The Bible

I would save the Bible. It is a guide to living; full of wisdom. It explains where we came from and how it all will end. God offers us love, pleace and meaning to life. God is the one who satisfies with his love. He is the "master of the universe." It is a book that most families display proudly. It is very powerful and one of the most often read in prision. I would say it is the most read and quoted books of all time.
Chosen by Wendy Murphy, Somersworth, NH

If I could only save one book, that one book would be the Bible. The Bible is a timeless guide to meeting our creator, learning how to live a life that blesses others, and avoiding so many pitfalls of human existence. The Bible is entertaining, enlightening, revealing, and seems renewed each time I read it.
Chosen by Marty Flynn, Wolfeboro, NH
This response was contributed through NH Public Radio.

I would chose this book because it gives the answers to everything in life.
Chosen by Jessica Andersch, Concord, NH

The Bible: Moses, St. Paul, Solomon, etc...
I Want this book's history on the every day laws and ways of the people to stay alive forever. With out the bible the world would probally be miserable with out the tales of the world and the likings of religion. People wouldn't know who made this world or how this world was made.The Book tell us myths that are entertaining and makes me think.
Chosen by Tim Laliberte, student of Concord High, Laconia, NH

Most important book throughout the ages for all to have access to.
Chosen by Lisa Emery, Tilton, NH

Save The Bible please!
Chosen by J.P. Bergeron, Tilton, NH

The Holy Bible of the Catholic Church.
It is the true word of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. These words will grant us salvation.
Chosen by Cindy Harrington, Practice Manager, Nashua, NH

A Reference Book and a Novel

If we're not limiting the selection to exclude reference books, I would choose to save a dictionary. The obvious choice would be The Oxford English Dictionary, but because it's so immense and takes up so many volumes, I suppose that would be too much to ask. So then my second choice would be the New Oxford American Dictionary, because it seems to be the most complete single-volume dictionary on the market at the moment. Ultimately, I find dictionaries to be among the most valuable of all items in life.

If we are excluding reference books, I suppose I would save Herbert Rosendorfer's 1969 novel, translated into English as The Architect of Ruins (German original title: Der Ruinenbaumeister). It's a spectacular work of surrealistic imagination, and it actually has a bit of similarity to this exercise, although from a different angle. Rather than memorizing books in anticipation of their destruction, people find themselves in an enormous cigar-shaped underground Armageddon shelter, and one of the main activities they engage in is reconstructing a library, based on their collective memory--without having planned for it.

Chosen by
Louis J. Cassorla
Newport, NH

This response was contributed through NH Public Radio.

Dante's Divine Comedy

The Divine Comedy by Dante..... I loved the Inferno.
The characters, the poetic form of story telling and the amazing detail! Wow!

Chosen by
Sheldon Chase
Durham, NH

This response was contributed through NH Public Radio.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

I love the Harry Potter Series and I have not finished this book yet. I Have been reading these books ever since they first came out and they interest me a lot. I love to read long novels but they have to have an adventurous topic.

Chosen by
Jennifer Hickley, Student
Concord, NH

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince by J. K. Rowling

SPOILER ALERT: THE END OF THE STORY IS GIVEN AWAY IN THIS POSTING

This book tells of Harry finding out all of the secrets to defeat the most powerful dark wizard Voldemort. With all of the secrets revealed, Harry will have to face him but he will not be alone head master of Hogwarts Dumbledore will be there to help him. Also there are some secrets about Dumbledore that he finds out, too. At the end of the book there is a twist, Dumbledore dies. Harry will not face Voldemort alone.
Chosen by Nick Ricker, Dover, NH

I think Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince should be saved for future reference. Also without it the Harry Potter fan clubs would have nothing to talk about. I also think this is the best Harry Potter ever because it's so exciting. So you can burn that book, that book, even that book, but Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince is coming with me.
Chosen by Matt Chidester, Dover, NH

A Treasury of Fairy Tales and Folk Tales

I would save a treasury of fairy tales and folk tales that I have owned since I was very little. If society were to ban possession of books, then most books could be memorized for their text a la Fahrenheit 451. Other books, like my treasury of fairy tales hold physical memories. I would want to save this book for all the little childish scribbles and drawings I made in it. Those are irreplaceable to me.

Chosen by
Cat Flynn
Milford, NH

Charlotte's Web by E. B. White

SPOILER ALERT: THE END OF THE STORY IS GIVEN AWAY IN THIS POSTING


First it is a really good story about a little girl who saved a baby pig. her father almost killed him because he is so small. She called him Wilbur and she really loves him. Wilbur has a friend, Charlotte. She is a spider who helped him with everything until she died. Secondly, it has a good lesson for us. It is teaching us about love and friendship. In conclusion, this book has a good message. The message is do not give up and lose hope. A good friend will help you with your problems.
Chosen by Darlyn Suganda, Dover, NH

Charlotte's Web is a fantastic book about friendship. That book really teaches people about kindness. It made me sad but happy at the same time because Wilbur will be sad one minute and happy at the same time, but when he's happy he still knows something bad will happen to him. At the end of Charlotte's Web it is really sad but you realize it is in a good way.
Chosen by Sydney Copp, Dover, NH

Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney

I would save this book because it's a sweet, and happy story. My mother used to red it to me whien I was a little girl, and I think that other people would enjoy it too. This book also made me ralize that no matter what I do, my mom will always love me. Guess How Much I Love You is an amazing book that should be known for generations. It's powerful and it will touch your soul.

