I go through so many samples while making my way to a good book. I downloaded this one, first published in 1971, last year, but am only now getting a chance to dig in. So far have found it to be good.
Here's the first line:
I ought to tell you at the beginning that i am not quite normal…
NPR wrote this:
Thirteen-year-old Jessie knows she is a born writer, and through her honest records of parents, classmates, teachers, first love and World War II in England, she reveals her talent.
Many of you mentioned Elizabeth Gilbert's latest book and I have a sample of that. Although I still have a grudge against her for Eat Pray Love which strongly displeased me. But I am willing to forgive and move on. I am hoping to do a lot of reading in the coming weeks surely one of these samples will come through for me.
While I was lolling about at the beach over Thanksgiving break I read Paris Letters by Janice MacLeod. I am on my 2nd subscription of her letters and they are such fun to get each month. If you like reading about spunky entrepreneurs living the good life in Paris, you'll like it. I did!
Another book I'm currently reading is this one:
Easy & entertaining. Like me.
Hopefully you're on to something new this month. If so, let me have it in the comments! There's no reason not to download half a dozen more samples to ipad. Is there?
Thank you for recommending PARIS LETTERS. I’ve spent Christmas Day lounging and reading it. What an enjoyable, lovely read. I’ve also picked up THE SHARPER YOUR KNIFE, THE LESS YOU CRY and I think it will be next. I just finished I AM VENUS by Barbara Mujica, a historical novel about the Spanish painter Velasquez. I think you may enjoy it. 🙂
I really enjoyed reading The Ginger Tree earlier this year. Not a new book but was new to me.
Thank you for the terrific list! I’m desperately seeking new reads. Have you tried the BBC4 BOOK AT BEDTIME (15 minute segments daily over1-2 weeks, replayable). They did The Children Act and The Goldfinch among others this year. Addictive and inspires to read the book as well.
Cheers Carolg
If you liked Boys in the Boat, you will surely also enjoy Shadow Divers by Robert Kurson. So much information about deep sea divers of the serious kind….those who look for artifacts on sunken ships and,in this case, actually discovered a German U2 sunk off the Jersey shore in WW2! Great characters …it is nonfiction…but reads like a story and both books are wonderful stories of the human spirit. Loved learning a,l about the sport of rowing and the dangers and excitement of deep sea diving. Also beginning The Hirrican Sisters and am enjoying the voices a lot so far.
As for EPL….well, rhe E kept me entertained!
Snap, re EPL… ICK!!! I was persuaded to try the movie with a friend after giving up on the book.. even worse as movies inevitably are!! Nice to be in the company of the non EPL ravers!!
I am so happy to see others disliked Eat Pray Love…….quit gritting my teeth and pitched it rather quickly to the dismay of some folks.
Vapid whining…..
Thanks for new temptations.
Missy from the bayou
Haven’t read the Cather or the Gardam you list but I loved Cather’s “The Song of the Lark” and Gardam’s “Old Filth” and the latter’s two sequels
I love being referred to as a “spunky entrepreneurs living the good life in Paris.” Thanks for the PARIS LETTERS shout out. Glad you’re liking it.
I too had a bit of a grudge against Elizabeth Gilbert after reading Eat Pray Love. But her new book is really well written and very engaging. Plus I heard her speak at a literary arts program and was moved by how humble and self effacing she is in person. It was a very inspiring bit about creativity.
Eat Pray Love…yeah, not so much. I am reading Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng. Wow! This is such a phenomenal book…I can’t recommend it highly enough. I’m also trying to read John Grisham’s latest, Gray Mountain, but it’s not sitting well with me, yet. I have loved him forever but these past two of his have really been tough ones for me…but all love has its ups and downs, right. lol
Peace & Love,
Barb
I really enjoyed Elena Ferrante’s chronological trilogy about a friendship. It was hard to wait for the English translation of Book #3 but it finally arrived. I recommend they be read in the correct order: Book One – My Brilliant Friend, Book Two – The Story of a New Name, Book Three – Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay.
I’m reading Silent Sister by Diane chamberlain then I’m going to read letters from rifka by Karen Hesse
Check out Fourth of July Creek by Smith Henderson. I just read it. Debut novel. Really fantastic.
I’m just devouring the second of this trilogy – not sure how you fare with science fiction but the Southern Reach Trilogy by James VanderMeer (Annihilation, Authority, Acceptance) is unputdownable. his characters, places and occurrences are indelibly etched in my memory. this may not be entirely a good thing. scary good, though.
I really agree with you on Eat Pray Love. Very indulgent. Don’t know if you already read O Pioneers. It’s a good book. My Antonia by Willa Cather was even better.
Inventiion of Wings, for sure!!