I love getting tips on what to read, so I thought I’d share some of mine…

Books i’ve read recently and enjoyed:

The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith: this the the first in a series of mystery novels. It has two levels so don’t give up on it or you will miss the deeper more meaningful point of the book. It’s lyrical prose reminded me of a favorite professor from Zimbabwe who I could listen to forever.

The Master Butcher’s Singing Club by Louise Erdich: I also enjoyed Love Medicineby the same author. Both novels included modern Native American characters, but in the MBSC she does just as beautiful a job capturing the view of a German immigrant. It was fun to read, sentimental, and it will stick with you. I loved the ending.

For my play group book club this year we are reading:

 Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

March’s book was very good and I did enjoy the movie too. I don’t think, however that the movie would be as good if I had not read the book first because there were so many things implied that I only understood with the book’s descriptions etc. The story is really wonderful and so interesting. Especially because it was written by an American man – who did a great job of writing from the point of view of an Asian woman.

Color of Water by James McBride

This proved to bring on really good discussion – not as much about the racial themes of the book, but instead about our kids and what we expect of them.

The Girl with the Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier

I tried to read this years ago but was in the middle of exams. I put it down intending to get back to it eventually – Now I am so glad I did. This one will stay with me. It is a simple, calm, clearly written book that weaves it’s way until you are pulled right in. It would be a great coffee shop read on a rainy Saturday afternoon.

Water for Elephantsby Sara Gruen

Snow Flower & The Secret Fan: A Novel by Lisa See

The Memory Keepers Daughter by Kim Edwards

The Good Lifeby Jay Mcinerney

 Other books on my list:

100 White Women: the Diary of May Dodd

Took me forever to read, but worth every minute. This would be a great book club book. The author takes just a smidge of real history, turns it all around, and weaves a wild tale. I highly recommend this one! 

The 10th Circle

The Boy in Striped Pajamas

The Glass Castle

Rococo: A Novel by Adriana Trigini

Crow Lake

The Faithful Spy: A Novel by Alex berenson

*** Please write and let me know what you are enjoying…