Monday, August 21, 2017

Tuesday Favorites: My Favorite Drink While Reading & My Top Ten Books I Had to Read in School

Each week Maureen from Maureen's Books asks participants to share a favorite on the weekly designated topic.

This week's topic is my favorite drink to read with.

My favorite drink all around is water. I mean it. I am not just saying that because it's the most healthy choice. It is my preferred drinking option more often than not. Occasionally I enjoy hot chocolate or maybe a lemonade, Sprite or Root Beer (only the Caffeine free kind), but more often than not, you will find me drinking water. And so it goes without saying that my favorite thing to drink while reading is water. 

Do you have a favorite drink to read with?



*
Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely ladies at Broke and Bookish.

Believe it or not, I did not care for Pride and Prejudice when I had to read it for school. I thought it was on the boring side. It didn't make my favorites list until I was an adult, reading it on my own. Now I adore Jane Austen's writing. Oh, how I hated Shakespeare! I am still not a fan of his plays. But what books did I like, you ask? I liked most of the required reading I was assigned in school, surprisingly. Here is My Top Ten Books I Had to Read in School for this week's  Top Ten Tuesday. (Books are in no particular order)


1. Farewell to Manzanar by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston, James D. Houston





2. The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank



3. Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe





4. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee




5. Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert





6. The Odyssey by Homer



7. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Nora Neale Hurston



8. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky



9. The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros



10. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë (Still one of my all-time favorites)



What books were you required to read in school that you really liked? 


© 2017, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

68 comments:

  1. I had to read To Kill A Mockingbird at school too. I preferred it when I read it for myself a few years later...

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    1. Chrissi - I haven't tried re-reading it, but I really should. It's been so long.

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  2. I think The Odyssey is the only one I remember from high school, I don't think any of these were on our required reading although we did do some Shakespeare.

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    1. Greg - I remember being so surprised how engrossed I got in The Odyssey. I never did go on to read the Iliad; something about it intimidates me. But, boy, did I love The Odyssey.

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  3. I think it's funny how different required reading can be school by school -- I've only read four of your choices! "Jane Eyre" is one that I did read, and I really enjoyed it too! I'd like to re-read it at some point... hard to believe, but it's been 15 years!

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    1. Lindsay - I don't think I realized how different required reading was from school to school until I began blogging. Jane Eyre is one of the few books I have reread multiple times. I never grow tired of it. :-) Hopefully if you do re-read it, you will still enjoy it!

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  4. To Kill a Mockingbird was one of those books that I never had to read for school, so I read it by choice a few years ago and really enjoyed it. I had to read Their Eyes Were Watching God too and ended up liking it a lot.
    My Top Ten Books I read for school.

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    1. Elena - To Kill a Mockingbird is a good one. I really should reread it.

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  5. "To Kill a Mockingbird" is my favourite book, I`ve read it so many times. I also loved "Crime and Punishment". We had to read "Brothers Karamazov" for school, but since Dostoevsky is my favourite author I highly enjoyed all of his books.

    Carmen / Carmen`s Reading Corner

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    1. Georgiana - I really need to re-read To Kill a Mockingbird. I have such fond memories of it. Another person who loved Crime and Punishment! Yay! I haven't read Brothers Karamozov, but I really should. I am glad to hear you liked it!

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  6. I loved House on Mango Street. Like a lot of favorite books, it wasn't a book I read in school, but it was a book my sons read.

    Here's my list of stories about teaching in tough schools. I hope you will stop by!

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    1. Deb - Me too. The House on Mango Street was really good. I am looking forward to seeing what my daughter is assigned to read. Or maybe I shouldn't be, depending. Haha. We'll see how she responds to assigned reading.

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  7. I pretty much only drink water or beer. It's been so long since I was in school, I don't remember a lot of the books I read for it.

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    1. Kathy - We can't live without water. :-) I've never developed a taste for beer.

      I don't remember a lot about middle and high school, but I do remember the books I had to read. At least some of them. :-) I'm sure I've forgotten many more!

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  8. Lots of favorites here--House on Mango Street! So many! Great job.

    Lisa https://hopewellslibraryoflife.wordpress.com/2017/08/22/top-ten-tuesday-book-for-new-young-adults/

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  9. I remember books that I had to read in school that I liked a bit. The Great Gatsby, Catcher in the Rye, Lord of the Flies, and Night. I haven't read a lot of the books that made your list.

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    1. Carole - I liked all of those too. I don't remember having to read Night for school though. I think I read that one on my own.

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  10. Water's my go-to drink as well :)
    I don't rememeber that many books I had to read in high school, just Lord of the Flies. I read and enjoyed Pride & Prejudice, but can't remember if I read it for school or on my own :D

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    1. Lindsey - You can't have enough water. :-) I'm surprised by how many books I remember having to read for school. I'm sure though there are many more I don't remember.

