"Unputdownable"

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Thu, 05/15/2008 - 14:43 — Jim Herring

Have you read any unputdownable books lately?

Yes, unputdownable may be an unfamiliar term to some of our blog readers, and while you won’t see this word in every dictionary, it is an attention-grabbing alternative to other more familiar (the overused and blasé, “a real page turner”) expressions used to describe a book that shaped an impactful reading experience.

For me, the most recent unputdownable book was Bob Dylan’s Chronicles: Volume One. In this mesmerizing autobiography, Dylan (or Bob, as I now refer to him after getting to know him so well) jumps around with time periods in his career, giving readers an intimate glimpse into key moments in his unprecedented musical journey. As a solo artist, Bob’s gift of crafting impactful songs is unmatched, and his major influence on music is well documented. This book makes it clear that Bob’s ability to tell stories and paint pictures with words is not limited to songs.

Okay, l had my Saturday all mapped out. I would go grocery shopping, pay some bills, and give my mother a call. Well, all that changed. I figured I'd read a few pages of Chronicles: Volume One before heading out of the house. But I was hooked from the first paragraph and could not bring myself to put the book aside for a later session. Nothing, not even the numerous phone calls I received on both of my phones during the next five hours could win out over my curiosity to discover what Bob would reveal next. Well, I'm happy to report that my unputdownable experience was well worth putting off my plans for later in the day. I don’t know when Bob will publish Chronicles: Volume Two, but I plan to add it to my evergrowing book collection the day it arrives in my local Barnes & Noble.

Reading is always rewarding, and most of us have favorite topics and/or authors we enjoy exploring (mine are World War II history and musician biographies). Even if the book you just finished is not the best you've ever read, hopefully, impressions were made and you gained new thoughts and ideas that enrich you in some way.

When you dive into a book that's so intriguing you virtually ignore all that is around you, you discover what "unputdownable" is all about.

Have you read any unputdownable books lately?

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Comments

My "unputdownables" are the Harry Potter series. I have a really hard time finding a great "unputdownable", but boy when I do, I sure enjoy it! Great post Jim!

Michelle Agnew — Thu, 05/15/2008 - 15:53

The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker. I could not put that book down and I truly believe teenagers, young adults should read this book. Of course everybody else can learn something too. It's talks about how we as a society have lost the important sense to really listen to our gut feeling. Many times we have that feeling but ignore it because we don't want to be rude or we just don't want to listen to it.

Great read with strong tips on how we all can recognize issues around us and act appropriately.

Rd — Thu, 05/15/2008 - 17:41

Yes, I have read such a book and I did not want it to end. It is BREAKFAST WITH BUDDHA. I loved it! The person who recommended it to me told me she was sorry she was nearing the end. You want it to go on and on.

Stephanie — Thu, 05/15/2008 - 20:01

Three of my favorite books are, in no particular order, Nuts! (of course!), The Autobiography of a Schizophrenic Girl, & The Boy Who Couldn't Stop Washing. Believe me, I have a lot of other favorite books, too!

Thought for the day: Why is it called a sleeping bag when it's not made out of a bag?

SWA LUV! :)

Leah — Thu, 05/15/2008 - 21:03

The Pillars of the Earth and, its sequel, World Without End by Ken Follett. Incredible reads! Both are about 1000+ pages but SO worth the read! Can't recommend them enough!

CK — Thu, 05/15/2008 - 22:36

About a year ago I found "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini in a SWA seatback pocket. Once I started reading it I was not able to function. I couldn't do anything else until I finished that book.

TheWriter — Fri, 05/16/2008 - 09:03

Jim,

My most unputdownable book EVER was "The Stand" by Stephen King. AND I DID TWICE! Read one, back in the late 70's when the book first came out, I was reading it in paperback at stop lights, on breaks while working for American Airlines in Reservations (and in between calls!), and at night. However...in the mid 90's my good friend Amy lent me her UNABRIDGED version--a nice 925 pages worth--and for read two I digested it on a weekend Station Visit to LAX. I actually sat IN MY HOTEL ROOM and read, not watching airplanes during my down time on that visit at all. THAT is a personal testimony to an UNPUTDOWNABLE book, bud!

Welcome to the blog team....and nice piece!

Bill

Bill Owen — Fri, 05/16/2008 - 11:45

John J. Nance's aviation novels are gripping, especially to an airline geek like my self. "Final Approach," "Blackout" and "Turbulence" are my favorites.

Eric — Fri, 05/16/2008 - 11:52

"Ship of Gold in the Deep Blue Sea" by Gary Kinder, 1998. A SWA Captain friend recommended this one to me after someone else gave it him (hint: party next week and he likes to read). Story about an entrepreneur who is a little nutty overcoming evil attorneys, competitors, and all kinds of odds to salvage a ship of gold off of Cape Hatteras. Has real history intermixed with it. And is a true story. A little dated maybe, but this one is a great read and will be interest to those that have followed the Southwest odyssey.

