Words Move Me

You had me with "declare you an avid reader." What a great tool for adding your own thoughts or looking for the perfect literary quote for a theme you're building. I admit, though, that I couldn't figure out what the tag SBTB means, though.

I think the best literary moments are when books I love turn into books that my kids love. I gave my son The Wizard of Oz and he read the whole thing in one day. It was wonderful.

When I was in elementary school, one of my Christmas presents for the year was Owl Moon by Jane Yolen. It was one of the last Christmas gifts I opened, and I'll admit I was tired and became a little cranky at getting a book instead of a toy. However, to this day I remember how much my parents loved this book, and the way my dad's voice sounded when he read it to me, and now I love it, too. I know this will be a book I'll be reading to my children.

A friend had told me once in high school that she was named after two of the girls in Little Women (Amybeth), my favorite book of all time. I asked her a question about the book and was shocked to hear that she had never read it! She said it would have been a nice thing for her mom to buy for her, but never had, and not that much later her mom died.

Years later I remembered that, and got her a really nice, hard-cover, leather-bound edition of Little Women. The look on her face when she opened it made me want to cry. I think it's the best gift I've ever given anyone.

It's a drawn out moment, but I love reading the Little House on the Prairie series to my daughter. She's old enough to read, so sometimes I need to angle the book away from her so she doesn't read head, but sharing quiet time together reading a book that I LOVED as a child is pretty special.

I recently spent most of two weeks sitting in a dining room in Idaho with my sister-in-law while our men were out hunting. She had brought good books to enjoy on her trip and her never-ending knitting projects. We worked out a perfect plan. I would read aloud while she continued her knitting.
We chose SNOWFLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN by Lisa See, National Best Seller a few years ago.
We were so engrossed in the powerful narrative, memoir style, penetrating ancient Chinese culture, that we could hardly wait for the men and the family to leave, get our chores out of the way, and have our own devotional time, to get back to our book. We began to call the area where we spent our days 'the women's chamber' and referred to ourselves as 'sworn sisters'. More than that we were moved by the harsh realities endured by the characters, we struggled with their wrong choices, understood more about our own humanness, and learned valuable lessons about unconditional love and loyalty.
The impact of this book will remain with me for a long time and the bonding experience with my SIL will never be forgotten.

When I was about 11, my mother took a trip to the US and brought back a copy of Frances Hodgson Burnett's "The Secret Garden". I remember struggling through the first few chapters of the book and wondering why I was even bothering with it….. then, just as Mary began venturing out into the dull, grey Yorkshire outdoors, I became captivated. I couldn't read fast enough. To this day it remains one of my favorite children's books. I will never forget how the story bloomed for me, as bright and colorful as Mary's own secret garden.

As a child my father use to read to my sisters and brother from a book of short stories. We did a lot of sailing and when we were anchored at night he would have our undivided attention. My favorite story was Shovels and Bricks. It was the story of a man that was Shanghai'd and taken to sea, and then starts a mutiny with, you guessed it, Shovels and Bricks.
I know it's not exactly Kid Lit, but I loved it. After my father passed away I hoped to get the book, but somehow it was lost. I still look for it online from time to time. I can't remember the name of the anthology so that makes it difficult. Anyway, the story was a wonderful gift and a warm memory of time with my father

I think when I read my son the juvenile book "The Kissing Hand" by Audrey Penn it made both of us feel more at ease about his starting school. Since then I have given the book to many of my nieces and nephews before they started school too.
jhoorm01(at)yahoo.com

My most favorite literary moment is when I read ‘Leota’s Garden’ by Francine Rivers. It’s about the reconciliation between a grandmother and her two children through her granddaughter. Throw in a college student who is doing research in what is best for aging citizens, and you get a serious book of misunderstandings due to ’silent’ issues and comedy as the grandmother deals with the college student’s ideas. The intimacy between grandmother and granddaughter is so touching and heartwarming, as well as the relationship with the college student as the days go by. I definitely recommend it to anyone who has issues such as these, as communication is the key, along with prayer.

When I graduated college my friend gave me a copy of Paulo Coehlo's The Alchemist. She told me it changed her life and hope I would get something out of it. I glanced at the back cover and set it aside.

Due to my career choice, we moved around quite a bit. I could never let myself give away the book since it was gift from a close friend. It just moved with me from place to place.

About 2 years ago (several years after I received the book), I decided to read it. Other friends had introduced me to the idea that having a positive outlook on life makes it much more pleasant.

The Alchemist's story totally fit in where I was in my life. That things happen for a reason, but you just have to believe in your goal and keep it in site. If I had read the book when I first received it, I would have thought it was a bunch of baloney. I was not ready for the message. It's like the book called me to read it when it knew I wold be ready

My literary moments tend to revolve around Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy and Atlas Shrugged. My fave from HHGTG is the quote about little green pieces of paper being unhappy. I laugh out loud every time!

As a history and english literature teacher my great literary moment arrived when my students became voluntary active research participants after being introduced to The Heretics Daughter and Cleopatra's Daughter. Students were determined that they would detect the fictious elements. At my student's request, we are studying symbols and symbolism in art and literature in preparation for reading Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol; they are determined that no symbol will escape the class's scrutiny and that every student will understand every symbol.

My favorite book present was the Bobbsey twin book set I received as a child that started my love of reading.

My best literary moments are when my students have an insight to a piece of literature that I had not considered. It is amazing how readers are true participants in literature.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

I always got such joy out of reading to and with my son. They were the perfect moments for us.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

I have never been a big fan thrillers but I just read The Thirteen Tale and had no idea it was one until the end. The main character is writing the biography of a famous writer who had told many versions of her life story over the years, but swears this is the real truth. Her life story is so unconventional yet intriguing. Very good read that has open my mind to reading more thrillers (as long as they are not gory!).

I have always been an avid reader myself. I remember reading so many books when I was growing up. We never had a great deal of money and I'm sure by today's standards, we would have been considered poor, but I never considered myself underprivileged. My parents, especially my Mom, considered reading very important. While we may have not had many toys, we always had plenty of books to read. Some of my favorites were Charlotte's Web and The Little House on the Prairie series. I have tried to instill the same love of reading in my kids and in fact, we have read some of the same books together, that I read as a little girl. My parents gave me such a great gift that will last a lifetime, the love of reading and learning.

