What Are Your Favorite Books? - Coleman,MI

There is a great website called Thisonenext.com. You type in the names of books, movies, etc. that you have already enjoyed and it makes recommendations based off of those.

2 of the best books I have EVER read are The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger and One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus.

COMMON SENSE by Glenn Beck

MANY LIVES, MANY MASTERS by Dr. Bria Weiss

2 - vastly different, easy reading, make you think kind of books.

Okay, I'm an English professor, and I'm more than a little saddened by the mass market books everyone is recommending. There are GOOD writers out there who are struggling to make a living and are ignored in our society because people read things that are popular but are not necessarily good--think of these as junk food for the mind. I'm going to list a lot of writers you have never heard of because they are young, probably, or because you have to look for their books because the big stores only carry books they are sure will make a profit. And to be up front, many of the people on the list are my friends, but you're really only friends with people whose writing you like. If you don't like someone's writing, things fall apart on a personal level, too.

Rebecca Barry -- Later, At The Bar, A Novel in Stories

Rebecca also has an excellent blog on being a mother of two called Main Street Diaries. Her website is www.rebeccabarry.net . She is very nice and would love to hear from you. If you like Later, At the Bar, she has a novel coming out in which Linda Hartley from Later, at the Bar is a main character. She is also going to work on a book about being a mother based on The Main Street Diaries.

Kyle Minor -- writes heartbreaking short stories. They are beautiful. Kyle has two young children.

Christopher Coake -- also a short story writer.

Nate Liederbach -- short story collection called "Doing a Bit of Bleeding"

Alex Mindt -- Male of the Species
A short story collection in which the main character in each story is a father. Alex has two beautiful children.

Lorrie Moore -- Please read anything by Lorrie Moore

Lorrie Moore has a famous short story called "People Like that Are the Only People Here" about a mother whose child is on a cancer ward. She really wrote it while her baby had leukemia. It is in _Birds of America_.

She has a new short story in The New Yorker here: http://www.newyorker.com/fiction/features/2009/07/06/0907...

Louise Erdrich, an author I mention further down on the list reads a Lorrie Moore short story here:

http://www.newyorker.com/online/2008/04/07/080407on_audio...
Birds of America
Who Will Run the Frog Hospital
Self-Help
Anagrams
Life-Like

Alice Munro --You also can't go wrong with Alice Munro. She's considered the best living short story writer there is.

Louise Erdrich --A fabulous Native American writer. She has a lot of women's and mother issues in her novels.

I have lists and lists and lists I could send, but I don't want to take over the discussion. I changed to just initials on here b/c I tried to stay anonymous, but here is my page at my publisher's website and there are samples from my book:

http://www.saltpublishing.com/books/smp/9781844715053.htm

PLEASE look up some of these amazing authors.

I can't tell you how many students I've rescued from "bad literature" in my nine years of college teaching. Trust me, you'll thank me for it.

Hugs,
S

I have an almost two year old and one on the way, so I am in the same boat as you are in terms of finding the time to read and wanting it to be good! My husband talked me into buying a book and I couldn't believe that I actually finished it (and within a week). I used to read dozens of books, sometimes two or three at a time, but haven't finished even one (unless on cd) since my son was born. It is called "Summer Affair" by Elin Hilderbrand. In fact, I just ordered some of her books from the library and then purchased two on amazon! I will be starting the next one tonight. Also, there is this great company called www.paperbackswap.com where you can swap your old books for other people's books for free. It's really fun!

I can't believe even the professor didn't reccomend a few classics!!
To Kill A Mockingbird - Harper Lee still amazing!
A Confederacy of Dunces John Kennedy Toole - wierd but funny - won a Pulitzer posthumously - his mom got it published
The Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas ( great revenge/adventure book) Get an unabridged copy!
If you need a happy ending - Jane Austin - also a good look at how few rights women had less than 200 years ago...Bridget Jones' Diary is based on Pride & Prejudice.
I agree with the "Red Tent" Anita Diamante - girl power set in the Old Testament! She has other good books too!
Also, Daughter of Fortune - Isabelle Allende - she wrote House of Spirits - this is better and parts are set in the Bay Area. great love story!
The Stand - Stephen King - great epic Good vs. Evil - get the unabridged version - editors hacked it to bits originally.
East of Eden - Steinbeck Sexy and stormy!
Jane Eyre - my OTHER happy ending book when I'm blue...
You get the idea!!

