Book Club
Sep 11th, 2006
Be careful what you ask for because in the world of craft blogs you are sure to get it. I asked for book recommendations. Holy Moly! I’ve summarized them all by author into one big awesome reading list. Enjoy!
Need more? Julie at Boogaj (and awesome inventor of The Pincushion Challenge) reviews a lot of books on her blog. Here’s a cool link to an index of her reviews.
Texcilla
Almond, Steve. Candy Freak.
Amy says: Wonderfully entertaining non-fiction.
Atkinson, Kate. Behind the Scenes at the Museum. Case Histories.
Jessica says: Behind the Scenes at the Museum is one of my favorites. It’s dark, funny and incredibly complex.
bekka says: Case Histories is one of my favorites this year.
Tania Ho says: I discovered Kate Atkinson this year and Case Histories is one of my favorites so far.
Atwood, Margaret. The Handmaiden’s Tale. Oryx and Crake. The Blind Assassin.
Kristin says: I like these books by Margaret Atwood. The Handmaiden’s Tale is a classic, but Oryx and Crake is now timely. The Blind Assassin is different, but intriguing.
Babbitt, Natalie. Tuck Everlasting.
Kim says: One of my picks for good children’s books – I recommend these for kids also!
Boyle, T.C. Tortilla Curtain
bekka says: One of my favorites this year.
Bryson, Bill. A Walk in the Woods.
My Mom says: This book is about the author’s experiences on the Appalachian Trail told in a humorous fashion.
rooruu Says: Bill Bryson’s new one, a memoir of his childhood (The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid: A Memoir, scheduled for release 10/17/06) is on my to-read list.
Buck, Pearl S. The Good Earth.
Linda says: Really good, but old book.
Texcilla seconds this book.
madmommy says: I’ll put in my vote too for anything by Pearl Buck.
Chabon, Michael. The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay.
melissa maldonado garcia says: I loved this book.
Chmielewska, Joanna.
Joanna says: My favourite Polish author. She’s been translated into many languages all around the world so hopefully you can find the books. She write great humorous detective stories with a middle-aged woman as a main character.
Chevalier, Tracy. The Lady and the Unicorn. The Virgin Blue. Falling Angels. Girl with a Pearl Earring.
Tania Ho says: The Lady and the Unicorn is my favourite Tracy Chevalier book.
Nancy says: If you liked Pearl Earring, go and get Chevalier’s Falling Angels. It’s even better.
Chiaverini, Jennifer. The Elm Creek Quilting Series.
Texcilla
Diamant, Anita. The Red Tent.
Jote says: I loved this book.
Julie recommends this book too.
My Mom recommends this book too!
Dicamillo, Kate. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.
Linda says: Another good one that would be great to read with Caitlin.
Duncan, David James. The Brothers K.
Jote says: Loved this book.
Eco, Umberto. The Name of the Rose.
Edwards, Kim. The Memory Keeper’s Daughter.
Kristin says: I’m just now reading this book. I’m not even finished but I’m so blown away by it. You should check it out.
Enger, Leif. Peace Like a River.
debra says: Told from the point of view of a young boy examining his childhood and remarkable father. Enger is a reporter and it was his first novel but the writing is unbelievable! I have a book half filled with favorite quotes from it. Here’s one: “Once in my life I knew a grief so hard I could actually hear it inside, scraping at the lining of my stomach, an audible ache, dredging with hooks as rivers are dredged when someone’s been missing too long.” Funny, poignant, riveting.
Jo Ann says: I second the recommendation for this book. It was a Chi Trib Heartland winner a couple years ago and I always buy my daughter one book by a midwest writer for Xmas so she doesn’t forget her roots now that she lives in the east.
Evonovich, Janet. The Stephanie Plum series.
Kim says: One of my picks for good children’s books – I recommend these for kids also!
Fadiman, Anne. The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down.
Danielle says: Nonfiction but not what you might expect.
