Books have been, without a doubt, my biggest relaxation activity since about the 3rd grade. Laura Ingalls Wilder, Julie Campbell and Walter Farley captured my attention with the Little House stories, Trixie Belden series and the Black Stallion books. I think from 3rd grade to 6th grade I read every book available at that time about animals and teenage girl detectives. I didn't care for Nancy Drew as much as I did Trixie Belden, but really enjoyed the Cherry Ames.
Somewhere between 6th and 7th grade, someone handed me Go Ask Alice. For anyone unfamiliar with this book, NOT a good book for a 6th or 7th grader. From there I graduated to Stephen King and Peter Straub. Horror and dark Science Fiction dominated my reading through my teen years. My books were still sprinkled with those relating to animals, but instead of Lassie, Big Red, Misty and all other books written about a few animal characters, my eyes turned to the direction of veterinarians. James Herriott was a prominent author, as was any other book featuring a veterinarian or a country doctor. For anyone who has not read them, All Creatures Great & Small, All Things Bright & Beautiful, All Things Wise & Wonderful and The Lord God Made Them All are fantastic books.
Since then I've dabbled in various Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Suspense, Horror and Romance novels. The Romance novels tend to give me the dry-heaves, so I stay away from those unless I'm at my Mom's house and desperate for something to read.
A few years ago I stumbled across a book by Wally Lamb, I Know This Much Is True. A very compelling book. I hated it, but couldn't put it down. It has been almost 4 years since I have read it, but it is almost always in my mind. Strangely, these are the books I enjoy the most. The ones that even if I don't like them, I can't get them out of my mind. This is also the mark of a good movie, but that will be for a different post. With the Wally Lamb book, there are so many parallels between the main character and his twin brother, and my own boys #1 & #2, that it somewhat fills me with a sense of trepidation. I know there is no actual parall there, just my unspoken fears for my children and that the situation in the book will manifest itself with them. Therein lies the reason why I hated, but was compelled by this book.
Frannikins put a book in my hands a while back, Modoc : The True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived. Very good story, I highly recommend it. It's even safe to read to your kids! Bonus!
Now, I have a plethora of books I keep on hand. I've read all of them many times, but they occupy my mind between trips to the library. They are also good, comfortable friends I can curl up with when I don't feel well and need something familiar. These range from Clancy to McCaffrey. Heinlin to Stasheff. I think the most worn out ones are Gone With The Wind and Scarlett, followed closely by How To Subdue Your Child With Duct Tape.
OK, just kidding on that last one. Actually the one I read the most is probably more of a how-to book about feeding your dog. It is Give Your Dog A Bone by Dr. Ian Billinghurst.