What Is Arianna Reading?

I've never known someone who loves books as much as Arianna Huffington. She's absolutely the most omnivorous reader I've ever met. And she takes her favorites personally, whether it's a new release or a classic, a book on politics or spirituality, a novel, a biography, a worthy topic or a guilty pleasure.

What's more, she loves to talk about the books she's read. And recommend them. And buy multiple copies to give to her friends. This combination makes her the perfect person to lead a book club.

And, with the launch of our HuffPost Books section, we have the perfect place for that club. We are calling it "Arianna Is Reading."

On a regular basis, Arianna will write about a book she is reading. Our HuffPost Books bloggers will weigh in with their takes. And we, of course, know that you'll join in the discussion.

"I want our book club picks to start a conversation across the site and the community," Arianna told me. "And we're not going to pick only new releases or the latest bestsellers. There is absolutely no reason for books to have a limited shelf life. Indeed, good books should provide the ultimate resistance to the disposable culture we live in, and I want to celebrate that fact."

We'll be announcing Arianna's first selection tomorrow. She'll write a post telling us why she picked it, the book's author will respond... and the party will begin!

So check back tomorrow and join the discussion. And we want your input on other books we should feature. Send your suggestions to [e-mail].

And let us know any other ideas you have for HuffPost Books. This is very much your section.

Comments

[lfg]

03:43 AM on 10/06/2009

I'm thrilled about this new section! Thank you.
My suggestion (I have zillions!) is a book I read this summer: "Cutting for Stone" by Abraham Verghese. An eye-opener and a page-turner at the same time.

[mkmatthew]

05:10 AM on 10/24/2009

I'd like to throw in my first recommendation: Illusion of Empire by Chris Hedges. A quick, must-read for those who are appalled at what passes for education, entertainment , literacy and critical thinking these days.

[ChrisWarren]

03:26 AM on 10/06/2009

Although I live in Ireland I've been a fan of the HuffPost for a while. I'm also an author; my recent book, Randolph's Challenge Book One - The Pendulum Swings, was published in May this year in USA and book two of the trilogy is currently in prep.

So, I was delighted to see that a new, special attention will be given to books in the HuffPost. Even more reason for keeping a daily check on the pages.

Chris Warren
Author and Freelance Writer
Randolph's Challenge Book One - The Pendulum Swings

[JeffMaylor]

03:06 AM on 10/06/2009

Hasn't Ariana basically gotten where she is by marrying rich men? Didn't she marry a very rich conservative earlier in her life? I don't think her "intellect" has much to do with her "success".

[barneylee]

10:10 PM on 10/05/2009

I really liked the book by Azar Nafisi, Reading Lolita In Tehran.

[dana94591]

08:56 PM on 10/05/2009

I am so excited that Arianna is featuring books now. There are so many great foreign policy and political history books that I have been hearing about that I am happy that she can vet them for me. Right now I am dying to read "Speech-Less" by Matt Latimer, the WH tell all from W's speech writer.

[katielady]

08:16 PM on 10/05/2009

THANKS ARIANNA... SHARE YOUR LOVE OF BOOKS !!! and like you am an omnivorous reader ; love cookbooks, history, geography, forensics, sciences; always have a book in the car in case I have to wait in a line.. I also discovered books on cd.. so now I listen to novels or books of interest on cd while I drive locally or on a trip. Bill Clinton's memoir was great for a 15 hr journey.. next up for a road trip is Shadow Divers.. story of recreational divers who discovered a German U boat off the coast of NJ in the 1990s.. looking forward to this... and the trip to see my sons and their wives..

[joeblowski7000]

07:33 PM on 10/05/2009

Huff Post Books and Book Reviews is a great idea!!!!

Thanks Arianna!

[JISantiago]

06:18 PM on 10/05/2009

This is a long overdue segment. I can't wait to bury myself in it. Thanks Arianna.

[bubbepenny]

06:16 PM on 10/05/2009

tomorrow is the announcement of the winner of the Booker Prize. what a great day for officially starting the books section of the post.
i've spent most of this summer reading books by the late great carol sheilds. whatta woman! a masterful storyteller, she is the modern jane austen.

[naschkatze]

06:11 PM on 10/05/2009

This is a great addition to the HuffingtonPost. At last I have a page where I can be positive and enthusiastic instead of the curmudgeon I have turned into on the front, politics, style, and Chicago pages. Thanks. Please move your poetry commentator Lundgren over here too.

[laikhuram]

05:50 PM on 10/05/2009

Arianna should have done this a long time ago.

We are tired of all these non sense books- Palin and Dan Brown and others- corrupting our minds, including our children's. I wonder what Palin is doing with 'her' book. I doubt that phony has ever read a book- the Bible included. She is a conservative, right?

It's time we roll up our sleeves and give common sense a chance.

[springsm]

11:33 PM on 10/05/2009

I won't read Palin or Cheney or Laura because we have lived that time, but it doesn't hurt to read books that stretch you or even gather up your wits. What in the heck is wrong with Dan Brown? Fiction? I am reading The Lost by Daniel Mendesohn...and I almost need to diagram sentences to get through them. However, it is very good, imo.

[candlepin2002]

05:49 PM on 10/05/2009

Great news, I'm reading Dan Brown's book "the lost symbol" and would like to hear other readers thoughts and impressions.

[Mysticalsister]

05:42 PM on 10/05/2009

I hope this book section won't be limited to paper or e-books. I'm one of a growing number of people who relax or multi-task by listening to audiobooks. Listening to a book is great when you can't find the time to read, and gives you something to do besides sit in traffic, or stand in line at unemployment. The growing popularity, and (if purchased online) the affordability of down-loadable audiobooks, make it possible for bored or stressed out people to escape wherever and whenever they want. And the subject matter and genres are endless. MP3 versions of books can been downloaded in seconds, and if you join a book club or purchase through Amazon's Audible.com, the prices are commensurate with the printed version.

CAUTION: Just don't buy audiobooks in the bookstore -- $49.00 is a ridiculous amount to pay for any book.

[springsm]

11:33 PM on 10/05/2009

And don't "listen" when you are driving...

[ahsansaid]

05:38 PM on 10/05/2009

Ahhhhhhhhhhh! Finally. It will be the section I visit first, politics and world affairs can wait. Thank you.

[JustifiablyParanoid]

05:32 PM on 10/05/2009

I'm really looking forward to this new section on Huffpo. Most of the great books I've read in my life have come my way by word of mouth--suggestions from friends, family, etc.

So I can't wait to see what the readers here will suggest, and as far as I'm concerned, good books are my favorite form of escapism, source for knowledge, and inspiration.