I’ve always liked to read. When I was a kid, I adored Beverly Cleary books with Ramona and Beezus (how did you pronounce her name? I pronounced it Bee-zus, but I’ve heard it pronounced Bee-Zeus. Weird.) I also loved the Laura Ingalls Wilder books and can remember my mom reading them aloud to me.
In 5th grade I discovered the scandalous books by Judy Blume. Sure I’d read her Superfudge books, though I guess you could consider Superfudge slightly scandalous. Do you remember when Peter peed in the plant? I remember when my 3rd grade teacher read that part of the book, she had a hard time getting all of us to stop laughing. Her truly scandalous books discussed divorce, racism, sex, and masturbation, but I didn’t really care about any of that stuff! In 5th grade I was far more interested in the topic of PERIODS. Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret became my bible. Oh how I wanted to get my period after this and how I wanted to talk about getting periods with all my friends. (Why?!?) I read that book over and over, dissecting every page and feeling like the book had been written especially for me. I still love Judy Blume and wish she’d write another adult book, like Summer Sisters, which is one of my all time favorite books.
I go into bookstores now and it’s really overwhelming. I’ve read everything by my favorite authors (Judy Blume, Wally Lamb, Rosamunde Pilcher, Maeve Binchy…) and don’t know who or what to read next.
It’s time to develop my 2009 booklist and I need your recommendations. My 2008 booklist is sitting over in my sidebar with it’s arms crossed, a scowl on it’s face, and it’s lips pursed. I KNOW I DIDN’T READ EVERYHING ON THE LIST! And I’m FINE! FINE! with that.
I’ll just move those books I didn’t read to this year’s booklist. So HA!, 2008 booklist.
So! {clap, clap} What should I read this year?
Here’s what I have so far…
1. Hunger Games (already finished it and I can’t wait for the next installment!!!!)
2. I’m currently reading The Poisonwood Bible (I’ve read it before, but I can’t remember what happened. Thanks a LOT, Placenta Brain.)
3. I plan on participating in Anglophile Football Fanatic’s PMS Bookclub and the first book is Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier.
4. Certain Girls by Jennifer Weiner (Dana didn’t exactly give this one a good review, but I’ll read it anyway)
5. The Five People You Meet in Heaven (Heidi recommended this one.)
(Edited to add because I forgot about this one) 6. Living in Little Rock with Miss Little Rock (a Mr. Lady certified recommendation)
What else should I read?
(I want to be sure to give a big “HOLLA!” to all of you who participated in Delurking day yesterday, it was so, so great to meet those of you I had no idea about! )
Edited to add: No need to recommend the Twilight series. I’d rather not read the remaining 3 books.
Oh Judy Bloom! I LOVED Summer Sisters, and Wifey!
Erin´s lastest post..Just Another Monday!
Try “Ellen Foster” by Kaye Gibbons
Life of Pi I really loved.
Water for Elephants…so good.
There is an English author who is just recently being published in the US…her newer stuff is really good…epic family stories that span generations. Penny Vincenzi…she also has a triology that’s very good.
Have the T-Shirt´s lastest post..Keepin’ On
A Special Relationship- Douglas Kennedy
Painc- Jeff Abbott
Three Sisters- Liane Moriaty
Icy Spark- Gwyn Hyman Rubio
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield (hard to get into at first but well worth it)
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (such a great book, cried like a baby at the end)
Have you read any of Jen Lancaster’s books? LOVE. THEM.
Shannanb aka Mommy Bits´s lastest post..On a “Roll”
I loved the 5 people you meet in Heaven and Rebecca. I also love, love, love anything by Jodi Piccoult. She wrote My Sisters Keeper, 19 minutes, Change of Heart and a bunch of other great books. I highly recommend her. I also really love Memoirs of a Geisha if you haven’t read that one yet.
Someone Being Me´s lastest post..Escaping Babies
I have about 100 books sitting on my shelves to read (I work/volunteer at an op shop, so I get my books second hand). The majority are crime/thrillers and looking at your list and suggestions above, I don’t know that you would read my books, or I would read yours. But I could be wrong!
My fave authors are PD James, Robert Ludlum, Jack Higgins, Jon Cleary, Dick Francis (his books are all set in the horse racing industry, written in the first person and very entertaining, hard to put down), Ian Rankin, all 3 Kellermans (husband, wife and son all write), Kathy Reichs (author of the books the ‘Bones’ series is based on). I also like auto/biographies of old-time movie stars like Laurence Olivier and David Niven.
