Library Of My Life

Last year I wrote a post with a list of songs that were titled the 'Soundtrack of my life' it was one of the best posts I had made according to a few people who had read it. I was planning on doing a newer post with more tracks but thought I would go in a different direction this time around.

There are books all over my house. Some have been read more than once. All have their own memory.

So, without further ado, I give you the Library of my Life.

Walt Disney's Pinocchio
I will always remember this paperback novel of Walt Disney's version of the Pinocchio story for one simple reason - It was the first book I read on my own.

My Mother bought this for me in Boots when I was in infant school. One Sunday I was reading it aloud and my Father asked me if I had ever tried reading a book silently. So, this was the first book I read without annoying anyone within my immediate vicinity.

The Timewaster Letters by Robin Cooper

If the Pinocchio book was one that didn't annoy people close by then The Timewaster Letters was one that I embarrassed myself with.

As you may recall I reviewed this book in early 2007 and mentioned how I burst into laughter as I read the letters sent from and to the 'author'.

This is my kind of humour and I still urge anyone to seek this book and its sequel out. But stay well away from the third book in the series.

Boy by Roald Dahl

This book was there with me when I went on holiday in the Summer of 1986. I recall bringing it with me because on one of the days when we went on a day trip I let my Aunt Olwen read it while we were away.

I returned to the hotel later that day and she had finished reading it. I was surprised at how fast she could read.

The book is on my desk as I type this and when I look over it reminds me of that one and only holiday that my Aunt came along with us on.

Have A Nice Day by Mick Foley

This is it. This is the benchmark for all wrestling autobiographies.

Mick Foley broke into the mainstream with this book. All other wrestlers followed suit in their attempt to outdo the New York Times Bestseller but nobodyy came close.

My personal memory of this great story is getting it shipped over from the USA after every single copy sold out on its first print.

It was a few years before I was on the Internet so I had to go through a merchandise seller in the UK. They charged me a ridiculous price for it but I had to buy it. I also bought a copy for my friend, Paul.

It still sits above my bed along with all of Foley's other books.

The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde

This work of fiction is one of the most entertaining reads I have ever spent time with.

It was recommended to me by someone who knew I would like it. She wasn't wrong on that one.

I remember buying the novel in Carmarthen in July of 2003. I lay in bed all evening with the bedside lamp on trying to get through it all so I could finish it and tell her how right she was when I got back home. The problem is - I wasn't only trying to finish it to tell her how much I enjoyed it. I just couldn't put it down anyway!

A few days later I bought the second book and then a few weeks after that I bought a signed copy of the third novel.

Harrington On Hold-Em by Dan Harrington

This book, and it's sequel, are my bibles to playing poker. I learnt a ton of things from them and they have helped me in my game.

They have also added despair to my game when my opponents beat me when I had played the hands just as described in these books.Dammit - I paid loads for these books and even though I made it all back in winnings I could do a lot better.

Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach

I was introduced to this story a week after my Uncle Don passed away. An extract from this short book was read at his funeral.

My Uncle found a lot of inspiration from it.

Within minutes of getting home from the service I bought it on Amazon and have kept it nearby as a way of keeping his memory fresh in my mind.