Book Recommendations

I simply asked "What's everyone reading?" and I got sooooo many great answers.  We truly think alike in books, that's for sure!

So many of the books were already on my bedside table or on my queue at the library, but here are some I added:

Devil in the White City
Confederacy of Dunces
Sarah's Key
The Book of Awesome
The Marriage Plot
The Kitchen House
Winterdance
Black Dagger Brotherhood Series
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

I've never read Jodi Picoult or Janet Evanovich, but their names came up so many times that I'm going to try one of theirs and see what I think.

Jen Lancaster was another one that showed up a lot.  Believe it or not I had never read any of her books until a few weeks ago when someone sent me an email and suggested I was "channeling" her.  Now I've read all but one.  She is my kind of girl.  I actually like her better than Chelsea Handler.  

A few people asked what kind of books I like and so here goes:

I am a voracious reader, but not really picky.  I like books with good characters and good plots, but it doesn't need to be "deep" for me to love it.  I read a lot of historical novels, fantasy, sci fi, YA, horror, biographies and some chick lit and some mystery.  I like series a lot and I get sad when they end.  I don't read much non-fiction.

Some of my favorite books/series are:

Judy Blume - who doesn't love her?  She taught us so much.
Harry Potter (Someone suggested I might punch them for reading these books.  I LOVE these books and I think JK is a genius.  I'm currently reading them out loud to my kids each night before bed.  We are on book 2.)
Hunger Games - Loved them and can't wait for the movies (which I'm sure I'll hate).  I read her first series too Gregor the Overlander to the kids.  It's like Hunger Games Lite for little kids.
Twilight - Wanted to hate them, but I loved them even though they were cheesy, misogynistic and Edward was a bit creepy when you thought of Bella as your daughter and him stalking her.
Dragon Tattoo series - The names of people and places hurt my brain, but after awhile I just gave them nicknames and it was much easier.  The Swedish movies are really good, I'm anxious to see the American version now.
Game of Thrones series - I watched the HBO series and got hooked and wanted to read the books.  So far I've only made it through the first.  I needed a break.  A lot of characters to keep track of.
Anything by Stephen King.  One of my all time favorite books is The Stand.  I read The Dome over the summer and really liked it.  I have his newest one on my queue at the library.
Anything by Philippa Gregory.  I really like her newest series The Cousins War.
If you like Philippa you might like Carolly Erickson.  She's more historical than fiction though.  
Bossypants - Tina Fey is perfect in every way.
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? - Mindy Kaling could totally hang with me and Tina when we go to lunch.
The Passage and The Twelve
Anything by Cassandra Clare - She writes YA fantasy stuff.
The Help
Anything by Cinda Williams Chima - Another YA fantasy
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Cabin Fever (the boy is reading that to me these days)
The Historian - Awesome book
Room - I read this a before they found that girl that had been living in that man's backyard.  Jacey Duggard maybe?  It was surreal listening to her true story after just finishing this work of fiction.  
Speak - YA - A good one if you have teenage girls, you should read it together and discuss.
In the Woods - American author who writes mystery/detective novels set in Ireland.  Her characters are some of my favorites, her plots can be a bit thin at times.  
The Outlander Series - Ah-may-zing.  I need a flow chart half the time to figure out where we are, but I don't mind because they're so good.
The Tipping Point - very cool
Outliers - super interesting.  I would like to raise a couple of Outliers.
The Hangman's Daughter - mystery, historical, all of the above
River of Doubt - Historical, written by a lady who lives down the street.  She finds really random  and relatively unknown historical facts and then writes incredibly interesting stories about them.  Her newest one sounds great too.  It's on my list.
Anything by Sarah Vowell, she's funny AND she's smart.
A Discovery of Witches
Becoming Marie Antoinette
50 Shades of Grey
The Forest of Hands and Teeth
Anything by Celia Rivenbark - I want to meet this woman and go to a PTA meeting with her.  She is hysterical!
Divergent Series - I met Veronica Roth at a conference last year and giggled like a school girl. I would like to be her when I grow up (Yeah, she's like 25, but still way more mature than me.)
Crossed
Matched
Room
In the Woods
Faithful Place
The Likeness
The Fault in the Stars
The Silent Wife
Gone Girl and anything else by Gillian Flynn
A Discovery of Witches series (so far I've read the first one and I'm on the second one now)
Wool
The Bone Season
Anything by Lauren Oliver
The Dead-Tossed Waves

Right now (4/12/14)  I'm reading:

Shadow of Night
Grave Mercy
Selection

Looking for something funny to read when you're done with Tina and Mindy? Check out my books:

People I Want to Punch in the Throat: Competitive Crafters, Drop-off Despots, and Other Suburban Scourge - available for pre-order now on Amazon
I Just Want to Be Alone (Vol 2)
I Just Want to Pee Alone (Vol 1)

and the books of my friends (I really eat lunch with these people. OK, sometimes it's more like I'm eating a PB&J and chatting with them online, but still that's pretty close):

I Heart My Little A-Holes by Karen Alpert
Moms Who Drink and Swear by Nicole Knepper
Ketchup is a Vegetable and Other Lies Moms Tell Themselves by Robin O'Bryant
Parenting: Illustrated with Crappy Pictures by Amber Dusick
Hair of the Corndog by A.K. Turner
Motherhood of All Meltdowns by Crystal Ponti

Wow, this was great.  I love to talk books, can you tell?  Let's do this again in 6 months, shall we? Be sure to add more books recommendations to the comments.

Psst ... wanna talk online about books and eat PB&J sandwiches together? Let's do it! Friend me right here.




181 comments:

Laura Hutchison said...

I highly recommend Stuart Woods and his Stone Barrington series. Very entertaining!

kelly mc said...

The Chronicles of Narnia has been one of my favorite series since I was a kid. I've had the same copies for 20+ years and they're falling apart because I've read them so many times.

Ali said...

i'm reading Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. I can't put it down. It's a LITTLE tough to get into because you have to get used to the way the author writes dialoge. but once you get used to it, it's such a good story. i lost my dad 5 years ago, young, and this has been kind of a catharsis. it's an easy read, even thought it's kind of heavy subject matter. it's NOT a book about 9/11 - even though the previews for the movie make it seem that way. hope you enjoy it as much as i am!

This Is Fifty With Lil said...

Forgot to mention on Facebook favorites my kids turned onto...

JK Rowling... right? My two oldest and I have read them over and over. Anyway, also fall into bouts of giggles reading Jim Benton's Dear Dumb Diary - Thanks Emily. Roald Dahl's Boy and Going Solo - Thank you, R.J. Sarah (who quotes Thoreau) and I read the "shoes" books. Time shared reading w/ my kids has been wonderful.

Anonymous said...

Please try the Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning. There is a movie planned for 2013. I love it so much, I'm getting a tattoo. I also flove the Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.R.Ward, that I see you've added. Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost is amazingly funny, non-stop action, never a dull moment, and hotter than Florida in July.

Dizzyhappymama said...

Okay, so we have the same opinions of books. I was the same way with Twilight. I loved Jacob. But bella and edward wore me out until the last book. My mom just gave me Sarah's key and I am gonna start it this week. If you haven't read The Kite Runner or A Thousand Splendid Suns, you should, but they are NOT feel good books. They make you want to punch a whole lot of people in the throat :)

Theunkola said...

Another good series is by Karen Marie Moning - The Fever Series, you are hooked after the first one! Loved it!

Becky said...

I just bought Diary of a Wimpy Kid Cabin Fever for my 7 year old son and he even took it to bed with him to read for a bit. So very proud of him!!

35 and holding said...

Try Kristin Hannah Winter Garden and Diane Chamberlain - anything by her.

Anonymous said...

A great Jodi Piccoult to start with is House Rules! Great book!

Anonymous said...

Anything Kristin Hannah! Winter Garden has been one of my favorites!!

Rachael said...

