10 picture books that are a lot of fun

1. Curious George by H. A. Rey

It's funny, colorful, and sweet. You'll smile every time you read it.

2. Eloise by Kay Thompson


This isn't really a kids' book but rather a book for "precocious grown-ups" as Thompson says. Eloise is the child I wish I had had the guts to be.

3. Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey


My dad's favorite. Every morning when he dropped me off at school, he used to say "Don't forget to make way for ducklings!"

4. Strega Nona by Tomie DePaolo


A clever old witch, a trouble-making teenager, and a magical pasta pot star in this funny, unique fable.

5. Babar by Jean de Brunhoff

There are some criticisms of these books, notably that they are imperialist, present an idealistic view of the world which is unsafe for today's kids, etc. I don't know how true those are. All I know is that I loved Babar when I was a kid. What's not to love about an elephant in a suit?

6. Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey


A very simple story, but one that my friends and I all loved as kids. A short, easy book for begninning readers.

7. The Boo Baby Girl Meets the Ghost of Mable's Gable by Jim May

This little-known book is hard to find but it's absolutely hilarious at any age. Adults and kids will have a good laugh.

8. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle


This classic book may be too plain for older kids, but will be hugely popular with little ones. They'll probably want to pretend to be the caterpillar. It's also a good way to get them to finish their veggies- "Pretend you're the very hungry caterpillar! Now, wouldn't he eat his spinach?"

9. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak


My dad actually has this book memorized from reading it to us so many times. It's that good. Warner Bros. is making a movie, and I hope it lives up to the creativity and magic of the book.

10. Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne


No words can describe its sweetness and universal appeal. Just read it.

5 "Girl" Books that Guys might actually Love

Good luck getting your guy friends (or more likely your boyfriend) to read Gossip Girl or Twilight. You might have a little more luck, though, with these books.

What gives these books such a universal draw? For one thing, they actually have, you know, depth. The writers are gifted. The meanings are complex and profound. I love Edward Cullen as much as the next girl, but these books are on a whole different level from that kind of glorified romance novel.

Girl or guy, these are books you won’t regret reading.

1. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

Its greatest strength is its vibrant characters. I won’t give anything away, but I promise you will never forget Aunt Sissy. Entertaining and profound, this book makes you look at your world differently, again and again.

2. The Princess Bride by William Goldman

It's everything you could ask for in an adventure, from flashing sword fights to madcap escapes. It's written in the most clever and unique style. You simply have to love it.

3. Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell

The ultimate work of romantic literature? Maybe. But it’s no cheesy romance novel. It has enough action to satisfy most guys. It also packs in some powerful history lessons and makes them memorable -  I credit this book entirely for my 5 on the US History AP exam (and also with my classmates wanting to murder me when I referenced it in class every. single. day).

4. The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Part of the Little House on the Prairie series, this is a seriously good book in its own right. If you want to know what courage is, if you want to see persistence, determination, and hope made real - and if you want to feel justly proud of our American ancestors - read this classic.

5. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

In the words of my friend Jack, “Pride and Prejudice was so good that I’ll never turn down a book just because it’s supposedly 'for girls' again.”

Of course it's not for every guy. Still, I’ve met enough guys who really enjoyed this book to recommend it strongly.  I even knew a professor in college who reread these books annually as examples of brilliant writing and human psychology - and he was a guy.

If worst comes to worst and you can't find yourself interested in this book, you might enjoy Pride and Prejudice and Zombies instead.

That’s only four of probably hundreds of books. Guys, what other so-called “girl” books have you enjoyed? Girls, what “girl” books do your guy friends secretly love? Are there any guys who will admit to secretly loving Twilight?

Really rather irresistible

Have you got a library handy?

May I recommend that you find one of P. G. Wodehouse's books, and read it?

I just read my first Wodehouse novel last night. I am utterly hooked.



It was called Do Butlers Burgle Banks? The silly title is misleading; the book was impossibly clever.

Here is a passage that I found particularly enjoyable.

Ada Cootes- a short, stocky secretary- is leaving work when her employer, Mr. Bond, offers her a ride home to Wallingford.

"Ada bridled a little. Her pride had been wounded.

'Thank you, Mr. Bond, I can take care of myself,' she said with the quiet confidence of a girl who in her time had twice found it necessary to quell intoxicated citizens with her umbrella and had done it with the greatest success, leaving the inebriates wondering dreamily what had hit them. Though small, she was solid and muscular, and when armed with this Excalibur of hers feared no foe in or out of shining armor. Her strong wrists could always be relied on to supply the follow-through that makes all the difference.

It was consequently with no trepidation that she set out for the town. It was a lovely evening, and she found the two-mile walk most invigorating. She had turned into the side-street where her home was, a two-roomed flat over a confectioner's shop, when her thoughts were abruptly diverted by a spectacle fortunately rare in Wallingford even in race week. A few yards in front of her a stout man who looked like a Roman emperor had paused and taken his wallet from his pockets, apparently in order to gloat over its contents, and a lean, predatory individual, appearing from nowhere as is the way of lean, predatory individuals all the world over, had snatched it from his grasp and was now approaching her at a high rate of speed.

Except for the two intoxicated citizens of whom mention had been made, Ada's had been a sheltered life, and until now no situation of this kind had thrust itself upon her, but a woman's instinct told her the correct course to pursue. Acting promptly, as Joan of Arc would have done in her place, she extended the umbrella which had served her so well on those previous occasions. The predatory one, receiving it between his flying legs, performed several steps of what might have been one of the more uninhibited modern dances, and the wallet flew from his hand. Prudently not pausing, he continued his headlong course, and the Roman emperor, galloping up, swooped on his property and clutched it to his bosom."

Yes, it's rather quaint. Isn't it fun though?

As impressed as I was with my first Wodehouse experience, I read a review of Do Butlers Burgle Banks? that calls it "the lightest of light comedies" and "a Wodehousean souffle."

So it's actually not one of his better works, but rather a minor book he wrote in his later years.

Which means that his other books will only get better.

Isn't that thrilling?

Hitting an all-time low

Yesterday I made two poor choices.

I read the silliest book I've ever read.

Wings of the Morning by Lori Wick

Silly is not a good thing in this case.

If anyone ever tries to get you to read a "Christian romance novel," run away. Run far away. Don't look back.

Yesterday I also saw the worst movie I've seen in a long time.

Lover Come Back with Doris Day and Rock Hudson

Don't be fooled by the kitschy packaging and Doris Day's perky blond bob. This was not her finest moment.

Here's a sample of the dialogue in this film. Rock says, "Forget about me, Carol! You need a man, not a mass of neurotic doubts!"

We are supposed to believe that this line convinces Doris to fall for Rock.

It was a strange, strange movie.

Now that I've sworn off Christian romance books and Doris Day-Rock Hudson pictures, I need to clear my head with some decent literature.

My next project:

I've wanted to read it for a long time, especially since a guy I seriously respect told me it was his favorite.

That should do the trick.