finally finally after 5 or 6 jerky starts i found a good book to read. i went through half a dozen samples on my kindle before deciding i just wasn't that into them. oy. dontcha hate it when that happens?
i am captivated with the orchardist and the young author who wrote it. the story is based on her quiet, gentle grandfather.
nightwoods was somewhat good, but not riveting or especially memorable. ditto for the last few books i've read. haven't picked up a really good one since harold fry. how goes it with your reading lately? have anything irresistable you want to tell me about?
I liked The Orchardist, too. It’s a quiet, contemplative book that feels like childhood. It isn’t hurried and it gives you a moment to think about what’s happening.
I would have to say “Asta’s Book” from Barbara Vine. You begin at the first page and don’t put it down till the very last page. Totally sucking me in…
Two recent books I was not able to put down, despite my tendency to enjoy several different ones at a time. I may have already suggested Carry the One previously. Wonderful character-building. Title comes from addition: “carry the one” and relates to a family of sisters and brother. The other I just received and read in a couple of sittings. Especially if you love Seattle (although the principle character doesn’t and humorously expands on the reasons why)…Where’d You Go, Bernadette? Story told through some narration, but mostly emails, letters, “news articles”, etc. A good one!
You can buy The Good Earth for your Kindle. East Wind West Wind is another one by Pearl Buck.
If you’ve never read Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns you should try it. It is one of the few books I’ve read more than once. I picked it up on CD at the library last week and am currently listening to it on the commute to and from work. It makes me laugh and cry my eyes out.
Cry, The Beloved Country by Alan Paton is another of my favorites. It is set in South Africa in the 50s. It juxtapositions a wealthy white farmer and a poor black preacher and their sons. It is a powerful story of love and forgiveness.
I enjoyed Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand very much, but The Night Circus disappointed me. I expected more, a lot more than it delivered.
Thanks for these book posts. I always enjoy reading the comments. I make notes and look for everyone’s recommendations at the library.
I just finished The Light Between Oceans…if you’re looking for light hearted, this isn’t it. One choice kept secret, the domino effect once it’s agreed to keep the secret. OYE!! I gave it 3.5 out of 5 stars.
I’m going back in time to re-read books that were close to my heart when I was many years younger. I was surprised to find that THE GOOD EARTH by Pearl Buck is not available at any branch library…all checked out…I read it in the 50’s when in High School. Then on to TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Harper Lee which I read in the 60’s. Then Maya Anagelou’s, I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS. I want to see what I find hidden in those pages that I might have missed when I was younger…a lot younger. Reminds me of going back to old neighborhoods for a revisit.
Really enjoyed Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter. Am currently reading Life After Life by Kate Atkinson (one of my very favorite authors–have you read any of hers?). The Orchardist looks good–thanks for recommending. I SO enjoyed Harold Fry from your recommendation. As a teacher I am really looking forward to summer when I can read long into the night and not have to get up early. And make books and art…
I really liked the interesting female characters in Remarkable Creatures about English fossil hunters in the 19th century. One of the best books I have read in a long time was Song Yet Sung by James McBride about an escaped slave. All the characters are richly presented. I second the recommendations for Mr. Pettigrew’s Last Stand and for Beautiful Ruins.
A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki is amazing! I also agree that Where’d You Go,Bernadette by Maria Semple is a must read! Two recommendations from a librarian. 🙂
So I work in a bookstore and have a few recommends you might like. I too liked “Harold Fry” so if you haven’t read “Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand” by Helen Simonson, I would recommend it. Another favorite author is JoJo Moyes who has written “Me Before You” and “Letters From Your Lover”. I am currently reading “Beautiful Ruins” by Jess Walter. This was a 2012 Notable book and takes place along the Italian Coastline circa 1962. My all time favorite book recently was “Wild” by Cheryl Strayed.
AMEN to The Night Circus. Also: Where’d You go, Bernadette? And, The Unfinished Work of Elizabeth D. A Discovery of Witches and its sequel. Right now I’m reading The Agony & The Ecstasy by Irving Stone. Written before I was born!
I loved White Dog who Fell from the Sky. Best book I have read in a loooong time. Thanks for the recommendation! I feel so bereft when I cant find a good book to sink into!
Discarding the previews of electronic books happens to me a lot. I’m 1/3 through “The Girls of Atomic City” and am fascinated! It’s about the top secret Tennessee industrial complex built during WWII to develop the fuel for the atomic bomb, with (obviously) an emphasis on the young women who were recruited to work there.
Also read in record time because it was so good: “An Object of BEauty” by Steve Martin (comedian – he’s also a serious art collector). Great easy summer fiction about how the art world operates.
A seconding for The Night Circus, from one who also loved The Orchardist.
Congratulations on the fall sabattical extension, hugs,
Sharron
I have just finished The Girl Under The Olive Tree by Leah Fleming – I loved it!
You may have already read Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier. It’s been out awhile, but if you haven’t — very good. Two remarkable women, both unconventional for the time (1820 or so), from different backgrounds, who find fossils!
The Night Circus, by Erin Morgenstern