Pope Joan. Just finished it for book club. It's like Outlander without the time travel and incessant doing it. So, I guess that makes it unlike Outlander. I had to take a break from Outlander after about the 5th one since I was neglecting my children to read my "sex books" as my husband called them.

Dianne said...

You will LOVE Janet Evanovich if you stick with the Stephanie Plum series - it's AWESOME and there's 18 books in the series to date. They go fast, they're hilarious (I literally LOL while reading) and based on your posts I think you will absolutely love them.

Nicole said...

Jen Lancaster is a Purdue University Alum just like me so I have been meaning to read her stuff. I thinking that will be my next Kindle download!

Anonymous said...

Another series you might like just by seeing your list - The Morganville Vampire series by Rachel Caine. :)

Mme Carlson said...

OK, your booklist is very similar to mine! Diana Gabaldon is one of my all time favorites! (Can't resist a man in a kilt!) But anyway, if you loved The Hunger Games, you should read The Maze Runner trilogy by James Dashner. They're not really alike, but in the same vein. Great reads! And thanks for the Dragon Tattoo tip...I've been trying to read the first one for the past year. I'll try making up my own names now and see if it gets better!

Maryann - Forked River, NJ said...

I highly recommend 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher. I read it after hearing about it from one of my students. It's a young adult book, but I have to say it was an amazing book...extremely powerful and disturbing. I ended up reading it in a day because I couldn't put it down.

Mloch53 said...

One of the bet ever...the good earth-pearl buck. Also meant to recomment the known world, light in August and East of Eden and Grapes of Wrath. All excellent. Like you, i rarely read non-fiction or biographies..jist sayin

Kat0228 said...

I am also a Black Dagger Brotherhood fan. Soooo cheesy, but addicting like crack. Plus, who doesn't like a bit of porn in their reading. Deny it all you want...I know your lying!

aprilpin said...

Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet. Or anything by Greg Iles!

Mme Carlson said...

And oh yes, Sarah's Key was absolutely excellent! And on a completely different note, the Undead and Unwed series is hysterically funny, and each book in it is a very quick read. I actually laughed out loud while reading them!

bkidsocr said...

I'm with you on reading! And 100% agree with you about Twilight; strangely addicting and creepy all at the same time. Anyway, I did have recommendations - Labyrinth and Sepulchre. Both are by Kate Mosse. Just a warning about Jodi Piccoult - every book I read of hers makes me cry.

Anonymous said...

Jodi Picoult is an amazing author...one of my top 3 favorites for sure. The Pact and My Sisters Keeper are great ones to start with.

Anonymous said...

Pillars of the Earth and World Without End by Ken Follett, The Red Tent by Anita Diamont. In the Game of Thrones series, books 1, 2, and 3 are amazing! Skip 4 all together - it's painful and you won't miss anything. 5 was good but gets really into the fantasy genre for one of the story lines. Reading Still Alice right now - so far so good.

Jaderade said...

And I have read most of all the books on your list! We have a lot of similar likes. Phillipa Gregory is my favorite, but I am a HUGE nerd. I like to think that I will "grow up" to be you in a few years (you know, when I am done with school, get married, and decide I might have to raise my own normal children to offset all of the idiots in the world!) Anyways, keep punching, and kicking ass at being a mom! Also, more stories about people in KC! Rock Chalk!

Jill Jordan said...

being from Maine you are required by state law to like Stephen King. Otherwise you are deported to Canada...which sucks in a non-threatening English sorta way.

Kayla said...

so pumped to see that you're already on book 3 of the strain series because i have to know, please tell me: can i make it through the next two? the first one scared the holy shit out of me. i loved the historian and it scared me, but i've never felt as horrified as i did over the strain.

jill said...

the kitchen daughter...a good read.

Molly Pina said...

Gosh, we have really similar tastes. If you are near my age (42) and liked Tina Fey, please take my advice about this memoir. Stories I Tell To My Friends by Rob Lowe was amazing. I thought it would be fluff, but it was one of the best books I read last year and he is a very talented writer. Also, some other recommendations: A Fine Balance, Three Junes, and Cutting For Stone. I am so excited about all of the new books I have to read!!!

ABrand said...

Thanks for putting this together. I'm also a voracious reader and sometimes don't know what to pick up next. Thanks for giving me some recommendations...I'm already a fan of many of your authors, books, series, etc. so am excited to read some of your recommendations that are new to me!

Anonymous said...

Well if you enjoy urban fantasy at all, I would recommend 3 authors Kim Harrisons the hollows series, Patricia Briggs Mercy Thompson series and Jennifer Estep Elemental assassin series
and yes black dagger brotherhood is good
Holly

Lisa Irby said...

I had a contest with myself to see how many books I could read in a year. I got to 86. Here were my top picks. Unbroken, The Kitchen House, Bossypants, A dog's purpose, Between shades of grey, hunger game series, Before I Go to Sleep, Good Stuff, Dry Grass of August, Language of Flowers. If you haven't read Little Bee, it's really good. Anything by Celia Rivenbark. Bless your heart, tramp and stop dressing your 6 year old like a skank are my favorites. She is from NC and hilarious!

K said...

If you like Stephen King and series than you should read the Dark Tower Series. It's a 7 book series that is amazing and took him 22 years to write. The last book took me FOREVER to read because I didn't want it to end. It's definitely a must if you're a King fan!

Anonymous said...

Jodi Piccoult is a good writer but I've only read My Sister's Keeper by her. I'm afraid the rest of her books will be as sad and I just can't emotionally handle that. When I finished reading MSK, my husband found me sitting cross legged in the middle of the sofa surrounded by mountains of snotty tissues, bawling my brains out. I hate crying in the first place so I definitely try to avoid authors like her. But if you have a good strong prescription for Prozac, go for it!
- Jennifer

Anonymous said...

I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb and Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides. Lots of others already mentioned like The Help and Janet Evanovich' s Stephanie Plum series and The Girl With...... Series. Devil in the White City, Confederacy of Dunces......Excellent reads!

~Laura~ said...

The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant is one of my favorites if you are into historical fiction! I love love love it and re-read it frequently. But I am a geeky fast reader and miss a lot the first time I read. Maybe not so much a fast reader as I am an impatient one. :)

Liz said...

I am reading The Dome atm. really enjoying it. Found the same about Girl with dragaon tattoo, and I find names too weird to read fantasy, although GOT is on my kindle. Jodie Picoult drives me insane. Read My sisters keeper for my English class (I am teacher, but was relieving at the time) and enjoyed but since then, I find I read the books once, and then want to through across the room. Everyone is so deep and says deep things, and I want to punch them. ESPECIALLY House rules. My son is asperger's and the whole book made me so annoyed. I hate more books than I like. Loved Marian Keyes books about the Walsh family. Read her latest where narrator is angel. Wanted to kill said-angel. Stupid descriptions of people. Made me feel stupid reading it. Books I like...hmmmm. Do you go on goodreads? Cause that often inspires me. Except my friends read and enjoy crappy books which makes me need to mock them

Jessica said...

U should try anything by sherrilyn kenyon her adult and her ya are great!! Anita blake series by laurel k hamilton (these books are kind of dark)

Tanya said...

This is awesome! I've been in a book drought and now I have a huge list!!!!! I mentioned Kate Morton before...but also have to chime in on Sarah's Key as well! Love it , and the movie too!

Jennifer said...

When you said historical, I thought Outlander. Yep, we are related. I even have relatives in Joisey.

Anonymous said...

Our book choices seem to line up! =)

Try Harlen Coben books. They are entertaining, fast murder/mystery books. He has individual stories as well as a series featuring the Myron Boliter character.

I also really love A Thousand Splendid Suns (author of the Kite Runner).

Jody Picoult is too depressing for me to read. I can't be that sad when I'm reading! =)

Happy Reading!

julie said...

13 Reasons Why, a gripping book about a teenage suicide and what leads her to it. I bought for my tween and was intrigued by it, read it in a day! Also highly reccomend Me & Emma about two young sisters and the find solace in each other while dealing with abuse from their stepfather. Loved The Historian, The Pact, Kite Runner!

