Tell Me What to Read: Round 11
Once again, the end of the month draws nigh. And tomorrow is when the MLA conference begins, so I’ll be enjoying it on the Cape, so of course, I have no complaints about the end of the month.
As predicted, I was not nearly so awesome in April. Frankly, it wasn’t my best month of reading, except for that week in Mexico, which really helped me out. I’m just getting sidetracked by other projects (um, like Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution on Hulu. You know, important things).
Here’s how it goes:
1. Comment with the title of one book you think I should read (any book you want). One title only, please, lest my brain explode.
2. I’ll select one comment at random and announce it on the blog within the next week.
3. On the off-chance that I’ve already read the book you select, I’ll contact you and ask for a follow-up suggestion (make sure there is a way to contact you either by blog or email).
4. I’ll get a copy of the book and read it by the end of May.
5. I’ll write a review of it here. Even if I hate the book, I will not hate you.
You should read The Magicians by Lev Grossman. I'm in love with it.
I still want you to read The Invisible Wall by Harry Bernstein. I found it to be fascinating- I loved it!
I am new here, so I don't know if you already read that one… But a "summer book" I enjoyed a couple years ago is "Summer Crossing" by Truman Capote.
I may have already recommended this to you… But you should read Little Bee by Chris Cleave.
(Review on my site if you are interested: http://lifeofadoctorswife.wordpress.com/2010/04/16/book-review-little-bee-by-chris-cleave/)
I would have you read Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty… because I just went to go see her and I want to reread all her books but I don't have time because it's Finals Week and I have to read Picturebooks instead.
Saving Ceecee Honeycut. I'd be interested in reading your review!
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
'The Unlikely Disciple' by Kevin Roose (tagline: a sinner's semester at America's holiest university) –I read this last summer and it was so so good, kind of an undercover memoir. fascinating!
The Hour I First Believed- Wally Lamb
How about Just One Wish by Janette Rallison….
I'm still pushing for Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. I heard him speak yesterday and it was amazing.
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day – Winifred Watson.
Hmmm…So far nothing I've suggested has been picked (it's ok, there're a lot of us throwing out ideas)… so I feel like I should do a repeat. How about Housekeeping by Marilyn Robinson.
I probably love this book so much because I read it in college and we had the best class discussions on it. Maybe it's dry and boring otherwise, I don't know. But it's one of those books I frequently give away.
The Grand Sophy – Georgette Heyer. Funny book, great character.
LIttle Giant of Aberdeen County, but I have a stipulation, you have to listen to it. I think the person who reads this book completely makes it! So that is my suggestion.
Because I loved Girl With A Pearl Earring, I recommend
The Virgin Blue
by Tracy Chevalier
I'm going to read it too.
I think I've left this before but – The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness. The last book of the trilogy comes out in the UK on Monday!
Hm. I'm going to go supernerd on this one and suggest Fermat's Enigma, by Simon Singh. I promise that it's not nearly as intimidating as it may appear.
THE ROAD HOME by Ellen Emerson White
I Love Everybody (and other atrocious lies) by Laurie Notaro
Hilarious.
I'm going for East of Eden again, by Steinbeck.
Have you really been doing this for over a year? Crazy.
Not sure if you've read it or not, but my pick is "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd. I just loved this book – read it about a year ago and am already craving a reread. Great writing!
I am changing my usual Atwood recommendation to Oryx and Crake, because you mentioned you are a dystopia fan!
As usual, Life of Pi by Yann Martel.
the great starvation experiment.
as always.
Elantris by Brandon Sanderson. I loved it!
Or "The Experiment" by John Darnton
The School Story by Andrew Clements
Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians by Brandon Sanderson (Just for the title)
I'm going to suggest Precious Bane by Mary Webb. I don't talk about this one as much as I should. Loved it.
The Thief (The Queen's Thief #1) by Megan Whalen Turner.
The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer
The Big Sort by Bill Bishop 🙂
Gregor the Overlander.
The Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria Forester.
I just finished The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein… OHHHHH sooooo adorable! Laugh out loud funny, touching, and in first-person DOG! A quick read – so for you… couple of hours! xoxo
The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara Kingsolver. (I was going to put something else this time but then I thought how ironic it would be if this were the time mine did get picked…)
Gilead by Marilyn Robinson. It is a little slow, but beautiful.
Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns. I don't know anyone who has read this and doesn't like it.
Nine Coaches Waiting by Mary Stewart, because it's one of my favorites and I recommend it to everyone.
By the way, Hi, I'm Emily and I found your blog through…I don't even remember now. I've just been lurking for a few weeks and couldn't resist putting my two cents in. 🙂
Stargirl by Jerri Spinelli – I was unpacking books in our new place and had to skim through this again from several years ago. Just love it!
The Story Sisters by Alice Hoffman. It's a real book set in contemporary times but still carries an element of a fairy tale with magic. The girls are totally spellbinding.
The Year of Living Biblically – A.J. Jacobs. An agnostic guy lives the Bible – even the Mosaic Law nuances for a year. He comes out a better person, a better dad, a better neighbor. Reminds me of how I feel about the temple as well – you can't go without leaving a better person. Scripture works the same way, even for someone who doesn't entirely embrace what they are reading on a spiritual level.
Prince of Foxes