I’m not really into romance or drama anymore. I used to be, but tend to really live those books and prefer not to. Funny, I don’t live the crime/thrillers.
Anything by Jodi Picoult. A few of my favourites were My Sister’s Keeper, 19 Minutes, Plain Truth, The Tenth Circle, The Pact and Salem Falls.
Also, anything by Joy Fielding especially See Jane Run and Grand Avenue.
Fluffy reading? Sophie Kinsella (of Shopaholic fame) is fun and funny.
Lynn (Walking With Scissors)´s lastest post..That’s Right, I’m Talking to YOU.
I’m guessing you don’t want any Stephenie Meyer added to your to-read list after Twilight underwhelmed you, huh?
Hmm, some that I read and *loved* recently:
Momzillas, by Jill Kargman was a fun fun read(I got it a couple years back as my ‘surgery book’ and could NOT put it down)
The Surrogate by Judith Henry Wall, very thought provoking semi-mystery, that just draws you in.
Mother by Linda Ann Rentschler its been a while since I read this one but I remember it was good enough to become a ‘bought’ book(I rarely *buy* books unless I’m in *love* with them)
Mackenzie’s Momma´s lastest post..So apparently, I need to re-home some books
I also second Erin’s Penny Vincenzi nomination, especially Windfall and the trilogy about the publishing house. The books are 1000 pages long but you never want them to end
Laura Essendine
Author – The Accidental Guru
The Accidental Guru Blog
The Books Limited Blog
I thought PMS was going for John Colapinto’s About the Author?
I agree with Kevin and Jamie, the Book Thief was amazing.
I loved Wicked Lovely (Melissa Marr), The Kite Runner (Khaled Hosseini), Middlesex (Jeffrey Eugenidies), Digging to America (Anne Tyler), the Eragon books (Christopher Paolini) and anything by Cecelia Ahern or GP Taylor. The Virgin Suicides (Jeffrey Eugenidies) and Lorna Doone (RD Blackmore) are my all time favourites.
would love to see your list once you pick everything.
Judy Blume is a rockstar. I recently blogged about her myself. “A Girl Named Zippy” by Haven Kimmel sounds perfect for you!It’s well written, funny, makes you remember your own childhood, and in paperback!
Christine´s lastest post..What I Just Finished Reading While Wearing an Outdoor Performance Fleece and Sipping a Latte
Isn’t odd how tastes differ. I’ve never read Lorna Doone but my mother-in-law, a great reader, absolutely loathed it. Probably because she was “forced” to read it at school – many of the classics were ruined in the same way for me.
Mention Lorna Doone and the poor woman would cringe. I can’t see a copy without thinking of her.
Laura Essendine
Author – The Accidental Guru
The Accidental Guru Blog
The Books Limited Blog
Hmm Good question .. since I received my Kindle for Christmas I’ve been reading non-stop but mostly just mind candy chick lit that I wouldn’t spend the money on before.
Most notably Sammy’s House which was interesting given current events .. it’s the sequel to Sammy’s Hill.
Here’s a couple liked from last year from last year
Tolstoy Lied: A Love Story
Veil of Roses
Melizzard´s lastest post..Proof that with a little creativity you can make any post about the Twilight Series… Or… how to ignore Gator Football
Anything by Jodi Picoult is SO GOOD (I just finished Vanishing Acts but My Sister’s Keeper is being made into a movie). Pope Joan by Donna Cross was surprisingly good. Read it with my book club or I might never have picked up something like that. Anita Shreve is always good, too.
Colleen – Mommy Always Wins´s lastest post..GIVEAWAY! Beat the winter “BLAHS”
Hi! I guess I’m delurking a day late… but reading your fave authors made me want to write – I’ve read all of Wally Lamb’s books and consider him my all-time favorite, I also loved Summer Sisters, and adore Maeve Binchy (have read all of them except the newest). So… I thought you might be interested in some of my recommendations.
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close – Jonathon Safran Foer (LOVE LOVE LOVE this book!)
The Way the Crow Flies and Fall on Your Knees – Ann-Marie MacDonald
A Thousand Splendid Suns and The Kite Runner – Khaled Hosseini
Happiness – Will Ferguson
I completely agree with Water for Elephants and Time Traveler’s Wife – both SO GOOD! Also a good (but slightly disturbing) read – Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult.
OOOO – I forgot my all time favorite “classic” – The Good Earth by Pearl Buck!
