Goodreads Authors/Readers discussion

HI, I'm somewhat fatigued by reading novels that remain words on a page.

I'm looking for a read that will pull me into that world and that will linger in my memory after I've finished so that I'll want to revisit my new 'friend'. Y 'know, a 'Pride and Prejudice' experience.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE authors do not pitch your novel at me. I'm asking readers who get my perspective for some genuine feedback.

I just read an interesting book, the start of a series. It centers around a young Cherokee apprentice and her trip into the Land of The Dead. Very interesting book.

I just finished 'The Language of Trees' by Ilie Ruby. Have not yet posted a review. Suffice it to say I gave it 5 stars. It's an exquisitely rendered story, and I will write a few more words about it. The Language of Trees

I don't know if you like YA books or somewhat sad stories, but I am currently reading Before I Die and it is a great read so far. Very life-affirming, even if it is a story about a dying sixteen-year-old. It is a story that is definitely hard to forget.

It might help to narrow the field a bit - what books have you loved? (Aside from Pride and Prejudice, I mean. I love Austen, but finding a modern comparison is very tricky.) When I was a bookseller, I would ask customers to name a couple books they had enjoyed so I could find something to recommend that might draw them. (From my pov this has less to do with genre, and more to do with what you look for in the writing/characters, etc.) (and now to lurk in the shadows again...)

Here's the GR link to the best cerebral Sci-Fi I have read in ages. It's by GR author Karen A. Wyle. See my 5 star review.

Twin-Bred

Alexandra wrote: "I just read an interesting book, the start of a series. It centers around a young Cherokee apprentice and her trip into the Land of The Dead. Very interesting book.

[bookcover:Beyond the Western ..."
Interesting is good but do the hcaracters become real to you? Does it widen understanding? That's the sort of novel I'm looking for?

Deborah wrote: "I just finished 'The Language of Trees' by Ilie Ruby. Have not yet posted a review. Suffice it to say I gave it 5 stars. It's an exquisitely rendered story, and I will write a few more words about..."

Thanks for that. Looking forward to your review before I commit my time to reading it.

Simon wrote: "Kate, here's what other people are saying about "Littluns: And the Book of Darkness"

The novel, "Littluns: And the Book of Darkness" is the "Mom's Choice Awards" Gold winner in two categories: F..."

Sounds good. I'll give it a go and get back to you. Thanks.

Thanks to everyone who is participating in this search for books that linger in the mind and heart of the reader.

I have an AMAZING recommendation for you! It's called The Muse of Edouard Manet and is one of my all-time favorite books. I was talking about it on another thread recently -- here's what I wrote about it there when asked why I loved it so much:

I love that it has it all. It defies genre. It has time travel, art history, romance, adventure, codes, forgery, art theft, duels, true love, chases, murder -- and it's all set in two beautiful cities: Paris and Chicago. The characters are rich and fully developed and the twists and turns of the plot make you want to never put the book down. It's a beautiful story with characters you feel like you know personally by the end.

Here's a link to my review!
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Just finished 'In and out of Step' by Christine M Knight. See my review if you're interested in why I value it. Best work I've read in ages - it has a jigsaw approach to the issues explored. As a reader, I got to think. I am no longer disillusioned reader. There are great books out there and skilled writers. If you're wedded to one viewpoint on women's issues you won't like this book.

If you're looking for a suspense thriller that transcends genre, I highly recommend
Call down the Hawk

by Maurice Nicholson.

If you're looking for a thought-provoking tearjerker, try
My Name Is Joe

It was very moving. It's about a middle-aged man who finds out he is dying from cancer and he tries to come to terms with what he feels is an unlived life.

Kate wrote: "HI, I'm somewhat fatigued by reading novels that remain words on a page.

I'm looking for a read that will pull me into that world and that will linger in my memory after I've finished so that I'l..."

I just finished "Elegance of the Hedgehog" by Muriel Barbery, which I thought was outstanding and funny.

Lee wrote: "If you're looking for a suspense thriller that transcends genre, I highly recommend
Call down the Hawk

by Maurice Nicholson."

Hi Lee - given what you've written about this, you might like Everything I Found on the Beach, by Cynan Jones. Set in Wales. It also is a thriller which transcends the genre really, i think.

Try "A Painted House" by John Grisham. It is not his usual work. It is not a legal thriller at all. It's a beautifully written story about a boy growing up during the Depression in the South.

Lana wrote: "Try "A Painted House" by John Grisham. It is not his usual work. It is not a legal thriller at all. It's a beautifully written story about a boy growing up during the Depression in the South."

I loved that book.