PS LOVE your blog, you say exactly what I'm thinking, but usually don't have the balls to say outloud.

Camille Bassett said...

Love this post. Love all these books too... except for Twilight.
I refused to read the books once I saw all the lame, take 2 hours to do their hair in the morning, scrapbooking, go swimming with the kids but wont get thier face wet cause it will ruin their makeup, insist their kids use hand sanitizer before every snack, superficial stay at home moms I normally hate going crazy over the books.
I hated how they thought it was so funny and wickedly cute to not do the dishes, feed the kids, or clean their house cause they were drooling over finctional vampire charachters that say and do things normal men do NOT say or do.
Its a double standard too. If men waited in line for hours to get hot over TEENAGE vampire girls we would be pissed! I think its so simple minded to get wrapped up in such a shallow plot. I mean the vampires sparkle for Christ Sake! Think about that for just a second. I hate Twilight lovers!! Not You (specifically). But the women that obsess over these books/movies. I hate obsessive behavior especially in adults. These women need to put the book down and spice up their own sex lives. I could understand if teenage girls were this excited but these are grown up married women.

LilyPetals said...

OH, I just 'finished' the Outlander series. Why oh Why isn't there another one yet? I've been using my Nook as an escape from real life (I prefer my mom of a Marine bubble where Marines stay in America) and I read ALL of the existing books in right at a month.

Jodi Picoult will make you sob!

Janet Evanovich is addicting - but now the commercials for the first movie are driving me insane!

Anonymous said...

An oldie but goodie - A Prayer for Owen Meany.
Also, Handling Sin by Michael Malone.
There are a couple more Tana French (In the Woods) that are really good, too.

LilyPetals said...

After I finished the Stephanie Plum books (Janet Evanovich) I moved on to Sue Grafton's alphabet books which are also about a female investigator - this one more competent.

Also, Charlaine Harris - Sookie Stackhouse novels. Don't read these if you watch HBO's True Blood because it will ruin the show for you. Obviously, the books are waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better~!

Sorry to post twice

Krysti said...

Oh my gosh. I am OBSESSED with the Philippa Gregory books! I've read every one of the Tudors series...best moment was while reading The Other Boleyn Girl, I was in London and had visited the Tower of London earlier in the day. And then I read about people going there. Fed the history nerd in me! The Cousins' War is amazing, and I just read her newest one, the Lady of the Rivers. She is brilliant.

Sarah's Key is a wonderful book. It made me cry, and I don't cry at books that often. I'm afraid to see the movie because I don't want the book to be ruined!

I'm reading Stephen King's 11/22/63 right now. I just started it yesterday but I'm already really interested in it. I wasn't too into him until I read Duma Key, and then I read Carrie (SO much better than the movie, but is that really a surprise?) I'm hesitant to read his Stand series, though.

Another author I've fallen in love with recently is Wally Lamb. My favorite book of his is I Know This Much is True, but The Hour I First Believed is great too. I didn't like She's Come Undone, though.

I think that's enough book rambling from me lol.

Runde's Room said...

WOW! So many book recommendations - guess I'll be adding to my Amazon wish list.

I'm currently reading Harry Potter to my 8 year-old - we're on the third book. Didn't think I would like them, but I LOVE them.
Also love Hunger Games, and I mean LOVE! So much so that I also bought the Gregor series and read them to my gr. 5/6 class last year.
Also didn't think I'd like the Twilight books, but I did ... very much ... the movies are another story.
I do recommend Janet Evanovich - entertaining quick reads when you've had enough with thinking for a bit.
Thanks!!!

Jen
Runde's Room

Dana said...

All time favorite ~A Thousand Splendid Suns ~ heartbreaking story about two incredibly strong women in Afghanistan. Just finished Devil in the White City ( talk about keeping names straight!) Garden of Beasts on deck ~ hope it's a little better than Devil. Also reading a few books on raising girls by Dr Joan Deak ~ straight talking ,no bs & very funny woman!

Unknown said...

I also had the brain pain with the Dragon series. If you liked Hunger games, then I also suggest Divergent.

SweetmamaK said...

Hi you are a genius- Please read the Forest of Hands and Teeth (it's a trilogy) by Carrie Ryan. Its a post apocolypic world, only difference it's a zombie apocolypse world. Yes I know it sounds zany but the book is all at once horrifying and intense with a hint of a love story and makes you consider what you would sacrifice to stay alive. I bought it for my zombie prepared 13 year old and I kept snagging it from him to read. It was amazing to read something and talk about it with him. Another amazing one is Divergent by Veronica Roth, post apocolyptic like Hunger Games minus the SANCTIONED children killing children.
And don't read Jodi Piccoult, you'll want to punch her in the throat. Her books are amazing she has you gripped the whole way through but she blows the ending. She cops out at the ending, My Sister's Keeper actually pissed me off. I didn't cry, perhaps I don't have a soul, and I didn't watch the movie because everytime I think of her ending I get pissed. I've read several others, to give her a chance but they all end terrible. I'll admit, I sometimes pray against her.
Anyhoo you make me happy! keep the posts a coming! I'd love to see this turn into a movie.

Chantelle said...

If you like Philippa you'll love Michelle Moran.

I second The Red Tent. My fave book. Also Pope Joan.
Moloka'i by Alan Brennert.

Are you on goodreads.com? You'll never lack for a book to read again. I promise.

Christine said...

I'm out of time tonight, so I'll apologize in advance if fourteen other commenters already said this. If you liked "The Hangman's Daughter," you should read "Pillars of the Earth" and the sequel, "World Without End." Similar kind of story.

I disagree with the comment right above mine about Jodi Picoult. There were one or two of them I didn't like ("Songs of the Humpback Whale" chief amongst them) but others were great. I don't think she usually blows the ending, and in the case of "My Sister's Keeper," I think the ending is really rather a surprise.

The Diana Gabaldon Outlander series is one of my favorites, ever. If those are a multi-course meal, DG's Lord John books are kind of like a frozen pizza. Far less substance, and not at all the same thing as a real pizza, but still pretty tasty.

"The Paris Wife" was unexpectedly good.

And for when you don't have a lot of time, check out David Sedaris' books. Haven't found one of those yet that hasn't been good.

frugalistablog.com said...

I hear Snookie has a book. JUST KIDDING.
Sarah's Key- tormenting and fabulous, but leaves you raw.
Love the American Dragon Tattoo movie. Great adaptation of the books.
Phillipa Gregory is awesome. I've read all her books. Love her historical fiction. Outlander- HOT. Anita Shreve- superb. Read all of hers as well. Love Twilight. But don't bother with Stephanie Meyer's The Host. It bites and not in a good way.
New and fun author Suzanne Morison writes a hilarious memoir called Yoga Bitch. Yeah, it's good.

Anonymous said...

jk rowling is a genius.. i've read harry more times than i can count and i'm sure i'll read them to my children countless times...can't wait to have my kids fall in love with reading as much as i am:)
jodi picoult is amazing.. i would recommend every single one of her books.. especially 19 minutes, sing me home, 10th circle, handle with care, and house rules... actually, i truly recommend reading every single one of her books, they are amazing.
and i love twilight, as much as people bash it and say it sucks, i really thought it had a good story to it... twilight haters deserve a punch :) haha

Anonymous said...

also.. i don't think she was talking about the twilight movies.. i also think those are way over rated and the hype is crazy, but people, THE BOOKS ARE ACTUALLY GOOD, don't knock em til you try em.

Erin said...

A Discovery of Witches was awesome. My husband and I both loved it and can't wait for the next one to come out! Have you read the Moral Instruments series by Cassandra Clare? I'm on book four and can't put it down. PC Cast also has some great books The House of the Night series is great, and the Divine series too.

Alisha said...

