I’ve promised it, and now here it is: a list of some of my favorite books and writers, in no particular order. The list includes favorites from my childhood; English class standards that I’m so glad were required; books that I love to read to my kids; and pure brain candy. I’ve read most of the books several times over, some dozens of times, and I know I’ll always enjoy something written by one of my favorite authors. I’d like to add to it when I have more time, but I’m not making any more promises.

• Jane Smiley, especially A Thousand Acres
• The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
• Night of the Twisters by Ivy Ruckman
• Second Child by John Saul
• The short stories of Raymond Carver
• A Prayer for the Dying by Stewart O’Nan
• The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood
• Dorothy Parker
• The Last Time They Met by Anita Shreve
• Josephine by Maria Gripe
• Passwords by William Stafford
• Fall on Your Knees by Ann-Marie McDonald
• Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier
• The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles
• Truck Song by Diane Siebert
• Niccolini’s Song by Chuck Wilcoxen
• Who’s Got the Apple? by Jan Loof
• The short stories of Jean Thompson