November is a great month in my family. We start the celebrating with my sister’s birthday on the 2nd, my mom’s birthday is today, my dad’s is on the 24th, and my son turns two on the 29th. Because today belongs to Mom, and because she’s the one who taught me to read, I thought it would be fun to compile a list of some of my mother’s favorite books.
1. All the books of Agatha Christie. Who would disagree that Dame Agatha is one of the foremost of all mystery writers? She actually wrote her first book, “The Mysterious Affair at Styles,” on a dare. Tired of all the cookie cutter mysteries being offered, she made the comment that she could do better than that, and a friend challenged her. She rose to that challenge and then rose to become possibly the most famous mystery author of her time, or any time. Memorable favorites include “Ten Little Indians,” “Murder on the Orient Express,” “Endless Night,” and the most surprising of all, “Curtain.”
2. The first four books of Mary Higgins Clark, “Where Are the Children,” “A Stranger is Watching,” “The Cradle Will Fall,” and “A Cry in the Night.” While all of Clark’s books are good, these first four are fantastic.
3. The books of Tony Hillerman, which take place on the Navajo reservation, starring law enforcement officer Chee.
4. The Mrs. Polifax series by Dorothy Gilman. Can it get any better than an elderly woman taking time off from her gardening club to go play spy, and capturing the killer at knitting needle point? Okay, I don’t know if she ever did that, but I wouldn’t put it past her.
This is only a short list. My mom is a voracious reader and has many favorites. Happy birthday, Mom, and thanks for teaching me how to read.
Related Blogs:
Agatha Christie: First Lady of Mystery
The Rebirth of Agatha Christie