Love “The Book Thief”. Amazing story.
Have “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” on my bedside table. Interesting - but not that far into it.
Dad that loves the Jen Lancaster series. Pretty In Plaid covers her college years. If you have a daughter you will laugh or be very concerned. jennsylvania.com will give you an idea of her style.
Worknprogress…I thought Girl with Dragon Tattoo was terrific. I just saw the movie of Girl with Dragon Tattoo–excellent! It’s in Swedish, with English subtitles which, once movie got going, I didn’t really notice. Yes, there are a few horrific, violent scenes, but the movie was almost as thrilling as the book–something I rarely/never find.
I enjoyed the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo so much that I had to immediately get my hands on the second book, The girl who Played with Fire, and then I ordered the third (the Girl who Kicked the Hornets Nest) from Amazon UK because I couldn’t wait for the US release. I was glad the third basically tied up the story as there will be no more in the series because of the death of the author. I also enjoyed the Dragon Tattoo movie and was glad to see the foreign version – before Hollywood gets it hands on the movie rights to remake it.
For a change of pace, I’m now reading Cutting for Stone. Not too far into the story though. It is a slow read for me.
workinprogress. I would like to buy a kindle to download some of this recommended books…I probably buy it for my kid graduation gift too.
How much you pay average for downloading the books? Should I wait for IPAD? Anyone know the best deal in price for kindle?
This threat is awesome, thanks for sharing your favorite books.
Love this thread and just found it.
Odyssey…I loved cutting for stone, and I have found waiting for the US releases of the Dragon Tattoo trilogy really excruciating, as well.
I’m sure Water for Elephants has been mentioned about a million times, and I read that at the same time as Cutting for Stone. My favorite uncle recommended Out Shooting Horses yesterday…plan to pick that up when I have time. He says it’s starkly written, but still very beautiful.
Greenery – there have been whole threads about the Kindle. You can do a search here in the Parent Cafe. Many current books are $9.99; some a little more, some a little less. You can find many old “classic” books for free. Kindles are sold for one price, from Amazon. Current price is $259.00, I believe.
Another thought re downloading books 
Our library system has quite a selection of ebooks that can be downloaded for your reading or listening pleasure.
My daughter’s high school summer job allowed ipods while working, and she downloaded quite a few books - free - over the course of the summer.
Great advice thanks cbblinker and ignatius…good to know that the libraries are offering that service.
Just finished reading Snow by Orhan Pamuk a second time. Reminds me of Tolstoy. Very haunting and immerses you into an alien, fascinating and very sad world.
Got my 62GB iPad on Saturday. Spent about 4 hours just doing “book reading”, and I must say that I am quite happy with it as a book reading device. Now I have the entire Project Gutenberg literally at my finger tip (LOL).
Serious envy padad…
To bring this back on topic, really enjoyed the new Michael Lewis book “the big short”. While definitely telling only a portion of the story, he does do a good job of explaining the mortgage crisis meltdown from the perspective of some investors who saw it coming - and figured out how to make money of the meltdown.
This thread is on p. 11! Anybody reading anything good?
I just have to share this one: Born Under a Milliion Shadows by Andrea Busfield. Realistic fiction about Afghanistan. Her first novel, and it’s a fantastic read.
I’m not up for searching through this thread so don’t know if it has been mentioned, but I just finished “Run” by Ann Patchett. I really like how she writes. I’m looking forward to the discussion at Book Club next week.
Just finished “The Irresistible Henry House.” I loved it. I had never heard of “practice babies.” Whew - what a concept!
First Contact by Evan Mandery.
It’s like half Woody Allen, half sci-fi. Almost like a more topically mature/deep Douglas Adams.
Not sure if anyone has mentioned the Dresden Files Series by Jim Butcher. The latest book, Changes just came out. It is fantasy, not my normal reading material, but the books just suck you right in.
[Jim-Butcher.Com:</a> Books - Dresden Files](<a href=“http://www.jim-butcher.com/books/dresden/]Jim-Butcher.Com:”>Dresden Files | Jim Butcher)
“Growing Up bin Laden: Osama’s Wife and Son Take Us Inside Their Secret World”
Very alarming but revealing view into bin Laden’s private life.
“Street Without a Name: Childhood and Other Misadventures in Bulgaria” by Kapka Kassabova
Very enjoyable, well written memoir about communist Bulgaria
Currently enjoying “In The Neighborhood - The search for community on an American street, one sleepover at a time” by Peter Lovenheim.
“The Elegance of the Hedgehog”