Last time, I had some good books to read, and they got me through the anxious days before the surgery, and when I started to heal, but couldn't do much of anything, they got me through those days, too.
Unfortunately, I have nothing to read, and my mind is a little overwhelmed at present, way too overwhelmed to go browsing through stacks and stacks of books.
I need your help. I need book suggestions to take to the library.
You know the kind of book I'm talking about.............the kind of book you want to forgo dinner for, the kind of book you want to keep reading NO MATTER WHAT. The kind you can't put down, the kind you don't want to put down.
I was reading one like that before my last surgery, and as soon as the anesthesia wore off, I asked for my glasses and my book. Now THAT'S a good book.
So please, please, tell me your favorites, hook me up here with a list of books to get me through this.
Oh, and when you have a minute, check out my new granddaughter's photo shoot
HERE at Elario Photography
You're going to want to squeeze her. I'm warning you.
What a beautiful, beautiful family.
ReplyDeleteI'll try to get back to you with some titles.
I read mysteries. Author's William Diehl; Eureka, James Lee Burke; Creole Belle, Randy Wayne White; Gone, Sue Griffith; A - X...her titles are letters of the alphabet. Stieg Larsson; The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo; The Girl Who Played With Fire; and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Death.
ReplyDeleteIF you need more, I will comply.
I am praying for you.
The Language of Flowers...very very good book and one I think you would really enjoy.
ReplyDeleteThe Language of Flowers...very very good book and one I think you would really enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI loved Jeanne Marie Lashers books (I think that is the authors name). Fifty Acres and a Farm, Fifty Acres and a Poodle, and there is at least one more. I don't know if they are "riveting" but I love how she tells a story.
ReplyDeleteI have more to say.....i read a few of the previous posts. Sorry for the loss of your mother, but amazed that she passed at home surrounded by her loved ones, and all the memories and sorting out of a life. Awesome. And a new babe! Dale is smooth skinned and pink and pretty! A grand blessing having a wonderful Mom, and a new granddaughter.
ReplyDeleteWe will expect this surgery to make it right in your head!!!!!!
Life After Life - Kate Atkinson - and extraordinary book that I read straight through in a weekend. Could NOT put it down.
ReplyDeleteOldie but goodie - Carter Beats the Devil by Glen David Gold - sly mix of history, fact and fiction.
And lastly an real old one - Daughter in Time - Josephine Tey: "The most famous of these is The Daughter of Time, in which Grant, laid up in hospital, has friends research reference books and contemporary documents so that he can puzzle out the mystery of whether King Richard III of England murdered his nephews, the Princes in the Tower. Grant comes to the firm conclusion that King Richard was totally innocent of the death of the Princes." from wikipedia
Daughter is delicious and one of the books I re-read ALL the time. You will love it - especially since you will be laid low for a bit. :o)
You have probably read this long ago but The Story of Edgar Satelle or Racing in the Rain are two of my all time favorites.
ReplyDeleteNicci French Blue Monday and Tuesday's Gone.
ReplyDeleteGuernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Bowers.
And those photos? Awesome.
Sorry I haven't been around lately. Been thinking of you.
Louise Penny has a wonderful series of books about a small town in Canada...mysteries, but so much more...they are all spellbinding...for fun reading the Agatha Raisin books by MC Beaton...cozy mysteries with an unusual main character...
ReplyDeleteAhab's Wife by Sena J. Naslund, love this book so much I think I have read it at least four times.
ReplyDeleteThe Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop and Cafe by Mary Simses
ReplyDeleteThe Wildwater Walking Club by Claire Cook
One Thousand White Women: The Journal of May Dodd
And any by Sandra Dallas.
I just heard an NPR interview with Elizabeth Gilbert - the woman who wrote Eat Pray Love. Her new book just came out and sounds great. I don't have much time to read these days, but I'm going to read this one. It's called The Signature of All Things. (I think). I've read the Jeanne Marie Lashers books too, and thought they were wonderful. She does tell a good story.
ReplyDeleteI just read the most amazing story, which I think might be just the thing for you: "The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry" -- I read it in one sitting, I couldn't put it down. Sending you blessings and peace.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite books are the Inspector Gamache series by author Louise Penny. The first book is 'Still Life'.
ReplyDeleteThese are not typical detective books... they are smart with the most incredible character development. They even make me laugh out loud, then practically cry at times. Love them!!!
Wishing you the surgical outcome of your dreams!!!
