Summer Reads:
A Top 5
As Summer fast approaches we are contemplating a selection of five books that we will be reading (or re-reading). As ever, we are always keen to see what you will be reading this Summer- so please share your recommendations too!
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Kid's Books:
The Top 5
Five books are far too few for this category, so this will be a part one of a much larger series where I hope to explore the diverse riches of children's literature (which I will crudely delineate as books for children age 12 and under). This top five includes some of my favorites for our earliest readers. For our next installment, please send your feedback so I can include books you have cherished and enjoyed!
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Valentines:
The Top 5
Cards, flowers, chocolates - they all have their place on the most romantic day of the year. But the things that really move us are romantic stories, whether they are our own or those we find in literature, television or cinema. So this Valentine's Day we have selected our top five romantic novels. However, it is only ours, and we encourage you to recommend your top five romances so we can all share!
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Diet Books:
Our Top
Five
When it comes to the question of healthy eating, healthy lifestyles and diets , it appears January is our favorite month to ruminate on such questions. However it is not that straightforward as there is a wide array of great choices out there, ranging from the humorous but actually very good, Skinny Bitch to the no nonsense practical excellence of Weight Watchers Make It in Minutes: Easy Recipes in 15, 20, and 30 Minutes. It also goes beyond cookery alone, there are scientific books, motivational books and much else, so here we provide, a very limited- but truly excellent selection, that we hope that you will augment with some suggestions of your own favorite diet books.
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Christmas
Books:
Our Top
Five
When it comes to the Christmas holiday season, there are innumerable books featuring a Christmas theme. Here we offer a completely non-scientific and decidedly non-comprehensive selection our favorites in our most recent Top 5. We have one foot in the traditional and another in the contemporary, so check out the list and let us know your favorites - especially if they don't show up here!
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Vampire Novels:
Top Five
With Stephanie Meyer's Twilight Saga heading to its cinematic climax later this week, we thought it an opportune moment to look at the pantheon of great vampire novels and pick our top five. From European folklore about such figures as Vlad the Impaler, to writings of the 18th and 19th century, vampires have been with us for quite some time. The modern vampire novel was launched by Bram Stoker’s Dracula. The relationship between vampire literature and cinema was born with the adaptation (without permission) of Dracula by F.W. Murnau in "Nosferatu" in 1922 and, as "Twilight" amply displays, continues to this day. Hopefully Stephanie Meyer will not be asking for the film’s negative to be burned, as Stoker’s widow demanded of "Nosferatu." Without further ado, here are our picks for the top five vampire novels – let us know yours.
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James Bond:
The Top Five
By Fleming
President John F. Kennedy listed "From Russia With Love" among his top 10 favorite novels, and after a private screening of “Dr. No” at the White House he was reputed to have said "I wish I had James Bond on my staff." Bond was the creation of Ian Fleming, an old Etonian, former member of British Intelligence during World War II, and member of the Fleming family who owned a private bank. After World War II Fleming tried his hand at writing, and sixty years ago the first Bond book, "Casino Royale," was born. His own publisher’s view of the book was negative: “So far as I can see the element of suspense is completely absent.” It was only through the intervention of his brother (who was already successfully published) that the book was released at all. It was an instant bestseller, and the rest is history. Here are our picks of the top five Bond books - let us know what yours are.
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James Patterson:
Top Five
Thrillers
When it comes to thrillers, and in fact popular fiction in general, James Patterson has few peers. As the eponymously titled movie “Alex Cross” hits theaters later this month, featuring James Patterson’s forensic psychologist and detective, we thought it was the right time to peruse Mr. P’s back catalog and pick our top five favorite thrillers. Of course we love Alex Cross (and we were sorely tempted to just do an Alex Cross top five), but that would leave out The Women’s Murder Club series. Please bear in mind the list was not generated through a scientific process, and you are encouraged to add your own favorites in the comments. If you're looking for some great James Patterson books, we have a broad selection with many on sale, as well as a new Alex Cross Bundle!
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Roald Dahl:
Our
Top 5
Favorites!
Roald Dahl was perhaps the greatest modern writer of children's stories. He wrote stories that neither condescended to nor patronized children, and hence have an appeal that lasts far beyond childhood. His stories do not sugar-coat life; there is real cruelty, and bad things do happen, but only in the tradition of the great children's folk stories. Here is a list of our favorite five, but there are many more, so let us know your favorites.
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Top
Ten
Romantic
Reads!
Romance is one of those genres which ignites passions and strong followings. We do not claim that this is a definitive list, and would enjoy any and all feedback you have on the subject. Check out the books below and let us know who your favorites are in your own top 10!
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