J.D. Robb is awesome. Her In Death series rocks. I saw you mentioned Janet Evanovich. Great series books there too. J.A. Konrath writes series as well. Books are named after alcoholic drinks. Lisa Garder is another fav of mine. Also a series writer. I could go on and on (my mom has been a librarian since I was in elementary school. Can you tell?) but I won't. :)

Heartmom5 said...

The newest Stephen King is fantastic-be prepared for an all nighter because it is really hard to put down. If you like a Discovery of Witches-you might also like Daughter of Smoke and Bone (YA)-thanks for sharing this-we have similar taste in books!
Dianna!

joboosal said...

great recommendations everyone, tyvm! I read obsessively so this is awesome to get new suggestions! I am a Trubie too ( Trublood fan) so have read all the Charlaine Harris Sookie Stackhouse books, while the books and the series do not follow closely they are both a hoot and total mommy porn ( well the show totally is!)
Also a great fantasy writer is Robin Hobb she has some fantastic trilogies/series that whilst independent of each other they kinda intertwine, so characters from each pop up and if you are like me its always great to see an old friend make an appearance in a new way in a different setting/story. ( off the top of my head i can think of Assassins Apprentince trilogy, Madship trilogy & crap can't think of the other something about a fool....LOL)
As for the Dragon Tattoo books...if u stick with it, remembering that it was translated from Swedish, once u are about half way thru it all becomes easier, a little more anyways, there is alot of information to his convoluted plots. Once you have mastered the first book and begine the 2nd it will be like picking up an old friend as you will 'know' the characters and his style much better. I read all 3 back to back, cos that is my style, if i find something i like i read everything by that author in the series i can lay my hands on cos i can't fucking wait for more...

Anonymous said...

Here's a few my friends and I have passed around that are page turners...

Henry's Sisters- Cathy Lamb

Beautiful Lies-Lisa Unger

The Glass Castle-Jeannette Wells

Her Fearful Symmetry- Audrey Niffenegger

Before I go to Sleep-S J Watson


Oh, and if you like Harry Potter check out... The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series- Michael Scott

Jen said...

Jodi Picoult is fantastic - she always writes about very controversial subjects, and her stories always end up in a courtroom. A new author I'm about to check out is Anita Shreve, who I'm told is similar to Jodi Picoult but her stories don't end up in a courtroom.

This is a great booklist, I'm going to have to check some of these out!!!

Sue said...

Hm. I haven't read much of what's on your list. I've read through a lot of the classics and I'm a sucker for mysteries. Love P.D. James and have read most of her. Elizabeth George also has a great series. The 4th or 5th book in drops the excitement a bit, but it's still worth it just for the first 3 books. One of my newer favorite mystery series is by Charles Finch. A non-mystery book that I've recently added to my favorites is The Art of Racing in the Rain. Have you read it? OMG - fantastic, fantastic book! It's written from the point of view of the dog which sounds corny but it's amazingly insightful and funny and sad. These posts are great. I've got so many new books to try now!

SZA said...

Jodi Picoult is terrible, please don't waste you time.

worleybird98 said...

Wow - we have so many books in common! I read the ENTIRE Harry Potter series out loud to my son as he was growning up, and I am very proud of that accomplishment! So many names to try and figure out, but it was so worth it to share that great experience with him. Then of course we had to see all the movies together too - loved that. You have to read Tending Roses by Lisa Wingate. It is a wonderful and beautiful story about passing down life's lessons. When I finished it I immediately bought a copy for my young daughter - this is a book I want to her have in her library growing up, it is that meaningful.

7th Grade Language Arts - Mrs. Clark said...

I'm a lover of the old anne rice books, vampires and witches series. wally lamb amazing. jodi picoult AWFUL....like watching lifetime movies over and over. love confederacy of dunces, but i think you have to live or have lived in new orleans to really get it. wally lamb is amazing. love old john irving books, new ones, not so much. kite runner = best book ever written. i've read gone with the wind 3 times. reading cutting for stone now and really like it.

Anonymous said...

If you like "The Stand", you will dig "Swan Song". Not sure which one ripped off which, but they are similarly awesome post-apocalytic fiction.

Kara said...

Wow have you stolen by bookshelf? The best book I have read recently if called When She Woke by Hillary Jordan. It takes place in the near future when the Christian Rite has taken over the US government. The main character has an abortion and therefore is convicted of murder. Her skin is dyed red and everywhere she goes, she needs to identify herself as a woman who has had an abortion. Amazing read.

Christy said...

Anything by Lee Smith, Kaye Gibbons (Charms for the Easy Life is my favorite), Reynolds Price, anything by Celia Rivenbark (humor).

Rebecca said...

If you like karen moning you should start with the highlander series then move into the fever series they flow chronologically that way.

Rebecca said...

elizabeth george is great too!

Anonymous said...

Jen Lancaster's great. I've read all her books, and as soon as I find out she's come out w/another, I'm on it! My fave of hers is 'Pretty in Plaid', but they're all pretty good. Good, fun chick-lit books like I like to read...esp. if I've just finished a serious/deep book. ;)

She does have a biting wit (sorta like you), but...you should know that she's a die-hard Rebub. So, a lot of her soapbox rants will be on such.

Because nobody likes Mondays said...

I was going to suggest The Outlander Series but I am thrilled that you have already found that gem. I tried to read the Lord John series after but found them disappointing in comparison. I didn't see the Sookie Stackhouse novels on your list (the ones that True Blood is based on). Loved them all, totally trashy and a lot of fun.

Anonymous said...

Jen, ARE you in the process of writing a book, or do you plan to write/publish a book? I know it can be time-consuming, and at times, feel like a big chore. But you have a lot to give to your readers (and then some). So...I hope you are/do!

primo said...

My daughter, 22 now was just the right age to start reading Harry Potter, which had the amazing side benefit of growing with her reading ability. The books get more advanced in reading level with each book. She insisted I read them as soon as she finished each one. I love them. We anticipated each new offering and then the movies. Thanks Kid, you gave me a treat I might have missed.

Cori said...

Book Club in the future?
Jodi Picult~My daughters keeper!
One other of my favorites is 1000 White Women ( I forget author) LOVED it.

Anonymous said...

I have an epic hate-on for Jodi Picoult. Her books are formulaic nonsense with pat endings. I hate her books so much that it's now kind of a joke among my family for them to wrap up a copy and give one to me for my birthday so they can watch me spit and sputter over how formulaic, trite, and completely predictable her endings are.

I really enjoyed Arnaldur Indriðason's books. Murder mysteries set in Iceland are entertaining for some reason. Happy New Year!

PS The Stand was published in 1978, Swan Song was published in 1987, so it appears McCammon was influenced by King rather than the other way around.

Stephanie said...

Great list! I recently read Jodi Picoult's "Sing You Home" and it was definitely worth a read!

Michelle said...

Love your list! We have tons of books in common. If you are in Goodreads, feel free to link to my profile. You will never lack for reading ideas on Goodreads. I have 66 books on my "to read" shelf right now.

Jessa said...

Thank you for posting this! between your suggestions and the comments, i have plenty of things to investigate now :)
Janet Evanovich is awesome, Stephanie Plum is my hero.
I agree with both sides of the Jodi Picoult arguement-her books are very well-written, but somehow always manage to have a happy ending, more or less, even though they probably shouldn't. Good for cathartic crying.

I love urban fantasy, and I saw someone posted about Patricia Briggs (Mercy Thompson series), Charlaine Harris (Sookie Stackhouse, but i also love the Grave series), Kim Harrison...I love LOVE Ilona Andrews and Kelly Armstrong. Nicole Peeler's Tempsest series. Gail Carriger.
I lovelovelove the Game of Thrones books, The Wheel of Time series (which hopefully will FINALLY finish soon-that's another one with a TON of characters to keep up with), another great one is the Kushiel's series by Jacqueline Carey...It has a very intricate political and religious set up, awesome character development, and tons of kinky sex.
if you like British dry humour, Terry Pratchett's Discworld series is awesome, one of my favorite books ever is Good Omens with him & Neil Gaimon.
For the kids (and you), I highly recommend the Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart. They're very excellent, and not quite as dark at the Hunger Games and the later Harry Potters, so more suitable for a younger audience. Diana Wynne Jones, also fabulous and well-written but okay for the little dudes. (i especially recommend The Chrestomanci Chronicles and Howl's Moving Castle)
More YA suggestions- I'm SO stoked to see I'm not the only grown-up constantly raiding the teenager section-Scott Westerfield's The Uglies series, Patrick Ness Chaos Walking series (very dark), Flora Segunda by Ysabeau Wilce (much more flippant, but good).

