The last time I solicited ideas for new books, I got some pretty great responses that I happily took under advisement. Now as we approach the holiday season, I’m at it again. I just finished reading (and loving) The Racketeer by John Grisham. I’ve always loved JG, but spending three years in Charlottesville (where JG lives) really solidified my respect for him as an author, but more importantly, as a person. I was fortunate enough to be able to attend a JG talk where he spoke in detail about the story that inspired him to write The Innocent Man. I always enjoy his books and now that I’m finished with his latest, I need some new reads.
Oh, I do have one more recommendation for you. About two months ago, I finished The Christian Atheist: Believing in God but Living as if He Doesn’t Exist. The title drew me in and I was instantly intrigued. The book was fantastic and really did a great job of exploring the ways that Christians sometimes profess their devotion, but live as if everything in their lives is directed by them, instead of God. It really encouraged me to hear Pastor Craig Groeschel’s struggle with this himself. I’ve been recommending it to people for awhile and I’d recommend it to anyone who is feeling stagnant in their faith.
As we move into the holiday season (Thanksgiving is next week! Crazy!), I’d love to have a stack of four or five books in my queue. What have you been reading lately that you really enjoyed? Anything on your “to read” list that you think I might like? Thanks in advance!
I just finished Anatomy of a Disappearance by Hisham Matar. It was very interesting and thought provoking, and gave insight into cultures that I don’t normally spend too much time on. http://www.amazon.com/Anatomy-Disappearance-Novel-Hisham-Matar/dp/0385340451/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1352823191&sr=8-1&keywords=anatomy+of+a+disappearance
Also, Kate Morton’s new book just came out. I haven’t read it yet, but I bought it in Hardcover. She’s a great historical fiction, family saga type author, if you like that kind of thing (and I do, I love it).
My fave of hers is Forgotten Garden: http://www.amazon.com/Forgotten-Garden-Novel-Kate-Morton/dp/1416550550/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1352823282&sr=1-4&keywords=kate+morton
I’ve recently been rereading Grimms Fairytales. Reading them as an adult is quite a different experience than hearing them as a child. I’ve really been enjoying how they all have the most random endings
Have you read my all time favorite yet – A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving?? I think you’d love it! Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger is another oldie but goodie. I just started Wishin’ and Hopin’ by Wally Lamb for book club and really like it so far!
Oh, no that is one I haven’t read yet, Em! Thanks for reminding me 🙂
keep tissues handy!
I’m ordering your recommendation now! I don’t have anything new to suggest, but I’ve been going back to read some old favorites lately (JG, the Wicked series, etc.). Your bookshelf made me remember a few that I’ve wanted to try 🙂
Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. Laura G may have already made this recommendation (I think she had posted something on FB about it) but it is a really good read!
have the tissues ready for this one too! but i would definitely recommend it.
So many options: Ender’s Game. Let’s Pretend This Never Happened. Miss Peregrine’s School for Peculiar Children (written by a high school friend of mine, and soon to be a Tim Burton movie). The Presidents’ Club (if you’re into history/politics). It or The Stand by Stephen King (I recently read and re-read, respectively, both of them, and they’re great). I’m also currently reading The Passage by Justin Cronin, which is very enthralling if a bit strange (post-apocalyptic vampire-ish story), and which has a sequel called The Twelve (which I haven’t read yet). I enjoyed The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta (which is being made into an HBO show by Damon Lindelof of Lost fame), up until the end — great book that creates a fascinating world, but it just ends without resolving any of the fascinating questions it poses based on its premise. The entire Game of Thrones series is sprawling and fun. Bossypants (Tina Fey) and Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (Mindy Kaling) are also funny/mindless reading.
And Susan swears by the book Loving Frank (although she adds the caveat: DO NOT READ ANYTHING about Frank Lloyd Wright before finishing the book, since there could be spoilers).
oooooh, i LOVED the stand when i read it years ago! and a bunch of these are on my own to-read list.
I second Ender’s Game–it’s how Kilara and I started our secret book club
and another one i read eons ago, and loved, was “the power of one.” sadly i can’t recommend many from the past decade b/c i never read anymore. oh, and the ken follett books. i’ve only read pillars of the earth, and then i trailed off during world without end, but should really pick it back up.