It’s Book Blogger Appreciation Week, hosted by the Estella Society! What a neat idea to spread some positivity and joy in the book blogging community.
The first of five daily topics is: Introduce yourself by telling us about five books that represent you as a person or your interests/lifestyle.
Here goes — it’s hard to narrow it down to five though!
Fire and Hemlock by Diana Wynne Jones – for its brilliant intertwining of myth with modern life, along with music and books and art…what more could you want?
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte – because it was the book that hooked me on classics.
Tam Lin by Pamela Dean – because if you read it you’ll learn all about where I went to college (in an alternate universe).
The Deptford Trilogy by Robertson Davies – because Davies is a wizard of fiction, and I’ve learned so much from him.
Knitting from the Top by Barbara Walker – because it showed me I didn’t always have to follow the pattern.
What’s on your list? Do tell!
The Emerald City Book Review Archive 
So happy to see Robertson Davies here — He’s so overlooked. And I love Barbara Walker too.
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Isn’t he? I hardly ever see anything about him in the blogging world. I’m always telling people to read him, though, so maybe someday I’ll see some results.
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I haven’t read any of these. I need to go check them out. Thanks for the new book ideas.
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You are very welcome — I never tire of plugging these in particular.
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I really, really need to read some Diana Wynne – you’ve recommended her so many times! Also glad to see a knitting book! Hope you’re enjoying BBAW so far!
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Do read DWJ! And if you don’t love her, I will forgive you…I think.
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Oh yes, Robertson Davies! I read a lot of his books while nursing my first child, 22 years ago this winter!
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Hooray! It’s been a long time for me as well, I’m really due for some rereading.
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Tam Lin! It’s strange, I didn’t really enjoy that book at the time I read it, but now I look back on it fondly. Books can have such a strange effect on readers, yes? Apparently I need to look up Robertson Davies!
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Books definitely strike me in different ways at different times of my life; that’s why rereading is so fascinating to me. Davies is definitely worth a look, if you haven’t encountered him. Thanks for visiting!
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Excellent choices! I see that we overlap by two books, which makes me happy! 🙂
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Me too! 🙂
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Jane Eyre also drew me in to the genre of classics too! Thanks for sharing a little about yourself.
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I think it’s played that role for many people, and done it very well. Thanks for stopping by!
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Oh, I love both Fire & Hemlock and Tam Lin (as I think you might know)!
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Ha ha, yes, that is pretty clear from your blog!
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I liked your Knitting from the Top comment. Enjoy the week.
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My original list was all how-to books but then I decided that was too boring. But I had to leave this one because it really is one of my favorites.
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Oh! Glad to see Fire and Hemlock on your list–I’ve only read Howl’s Moving Castle, but next month another blogger is hosting a DWJ/Terry Pratchett reading event and I’ve been curious about another DWJ to read.
And love your reasoning for adding Knitting from the Top. Great life lesson!
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It is, isn’t it? Perhaps at some point I’ll post about that in more detail.
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Oh no, how did I leave Diana Wynne Jones out of my list! Fire and Hemlock really is brilliant. Great picks, hope you have a nice week. 🙂
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Anyone who likes F&H is a soul-sister of mine. Have a wonderful week yourself!
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Hello! I’m new here and I must say your header is downright adorable. I obviously need to hurry up and get to reading some DWJ, don’t I?
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Thanks Katie! Stephanie from These Paper Hearts did my header and I love it too. As for DWJ, I can’t recommend her highly enough!
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Ah, I knew you’d have Tam Lin! Jane Eyre, excellent choice. OK, I have never read this Robertson Davies fellow, so I guess I know what I should do. 🙂
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What, Jean, I thought you had read everything?!? He’s one who should definitely been on your list.
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OK, I’ll see what I can do! 🙂
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I love Jane Eyre but I haven’t read anything else on your list. I’m going to have to add DWJ to my TBR list because she keeps coming up! I love your header too!
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If you love Jane Eyre, I’m pretty sure you will like some of the others as well.
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I loved Jane Eyre when I was 12 and when I was 18 and I really need to read it again. Have your heard about the new book The Madwoman Upstairs? Might be interesting to you.
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That does sound interesting, thanks! I just read Nelly Dean, which is a retelling of Wuthering Heights from a servant’s point of view, and I really enjoyed it (with some reservations — review to come).
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Loooooove the Deptford Trilogy. You’ve reminded me I’m due a reread.
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Hooray! I think I might need to launch a readalong or something.
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I’ve seen Fire and Hemlock so many times now! I’m definitely going to have to get on this DWJ train! Nice to “meet” you =)
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It’s a great train to get on! (If sometimes dangerous — if you read the book you’ll see what I mean.)
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You’re the second one I’ve seen so far with Fire and Hemlock…I’ve never heard of it before today, but sounds like that has to change! Great list. 🙂
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I couldn’t say it’s a book for absolutely everybody — you need to at least have a tolerance for fantasy fiction, but in that category it’s brilliant.
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DWJ: another author I need to discover!! My 5 titles are: http://wordsandpeace.com/2016/02/15/bbaw-2016-day-1/
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I would be so happy if more people discovered her through this event!
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This is the second time I am coming across Fire and Hemlock. I just wishlisted it and now I should probably bump it up. I need to check that knitting book as well – I am new to knitting (2 years) but haven’t had much time lately.
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All of Barbara Walker’s books are terrific when you are learning to knit. Make sure to try to find the ones with vintage photos — the pictures of her knitted pantsuits and such are priceless!
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Jane Eyre! I almost put that on my list. It’s my favorite classic. I re-read it this past year while my husband read it for the first time. I’m happy to say he liked it too. I haven’t read the other titles on your list, but they all sound good! Thank you for sharing and for visiting my blog!
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Hm, I don’t think I”ve made my husband read Jane Eyre yet, but he should — he usually likes my favorites. I’m glad you liked my list!
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Jane Eyre was my first classic too. My mom did a great job of handing me the right books when I was ready to move on from kid reads! And, of course, I heartily approve of F&H being on your list. 🙂 And, again, thank you for the Aiken recommendations. They’re going on my TBR!
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You’re welcome! I thought of a couple more, Lud-in-the-Mist by Hope Mirrlees, and Tooth and Claw by Jo Walton. (Well, the Goodreads “also enjoyed” panel helped me out there, but I have read them both and they are excellent.)
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You are the best. 🙂
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My guilty confession is that I’ve never read Jane Eyre. I have read all of Robertson Davies’ novels, though, I believe, and should read them again! I will have to look up Tam Lin, and I can’t believe that so many people are mentioning DWJ! I am seriously underread in that regard!
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I don’t know why she never quite made the big time, but she has a seriously rabid fan base, of which quite a few seem to be participating in this event.
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Hello.. Nice to meet you. I love the classics and historical fiction.
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Wonderful, so do I.
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Fire and Hemlock?! I’m intrigued – seems like a combination I won’t be able to resist! I love the artwork you chose!
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It is an intriguing combination — based on an intriguing picture, as you’ll learn quite soon if you do pick up the book. The fan art was a neat find too.
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