Finlay, Victoria. Colour. Buried Treasure.
rooruu says: These books are about the sources of colours and of precious stones, respectively. She combines fascinating detail with travel writing.
Foer, Jonathan Safran. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.
Jenn Says: This is the first book that comes to mind for me. His other book is great too.
Fowler, Earlene. Mystery Series.
Kim says: Loosely based on a quilt theme. My husband enjoyed reading these with me.
Frazer, Margaret. Sister Frevisse Medieval Mysteries.
Gabaldon, Diana. Outlander (and the rest of the series).
Dawn says: If you haven’t read Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series that is a must! Give yourself about 200 pages in the first one to get into it and you’ll be hooked. There are 6 books about 1000 pages each! So that will keep you busy.
rooruu says: Definitely Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series.
Gilbert, Elizabeth. Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for everything Across Italy, India, and Indonesia
bekka says: One of my favorites this year.
Glass, Julia. Three Junes.
jane says: Is it possible no one has mentioned Three Junes by Julia Glass?!
Goldhammer, Catherine. Still Life with Chickens.
rooruu says: I’ve just read this non-fiction title. It was a delightful, thoughtful, quick read.
Guterson, David. Snow Falling on Cedars.
Jo Ann says: my addition since you live in the Northwest is Snow Falling on Cedars. It’s a beautifully written book almost lyrical.
Haigh, Jennifer. Baker Towers.
Hardy, Thomas. The Return of the Native.
texcilla
Harris, Joanne. Five Quarters of the Orange.
Selena says: I read this in my book club and I really enjoyed her food descriptions.
Hegi, Ursula. Stones from the River.
Helprin, Mark. A Soldier of the Great War. A Winter’s Tale.
stephanie s recommends A Soldier of the Great War.
Jodi recommends A Winter’s Tale.
Heyer, Georgette.
rooruu Says: Georgette Heyer is an enduring delight - favourites include Venetia, Frederica, the Unknown Ajax and - well, more than those.
Hornby, Nick. A Long Way Down.
Hosseini, Khaled. The Kite Runner.
Jote says: I loved this book.
Hedgehog also recommends this book.
Jo Ann recommends this book too.
My Mom recommends this book too.
Howard, Elizabeth Jane. The Cazalet Chronicles Series.
Kim says: The story of a British family through WWII, believably told from multiple perspectives.
Ishiguro, Kazuo. Never Let Me Go.
Jin, Ha. Waiting.
Julie recommends this book too.
Jurgensen, Genevieve. The Disappearance: A Primer of Loss.
Nancy says: You’ll also find a short, but amazingly powerful read in a little book. This is a true story written by a former editor of (French) Elle who lost her 2 young daughters. It is translated from the French and is stunningly beautiful. Anyone who is a mother, who has daughters (or sons for that matter), who writes, lives, creates… who thinks about life… will love this book.
Karon, Jan. Mitford series.
rooruu Says: Jan Karon’s Mitford series, which you’ll find either A) charming B) twee or C) capable of inducing a diabetic coma (which is ironic, in the context of one storyline). But her observations of small town life remind me of L.M. Montgomery, who wasn’t afraid of being sharp about the background characters in the Anne books. I find them A) charming. As you can probably tell.
Keyes, Marian. Rachel’s Holiday. Watermelon.
Tammy says: Read these this summer (among other chick lit) and they were awesome!
joyce says: Anything by Marian Keyes especially the ones featuring the Walsh family of Ireland. Each one seems to be from the perspective of a different one of the six Walsh daughters. They are funny but serious too and very well written. They are set in modern times in Ireland and NYC.
Tania Ho says: Past favourites include some of Marian Keyes.
Julie recommends books by Marian Keyes for something fun and light.
Kidd, Sue Monk. The Secret Life of Bees. The Mermaid Chair.
Nancy says: I think you’ll also love The Secret Life of Bees.
