Five Books

I love to dodge with question, insisting that authors are a better way to cover my preferences. The truth is, I still have favorite books from the authors that I enjoy reading. So...here goes...

* Fifth Sacred Thing by Starhawk
This is probably my all-time favorite book. It is a story of hope, possibility, magic, hardship, politics, sex, and assumptions. It was the book that allowed me to skip out of English 101 in college. It is one of the books that I pick up when I am slipping in my own life...although I didn't realize that until Beloved pointed it out. If there is one book on this list you are going to read, pick this one!

* Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean Auel
I think this book was important in how I built my own foundation. I identify with the heroine, Ayla, as a survivor. I enjoy her spirit and courage. I adore the plant lore and discussions on medicine and healing. I like the historical fiction aspects.

* By the Sword by Mercedes Lackey
Probably the hardest book to choose from Lackey's wide array of Valdemar books, this is yet another powerful female protagonist who takes her own path, studies, and achieves goals by being honest and making friends in unusual places. Fun, fluffy, tween fantasy stuff.

* My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
Yes, a "children's book" about a 12-year old boy who runs away from home and learns how to survive in the wilderness of upstate New York. This book actually won a Newbery Medal Honor in 1960, so I feel somewhat justified in enjoying it as much as I do.

* Caretakers of Wonder by Cooper Edens
This is about the secret activities of the Caretakers of Wonder. They are the ones who raise the sun into it's place and sow dewdrops at night. The book ends with the suggestion that some day YOU will be asked to become a Caretaker of Wonder. *teary eyes* The priest read this aloud as a part of the eulogy at my mother's funeral, and the simple beauty fit my mom so well. I have gone on to "collect" Cooper Eden's books and (cheating!) would highly recommend "If You're Afraid Of The Dark, Remember The Night Rainbow" also.