Bill T. — Sat, 05/17/2008 - 15:42

My most "unputdownable" book of all time is The High and the Mighty by Earnest K. Gann. Every page has you on the edge of your seat. (It's also a great look at airline operations during the early 1950s.)
Brian

Brian Lusk — Mon, 05/19/2008 - 07:53

"Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Best Friend" by Christopher Moore. It is extremely irreverent if taken at face value, but at the same time it is really really deep. And your sides will hurt from laughing so hard.

Melissa — Mon, 05/19/2008 - 14:50

Any Jodi Picoult book--this is a genre I was never interested in, then I recently bought Nineteen Minutes on CD for a long road trip, and I have since read all of her books. I go through them like menus! My Sister's Keeper is the one that I literally stayed up straight through the night to finish!

Also, A Girl Named Zippy and its sequel, She Got Up Off the Couch, were so funny I didn't ever want to put them down so I could see what Zippy would be up to next!

I have a serious reading problem--my friends think it's silly when I say I have been spending way too much money on books, but when they are out buying designer bags, I'm over at Half Price Books doing serious damage!

What a great post!

Mallory — Mon, 05/19/2008 - 17:56

Trish Jorgenson
My most favorite books are any by Jane Kirkpatrick. She is an awesome author and the Emma Geisey series is simply amazing. I also enjoy Jody Piccoult and Sheryl Woods and read all of their books as well. Can anyone tell me where in this Southwest blog that I can add my comment on our service with this airline?Is this the place? Thanks.

deesjorgygal — Tue, 05/20/2008 - 07:26

The most recent book that made me stay up until 2 a.m. to finish it is "We Need to Talk About Kevin" by Lionel Shriver. Seriously, don't start this book unless you have the whole day and part of the night to devote to it. Another book I loved and couldn't put down is "The Time Traveler's Wife" by Audrey Niffenegger.

Amy — Tue, 05/20/2008 - 07:28

Debbie Macomber writes 'Cove' stories. so far she's written seven, and I can't wait for the next one. The characters are people you wish were your neighbors and the town is one where you would like to live. I think this series fits the "unputdownable" classification...the titles are:

16 Lighthouse Road
204 Rosewood Lane
311 Pelican Court
44 Cranberry Point
50 Harbor Street
6 Rainier Drive
74 Seaside Avenue

Enjoy...Thanks Debbie....

Honey — Tue, 05/20/2008 - 09:17

I have recently been introduced to a fantastic author, Harlan Coben. Hie is a mystery writer of worts and you can't put them down. I just read "No Second Chance" and I read it completely through! He is an awesome writer.

Faye — Tue, 05/20/2008 - 09:39

My most recent "unputdownable" book was "Marley & Me" by John Grogan. A couple others I had trouble putting down were "Isaac's Storm" and "Devil in the White City" - both books authored by Erik Larson. And finally, "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer.

FlyingPhotog — Tue, 05/20/2008 - 10:06

Anything by Sandra Brown--not the romance stuff but the mystry stuff...start with "The Witness" .........

Annie Lou — Tue, 05/20/2008 - 11:22

One of the most unputdownable books I've read lately is "Trust God and Buy Broccoli," by Gerri Helms, who is a personal coach focusing on health and fitness. He has lost and kept off over 100 pounds for over 14 years. It was really insightful and a hilarious read. I saw a lot of myself in it, and in addition to it being really entertaining to read, it really gave me hope and reinforced the strong path I've been on that lead me to her book. She does one-on-one coaching but as she lives a distance from me she invited me to join a phone-group where a limited number of women join and talk each week and support each other with her guidance. It really has helped me move forward, with fellow strong women cheering me on each week, laughing, crying and living.

Anonymous — Tue, 05/20/2008 - 17:36

1. "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer - stopped dead in my tracks. No food, drink, sleep, etc until finished.
2 . Nelson deMille - anything Peroid!
3. "You Cannot Be Serious ", John McEnroe's autobiography - candid, interesting, very funny,
4. "It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life" by Lance Armstrong
ENJOY!

Leigh C. — Tue, 05/20/2008 - 23:36

Last night I stayed up way too late because I couldn't put down My Sister's Keeper until it was finished. Now I'm eager to read the other Jodi Picoult books. Before that, the last UNPUTDOWNABLE book I read was Emily Griffin "Something Borrowed" and then the sequel "Something Blue." They're prefect summer beach reads-- but once you finish the first, you'll want to pick up the second right away, so I suggest getting them both at the same time!

Anonymous — Wed, 05/21/2008 - 08:23

The Stephanie Plum books by Janet Evanovich, a whole series of them, starting with One for the Money, up to Lean Mean Thirteen and counting. Absolutely laugh out loud hilarious! Read them in order.

Anonymous — Thu, 05/22/2008 - 23:44

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