book nook avec Mr. I-wonder-if-I-can-get-myself-in-every-photo-she-takes Oliver
I've listed a few of my favourite novels, over the years. Books I couldn't put down. The kind of books that you become completely lost in, the kind of story that you can't wait to get back to - to those other worlds and characters that feel as if they've become a part of your world. I have just a few pages remaining in Middlesex (by Jeffrey Eugenides) which I have so enjoyed. I love his style of writing, it's quite witty, very descriptive - lots of funny little details that in a way don't seem important but I love knowing about and it's not overwrought with dialogue (I've always felt if I wanted to read pages of people speaking to each other I'd read plays). This book has definitely rekindled a love of fiction in me. Over the years I seem to have had a much easier time reading non-fiction but now ... I can't wait to decide what my next bedside book, another novel, will be.
Any suggestions ?
A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
Not Wanted on the Voyage - Timothy Findley
The Way the Crow Flies - Anne Marie MacDonald
The World According to Garp - John Irving
The House of Sand and Fog - Andre Dubus
Morning Susan. You know, you SAY that Oliver insists on being in every photo, but I think, secretly you're quite fond of photographing him. :)
ReplyDeleteAs for books, when I was 17 or 19 (or there about) Sophies World by Jostein Gaarder opened my eyes to a whole new way of thinking. It an introduction to philosophy woven into a fictional tale. Curious and captivating.
The Alchemist by Paulo Cohelo is another magical story.
The curious incident of the dog in the night time by Mark Haddon. An excellent, one sitting, cant put down, read written from the perspective of an autistic boy.
The time travelers wife by Audrey Niffenegger. Pure make believe. A romance. I loved letting go of reality and reading this.
Im looking forward to hearing everyone else's recommendations - its the best way to choose a book.
Have a good Friday.
Hey, I think we must have been reading each others blog at the exact same time.
ReplyDeleteI like anything by Richard Russo (especially Nobody's Fool or Empire Falls); A Good House (the story of a Canadian family is too boring, but trust me, it's good) by Bonnie Burrard; and, for this time of year, The Republic of Love by Carol Shields (a love story! but so good).
ReplyDeleteI love reading people's reading lists.
G'morning Susan and les gang!
ReplyDeletePlease come to the Porch...
An Award awaits you for your outstanding blogging!
Carol
Any suggestions? Any suggestions?? As I blow on my fingers to limber them up....
ReplyDeleteThe Shipping News by Annie Proulx
....unusual style and very human
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke.... a thoroughly realized English history of things that never happened. I got completely lost in it.
The Time-Travelers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger.... inventive, romantic, and engrossing.
The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett...a novella concerning what might happen if Queen Elizabeth became a voracious reader. Most enjoyable.
I could go on and on, but these should give you a few to hop over to amazon and check them out!! How I do love good fiction!!
Love to you and the furred ones!!
My suggestion is COMPLETELY out of left field and I think definitely different than what anyone else here would recommend, but The Diamond Age, by Neal Stephenson, might appeal simply because it has a lot in common with Not Wanted On The Voyage. In sort of a twisted way.
ReplyDeleteAt first, I thought, "Oh no, that would be too risque for Susan, too weird and out there," but considering the cannibalism and sexuality of Not Wanted On The Voyage, maybe not. :)
My suggestion is different again.It may not be your cup of tea, but I love books by Wally Lamb,a Connecticut writer,who has made the New York Times bestseller list a couple of times.My number one favourite of his is 'I Know This Much is True', about fictional twin brothers.I am so warmed, as a teacher, by the fact that in the front of this wonderful book he has acknowledged and honoured individually twenty-five teachers from elementary through graduate school. Presently I am reading his "Couldn't Keep it to Myself".Lamb volunteered to facilitate a writing workshop over a period of time, for women at York Correctional Institution, and finely-tuned their experiences via a journey "rich with laughter,tears, heart-stopping leaps of faith, and miraculous personal victories".Deliberatly respecting not profiting from crime laws,the stories from the eleven women focus not on their individual crimes, but their diverse journeys as very different women to find themselves now where they are.He encouraged writing about their life to better understand it, and in the process, Lamb learnt much.We also benefit so much from the insight he, and the workshop participants have provided.It's not magical, it's not a laugh a minute, but it is revealing and humbling, and just makes me respect this man even more.
ReplyDeleteOn a different note...Have you seen this? I think you'll get a kick out of it.
ReplyDeletehttp://designobserver.com/archives/entry.html?id=38831
i spend all my reading time looking at art instead! but i joined a book club so i would read. but i joined mostly because the hostess is a great baker. sshhhhh doan tell. i added your photo today at chickory. i hope some of my people discover your lovely world. great photo today.
ReplyDeleteI seriously enjoyed "House of Sand and Fog" both the book and the movie. I read a lot of nonfiction, especially travel memoirs for relaxation. My recent book reads are posted on the sidebar of my Oasis blog. Maybe something there might be interesting to you?
ReplyDeleteThe only fiction is "In Our Strange Gardens" by Michel Quint. It's an excellent WWII story about how the enemy can sometimes be a friend. It takes place in France, and once begun is over much too soon. <3
Not familiar with these books but sounds like you got recommendations anyway.
ReplyDeleteI love this pic. What a great chair and set up you have there. you are an artist through ad through. Marvelous word you live in.