Read Any Good Books Lately?

While we've been busy pretending we're not on our own in Germany for Christmas, sans family and friends (though I shouldn't complain, the Army recruiter did have to give up a backpack, mug, and a lanyard to get me to sign up for this), we've passed the time thinking about maybe preparing for the new human being we will soon be responsible for raising.

After no less than one and a half articles found on the internet's worth of serious study while watching Sumo wrestling on EuroSport, it has become abundantly clear that about the best way to not screw up this parenting bit in the greatest number of departments is by reading to the Bean on a regular basis. Just how regularly I'm not yet sure, but often, nontheless.

So we've been debating and reminiscing about children's books. I've been suggesting that we jump straight to Jules Verne or something else easy, like Socrates (the dialectic should be no problem, right?). The Wife, however, has been leaning more along the lines of Richard Scarry or 'Good Night Moon.'

So anyway, people have been asking if we need anything. We're not really sure. There's a shipment coming. We should be covered on most of the baby equipment. We've been telling people that he'll need some clothes. This is true. We think. Depends what's in the shipment.

We'd also like to get a head start on the books. If we can fulfill these needs, then, at the very least, I won't be reading The Trial to a naked baby. And Kafka is a really tough go the first time through; it wouldn't be pretty.

(Side note: I like books. If you ever get stuck with my name in a Secret Santa drawing and don't know what to get me - which is more than likely; I've never been good with wish lists - pick a book. One you like, one I might like, a unique set, whatever. Even if I were to never read it, there is intrinsic and lasting value in having great books in a great library that I can share and pass on.)

What we'd like to know is what children's books you would recommend as either must-haves for any children's library, favorites from your (or your children's) childhood, or ones that sinply have a special place in your heart. I saw a collection of Little Golden Books and had to get that on the spot. I have a collection of Fairy Tales. I need to get my hands on 'Little Bunny Follows His Nose' and (if the stars align) 'Cappy Cardinal.'

Happy Reminiscing.





Also, good books I've managed to finish in recent memory:
Guns, Germs and Steel and Collapse - Jared Diamond
An Instance of the Fingerpost - Iain Pears
Pale Fire - Vladimir Nabokov
Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen

Currently working on:
Leaves of Grass - Walt Whitman and For Whom the Bell Tolls - Ernest Hemingway

Recent welcome additions to the library: (=gifts)
Master and Commander and Post Captain - Patrick O'Brian