Lisa B. said...

So happy to hear someone else loved The Historian! That is probably one of my all time favorite books. Just finished Room not too long ago and I am not on book 1 of the Game of Thrones series. I love me some Stephen King but haven't read The Stand so I'm saving that to my wish list on Amazon!

Becky B. said...

I love the blog and feel so at home here.I am a big fan of most of these series and hunger for more. I am going to run and get a pen and write all these titles down that I haven't read. Or, I will mosey over to my tablet and type them on my note pad app, that's the same thing, right?
I love the Wilderness series by Sarah Donati. Outlanderish, in America, without time travel. I am also reading Kresley Cole's Immortals after Dark series. Fun, fast, entertaining fantasy reads.
I am an avid reader and will read whenever I get a minute, literaly. I read at stop lights, bank line, Sonic, school pick-up line, wherever. It drives the PILLs (People I Love Lots) in my life crazy. Thanks for the posts.

Cassi said...

Jodi Picoult is my all time favorite writer. So many of her books you can literally become apart of. My top 2 are change of heart, I suggest to only read if you have children, the reality of it doesn't hit home if you don't, and 19 minutes...

Sheri said...

I enjoy James Patterson's books with names in the titles- Suzanne's Letters to Nicholas, Sundays at Tiffany's, etc. I loved Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult. It showed insight on school shootings. For the kids, I love all Magic Tree House books. They have adventure and facts about places.

Bookbureader said...

I love books too! I started my own book blog, basically a place to write down my thoughts on what I've read.

My suggestions are The Bronze Horseman trilogy by Paullina Simons and The Dark Tower series by Stephen King. Both are wonderful!

Bookbureader said...

I forgot! For kids/adults the graphic novel series Amulet is really good!

Julie said...

So using this as a reference! I'm currently reading some crappy vampire/ romance/porn books, but I think they've started to rot my brain! I'm a very similar reader to you (except, I'm sure, my current selections).

Anonymous said...

You will LOVE Janet Evanovich. Her sense of humor is fantastic as well as her books!

Jen said...

I tried to skim all the other comments to see if anyone mentioned Laurie Notaro. She is amazingly funny and I can reread her nonfiction books over and over again and still snort with laughter. I think you would really enjoy the work of someone who titles a book "I Love Everybody and Other Atrocious Lies".
http://idiotgirls.com/books.html

Anonymous said...

There was a book I read about a million years ago, I dont recall who the author was. The name of the book was called ON A PALE HORSE.
It is an amazing storey about the life of "death" as a person and how he learned to handle his "job". If you ever get a chance to find/read it. It is definately worth the time. Like I said I read it a very long time ago, and it still is on my mind.

Bookbureader said...

Also check out A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore. He is hilarious and I've loved all his books I've read so far.

Corinne said...
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Corinne said...
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Corinne said...

So many of the books I was going to recommend are on your list!

My all time favorite book to recommend is The Other Boleyn Girl (and the two books that follow in the series Queen's Fool & Virgin's Lover) by Phillipa Gregory - but I am assuming you already read it. I am so going to get The Cousins War, I haven't even heard of that.

My newest favorite to recommend is The Hunger Games. I am with you on eagerly awaiting the movie, but so scared I am going to hate it. I am extremely jealous of any people just starting that series now, because I want to read it again so bad! I didn't want it to end, but had to read as quickly as possible to know what happened.

I totally agree with having to make up names for The Dragon Tattoo series - I used the strategy I tell my students. If you can't pronounce the name, just make one up. You will still understand the story! I loved those books, and wish the author was still alive so I could read more of his stuff.

Harry Potter -- I am just so sad those books are over. (Same goes for Twilight although I am not as proud to say that as I am about HP).

Speak was phenomenal.

-- If you are going to try Jodi Piccoult, then go with The Pact to start with. So good.

--I just finished The Paris Wife. It was really good, and not a book I would have typically chosen (it was for my book club). It is historical fiction, and is about Ernest Hemingway's first wife and their marriage. Kind of inspired me to possibly read some of Hemingway's works, as they are based on his life.

--Next on my list is Unbroken. It is a true story of a P.O.W. during WWII. I hear it is amazing. (And now Cousins Wars is on my "next up" list too)

--The Red Tent was awesome.

--Something Borrowed/Something Blue
Both by Emily Giffin. Something Borrowed was made into a movie recently, and it wasn't bad. The books are good, light, and easy reads. But very entertaining.

--Memoirs of a Geisha

--Water for Elephants

--The Perks of Being a Wallflower YA

--Between Two Queens (I read this because of the Phillipa Gregory books)

...I could probably go on and on about books.

Nichole said...

The Book Thief is a good one, also The Glass Castle, Water For Elephants too. I used to read anything by James Patterson his Women's murder club series is Awesome! Thanks for the list, my kindle thanks you also!!!

Julie said...

I love anything written by Jennifer Crusie (chick lit with suspense) and Beth Kendrick... Both great authors for books to lose yourself in for several hours.

Sheric said...

I got a few from your list that I'm excited for! I've read (and loved) most of them! If you like YA and fantasy Kelley Armstrong has an adult AND YA series that are awesome.

Teri said...
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Teri said...

Wonderful recommendations. Jen Lancaster is great as is Celia Rivenbark! They will make you LOL for sure

Rachel said...

You MUST read The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz. I think there are four in the series, but more may be coming. The humor in the book seems like it might be your style (just from reading your blog!)

Charee said...

We must have been switched at birth. I swear our reading lists match almost exactly! ;) Thanks for your "to read" list...I'm adding some of them to mine. Happy reading!

Nicole D. said...

Reflections in the Nile-- J. Suzanne Frank... its a series. Bit harder to find lately but the library should have it in stock or you can get it cheap online. Time travel books- woman from the '90s is transported to Egypt in the first one. Loved it.

Glenda said...

I Love the title of your blog. I also like that you like to talk books. I am from the Alexa Hop on Mommies Point of View. I wish you a nice week and I will be back soon.

yfn jman said...

Wow! Lots o comments! Devil in the White City is a really good book. Worth giving a spin.

Nice to see I'm not the only one reading multiple books with a huge on deck circle, too.

Elizabeth said...

Looks like most people covered just about everything I would recommend... I know at least one person mentioned Charlaine Harris' Harper Connelly series, but also check out the Lily Bard (Shakespeare) series and Aurora Teagarden (Real Murder Club) series.
The one I think I didn't see (forgive me if I missed it) is Sherrilyn Kenyon. Love The Dark Hunter series. A little paranormal, a little romance, a lot of great story lines. I recommend starting at the beginning and working your way through them. She also partners with Dianna Love on the Belador series, currently only 2 books, and it is great as well!

Good luck fitting in reading! I am finally on the fifth Game of Thrones book (after taking a break for other books between each one, including Clockwork Prince! )

Anonymous said...

For those of u that enjoy memoirs, Glass Castle and Breaking Night are superb! Sarah's Key, The Help and Kitchen House also are on my "faves of all time" list.

If you aren't on GoodReads.com yet u MUST join. Reviews from that site have yet to let me down.

Lea Marie said...

What Your SON Isn't Telling You (Unlocking the Secret World of Teen Boys) by Michael Ross and Susie Shellenberger

Tesse said...