(spoken like the QA nurse I am)
Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Bowers ~ I second Country Girl Kate's vote on this book! Also for pure mindless (?) entertainment anything by Maeve Binchy. Reading her books is like pulling up a big comfy down blanket and snuggling in. All problems are small and surmountable, and the countryside descriptions are luscious. I highly recommend the Shell Seekers by Binchy. Also for romantic entertainment anything by JoJo Moyes. Highly recommend Me Before You.
ReplyDeleteI read a lot of sci fi and urban fantasy. If you like that, I have lots of recommendations. For just regular fiction I recommend THE INVISIBLE BRIDGE by Julie Orringer. I couldn't put it down. A brilliant book. I hope you like it.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with your surgery. I'll be thinking of you.
Cheers
Sparkly Jules
Let's see a few weeks ago I read Dogtripping - 25 rescues, 11 volunteers, 3 RV's ON our Canine Cross Country Adventure - by David Rosenfelt. A wonderful book that I loved. As a dog person you will laughm cry and love this true story of a couple who can't say no to a rescue. also the Mitford Series by Jan Karon, and Shadow of the Night and the Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness.And Trinity by Leon Uris.
ReplyDeleteAnything by Cormac McCarthy, but the Border Trilogy would be my first pick (All the Pretty Horses, The Crossing and Cities of the Plain)
ReplyDeleteAn oldie but goody, The Shipping News by Annie Proulx
The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins
The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey
The Night Circus by Erin Morganstern
The Worst Hard Times by Timothy Egan
Matthew Shardlake series by C.J.Sansom, Tudor England mysteries first one is Dissolution.
Condolences, congratulations and the best of luck! Boy, what a ride the last weeks have been for you. Hugs.
The Glass Castle, Jeanette Walls.... true story, you won't put it down.
ReplyDeleteAngelas Ashes, you probably already did that.. but if not, awesome read, also true story.
I can send you the Glass Castle if you'd like :-) Just let me know.
The Last Policeman and Countdown City by Ben Winters
ReplyDeleteWindfallen - Jojo Moyers
ANY of Louise Penny's novels .. they are fabulous
The Girl Who Cried Wolf - Robert Ferrigno
I like the Language of Flowers, too.
ReplyDeleteLove James Lee Burke
Henning Mankell (Wallender series)
Love and "craisy" about Robert Crais
The Fault in Our Stars, John Green
I am holding healing thoughts for you and yours.
These are my book recommendations. I've linked you to my Library Thing reviews to help you get an idea of the book. Wishing you all the best for your upcoming surgery.
ReplyDeleteThe Birth House by Ami McKay
The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman.
The Cat's Table
by Michael Ondatje
Hilary she is GORGEOUS! You are right... just want to cuddle that lil cutie!!! OKAY....
ReplyDeleteA thousand Splendid Suns
The red tent
The help
These granite islands
The glass castle
10,000 white women
Water for Elephants
Cutting for Stone
Still Alice
Loving Frank
A woman of substance
I have been reading the very entertaining Inspector Gamache series by Louise Penny - good, don't want to put down, doesn't require excruciating thinking to be engaged kind of books. Think Agatha Christie with a Canadian twist. Easy to like characters and enough mystery that you don't always know "who done it." Lots of back story so they are best read in sequence. Available in hardcover or for Nook and Kindle at reasonable prices. ~chris
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed Khaled Hosseini's earlier novels (The Kite Runner, A Thousand Splendid Suns) and I found his newest - And the Mountains Echoed - to be completely spellbinding.
ReplyDeleteAnything by Kate Morton is splendid! Here's to a speedy recovery for you this time around!
ReplyDeleteU will be laughing out loud at any of Janet Evanovitch books- the supporting characters are fabulous...Erlene Fowler mysteries....good luck doesn't seem like enough or appropriate .... But you know what we all mean....
ReplyDelete<3
Rain
U will be laughing out loud at any of Janet Evanovitch books- the supporting characters are fabulous...Erlene Fowler mysteries....good luck doesn't seem like enough or appropriate .... But you know what we all mean....
ReplyDelete<3
Rain
I second The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, also the Gift of Asher Lev is very good.
ReplyDeleteThoughts and prayers,
Joy
One of my favorite books is "Waiting for Snow in Havana" by Carlos Eire. He was born in Havana and his parents sent him and his brother to the states when Castro came into power. He wrote the book for his children, and he writes in a very lyrical style. It is as if he is painting a picture for them with words, alternating between humor and a wistful longing for the family and familiar places he left behind. I also recommend anything by Jeanette Walls. I have to admit I'm not one for science fiction or really sappy romance novels.