Barbara Kingsolver wrote several excellent books including The Poisonwood Bible (about a misguided missionary family in the Congo) and Prodigal Summer (a tree hugger book). I loved all of the books by Amy Tan and by Lisa See - about the lives of Chinese women. Lisa See's include several historical fiction and several detective/action set in China - could not put them down. All three women have numerous best sellers.

Hi J.,
You have many responses - which is great! I use a website called www.whatshouldireadnext.com. You start by setting up a list of all the books you really enjoyed and then it will cross reference it against other people who have similar lists and you can get recommendations. It saved me oodles of time researching what book I may like next.

Enjoy!!

1. Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers - my friend told me she couldn't put this down - it is next on my buy list

2. Escape by Carolyn Jessop - I pulled allnighters reading because I just couldn't put this down. It is a true story written by the 4th wife of polygamist Merryl Jessop.

Any book by Francine Rivers will not steer you wrong! Redeeming Love is an amazing story and she also has a trilagy. I have read nearly every book she has written!!! Another set of books you might enjoy are the Yada Yada prayer group books. Fiction but relatable and very well written. The author is Neta Jackson and there are 5 in the series. Thanks for asking this question. I'm often seeking new authors myself. As I've grown in faith and matured in age, I find that books with a real story or those that retell a story from the bible are more enjoyable than a quick fix, always the same story with a change of names... Good luck!

J. - I just finished Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld - very modern Catcher in the Rye type. A fave book was The Time Travelers Wife (sorry don't remember the author)this was recommended to me by my brother and in turn I bought it for all my book reading friends and I understand a movie is on it's way. Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides (Virgin Suicides), Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt (and the follow up books also), Life of Pi by Yann Martel, and all the Douglas Adams books - Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy et al. David Peltzer also wrote some autobiographical books which are beautifully and horrifically written, detailing his abusive childhood through his adulthood and now he tours the country speaking about not being a victim - they start with A Child Called It and end with A Man Called Dave (now i read these before I was a parent and I am not sure I could handle them now - his mother was a real piece of work and his father an alcoholic). Stay away from Confessions of a Shopoholic unless you like totally mindless tripe - I like fluff now and then but this was awful imo.

Happy reading and feel free to forward any recomendations.

I missed the original post, too, but wanted to share my favorites:
The Time Travelers Wife--my absolute favorite
The Memory Keeper's Daughter
Sarah's Key
The Kite Runner
I Know This Much is True
She's Come Undone
The Lovely Bones
Eat, Pray, Love
The Secret Life of Bees
Most of Jodi Piccoult's books--they do get a little predictable after awhile, but I still enjoy them.
the Middle Place

Thanks for posting the question--I'm getting a lot of great ideas, too!

A quick read for me was Water for Elephants. Its the story from an old mans point of view, he is in a nursing home and the story goes abck and forth between the present and the past. It makes you laugh and cry and its very detailed to the behind the scenes circus life!

Hi J.,

This is so much fun, to read this post. Thank you.

Here are some of my longtime favorite authors: Anne Tyler who wrote The Accidental Tourist and Breathing Lessons. She is my all time favorite living author. I also read everything John Irving writes. Widow for One Year and A Prayer for Owen Meaney are a couple of his that are must reads.

Toni Morrison's Sula is an amazing book and I can't believe it isn't a movie yet.

I second the person who enjoys young adult fiction. And I enjoy reading a book [or listening on cd in the car] and then seeing the movie. Or vice versa. I just saw a movie called My Brilliant Career and now want to find the book it was based on.

Finally, I'm rereading Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. Something I read thirty years ago. it is so entertaining and timely still.

Regarding nonfiction - since I'm self employed I have a great excuse to read lots of this too - I'm reading The Architecture of Abundance and a life changing book: The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron.
Happy reading to you!