About 10 years ago I was in a bad relationship and needed out. I had endured verbal and physical abuse for 4.5 years and finally had enough. I went into a Homeless Women's Shelter and soon began accomplishing my goals so I could make it on my own.

I met great women there, one being a staff member who will always remain close in my heart. She gave me this book "I hope you dance" containing poems and inspirational thoughts, as well as a CD of the single of the song of the same name. she wrote a really sweet caption inside the book to me telling me that she always hopes that I dance.

Every time I hear that song I still cry and I'm welling up thinking about this gift now.

We had a wonderful literary moment the other day, when my son brought me our copy of the Eric Carle Storybook Collection. He climbed on my lap and asked me to read it to him. Then when we finished, he wanted me to read it again. It was wonderful to see his imagination and interest so peaked in this book, and it warmed my heart that he wanted me to experience it with him. I can only hope that his love for books will continue for the rest of his life.

One of my literary moments would have to be getting a book of poems by Elizabeth Barret Browning that contained one of my favorite poems of all time ( How do I love thee) I just loved the background of her life and how that poem embodied her being able to overcome those struggles.

One very hot summer when I was young, I 'discovered' the Nancy Drew books in the local library and spent the entire summer reading the series. It was the start of a lifelong love of reading. Now I always give the gift of a Nancy book to the budding readers in my life.

In the book The Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio the woman in there struggles against so many odds and remains positive no matter what. This really makes me think on a daily basis I have the choice to be happy today!

When I read "Pillars of the Earth" I became totally engrossed in the work of the builders of great cathedrals in the middle ages. A whole world of culture was created by the author! It really is amazing.

I've loved reading since I was a child. When I was in 7th grade, our class read Where the Red Fern Grows and it was reading that particular story when I truly realized how much emotional impact a book can have. It was the first time I cried while reading book.

When I was in graduate school, my major professor asked me to coauthor a new college textbook with him. The book we created was life-changing for me, because I enjoyed the experience so much I changed my goals and chose a career in textbook publishing over the academic career I had planned.

At age 14 I spent 3 months in a hospital 700 miles away from my home. When my mother wasn't able to visit she sent me care packages full of books. My favorite was A Ring of Endless Light. I realized that even though the causes of our stresses where different that the emotions were the same. It has helped me many times in life to relate to situations I havn't expeirenced.

When growing up, my literary moments were picking out and receiving books that were ordered from Scholastic Books at school

My son is a huge Hunter S Thompson fan. I gave him the book that came out after his death. The weird thing was the cover pic looks just like my son.

Well, this is going to seem pretty immature of me, but a friend gave me a Dr. Seuss book (Oh, the places you'll go) when I was off to graduate school. I thought it was really touching, and it really inspired me when I had my many many (many!) occasions of feeling like I definitely couldn't do it. It made me remember that someone really had faith in me and thought that I was doing something great.

My great literary moments are when I come across a book that just moves me. When I'm truly upset that I've reached the last page, that's a great literary moment.

Wonderful giveaway!

This would be the best win EVER. Keeping my fingers and toes crossed, heheh.

A book I received as a gift that made was very special to me is The Lost Princess by George Macdonald. One of the many books my father would get me. All my life he's encouraged me to read. I'm quite grateful for that.

i received a thomas perry book many years ago and ended up reading everything he has written

The Beatles. Gave as gift to a special lady who we shared them as part of our history

I've been moved by many books but none so much as Little Women. It's the first book that actually brought me to tears. The scene of Beth's dying is one that I will never forget. She was so full of such goodness and love. We all should be so loving.

the onion field, it was great.

What a wonderful, wonderful prize.
I guess my best 'literary moment' is when my sons and I read the whole Harry Potter Series of books together. I have such a passion for reading, have since I was a child and I'm thrilled to see my sons starting to show this same passion. We would read a bit of each Harry Potter book together each night. This went on for months until we finished the series. So, seeing my sons share a passion for reading is by far my best literary moment.
Thanks so much and Happy Holidays!

My best literary moment was when my Dad gave me my first "big girl" book. He was always one to insist we read. From the time I was 2 he started teaching me. By the time I was 5 he gave me Little House on The Prairie, my first book without 10 words to a page and millions of pictures. I read that book with such pride and still have the copy he gave me all the 40 years later.
iheartsweeping@aol.com

My best literary moments is when I was eight years old and I read Helen Keller.From that day on I was hooked on reading books . I love reading true life stories about personal struggles and how they overcame.

honeybeez80@yahoo.com

Hard to answer-Jody Picult, My Sister's Keeper was one of them

I was grounded as a teenager and my mother thought I should read Gone With the Wind. I did not want to but did. I ended up loving the book and then watched the movie. I'll never forget it.

A favorite moment is hard to pick, but I love the ones that make me glad I'm a teacher. While teaching Hamlet to a class, one of the girls raised her hand. When I called on her, she said, "He'd be so much better if one of them who would just be nice to him." I just wanted to hug her!

The Good Earth by Pearl Buck. I enjoyed this book about China and the movie that was based on it. I've read a lot about China and was so sorry I could not get to the Olympics.

I have both received and given 2 book by the same author, Jennifer Weiner. Good in Bed was the first and I loved it because I could relate to the overweight main character. Little Earthquakes was great and even though I'm not yet a mom, I could relate to the characters. I gave it to all my friends with kids and it quickly became their favorite book!

The Geography of Bliss made me so happy I cried after finishing it,then I immediately began reading it again. I went right out and bought a copy for my friend and she loved it too.

eddiem11@ca.rr.com

The book Wicked is special. I bought my niece a few years back for Christmas. She was so excited to receive it. Thanks!

Rediscovering Catholicism changed me for the better! Great read!

I loved sharing "The Secret Garden" with my daughter when she was younger. Now I enjoy reading it with my granddaughter.

