Literary Escapes
A few years ago, a friend of mine went on vacation with her husband and The Da Vinci Code. She confessed afterward she felt like she was having an affair the entire time they were away. Everyday while they were in museums or eating French onion soup in bistros, her mind was in the Louvre and with the Knights of Templar. She couldn’t wait to get back to the hotel room and read her book in the bath. You know that kind of book?
The forecast calls for a drizzly mix tomorrow, and come bedtime, I would like to be tucked in with a cup of hot chocolate and the kind of book that you can’t read fast enough and at the same time, you never want it to end. I want to be swept up into another place, another world, maybe even another season. What I need to get through the winter, I think, is a really fabulous book.
Dear readers, I need your recommendations. Not chick lit, not War & Peace (Tolstoy and I are on a break) — I’m looking for that perfect in-betweener. Help! What are your favorite winter reads?
Sara Rose: Currently reading this cool book I picked up that has ALL the Wizard of Oz books in one compilation! It’s amazing. I’d definitely check that out. I am also reading Paula by Isabel Allende. Have you read any Isabella Allende? She’s such an amazing writer. Paula is beautiful- it’s Allende’s memoirs and the story of her family- she wrote it while her daughter was in a coma, in case she ever came out of the coma she would have something to help her remember her history.
I just re-read Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion and one of my all-time favorites EVER- Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel. I also finished the last two books in the Wicked series- very good!2 years ago
Sara Rose, I read House of the Spirits when I was probably too young to really enjoy it. Slouching Towards Bethlehem is of course amazing, and I have never read Like Water for Chocolate, which is kind of abusrd. Another thought: Gone with the Wind? Is that a good book?2 years ago
Christine H.: The perfect in-betweener? I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that maybe you need to check out the young adult section of your library. There are some great books that get overlooked simply because they are in the “kid” section. These are a few of my favorites:
The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner—This is a book I couldn’t put down. Book two (The Queen of Atolia) is even better than the first.
The Seeing Stone by Kevin Crossley-Holland—A story of the crusades with a little King Arthur re-imagining thrown in. Beautifully written—I can’t understand why more people don’t love these books.
The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale—A retelling of the classic Grim’s Brother fairy tale. I especially love the sequel, Enna Burning.2 years ago
Leah: I became completely obsessed with The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. I could not put it down, and was upset when I finished it (although glad to get my life back).
If you want something sparkly and bubbly, I would recommend The Dud Avocado by Elaine Dundy. Have you read it? Judging by your blog, it seems like a book that might be right up your alley…2 years ago
Alicia Kachmar: I loved that Edna St. Vincent Millay biography! I’ve been reading Raymond Carver stories, short and sweet. Well, not sweet….
How about Spring Snow, by Yukio Mishima? One of my faves.2 years ago
Love getting these suggestions!
Christine, Oooh, The Thief looks fun. I remember when I loved nothing more than an awesome Christopher Pike book. Those were the days!
Leah, Okay, will check out The Thirteenth Tale. I did read The Dud Avocado and loved it.
Alicia, Raymond Carver is too depressing! But Spring Snow I will check out too!
Keep em coming!2 years ago
Staci M.W.: I JUST started reading your blog and what do you know, you post, I Capture the Castle…!!! A fav of mine for years!!! And I don’t know anyone else who has ever read it!
I read mainly non-fiction so here’s a few I’d recommend:
–Anything by Bill Bryson or J. Maarten Troost — hysterical!
–A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimmel
My girly book suggestion is ‘Everyone Worth Knowing’ by Lauren Weisberger
Good luck!2 years ago
Christine S.: I’m placing a second on the motion for The Thirteenth Tale – could not put it down! I also recommend some YA literature – Life as We Knew It – somewhat apocalyptic but a really good read. Just began Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen – has a Ya-Ya Sisterhood feel to it so far. Happy reading!:)2 years ago
Sara Rose: Yep, I really enjoyed Gone with the Wind. You would like it- just don’t read the sequel- Scarlett- you’ll just end up vomiting a lot. Return to Peyton Place is a sequel I was going to read at some point too.
You REALLY need to read Like Water for Chocolate- I mean it’s a total necessiity to your life- trust me on this. How about Alone in the Kitchen with an Eggplant? That was also pretty good.