My Mom recommends this book too.
Jo Ann recommends The Secret Life of Bees too.
Kidder, Tracy. Mountains Beyond Moutains.
Megan says: Most of the books I am reading at the moment are for class and serious literature (i.e. difficult and boring), but this book is a favourite recently. Not fiction, but worth the read.
King, Stephen. The Stand.
Texcilla
Kingsolver, Barbara. The Poisonwood Bible.
melissa maldonado garcia says: I loved this book.
Kristin Says: Very thought provoking.
Nancy says: I think you’ll also love The Poisonwood Bible.
Hedgehog also recommends this book.
Kristin says: Anything by Barbara Kingsolver is great, especially The Bean Trees, Pigs in Heaven and Animal Dreams.
Kirino, Natsuo. Out.
Joanna says: I love Japanese authors and I recommend anything by Natsuo Kirino.
Lahiri, Jhumpa. Interpreter of Maladies.
Lamb, Wally. She’s Come Undone. I Know This Much Is True.
Kathy: I totally forgot about these books recommended by Jessica. They were given to me by a friend about 7 years ago. Extremely complex character and story development. It was hard for me to believe a man had written She’s Come Undone. Thoroughly enjoyed laughing and crying my way through both these books.
Landvik, Lorna. Angry Housewives Eating Bonbons. Tall Pine Polka.
Kristin says: I like Lorna Landvik’s books.
Li, Yiyun. A Thousand Years of Good Prayers: Stories
bekka says: One of my favorites this year.
Lovesey, Peter. The Reaper.
Kim says: Twisted fun with a pastor as serial killer (that’s not giving anything away).
Texcilla says: Scary!
Mistry, Rohinton. A Fine Balance.
melissa maldonado garcia says: I loved this book.
Murakami, Haruki. Norwegian Wood.
Tania Ho Says: Past favourites include everything by Haruki Murakami, especially Norwegian Wood.
madmommy says: I’ll put in my vote too for anything by Haruki Murakami.
Joanna says: I love Japanese authors and I recommend anything by Haruki Murakami.
Naslund, Sena Jeter. Ahab’s Wife.
Nimmo, Jenny. The Charlie Bone Series of Children’s Books.
Texcilla
O’Brian, Patrick. Aubrey/Maturin Series.
Copper’s Wife says: These were the basis for the movie Master and Commander. They are not “guy” books, though they appeal to men, too. They are humorous, intriguing, and full of romantic sub-plots. We’re hooked on them here and are reading the entire series.
Kim Says: I second the vote for the Patrick O’Brian series, which begins with “Master and Commander” but is NOT the same as the movie. Complex, engaging, literate tale of male friendship. Very subtle humor — sometimes you have to re-read a passage to catch it.
Ozick, Cynthia. Heir to the Glimmering World
bekka says: One of my favorites this year.
Patchett, Ann. Truth and Beauty.
Nancy says: Great non-fiction. Written by an author you will wish you could have dinner with.
Paterson, Katherine. Bridge to Terabithia.
Kim says: One of my picks for good children’s books – I recommend these for kids also!
Pepin, Jacques. My Life as an Apprentice.
Amy says: Wonderfully entertaining non-fiction.
Perez-Reverte, Arturo. The Club Dumas. The Flanders Panel.
Jenny Says: One of my very favorite authors. Really cool, exciting books. The Club Dumas was made into a not-so-great movie with Johnny Depp but don’t let that stop you from reading the book!
Picoult, Jodi.
Tania Ho says: Past favourites include some of Jodi’s books.
Danielle Says: The Pact by Jodi Picoult. I hear that other stuff by the same author is also good.
Powell, Julie. Julie & Julia.
Amy says: Wonderfully entertaining non-fiction.
Julie recommends this book too!
Radish, Kris. Annie Freeman’s Fabulous Traveling Funeral.
Tammy says: Read this summer (among other chick lit) and it was awesome!
