How Reading Changed My Life by Anna Quindlen (1998)

This is a lovely volume that includes Quindlen's thoughtful writing on the meaning of books and reading in her life and in society. There's no better argument for the pure pleasure of leisure reading out there.  She also includes some fun reading lists, like "10 Books That Will Help a Teenager Feel More Human," "10 Mystery Novels I'd Most Like To Find in a Summer Rental," and "10 Modern Novels That Made Me Proud To Be a Writer." 

Stephen King - Adored Author

Well, of course.  It's Stephen King.  One of the first authors of grownup books I remember reading, I can remember precisely on which shelf of my childhood library Carrie was located.  And I remember the cover perfectly and how I felt reading it.  If I had to pick an all-time favorite, it would probably be The Stand.   Incredibly long, but incredibly absorbing tale of a virus wiping out most of the world. I think of The Stand every time I'm in close quarters with a stranger with a hacking cough.  I also love his short stories collections like Night Shift, which contains the fabulously weird "The Mangler" and the never-leave-your-closet-door-even-slightly-ajar tale of "The Boogeyman."  Also love Skeleton Crew, which includes the wonderful novella "The Mist," as well as standout stories such as "The Monkey," "The Jaunt" and "Mrs. Todd's Shortcut."  And of course, there's It.  Still super scary, although I'm not exactly sure what happens at the end.  But eek.  Particularly if you have a deep and abiding fear of clowns. And who doesn't?  And then the more serious King, such as The Green Mile.  Not so much spooky as his other books, but genuinely good. Incredibly suspenseful, absorbing and touching.  And I adored On Writing , which is half autobiography, half writing guide. The only writing book I've ever actually finished. Great insight into the life and writing style of a popular author.

Why is My Mother Getting a Tattoo? by Jancee Dunn (2009)

Subtitled And Other Questions I Wish I Never Had to Ask, this is a collection of essays on family and friends that are laugh out loud funny, and poignant. I suspect that Jancee and I might be the same person, which of course, just makes me love her more.  See also her hilarious memoir But Enough About Me.

Crackpot by John Waters (1986)

Collection of absolutely hilarious personal essays. Includes two essays that I love so much I'd like to have them embroidered on (really large) samplers:   “101 Things I Hate" and “101 Things I Love.”  Other standout essays include "Ladies and Gentlemen . . . The Nicest Kids in Town!", the essay that the movie and musical Hairspray was based on.  A fascinating look inside Waters's head.

Helping Me Help Myself by Beth Lisick (2008)

Subtitled One Skeptic, Ten Self-help Gurus, and a Year on the Brink of the Comfort Zone.  Despite the "I bet I can get a book out this" premise, Lisick's book about spending a year learning from the top self-help pros was most enjoyable. Witty and affectionate, the standout chapter was about her cruise with Richard Simmons.

Never Hit a Jellyfish with a Spade by Guy Browning (2004)

Subtitled How to Survive Life's Smaller Challenges, this is one of those kooky books that I just lucked on to on the library shelves.  This is a collection of "how to" essays that Browning wrote for the Guardian, filled with comic gems. He has a very funny, very dry, very British sense of humor.  Hilarious.

Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris (1997)

David Sedaris has made his fortune on writing hilarious essays about his childhood, family, relationships and life. This one collects his best holiday essays including The Santaland Diaries.  See also Me Talk Pretty One Day, Naked and Barrel Fever as well.   (But that's it.  I think he ran out of material after that.)

The Secret Life of the Lonely Doll by Jean Nathan (2004)

This biography is a hidden gem.  If you've ever looked at the children's picture book series called The Lonely Doll and were a little taken aback, this book is for you.  Subtitled The Search for Dare Wright, this is a thorough and compelling biography of the woman who wrote the creepy and depressing Lonely Doll books.

Alison Lurie - Adored Author

I adore Alison Lurie. She takes what could be the dryest subjects--like Truth and Consequences, about an academic administrator and her injured but philandering professor husband--and makes them fascinating with her strong characters and her excellent insights into relationships and character.  Foreign Affairs is about a fifty-four year old English professor traveling to London to study children's playground rhymes.  Lurie is a master of social comedy, and her books have a very Austen feel.  Vinnie Miner is such a complex and fascinating character, and I adore all of her insights into life as a older, unmarried woman.   See also Women and Ghosts, a collection of vivid, spooky tales, each featuring a woman and a ghost. And Don’t Tell the Grown-ups:  The Subversive Nature of Children’s Literature-you’ll never look at Peter Pan or Kate Greenaway the same way again.