ReplyDeleteAny Human Heart by William Boyd
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the baby girl, so sorry about your Mom. Good luck with the surgery.
Looks like some good recommendations, I'm going to try some of them too! I've ben reading Linda Greenlaw's book, The Hungry Ocean. Nice when you want something not too taxing, not a lot of details and characters to keep track of, just excellent writing about a world completely different from yours, so good escapism. Her fiction is good too.
ReplyDeleteI hope the Dr. gets is bang on this time, and tell him you want a multi user discount!
I just finished the 3 'Call the Midwife' books-they are not all about babies-they are a gentle read about London post WW 2-the Midwives not only cared for women giving birth they were like public health nurses-it told of the conditions in the area people living post blitz...workhouses, the docks- given your connections to England you too may enjoy these...
ReplyDeleteOne of my all time favorites:
ReplyDeleteWater for elephants-so much more than the movie related...It touched a spot within for my father as he aged..
I LOVED Snowflower & the Secret Fan by Lisa See.
ReplyDeleteI second the Janet Evanovich recommendation - much lighter than Snowflower.
Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver is terrific book, particularly for those of us who live in the foothills of the Appalachians.
For compelling essays, read With the Power of Each Breath - a collection written by women with disabilities.
I echo the Language of Flowers! I thoroughly enjoyed it. Take care, XOXO
ReplyDeletewow what great book suggestions...
ReplyDeletei second :
Ahab's Wife by Sena J. Naslund, love this book so much I think I have read it at least four times.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society,
and the library is bound to have
books by ann tyler...& joanna trollope..any of the older books
by them are good reads & easy.
then there is toni morrison oh !
be back to your self soon ..so much weaving to look forward to .
besos
grace
Ohhh- I see so many of my faves already here:
ReplyDeleteThe Language of Flowers, Hunger Games, The Glass Castle, etc. Cutting for Stone, The Fault in our Stars...
Others that kept me spellbound:
The Book Thief, Gone Girl, Night Road, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, Rachel's Key...
This is why I keep e-books that I've already read and enjoyed in my wish list... so I can remember them when someone asks. It sounds like I'm going to have to read The Language of Flowers.
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed all of these some more than others (bolded).. but all are worth the time. The last couple I read were not e-books but worth a mention.
The Book of Someday by Dianne Dixon
Leaning, Leaning Over Water by Frances Itani
The Illicit Happiness of Other People by Manu Joseph
Made in the U.S.A. by Billie Letts
I Could Pee on This and Other Poems by Cats by Francesco Marciuliano (a hilarious and very quick read for cat lovers)
The Honk and Holler Opening Soon by Billie Letts
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce (I'm glad DJan enjoyed it.. I recommended it to her)
The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson (Forest Gump-like farce but fun)
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill (American title is Someone Knows My Name)
Oh my.. how did I miss this link? Your baby Dale is a perfect little angel. Such beautiful photos.. a gorgeous family. SIGH!
ReplyDeleteWild by Cheryl Strayed, from one wild lady to another!
ReplyDeleteLove Dawn
Do you like mystery and murder Stories? I have a thing about stories set in the British Isles, being British 'n all
ReplyDelete'Raven Black' by Ann Cleeves is set in Shetland and I think it draws you in. I am also a sucker for mysteries set in Cape Cod, particularly the Cynthia Riggs series where the detective is a lady in her nineties!
My go to authors for light,easy reading murder mysteries are Laura Childs for Tea shop & Scrapbooking, Monica Ferris for Needlework Mysteries and Cleo Coyle for the New York Coffee Shop Mysteries.
I wish the very best for you!
I loved "Sweet Salt Air" by Barbara Delinsky. It is about two childhood friends who spend the summer on an island off the coast to Maine to write a cookbook.
ReplyDeleteHello !! The Best of Luck to you. You will be in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteI like Pioneer Books. There is an author Jeannette Oake; Love Comes Softley Series in the 1880's. There are quite a few books that are in series.
In Montana they have a great true store: Montana Women Homesteaders
I like true stuff.
Please keep us all informed on how you are doing.
mtnlvg@gmail.com Shelley
Take Good Care of the Garden and the Dogs
ReplyDeleteand the memoir being written chapter by chapter at
Dyingofabrokenheart.wordpress.com
We love you, Hill. Be well.
Pam, WI