Like you, I love, and have always loved, reading books. I can't say there was one favorite, but I fall in love with authors. I read all of the Pearl Buck books, and Daphne du Maurier stories. I like Dean Koontz and Nora Roberts. And the classics as well. I love to relax into a book before bed. It interests me and makes me sleepy. I know that I will probably be reading my book on a Sony Pocket Reader (or equivalent) pretty soon. And I won't be reading my newspaper as paper in a year or two. But that's OK. It's the story that matters.

when my uncle gave me his collection of edgar rice burroughs books when i was a kid scooter7018@aol.com

I've give the book "Stargirl" as a gift to my sister and two of my best friends. The book is about a young girl labeled as "weird" and strange, so obviously all the "normal" kids at school do nothing but put her down and push her away. But one boy was brave enough to break through and get to be friends with her and she brought out all the best in him. She may have been different from everyone else, but that's what made her great. I love Stargirl and thank Jerry Spinelli for writing it. I think it can change young girls lives, if only they would all read it.

Thanks for the giveaway!

My daughter loves to read and is 11. She reads all the time.

*Oh, The Places you will go* by dr. seuss… I give it as a gift for anyone graduating high school or college and as a baby shower gift!! The book is just amazing!! I love the language and expressions used telling about all the things one can do in life!!

I was gifted a book entitled "The Highly Selective Dictionary For the Extraordinarily Literate" by Eugene Ehrlich, for my 21st birthday.

I found it to be (and still is) one of my most favorite books and a constant companion whenever I have a moment or two to spare. I enjoy it so much as it opened up an entirely new experience of words that I never new existed before. There are so many wonderful ways to describe things, and I found that it brought me closer with the world around me; I was better able to more closely experience it now that I knew how better to describe it

I have truly enjoyed reading all these comments. I think I will join the new site you talked about and thank-you for sharing it.
I don't remember at what age I read "A Tree Grows In Brooklyn," but I do remember it as a turning point in my life. It was the first thick(in my eyes) book I had borrowed from the library. I fell in love with reading and the library because that book moved me so much.
This is a great giveaway, thanks!
OOOOOOOOOOOOps I forgot to mention that I give "A Tree Grows In Brooklyn" as a gift as often as I can. Hoping it touches others the way it touched me. Please combine my comments into one. Thanks!

i have many books that have special meaning through he years hard to pick one I was at Barnes and Noble a few yrs ago and came across a cop of A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN use but in very good condition it is special to me as it reminds us to never give up hope i also have a 1955 Betty Crocker Picture Cookbook it was my late Moms and i treasure it

The Secret Garden has very special meaning to me. I remember my dad reading it to me as a child and the sense of accomplishment I felt when I was finally able to read it by myself. I look forward to sharing this classic with my daughter.

This would be a great present for my teenaged daughter

I had to read the OUITSIDERs in grade school, ended up reading it 6 times. Nothing effected me the same way since

I have read the Little House on the Prairie books from cover to cover countless times, and my husband also is a huge Ingalls Wilder fan. Her books have had a tremendous impact on my homemaking…I do many things from scratch, and I have a profound appreciation for how hard they had it in those days, and how blessed I am in my life.

When I was 7 or 8 years old,my Mom and I took turns reading The Secret Garden to each other.I had always liked books but that was my'literary moment'.The book really came alive for me and I couldn't wait to get to the next chapter.I was sad when we finished the story.I wanted to start it again.I don't remember the book that we read next,but I will always remember the book Secret Garden,the one that really started my love for reading:)

When i was eight i read my first novel; Helen Keller, and completely fell in love with the book. that is also when i discovered that i love to read.

My literary moment came after my daughter died and I realize that I could connect with authors or characters in the books I was reading. I was able to begin to heal.

My literary gift came from my sister years ago when she introduced me that "Anne girl" – Anne of Green Gables.

It was 1984. I was 14. She was 12 – still young enough to inscribe inside the front cover:

To Nikki, "84" Luv Toby and Fluffy

I read that now and it strikes me as silly. Our dog and cat, giving me a book! I'm sure it made perfect sense back then, when our pets were natural members of the family, capable of giving gifts (with the help of a 12 year old girl.)

Yet I think Anne and her author would approve. Such imagination, don't you think?

Anne of Green Gables went on to be one of my all-time favorite books. My copy is treasured to this day, not only because I love Anne so, but because my sister gave it to me with love.

And with a little help from Toby and Fluffy.

I always get such joy out of reading a great book then handing it over to my mother to read. These are the wonderful moments for us. I love to read Jane Goodall's books. The books are wonderful. For someone to commit their whole life on helping animals and improving the lives of people is amazing.

My favorite book is the secret. I have never read a book that has changed my life so tremendously as this book has , just relizing a confermation of what I somehow already new about life , was healing and thought provoking.and I have felt a lightness and burst of energy about my life ever since. this will always be my favorite book! thanks for the contest!

To Kill a Mockingbird was one book that really moved me

A 'literary moment' of my own would be giving my son his first bible

A 'literary moment' for me is when out of the blue, without warning, my sight suddenly becomes blurry and tears are falling down my cheeks. The book that I am reading moves me, literally moves me to tears.

Not myself, but my 16 year old daughter LOVES to read….i really love to watch her read because she just gets so involved in books…she asks for books as gifts. She is getting ready for college and a e-reader would be the perfect gift for her….thanks

i lent a few books to my friend and now he can't get enough, he's devouring my collection

My favorite books are The Little House on the Praire series and Luanne Rice's books.

When I was little my mom would read me countdown to christmas books and when I got older I started reading them to her.

Every year my Grandma used to give my mom a Danielle Steele book. Now that I'm all grown up every year my mom gets me a Danielle Steele book! She's always been our special author!

I love Harry Potter because it reminds me of my childhood. I have been reading them since I was 7 years old.

My favorite books are a series of Chinese novels by Mr. Louis Cha, such as The Legend of Condor Heroes, The Return of the Condor Heroes, and The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber (we call it Condor Trilogy).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condor_Trilogy

I read them over 30 times. Every time I read I relive the story again. Now I have to go to local libraries in MA because I gave up all books when I moved to here. SAD!!!