K.
Revitalize Coaching: for a happier, healthier you

I heartily second the Diana Gabaldon books (I have them all) but I didn't see anyone mention Iris Johanson. Her books keep you up late at night becuase you just can't put them down. Great suspense, action and mysteries in all her books.

You are probably already overwhelmed with all the responses you received, and I loved reading them all, too. One of my favorites that I did not see anyone recommend are books by Phillippa Gregory--The Other Boleyn Girl was my favorite. I also loved reading Memoirs of a Geisha.

I just saw your post and thought I'd put in a good word for the book "The Shack". My daughter (25) is not a reader, but she read this book, in fact couldn't put it down! She bought copies for all her family and friends for Christmas and all of us couldn't put it down! I think this is the first time my daughter had read anything for pleasure, so it tells you that it was a good book that keeps you thinking about your beliefs and all that goes with it.

I missed this earlier post also, and see many of my favorites listed here. Danielle Steel, Mary Higgins Clark, Maeve Binchy is great, Dorothea Benton Frank also. Fern Michaels writes good books..my favorites of here are three "series" books she wrote...(You must read them in order!) First is the series called VEGAS, next is TEXAS, and third is something about KENTUCKY...the familes follow generations in all of them...excellent series..each one has 3 or 4 books in it...Happy reading!

Letters to My Daughters - great read but also gives some nice ideas how to create memories for new moms.

Wow! You've gotten quite a few responses! I didn't see 2 of my favorites, however. I love the writing of Brock and Bodie Thoene. I have read most of the Zion Covenant series and am on the eighth book of the A.D. Chronicles series. The A. D. chronicles focus on the story of different people that are just mentioned in the Gospels ( the blind man healed by the Pool of Bethsaida, a leper, the demon posessed boy and his father, etc) and the radical transformation that happens when they meet Jesus. They are Fabulous!!! I also love the writing of Liz Curtis Higgs. They are Christian Historical Fiction. She retells the love story of Jacob and Rachel (and Leah)from the Bible, setting it in 18th century Scotland. The series begins with A Thorn in My Heart, then Fair is the Rose, followed by Whence came a Prince, and concluded with Fair in Thine Eyes. They are great books that I went without sleep to read!
Happy Reading!!

I just read Best Friends by Jennifer Weiner in less than 2 days... I was on vacation with my sister and my toddler was at daycare during some of the time but it was such a great read..Enjoy, N.

I absolutely love the "Outlander" series by Diana Gabaldon...it's got everything...historical romance/adventure...i've recommended to many friends/family and everyone just LOVES it!!

I LOVE Ted Dekker. He is a great fiction novelist that every book has a Christian basis thru-out the book.

If you saw or heard of the movie that was out last year called "THR3E". That is by him and I have heard they did a great job portraing the book.

Have fun!

While going thru all of the wonderful responses - I realized that I should recomend "The Shack". It is very good reading!

Hi J.,

I know I'm a little late with this response, but I never saw your original post. Some people recommended the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer, and I loved it, but she also wrote an "adult" novel called The Host. My daughter loved it even more than Twilight.
Have fun this summer!

Hi, J.

Glad you asked the question. Three of my favorites are by the author, Frank E. Peretti: This Present Darkness, Piercing the Darkness, Prophet and The Oath. I would read them in the order in which they are listed. The first two are sort of linked together. Make sure you've completed your chores for the day ... you won't want to stop until you get to THE END.

Hi J.,

Three books that have made a great difference:

Common Sense by Beck

The Magic of Thinking Big by Schwartz

The Seven Pillars of Wisdom by T E Lawrence (get a map of the middle east; he details a great historical story of people and culture and clashes of culture, as well as a window into the minds of the people over there now. The actual story happened in world war 1, and the after effects are still playing out in our world events today.)

Blessings, M.

Eat, Love, Pray by Elizabeth Gilbert is a worthy read!

Sarah's Key is definitely one that will keep you thinking after you finish it.