How about some juicy Jacqueline Susann? Love Valley of the Dolls, The Love Machine, and Once Is Not Enough. I re-read Valley of the Dolls probably once a year.2 years ago
Sara Rose: Do check into Isabelle Allende. Zorro was amazing. Trust me.2 years ago
I meant to use Valley of the Dolls as one of my images. Such a good book. I read Peyton Place over the fall hoping for the same kind of deliciousness, but it wasn’t even in the ball park.
Hi Staci, I Capture the Castle is such an amazing book. A friend of mine recommended it to me last year and it pretty much made my winter.
Christine & Leah, Requested The Thirteenth Tale from the library. Figured this is one I don’t need to own…?
Sara Rose, Like Water for Chocolate — I’m on it!
PS Are you guys experiencing pop-up ads on this site? If so, that is so not cool and I’ll look into stopping them.2 years ago
Kristina: When I need a break from my current time and place, I usually turn to Wendell Berry’s books about Port William, KY. It’s an imaginary place, a small town full of farmers who all work together and rely on each other, a place full of so much history that even the maple trees have meaning. It speaks to the country girl in me. If there’s a country girl in you, too, give them a try. Start with A Place on Earth.
No pop-ups here, but there was a flashing banner the other day.2 years ago
Melissa: Oh, I love these comments! I just added a bunch of “to reads” to my Goodreads account. I am going to add my enthusiasm for Like Water for Chocolate. Talk about getting lost in another world – I was unreachable for a full day.2 years ago
Jen: Great question! I’ll be shopping from all these suggestions, too. I’ve been looking for just this kind of book lately, myself. Some of my favorites are:
The Other Boleyn Girl, Philippa Gregory
The Poisonwood Bible, Barbara Kingsolver
Straight Man (and almost anything else by), Richard Russo
That Old Ace in the Hole or Postcards, E Annie Proulx
The Red Tent, Anita Diamant
Life of Pi, Yann Martel
Colony, Ann Rivers Siddons (this might qualify as nicely written chick lit:)
Dogs of March, Ernest Hebert
East of Eden, John Steinbeck
And some non-fiction winners in my opinion:
The Dogs of Bedlam Farm, Jon Katz
The Good Good Pig, Sy Montgomery
Year of Living Biblically, AJ Jacobs
Kitchen Confidential, Anthony Bourdain
Enjoy and thanks again!2 years ago
Jen: P.S. All of you may have extra books lying around. If you haven’t already, check out bookcrossing.com. You can hunt for ‘books in the wild’ or release some you’ve read for others to find for free. Plus, you can track your books to see where they end up. Very fun!
P.S.S. LOVE the new site design!2 years ago
Kristina, Wendell Barry has been on my to-read list for awhile — thanks for reminding me to get on that!
Jen, Awesome list and thanks for the tip on bookcrossing.com! (I’ve also heard people say good things about paperbackswap) Love, love, love getting all these recommendations! Oh and I’m so glad you like the redesign!2 years ago
Victoria H: You must read Cold Comfort Farm. I had always loved the movie but found myself laughing out loud at the book, which I read guiltily between pages of the current Book Club pick. Its heroine has inspired my own blog, now in the works (more on that later).
Also any of the Jeeves books by P.G. Wodehouse, which Helen Fielding described as the literary equivalent of dancing in your pajamas listening to pop music drinking champagne and eating ice cream.
In a more serious vein: The People’s Act of Love by James Meek (I want to be in the movie), How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff (another young-adult-but-not-really: check out her rad site at megrosoff.co.uk). Also The World According to Garp, which is literary but doesn’t feel like it.
Oh, and we FINALLY had Vietnemese sammies in Sunset Park! (It was our V-day outing. Can’t beat $7 for two people!) I thought of you….2 years ago
Bun: Two of my all-time favorite in the whole world books ever are right at the top of the graphic you have accompanying this post–”I Capture the Castle” and “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.” I’m assuming you’ve read them–if you haven’t, run, now! If you have–re-read, they’re so totally worth it.2 years ago
Victoria, Cold Comfort Farm and the Jeeves books both sound, well, PERFECT. Like exactly what I need. Thank you!
