What Are You Reading?

Submitted by Eleanor Stout Courtney, Beaver Resident

Avid readers like to share their favorites with other book lovers. In 2017 the Book and Play Club of Beaver celebrated its 90th year. I turned 90 that same year. As a long-time member of the club, to celebrate our 90th birthdays, I compiled a list of my 51 favorite books, a list we shared and discussed.

During their old age, Thomas Jefferson wrote to John Adams, “I cannot live without books.” In my old age I agree.

Readers pick favorite books for various reasons. I am most smitten by a talent for captivating the beauty of the English language. Favorite authors such as Pat Conroy and John Updike come to mind, chosen for their unique use of our language. I have read all of their books with fascination of their writing talent. Others chose books because the subject is thought-provoking. We all have favorite themes. In a contest conducted on TV last year, America picked its favorite novel. It was To Kill a Mocking Bird. Through Letters to the Editor perhaps we could determine the favorite books of Beaver residents.

Some books should be tasted, others swallowed and a few digested as a part of your memory of significant books in your life. Here is my list in alphabetical order. To conserve space, I have eliminated the authors’ names.