What a great list - you listed so many that I love that I know I'm going to like the ones I haven't read yet! And when I finished Discovery of Witches, my first thought was "WHEN's THE NEXT ONE COMING OUT!!!!" - I liked it that much.

Cristina said...

The Passage pissed me off. It was so long and engrossing and the ending sucked. I'm still mad I read it, and at my man Stephen King for recommending it. I've read all the Game of Thrones books and they rock.

Anonymous said...

If you liked The Stand, which is my all time favorite book you would most likely enjoy Swan Song by Robert McCammon.

Jessie

Lisa said...

I was getting ready to add "You must read Diana Gabaldon" but I found Outlander Series there on the bottom. I stumbled across that last winter when I first got my iPad and I sped through seven books in weeks. I've never talked to anyone else who has read them, but they are awesome!

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter is my second favorite book for 2011 behind The Outlander Series (and Echo in the Bone).

Erin said...

Gillian Flynn---excellent writer.

Anonymous said...

You should read Susan Jane Gilman- Kiss my tiara but especially - Hypocrite in a White Pouffy Dress. I think you'd really like it if you liked Jen Lancaster.

Heather said...

You kind of need to push through the Game of thrones series. I don't mean it's not good by any means. What I mean is it involves so much, if you take too much time between books it's easy to get lost. Other than That I don't have much by way of suggestions. Almost all of my favorites are on your list. I do think a must read is Master of the game by Sidney Sheldon. I have read it about 5 times I think. Awesome book.

tarad said...

I didn't read EVERY post ( I have 3 kids), but I didn't see any Carl Haissen...one of my favorites. I have read a lot of what is on your list, except twilight, and I think I am just being stubborn...BUT if you haven't read any of his books start with Sick Puppy. They are funny and easy reading. I have also read Flush and Hoot with my kids, his others are definitely NOT kid friendly.

Anonymous said...

Just read your book recommendations and have to agree with Hunger Games and Jody P. Elizabeth C. Bunce, a YA fantasy writer has a glorious retelling of a fairy tale called A Curse Dark as Gold and two new books that are must reads Star Crossed and Liar's Moon. No vampires or sad stories but exciting, ambitious and one of those writers you will want to pick up with each new book! All three books have been praised by the best in blog and magazine reviews! Give them a try!

Genevieve said...

almost anything by Eric Jerome Dickey is worth reading. My two favorites by him are Genevieve (great story & characters) and Pleasure (amazing sex scenes).

Anonymous said...

Anything and everything Steven Saylor! Historical fiction from ancient Rome. Main character is a private investigator. Those are the books from his Roma Sub Rosa series. His books Roma and Empire are also great. I would recommend Ariana Franklin with a side note, she passed away last year:( and her last book ends as a cliff hanger. So you get to decide what could have been written! Love reading your blog! You crack me up!!

mylittlestinkers said...

The Average American Male by Chad Kultgen...it's an eye opener!! It's nasty and full of cursing, but goes into all those private thoughts that guys have when they see women. Kind of like a NC-17 version of Will Ferrel's moment in Old School when he's talking about whether or not the waitress is wearing a thong or cotton panties. Not intellectually stimulating, but oddly entertaining!

Anonymous said...

Do you have a public profile on goodreads?

Anonymous said...

Didn't see anyone mention and have to recommend The Middle Place and Lift by Kelly Corrigan. Very humorous, inspiring memoir/essay.

Anonymous said...

Carl Hiassen - LOVE HIM - way over the top and the YA series is good as well

tatooine84 said...

If you like punny fantasy read the Xanth books by Piers Anthony (there are 30 something books in it, I think and a new one every october), he also has a LOT more series of books that are just as good. The Ender books by Orsen Scott Card, some of his others are great too, The Homecoming series. The Sevenwaters Books, along with any others written by Juliette Marillier. Hmmmmm David Eddings is great too. (Can you tell I like fantasy?)

Kandidean318 said...

Seriously...I think we were separated at birth. I've read SOOO many of these books; you say SOOO many of the same things...I'm almost positive we could finish each others sentences.

YOU ARE FABULOUS! Just sayin'.

Keep it up,
Kandi

jenniF said...

The Lost Wife, Between Shades of Grey, and Little Bee.

Deanna said...

Okay it appears you hi-jacked my kindle. You didn't mention Robin Hobb though. Have you read any of her trilogies? They are masterly crafted trilogies that all take place in the same fantasy world she created. They are pretty awesome. I suggest reading the Liveship Traders series first. The rest make a lot more sense because there is so much background info in that particular series. They are NOT hard to follow. You fall in love with the characters and your husband will punch you in the middle of the night for keeping him awake with the glow of your night reader light!

katy said...

Fevre Dream is an amazing book written by George RR Martin (Game of Thrones) and if you liked the Historian, you will like this one as well

Our Family, Our Life said...

If you want to read books that you won't want to put down and can't get enough of them, I'd suggest books by John Saul. Don't start with his new books. Start with the older ones from when he first started writing and continue on. Up until just recently when he tried to keep up with the changes in society, his books have always been guaranteed to please. I'm still trying to decide if I like his newer books or not. I would love to hear what you think about him.

KCM said...

I like the Charlaine Harris books series that the HBO show True Blood is based off. It is her Sookie Stackhouse series, you will not be able to put them down..at least I can't. Also the series by PC Cast and her daughter, YA, House of Night series, is good.

trytobeoriginal said...

I loved The Historian! And I found another book by her that's probably in paperback by now called the Swan Thieves. It's pretty amazing too.
And if you like historical fiction, check out Pillars of the Earth, and World Without End. I can't remember the author's first name, but the last name is Follet.
Tana French (In the Woods) has a second novel The Likeness that is completely surreal, and a third one in the series that I haven't read yet.
If I lived closer, we would be best friends based entirely on that list up there. Seriously

Melissa said...

The School of Essential Ingredients is beautifully written. One of my favorite books of all time!

natesmom said...

I also read the Gregor the Overlander series to my kids- long before the Hunger Games craze hit! :) Another HUGE favorite that we have all read together and the boys have gone on to read again and again is Clive Barker's "The Thief of Always". My daughter is now 7 and we have just started it with her.

Yes, Clive Barker of the Hellraiser movies and super creepy adult books....

This book is about a little boy who is very bored at home and along comes a "thing" (goblin? Some kind of creature) named Rictus who promises him a wonderful vacation at a special house where they celebrate Christmas, Halloween, etc every day. Being a book by Clive Barker, things aren't as wonderful as they seem. Great lesson in it and while it can be a little intense, if they like Gregor, this one should be no problem.

Kate Carr said...

If you liked Twilight and Hunger Games, you must read The True Blood Series by Charlaine Harris and The Fever Series by Karen Moning.
You will not want to punch me in the throat for the suggestion... I promise. ;)

Anonymous said...

I love the Black Dagger Brotherhood series! Great storylines and awesome characters...I read them all at least three times already. Lots of love, fighting, and sex!

Kate said...

My FB book club is reading The Marriage Plot. I'm excited about this one!

JT1222 said...

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. I've bought this book three times - 1st for me, ended up giving up on getting it back. 2nd for me again but so my mom could read it (she just lent it to a co-worker who had his dad read it too). 3rd as a gift to go with the kid version (just) Racing in the Rain, which was the 2nd time I bought that one. I will be buying a set to give to my bestie & her family as a gift. It's an amazing book told through a dog as 1st person.

Chefanie said...

Love your blog. I would have to add the following:

"Julie and Julia" by Julie Somebody or Other (sorry I can't remember her last name). Hysterically funny. I have never laughed so hard over a lobster in my life.

"The Time Traveler's Wife" by Audery Niffenegger. One of my all-time faves. She actually makes time traveling seem completely plausible and reasonable, although it's a little hard to follow until you get the hang of her story telling.

Both are awesome. Both have follow-up books that they might possibly have ghost written for Satan. Seriously. I am not kidding. They are terrible. Do not read "Cleaved" or "Her Fearful Symmetry" (although I saw that one recommended above...weird). They are so far past disappointing that they aren't in the same hemisphere as disappointing.

