expect the same book to show up three times (well, two-and-a-half).
Andrea – There are a few contenders for this honor, but I’d have to say A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving tops the short list because I love the characters and there’s such a range of emotion in the book. It sounds trite but the story made me laugh and cry and experience all manner of feelings in between. I was truly sad when I’d finished. I was introduced to the book by a college friend who sat up late nights and spent many a rainy afternoon in some dorm room or other reading aloud to me and another friend of ours. We listened like two children at storytime. Great memories!
Vickie – I always talk about my top 10 books ever read. sometimes a new one will pop in, but never leaving #1 is A Prayer for Owen Meany. This book took me on an emotional roller coaster ride. I laughed out loud, (many many times) I was mad and annoyed at some of the characters at times, but i will never forget having a storm of tears like i have never had before reading a book of fiction. John Irving was so complete in his descriptions of his characters. His use of foreshadowing was outstanding. (and I am not an English major!)
I have probably purchased this book 2 or 3 times, because i never seem to get the book back! that’s how much i loved this book.
Pam – What book would I carry around with me forever and read a hundred times….That’s a toughie since I rarely read a book a second time although I keep most of them, just in case. You know what book I reread every year – The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. I love that story and have loved it since I was a little kid. I think if I could only ever have one book with me, that would probably be it. Although, I’d have to say that A Prayer for Owen Meany would have to be a close second…
All of this love for John Irving came at a very appropriate time… I just started Irving’s new novel Last Night in Twisted River, which has been getting wonderful early reads from booksellers. I’ll be telling you more about that book closer to October 27, when it goes on sale.
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(all information is for the U.S. editions).
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Andrea Serra
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Andrea Serra
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Dusie
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Dusie
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http://www.kimwerker.com Kim Werker
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http://www.kimwerker.com Kim Werker
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http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Michael Kindness
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http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Michael Kindness
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Debbie
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Debbie
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http://bkclubcare.wordpress.com Care
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http://bkclubcare.wordpress.com Care
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http://blackbedsidetable.org Alex
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http://blackbedsidetable.org Alex
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