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  11. My favorite drink is water too. :)

    I dont remember the books I read in school but I did read lots of mystery books during high school and in the beginning of college.

    Anyway, awesome list! Thanks for sharing. Glad to hear you enjoyed all of them. :)

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    1. Geybie - Water is the best!

      I loved reading mysteries in high school too--particularly Agatha Christie. I was also really into John Saul's thrillers and Harlequin Romances. LOL

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  12. Wow, you had some long, required books in school. My school seems to consider page length before making a book required. Books with memorable school scenes

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    1. Anne - I think my teachers thought the longer the book, the more worthy. Just kidding. It could be that I just liked the longer books. :-) It was also a very very long time ago.

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  13. I loved To Kill a Mockingbird when I was in school!

    Here is our TTT.

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    1. To Kill a Mockingbird is a good one. It still holds up well today, I think.

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  14. It's pretty hard to beat water! :) I can usually be found drinking tea, whether that is black tea, green tea, or other herbal options.

    Great list of books from High School! I read quite a few of those.

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    1. Erica - My husband is a big tea drinker. I tolerate it if I don't have much choice (unlike coffee which I can't stomach even in ice cream form). :-)

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  15. I wished we read some of those books in school for assigned reading; back in our school days we only have textbooks and a novel of our own for silent reading. My eldest daughter, however, has "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" for her literature class. I don't mind reading that for my lit. class instead of textbooks, lol.

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    1. Melody - I am glad more contemporary novels are being included as required reading these days. There are so many (historical or otherwise) which are worthwhile reads, I think.

      We did a lot of textbook reading in school too, unfortunately. That wasn't as fun.

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  16. I really liked The Scarlet Letter and The Crucible.

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    1. Ellen - I had to read those in school too and remember liking them.

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  17. I loved To Kill a Mockingbird, and I also really liked reading The Princess Bride, The Great Gatsby, A Tale of Two Cities, and A Separate Peace. The book I hated? A Farewell to Arms! :)

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    1. Lark - I love The Princess Bride! I read that on my own a few years ago. It wasn't even an option as required reading when I was in school. Of course, when I was in school, I'm not sure that one qualified as a classic yet. LOL I did enjoy The Great Gatsby, although I didn't love it. I never did read A Tale of Two Cities. I really liked A Separate Peace, however.

      I really liked A Farewell to Arms. I went on a Hemingway binge one year many years ago and read most of his work. The Sun Also Rises was my favorite of his.

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  18. My favorite drink while I read is a hot cup of Tension Tamer Tea. A perfect way to end the day.
    New Follower-Nice to meet you!

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    1. Tammy - I don't think I've ever tried that! I'm not a big tea drinker, admittedly, but sometimes my husband convinces me it'd be good for me. :-)

      Thank you for following! I added you to my blog reader as well!

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  19. I remembered reading Anne Frank in school. It was so depressing.

    Here’s my TTT!

    Ronyell @ Rabbit Ears Book Blog

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    1. Ronyell - Yes, it was a sad one--but in some ways, an inspiration as well. That book along with my father's love for history (especially WWII history) sparked my lifetime interest in that time period too.

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  20. Water is mine too! People think it's gross, but I love water & drink a lot all day. Even during the cold seasons I drink plain hot water. Ohh great list of books, definitely bringing back some memories.

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    1. Christy - I always have water with me. It's so refreshing. It's nice to meet someone else who drinks plain hot water too! Especially when I'm sick.

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  21. The only one I never read was Uncle Tom's Cabin! I ended up teaching Crime and Punishment and Madame Bovary. Each one of your choices has so much to offer about the human condition!

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    1. Jenclair - I still remember having to give a verbal report about Uncle Tom's Cabin. I was so nervous--I botched it big time. :-( But I did like the book, at least.

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  22. To Kill a Mockingbird is my number 1 book read for school. I don't remember much of the others, but that was the first (and only) school book I read all in one night. I was only supposed to read the first chapter.

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    1. Shannon - To Kill a Mockingbird is pretty awesome that way. You know it's a special book when you can't stick to just the assigned chapter.

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  23. Water is not my favorite, although I do try to drink it most of the time. I loved Their Eyes Were Watching God when I read it in school.

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    1. Carol - My husband would agree with you about water. :-) Their Eyes Were Watching God really moved me when I read it.

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  24. I also drink lots of water. I always carry a water bottle with my everywhere I go. But I'm definitely also a coffee fan.
    I didn't have a required reading list for school. They never promoted reading with us. But I read all kinds of books and I tried to read books I heard other kids needed to read for school. For example The Old Man And The Sea by Ernest Hemmingway.
    Thanks for sharing your favorite and signing up!

