^^^^thecheckbook, you might want to check out the CC’s book club thread discussion of “The Elegance of the Hedgehog” - would love your input
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/921062-elegance-hedgehog-june-cc-book-club-selection.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/921062-elegance-hedgehog-june-cc-book-club-selection.html</a>
Just finished “The Last Child” by Jonathan Hart. I couldn’t put it down- great book! In the midst of “The Girl With the Dragon Tatoo” and I love it!
Just finished Lonesome Dove. I’ve seen the movie umpteen times (it’s the only movie that has ever made my husband cry), but had never tackled the book. The mini series was pretty faithful to the novel, but the novel takes you into the head of every major character ( and a few of the minor ones as well). I loved that-it explained a whole lot.
I didn’t want the book to end, and it’s over 900 pages!
Other books I have finished recently: “The Moonflower Vine” by Carleton. I really enjoyed it- about a family and how they interact with each other- very good. Also South of Broad" by Pat Conroy. Didn’t love it but liked it. Maybe a little cheesy at times.
More on “The Last Child”- a psychological thriller. Practically stayed up all night to finish it. Well written and nail biting at times. Some great twists in it.
Another really good one is “In the Woods” by Tana French. A very good Scottish mystery/ thriller. The follow-up “The Likeness” is decent but not as good.
Haven’t read the first 1044 posts of this thread so I hope this book hasn’t been mentioned already. I recently read “Saving CeCe Honeycutt” by Beth Hoffman right on the heels of having read “The Help.” Very interesting juxtaposition. Similar setting. Similar time period. But such different points of view on racial relations. In CeCe, the white employer and her “help” have a mutual admiration society. If you’ve read The Help, you may want to check out CeCe.
I’m currently reading the lightweight “Firefly Lane.” Perfect for a vacation or a lazy afternoon.
Memory Keeper’s daughter
I probably commented on this the first time around but I just re-read Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann. I loved, loved, loved it all over again. I think it may possibly be my favorite book ever. It is so exquisitely written that I ordered several copies and am giving one to all the readers in my family and close friends for their birthdays this year. It’s a book that everyone needs to own because it will be read over and over. As a friend said to me, I can pick up that book, turn to any page, and be immersed in and surrounded by beautiful language.
Another recent read I enjoyed, and coincidentally also set in NY, is Homer and Langley by E.L.Doctorow.
NRDSB4: (post #1043) I agree that Lonesome Dove is a great book! The mini series was also really good, but the movie was very deserving of its Pulitzer! Awesome character development! I read it several years ago, but it would probably be even better a second time. …One of my faves!
Great summer reads for those who would love Venice…the Guido Brunetti mystery series by Donna Leon.
These are well-written books showing the strange workings of the Italian justice system, the oddly Venetian way of life, told from the point of view of a detective in the Venetian Questore. The mysteries are sophisticated ways of delving into the Venetian world more so than a purely CSI type story.
I enjoy reading these books because I can picture all the places, the little alleyways, the campos, the canals. Great summer escapes.
my mom is always recommending the Guido Brunetti series to me.
Just finished the third Steig Larsen book, “The Girl Who Kicked over the Hornet’s Nest”. Do not start this trilogy if you are not prepared to read all three of his books. The books are incredibly addictive and I am sorry that with the death of Larsen, no more Lisbeth. She is a great character, the grown up Pippi Longstocking.
East of Eden
“Brooklyn” by Colm Toibin
Redondo Dave, I loved the series too. There is a rumor that Larsen’s live in girlfriend has the manuscript for book number four. We can only hope!
I’ll second The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo and subsequent 2 books,The Girl Who Played with Fire and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest. I almost bought the 3rd book from Amazon UK so I wouldn’t have to wait for its release in the US.
“The Hemings of Monticello: An American Family”
Long, but very good.
The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff – a book I never expected to like but I was very pleasantly surprised! A great mix of history and modern-day mystery.
Ok…I need help…I started reading The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo…just can’t get into it and I’m soooo upset because EVERYONE I know that has read this book LOVES this book…ugh !
I won’t give up though (sigh).
^^^^It takes a little while but then you get sucked into it.
sometimes I just have to put the book aside and come back a couple of months later when I might be in a different frame of mind. I have done this and found that I loved a particular book. But for some: nope, didn’t happen in spite of others’ raves.