Maya's Must Reads: October

As a general rule, I do not re-read books or re-watch movies. Life is just too short. Life is also full of exceptions. I think we all have a few books that we just latch onto, where rereading is really like visiting old friends. There are some books that I return to every few years, and find new themes, or a new message that I hadn't noticed before and perfectly fits the moment I'm in. I love that.

This month's must-reads are some of my favorite re-reads.

Still Life with Woodpecker and Skinny Legs and All by Tom Robbins

These are not romance novels. They're weird, perfectly outrageously written novels about romance, magik in the universe, true love…and aliens, the middle east, lost goddess worshop, bombs, and other odd-ish stuff. His philosphies on life might be the ones I'd subscribe to, if I subscribed to that sort of thing. But they're amazing books and Tom Robbins is probably my favorite writer. The man has style.

Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

An unlikely heroine. A good-hearted, funny hero who is not a duke. Un-requited love that becomes…requited. Is that even a word? This is such a sweet book. Every time I read it, I cry happy tears at the end. JQ at her finest!

Atlas Shrugged: (Centennial Edition)by Ayn Rand

Also not romance. But a sort of love story nonetheless. The academic in me marvels at the heroine, who has had multiple sexual partners and is not punished. Think about it—can you name any other books where that happens? Dagny Taggart is probably one of the toughest broads in literature. You may not agree with Ms. Rand's philosophy, but I take away the following: 1) smart chicks are Great 2) Don't be afraid to be smart 3) work hard and work well.

PS: For lord's sake, skip John Galt's 60+ philosophical tangent speech at the end.

Lord Perfect by Loretta Chase

Ah, now here is some romance. The tall, dark, aloof Lord. The wickedly smart heroine. The story is great, but I really love the writing in this one. So many witty one-liners, so many fantastic scenes. The other great thing about this book is that the hero and heroine fall in love, but stay true to themselves in the end. In other words, it's romantic but doesn't get all sappy.

What are some of your must re-reads?