I read every night before I go to bed. If I don't, I feel weird. Bed and reading go together. Like peanut butter and jam. Salt and pepper. Wigs and kittens.
I used to read every book I picked up from beginning to end regardless of whether I thought it was great or not. I don't do that anymore. If I get ¼ of the way through a book and the only reason I want to open it is on the off chance the pages burst into flame like in a magic trick , I know it's time to take that magic course I always wanted to. Plus it's time to get rid of the book.
There are too many good books out there to read, to suffer through something boring, stupid, pretentious, bland or difficult. The odd time you get these things ALL ROLLED INTO ONE BOOK! For me that book is often written by Jonathan Franzen.
The stack of 5 books below are ones that I've read. It's a list that includes both the books I loved and one I gave up on by page 58.
The Rosie Project is a really fun little book about a professor who may or may not have Aspergers Syndrome. It's funny, thoughtful and an easy enjoyable read.
The Book Thief is one of the many books I've read that focus on the time during the holocaust. You need to read this book. Now.
Secret Daughter is also an easy read and engaging. The story revolves around a baby who is given up for adoption in India and the lives of her birth parents and adoptive parents.
The Casual Vacancy, by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling was about something. I have no idea what. I couldn't force myself past page 58. J.K. Rowling is an incredibly talented writer whose book I was hoping would burst into flames.
A Week in Winter by Maeve Binchy sat on my desk for a year before I read it. I was a huge Maeve Binchy fan years ago because she is a true storyteller. But her more recent books seemed to be missing something. When she died I vowed to read her last story. And I did. It was a cute, story about a multitude of flawed but likeable characters. In true Maeve Binchy style.
These, on the other hand, are the books I'm going to read. And I'm looking forward to each and every one of them. Except one.
Don't Get too Comfortable by David Rakoff is a book I tried to read a year and a half ago but just couldn't get into. I didn't wish flames upon it, I just wasn't in the right state of mind to read it I think. Apparently if you like David Sedaris you'll like David Rakoff. I happen to love David Sedaris.
N-W by Zadie Smith will be the second novel I've read by this British author. The first was On Beauty which I really liked, but sadly can't remember a single thing about. I'm gonna be honest with you. Of the list of 5 books this one kind of worries me. Poof!
The Woefield Poultry Collective by Susan Juby is another bit of a risk. When a novel only has 6 reviews on Amazon despite being published 3 years ago ... you've gotta worry a bit. But an Art of Doing Stuff reader recommended it so I'm givin' it a shot!
We are Water by Wally Lamb will be the 3rd novel I've read by this American author. The other two, I Know this Much is True and She's Come Undone were both pretty darn good. Besides as a general rule any book with the word "water" in the title can't burst into flames. It's just common sense.
And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini is the book I'm most looking forward to. Hosseini has authored two of the most remarkable novels I've read over the past several years; The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns . Like his previous two works, this story takes place in Afghanistan.
Books like any other form of artistic endeavour is very subjective. You may love it, I may hate it. But the odd time there are books that are almost universally loved. If I had to recommend 3 books from these lists they would be A Thousand Splendid Suns, The Book Thief and The Rosie Project.
I really can't imagine anyone not liking them.
Feel free to leave your comments now telling me all about how you got ¼ of the way through one of them before it burst into flames.
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Maria
I love Khaled Hosseini! Have read his previous two books and now getting ready to read "And the Mountains Echoed" and next "The Book Thief"!
Lynne from Design The Life You Want to Live
Do you ever read Philipa Gregory books or Sandra Gulland? Very sexy, sultry romantic … Kings/ Queens / Knights sorta stuff. LOVE. PS. Sandra Gulland lives near Toronto ! Very cool !
Karen
LOL. No. Sexy, sultry romantic novels with Kings and Queens aren't my thing for some reason. I'd rather eat a sandwich and stare at my toes. ~ karen!
Beth
Just finished The Rosie Project...very good and very hard to put down!
Ann
I am so glad to see that someone else thinks the same thing I did about "The Casual Vacancy" I read it a bit more than 58 pages because there was one character I did find I wanted to know more about. The teenage girl. But I still couldn't finish the book.
My recommendation is read anything by Barbara Kingsolver. My fav would be "Prodigal Summer" or her only work of non-fiction, "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle".
I guess I need to read/listen to "The Book Thief" I can't see to read well at night and prefer audio books. But I did just break the rule and read "Hollow City", the sequel to "Miss Peregrin's Home for Peculiar Children". I could not wait for it to be on audio book, besides there are pictures one must see to totally appreciate the story.
Pam W
Oh, I LOVE Barbara Kingsolver! I go back and reread Animal Dreams and The Bean Trees every few years. I adore the tone of her writing. Highly recommended!
I also have no patience for books that I can't get into within the first few chapters. I just don't think reading should be a chore and that's how some books feel. I am one block away from a library so its easy for me to check out and return books almost daily. (And some books do get returned the next day!) I recently really enjoyed We Are All Completely Ourselves by Karen Fowler. I actually hadn't heard about the big spoiler in the story so it was a surprise to me.