Reisman, Nancy. First Desire
bekka says: One of my favorites this year.
Texcilla
Richards, Emilie. Shenandoah Series: Wedding Ring, Endless Chain and Lover’s Knot.
Dawn says: I LOVE Emilie Richard’s books. This series is a bit of easy reading.
Russell, Mary Doria. The Sparrow.
Anamaria Says: I recommend this book to everyone I know–even virtually, it seems!
Sebold, Alice. The Lovely Bones.
rooruu seconds this recommendation.
Sedaris, David. Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim.
Nancy says: Great non-fiction. Written by an author you will wish you could have dinner with.
See, Lisa. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan.
Julie Says: Best book I read in 2005!
Shriver, Lionel. We Need to Talk About Kevin.
Ali says: A novel totally enhanced by the experience of having been a mother.
Sittenfeld, Curtis. Prep.
Smith, Lee. Fair and Tender Ladies.
Straight, Susan. A Million Nightingales
bekka says: One of my favorites this year.
Steingarten, Jeffrey. The Man Who Ate Everything. It Must Have Been Something I Ate.
Amy says: Wonderfully entertaining non-fiction.
Suri, Manil. The Death of Vishnu.
madmommy says: A book I’ve read recently.
Tan, Amy.
Texcilla recommends 100 Secret Senses by Amy Tan.
Tania Ho says: Anything by Amy Tan.
madmommy says: I’ll put in my vote too for anything by Amy Tan.
Jodi recommends The Bonesetter’s Daughter by Amy Tan.
Tartt, Donna. The Secret History.
debra says: The Secret History is one I have to reread periodically and still have a hard time putting it down. An intellectual murder mystery with lots of allusions to classical Greek literature. This book haunts me and even the truly horrible characters you will miss when the book is done. Lyrical, gripping, hypnotizing. Kind of a collegic cult classic.
Thomas, Scarlett. Popco
bekka says: One of my favorites this year.
Trigiani, Adriana. Big Stone Gap series.
Ursu, Anne. Spilling Clarence.
feathernester says: Oh my God, The Time Traveler’s Wife is absolutely my favorite book of all time, and has held that spot for a few years now. Try Spilling Clarence, by Anne Ursu.
Walls, Jeanette. The Glass Castle.
Kim says: One of my picks for good children’s books – I recommend these for kids also!
Waugh, Evelyn. Brideshead Revisited.
Texcilla says: Vintage romance with a sting.
Jodi recommends this book too.
Weiner, Jennifer. Little Earthquakes.
shannon says: Well, if you’re looking for some chic lit then I recommend anything by Jennifer Weiner especially “Little Earthquakes” - has to do with different womens lives as mothers and such. These are easy reads that I like for their entertainment!

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[…] Started Falling Angels by Tracy Chevalier. Another outstanding Book Club recommendation that’s keeping me up past my bedtime. […]
[…] I finished The Kite Runner. Wow, what a great read. Hosseini is a great storyteller, compelling characters and a page turning series of events. I really enjoyed the contrast between the character’s childhood in Afghanistan and life in the US. Lots of sensory detail that makes each scene come alive. Time to peruse the isles of The Book Club for my next read. […]
barbara kingsolver’s writing is some of the best ever. the poisonwood bible is my all time favorite book. what a great list here!
I loved The Red Tent too - Julia x
I love everything by Margaret Atwood. The Handmaid’s Tale was kind of scary, but great. I can also highly recommend “Alias Grace”.
If I may leave you ladies with an excellent recomendation, these two books are worth reading. They seem to capture what bloggers understand…
Drinking the Rain: A Memoir by Alix Kates Shulman
and the The Salt House: A Summer on the Dunes of Cape Cod
by Cynthia Huntington
Sorry, can’t believe the list doesn’t include Jane Austen! Just read all of books, also a few unfinished that were published after her death. Wonderfully descriptive books!