The first day of spring usually has us covered in snow with temperatures below freezing and a mighty 
March wind blowing. This year – well, this year has given us the oddest of winters and record-breaking high temperatures. Trees are in leaf with fruit trees in blossom, the daffodils are nearly spent, and the mosquitoes are already on the offensive.
Can a game of tag be brewing?
Yes it can.
Sunday Taylor, who pens the exquisite post Ciao Domenica, recently “tagged” me, along with several other bloggers. I was happily reading her post, learning eleven things about her, enjoying her fabulous photographs and absorbing her well written words, when I came to her list of the eleven bloggers she was tagging. There sat my very own name . Surprised, I did a double take, smiled at the sweetness of recognition, not only of myself but of several other wonderful bloggers I frequent, and was excited to read some new ones.
Sunday then posed eleven new questions for each of us to answer and a challenge to “tag” eleven others.
Taking a cue from Perpetua, who creatively responded to a Kreativ Blogger award recently, I decided to bend the guidelines a bit as we play tag on my little playground here. Instead of answering all eleven questions in one post, I will do it in several, “tagging” a blogging friend each time along the way.
I will also invite you, dear reader, to answer the question as well.
Ready. Set, Go!
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE WRITER AND IF SO WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BOOK BY THAT WRITER?
This is a hard question for someone who likes to read as much as I do, but, when pushed on the playground of life to answer, I would have to say that my favorite writer is Laura Ingalls Wilder and her Little House books. Though it is difficult to say which one is my favorite, Little House on the Prairie defines the series and the spirit of the Ingalls family, especially Laura.
I admire Laura’s sense of adventure and her appreciation of the wide open prairies which, to me, also signifies the wide open possibilities of life. Being the oldest, I’m more like Laura’s big sister Mary; quiet and well-behaved, studious and proper. I would much rather be like Laura, running through fields of wildflowers with my bonnet off or watching the wolves baying in the safety of Pa’s arms.
I love the sense of place that the Little House books bring; the story of the homesteading spirit that moved families across the prairies and settled much of the United States, with a young girl named Laura being the story’s protagonist.
I often post about the Little House books and have visited several of the Laura Ingalls Wilder sites, most recently this past Autumn. The fact that Laura first started writing the Little House books at the age of 65 gives me encouragemen. Maybe, I, too, can write such a book. How does Little House on the Cutoff sound?
Rachel over at Book Snob was also tagged by Sunday. I encourage you to visit her wonderful blog.. As part of her year-long experience in New York, Rachel set out “reading America” and included several Wilder books in her quest. Rachel’s well written book reviews, worthy of literary publication, bring a new generation’s perspective to these classic stories. One of her posts on Laura’s books can be found here.
Who is your favorite author?
Lifeonthecutoff's Blog 
I feel a bit cheeky in that I’m not really replying properly here…so no favourite book, but to let you know that I read “The Cat in the Hat” to my 4 year old grandson for the first time yesterday. He was spellbound…. it was an amazing success, and his parents are already tired of the ” again, again, again” cries.
So, maybe I am responding within the rules, today…. “The Cat in the Hat” is my favourite book. Best wishes, Janice.
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Not cheeky at all, Janice. Most of have read many books, enjoying each in their turn, and have many favorite authors. Besides, “The Cat in the Hat” is, at least for the time being, your grandson’s favorite book – and I love it! That joy that comes from a child’s introduction to a new book is so precious.
You are well within the rules, Janice. Besides, I’d already broken them.
You too.
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I honestly cannot think of a favorite author because I’ve enjoyed innumerable books and all for many different reasons. I will say though that I too loved Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books and of the set, if I remember correctly, it was Farmer Boy that I liked the most. Eoin just finished reading Farmer Boy and is now working on a project for school where he has to design a cereal box based upon the book he just read. So far he’s putting a maze on the back with Almanzo searching for his lost pig, Lucy (I think that’s her name).
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It’s a difficult question to answer, isn’t it Janet? But, it does get us talking. I would love to see Eoin’s completed project, with its wonderful maze. I’m so pleased that he read “Farmer Boy”. It is often neglected in the series because it’s about a boy, but Almanzo figures in so prominently as the stories go on. Eoin may also enjoy “The Long Winter”. As you may recall, Almanzo plays a big role in the story.