A few of my all-time faves:

Life of Pi (probably my all-time favorite book...really makes you think)

Bee Season

Kite Runner

Anything by James Herriott

Watership Down

I noticed many recommended Karen Kingsbury books. A movie based on her work, Like Dandelion Dust, should be out soon. Not sure if it will make it to theaters. Hopefully! I had to read the book before seeing the movie. Another excellent work by Kingsbury.

hey J.
i love daniel steal i just got done with the luck sweries

Have you read the Left Behind series by Tim LeHaye and Jerry Jenkins? WOW! The teen series is great too! God will speak to you and you will enjoy the books too. What is better than that?

S.

I didn't see your original request either but I CANNOT believe no one has recommended Nancy E. Turner's SArah Agnes Prine series. Written as Sarah's Diary from around 1880 - living in the Arizona Territory and her growing from teenager up to married up to middle-aged (I'm on the third one now). They're easy reads, but have so much character and are REALLY interesting. They're not written with a really old-fashioned style, but are just really interesting.
These Is My Words
Sarah's Quilt
The Star Garden

Also, I agree with the Anita Shreve recommendation. They aren't in a series, they're all on their own. I like The Pilot's Wife. I can't remember which other ones I have read, but many of the sound really good.

Twilight series is a must-read, if you haven't. If you enjoy Nora Robert, you could try Catherine Coulter.

Authors who are very well-known, you've probably read, but just in case: Mary Higgins Clark (gripping thrillers), John Grisham (legal novels of course), Ayelet Waldman (she has some supermommy mysteries or something that are kind of fun, some other stuff too)

Good luck and let us know if you find any other good ones!

J.,

I just finished the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer. I tend to read romance as a rule of thumb because I want it to be relaxing without too much drama. My husband purchased the first book for me as several women he works with were reading it. It was so interesting I finished the first book in two days! The series is about a vampires but it isn't gory. I think it's something you would enjoy. I checked the final two books out at the library.

I hope this helps! Enjoy your summer!

C.

Hi there,
Checked responses and did not see "Sisterchick" series by Robin Jones Gunn.....this is a great read while on vacation...light, fun but always are full of messages of hope...books are about world travels with friends...they are even good books to read for a brief vacation from the stress of everyday life!
Enjoy!

Life of Pie!
Cannery Row!
East of Eden
City of Thieves!!!
White Oleander
Breakfast of Champions
Timequake
Daughter of Fortune
Memoirs of a Geisha
The Red Tent
I know this much is True
She's Come Undone

Another great place for book reviews is Paperback Swap...Let me tell you how it works -- because it is so easy! I listed a bunch of books on the site (listing 10 books gets the first member in your household free credits!) and I got 2 free book credits to get started. So you can order 2 books right away (great Christian authors, kids and most of the ones listed in the prior postings - free of charge -- and have them mailed directly to you! No strings attached. No gimmicks. No spam mail. Nothing. You just have to love reading books. When another member selects one of my books that I have listed, I mail it to them. Yes, I pay for the postage. But then I get another book credit and I can select a book that I want. So another Club Member returns the favor and mails me one of his or her books free of charge. For every book I mail out, I get another book in return - a true shared system!

When someone requests one of your books, all you have to do is print two pieces of regular paper from your printer which includes the mailing address and the recommended postage. Apply the postage, and drop it in the mail. Hey, for a typical paperback, you don't even need to go to the post office.

Right now the annual club membership is free. Eventually the founders will ask everyone to help contribute to pay for the upkeep of the web site, but for now the annual club membership is free. The annual dues will probably be between $10 and $20 based on the number of people in the club. But again, right now you don't even have to pay any dues for at least one year if you become a Member.

You really need to check this out. And if you do sign up, please use the following link:

http://www.paperbackswap.com/index.php?r_by=____@____.com

If you use the link above to join, I'll get a free book when you post your first ten books (and you'll still get free books for posting them!)

For more information about the site, you can visit the Help area, by clicking the link below, and select 'About PBS' to read how it works:

http://www.paperbackswap.com/help/help_index.php

Best Regards,
____@____.com

My new favorite Christian author is Tamara Alexander.
Rekindled,Revealed,Remember - read in that order!! Awesome.
"Rekindled" is the BEST Historical Christian Book I ever read & I READ ALLLLOOTTTTTTTT!!!
Even better than "Redeeming Love" by Fran. Rivers.