Bun, The pics are all of some of my faves and I LOVE both of those. I Capture the Castle is the most underrated book!2 years ago
Meghan: I’ll 3rd the Thirteenth Tale and Isabel Allende. Also, Three Junes by Julia Glass, the Sally Lockhart trilogy by Phillip Pullman (young adult), Possession by A.S. Byatt, The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde and A Room with a View by E.M. Forster are all ones I can think of off the top of my head. I know there are tons more, but they disappear when I start reading other books I can’t put down.2 years ago
Sara Rose: Hey Meghan- You’re right- the Sally Lockhart trilogy by Phillip Pullman totally rocks!2 years ago
After all this talk, I feel like I can’t wait for the library books in transit. I’m off to the book store to see which of these they have! Thanks everyone for these awesome suggestions.2 years ago
Hilary Cloos: I just finished The Ha-Ha by Dave King last week. Maybe not as sweet as some of the above suggestions, but I have been bereft since I finished it and had to leave the struggling (and winning) characters behind. Unfortunately, it has wrecked me for anything else for awhile, so I’m reading a bleak Irish book. I’m not gonna enjoy anything that’s not The Ha-Ha, so I don’t want to waste myself on a GOOD book.
I am going to check out some of these others though…everyone sure loves the Thirteenth Tale.
Sarah—I love your new look! When are you and Seb gonna come visit?2 years ago
Bernie: March, by Geraldine Brooks. This book is SO GOOD. It’s written as a counterpart to Little Women, from the father’s perspective. It’s also a quick read, so you can get all emotionally messed up and built up without prolonging the agony of reaching the end.2 years ago
javacia: One of my favorite reads from last year that I recommend to everyone is “I Was Told There’d Be Cake” by Sloane Crosley. It’s a smart and funny collection of personal essays by a young woman writer. Think David Sedaris but more girl-powerish.
Right now I’m reading “Yes Means Yes: Visions of Female Sexual Power & A World Without Rape” (which includes an esay by moi) and I soon plan to read “Surprised by God.”
I also recommend “What Was I Thinking?: 58 Bad Boyfriend Stories.”
Happy reading!2 years ago
Alison: I can’t believe no one has mentioned these:
The Time Traveler’s Wife
The entire Outlander series (by Diana Gabaldon). I confess one time I called in late to finish the first book. It’s a sort of time-travel historical-fiction romance. They came out a long time ago but there was still a waiting list at my library for them.
Also, I just started The Golden Compass and am enjoying that so far.2 years ago
kristen: Recommendations from a librarian!
People of the Book by Gwendolyn Brooks
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
anything by Philippa Gregory
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides
Extremely Close and Incredibly Loud by Jonathan Safran Foer2 years ago
Kelly: Miss Sarah- I just finished Alice Waters and Chez Panisse, and it was just amazing. MFK Fisher makes an appearance in the book, too! Happy reading…2 years ago
Li: ‘American Wife’ : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curtis_Sittenfeld
Rebecca, by Daphne du Maurier:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebecca_(novel)
and most of all,
‘The Secret History’, by Donna Tartt
all of these are addictive, easy to read, and beautifully written.2 years ago
Janet: I am a long time lurker and big fan of the site! If you haven’t read the Time Traveler’s Wife drop everything and go get it IMMEDIATELY. I also just finished Geek Love by Katherine Dunn. It is amazing in a so disturbing, but can’t put it down, kind of way. Also, Fall on Your Knees by Ann Marie McDonald was haunting. Happy reading!2 years ago
Christine S.: I am all for the book check out at the library. Of course, I love to “own” my books as well; however, that isn’t always economically feasible. And, I have to add (I teach 11th grade American Lit.) My Antonia by Willa Cather. It is good Am. Lit. that is considered a classic. More importantly, though, it transports the reader back to life on the prairie when things were rugged and the commonalities that transcend class and ethnicity which bring us closer together. Enjoy!2 years ago
Caitie G.: One Thousand White Women: The Journals of May Dodd by Jim Fergus. It is a fictional account of the “Brides for Indians” program set up in 1875 to help assimilate, in this case, Cheyenne Indians in the ways of civilization. The women selected (mostly from jails and mental institutions) had to spend 2 years as Indian wives in every sense of the word. Would love to tell you more but wouldn’t want to ruin anything. This book grabbed me and did not let go until the very end, much the same way the Da Vinci Code did.
PS- Had Tater Tot Casserole last night. Even the picky 4 year old loved it. Thanks.2 years ago
Jen: “The Historian” by Elizabeth Kostova. It has everything–traveling across Europe, vampires, narratives from different time periods. I love it and always equate it with winter reading (probably because I got it as a Christmas gift a few years ago)!2 years ago
Cassandra: I’ve been reading your blog for a few weeks now (it’s wonderful!) but this is my first comment. I just discovered W. Somerset Maugham and I find him a fantastic antedote to February blah-ness. The Painted Veil is beautiful, oh-so-readable, and will completely transport you. I can’t put it down.2 years ago
This is becoming the most awesome list of what to read! I love it.
