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 have the privilege of welcoming Amy, from My Friend Amy, to 451 Fridays. I think her blog might be the very first one I ever started reading - I am almost positive it's the first one I ever commented on. I'm not sure there is anyone friendlier in the blogging world, and she is the host of a whole variety of cool things - most especially, Book Blogger Appreciation Week, which is an awesome event.


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

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
It's one of my favorite books of all time and is just the kind of story we need to have around for as long as possible. I fell in love with it and became obsessed with the Brontes for a short while after reading it. I mean really. Plus, it's miles better than Wuthering Heights. Not that we're comparing books here. :)

Mere Christianity by CS Lewis
If nothing else, we'd have plenty to talk about! This is a great book for hashing out issues of Christian faith. Of course, that would leave out all other peoples of different faith, but I'm sure they'd be saving their books.

The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4 by Sue Townsend
I think we'd need to laugh since we'd be living in some sort of book banning world and I pretty much can't think of anything more depressing. Who doesn't love Adrian Mole?

Silence by Shusaku Endo
On the other hand, there's nothing like a depressing book to remind you of how good you've got it. So we'd definitely need this one around, to remind us that even though God seems silent in our book hating world, at least we're not Japanese Christians getting tortured to death or missionaries being forced to make impossible decisions. (and yes I love this thought provoking book)

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
We read this every Christmas growing up...sometimes we need to be reminded about the unexpected packages that carry grace.


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

Of course I would become Jane Eyre. To this day, it is the kind of book that reminds me what fantastic characterization is and what it feels like to fall into the pages of a book and never want to come out.



Amy, thank you so much for taking the time to share with us YOUR list of books which must be saved. Next week, Kathy from Bermudaonion's Weblog will be joining me to share her list. If you would like YOUR list featured, send me an email and we will chat!