When my family and I went to Taiwan last year, we stopped by a bookstore and my sister want to buy me the whole series as a gift. I struggled like 20 minutes but at the end I turned it down because my suitcase was overloaded already. Anyhow, it was an amazing moment and I will remember it for the rest of my life.

I will be really thrilled if all series can be read on ereader!

The Great Santini was probably the first book I remember reading that was such an emotional punch in the gut. I remember that after I got over the emotions evoked by the book, that I was amazed that this..a book.. could do that.

A friend of mine gave me Kresley Cole's A Hunger Like No Other as a gift and I thought I was going to absolutely hate it. To my surprise, I not only love it, it continues to be one of my favorite books ever.

My best literary moment was reading the last page of the last Harry Potter book. Thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net

The best literary Moments are when a person can relate to and/or apply the authors words to their own life. I remember reading The Giving Tree to my little one and she said that I was her "Giving Tree."

i had read survival books before like hatchet and Robinson Crusoe but in the 10th grade i had to reread Huck fin and i ended up reading an entire line of books like treasure island, Robinson crusoe, mysterious island, hatchet etc just all books on going out to sea and find island. i had it in my mind that is what i wanted to do….retire to an island in the caribean at 26 and just stay there for the rest of my life. even got some blueprints of U-boat and redesigned it so it would be my personal yacht/submarine.
now i am a bit more realistic about it but it is still my plan in my early 50's =)

I received a copy of "To Kill a Mockingbird" from my eighth grade teacher. I still have and treasure it.

chrisny2(at) aol (dot) com

My favorite literary moments were perhaps when I took courses in Children's Literature and had the opportunity to revisit some of the books I enjoyed in childhood through "new eyes."

Last year my son-in-law gave me Stephen King's Secretary of Dreams book for Christmas. It is special to me because I am a huge, longtime Stephen King fan and the book is very limited. I can't believe how much my SIL spent on that book. But it meant the world to me that he bought me something that I really wanted but couldn't afford.

I read a book every 2-3 days and they vary to all sections of literature. I also read a chapter of Scripture every day and this is what fuels my day and keeps me going.

"A Woman's Worth" by Marianne Williamson changed my life and my relationship with myself when I read it in my early 20s.

When I started high school (7th grade in our district), my homeroom teacher was also an English teacher. To help homeroom pass by more pleasantly, I asked if I could read a book on her shelf titled, "To Kill a Mockingbird." I am so thankful I did. I never had the opportunity to read it as an assignment, and it was the first, of many readings. (Actually I am listening to it on CD right now.) Though I loved to read, I had not been encouraged to read "classics." After high school, I purchased the book for myself, not having access to it in homeroom any more. The story moves me each time I read it.

(This is a great question. I really enjoyed reading others' comments. Thanks!)

I read a lot of books that have affected me. The bible is the one that affected me the most. The bible has given me light in times of darkness.

I used to love reading the Little house on the prairie books growing up. I would always sit and imagine growing up in that time period and traveling with the wagon train. Those books really started my love for reading. =)

my husband & I couldn't decide on a name for our 2nd daughter… so we named her after a character from our favorite book/series, The Belgariod… funny how all our daughters are avid readers, but only 2 of the 3 liked this series… namesake couldn't get past the 3rd chapter… You figure it out… lol

My favorite literary moment was reading Walt Witman poetry to my son…

I think a book called Green Mansions really inspired me. An obscure classic I share with as many people as I can.

I still have a very vivid memory of being in second grade, walking up to the bookshelf in my classroom and choosing a book to read, called "Little House on the Prairie". I'd never heard of it before and I fell immediately in love. Last year, when my oldest daughter was in second grade, I gave her my copy of "Little House in the Big Woods" so she could start to enjoy the Little House books as well.

My favorite literary moment was when, as a fourth grader, I realized heartfelt satisfaction with story-told that was well worth struggling through pages after page of thick Scottish dialect in the book Lassie Come Home.

I would have to say that I have been literary my whole life. My father used to call me a book worm and that I always had my nose in a book. I can say that I am still like that today! All these years later and books still as important to me as they were then; maybe even more important. Now I get to share my love for reading to my son. Just last night we read Dora goes to the Carnival. He was excited. I am glad to know that I will have an influence on another generation and pass along the love of reading. Anyone that I speak with I also tell them my love of reading and speak of the new books that I am reading. I subscribe to about 15 magazines as well. On top of college I have read 30 books in the last 10 months. I can always make the time to read.

sign me up

An Ayn Rand book signed with a little inspirational passage by a co-worker before I left a job.

When I was 11 my dad gave me Agatha Christie's "And Then there Were None". I was already an avid reader, but this set me on my lifelong love of mysteries. I still have that Agatha Christie book and re-read it occasionally.

I've always loved books. But my moment was when my two year old, whom I read to every night, picked up Green Eggs and Ham and started "reading" it to me. I've passed on my love and I couldn't be happier.

I've been a big reader my whole life but due to school have slowly cut down how much I read per year. A series I have read from the beginning is the Alice series by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. The books are geared towards a teen audience so I hadn't read the latest one. My friend who knew I had loved them gave me a copy of the newest one, Intensely Alice, for my birthday. I read the book and cried as one of the characters died, realizing that I could never not finish the series because I had grown up with these fictional people. Reviews online complained the book was predictable, but to someone who has a connection to the characters it is overwhelming with emotions. It really showed me how much of a connection there is between what I read and how I feel. It also showed me that there is never an age where the content of a book geared for a younger age can't move you. thanks for this amazing giveaway!

i read alot of history books and the one I really liked alot and learned alot from was an unfished life John F Kennedy

My favorite literary moments came from the books given to me by my grandmothers. Both of them were avid readers and read to me a lot when I was a little girl. I loved to spend the night with any of my grandparents and my grandmas would always snuggle under the covers with me to read stories. When I was older both of them gave me many of their treasured books and I was able to read my of the classics (Moby Dick, The Grapes of Wrath, Treasure Island, and more)while holding the same pages in my hands that they had. They bring back so many warm memories. I still have all those books on my shelf and someday will pass them on to my grandchildren who I now snuggle under the covers with to read stories

When we were younger my Great Aunt and Uncle would always give books to all of the kids in the extended family. As bookworms my sister and I loved this tradition. The thing that made it extra special was the thought and love that they put into each book selection. My favorite book they ever gave was The Book of Three which begins the Prydain Chronicles by Lloyd Alexander (think Black Cauldron). I had never heard of the series before, but it was such a perfect fit for my taste and interests that year. That series saw me through the second half of my 5th grade year. It was my first year at a new school and those books gave me the emotional escape I needed at the end of a difficult or even wonderful day. I had always loved to read, but that one book sparked a greater understanding of just how powerful books can be.