Janet, Welcome! I’m so glad you said hi!
Christine S, My Antonia is definitely in my Top 10. Love it.
Caitie G, Yay for tater tot casserole!
Cassandra, Thanks for the blog love, and I’m so glad you joined in on the comments. Haven’t read Maugham since high school, so it would probably be great to revisit.2 years ago
Linda: I am on a food writing kick right now. I really enjoyed The Sharper The Knife, The Less You Cry and a book called Mediterranean Summer by David Shalleck. Also We’ll Always Have Paris and Provence by Patricia Wells. For some reason I didn’t enjoy the very famous MFK Fisher, The Gastronomical Me. She seemed very self centered. Anyway, I always feel stimulated to cook better when I read good food books.2 years ago
Jen: I was looking for a book awhile back, and got a raft of brilliant suggestions, here. They’re mostly fantasy-oriented, but all of them are thick, juicy, absorbing reads. I definitely second Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, which remains one of my favorite books ever.
I have also found the Mary Russell series which is just wonderful–a young, brilliant girl meets a retired Sherlock Holmes and hijinks ensue. They’re wonderful, the narrator is a strong, strong-minded, funny, wry, intelligent woman and the stories are terrific.2 years ago
beth: I’m so glad you asked for good books… I’m stealing a few of these recommendations for myself!
I’ll also add one:
“The New Kings of Nonfiction,” edited by Ira Glass. It’s a collection, so it’s a good introduction to writers you might want to read further. I think I gave it as a birthday gift about five times last year!2 years ago
Ginger: The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett. Short, sweet, smart, utterly enjoyable!
Mitford Series by Jan Karon
Ginger Tree by Oswald Wynd
Time Traveler’s Wife (deja vu? But I HAD to put it on here, because it is hands down, my favorite piece of contemporary literature)
anything by Ian McEwan (especially Atonement)
The Chronicles of Narnia (most people have read the Lion, Witch, and Wardrobe, but the rest are just as magical!)
anything by Elizabeth Berg
anything by Joanne Harris (especially Coastliners — this is the lady who wrote Chocolat)
Mermaids in the Basement by Michael Lee West
Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns
The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
Alas Babylon by Pat Frank
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
if you haven’t already, re-read the Anne of Green Gables series. So charming and warm as a child and as an adult!
Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole
Julie & Julia by Julie Powell
anything by Elaine Konisburg (the lady who wrote From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler)
Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani
Oh, I love to read! But I must stop the listing!!!!2 years ago
lisa: I’m reading A Handbook to Luck by Cristina Garcia right now and I am really enjoying it so far. The writing has swept me away!
Anything by John Green, but Looking for Alaska is my favorite of his.
If you’re okay with smart chick lit then you should definitely read Why Girls Are Weird by Pamela Ribon. I promise it is not your typical “must find a man!” nonsense. (The author also happens to be an amazing blogger & person in general. Her site is pamie.com)
If you’re not opposed to fantasy, Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay is one of my favorites. Or the Weather Warden series by Rachel Caine, if you’re looking for something lighter.2 years ago
Wendy Bussell: One commented on a bleak Irish book. Instead, read Brendan O’Carroll–the Mammy, and the rest of the series. Family life in Dublin, a widow with 7 kids. It will have you laughing and crying in the first page. In order the Chissellers and the Grammy are both as great as the first, and continue the story of Agnes Browne. His last in the serries is a prequel, the Young Wan, about being a newlywed. Anything that will make me laugh in the dead of winter has got to be worth it.2 years ago
DD: Great recommendations– I want to read Like Water For Chocolate and The Thirteenth Tale now! But I was suggested The Time Traveler’s Wife last year and was SO disappointed. Worst book I’ve EVER read.2 years ago
Hugo: Theres that book from Amelie Nothomb, “The character of rain” (BAD translation from the beautiful original French title, “Metaphysique des tubes”).