I just finished Marley's Ghost and gave it 5/5 stars. It's not for the kiddies, or the faint-hearted ... but it is brilliantly written, and puts a whole new perspective on one of Dickens' classic characters.

Jo wrote: "Lee wrote: "If you're looking for a suspense thriller that transcends genre, I highly recommend
Call down the Hawk

by Maurice Nicholson."
..."

Thanks for the tip, Jo. I think looked at this book awhile ago and was put off by the description. I'd have to look again to remember what it was that put me off. Is there a paranormal aspect? No disrespect to those who love the paranormal, but it's not for me - it's too much like a deus ex machina. I have the same problem with some but not all Sci-Fi.

If you put up the link to Everything, I'll take another look.

Kate wrote: "HI, I'm somewhat fatigued by reading novels that remain words on a page.

I'm looking for a read that will pull me into that world and that will linger in my memory after I've finished so that I'l..."

Kate wrote: "HI, I'm somewhat fatigued by reading novels that remain words on a page.

I'm looking for a read that will pull me into that world and that will linger in my memory after I've finished so that I'l..."

Hey Kate:

Ever tried Russell Banks. You might like The Reserve. But I really enjoyed the The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino. Great read that I think you'll find memorable.

Ron Hummer

Sharon wrote: "Lana wrote: "Try "A Painted House" by John Grisham. It is not his usual work. It is not a legal thriller at all. It's a beautifully written story about a boy growing up during the Depression in the..."

I did not go into it with high expectations, but ended up with a new friend! It's a favorite of my grandma's. She's the one who gave it to me. Anyway, I will definitely check out "Marley's Ghost."

Lana wrote: "I did not go into it with high expectations, but ended up with a new friend! It's a favorite of my grandma's. She's the one who gave it to me. Anyway, I will definitely check out "Marley's Ghost."

Hi, Lana. You know, I had a similar experience with "The Shack." My folks sent me a copy for Christmas last year, and it sat around for a long time before I read it. I had minimal expectations, to say the least, and wound up being very moved by the author's vision. I knew "A Painted House" was a departure for Grisham, and I loved the way he wrote about the little community.

I hope you enjoy "Marley's Ghost." It was not for the faint of heart, but it gives such a depth and texture to this relatively minor Dickens character and helps explain his motivation where Ebenezer Scrooge is concerned. :-)

Lana wrote: "I did not go into it with high expectations, but ended up with a new friend! It's a favorite of my grandma's. She's the one who gave it to me. Anyway, I will definitely check out "Marley's Ghost."

Hi, Lana. You know, I had a similar experience with "The Shack." My folks sent me a copy for Christmas last year, and it sat around for a long time before I read it. I had minimal expectations, to say the least, and wound up being very moved by the author's vision. I knew "A Painted House" was a departure for Grisham, and I loved the way he wrote about the little community.

I hope you enjoy "Marley's Ghost." It was not for the faint of heart, but it gives such a depth and texture to this relatively minor Dickens character and helps explain his motivation where Ebenezer Scrooge is concerned. :-)

I just finished Norwegian mystery writer Karin Fossum's
I thought it was amazingly good.

what genre?
ya gems

M/m

uf/pnr

Some wonderful indie books can be found! As an author myself, and a reader, I have to say that I really loved and would recommend these:

I've recently read a few wonderful stories by the same author:



Another favorite is:


Alexandra Lanc~

Sheila wrote: "I just finished Norwegian mystery writer Karin Fossum's
I thought it was amazingly good."

Thanks for the tip. I have the first of the series - Don't Look Back - on my TR list.

Lee wrote: "Sheila wrote: "I just finished Norwegian mystery writer Karin Fossum's
I thought it was amazingly good."

Thanks for the tip. I have the first of the series - Don't ..."

You're welcome. I haven't read Don't Look Back. I just finished Calling Out to You! and something about a girl on a yellow bicycle (can't remember the name - terrible memory) - both very good. The Caller remains my favourite so far.

The Unwanteds, first of a new 7-book series, book 2 at publishers already. Although written as YA it is a great read (I'm a 55-year old man) and will be the next Harry Potter - even better.

Perhaps will do the trick?

For readers who don't usually like mystery, try a classic, Wilkie Collins' "The Woman in White" which is a first for multiple-voice narration. Marvelous characters, chew-your-fingers all night suspense, plus that delightful taint of romance. -- quite a recommendation for a reader like me who is ordinarily bored sick (really and truly) by mysteries.

I stumbled across called Tycoon by an author called Netta Martin. It is in the same sort of vein as Barbara Taylor Bradford, but I found it more enjoyable that BTB. Has anyone else read anything by this author?

For those who like mystery/thrillers (I've read hundreds), this is one of the very best.

Think of a Number