AWESOME giveaway!
thank-you very much 4 the entry!

Reading war & peace.. Great giveaway thank you

I remember my summers spending time in the pool and ocean but also reading every book I could find at our local library. I have always believed that books could take me places that otherwise I would never be able to go.

I fondly remember the first time that a friend gave me a hardbound book as a birthday gift. I felt so honored. I still treasure that copy of Dr. Dolittle.

I remember when I was 12-years-old, I read Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I remember being so hooked as soon as I started reading the first few pages. I got so hooked that I couldn't put it down. The love-hate relationship that Mr. Darsey and Elizabeth shared was so gripping and addicting at the same time! I was so hooked that one night I had to sneak-read the book with a flashlight in my bedroom! My mom told me that it was bed time, but I told her that I couldn't put the book down! She did not feel sorry for me, thus ordering me to bed right away!!!! So I went to bed, waited until I couldn't hear her roaming the halls anymore, got the flashlight, and snuck the book and flashlight under my covers….kind of like in the movies!!!!!! I was determined to get through the book and finish the emotional turmoil love story! Well….I did just that! I LOVED the story! Loved it! To this day, Pride and Prejudice remains my favorite book of all time and in my opinion is one of the greatest love stories of all time. And to this day, my mom still has no idea that I snuck the flashlight and book under my covers to finish the wonderful book! I would do it all over again too! (Just don't tell my mom!!)

Thanks for the awesome giveaway.

There is one book that I received in High School that has meant a lot to me, Our Town. My English teacher gave it to me and told me to read it every ten years because I would get something different from it each time.

He was right, it meant one thing to me in High School, but as I have moved through the different stages of life the meaning has changed. When I have read it as a husband, then as a parent, I have gotten something different out of it each time.

If you haven't read Our Town before, or haven't read it in awhile, I would recommend picking up a copy and reading it again.

I've been wanting one of these! Great giveaway!

I've always loved reading ever since I was a kid. I remember reading Gone with the Wind when I was in 8th grade and just getting so wrapped up in the story & the history, I wasn't paying attention to anything else. We didn't have much money growing up, so mostly I used the library, but one year I was given my own copy of Gone with the Wind and I read that thing to tatters. I still remember one time being sick and out of school for awhile, just lying on the couch reading that book. One of my best literary moments was reading the ending of I Know this Much is True by Wally Lamb; I was very moved by it.

But there are so many great and powerful books out there, it really is hard to pick just one moment!

I am a lover of reading. I attempted to pass that on to my kids…with not a great deal of success. They never seemed as thrilled with it as I. However, I knew it sunk in when my daughter recently called and was quite upset that her boyfriend had never heard of "Where the Wild Things Are." She told him it was a "classic" and her "favorite book" when she was small!

I recall a book that caught my eye and having read previous material by the author decided to purchase it. I couldn't put it down and I remember thinking to myself, "this would make an excellant movie." Upon finishing the novel I gave it to a friend, who also read it and passed it along to another friend, and so forth. As it turned out, a movie based on the book was produced and it became a blockbuster hit. I never received the original copy back but have since replaced it among my personal collection favorites. It's titled 'Jurassic Park' by Michael Chrichton.

I can't remember when I DIDN'T love to read. I read anything. My grandmother used to say that I would read the back of the cereal box! My greatest joy is that my granddaughter shares my love of reading too. Such a great legacy. I've really been wanting a Sony Bookreader and is on my wish list. Thanks for the giveaway.

I remember how proud I was when I was young and had earned money babysitting. The very first thing I bought with the hard-earned money was a Nancy Drew mystery book. That was fifty-some years ago and I still get a great feeling when I buy a new book that I have been wanting to read.

"Gone With the Wind" is my favorite novel – it was the first adult novel I had ever read.

I love the Stand, it is such a great book of good vs. evil.

I'm an English teacher, so that is a pretty loaded question. I have so many favorite books and so many favorite literary moments. I am lucky to be able to teach an college level course in my high school, and those kids love to read, they love books as much as I do, and they love to learn how to analyze literature. It's become a tradition that I scour tag sales for some of my favorite books. I pick up great hardcovers and trade paperbacks for a quarter and then I pass them out to my students. I'm not from a rich district, so this is a pretty big deal for some of them, and I just love sharing books with kids.

I don't blog, so I can't post your button, but I tweeted
http://twitter.com/fairydancer35/status/6505412220

Nelson DeMille's book Charm School really got me thinking about how it could have really happened. Basic story Russians captured American soldiers are made them teach Russian soldiers how to be Americans.

The book "Marley & Me" was special because I'm a yellow lab owner & I could identify with the owner's crazy lab's antics. It's one of the few books that moved me to tears.

It's even more moving now that I know my dog is dying of a tumor.

My mother died when I was four. I knew she wasn't there anymore but I really didn't understand. A few years late I read the book Little Women and when Beth died I think I finally understood what I had lost but also that we can go on. I still love that book and whenever someone asks me my favorite book of all time Little Women is my answer.

One of my special books is kind of a weird one…it's The Night. It's a book about the holocaust and it was the first book that really got through to me in high school.

My best literary moment was in the 6th grade. My teacher read the class "The Giver" outloud. There were parts where the entire class (and the teacher) were moved to tears. I adore that book to this day and recommend it to everyone I can.

I gave the book Oh The Places You'll Go by Dr. Seuss to both of my children when they graduated high school. It was to express to them that no matter what path you choose you truly can do anything you want. I wanted them to remember what it was like to have the innocence of a child with Dr. Seuss but also the endless possibilities of a future spread out before them.

