I am a Lover of Books

Before I go all bookish on you today, I have to comment on how much I appreciate all the feedback yesterday.  Infidelity, relationship issues, trust between friends ... they're all volatile topics.  Readers had very strong feelings about yesterday's topic and those feelings came out in your comments and emails.  If you didn't have a chance to read the comments yesterday, you might enjoy doing so today.  Some of them were very enlightening.  Some of them were very angry.  Some of them made me laugh.  Some of them also educated me on activities which take place at bachelor's parties.

<blush>

The cover story of Time this week is, ironically, titled Unfaithfully Yours.  Infidelity is an important topic and I'll come back to it again soon.  For today, I'm going to move on to a lighter, happier, subject.

I love books.  

I love my Kindle (electronic reader).  

My regular readers already know about my love for the written word.  Periodically I've asked you to submit lists of favorite books and bribed you to do so with prizes.  It's something I love to do because I always come away with a lot of new ideas for good reads.  I've found some wonderful books from suggestions left by readers.  It's a win-win! 

I like all sorts of books depending on the mood I'm in.  A few of my favorites over the last few years are Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen, Pillars of the Earth (and the sequel World Without End) by Ken Follett, The Wednesday Sisters by Meg Waite Clayton, and Pretty in Plaid by my fellow blogger Jen Lancaster.  

Oh, and if you want total raunchy romance (explicit) one of my readers recommended the Nauti series by Lora Leigh.  I've only read one book from the series but I'm still fanning myself off.  It's steamy stuff and not for the easily offended.  Of course, if you were easily offended you wouldn't be here visiting me, would you?

All of that being said, I'm doing it again.  I have to be on planes a lot over the next month and a half.  When I'm on planes, or sitting in airports, I consume books at an amazing rate.

I'm offering up a $30 Amazon gift card to one reader today.  

All you have to do to enter is leave a comment giving me the title of a book you've enjoyed.

I'd love to hear of good books you've read this summer, but the title of any book you've appreciated will do.  It can be fiction, nonfiction ... it can even be a cookbook.  

Each comment is worth one entry.  

You may enter as many times as you wish.  If you have five books to recommend, leaving five separate comments will get you five entries but listing them all in one comment only gets you one entry.

I will use a random number generator to pick one person from my comment section as the winner.

Comments must be left prior to 11:00 p.m. Pacific time tonight to be eligible.  I will announce the contest winner tomorrow.  

Good luck and thank you in advance for some great book suggestions!

© Twenty Four At Heart

Comments

[Jan]

Robert Sawyer's Neanderthal trilogy - Hominids, Humans and Hybrids - is excellent. I'm also in the process of reading Julia Child's memoirs, My Life in France. She was such a fascinating lady! It's really very good.

I'm getting Beloved a Kindle 2 for Xmas this year - I think it will be much easier for him to travel with.

[Kristen]

I love my kindle too....

American Wife

Good read and I was sad when it was done.

[Alan]

Great. I haven't read a damn thing all summer and now you go and do this. Nothing like a little competition to get me motivated! My wife just finished that "Twilight" book and she loves it. So that is next on my list. So I'll say..."Twilight"?

[ballerinatoes]

I just finished Jess Riley's "Driving Sideways" and seriously loved it. Girls, a road-trip, a new kidney and humor...what more could you want in a summer read?

[Kate]

Sherilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter series
Janet Evanovich Stephanie Plum series. Literally laugh out loud funny.
okay got to think of some more

[Kate]

Not sure if I should admit this but I fell to the hype of "Twilight" and read it yesterday. All of it in one day. It actually wasn't a bad book and I think I am actually going to have to read the other books in the series.

[Tasses]

Wow, hard choice. I have so many good ones lately. Hmmm...

First one, The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly.

[Tasses]

Ok, second one read a few months ago: The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa (April)

[Tasses]

I'll end with lucky #3. I have saved the very best for last.

If you have not read the young adult novel The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, you must run to a bookstore now and buy it. Best thing I've read in 2 years.

[Jojo]

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Annie Barrows and the late Mary Ann Shaffer.

[Jojo]

The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister.

[Kristan]

If you want a good cry, My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult.

If you want some lighthearted nonfiction, The Joy of Doing Things Badly by Veronica Chambers.

[Kristen]

I just finished Lost & Found by Jacqueline Sheehan, There is a big black Lab in it. I'm a sucker for any book with a big, slobbering dog.

[Jennifer]

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. Favorite book from 2008!

[Jennifer]

Emma by Jane Austen! Great story with lots of chuckles!

[Kristen]

Oh, and if you haven't yet read The Time Traveler's Wife b Audrey Niffenegger, DO IT. The movie comes out next month.

[Jennifer]

Confederates in the Attic by Tony Horowitz. Very entertaining non-fiction.

[Jennifer]

Base Ten by Maryann Lesert. Great story about trying to balance self with family's needs.

[di]

My favorite has always been Captains and the Kings by Taylor Caldwell which although fiction is quite relevant to this day. Part of the book is about the control of wealth and real power in the world in the hands of a few. I read this book while in my twenties and still think about it from time to time. It will kick start your thinking as to how our governments (inner councils) control us and all that happens in this world..

