Though I know that not everybody does, I really like "The Shipping News." And I would have included it if I had made more than ten selections.

I loved that book. The main character was such a loser, but he just kept on trying to do the right thing. And the Aunt was such a wonderful person. It affected me for days after reading, and I still think of those characters from time to time. Which reminds me, I've got to go back and add Stoner.

You just added two more of my favorites that I did not include: "The Killer Angels" and, especially, "Bird By Bird." I have to go and add the latter. The lesson about how to cope with what seem to be overwhelming problems has been a guiding principle for me ever since I first read the book.

Me too. I say that phrase to myself daily. "Bird by bird, Buddy, just take it bird by bird." And Killer Angels explained so much about why "the South" was what it was, and why these men fought what they knew was a losing battle.