Its funny, interesting, chocolate is part of the plot, and if you like it you can discover the rest of her books2 years ago
Julia: Just dropping in to second anything by Ian McEwan, and suggest (for a little exotic escapism) a touch of Murikami – perhaps The Wind Up Bird Chronicle or Kafka on the Shore- and Shalimar the Clown by Salman Rushdie. I know a lot of people find his writing difficult, but I promise you, this is one of the most readable, enchanting books I think I’ve ever picked up. Even my Mum knocked it over in a few days, and she is in no way inclined towards literature.2 years ago
Audra: If I knew you personally, here’s what I’d loan you from my bookshelf:
1.) Flamenco Academy by Sarah Bird. One of those I couldn’t put down and felt sad when I had to say goodbye to the characters at the end.
2.) I Was Told There’d Be Cake — someone already mentioned this one and I totally agree. A really fun read.
3.) Few Eggs and No Oranges, by Vere Hodgson. It’s an “ordinary” woman’s journal from life during London during WWII… sometimes very mundane observations (e.g. “we made tea after the air raid..”) but I found it completely enthralling. It reminded me that despite the economic slup going on right now, our living circumstances are still pretty comfortable in comparison to what people gave up during the war.
4) Also agree that with Julia that Haruki Murakami’s Wind Up Bird Chronicle would be good to check out. TOTALLY BIZARRE but so brilliant!2 years ago
Emily: Hi, I just found your blog through a friend. I was startled when I saw two of my favorite books at the top of your page I Capture the Castle & A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.
Also uncanny is a pink smoothie pic VERY similar to yours in a recent blog I wrote. So I had to write.
I just finished an AMAZING memoir: The Glass Castle. The author even says she sees herself as Franny in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Another recent read I’d recommend “The Center of Everything.” Surprisingly good.2 years ago
Daralen: I have just finished Welcome to the World Baby Girl by
Fannie Flagg. I enjoyed Fried Green Tomatoes film and
this has the same atmosphere and more. I have just
started Standing in the Rainbow by the same author.
I can tell that I am going to enjoy it as it is set in the
same town with some of the same characters. I am
English and I love reading about America, I have been
to New England and New York so I can imagine I am
back there. I am pleased that I Capture the Castle is
popular. Thank you for the recommendations. I have
a long list of books to find now.2 years ago
Rebecca: I also recommend “The Time Traveler’s Wife” and “The Chronicles of Narnia” – both so good!
I read “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society” recently and absolutely fell in love with it. It is written as a series of letters in post-war Britain and has vivid characters and humourous/wrenching/wonderful situations. Fantastic!
“The Girls” by Lori Lansens is about a set of 30-year-old conjoined twins and reads like a dual autobiography. Lovely.
“Tamar” by Mal Peet is a love triangle in WW2 Holland: Resistance fighters, Nazis, spies, and a girl in modern times trying to figure out her grandfather’s past.
“Bel Canto” by Ann Patchett is just…wonderful. I hardly have words. It starts slow but is SO worth it!
For something a little bit different, try “Graceling” by Kristin Cashore. Kick-ass girl, adventure, heart-stopping romance, and laugh-out-loud funny.
I’ll stop now.
My to-read list grew by about 15 reading the comments!2 years ago
Lily: Death Comes For the Archbishop definitely whisked me away from wet, dreary winter nights in Brooklyn – but I guess it’s not exactly a page-turner.2 years ago
Tiffany: Popco by Scarlett Thomas — Smart, British heroine who is awesome! It’s a whole lot more than just chick lit!2 years ago
Betty: Some comfort reading, a mix of old favourites and good recent publications:
The novels of Nancy Mitford (Love in a Cold Climate, The Pursuit of Love, The Blessing, Don’t Tell Alfred)
Bleak House and Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
Orlando by Virginia Woolf
Cat’s Eye by Margaret Atwood
The Wrong Boy by Willy Russell
Chez Moi by Agnes Desarthe
Summer Crossing by Truman Capote
The Luxe by Anna Godberson
The Believers by Zoe Heller
On Beauty by Zadie Smith
The Private lives of Pippa Lee by Rebecca Miller
The novels of Sarah Waters (Fingersmith, The Night Watch, Tipping the Velvet, Affinity)
Travels With My Aunt by Graham Green
Middlemarch by George Eliot
The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O’Farrell
An Equal Music by Vikram Seth
Disobediance by Naomi Alderman2 years ago
Karen: Three big, meaty books that I loved:
1. The Post-Birthday World by Lionel Shriver (review: http://verbatim.blogs.com/verbatim/2008/06/the-grass-is-always-greener.html)
2. Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugendies (review: http://verbatim.blogs.com/verbatim/2007/09/best-book-ive-r.html)
3. The Time-Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (review: http://verbatim.blogs.com/verbatim/2008/07/great-vacation-read.html)2 years ago
Maggie: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak… amazing book, the kind of book that is so absorbing, you might accidentally let your hot chocolate go cold!2 years ago
Faith: I was so happy to see Dodie Smith and Barbara Pym already making an appearance in this post (I also noticed Cold Comfort Farm under your hot chocolate – I love that book!). I’ll see if I can come up with some other fun reads for you. These are some fun reads I’ve enjoyed recently:
Specialty Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl
The Monsters of Templeton by Lauren Groff
Lucky Jim by Kingsley Amis
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
I’ll let you know if I think of anything else. Happy reading!2 years ago
Julia: The Blind Assassin- Margaret Atwood
The Time Traveler’s Wife- Audrey Audrey Niffenegger
Geek Love- Katherine Dunn
Breakfast at Tiffany’s- (or, for that matter, anything by) Truman Capote
The Optimist’s Daughter- Eudora Welty
The Sweet Everlasting- Judson Mitcham
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle- Barbara Kingsolver
Comfort Me With Apples- (or memoirs by) Ruth Reichl
Rebecca- Daphne Du Maurier
Anything by Jane Austen (if you haven’t already read them all!)2 years ago
Lindsay: I second Middlesex by Jeffery Eugenides.
