new material

I love to read. I don't know if I can honestly classify it as a passion at this point in my life because there are only so many hours in a day I have to dedicate to it, and those are usually late at night, which makes it difficult to burn through a book like I did in my younger (pre-kid) years. But I do love it.

I can remember connecting with literature for the first time when I was in second grade and I began checking out the American Girl books from the school library. I fell in love with Samantha first before moving on to Kirsten and Emily. Then a few years later I discovered a new genre that I couldn't put down. Mystery in the form of Nancy Drew novels took over my 4th and 5th grade years, turning me into a verifiable book worm. I read nearly two hundred mysteries over that time, and I don't think one single plot ever disappointed.

From that point on, I was hooked. I was the dork who held onto the summer reading list each year to make sure that I had a suggestions handy when I went to the library. I re-read required reading in the summers because I had enjoyed the books so much the first go around.

I love almost all genres, although I am not a huge fan of sci-fi, but deep in my heart I am a lover of the classics. Dickens is my favorite, followed by Jane Austin, and Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre ranks right at the very top as well. I also love a well-written historical fiction novel, because it brings together my two favorite subjects (and consequently, my major and minor). Recently I've read a few political books, the Twilight series, a trilogy of mysteries by Tasha Alexander, and a book by Randy Alcorn on stewardship.

Books are amazing. To me there is nothing like reading a book and connecting with a character to the point that you wish you could know that person, or becoming so involved in the plot that it is painful to walk away, even briefly, to attend to real life. For me, a good book is preferable to a movie any day of the week, and it is light years better than wasting time on the computer.

Which brings me to my point. I am in need of some suggestions for a new read. I finished Wuthering Heights last week, and since then I have found myself wasting ridiculous amounts of time on here simply because don't have anything to pick up and throw myself into. It's always better to me to read something on recommendation, and if you share a comraderie with me in this regard, I would really love it if you'd share one or two of your favorites. Maybe we can even start a little bloggy book club =). But in the event that doesn't work out, I really would like some suggestions!