Jane Snider
I'm reading the Rosie Project right now. Can't stop laughing out loud. That's my basic criteria for books these days. Got Bridget Jones Mad About the Boy for Christmas. Also laugh out loud silly.
Beckie
The Red Queen (The Cousins' War #2) Philippa Gregory
I forced myself through about 2/3'rds and one day when I sat down to my daily torture, I realized I truly didn't CARE how it ended.
I pulled out my book marker and filed the book on the shelf
I've enjoyed other books she wrote, just not this one
I've chosen to read the Harry Potter series this year. I think I've only read 4 of the 7 books (might be 4-1/2, I don't remember now where I stopped reading them)
Wally Lamb is awesome...love his stuff
Jen
Have you ever read Women who Run with the Wolves? That is a book I keep going back to. It's got short stories/fables, then explains the lesson that we can draw from the story. It's a really good read.
Suzanne @ Le Farm
If you're ever in Knoxville, TN, you have to stop at McKay Used books...a literal mini-mall of books, cd's, dvd's, you name it. You'll want to put up a tent and stay, seriously. Take a peek: http://www.mckaybooks.com/
Tigersmom
I actually got to meet David Sedaris at a book signing he did. He was so incredibly gracious. He arrived early and stayed late and made sure he spoke for a few moments with everyone who wanted a book signed. And he signed multiple books, too.
If you ever go to a book signing of his, he will ask you to tell him your favorite joke, so be prepared.
Adrienne in Atlanta
A friend of mine waited hours in line to meet him and apparently that night he was asking what their favorite book was (of his, apparently). She replied The Santaland Diaries, and he told her that was his least favorite. She was mortified, but I suspect he was just looking for reactions from people. :)
I heard on NPR that he got the newest book title from a book signing due to an odd request from a lady in line to have a specific message inscribed. Hence "Let's Explore Diabetes With Owls".
Bonnie
I totally agree about letting go of the books that just aren't "doing it" for you. Thnaks for the recommendations and warnings!
Jody
Perfect timing. I'll be finishing The Thornbirds soon and having been looking for a new book to read. It's interesting re reading The Thornbirds after 30 years of living/maturing.
BurbHappy
I agree that The Casual Vacancy was not a favorite. However, Cuckoo's Calling, written under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith, was soo much better.
LaineyDid
I second the "the Goldfinch" recommendation. Also, "The Signature of all Things" by Elizabeth Gilbert. Both books are very engrossing and hard to put down.
Adrienne in Atlanta
David Sedaris and David Rakoff are both great choices, but when you can get their audiobooks, it's always a better experience. I highly recommend googling Rakoff's This American Life reading of The Scorpion and the Tortoise. It's excellent and moving. A year or so before his death, he also performed a segment in the TAL movie which you can find on YouTube. He was wonderfully, subtly expressive.
If you can catch Sedaris on a book tour, his readings are so fun to attend.
My favorite recommendation of yours ever was The Night Circus -- excellent -- even though I am not usually one for anything so magical.
Love the book posts and the conversation that ensues. ;) Good move in this weather!
Annie
I second David Sedaris. The only author on the planet that makes me laugh out loud while reading. I also recommend seeing him live - there's nothing like it. My favorite is Me Talk Pretty One Day.
Tris
Huge Binchy fan here. I haven't read the last one yet because I'm still angry about her dying. I do agree that the modern setting books aren't quite as good as the ones set in the past. Maeve had a way of making you fall in love with her characters. Copper Beech and Light a Penny Candle were my favorites. Heck, I even named a cat after her! Another author that gets me is Christopher Moore. Lamb makes me laugh through almost every paragraph.
Ileana
Hi Karen,
If you like David Sedaris, you might like Sarah Vowell. She's one of my favorites, blending witty with facts. (Also, I believe they are friends in real life)
Love your blog!
Adrienne in Atlanta
She's another great one to listen to. Her tiny voice belies her brilliant brain. Saw her on the Daily Show once and people started laughing the minute she opened her mouth, even though she was just answering a simple question. The girl is deadpan.
Call Me Patty
I just finished And The Mountains Echoed, LOVED, LOVED LOVED it. As I did Kite Runner. Thanks for the list Karen.
Judith
I love your book posts! Thanks to you my BIGRL (Books I've Gotta Read List) just keeps growing. Just like you, I'm looking the most forward to Hosseini's 'And the Mountains Echoed'. His first two books were so moving and were unlike anything I'd read.
Lesley
You'll love And The Mountians Echoed
Pat green
Great recommendations, thanks. I'd like to add a brilliant book by William Boyd called Any Human Heart.
Abby
I got the Kindle edition of The Rosie Project on special after Christmas and it's next on my list. I also got The Casual Vacancy in audiobook form a while back and gave up on it because I hated the narrator's voice and the story wasn't interesting enough to me to finish the book.