Hi J.,

I know this is really late, I just read your 'What Happened'. I adore reading and have only just begun to be able to finish novels now that my kids are a little older (4 and 2).

I just have to recommend Jodi Picoult novels. They are all very very deep and you cannot put them down. 'My Sisters Keeper' is excellent and has just came out as a movie (I haven't seen it).

Also the Spanish author Isabel Allende. Excellent. Daughter of Fortune is fantastic.

Let me know what you think.

Happy reading,
K..

Hi J.,
I loved the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer....excellent reads.
I also love anything by Wally Lamb. His book: This Much I Know is True, is one of my favorites.
Enjoy the summer!
M.

The Left Behind series is absolutely addictive and riveting! I "swallowed" about 5 in two weeks time a few years back.

I see many people have suggested the Twilight series...also, The Red Tent was excellent and very helpful in understanding the culture in which the women of Jacob's time lived...much of this is still the same today.

Along that same culture are two great books by Suzanne Fisher Staples. They are a two part series, so be sure to read Shabanu first and then Haveli. Very good understanding of women in the middle east during modern times.

D., Beaverton

Inspirational Books, Simplify Your Life and More!
Oprah's Spirit Newsletter <____@____.com

I get an email from Oprah magazine. She has a couple of list of 25+ books that are great reads. I think you could check it out at Oprah.com

The Twilight series is very good. I am on my second reading of the 4 books and I usually never reread anything.

One more, Sue Grafton Alphabet Mysteries are good too.

My husband and I were given a copy of "THE SHACK" and couldn't put it down.
We actually read it at the same time, nearly fighting over it and read the last chapter together (out loud).
Great memory.

Would love to know (if you choose to read this book) what you think.

I guess I missed the original post as well. I also LOVE Janet Evanovich, Jan Karon/Mitford Series, A. B.Ross/Miss Julia Series, Laveryl Spencer, Barbara Delinsky, & Jude Devereaux. I read 2 Nicholas Sparks novels and swore off of them because you needed a case of kleenex. I like comedy style or romantic with good endings, vs. devastating endings. Karen Kingsbury is the same way. But if you like to cry....those are good ones!Also any Dr. James Dobson books are good for non-fiction reading. Enjoy!

Nicholas Sparks is an outstanding author. I started with his first -- The Notebook -- and couldn't put it down. You may recognize the name, it was turned into a movie, as was some of his other books. I think he is a great author and make sure to get his books every year. (He normally publishes a new book near Christmas.) Great reading!

Nicholas Sparks he writes awesome books and real easy to follow.

Wow! So many responses! Someone may have made this suggestion already. About 5 years ago, I made a New Year's Resolution (one I've actually stuck with for the most part!) about my reading. Kind of in line with your Phillipians quote. I decided for every popular fiction novel I read (John Grisham, etc.), I would read one classic and one spiritually uplifting/self-improvement/life skills one so I can be pondering on positive things.

I've been pleasantly surprised by the classics! Mind you, some I've found really boring and pushed my way through, but most of them have been really good. And a few are now some of my favorites. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas - EXCELLENT! It starts out a little slow, but after the first few chapters, I couldn't put it down! Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte is another one I really enjoyed, as well as Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I'm actually reading War and Peace by Tolstoy right now and it's pretty good! Very long of course, but the story is interesting. I can't give it a rating yet since I'm only about halfway through it, but so far, so good.

For spritual/self-improvement type books, I'd recommend the Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman, A Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George, and Parenting with Love and Logic by Foster Cline and Jim Fay.

For fun, frivolous reading, I like mysteries, and David Rosenfelt has a great voice with his characters. The books follow a main character so starting with the first one is a good idea, but not necessary. He injects some humor with them which is why I like them so well.

Enjoy!

.

IF you have an open mind about your image of God and the Trinity, you would Love "The Shack" by Wm. Paul Young. It is fiction, but very deep and realistic! A book group at church is now reading "Left to Tell," by Immaculee Ilibagiza with Steve Erwin, about the Rwandan Holocaust("Discovering God Amidst the ..."). It is autobiographical. I haven't begun it yet.