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    1. Maureen - I carry water with me wherever I go also! It's come in handy more often than not, especially since I became a mother. LOL

      It's interesting how differently schools can be in regards to reading, isn't it?

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  25. I'm a water drinker as well. All day, every day. If I have another drink, it is usually coffee, tea (hot or iced), or wine.

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  26. To Kill A Mockingbird was one of the few books I was made to read at school that I actually liked!
    My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2017/08/22/top-ten-tuesday-121/

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    1. Jo - I am glad you at least liked To Kill a Mockingbird. :-) I think more people didn't like the required reading in school than did. I am just weird in that I liked more than not. LOL

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  27. I finally read Jane Eyre this year and really liked it. I couldn't believe I hadn't read it earlier.

    I forgot about Crime and Punishment when I wrote my list--great pick!

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    1. Allison - I'm glad you finally had a chance to read Jane Eyre! I re-read it a couple years ago with my husband and it's still as good as I remember it all the other times I've read it. :-) It's one of the few books I've re-read multiple times.

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  28. I have to tell you---I hated all the books I read in high school. I had no patience or desire for any of it. I wish I was in a mind set that would've allowed for me to enjoy reading anything lengthy at all, but I didn't :-\ And if I'm drinking anything at all while reading (I'm typically in bed), it's hot tea or coffee :)

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    1. Donna Marie - I think the majority of people hated all the required books, so you are in good company. :-)

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    2. Yeah, I know :-\ A few years ago I took a short writing course (can't remember what for) when B&N University was still running and THE GREAT GATSBY was required reading. Honestly, I still wasn't a fan of the story itself, BUT---the quality of the writing, especially description, was beautiful! And I saw that Lark mentioned THE PRINCESS BRIDE. I can't imagine that being required reading, but if we had those type books to read, it would've been FUN! lol I, too, read it and really enjoyed it!

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    3. I liked The Great Gatsby for that very reason--the writing was beautiful. I liked the story alright--which is why it isn't a favorite. (My husband as read all of Fizgerald's books except The Great Gatsby--and even he isn't sure why. He loves his writing.)

      Reading through some of the other posts this week with the same theme, it sounded like quite a few teachers have more contemporary or "fun" novels on their list of required reading. I can get behind that! I have mixed feelings about required reading as it is.

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    4. What I've learned from this, along with rereading books from my childhood (not just high school required reading with Gatsby) is how differently we can view books/music/movies in different stages of life because our understanding and perception is so much more advanced through experience. I loved HARRIET THE SPY when I was 11 years old, but reread it as an adult and found I really did NOT like Harriet. I remembered liking CHARLOTTE'S WEB as a kid, but fell in love with it as an adult (https://bookjourney.net/2015/01/15/morning-meanderings-donna-from-writer-side-up-talks-about-the-web/ ). I didn't appreciate Fitzgerald's writing talent in high school, but really do as an adult.

      ...and I was shocked when someone I know mentioned that they actually had LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy as required reading! Now THAT I could've done :D

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    5. That is so true about how our experiences and perception impact our reading. Pride and Prejudice didn't work for me as a teen, but I love it now that I'm an adult. And I had a similar experience as you in regards to Charlotte's Webb.

      I would love to have been assigned Lord of the Rings!

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  29. I remember really enjoying Island of the Blue Dolphins in middle school. When I was a freshman in HS, we read To Kill a Mockingbird and then we moved. The new school was reading it for sophomore year, so I went ahead and read it again since I enjoyed it.

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    1. Nicole - I loved Island of the Blue Dolphins too. :-) I remember reading that one on my own. It hadn't been assigned. I'd like to re-read To Kill a Mockingbird one of these days.

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  30. I am working on my water intake. I'm not so good at it.

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    1. Charlie - Some days are better for me than others. Water may be my drinking preference, but I'm not always good about drinking as much as I should.

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  31. How terrible is it that I can't even remember a lot of what I had to read in school? Well, that just says something about how old I am, I suppose! In high school, our English classes were very specific, quarter long classes, so we didn't necessarily get a broad range of reading after freshman year. I took one class that was nothing but William Faulkner. Which I loved. I really came to the classics by way of a comment a man I was babysitting for made when he saw I was reading Flowers In The Attic at age 14. He asked me, " don't you ever read any of the classics?" I'm not sure I even knew exactly what "the classics" were at that point. But that really stuck with me. I'd always considered myself an avid reader, but never thought about what kind of a reader I was or wanted to be.

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    1. Lisa - Oh, I don't know. I don't think you are all that much older than I am. :-) I don't think I really knew what a classic was until I was in middle school or high school. They were all just books to me, even then.

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  32. Our tastes really change as we get older. And I am with you about water...it's almost all my husband and I drink.

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    1. Melissa - Yes, I think they too. I think a lot depends on where we are in our lives too. I am so glad I am not the only one who mostly drinks water.

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