People. I'm kicking ass with my book-reading self. I'm at 23 books.

My five favorite books so far are......*cue exciting, hold-your-breath until you turn blue music*

The Thirteenth Tale - Diane Setterfield
Here's why: I like me a good mystery, especially with a twist you just never see coming. And the twist? Well, I didn't see it coming. If you like the Bronte sisters, you'll like this book. Even if you don't (I dislike Jane Eyre immensely), but you like intrigue and a well-written novel, you'll like this book. The book requires a comfy chair, a cozy fire, and about ten cups of tea (and frequent potty breaks) - I had a tough time putting it down for mundane things like sleep or food.
Freakonomics - Steven D. Levitt & Stephen Dunbar
Here's why: I love me statistics, but I have no love for economics.  Finding a book that delves into the fun aspect of economics with real-world (albeit controversial) examples made me happy. Like I wrote in a previous post, if you want to know why abortion played a role in the decrease in US crime, read this book. Controversies make me smile.
The Earthsea Chronicles - Ursula Le Guin
Here's why: I have not read the last three books, but the first three: A Wizard of Earthsea; The Tombs of Atuan; and The Farthest Shore. I love (and sometimes hate) series in which the primary character actually ages. It's about cycles and the impermanence of existence. Le Guin has a simple writing style that usually bothers me (think Hemmingway, yuck). However, I found her bare-bones approach to writing refreshing. It was encouragement to work on pruning the redundant in my own writing. 

To date:
Fantasy
1. Gifts - Ursula Le Guin (1/1/2007)
3. Wolf Moon - Charles De Lint (1/6/2007)
4. Dreams Underfoot: The Newford Collection - Charles De Lint (1/8/07)
5. Forests of the Heart - Charles de Lint (1/13/07)
7. Voices: Ursula Le Guin (1/20/07)
8. Someplace to be flying: Charles de Lint (2/2/07)
9. Terrier - Tamora Pierce (2/10/07)
10. A Wizard of Earthsea - Ursula le Guin (2/11/07)
12. The Tombs of Atuan - Ursula le Guin (2/16/07)
13. The Farthest Shore - Ursula le Guin (2/16/07)
16. Memory and Dreams - Charles de Lint (2/27/07)
18. The Dark Mirror - Juliet Marillier (3/8/07)
19. The Blade of Fortriu - Juliet Marillier (3/16/07)
20. Moonlight and Vines - Charlest de Lint (3/20/07)
21. Dead Witch Walking - Kim Harrison (3/22/07)
22. Poison Study - Maria Snyder (3/23/07)
23. Magic Study - Maria Snyder  (3/26/07)
Crime
2. Find Me - Carol O'Connell (1/5/2007)
Girly-Girl
6. Forever in Blue: The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood - Ann Brashares (1/14/07)
Humor
11. America (the Book): A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction - Jon Stewart & Daily Show Writers (2/14/07)
Mystery
14. The Thirteenth Tale - Diane Setterfield (2/17/07)
17. The Case of the Missing Books - Ian Sansom (3/3/07)
Nonfiction
15. Freakonomics - Steven D. Levitt & Stephen Dunbar (2/19/07)