Imagined London by Anna Quindlen (2004)

Subtitled A Tour of the World's Greatest Fictional City, this is a great little book about London as seen through its fictional denizens as well as its real-life ones. Quindlen didn't go to London until she was in her forties, and this book explores what she expected to find from all the literature she'd read set in London, as well as what she actually found when she got there.  Great fun, Quindlen. Now write one about New York City!

The Late Bloomer's Revolution: A Memoir by Amy Cohen (2007)

Memoir about a 37 year old woman who feels her life is passing her by. Cohen has a gift for a lovely turn of phrase and her documenting of everyday life and relationships is vivid and quietly funny.

The Circus Fire: A True Story - Stewart O'Nan (2000)

Stewart O'Nan is almost an author I adore, but he defies clear categorization as he writes beautifully in a number of genres.  This is the first book I read by him, and it sparked a abiding interest in well-written disaster books.  In 1944, a massive fire broke out at a circus in Hartford. Simply written and incredibly evocative, this book is a fascinating portrait of wartime America as well as of humanity and how we respond to disastrous events.

The Lost City of Z by David Grann (2009)

Subtitled A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon.  In 1925, Percy Fawcett went into the Amazon to find a lost civilization and never came out. Grann explores the mystery and the many who followed Fawcett over the years. Powerfully depicts the utter wildness of the jungle and the mystery of lost civilizations.

One Dead in Attic: After Katrina by Chris Rose (2005)

A collection of columns by the New Orleans Times-Picayune writer about the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in his adopted hometown. Highly personal and emotional and mesmerizing, and full of affection for his city. A little hard to read, because it's so overwhelming, but wonderful.

Under a Flaming Sky by Daniel James Brown (2006)

Subtitled The Great Hinckley Firestorm of 1894, this is a wonderfully written, researched and documented and deeply personal book on the Hinckley fires. Unbelievably absorbing and amazingly vividly told, it's one of the best non-fiction books I've ever read. I even wrote a fan letter to the author.  He also wrote The Indifferent Stars Above, which explores the Donner Party tragedy in full, glorious, horrifying detail.

Hiding the Elephant by Jim Steinmeyer (2003)

Subtitled How Magicians Invented the Impossible and Learned to Disappear.  History of illusionists that covers primarily the mid-1800s to the early part of the 20th century. Written by a creator of stage and film illusions, the author explains the illusions created in a clear, simple way and provides an amazing look at a bygone era.

Broadway Babylon by Boze Hadleigh (2007)

More like a primer to Broadway than a trashy, babylonish collection. Interesting essays on all sort of Broadway luminaries, and fabulous quotes on Broadway in all its forms. Great fun reading, excellent for the theater enthusiast.  Perfect reading on the plane on the way home from NYC.

The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson by Robert Hofler (2005)

Subtitled The Pretty Boys and Dirty Deals of Henry Willson.  Painstakingly researched and exceedingly well-documented biography of the Hollywood agent who discovered, among others, Rock Hudson, Troy Donohue, Tab Hunter, John Saxon, etc. Fascinating look at old-school Hollywood, as well as Rock Hudson's personal story.

Making It On Broadway by David Wienir (2004)

Subtitled Actors' Tales of Climbing to the Top, this is a completely realistic look at the not-so-glamorous side of acting on Broadway—from dirty dressing rooms to audition nightmares to co-actor relations. Really interesting and sure to make any actor give his dreams of Broadway stardom at least a second thought.

Rebels on the Backlot by Sharon Waxman (2005)

Subtitled Six Maverick Directors and How They Conquered the Hollywood Studio System.  Fascinating exploration of six 1990s-era directors and their work. Loved the backstage peeks, plus the dilemmas between producers and studio heads and the directors and their casts. And you know you've got some interesting personalities in play when Quentin Tarantino comes off as the sanest director around.