Hi J.,
Don't know if you've read any of the Frank Peretti books (his earliest ones are best, I think), but if you're looking for an Christian fiction author who will change your life, read any of the books by Randy Alcorn. I started with "Deadline" and then the two sequels, "Dominion" and "Deception". I've never read an Alcorn book that I didn't love. I've handed out copies of "Edge of Eternity" and "The Ishbane Conspiracy" to loved ones. Also, always great are "The Chronicles of Narnia" by C.S. Lewis.

Hi J.! Any of the series by Karen Kingsbury! She is a christian author and verrrrrrrrry good!

I ditto all those who recommended the Twilight series, nothing says "guilty pleasure" more than those four little books. I also second Many Lives Many Masters by Brian L. Weiss. If you dig the sci fi aspect of those two suggestions, then I would also recommend Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse mystery series. There are 9 books in all, and the first two have already been turned into HBO series True Blood. Finally, on a totally different wavelength, Alexander Mcaull Smith wrote "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" which I found light and interesting enough to allow for multitasking at the beach.

Thanks for posting this question. What great fun for all of us to pull something new off of this list.

Here's a few more that haven't been mentioned yet. You really should read the Harry Potter Series. Also, I love Dan Brown (The Davinci Code, Angels & Demons, etc.). My husband doesn't read as a rule and even he devoured these. Patricia Cornwell is also a favorite if you like mysteries...stick with the Kay Scarpetta series. Happy Reading!

Hi J., My name is K. and I love to read too.
God's word says He orders the steps of the rightous, so
your e-mail came at a good time when I was online.
Here are my favorite Christine authors and the names of their series. Enjoy because each of these books are the kind you can't put down. You can find these at the Family
Christian Bookstore on Hall Rd and Scheinherr (sp?) in Sterling Hgts. They are in the mall on the southwest cornor by the DWS shoe store, down at the end by Traverse
Bay Pie Co. (Yummm).

Michael Phillips - Stonewycke Trilogy and Legacy,
Senadoah Series, The Russians, The Secret of the Rose Series

Bodie Thoene - The Zion Chonicles She has many other series. www.thoenebooks.com

Judith Pella - Daughters of Fortune

Jan Karon - Mitford Series

Some City Libraries have Christian Books too. Enjoy
your summer reading.

My two favorites are Nora Roberts and Janet Evanovich. They've never let me know. Also, have you read the Left Behinde series? Those are AWESOME as well!!!

GOOD LUCK!

A.

The Bible
The Upper Room
Parent Magazine

Some of my favorites are the Blossom Street series by Debbie Macomber (also love her Cedar Cove series). Elm Creek Quilters series by Jennifer Chiavarini (sp?) Authors Angela Hunt and of course Nichloas Sparks. HTH

S.

Hi J.,

I know I am a little late, but the twilight series was excellent, read the whole series in 7 days couldn't put them down. Anything by Janet Evanovich, she has 2 different series and keeps adding to Plum series with in between books while you are waiting for the next to come out. But truly all her books are great. Patterson is also very good but I don't do the Alex Cross books. On average, I read approx 2 to 3 books a week. Catherine Coulter and Nora Roberts are very good to. I pick up a lot of books from used book stores. But also buy a lot new, we have a group of friends that all read the same authors so someone will buy on and pass to everyone. If you want and are in the Wixom/Walled Lake area email me and I can give you some that have been returned to me. Don't have any of Janet's though 1- 14 is still out with friends.

Happy reading, C.

I haven't read it yet, but for my birthday I received "The Clan of the Cave Bear" by Jean M Auel. It's a series which the friend knows I like. Several friends and herself have read them.

I didn't see a lot in the recommendations that I myself like to read (except Harry Potter and Twilight, like everyone else on the planet!), but for summer escapism it doesn't get any better than Jimmy Buffett or Carl Hiaasen for me. Hiaasen's kids books have been great, too. I also love Tom Robbins but you have to know what you're getting into when you start one of his books.