Hmmm…Lesse…
The King’s Daughter by Sandra Worth is good (I reviewed it recently
)
The Witch of Portobello by Raul Paolo was a very interesting one, too.
I just finished reading Marked by P.C. and Kristin Cast – It’s a YA vamp novel w/ a different take on vamps (and the MC witnesses an attempted BJ so it certainly doesn’t skirt aorund sex
) [and no, I can’t compare it to Twilight because I REFUSE to read that)
Um, The Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris is still at the top of my list (and I’ll kill my hubby if he doesn’t get the first 3 books of MINE that HE loaned out BACK)
I can’t remember anything else from my 2008 reads that sticks out…But if I read anything else good, I’ll let you know
(Oh…and I thought AFF’s first book ended up being About the Author, NOT Rebecca – although I do still want to read Rebecca)
Right now I’ve got one on my shelf due to be read and reviewed – but I won’t recommend it until I’ve read it *G*
Sarah´s lastest post..Is it complaining if you have a valid reason for it?
Helloooo again! I was going to reply to your email but thought I’d wait and just give you love here instead, cuz I have learned you like that sort of thing!
You and I feel the same way about Twilight, though I was suckered into reading all of them in hopes that it would get my crazy obsessed friends off my back. Turns out that they didn’t get better and going to the book signing didn’t help in easing the tension brought on by having to remind myself every other freaking page that it is written for 16 year olds and I’m not meant to enjoy it…but I digress. Ha! I am still trying to get thru The Memory Keepers Daughter and I feel its going to be right along with your grade of C+ which really doesn’t help the cause of completing it, by the way.
Okay, now that you have gotten this far in my novel of a comment:
I recommend reading anything by Jody Picoult — before seeing any movie version! “Change of Heart” was one of my all time favorites, along with “Salem Falls”, but really you can’t go wrong with her books. I have read at least 5 and was never, I repeat NEVER, disappointed. “Sunday List of Dreams” by Kris Radish was good as well. I am drawing a blank now — I was so excited to tell you about Jodi Picoult…Also, if you want a good series of books that is witty, funny and chilling all wrapped in one read Charlaine Harris’ Southern Vampire series…NO ITS NOTHING LIKE TWILIGHT, cross my heart. I read these way before the Twilight series and still love them and am unwilling to even part with them.
ok. enough I think. get reading!!!
Dana´s lastest post..Unsettling
So, i probably should have read the comments before adding mine…sorry about the redundancy. It seems others love Jodi and Charlaine! So…what are you waiting for??? Great minds DO think alike.
Dana´s lastest post..Unsettling
So, you’ve read Wally Lamb’s newest book. I ordered it from Amazon and haven’t gotten it yet. I can’t wait to sink my eyes into it.
mamaholler´s lastest post.."I LIKE big butts and I can not lie…"-SMA
I’m pretty sure that no one in the previous 73 comments has yet recommended my fave book: Lullabies Are For Little Criminals. I recommend it to everyone.
I’m also digging ‘Eat where you live’ which is all about sustainable eating and blah blah GO GREEN by buying a mass-produced BOOK! But it IS well-written
Zoeyjane´s lastest post..On Boycraziness
@Bridge Harry Potter is my favorite, those books are always good for a re-read!
@Ilana I need to look into Suzanne Collins’ other books. Hunger Games really surprised me, I didn’t really expect to like it, but I’m dying to read the next installment.
@judy haley Time Traveler’s Wife is one of my all time favorites!
@jen I don’t remember that part of the Ramona books! But I feel better knowing that I was pronouncing Beezus’ name correctly!
And your book suggestions are two of my favorite books.
@Lisa I didn’t know there was a movie for Kite Runner! And I don’t think I’ve ever heard someone say they liked a movie better than the book…this must be a great movie!
@feener Oooh, Eric Clapton!
@Laura I do enjoy my British authors. I’ve never traveled overseas, but British (and Irish) authors have a way of making me yearn for a visit.
@all things BD I always forget about that website! I need to bookmark it.
@Shannon I love that about reading a great book, getting completely immersed in another’s life. Those are the books I never want to end.
@MammaLoves Lovely Bones is such a great book! I need to see if that author has written anything else.
I’ve never tackled Gone with the Wind, but maybe I should!
@Marla I LOVED Life of Pi, so many people don’t like that book. It was such an interesting story, unlike any other book I’ve ever read.
@jen I haven’t thought about Icy Sparks in forever! That was a great book, it’s been years since I last read it.
