I have been working my way through my playgroup book club picks, The Clandestine Cake Book Group, the Third Tuesday Hartford Book Club list and the ever-expanding list of books that I just happen upon…
Here’s what’s in my stack – Watch for reviews in my blog of books I’ve finished… Happy Reading!
The Samuran’s Garden – Gail Tsukiyama
The Night Circus – Erin Morgenstern
Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt – Beth Hoffman
Those Who Save Us – Jenna Blum
The Bone House – Brian Freeman
Caleb’s Crossing – Geraldine Brooks
Emily Alone – Stewart O’Nan
Rainwater – Sandra Brown
Silas Marner – George Eliot
The Warmth of Other Suns – Isabelle Wilkerson
Clara and Mr. Tiffany – Susan Vreeland
Sacred Hearts – Sarah Dunant
The Book of Bright Ideas – Sandra King
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie – Allen Bradley
No Ordinary Time – Doris Kearns Goodwin
Luncheon of the Boater’s Party – Vreeland
Olive Kitteridge – Elizabeth Shrout
Ordinary Wolves – Seth Kantner
The 19th Wife – David Ebershoff
Dream House – Valerie Laken
A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes from My Kitchen Table – Molly Wizenburg
Past books that I really enjoyed –
Follow the River – James Alexander Thom
My Name is Memory – Ann Brashares
A Voice in the Wind – Francine Rivers
Princess: Life Behind the Veil – Jean Sasson
The Help – Kathryn Stockett
Birthhouse – A Novel by Ami McKay: This fit my mom’s criteria for a good read – quality, but not depressing – I agree!
Land of a Hundred Wonders – Lesley Kagen: Local author that I just love!
Whistling in the Dark – Lesley Kagen
Book Thief – Markus Zusak: I laughed, but mostly I cried – however the journey it worth it – this is a must read.
The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo – Stieg Larsson: Tim and I read the entire series and LOVED it!
The Last Chinese Chef – Nicole Mones
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society – Mary Ann Schaffer & Annie Barrows: This is a beautiful book with just enough history – take it on vacation.
Half broke Horses – Jeannette Walls
Julie & Julia – Julie Powell: I saw Julia’s kitchen when I was in D.C. – I might have to try a recipe if ever I have the time…
The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith: this is 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.
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 its way and pulls you right in. It would be a great coffee shop read on a rainy Saturday afternoon.
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Snow Flower & The Secret Fan: A Novel by Lisa See
The Memory Keepers Daughter by Kim Edwards
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 Glass Castle – Jeannette Walls
*** Please write and let me know what you are enjoying…
Love Medicine is one of my all time faves..I first read it in College, and I’ve come back to it every few years..I’ve read many others by Erdrich: The Beet Queen, Tracks, The Bingo Palace…
Currently reading The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold, next up: InHerent Vice by Thomas Pynchon..