thank you for that avalanche of book recs! i had fun zipping around on amazon and reading the blurbs, downloading the samples, and trying lots of things on for size. i settled on the one above after checking out daniel james brown's the boys in the boat. there are two irresistable pulls for me here; historical writing about california and the west, and a gripping story. added to the fact that i was just telling my 5th graders about the donner party this week! so the deed is done. i chose well. i haven't put it down since i started early this afternoon.
finished goldfinch this morning because as long-winded and drawn out as the book was i just had to know what happens in the end. there's a good story buried under all the thousands of layers of extra words.
here are the samples i downloaded to my ipad that i really liked so far…
these will be my picks for the rest of october. naturally i'll report my findings back to you.
muchas gracias for your input!
p.s. all the book photos are clickable links, but i have no affiliation with amazon.
Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende. Wonderful. I blew through it! Also loved Portrait in Sepia by same author.
The Invention of Wings was an absolutely wonderful book. You will love it!
Your book choices are wonderful Mary Ann. The Indifferent Stars sounds fascinating. I had to check out both Rust and The Widower’s Tale and they both sound like good stories. I have such a pile of books going but once a story pulls me into it’s grip; I’ll go until I reach the end. Invention of Wings kept me riveted and I read it in a couple of weeks. I’d find myself so drawn into a chapter and would refuse to move until I got to the next one and then sometime’s I’d just keep going. I found it to be the kind of story that transform wherever you are into the folds of the story’s setting. I’d look up and need a few minutes to bring myself back from where I’d just been. I love when book has the power to do that. Love Sue Monk Kidd very much indeed. Enjoy your Sunday. Clinking books across the wires.
The Voyage of the Narwhal – Andrea Barrett – first 10-star book I’ve read in 5 years.
I order Coronation Talkies. I really love it when you ask for book recommendations. I’m always looking for something good to read.
Please give us an update on how you like The indifferent Stars Above. I read a book about the Donner party years and years ago. I’ve forgotten the title now, but I remember that the story was tragic and fascinating at the same time.
Excited to hear about The Indifferent Stars Above, and so glad you selected The Boys in the Boat. I know you will love it! I am a BIG Sue Monk Kidd fan, so glad to see you are reading The Invention of Wings. I enjoyed this as well. Happy reading!