Chosen by
Ally Hashem
Dover, NH

Sun Tzu's The Art of War

The Art of War represents the power of the ancient civilizations of the world, and how to defeat even the strongest of your enemies. Within its text lies the secrets of war. It states that, rather than using raw power to defeat your foes, you should use strategy to break the morale of your opponent and decimate them. The Art of War is so effective, it is even used and read today, not only for combat, but for business as well. Sun Tzu believed that cunning wits and strategy always beats brute force, and I support that belief, too. That is why I believe that The Art of War should be saved. It shows the intelligence and strength of the ancients that many "modern" countries are lacking.

Chosen by
Allen Ma
Dover, NH

Collected Works of Robert Frost

He fills every mood with reflection and trusts me to consider the universe. Swept away not just by content but by the rhyme and meter, too, I sometimes turn the pages, breathless, anticipating another jolt from reality. And if I want to leave grinning, "Brown's Descent" does the trick.
Chosen by Janet Plummer, Library Assistant, Hopkinton Middle High School, Andover, NH

Also chosen by Kristen Bastraw, Tilton School

Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

Huck Finn is an American classic that teaches the values in personal liberties. Huck has to over come society and racism. He finds love and becomes friends with society's out casts. Huck achieves autonomy by coming into his own. As the novel is read you watch Huck grow up and mature from a kid in the beginning only looking to steal and cause trouble to someone who is caring and equalizes himself with other races, treats all equal, and does good for society in his way and touches everyone he meets. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn teaches lessons about life in a way that all can either relate to in some way or can understand at the very least.

Chosen by
Alexander Nix
Concord, NH

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

The journey, the rescue, the moments of Meg discovering her strengths--which are numbered so high by the end of the book. "But you see, Meg, just because we don't understand doesn't mean that the explanation doesn't exist" (p. 46).

Chosen by
Erica Perkins
Concord, NH

The Once and Future King by T. H. White

It opened my heart to familiar characters and let me glimpse the depth of their souls. They became dimensional with both their glories and their flaws. I learned the timelessness of a great story.

Chosen by
Jenn Montplaisir
Portsmouth, NH

Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

I think I would save Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult because it has such power and emotion. she really puts you in the middle of the situation and you feel everything. She has such power to move people in hundreds with her words!

Chosen by
Elizabeth Solan
Milford, NH

The Dark Tower series by Stephen King

The Dark Tower series because it was Stephen King's main work.

Chosen by
Aric Lyons
Milford, NH

Alanna by Tamora Pierce

If I were to save any book from the 'firemen' it would have to be one of my favorites; Alanna by Tamora Pierce, which is part of a wonderful series of books. The reason that I would chose this particular book is because it was filled with suspense, drama, sword fights, and sorcery. Every page seemed to pop right out of the book and play out in front of me as though I was really there. And what I really liked, was how when ever I reached the end of each chapter, I was always wanting to know what was next. And only in the really good books, can you be totally entranced in what your reading. And that's what I like about Alanna.

Chosen by
Olivia Colby
Milford, NH

Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkein

J.R.R. Tolkien's telling of the classic "good vs. evil" tale is very engaging, well conceived and articulate. I find his writing stimulates my imagination and with every reading I get more out of it. This book (all six parts of it) helped, if not singularly, defined the fantasy genre as it still exists in popular literature to this day. Besides ... if I have to choose one book only ... it's gonna be a REALLY long one :-)

Chosen by

Wil Birch
Milford, NH

Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn

Reason: It highlights the importance of language (spoken, read, and written) and the effects dramatic government decisions (such as book burning) can have on citizens. It is not a difficult book to read and can stimulatediscussion on many levels and about a variety of topics.

Chosen by

Tammy Andrew, Teacher
Milford, NH

Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift

Not only is it an entertaining read but it's thought-provoking as well.

Chosen by
Robin Maloney, Teacher

Milford, NH

A Child Called It by David Pelzer

I would want to save this book because it touched my heart in so many ways. It showed me how society really is and that things aren't the same and that the world isnt as perfect as the government makes it out to be. I loved this book and it was one book that I just couldn't put down.
Chosen by Jenna Paradice, Concord, NH

This book touched my soul because it is a true story about a boy trying to survive. He is trying to survive his drunken and abusive mother. It opened my mind because it showed me that I shouldn't take for granted what my partents do for me because some kids' partents don't love their children and the kids don't get to experience a real childhood.

Chosen by Megan Bolduc, Dover, NH

I would save this book from a fire because it teaches a good life lesson about how your life can be really good compared to others, and that you shouldn't take life for granted. I recommend you read this book because it will make you really appreciate your life.

Chosen by Bethany Michaud, Dover, NH

First of all, I would save this book because it has a great message. Secondly, many of my friends have recommended it to me. Finally I would save this book because I don't like to read that much and A Child Called It hooked me on books.

Chosen by Mariah Dawnis, Dover, NH

I couldn't get over this book. I cried five times just reading it. If you live sad stories, I suggest this book to you. This book would be the best book to save because it is a true story. It teaches a great lesson; not all children have a perfect life.

Chosen by Jamie Boyatsis, Dover, NH

A Child Called It teaches a big lesson on abuse. It would be important for future generations because it could encourage people being abused to talk to someone. This book is about a child named David who got abused by his mother. His mother was an alcoholic. That was part of the reason why she abused him. He also had two brother who never got abused. Eventually the father left, and David was close to death from starving, and being beat. Then eventually the teachers and nurse found out, and he was free he got taken away from his mother.

Chosen by Holly Raiche, Dover, NH