I love to read and this summer I started to follow all of the series by V.C. Andrews, she has many books and I have only found one so far that I did not care for, I am currently reading the Flowers in the Attic (actually my 3rd time reading this book)there is enough reading in these books to keep you busy all summer, Enjoy!

Thanks for asking the question...there are a lot of good recommendataions that I'm going to try. Even the ones that the English professor deemed "junk food for the mind." I agree that reading authors that are not as popular is also good, but there are some good writers that also achieve success. I was recently reoommended "utliers: The Story of Success" by Malcolm Gladwell, author of "he Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference".

Also, I cannot recommend enough to read what your children are reading (when they're a bit older). I even re-read along with my kids books from my childhood (Judy Blume, Beverly Cleary, etc. level books), and then when they were reading the Harry Potter books, the Inkheart series (I highly reoommend!), Twilight and more. I read just before or at the same time as my kids. It gave us lots to talk about. Happy reading!

heard the Doomsday Key is a good read

I love Jodi Picoult books. They are all on different subjects, usually grab you right away and are fast reads. Also Anita Shreve books. There is a great book entitled "Left to Tell" that is spiritual in nature, but cannot remember author's name. I love to read too, but don't seem to find the time anymore.

Hey! I have a few books that I just had to add if your in to light, fun, easy reads that are chick lit. The shopaholic series by Sophia Kinsella and also her book Remember me are both great! I am also reading The Time Travelers Wife right now and that book is wonderful as well...I see some people already mentioned that one though.

I Love Nora robers, Debbie Mc Comber and Jackie Collins although these are a little racy. I really love her books about Lucky Santanaglo a lady mob boss. My all time favorite author is anything and everything Danille Steele rights.

I really like books by Karen Kingsbury. They have a Christian theme throughout the book, but she has some really good series that follow different people/families. Happy reading!

Try reading Karen Kingsbury books. She has some books that are series and some that stand alone. She is an excellent Christian author. Whenever I have one of her books I have a hard time putting it down until I am done. Very good reading.

Try the Lancaster County series by Beverly Lewis ..... the Mitford series by Jan Karon ...... I'm very partial to the Amelia Peabody series and Vicky Bliss series by Elizabeth Peters (mysteries), Janet Evanovich (quite a step up in raciness), Lori Avocato (very much like Evanovich).

Lately, I've been "reviewing" lit for my son (I read the books to make sure they will be appropriate - turns out I enjoy them immensely)......the 39 clues is a great series, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, etc.

I just read a few that were very enjoyable:

Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs...story of a group of unlikely friends who meet on Friday nights for a knitting club. The story of friendship and life.

Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher...story of an artist. Years after his death, his works are becoming valued. The story is told through the life of his daughter, Penelope. Each chapter is about a character that intersected the life of Penelope (and therefore her father).

I also enjoy reading young adult/youth fiction:

Ida B. by Katherine Patterson is a story of a young girl (10) who's trying to find her way in the world. She has been homeschooled until 4th grade. Due to family circumstances, she needs to attend the public school. Her transition is not easy, but she learns a lot about herself and the world.

Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliet is a mystery about a stolen Vermeer painting. Two children, Calder and Petra, put their heads together to try to solve the case!

Hi J.,

Have you read any of Debbie Macomber? She has quite a few books that are an easy read. She deals with women's friendships/cooking/knitting in her stories. She is a christian. The Cedar Cove series is very good. I enjoy reading series books as I get attached to characters and it is nice to have them continue. Check out her website debbiemacomber.com to see what series books and the order.

Enjoy your escape of reading!

I absolutely love Dean Koontz, John Grisham, Nicholas Sparks, Nora Roberts, Higgins-Clark, Lawrence Sanders,etc. I guess you can tell that I love to read, too.

I am going to "second" the nominations for Nora Roberts (my favorite author)& Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series(my favorite book). If you elect to read Diana's books, please read them in order. Don't let the size intimidate you. There may be big, but they are so they good! There are 6 so far w/ #7 coming out this fall.

i loved "the red tent" by anita diamant

and also read the twilight series. keep in mind that they're written for teens...but is entertaining enough...

also liked "the memory keeper's daughter"