With a lot of travel coming up, I am looking for reading recommendations. My Kindle needs new books! In the past few months I have been reading a mix of things, from complete escapist fun to end of the world mystery to memoirs. A few things I would recommend:
Something Borrowed, Something Blue, Love the One You’re With (Emily Giffin). I have really enjoyed Emily Giffin’s books. They are not true romance novels, but more about exploring relationships in general. Something Borrowed was recently made into a very entertaining movie with Ginnifer Goodwin and Kate Hudson, about a girl who falls in love with her best friend’s fiance. Something Blue is the novel that follows, detailing a woman’s journey to becoming a better person. Love the One You’re With makes you think about first love, and what constitutes a fulfilling relationship. Fluffy? No. There were definitely parts of all of these books that made me sad, but in the end you feel hopeful. So I would definitely recommend them.
The Southern Vampire Series (Charlaine Harris). I will be honest–I read these books for the first time last summer, and literally could not stop. After finishing one book, I would immediately download the next onto my Kindle. Reading all ten of the books out last summer only took about a week and a half. I loved them, really loved them. The series is about Sookie Stackhouse and her magical world of vampires, shapeshifters, witches, faeries, and other magical creatures. It is incredibly entertaining, and I would recommend them to men and women alike. Unfortunately, I hated the most recent book, which came out in May. I’ll keep reading, as the series is set to only have two more books, but I’m not sure how happy I’ll be.
Sigma Force Novels (James Rollins). There are seven or eight novels in James Rollins’ Sigma Force series, and they are fascinating. It’s a bit of Robert Ludlem end-of-the-world-if-we-don’t-solve-this-great-mystery combined with Michael Chricton technology-so-advanced-it-can’t-be-real-or-can-it mixed with a little Dan Brown greater-meaning-religious-mystical-symbolism. The most recent, The Devil Colony, sucked me in and I finished it in two days. I’m not a huge fan of his other books though, as they all involve scary killer animals that have been altered in some way to make them monsters.
Poser: My Life in Twenty-Three Yoga Poses (Claire Dederer). I am in the middle of this yoga memoir, and so far it is great. A balance of yoga and personal musings that many can relate to.
So, readers, what books have you been reading lately? Anything you can recommend? Anything you would not recommend?
I tend more towards non-fiction than fiction when I’m reading. Plus I like to focus my reading on where I’m going (or hope to be going!) in the near future. Reading a book about WW2 in North Africa was incredibly beneficial to me as I was wandering amongst the grave markers in the Army cemetery in Tunisia, for example.
A couple more book reviews (with a bit of focus on travel) here, too.
I highly recommend the book Quinine by Fiametta Rocco (“literary editor at The Economist” to quote Amazon). She tells the story of growing up in Africa while also explaining the history and story of the discovery and use of quinine. Very interesting read if you’ve ever had malaria or been to countries where it is endemic. Well-written, some history.
Sorry, I should have given the whole title- Quinine : Malaria and the Quest for a Cure That Changed the World.
“Shantaram” by Gregory David Roberts. A novel/memoir of his life in Mumbai/Bombay. A wonderful book that will have you staying up until 3:00am.
http://www.amazon.com/Shantaram-Novel-Gregory-David-Roberts/dp/0312330537/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1309294314&sr=8-1
I am always in search of book recommendations! Here are a few that I’ve enjoyed recently. Non-fiction:
1) A Walk in the Woods, In A Sunburned Country, etc. by Bill Bryson: Funny books about Bryson’s travels and general musings about life. Easy to consume in short bits.
2) Eiger Dreams, Into Thin Air by John Krakauer: I liked Into Thin Air better (about climbing Everest), but they’re both interesting.
3) 127 Hours by Aron Ralston: The book on which the movie is based.
4) Infidel by Ayan Hirsi Ali: Really thought-provoking memoir of the author’s childhood in Somalia and eventual move to the Netherlands.
Fiction:
1) The Hangman’s Daughter by Oliver Potzsch: Historical mystery, an easy read.
2) One for the Morning Glory by John Barnes: A fairy tale for adults. Very sweet and funny.
3) The Android’s Dream by John Scalzi: Sci-fi and funny.
Hoping you’ll get lots of recommendations that I can share!
I just read Something Borrowed/Blue! Really enjoyed them.
Currently on a big reading kick (thanks to purchasing a Borders Rewards membership and joining a book club).
American Wife, Curtis Sittenfeld: Novel based on the life of Laura Bush. Book club book that I really enjoyed.
One Day: About to be made into a movie, tells the story of two friends on the same day every year. A little sad at times, but still good.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks: just started this, it’s nonfiction and is about the woman who’s cancer cells were used for scientific breakthroughs. She’s been anonymous until now and her family has struggled with poverty. Only about 60 pages in, but liking it so far.
Also, if you haven’t read it yet, you must read The Help before the movie comes out!
“Half the Sky” by Kristof and Wudunn. It is about the oppression of women in various cultures. It provides some very strong evidence that the most successful countries are those that treat women well. It sounds like dry stuff but is actually very well written.