I don't mean to sound like a 'conspiracy theorist' type person. Just saying that this was an interesting read.

Di
The Blue Ridge Gal

[Kristan]

Oh, and if you really don't want to do the Twilight series (even though it's so addictively good! like cocaine!) I recommend Stephenie Meyer's "adult" book The Host. I think it's better-written and a more compelling story.

[Suzy Voices]

The Rabbit Factory
by Marshall Karp

[Suzy Voices]

Bloodthirsty
by Marshall Karp

[Suzy Voices]

Flipping Out
by Marshall Karp

(can you tell I like Marshall Karp?)

[imom]

The Thirteenth Tale, by Diane Setterfield. It's her first novel and really a great read, it's a mysterous "ghost" story!

[Suzy Voices]

This Charming Man
by Marian Keyes

[liv]

I love anything by Rosamunde Pilcher as "comfort read," but particularly The Shell Seekers.

[liv]

Also, I like to have 1960s copies of Mary Stewart mysteries. One of my faves is "My Brother Michael."

[melissa]

I just finished reading Queen Bees & Wannabees in hopes that it helps a little with the preperation of my daughters "Tween" years. Now this is not for another 3 years, but I feel I need all the help I can get :/

I think I need a Kindle. Thanks for the recommendations. I love Jen Lancaster

[churchpunkmom]

being a mom of 5, I don't do much reading these days unless it's to my children.. but I'll throw a few out there..

Green Darkness
by Anya Seton

[onetake]

I hope to have a Kindle one day. :) I've enjoyed The United States of Arugula by David Kamp

[churchpunkmom]

A Midwinter's Tale
by Andrew Greeley

[onetake]

Remake by Connie Willis

[churchpunkmom]

I love graphic novels these days because they're easy to read..

any of the CatWoman books. :)

[churchpunkmom]

um... duh. my book!

No Place Like Home

it's not published, but I could email you a copy. not sure if that would work on Kindle though. :P

[onetake]

Flash Forward by Robert Sawyer

[Holli Buchter]

Iloved Julie and Julia

[imom]

Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult, a great story that touches on organized religion, the death penalty, organ donation and faith.

[LPC]

Disgrace, by Coetzee. Probably not a beach read however. Not for the faint of heart.

[Tracy Davis]

I just finished reading "Running With Scissors". I thought it was interesting but it wasn't something I'd read again and it certainly wasn't a book I just couldn't put down.

[Tracy Davis]

Some books I really enjoyed:

This Much I Know is True
The Other Boleyn Girl

For lighter reading:

The "Shopaholic" Series

[NGS]

Gang Leader for a Day by Sudir Vankatesh. I wanted to go to grad school for a reason and this book reminded me of that reason. It also reminded me of why I failed at grad school. :)

[NGS]

I just reread A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. I read it over and over again when I was an adolescent and rereading it reminded me why. The main character is so relateable. It's a great summer read.

[Shaun]

The Book of Joe
by Jonathan Tropper

[Kristen]

OH! 'It Sucked and Then I Cried' by dooce.com's Heather Armstrong.

[Kristen]

The Dogs of Babel is a great book....strange, but totally engaging. I bet you could read it in a day.

[Kristen]

For a non fiction title that I found strangly facinating:

Stiff by Mary Roach

Really interesting and she really knows how to make use of a footnote. (Which still works on the Kindle, BTW)

[Kristen]

Any of Malcom Gladwell's books:
The Tipping Point
Blink
Outliers

[Brenda]

If you like the paranormal, the Betsy the Vampire series from Mary Janice Davidson had me laughing and crying and wanting more and more with each one.

[Brenda]

The Quickie by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge is a great whodunnit book. I read the whole book breathless about what could possibly happen next, I highly recommend it.

[Elaina]

Good Grief by Lolly Winston. It's one of my all time favorite novels.

[Elaina]

Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer. His books are a little weird but I so love them.

[Shauna]

When You Are Engulfed In Flames
by David Sedaris

[Elaina]

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer. His wife also has one that's kind of good. But I didn't like hers as much. It's called The History of Love by Nicole Krauss.

[Shauna]

Running With Scissors
by Augusten Burroughs

[Elaina]

Digging to America by Anne Tyler

[Elaina]

If you haven't read any of Anita Shreve's books, I love her. My favorites are The Weight of the Water, The Pilot's Wife & Sea Glass.

[Sandra]

The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. It's a historical time travel romance. I highly recommend it.

[Kirsten Wright]

Romance Novels? Check out Teresa Medeiros "Some Like it Wicked"

Murder Mystery/Funny too: Susan Isaacs "Past Perfect"

[Sandra]

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

[Sandra]

Any of the "The Cat Who" books by Lilian Jackson Braun are a fun and quick read.

[Tracy Davis]

K, this is weird.. is it..? odd.. that I like to read the phone book? hahaha.. yeah.. ok, I know that's odd....

movin' on....

hahaha!

[Sandra]

Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie was one I liked a lot and continue to pass on to friends to read.

[Sandra]

The Book of Joe by Jonathan Tropper is another book I pass on to friends.