Also, "Eat, Pray, Love" and "Committed" are both good. I can't remember the author. Elizabeth somebody.

Anonymous said...

robert maccammon's "boys life". just read it. brilliant!!!

mominohio said...

Almost finished with "The Art of Racing in the Rain" by Garth Stein. Brilliant. I cried & I don't normally cry reading books... 320 pages almost finished in one night. GREAT BOOK!

Chefanie said...

The Thursday Next series of books starting with "The Eyre Affair" by Jasper Fforde. The are basically science fiction except replace "science" with "literature." I don't know how else to explain it. Set in an alternative reality 1985 England, the main character, Thursday Next, is a literary detective solving crimes involving literature (not as lame as it sounds) who can go into works of literature. There are door to door evangelists trying to convince people that the works of Shakespeare were actually written by someone else, and there is a performance of Richard III that sounds an awful lot like "Rocky Horror Picture Show." The series gets a little formulaic after the third book, but the first one in particular is really really original and clever. I loved it!

Momma O said...

Not sure if I put this last time, but since we have SO many similar book interests, and I did not see her on your list..... Anne Rice. I have read everyone of her books. Start with the early ones. You may like her as much as I do.

Leila said...

I'm a HUGE reader. One of my favorite gifts are Barnes and Noble gift cards. This Christmas, I got $60 worth of them and I was ECSTATIC! Love it! So here is my list of recommendations:


The Name of the Star (a modern day story about Jack the Ripper. So good.)

Every Other Day

Night Circus (ended up reading half of the book in store at B&N cause I didn't want to stop reading. And I ended up finishing it that same day)

The Tiger's Curse Series

His Dark Materials Trilogy (better
known as the Golden Compass trilogy)

The Looking Glass Wars Trilogy

anything by Tamora Pierce (I read her books as a young girl and I'm still reading them today. Love her!)

The King's Blades Series by Dave Duncan (and The Chronicle of the King's Blades series)

Good Omens (a seriously funny take on Armageddon, I am always laughing my head off when I read this book)

and Dan Brown. His books are really good.

jannyinaz said...

Agreed, loved Maze Runner as well. Nothing beats Hunger Games though:)

jannyinaz said...

Like Jodi Piccoult Nineteen Minutes,
Enjoyed The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca SKloot ( non fiction which I don't normally like) ,Unbroken: a world war 2survival story- loved it! I read most others that above peeps mentioned....love the suggestions..:)

Unknown said...

Please forgive me if someone has mentioned this, actually it is so fantastic its worth another. Go the F**k to Sleep, by Adam Mansbach

http://www.amazon.com/Go-F-Sleep-Adam-Mansbach/dp/1617750255/ref=sr_1_1?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1328269693&sr=8-1&al_rs=#al_rp

Christiane said...

Anything by Harlan Coben is great; I like the stand alones better, but he also does a series with a p.i. Myron Bolitzer. They are mystery thrillers where at the end you're like, " holy shit, really?!
I've also read almost every Jodi Piccoult. In the beginning I loved them, but by the last few I kinda wanted to stab myself in the eye with a plastic fork bc they were so depressing! Some were better than others!

Anonymous said...

I just read the "Fever" series & LOVED LOVED LOVED it! Could not put it down, was taking into the bathroom w/me, throwing laundry in...loved it. I only discovered it by chance the 1st book was either super cheap or free when I got my Kindle so I figured I'd try it, and could not put them down. I just started her "highlander" series but I worry if it will effect me the way "Fever" did. Now I am on a desperate search for books like that, I love supernatural/fantasy components, easy reads I can take with me wherever & just sort of "zone out by zoning in to a good book. I LOVE LOVE LOVE to read & I also loved the Twilight series & Harry Potter is just phenomenal. I also love classics, Virginia Woolfe, Dickens, Kaftka...but I save those for time when I can really put the effort into them. I would love to hear your recommendations...

Kellyinflorida said...

Love Jodi Picoult as well- however some of her books are so intense I can't finish them. Handle with Care was one of them...
The Pact and My sister's keeper are quite good. I always recommend to any parent and /or teacher - 19 Minutes. It's about bullying and it's written from the viewpoint of the kid who was bullied from the moment he set foot on the bus for kindergarten.

Susan said...

My neighborhood book club has read many of the ones you listed, Sarah's Key, all the Dragon Tattoos and Twilight and Hunger Games. We are currently reading Stephen King's 11/23/62 (my pick!) which is hella long but AWESOME. Even friends who said they would never read a King book like it. And The Kitchen House is next!

Viking Jones said...

Laurell K Hamilton's Anita Blake series. Particularly the first 5 or so books and book 9. She wanders a lot more from the original character in the later books. Merry Gentry series is good, but you have a lot more in your face sex from the beginning than with the Anita series.
Kelley Armstrong
Piers Anthony
Douglas Adams Hitchhiker's Guide - a trilogy of five books. Freaking hilarious. Movie was only so-so, and you'll have to read the whole series to catch all of the references.
Jean M Auel
Anne Rice - theres a theme here. I seriously hated Twilight because I grew up loving Lestat, and then moved on to LKHs Jean Claude. No sparkles for me, please.
Kim Harrison
Dean Koontz
Anne McCaffrey - Dragonrider of Pern series, obviously. But her other books and collabs are great too. Especially the ship books.
Morgan Llewelyn's Druids. I know there are more of these, but I adore this one.
And I will always hold a spot dear in my heart for Walter Farley.
There's a book called Raptor Red that is very good if you ever wondered what the dinos thought about. I dont remember the author though, ans have lost the book over time.

I really adore sci-fi/fantasy. Or anything that can hold my attention. I read Moby Dick in the sixth grade but couldn't force myself through a Michael Crighton book to save my life.

Fata Morgana said...

Devil in the White City is one of my faves. It is fantastic!

The Dovekeepers was a rather enthralling novel I just finished. I am a fan of anything split up into "character" perceptions, and this is no exception. I wasn't as familiar with the story other than gross details, but it is historical fiction.

Also good is Katharine and Dragonwyck. Both historical fiction, and both entertaining. Dragonwyck is more mystery and sort of chick lit, but both legitimately ones that you want to reach for and read.

Fata Morgana said...

Duh.... was also going to ask if you have ever read any of Mary Roach's books? Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers is AWESOME. Perhaps because I read it while I was taking cadaver lab in grad school, but it was written with a deft hand and with good narrative voice about a rather touchy subject.

kbaker0812 said...

I love most of those books! I work for the publishing company of a couple of those books so I'm lucky! Also, try Colleen Coble!!

Anonymous said...

Since you liked Hunger Games, try The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood. And if you get tired of Jodi Picault's tearjerker, grief-fests, try Alice Hoffman. Here on Earth, The River King and The Probable Future are some of the best. They're a bit lighter so you don't feel emotionally abused/exhausted after reading.

Marian said...

I just finished The Night Circus and it was one of the few books that I really enjoyed the words on the page. That is the same reason I loved Water For Elephants and The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. Another great book is Divergent. It is very Hunger Games ish.
Otherwise, your book list seems to almost completely overlap mine. Of those 4 books I would pick up the Night Circus first. You won't be disappointed.

Maz said...

If you liked Harry Potter, you should try someone who had a wizard boy saving.. the universe kind of long before JK. Diana Wynne Jones her Chrestomanci series. I recommend starting with Lives of Christopher Chant first. You may have heard of her if you've heard of Howl's Moving Castle. The movie was a travesty, but the book is amazing. Only thing is that all of her books are better or even best when read more than once. So you have to be a good reader. She has too many layers to get at first read.

After that, my newest favorite author is Jennifer Fallon. Start with the Harshini trilogy, follow it up with her Warlord trilogy which is a prequel but needs to be read afterwards in my opinion because the quality of writing is higher, and then move to the Tide Lord Quartet.

