Been reading a lot lately never happy unless I have 5 or 6 in the on-deck circle.
God bless the library with its endless supply of tomes not yet read.
1) How Do Be A Movie Star…Elizabeth Taylor in Hollywood (2009), by William J. Mann is what I’m reading now. He’s very selective in 9 essays starting with Cleopatra and her flamboyant affair with Richard Burton to the rules, according to Liz. It’s what I call well-written fluff perfect for a snowy afternoon. One of the funnier things I read…when she and Richard Burton got married for the second time, they had two hippopotamuses as witnesses. Madam didn’t just have jewels and husbands, she also had a great sense of humor.
2) Moveable Feast, Ernest Hemingway (1964) a book I pick up every winter about his stay in Paris in the 20s when he was 25 years-old, married, broke and still unknown. It’s so vivid I can see myself sitting at the Cafe Select with a brandy and soda watching him write knowing he’s wearing a sweatshirt as underwear to keep warm. I can even smell the fresh rolls wafting while he makes his way to Sylvia Beach’s book shop, the original Shakespeare and Co, to borrow a little Turgenev from her lending library he’s too poor to buy. Makes you want to pack a bag and head straight to JFK bound for Orly.
3) Me and My Shadows (1998) by Lorna Luft, about her mother Judy Garland. She got me in the prologue when she said, many people have written about my mother, but I was there. Okay Lorna, you’re on, especially since we both had mothers with addiction.
4) Brave Companions: Portraits in History (1991), David McCullough’s noble collection of historical essays I’ve read before. It’s a favorite present of mine since it’s a dip into history hopefully whetting the receiver’s appetite for more. I reread my favorites…The Builders…the men who built Brooklyn Bridge. The Treasure From the Carpentry Shop… rediscovering the original plans to the bridge from 1869, becoming a formidable exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum. Washington on The Potomac with all the things that make it so special tempting me to jump the Acela to see it once more. What may be my true favorite is Extraordinary Times, seeing through his eyes how lucky we are to live at this time in history as far back as 1936. 
5) Hallowed Ground (2003), 
James M. McPherson, a professor at Princeton’s annual tour of the Gettysburg Battlefield he conducts on behalf of his students. I never get tired of reading about the American Civil War. It makes me turn to Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address given in 1863 at the new cemetery chosen because there were just too many fallen to move anyplace else. 50,000 lost in 3 days both sides combined.
Last but not least…
6) On Writing (2000), Stephen King’s gem of a book for anyone musing, bloodletting or just lolling on the page. I’ve read it 3 times going for a 4th since there’s always one more thing to learn.
A friend and former teacher had the privilege hearing him speak at a local high school where he mounted the stage in jeans and a blazer pulling a well-worn, dog-eared paperback from his back pocket.
He looked out at his young, eager audience and said,
“YOU WANNA WRITE…YOU HAVE TO READ.” 
Amen.
SB
Great suggestions!
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I was just expressing to a friend how my book posts are never read and what a shame that is. I will still post them though, in the hopes someone such as yourself, will get something out of it.
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I usually add books that a blogger friend recommends because it’s a whole lot better than picking up something you don’t know anything about. Having said that, I do follow bloggers whose book reviews I do not read because we don’t like the same stuff.
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I’ll never finish all on my TBR list! Now here are some more to add. I’m putting Me and My Shadows next on the list, though I think I’ve read it before. I’m so enjoying SK. I pick it up to read when I have a few minutes during the day or waiting on H. You need to add a gallery widget in your sidebar Susannah, with all the books you are reading or have read! I’m thinking about doing just that soon on mine. ~Elle
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You are so much more cyberly deft than I am…would have no clue how to do that…glad you like On Writing…a real gem of a book.
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When I figure it out myself I’ll email you. It would add a positive note to your sidebar.
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Okay…thanks you cyber guru you 🙂
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All these books sound great. I especially want to read “A Moveable Feast” by Hemingway and I will have to get the “On Writing” by Stephen King, especially the audio version as I virtually live in my car. Thanks for posting these Susannah.
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You will love Movable Feast…it’s my favorite of his…it was published after he died when they found the manuscript among his things. He was married to Hadley then…and there was such innocence to be had and a sense of purity to being broke. They were so happy.
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God I’m going to get that book! Thanks Susannah.
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The library would have it.
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Free’s good! Thanks again.
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That’s a great read…how he started at Knox Berry Farm. I felt so bad learning how he was treated by his father…I know that chill well…parent over ice. I met him once…he’s a sweet and gentle soul.
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PS…Stephen King narrates on tape…must be awesome 🙂
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I really do love books that are narrated by the author. For example I have Steve Martin’s “Born Standing Up” and thoroughly love it. I am so glad you offer recommendations.
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Thanks for the suggestions..I will get them… now I have two for you that I just loved…Essentialism (Greg Mc Keogh, I think) is the first…I listened to it on CD then got the book and outlined it as I read..so full of information every one of us needs!
The second book is Good Manners for Nice People Who Sometimes say Fuck (Amy Alkon)…it’s hilarious and chuck full of modern day dealings withe current rudeness of almost everyone!
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Thank you for these…so happy to hear you read. Know too many people who don’t. Love the second title.
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I always have a large stack of to-reads too. I’m still chewing my way through the Christmas addition. One good one I just finished on audiobook was Back Channel, by Stephen Carter. It was a fictional look at the Cuban Missile Crisis, but you might like it. I’d recommend it, at least. Right now I’m listening to a P.G. Wodehouse one, Right Ho, Jeeves. Have you read any of those. They make me laugh all the time because of just how absurd they are. 🙂
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I read how other authors love him…need to check him out…of the library.
Back Channel sounds like a great companion read to Bobby Kennedy’s 13 Days. Don’t you love to read…sigh
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Yes, I do. Not enough time, I’m afraid but that’s why I like audiobooks. Great for multitasking. 🙂
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My friend Amy does too.
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