And I highly, highly recommend Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert.2 years ago
Sarah: Sarah,
I love your blog
I highly recommend Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. It is a story about a young man who joins the circus, which is a slightly strange premise, but it is a great story.
-Sarah2 years ago
Crystal: I second Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver. I recently picked it up and love it! It’s drastically changing the way I view food.2 years ago
miss fae: A Seahorse Year stacey d’erasmo. Favorite book i read last year2 years ago
Erin: Some of my recent favorites:
-Kite Runner*
-Middlesex*
-Extremely loud and incredibly close*
-In Defense of Food
-The Brief and Wondrous life of Oscar Wao
-Into the Wild*
-Love in the Time of Cholera
-The Alchemist*
-Eat Prey Love*
-The Shadow of the Wind*
-A Fine Balance
-In Cold Blood
-The Color Purple
-Their Eyes were watching God
-Angela’s Ashes*
-The Heart is a Lonely Hunter*
-The Blind Assassin
-The Poisonwood Bible
-Drowning Ruth *
The ones with asterisks note the ones that I found very enjoyable to read in a short time (on vacation, 3-day weekends, rainy days) and are easy to get engaged in.
Check out goodreads.com for more suggestions and a way to keep track of books you want to read.2 years ago
Amanda: I was sad to see that no one mentioned “Peony In Love” or “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan” by Lisa See.
Also, anything by Jen Lancaster, although I’ve found that people either love or hate her style of writing. I happen to love it!2 years ago
Margaret: I second Laurie King’s series about the inimitable Mary Russell, suggested about halfway up. I was given 2 of the bookd a few years ago, and recently found a cache of them in a used bookstore- score! Have had great latge-night reading for past couple weeks!
2 years ago
(Can offer to lend; media mail, while slow, is cheap!)
Jez: “Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less” by Jeffrey Archer
Definitely is the kind of book that you can’t read fast enough and at the same time, you never want it to end. I was sincerely upset when I finished this wonderful yarn. This made me sit up and realize that I haven’t come away from a book feeling sorry I’d finished it for a long, long time. Must change my reading genres!
“Watership Down” by Richard Adams.
A terrific story to curl up with in bed. Don’t be put off about the Rabbit theme, just enjoy the English countryside as you hop and lollop about from adventure to adventure. A firm favorite and a stimulating story.2 years ago
Phyllis: I highly recommend all of the books of M.C.Beaton, both the Hamish McBeth and Agatha Raison series. Nancy Atherton’s “Aunt Dimity” is delightful. A word probably overused, but it does describe Aunt Dimity extremely well. Then there is Mary Stewart. If you have missed her, you just haven’t lived! AND for a change of pace, don’t miss Janet Evanovich. Any and all of these are wonderful for a long cold night in front of the fire, or equally great for a warm spring day sitting in the swing drinking iced tea – or whatever you prefer, Then there’s Tony Hillerman, again a definite change from the books above, but a really great read. I can come up0 with a doze other authors, but will let this do for now. No =- sorry, but I left out Daphne DuMaurier, Phyllis Whitney, Victoria Holt. You cannot go wrong with any of these wonderful writers.1 year ago