During the Show Us Your Books link up this month with Jana and Steph I saw Lauren mention we all review a lot of the same books (which is true and likely to happen with all of us reading the same recommendations every month). Steph addressed it in her post the next day and just like that a blog series idea was born. I've always been an avid reader so I should have a lot of material to share, I just wish there was a way to get a list of my pre-Goodreads reads.
Annie Freeman's Fabulous Traveling Funeral by Kris Radish - Annie Freeman's last wish is that the most important women in her life carry her ashes to the most important places from her life and spread them. If you love books about women's friendships minus the heavy romance this book might be for you. It's hard to believe a book about a funeral could be fun but when I was done all I wanted was to be as awesome as Annie Freeman must have been to have such a unique idea.
The Girl With A Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier - This work of fiction is based on a painting of the same name by Johannes Vermeer. My sister read this book first and suggested it to me while I don't remember a lot of the specifics I remember feeling a connection with Griet the books main character. If you're into historical fiction and/or art this book is an enthralling read.
Three Junes by Julia Glass - Another book read and recommended to me by my sister and a 2002 National Book Award for Fiction winner Three Junes starts out in June of 1989 following a family over a decade through Greece, Scotland, and the United States. I think what I enjoyed most about this read was how the story ended up finally connecting all three Junes.
Midnight In The Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt - The only non-fiction book you'll find on my list, I'm not a huge non-fiction fan but when I enjoy non-fiction it's probably of the true crime variety. If you're into books that take you to a place this book is for you, you'll be in Savannah, GA in no time flat getting to know a cast of quirky characters. Don't write this book off because it's non-fiction, with a setting like Savannah and real life characters that could be from any fiction story even fiction lovers will enjoy this read.
The Saving Graces by Patricia Gaffney - I'm not going to lie if you don't want to read a book that's going to make you cry don't read this one. However, if you want to read a book about long lasting enduring female friendship this is it. Another female friendship book light on the romance but not a light read.
The Alienist by Caleb Carr - Dr. Laszlo Kreizler a psychologist is asked to a help solve a crime by police commissioner Teddy Roosevelt in New York City in 1896. Dr. Kreizler and his team must keep their work under wraps because the use of psychology or profiling as we often think of it to solve a crime is still a relatively new and at the time viewed with skepticism by the general public. If you like historical fiction, crime, and psychology this is a great read.
Heart Shaped Box by Joe Hill - Calling all Stephen King fans, Joe Hill is the pen name used by Stephen Kings son Joseph King to write his books. The story goes he wanted his books to succeed on their own merit and because of his name. A thriller eerily reminiscent of a Stephen King novel rocker Judas Coyne buys a haunted heart shaped box to add to his collection of macabre items, unfortunately for Judas the ghost inside the box knows and doesn't like him. Good for those who love a twisted horror story.
The Witching Hour by Anne Rice - I've read this book so many times my copy is almost falling apart and will soon need to be replaced. Two things about this book keep me reading, the vivid descriptions of New Orleans and the story of the Mayfair Witches. The book is LONG but engrossing enough so that you barely notice.
Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg - The best description of this book would be southern historical fiction. Old Mrs. Threadgoode tells her story to has let her life get her down, the story she tells is of two women bonded by a secret. Laugh out loud funny in places while sad and serious in others an easy and enjoyable read.
I hope you found a new read in an "old book" today, what "old book" would you suggest to me?
I saw Where the Heart Is and and Falling Up in the picture and knew this post was going to be good!!! I haven't read The Witching Hour and I love The Originals that takes place in New Orleans with witches, vampires and werewolves so I have a feeling I would like this!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! I added Annie Freeman and Midnight to my list. I went several years barely reading a thing, so it's hard to remember what I would recommend. The Lovely Bones was a favorite for a long, long time. There's also a book called One Second After that had an intriguing premise and creeped me out but has stayed with me.
ReplyDeleteWell there goes the reading list I had in mind for the month, now I am have to start with these! ha! :) I love Where the Heart Is and I remember flying through all the Fannie Flag books years ago, I think it might be time for a reread!
ReplyDeleteLoved Midnight and the Anne Rice Witches series. I'm a huge Fannie Flagg fan too.
ReplyDeleteI've never read any of these but now I want to check out The Witching Hour!
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil and yet, I never have. Same with Fannie Flagg. I feel like I have some of her books on my TBR.
ReplyDeleteWhenever Goodreads recommends to me a book I read years and years ago, I laugh.
i haven't read any of these.. the fried green tomatoes one is on my list though, so good to hear it's a good one.
ReplyDeletei can't think of any 'old books' right now, but i might have to have a look!
I saw Silverstein in your photo and got all excited because I remember LOVING his books as a kid. So much so that I asked my sister to give J "Where the Sidewalk Ends". I didn't know it then, but some of those poems are kinda dark. He seems to like them though. Had nightmares from only one poem, a girl gets eaten by a snake. He got desensitized to it.
ReplyDelete