There is not much that I enjoy more than a good book. Pre-blogging I spent most of my (minimal) free time reading. In the past year my book consumption has been reduced drastically. To get motivated again, I have asked a two of my well-read friends to share their most favorite (lesser-known) good reads. These women are voracious readers and great stories are their passion. One is my best friend from high school and college who works in LA as a top TV executive. The other is a dear friend that I met in a book club while our husbands were in graduate school in Vancouver, BC. She now lives in her native Australia where works as a full time mother and part time free lance journalist.
Below are their suggestions. I have read a few of the books on their suggested reading lists and I can confirm that they are fantastic books. Happy reading!!
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. A tale of beauty and hope woven through the darkness that was Nazi Germany.
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel. Winner of the Booker Prize. A stunning recreation of Tudor England.
Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell. Six loosely related stories that take you on a journey around the world and through time. A winner of many literary awards, this book is one of the most honored fictional books in recent history.
Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Louis Zafron. A beautifully told story that takes place in Barcelona in the 1950s.
The Road by Cormac McCarthy. Like all truly great novels, this book will make re-examine your values and look at everything with new eyes. A pitiless, profound vision of the future that makes you hold your loved ones close.
Brooklyn by Colm Toibin. Toibin has such a light touch. A beautiful exploration of place, belonging and the longing for home.
A Mercy by Toni Morrison. Nobody uses perspective like Morrison. And nobody tells a woman's story like Morrison. A tale of slavery before slavery, in an America full of harsh promise.
That Thing Around Your Neck by Chimamanda Ngosi Adiche. Wonderful short stories spanning Africa and America.
Brooklyn by Colm Toibin. Toibin has such a light touch. A beautiful exploration of place, belonging and the longing for home.
A Mercy by Toni Morrison. Nobody uses perspective like Morrison. And nobody tells a woman's story like Morrison. A tale of slavery before slavery, in an America full of harsh promise.
That Thing Around Your Neck by Chimamanda Ngosi Adiche. Wonderful short stories spanning Africa and America.
10 comments:
Well, I guess 4 out of 8 of those reads is not bad- off to check out the other ones - I love reading and always want new books.
Thanks for sharing.
pve
This is great!! Thank you! I am always in search of a good book!
PVE- how do you manage to make time for it all? I love reading too but it's all I can do to get a blog post done and fall into bed!! I do miss my reading time!
Sissy- I am too! Do you have any favorites of your own?
Sarah -
Thank you for the reading list. Since I travel for work so often - I am always looking for a new book to keep me company on the train, or in the airport! Of course now that the Acela has free wifi - the train has become a blogging op - but the ride is long enough to get both in!
I will get to reading. Good suggestions.
I just finished Half of a Yellow Sun and Purple Hybiscus
by Chimamanda Ngosi Adiche. Loved those.
mb
Ohh I just love a good book recommendation! I'm saving these for our honeymoon this summer. I hope to do a lot of relaxing and soak up a few good books! Thanks for sharing these with us---I can't wait to hit the bookstore!
XO Katie
I have not been reading lately but I really want to get back to it!
That looks like a great list of books. I love reading, but got side tracked with family, work, home, interests, blogging, etc...and just recently realized there is no excuse for me to not read. Just picked up Marley & Me (I know it's been out forever, but never read) and I'm almost done...soon it will be time for another book. I'm going to explore your list! It's what I do before I pass out from exhaustion at night...even if for 15 minutes.
Thank you for the suggestions!! Been looking for a good book...in all my free time :)
Just finished The Road recently. Not exactly a feel good book, but a good read none the less. Can't decide if I want to see the movie. Did you see it?
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