When I read 'American Psycho' by Bret Easton Ellis I was shocked by how much better than the movie it is. And I love the movie. It inspired me to read another book of his that was made into a movie that I like, 'Less Than Zero.' I've since gone back and read the books for which most movies I like are based on and I have enjoyed it immensely. I rediscovered the joy of reading so much that I went back and started re-reading some humanities books that were mandatory in college and I feel more productive and that I am increasing my vocabulary while enjoying myself at the same time.

A book titled "The Poppy Seed Cakes" has a number of Eastern European fairy tales, with every page having distinctive woodcut artwork. The tales gave me, the first of my family born in the US, a profound sense of the rhythm and expectations of life "in the old country". It's a feeling that linked me to my grandparents and further back.

Please enter me in the giveaway.

When I was probably about 13 my aunt gave me a book for my birthday. I had always been an avid reader and read anything I could get my hands on. This book was a copy of Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery. I have cherished this book for many years. My aunt had Lymphoma and she was very ill a lot of the time. We shared a great love for reading after she gave me that book and even as her health declined I would go and sit by her bed and read to her. I hope when I am old and feeble that someone will realize how much that would mean to me and remember that books are sometimes the essence of life.

One of my moments was reading "The Red Tent" by Anita Diamante – a book that is now well-loved and well-circulated among my friends and family. Reading this fictional book that revolves around the Biblical Naomi, Ruth and their kinswomen brought to live the stories we heard in Sunday School. Bringing these women into full view and making them well-rounded characters, I found myself mentally juxtaposing the Biblical verses with the story as I read it, and developing a much more complete understanding of the lives, the troubles, the sacrifices and joys that these women actually lived. For me, the enjoyment of the story itself was well-accentuated by my sketchy recollection of the Biblical story. After I finally turned the last page of this book, I ended up going to my Bible and reading these chapters with a deeper understanding. Of all the books I have read (and I have read MANY), THIS book struck the kind of spark in me that makes me want to share it with all women. The commonalities of our experiences then and now are striking.

When I was little, I first read "Trumpet of the Swan" by E.B. White. I loved that book read it again and again. The story was so sweet and encouraging and that message has stayed with my all through the years. It's the power of a good book.

My favorite literary moment is a bit unusual. I still love the big old family bible that was passed down. The memories that book can tell. I am queenesperfect at yahoo.com

i won this book motor mouth by janet evanovich. i decided to give it a read! having 4 kids, it had been a while since i had read a book. after reading that book, i fell back in love with reading!! i had forgotten how much i love to read!!

When I was a child, my mom would give me several editions of Nancy Drew mystery books for birthdays and Christmas until I had the whole set. I read them over and over and developed a taste for mysteries that has endured.

From Nancy Drew, I moved on to my mom's books, classic mystery writers like Agatha Christie, Rex Stout and Mary Roberts Rinehart. I can never thank my Mom enough for giving me a love of books.

A teacher in grade school read the book Mrs Frisbee And The Rats Of NIMH – a friend gave me a copy of it a couple of years ago.

I was given a book called "My real life in the cartoon world of pro wrestling" by Bret Hart. I enjoyed this read from behind the curtain.

When I went into ninth grade, my mom gave me Nine Stories by J.D. Salinger. It's a great collection of nine short stories. It's been my favorite ever since.

I was given the total money makeover and it made me want to start to pay my debt off faster.

In college I was taking a Psychotherapy class, and we had to read this book that I dreaded reading: The Road Less Traveled by Scott Peck. Well, about 3 chapters into it I couldn't put it down, and it changed my life for the better. I began interning at a Juvenile Corrections Program and I used to buy that book for the young men who "graduated" from the program, in hopes that it would change their life also.

Last summer, I fell in love with David Wroblewski's wonderful, heartbreaking novel THE STORY OF EDGAR SAWTELLE, and gave copies to every book lover I know. Everyone loved it, and I like to think I started a 'literary moment' that we all shared! Thanks

my sisters keeper was a book that moved me in many ways , it inspired to volunteer at our local cancer center. wonderful book

I love books. In fact when I was young and ran out of books to read I would steal my big sisters school reading list books and read them. Once I got to college my Eng Lit professor couldn't believe all the books I had read.
However, there was one book when I was younger than I loved to read. In fact, I read it so much that the cover fell off all the time so I made it a new one. I don't remember the name but it was a childern prose and poetry book. It was giving to me by my grandfather that passed away when I was only six. Poetry was a favorite of his and ooo that book inroduced me to words that flowed and made me think. My mom said that I use to look at the pictures in the book before I could read… It's my favorite book still (although it is at my parents house)because it is the only thing I still have of my grandfather and it is the book that introduced me to a love of reading..

When I was first dating my now husband, I was struggling to become a published author while still going to college to get a degree. Upon graduating, as his gift to me, he had one of my manuscripts published, bound, and illustrated (complete with fake jacket quotes and everything). I love books and when I opened that present, it took me a second to realize that it was MY book. I cried for probably half an hour. It was the best gift I had ever received. I still haven't been published but that time, but I 'm still working hard at it.

I love how you can meet a fellow harry potter fan at anywhere – standing in line at the store, at a friend's party – and instantly have enough to talk about to last at least an hour! I am starting to see the same thing with Twilight, but maybe only a 30 min convo.

I read Consuelo by George Sand when I was really young and all I can remember is that it was a great book (series). I've actually been afraid to re-read it as an adult because of I'm afraid I might be disappointed, it might be that the book has become greater in my memory than it really is.

I remember the first time I read "Roots" by Alex Haley…I was amazed at all the research he went into and all the experiences of the slaves I'd never thought about before.

One book that has greatly affected me is "To Kill A Mockingbird". There are so many wonderful passages in it and I feel uplifted every time I read it. One line that truly moved me the first time I read it is "I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do." To me, it pretty much sums up life and encourages me to always try. I love it.

I guess my literary moment would be the first novel my husband and I read together. It was in the car over many painstaking hours but we both enjoyed and discussed Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card until we finished!

My first literary moment was when my mom gave me the Anne of Green Gables book. The book was huge and included the whole series in it. I spent hours each day reading and not being able to hardly put the book down.