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Dear Penny, Thanks for the new blog you introduced us to today. I went over to Book Snob and I’m going to like those reviews.
As to my favorite children’s book I think it must be “Little Men” by Louisa May Alcott. My favorite adult novel is “Proof” by Dick Francis.
I so enjoy your blog. Peace.
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Dee, I know you will enjoy Rachel’s reviews. Her blog was one of the very first I read when I started blogging and she has lead me to some wonderful books.
I did enjoy “Little Men” and feel sorry that it is often forgotten. You might guess that I love Louisa May Alcott as well. Did you see the PBS docudrama that aired in Janurary of 2011? I think it was called The Woman Behind Little Woman. There is a book of the same name by Harriet Reisen that is excellent. She wrote the screenplay for the PBS show. If you are a LMA fan, you should see or read either one. Oh, I do go on. . .
Oh, Dee, thank you so much. I feel the same about yours.
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Congratulations on being tagged, Penny and I like your take on the challenge. 🙂 I truly don’t think I have one favourite author, but I do have favourite books. Like you I love the Laura Ingalls Wilder books and my favourite there is The Long Winter. I also love Louisa May Alcott, with Little Women being my favourite.
The most life-changing adult book I’ve ever read, and one to which I return again and again, is In This House Of Brede, by Rumer Godden, about which I wrote in one of my earliest posts. http://perpetually-in-transit.blogspot.co.uk/2011/03/novel-that-changed-my-life.html
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I just wanted you to know that I did visit your earlier post on “This House of Brede” Pperpetua. It is amazing how a book can bring about change, which is certainly illustrated in how this book was a catalyst in your faith journey. I will be looking for the book. Thank you.
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PS I also have a number of favourite series of novels, and the one I’m really enjoying at the moment is the series by Alexander McCall Smith about the Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency. Wonderful books. 🙂
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Thank you, Perpetua. You were my inspiration to meet the challenge with something different. I often read The Long Winter during a snowstorm, imagining Laura, her family, and all those townsfolk stranded as they were and of what a loving family she had. I love Louisa May Alcott as well. One of my favorite trips was visiting her house in Concord, MA. I just commented to Dee, above, about a wonderful documentary drama that you might want to see if you can find there. It is superb.
I haven’t read This House of Brede, but will try to remedy that soon. I’ll go check out your post when I finish here. Thank you.
Isn’t the Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency a wonderful series of books? Precious? She is precious. We read the first one a few years ago for our book group, with a lively discussion and rooibus tea, which most of us had never tasted. I love where books sometimes lead us.
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What a delimma to come up with one favorite author when there are so, so many. I confess to being a great lover of the Regency novels of Georgette Heyer, especially “The Grand Sophy”. Her novels are light and whimsical and always make me laugh. A close second favorite is Thurber. I loved “Madeline” by Bemelman as a young child. And I adore “Wind in the Willows” as well as the Little House series. A favorite contemporary novelist is Jacqueline Winspear and the Maisie Dobbs mysteries. What can you expect from the child of a librarian? I am getting ideas of more books to read here.
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It’s a tough one, isn’t it Marilyn? Georgette Heyer often comes up on some bookish blogs I frequent. I must read her and “The Grand Sophy” sounds like a good place to start. One can never go wrong with “Madeleine”. Our son-in-law’s cousin, little Olivia, imagines Madeleine with a great deal of zeal, which is extra cute since her name is Olivia (there is an Olivia series of books). I actually have “Wind in the Willows” sitting out right now as I’ve been in the mood to read it. It was a gift many moons ago from a very dear, dear friend. Oh, I could go on and on and now you’ve given me more titles. Thank you, Marilyn.
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Suffice to say picking a favourite is impossible for me – devour anything and everything written in all genres. If I have to pick a “comfort” author – one to hide away with when the going gets tough, Tolkien is the man 🙂
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I do understand. We live near Wheaton College, where a little cottage-like building sits and holds, among many things of the “Inklings”, the desk that Tolkien wrote on. I love to visit there. The desk is sitting there and they allow visitors to touch it.