Amanda said...

Cate Tiernan's "Sweep" series. (YA fic)

Steve Jobs - Walter Isaacson

Blue - Lou Aronica (love, love, LOVE this book. Easy read. Good message. Sweet to share with the kiddos even. Classified as YA fic.)

Wicked - Gregory Maguire

I, Robot - Isaac Asimov

My Blood Approves series - Amanda Hocking

As I'm sure others have said, Janet Evanovich is amazing if you want something lighthearted and pretty much guaranteed to make you laugh out loud.

Nat said...

So true! I love all of those too!

Laura Oh said...

looking these up on amazon. Lots of titles of Unbroken. Who wrote the one you like?

Cindy said...

Confederacy of Dunces - one of my all time favorites. I'm sure you know the story of how his mom pursued getting the manuscript published some years after he committed suicide.
For light and funny, I would pick ANY of Carl Hiaasen's books over Janet's. He is a much more clever and witty writer, imho, of course.
For heavy, deep and mind-blowing wow, read the little known The Star Rover by Jack London. Few/no words to describe the book. Just read.
I'm currently reading Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. It's light, fast, entertaining and well-written. It's the first I've read of her stuff so not sure about her others.

Lori C. said...

I am reading "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky Not what I expected at all....I live 30 from Pittsburgh and was told there were refrences to different city areas in the book that's why I decided to check it out....I'm enjoying it more than I thought I would......

Melissa said...

Love, love, love the Outlander series. I stopped after book 4 because I just needed a break, but I will eventually go back to them. Sometimes I just pick up one book and read favorite parts of them. Pillars of the the Earth, and the Physician, by Ken Follet are awesome. And for the kids "Holes" is so much fun. We are almost done reading it in our house, and my girls just love it! Happy reading.

Melissa said...

OOh, forgot another series that is great. City of Bones, City of Ashes, City of Glass and City of Fallen Angels.

Aami said...

I love Holly Black. She wrote the Spiderwick Chronicles. My favorite books by her are her modern fairy tale trilogy (Tithe, Valiant, and Ironside). Her Curse Workers series was good, but I felt all three books could have used another draft or two. Her writing style is something I had never seen before, and I immeditely connected to it. I highly recommend the modern fairy tales! I also really like Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy series. The main character is strong, and it is a real pleasure to get the story from her point of view.

Positionality said...

Neil Gaiman's new book The Ocean at The End of The Lane is awesome. For YA, I recommend Delia Rees and China Mieville (that one's a dude). I love Christopher Moore for funny stuff; Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove is one of my favorites :)

Emily said...

I just ran across your blog on Facebook, and I LOVE it! I was so excited to see your book recommendation page. We have very similar taste! I love YA dystopian, and it's great to see someone actually not hating on Twilight for once.
At the risk of sounding like a broken record...
The Divergent series is my favorite series right now. I have the third one preordered. Also, the Maze Runner series and of course Hunger Games.
You should check out Birthmarked, Promised and Prized by Caragh M. O'Brien. Also Delirium by Lauren Oliver. It is a series as well. The Wayfarer Redemption series by Sara Douglass is more fantasy. It has a lot of characters, but it is a great series.
Happy Reading!!!

Jen Piwtpitt said...

I'm reading Delirium right now and loving it.

Unknown said...

We have similar taste in books. Try Lionel Shriver's We Need to Talk About Kevin. The movie sucked, but the book is chilling.

Unknown said...

Okay I've just seen this blog. Awesome choices BTW. If you want a good series to read, Patricia Cornwell & her Scarpetta series are simply to die for. Set in Virginia, Kay Scarpetta is a noted Medical Examiner that helps out on numerous cases, local, state & international. Just like with singing...start at the very beginning. Unfortunately it has been years since I read her first book, I can't remember the name. Luckily to a point, you can read out of order but that will just piss you off in one book in particular because a MAJOR event from a previous book is highlighted heavily.
If you're looking for a YA read about vampires & such...VAMPIRE ACADEMY series.
Adult Vampire series & other supernatural... Charlaine Harris Sookie Stack house series...true blood HBO...

Unknown said...

Lauren Oliver also wrote a book called Before I Fall. It's amazing, and a little sad.

Unknown said...

My favorite author is Richelle Mead. I started with the Vampire Academy series and fell in love. They are my favorite books. She writes about Vampires in a way that is very different from other mainstream Vampire books. Don't let the really terrible movie trailer that recently came out keep you from giving these books a try, they are awesome. There is even a spin off series called Bloodlines which is just as good. She also writes the Georgina Kincaid books about a succubus and I really enjoyed those as well.

Unknown said...

The True Blood series was so good. I have purposely not read the last one though because thanks to unwanted spoilers from my MIL, I'm super upset with how it ends.

Emily said...

Georgette Heyer is good for Regency stories, and I love mysteries by Victoria Holt, but she may be more difficult to find. Older authors, but enduringly good. I liked the Robert Langdon books as well - nothing like a good conspiracy theory.

Raabster said...

I am a character reader. I especially enjoy witty plots with well-rounded characters, especially those with "a past." BONUS if I can "travel" because of the settings!

Long before there was the TV show "Bones" there were the Tempe Brennan books by Kathy Reichs. I was hooked from the first, and now own them all.

I LOVE John Rebus from Ian Rankin - I cried when he retired, and cheered when Rankin brought him back! So flawed...so HUMAN. Cannot recommend enough.
(Imagine my delight when reading the lasted Kathy Reichs book and Tempe was reading the latest Ian Rankin book on the plane!)

I also really enjoy the Wallander series from Swedish author Henning Mankell. I got hooked because of the TV series and then had to find them all (this was before Kindle). Thank goodness for a FABULOUS local used book store!

Craig Johnson's Longmire series is also fabulous. I listened to a radio interview with him, downloaded the books, and now watch the TV series in the summers. My Mom and I read them at the same time and then phone each other with the plot twists. The aboriginal mysticism adds a new layer.

When it comes to laugh-out-loud funny easy beach reading, I pick up the latest Carl Hiaasen book. I started with Strip Tease (boy did they screw up THAT movie adaptation!) and read at least one a summer. His YA books - Hoot, Scat, Flush, and Chomp - are also funny and educational. All his books follow this pattern: pick an environmental concern (animal, habitat), pair with a political agenda to destroy it, and add the wackiest characters Florida can provide.

When I want a cathartic moment and some more mysticism, I pick up an Amy Tan novel. The Joy Luck Club was my first. I have the Valley of Amazement waiting. She also wrote Sagwa the Chinese Siamese Cat...we loved watching that TV series when my son was younger.

"The Hero's Walk" by Anita Rau Badami is a wonderful read; I recommend it often.

I have also read everything by Pat Conroy (even the out-of-print books I discovered in used book stores). I read his memoir in under 24 hours.

Raabster said...

Ugh. Forgive the typos, please! I had issues with logging out of one account and into another, and now I cannot edit this. Grrrr.

Raabster said...

My nieces and nephews were gifted with this series, along with a photo I took of "the lamp post' when I was a college student in upstate New York.
Can hardly wait for my son to be old enough for this series!

Raabster said...

LOVED this when it came out decades ago. Didn't like the sequel as much.
Have you read Sarum by Rutherford? FABULOUS. I use quotes from that book to teach my Social Studies classes.

Raabster said...

Oh! If your kids are into action-adventure with some fantasy, the Artemis Fowl series is FUNNY! Reading level is about Grade 6. I laugh out loud when reading them.

Meg said...

We have very similar tastes in books and three off the top of my head that I see missing from your list are What Alice Forgot, The Glass Castle and On the Island. Both are excellent! I've read and enjoyed most of the books on your list, so I'm betting you will love them, too.

Unknown said...

I will have to pick up some Jodi Picoult. I love Julia Quinn, Hannah Howell, and Katie McAllister.

Unknown said...

I like the books too, but if you ever read the "authors notes," this guy is an arrogant douche bag.

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