I was a very lonely child, my parents moved every few months – giving me little opportunity to make friends. For whatever reason, the book Heidi, changed my life. It gave me comfort and took me to another place. I can't tell you how many times I reread it, and still do today.

The true joy of introducing Anne and Marilla to my daughter and hopefully someday, to my grand-daughter.

I gave my daughter a book "The Night Gardener" by George Pelecanos that I won. I love his books and I know she will too. jelly15301@gmail.com

I have always loved Swan Song by Robert M. McCammon and lost it…I had looked for it at every book store we've ever gone to to no avail. My eldest surprised me with it for my birthday one year – it was the best gift ever! Like getting back in touch with an old friend. I still love that book and read it at least once a year.

I received "Journey to the Center of the Earth" while a child and read a chapter of it to my daughter every night before going to bed.

Mine is Anne of Green Gables. As a child it was easy for me to relate to her and I was able to go to a different place day dreaming of what it would have been like to live at that time. I always wanted a daughter with red hair just like her and I have a little red head that gets into as much trouble as she did!

Brave New World was my literary moment. I hated to read as a teenager but when I heard about the story line of Brave New World I decided to give reading a try again. The thing I loved most about Brave New World is that it pulled me out of my life and made me root for the characters. The parallels I felt between teen life and the world which they lived in as characters in the book really gave me something to cling to throughout my teen years.

I loved reading the Nancy Drew stories when I was younger. I didn't have close neighbors to play so books became my escape.

I think this was invented with me in mind.

My "literary moment" was the first time (and every time!) I read Job: A Comedy of Justice by Robert Heinlein. The book is so well written and everything made so much sense and it's a book I could totally relate to. It was even more special when I shared it with my hubby and he felt the same way!

One of my favorite books is Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. I feel like my mind is always running in a hundred different directions. I spend more time thinking about what's coming up than I do enjoying where I'm at. When I read Eat, Pray, Love I feel calm and peaceful. Her story helps me to remember to just breathe, to relax and be myself, and to enjoy the present moment rather than put so much energy into trying to do everything and please everyone all the time. I can't wait to start reading her new book Committed.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn started my interest and love of American literature as well as adventure and travel novels in middle school. It was no surprise that my favorite books in college included Robinson Crusoe and Heart of Darkness.

i was given Ishmael as a gift and I was totally enthralled. it changed the way I think about life sometimes and I also gifted it to my husband who also loved it

The best literary moments are when I'm reading my 20 month old daughter the bedtimes stories I used to be read when I was little!

Books from my childhood always give me such a warm, happy feeling – I get such nostalgic flashbacks when I think about "Little House on The Prairie", so it is special to me for that reason. Thank you for the giveaway!

I think my literary moments come when I am completely into a book and suddenly realize the emotions they make me feel.. I could have tears are running down my cheeks or be laughing so hard that people look at me like I am crazy.. Kindof funny that books have that much impact.

Lately, as I have been working on my first children's novel, I have been rediscovering many of my favorites, including Pippi Longstocking. I recently made my mom send it to me, and since then, the words have been flowing freely!

my dad used to read the oz books to me every night as a kid

Many years ago, when my husband and I were still just dating, he presented me with a brand new copy of Dickens' Great Expectations. He too, had a copy in his library and we began reading our books together, even though we were apart, if that makes any sense at all. Discussing the sections of the book we had read independently the night before somehow strengthened the connection that was already strong between us. We have been married quite a few years now, but we still have both both copies sitting on a revered shelf in our library, and we still find ourselves making references to the story from time to time. It really is a great read, and I highly recommend it to anyone who has not yet had the chance to experience it.

Strangely enough, a family members gave me the World Book Encyclopedia set when I was young. I loved it! I spent hours looking things up, and then if I wanted more information I would check out library books. I know, I'm weird!

When I was younger I practically LIVED at our local library. I would check out books and devour them. This little old lady librarian was fascinated by me and after I had read all of the Little House on the Prairie books (and everything else I could find based in the 1800s) she handed me Tuck Everlasting. It was the perfect book for me and even at such a young age really made me think about life, death, and immortality. It has been one of my favorite books ever since.

When I was in college, I got involved in theatre, so much so that I changed my major. I was working in a bookstore and I came across a novel called "Opening Nights" by Janet Burroway. It was about a well-known TV or film actress who's doing a play, and she's so anxious to make a good impression on the stage actors she's working with that she puts her own life at risk. The subject matter and the writing style captivated me so much that I wrote a letter to the author. It was the first time I'd ever done anything like that. Imagine my surprise when I got a very nice letter back. It was a moment of realizing that a book doesn't have to be a one-way communication and that this brilliant writer was a real person who appreciated my reading her book as much as I appreciated her writing it.

One for me was reading the Polar Express to my young daughter. I had a book that came with a really nice bell, and so I'd hide the bell and read her the book. At the end when the bell rings I'd sneakily ring the bell. She thought it was really magic!! So special.

Thanks so much!

I got to make a book for my daughter. She is 8 so when she gets older I am hoping this is her most prize possession, Since it is all about her and her family

Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy is by far the most interesting series. Goodby and thanks for all the fish, as they say it.

I've given a Book about the Military to a dear friend of mine and its special because are Military and Armed forces are more then Special to me, they are everything!

In middle school I read To Kill a Mockingbird for the first time. It really showed me how powerful words could be, how a story could come alive. I loved to read ever since then and I'm now an English teacher!

Believe it or not, the Harry Potter series is special to me. My mother-in-law shared these books and took turns reading them. In March, we lost her. I cherish these books and all the other memories.

Thank you for the great giveaway and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

Ask And It Is Given by Abraham-Hicks. I received it as a gift and it changed my life, totally, to where I no longer expected others to make me happy or blamed them when things didn't go my way.

Now, I give this book to people whom I feel are ready to take responsibility for their lives and how things turn out for them. It is amazing to watch the progress as they accept and adapt the principles.

Truly, the most life-altering book to give and/or receive if you are receptive to the message- and then you too realize you can have anything you want if you only allow it.

Where the WIld Things Are. still my favorite.