[1lessjob.com]

The hitch hikers guide to the galaxy series

Douglas Adams was a genius and these books can really make you laugh and think about how screwed up the human race is

[1lessjob.com]

The War of Don Emmanuel's Nether Parts by Louis de Bernières, the first in his latin american trilogy. Very moving tales.

[1lessjob.com]

Señor Vivo and the Coca Lord the second book of the trilogy by Louis de Bernières

[1lessjob.com]

The Troublesome Offspring of Cardinal Guzman the third and final book in the trilogy, all of which are better than Captain Corelli's Mandolin

[Lorna]

Ok, here goes. Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next series. The first one is The Eyre Affair.

[Lorna]

Andrew McCall Smith's The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency series. 1st one is title of series.

[Kim]

I recently finished The Year of Living Biblically by AJ Jacobs. It was hysterical and also very educational. Also, The Unlikely Disciple by a brand-spanking-new author (and long time friend of mine) Kevin Roose was FANTASTIC.

I too love to read and hope to convince my husband to let me get a Kindle soon. I am usually reading at least two different books at any given moment.

[Lorna]

Some of Madeleine L'Engle's "adult" (vs. children's) novels. A Severed Wasp, The Other Side of the Sun, A Winter's Love, A Live Coal in the Sea, and there are many more.

[Dana Austin]

Things My Girlfriend and I Have Argued About by Mil Millington. Less well-known author but plenty funny!

[Dana Austin]

Unreliable Memoirs by Clive James. Another funny one.

[Dana Austin]

A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole. I'm re-reading this book now, having read it in college. It's what made me think, "I've GOT to go to New Orleans!" So I went. And it was just what I expected -- full of quirky, vibrant characters, just like the book.

[Lorna]

A mystery/suspense series is the Patricia Cornwell Kay Scarpetta (main character) books. Kay is a forensic scientist, so they can get a little graphic in the descriptions, but still good reading.

[Linda]

I haven't read anything new in a long time but one of my favorites is "Bridges of Madison County" by Robert James Waller

[Lorna]

Oh, for just silly fun, Elizabeth Peter's Amelia Peabody books. A lot of the earlier ones are not available on Kindle, but some in the series are. Some titles: Lion in the Valley, & The Ape who guards the balance

[onetake]

Nudge by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein. Behavioral economics and some ways to use it to "nudge" people into making better decisions for themselves.

[onetake]

(oh, and I'll second NGS's recommendation of Gang Leader For A Day -- fascinating stuff.)

[Kelly]

I love books too. I really liked I Love You Beth Cooper by Larry Doyle. It's light and funny.

[stacy grossman]

Hi Suzanne:
Have you read The Red Tent by Anita Diamant? I loved this book and highly recommend it.

[stacy grossman]

The Kite Runner and it's sister book. I think it is A thousand Shining suns or something like that.

[OnlyAman]

I really recommend Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk he is also author of Choke & Rant. www.chuckpalahniuk.net

Anyways - the book and movie are both good, but almost seem like separate stories.

[OnlyAman]

The Language of God by Francis S Collins is one in my audio book about Francis' faith in God as well as how he came to it. He was/is one of the key people in the Human Genome Project.

Its interesting.

[OnlyAman]

I Am America (And So Can You!) by Stephen Colbert - yes read it if you have not...

[OnlyAman]

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: The Classic Regency Romance - Now with Ultraviolent Zombie Mayhem! by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith (Kindle Edition - Mar 25, 2009) - Kindle Book

http://www.amazon.com/Pride-Prejudice-Zombies-Classic-Ultraviolent/dp/B0023ZLILK/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=digital-text&qid=1247087229&sr=1-9

Yeah - have only read reviews - but they sounded funny - so there.

[OnlyAman]

The last of my annoying undead banter:

The Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks - i have hear nothing but good things from other readers.

http://www.randomhouse.com/crown/zombiesurvivalguide/index2.html

[Linda]

I haven't read anything new in over a year. But one of my favorites - which you can prbly finish on the plane - is Bridges of madison County by Robert james Waller.

[Linda]

Most Nicholas Sparks books are a light hearted romance.

[onetake]

Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett

[michele]

Sarah's Key

[Beth]

I've gotten some great ideas from these comments!

The one book I've reread already this year was The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. It is sold as a young adult book but I would recommend it to all adults, too. It is a powerful read that will leave you thinking about it long after you've finished reading it.

[Beth]

Earlier this summer, I read The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Sederwick. Couldn't put it down.

[Beth]

Currently, I am reading Everything is Illuminated. Excellent read! Funny, too.

[Midlife Mama]

Oh cool. If I listed all my favorite books, I'd have about 400 entries and I don't think I could get them all posted before 11pm. *snicker*

Okay I won't do that. LOL Here's my first one, the book I'm reaading now:

"Fatally Flaky" by Dianne Mott Davidson

[Midlife Mama]

The Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly

[Midlife Mama]

"Scarpetta" by Patricia Cornwell

[Midlife Mama]

Any of "The Cat Who..." series of books by Lillian Jackson Braun

[Midlife Mama]

"Kill The Messenger" by Tami Hoag