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Some lovely recommendations, Penny. What a lovely project, to ‘read’ America!
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Thank you, Kate. I thought Rachel’s project was lovely as well. She’s a Londoner and one of the first blogs I ever read.
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This is impossible – it changes every week. I have reread the Little House series so many times I guess it would have to be LIW, but then I’ve read Little Women, Little Men, & Jo’s Boys as many times, and I like Rosamunde Pilcher, Maeve Binchy, Mary Dahiem (for her Alpine series) ……so many authors to choose from. Somehow I missed reading Wind in the Willows to my sons, but I have since acquired a copy and read it. A reread might be in order sometime.
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I know, Joyce. I know, and now you bring up several of my favorite authors. I tend to get Maeve Binchy on audio books when I travel up north to our daughter and her family. Enjoy whatever it is that you are reading right now – and enjoy the weather.
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Way to take a tag and make it your own, Penny. I love this approach. Very creative.
Like you, I read my Laura Ingalls Wilder books until they fell apart. Such an American story, a testimony to her time. I wish I could’ve known her, but reading her books made me feel like I did.
Today, I read so many different things. I cannot possibly pick one favorite author. My favorite book of all time is “The Count of Monte Cristo” by Alexandre Dumas. Such an engrossing tale. I wouldn’t say Dumas is my favorite author, but that is my favorite book. Every few years, I get it out and read it again, and probably will do that until I croak.
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Thank you, Andra. I appreciate that.
Wouldn’t it have been fascinating to know her? Someday I will venture to Rocky Ridge Farm in Mansfield, MO where Laura and Almanzo settled.
That is a great book to have as a favorite. Actually, I know the story, but not from reading the book and I really should correct that.
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It would be very difficult for me to pick a favorite although The Little House Books are always on the top of my list and I like the Prairie and The Long Winter best. My other favorite is, of course, Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables. I like everything of hers, but the original Anne book is the best. If it weren’t we wouldn’t be so hooked on the whole series. I really do read grown up books, but Laura and Lucy Maud remain my favorite authors.
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Oh, Janet, Anne of Green Gables is always the book I most think about when I think of you. I know we share a love of these authors and their literature, and you have even spent time on Prince Edward Island.
Isn’t it wonderful that books like these stand the test of time and make us kindred spirits?
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Nicely done! I have enjoyed each blog site you’ve recommended, so here I go again! More to follow! LOL! I really had to think of what I’d say is my favorite book! It is almost impossible, isn’t it! I see Louisa May Alcott liberally mentioned, and I’d probably have to say that Little Women was “it” for all my younger years, and still holds a prominent place in my heart! And growing up I had a beautiful double boxed set with “Jane Eyre” and “Wuthering Heights.” I read them over and over, and would probably lift them up as strong favorites. If we were having a face to face conversation I’d be throwing in about another dozen titles! I can tell I’m in good company! Fun tag!! Debra
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Thank you. “Jane Eyre” was on of my first introductions to more adult fiction, Debra. It was in among many other books in my mother’s hope chest, though the book was my father’s. He was the reader in the family and had given me permission to read his books. I still have it. How I wish we could be talking face to face. All of us.
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What a challenge this is! I love Jane Austen, especially ‘Emma’, and I re-read her whenever I have the flu – haven’t done so for some time however as I’ve been feeling very well. If you asked me the same question next week I’d probably give another answer.
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I’m glad you haven’t had to read Emma due to the flu, Juliet, but hope you read it again soon healthy. Emma seems to be the favorite Austen of many. It is a challenging question that Sunday posed, but it did provide some wonderful authors and book titles in the process.
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Oh Penny, you are too kind to me! What lovely things to say! I’m so touched, thank you. 🙂 I love that you chose the Little House books. I will always be sad that I didn’t first discover them as a child. My Little House was The Secret Garden…I still keep my copy by my bed just in case I need it in the night!
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I mean every one, Rachel. You are so very welcome. The important thing is that you did discover them. I love The Secret Garden and think it is so magical that you keep a coy by your bed. Our childhood books often give us the comfort and inspiration we need through our adulthood.
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