My favorite literary moment was reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows to my kids after we stayed up to midnight to buy it. They were very excited and couldn't wait to hear the story, and I love the fact that the series excited my kids and expanded their love of reading.

My special book is the Lord of the Rings trilogy. It transported me. I have reread it many time over the years

My son is not a reader, but when I got him Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone, he read it over and over again. Now, unfortunately, this didn't spark his interest in reading anything other than the Harry Potter series, but ANY books he reads is better than none!

When I read The Giving Tree to my daughter at her doctor's office recently, I had a literary moment. I had read the book as a child, but now reading it as an adult with children of my own, it took on new meaning as I know parents would do anything to make their children happy. Brought me to tears reading it, which had never happened to me before.

I always loved reading growing up. Sometimes my parents would actually tell me to stop reading and go outside! My daughter is the same way. I gave her my collection of Nancy Drew books and now she is working her way through them.

This may be weird, but my moment is when Nick dies in The Stand. I cried my eyes out because I'd grown to like him so much. I never felt for for characters in a book like i did whe I read this book.

My favorite "literary moment" was reading books to my son that were my favorites when I was young. I love passing down our family's favorite literary traditions.

My 'literary moment' was the first time I started reading "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" in high school. I realized after that first chapter how much a well written book could take you somewhere else in an instant.

My own literary moment came when I received Trixie Belden. My mom gave me the set for Christmas and I read all 15 books in just a week. This really set the precedent for me becoming the avid reader I am today.

I know this may be a bit cliched but with the recession going on, it's either ground yourself with stability or take extreme measures and take that chance you were always too afraid to take. It is at this moment that I think about Dr. Seuss' Oh! The Places You'll Go because although it's an illustrated children's book, I know that those who are about to make that leap in life to the next step can still take a lot away from just a few powerful words. As I make the decision to fulfill a dream of getting a Master's degree and put myself in what may seem financial instability, a few simple words of encouragement goes a long way. I thank all those people who choose this literary gift to give any student of any level.

i was so touched and upset by the book a child called it i had a friend that was abused as a child and i realize it happens to many kids each and every day but no child should have to suffer at the hands of a psychotic parent

I have been a long-time subscriber to the Library of America. About 12 years ago, I gave my only sister a copy of the 2 volume set of their "American Poetry – 19th Century". She has a special needs child, and she tells me that she's occasionally able to read a poem, or even just a page, in the rare quiet times she gets. I'm glad that she can find some respite in poetry.

Lately non-fiction has been my thing. I have loved Perfect Mess by Lisa Harper and I love Built to Serve by Dan Sanders. I use the Perfect Mess all the time with my girlfriends encouraging them to read so they understand they are ok just the way they/we are. I think Lisa's writing style lends itself to reading while you have a 'moment' and she touches my heart when she talks about how perfection is not the goal! Thanks for the opportunity to win! I'd love to have this.

dreamcleavers@yahoo.com
i was give the 5 people you meet in heaven and after reading it the book really had me thinking about afterlife and made me understand how important now really is

I have been given a lot of great books over the years. An aunt gave me a copy of Crime and Punishment. I enjoyed reading it. It opened me to Russian Literature and I discovered other great literature not only in Russia but in other countries.

I had been giving the new Harry Potter novels to my niece and nephew as birthday presents arriving from Amazon the day they became available. My niece would read from cover to cover almost as quickly as my sister and I!! Glad we've got another reader in the family!

Thanks for the giveaway!

When my daughter was smaller I read her the Little House on the Prairie books and it was so neat to see her listening and wanting to learn how to read too. I'll always remember that.

I gave my daughter the book Charlottes Web. I was my favorite book as a child and now it's her favorite book. It was her first grade school book with a lot of words. We talked about the book and what it meant to have friends to count on.

it was when I was a teen my mom gave me the wizard of oz&it is green velvet cover,best book ever&will pass it on to my children

ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com

My daughter loves reading!! She asked for one of these for Christmas. What a gift for me it would be if I won this for her. Thanks!

For my 8th birthday, my grandmother gave me a copy of Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. I read it over and over–until the cover fell off. So I trudged on down to the library and discovered the unabridged edition–and fell in love all over again. Years later, every time I even think about picking up a book, I feel the old familiar excitement begin..

redneckbubbagirl at gmail dot com

My literary moment is The Velveteen Rabbit. My Mom read it to me as a child and when my girls were mere babies is when I began to read it to them annually. Thanks for the chance!

Every time my sister and I see each other we run to each other and call each others name. It always reminds me of when Celie and Nettie see each other in the color purple and yell each others names. Makes me tear up just thinking about it.

My literary moment is a little simpler, since my kids are just learning to read I've given them Level 1 reading books and they are very excited to able to read along with me.

I remember when I was a teen and nothing interested me when it came to reading. One day my brother introduced me to funny sci-fi books such as the hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy and the stainless steel rat. I guess it took reading things with a sense of humor that got me hooked on reading LOL.

my love for reading started whn i was but a young girl and read the nancy drew series…been an avid reader ever since

When I was a small child I was introduced to the books of Edgar Rice Burroughs. This caused me to have my lifelong enjoyment of Sci Fi. books.

From the time I knew what love was, I have loved Pride and Prejudice. I'm sure Mr. Darcy lives in the house with me.

In a high school English course we were assigned the book Catcher in the Rye. Perhaps it is cliched but when I read it, at that age, it put my entire life in perspective. It is so well written from Holden's perspective that I was instantly able to connect with him, because essentially I was just like him. I felt that when I read the book, I was going through all the things Holden was, and when we came out the other side, we had both grown as people in the same way.

I re-read it every once in a while, but now it doesn't have the same effect on me. I recommend giving it to any teenager to read.

Yes, you were speaking directly to me in your opening paragraphs. There is one phrase that still stays with me 45 years after reading the book 'Dr. Zhivago'. "You in others. That is your soul." Thanks for the contest.

I am not a huge book reader but average. I had a literary moment when I read "God Delusion" by Richard Dawkins.

The book was a real eye opener for me.

Would be nice to win!

I purchased "I love you forever" for my daughter when he was just 2. She's now 17 and will often text me quotes from that book =)