@ShannanB You all going to Blissdom again? Jen Lancaster is going to be there! (I’m sure you already know that.)
@Someone Being Me Memoirs of a Geisha is SUCH a great story.
I was disappointed in the movie. It didn’t compare to the book.
@Christine I’ll definitely have to add A Girl Named Zippy to my list!
@Colleen I always love Anita Shreve!
@Dana {Deep breath} I don’t know how to say this, but…I don’t like Jodi Picoult. I KNOW! I’m a freak.
Her books always have that darn twist at the end and I HATE, ABHOR, DESPISE that. The first 3/4 of her books are fab, then comes that twist ending. Ugh.
I realize I’m the only person who feels this way about her books. It feels good to get that off my chest.
@mamaholler I liked The Hour I First Believed. It’s probably my least favorite of his 3 novels, but it’s a great book. Let me know what you think when you’re done.
oh and…i replied to your emailed version…sorry! I can paste it here if you want.
I read Lovely Bones and LOVED it so I tried the others…Bad bad bad bad bad. stick to Bones and leave it at that…
Dana´s lastest post..Unsettling
Wow… second comment in a row for me! (De-lurking day worked, I guess.) Glancing through the comments, I didn’t see “Beautiful Boy” by David Sheff. It’s nonfiction (I’m usually a fiction girl) about a father with an addicted son. Very compelling and truthful and beautiful. Anyway, not that you needed any more suggestions, but this is a good one.
Teresa´s lastest post..For real, part two
I don’t have any book suggestions although I will be taking some of the suggestions here for my own reading list. I will read anything and everything. Seriously I read the back of cereal boxes at breakfast. Currently I am reading Inkheart which I stole from the kids. I just want to let you that you are not the only who feels that way about Jodi Picoult, I hate that twist at the end!
My husband says The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch is a must read.
I had a huge stinking reply comment written yesterday and got sidetracked, never posted it and came back to it being gone!!
My suggestions:
Glass Castle – memoir
Kite Runner – One of my favorites of all time except for the slow part in the middle
1000 Splendid Suns – Personally, I liked it better than Kite Runner
Loving Frank – Historical fiction about Frank Lloyd Wright’s scandalous affair
Snowflower and the Secret Fan – about being in arranged marriages and feet binding in China. LOVED IT, but didn’t think I would.
The Hiding Place – Corrie Ten Boom’s personal account of WWII. I LOVE IT.
Gabriel’s story – written about a boy living in lawless Kansas during the Wild West times after having lived in the Eastern Cities.
She’s Come Undone – Wally Lamb – about an overweight girl dealing with that and her parent’s divorce.
To give you an idea of my tastes – I love Poisonwood Bible as one of my favs. I do not love Jodi Piccoult, but I think she writes well. I just don’t love her story endings. I do not like predictability. I do not do cheesy romance or fantasy or mystery. I love historical fiction – reading about another time and place. I liked East of Eden for that aspect and the story of family conflicts and the parallels to Genesis, but I hate when Steinbeck writes in his characters having philisophical debates. It is like he writes to hear himself speak and I hate those parts of his novels.
Angie@ Keep Believing´s lastest post..Happy Birthday, Dad
The Red Tent – if you haven’t read this one, it is a fictional account of Dana (I think, not going to google it now) – Jacob’s only daughter from Genesis. I liked it a lot.
KEEP BELIEVING
Angie@ Keep Believing´s lastest post..Happy Birthday, Dad
Not sure what to recommend since it seems like we have a little different taste in books… Recent good reads of mine are: Expecting Adam by Martha Beck, Mary Mary by James Patterson, The Dive From Calusen’s Pier by Ann Packer, and The Choice by Nicholas Sparks. Happy reading! I am disappointed to say since I have been staying home and don’t have a long train/bus ride into work I hardly find the time to read
Michelle´s lastest post..FiFi’s Birthday Recap
With regard to Jennifer not liking Jodi Picoult can I suggest an alternative list of books – those we dare not say we disliked.
I’ll start the ball rolling with Of Mice and Men which I read at school at 15 and hated, hated, hated. My son then studied it, followed by my daughter and my youngest does it next year. It doesn’t improve with age!
I also can’t stand any form of “misery memoir” where people retell their tragic childhoods. The first couple I read were interesting but the thousands that followed…
Laura Essendine
Author – The Accidental Guru
The Accidental Guru Blog
The Books Limited Blog