451 Fridays

451 Fridays is based on an idea from Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. In his novel, a group of people (Bradbury calls them Book People) are trying to keep the ideas found in books alive. Instead of actually saving the books, the Book People each "become" a book - memorizing it, word for word, and passing it down to the next generation.

451 Fridays asks what books you feel passionate about. What book do you think is so important that you would be willing to take on the challenge of "becoming"?

Today, I am thrilled to welcome the lovely and talented Ruth to 451 Fridays. Her blog was one of the first I discovered when I started this blogging thing, and she's always reading something that sounds fabulous. She also hosts a weekly event called Quotable, where she shares old and new quotes that she has enjoyed in her reading. She blogs at Bookish Ruth - if you don't read her blog, you should!

What 5 books do you believe are important enough to be saved, and why?

The Story Girl by L.M. Montgomery. This was my first experience with L.M. Montgomery's writing and to say I was enchanted by this book is putting it mildly. How I wished for such an imaginative friend as Sara Stanley to tell me stories!

The Complete Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I'm saving them all because I can't bear to choose between them. While I don't often re-read books, I've read all of the Sherlock Holmes stories multiple times and never tire of them. Holmes is such a complex and iconic character -- brilliant but flawed, always ready with an astute observation or flippant retort, cold at times but never cruel. And dear Watson, unwaveringly loyal, the perfect foil for Holmes.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. This is such an honest, poignant and inspiring story; one of those rare books that changed the way I looked at the world.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. I simply can't imagine Christmas without Ebenezer Scrooge, Marley's Ghost, Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. This book is timeless. Clever dialogue, dynamic characters, and an outstanding romance. What woman doesn't want her own Mr. Darcy?

Of those 5, which book would you choose to "become"?

It's so hard to choose, but I think I would pick A Tree Grows in Brooklyn because of the impact it had on me the first time I read it. The header on my blog contains part of a quotation from this book: "The world was hers for the reading." I think that's such an eloquent description of the magic of reading. You can go anywhere, see anything; there really are no limits to what you can discover through reading.

Do you have any favorite quotes from that book, so we know why you love it so much?

"From that time on, the world was hers for the reading. She would never be lonely again, never miss the lack of intimate friends. Books became her friends and there was one for every mood."

"And he asked for her whole life as simply as he'd ask for a date. And she promised away her whole life as simply as she'd offer a hand in greeting or farewell."

"Let me be something every minute of every hour of my life. Let me be gay; let me be sad. Let me be cold; let me be warm. Let me be hungry...have too much to eat. Let me be ragged or well dressed. Let me be sincere--be deceitful. Let me be truthful; let me be a liar. Let me be honorable and let me sin. Only let me be something every blessed minute. And when I sleep, let me dream all the time so that not one little piece of living is ever lost."

Ruth, thank you so much for taking the time to share with us YOUR list of books which must be saved. Next week, Amy from My Friend Amy will be sharing her list. If you would like to participate, send me an email and we will chat!