Comments on: Jonesing Bad for a Good Book

By: jennifer

jennifer — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 02:10:23 +0000

Sarah – Have never read Fight Club – adding it to Shelfari under “Planning to Read.” Thank you!

By: Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah

Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 04:25:55 +0000

My very favorite books ever are: “The Poisonwood Bible” by Barbara Kingsolver, “Middlesex” bu Jeffrey Euginides, “A Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood, “Clan of the Cave Bear” by Jane Auel and “Fight Club” by Chuck Palahniuk.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 13:37:53 +0000

Becky, LOL on your Mrs. Danvers line. So true! The first line of Rebecca is so gorgeous – a brilliant, mood-setting sentence. And I love the device of the nameless narrator. This is one I’ve read more than once. Nikki, thanks so much for the loan offer. Perhaps Chris can drive our private Bookmobile. (Does anyone remember those except me?) Bunchkel, I also have zero iterest in Laura Bush but you’ve convinced me that American Wife is worthy. As for your intriguing question about re-reading, I’m usually not tempted to do so unless many years have passed between readings (like A Tree Grows…). If it’s too familiar, there’s no mystery on the next page and I lose all motivation. Funny how kids love to re-read and re-watch movies and TV episodes – I can’t tell you how sick I became of some of those treacly books. Especially when the boys were on a Berenstain Bears kick.

By: bunchkel

bunchkel — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 13:25:05 +0000

PS–I’m a voracious reader, it’s my favorite thing to do in the whole world and always has been, but I simply CANNOT reread a book! I feel like there are way too many excellent stories I have never read to waste time with a story I know already….am I strange? Do you think a well-read reader, someone who adores books more than most of the people she knows, should by definition love books enough to reread them? Or does a true book lover have an insatiable appetite and therefore always read something new?? Can we be either?

By: bunchkel

bunchkel — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 13:21:46 +0000

I love recommendation lists! I just finished American Wife, by Curtis Sittenfeld. I am NOT anything close to a Bush fan–Laura, George, or otherwise–but I loved this book. It mirrors Laura Bush’s life and re imagines what life would be like becoming first lady. The relationship between her and her husband, and what parts of her she has to hide/preserve to be his first lady, is fascinating. made me look at Laura Bush in a different way, even if the story is somewhat fiction.

By: NikkiBenner

NikkiBenner — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 12:09:28 +0000

Jennifer – I’ve read and re-read all of the recommended books here, and can loan you any or all of them from the Benner Lending Library.

By: becky up the hill

becky up the hill — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 04:27:00 +0000

I’m a big fan of Laurie King. Her first in a series ‘A Bee Keeper’s Apprentice’s’ is one of my favorites. Then if you like that, there are more! I also love Nevil Shute’s ‘A Town Like Alice’…I read these same books every few years. A Town Like Alice is my favorite book for the last 20 years. I used to read Dauphine’s ‘Rebecca’..every few years too. Then a few years ago I realized what a moron her husband was for keeping the horrible Mrs. Danver’s on as housekeeper..lol..The first two tho…I LOVE these books!

By: jennifer

jennifer — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 02:08:46 +0000

Many thanks to Melanie, Sharon, Ruth, Larousse, Lora, Mary Lynn, Kristin, Heather, Nikki – and a few other recommenders who responded on Facebook. I feel very cheered to have a new reading list and in fact got two of these books at the library tonight – Out Stealing Horses and Saving Fish From Drowning. Several others I’ve reserved (in my economic crisis mode, I’m not buying books anymore – they’re coming from inter-library loan)….and the rest are on the lovely new list. Also Larousse, LibraryThing sounds great but I had JUST signed up for Shelfari, recommended by my local librarian, which seems to offer a very similar set of cyber-services. I’ll let everyone know how the reading is going, probably a little snippet at the end of every MOB post about what I’m reading on that particular day. Really, can’t thank you all enough! The suggestion box remains open, by the way!

By: NikkiBenner

NikkiBenner — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 23:37:05 +0000

I second RuthWells’ suggestion of A Prayer for Owen Meany. I’ve read most of Irving’s novels, and found many to be hit or miss, but APfOM is by far his best, and is one of only a handful of books that made me cry. I also second the endorsement of “The Blind Assassin” and for that matter anything Atwood…

Personally, I’d recommend “American Gods” and “Stardust” by Neil Gaiman, “Gentlemen of the Road” “The Yiddish Policeman’s Union” and “The Amazing Adventures of Cavalier and Clay” by Michael Chabon, “Lamb: the Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal” and “A Dirty Job” by Christopher Moore, “Catch-22″ by Joseph Heller, “The Good German” by Joseph Kanon, “The Age of Innocence” by Edith Wharton (if you haven’t already), and oddly enough “World War Z” by Max Brooks. “World War Z” is about the aftermath of the Zombie Apocalypse, and you’d think it would be silly, but it’s (pardon the pun) dead serious and very moving.

By: Heather

Heather — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 23:06:31 +0000

I love to recommend good books, and learn of other avid readers favorites, so please post your list when you compile it!

Two historical fiction I loved and highly recommend:
Pope Joan
10,000 White Women

I am currently reading Three Cups of Tea, non-fiction account of an American mountain climber who builds schools in Pakistan. It is amazing and very eye-opening.
Escape was fascinating, by Carolyn Jessop, her memoir of life as a polygamist wife and her escape. A very quick read.
Also loved Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, by Lisa See.