Talking about favorite books and authors - we do a lot of that in the book blogging world. We share recommendations and give our opinions, talk about what works for us and what doesn't. We mention frustrations with certain themes or are amazed at how simple words written in a specific way can sweep us away to another time or world. We are lovers of books and language.
Recently, I read Anne Bogel's new book, I'd Rather Be Reading, and I shared this quote from it:
On being asked to relate your 'favorite' book:
Aside from the sheer impossibility of choosing just one favorite book, her question was daunting for another reason: I felt I'd been asked to lay my soul on the table. Reading is personal and never more so than when we're sharing why we connect with certain books.
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I'm not going to ask you to 'lay your soul on the table'. However, I would like to get some suggestions and recommendations for books that have touched you in a special way, books that might have come to you at the 'perfect' time. I'd like to know authors that you love or a book that you have recommended over and over. I know that with as many books as we read, it's tough to choose a 'favorite'. You could mention 'one' favorite though or a favorite author.
If someone asked me that question, I have a couple of answers. For a book that I think everyone should read and that I've recommended many, many times - Being Mortal by Atul Gawande. A book that will touch your heart and give you and your loved ones much food for thought.
I think almost everyone is aware that Louise Penny is probably my favorite author for fiction. Yes, there are others that I love as well, but if I had to pick one, she'd be it. Again, her books touch my heart and my soul in special ways.
If you'd feel comfortable doing so, please share an author, a book, or a series of books that you'd recommend I try. I'm planning on doing exactly that next year - trying books that I might not have ever considered. I'll keep a list and let everyone know how these suggestions worked for me. And I'll keep up with who pointed me in the right direction.
Oh, and if you can think of a clever title for an occasional post about this, share that as well. And thanks! I look forward to hearing your thoughts...
Being Mortal was very good (and a timely read for me and my siblings). Normally it's hard for me to come up with my favorite books but this morning when I thought about it Dr. Zhivago came to mind. I read it in college (as part of a Russian history course) and was completely enthralled with it. I wonder if it would hold up 40 years later.
ReplyDeleteI've not read Dr. Zhivago though I've certainly heard of it. Have you seen the movie? Putting it on my list, Mary.
DeleteI HATE that question! My mind goes blank, I can't think of a book I loved ... My go-to answer is Pride & Prejudice (sometimes Jane Eyre) -- because I do love them and have read them multiple times. Currently, I'm all about Outlander, because the new season started on STARZ
ReplyDeleteCandace, I've not watched the Outlander series on TV, but I've read the first book twice! I keep meaning to continue. Putting Outlander on my list. And I've read Pride & Prejudice, but not for a long time - same with Jane Eyre. Maybe I could try the original and then one of the newer updates as a comparison. Food for thought. And I know it's hard to come up with a 'favorite'. I also think it's a bit of a risk. I once told a friend about Louise Penny and she read the first book and then came back and told me why she hated it and why I shouldn't read them. I was shocked and kind of mad. LOL
DeleteI felt that way when a friend said she didn't like Beach Music by Pat Conroy! She tore it apart (not literally) and it broke my heart that she didn't love it as much as I did.
DeleteI need to add Beach Music to my list, Les. You've praised it for so many years and I've loved other books by Conroy. Not sure why I never read it.
DeleteBeing Mortal was one I read twice; excellent - although the senior ladies in my book group thought it was too depressing:)
ReplyDeleteI love Will Schwabe, (audios very good as well) both NF titles. The End of Your Life Book Club or Books for Living.
Diane, thanks for Will Schwabe suggestions. Have not read either - heard good things. Onto my list they go. And, yes, I think some people react to Being Mortal that way. For me it was very emotional and thought provoking.
DeleteI agree about Will Schwabe's book. I've only read the first (actually listened to the audio) and hope to read his other book.
DeleteYou know how I feel about Being Mortal. Excellent book. Might be time to read it again...
Les, I'd say that it might be time for you to revisit Being Mortal. Hugs.
DeleteI love Louise Penny and Jane Austen and Tolkien and so many others in various genres. Lately my favorite is Lyndsay Faye. I started with Jane Steele, then NetGalley offered The Paragon Hotel (loved! but it won't be out until Jan.), and am now reading The Gods of Gotham. Favorites come in all sizes, genres, and time of need, don't they?
ReplyDeleteJenclair, I've read The Gods of Gotham - loved it! Glad you are reading some of her other books. I'm putting Paragon Hotel and Jane Steele (to go with Candace's suggestion of Jane Eyre above) on my list. You might also try Dust and Shadow by that author. Jack the Ripper and Sherlock Holmes. Read it last year I think. Very good.
DeleteI agree with you on Being Mortal. Another great nonfiction book is Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson. A fiction book that really touched me was Lucia, Lucia by Adriana Trigiani.
ReplyDeleteKathy, thanks for the Just Mercy suggestion and I picked up Lucia, Lucia the other day at a library book sale. How lovely! Both will be on my list.
DeleteI never can think of a favorite book when asked! I always blank out. Have you read the Wesley Peterson series by Kate Ellis? It might be a little hard to find but I've really enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteKatherine, the Kate Ellis books are a great suggestion. I read the first in the series probably 10 years ago. I always meant to continue. Putting that series on my list. It's a little different isn't it, but quite interesting.
DeleteThis is exactly why giving a quick answer of your favorite book is so difficult, for the very reason that it is so personal! Even if you and I enjoyed the same title, it could be for different reasons. I DO NOT have even one favorite author or series that you probably haven't tried, I guarantee it! So here are some other choices for you to check out, not necessarily favorites because you already know and have read all my faves, lol.
ReplyDeleteHere's my take on mild, moderate, and high intensity in crime fiction mysteries.
Mild: William Kent Krueger's Cork O'Connor series (rural MN, very much entwined with the local Native American rez and history). It can be read as stand-alones-- but shouldn't-- for best satisfaction. The MCs all grow and change along the way. It's not a fast-moving mystery series; it's very much character and setting driven.
Moderate: Have you tried the Tracy Crosswhite series, set in Washington state by Robert Dugoni? I really like this author and just read a book from his older series. Nicely written books.
Intense, gritty, some violence: I recommend Owen Laukkanen's Stevens & Windermere series. I've read them all, and was gifted a signed hardcover of one from him.
Honorable mention authors: John Verdon, David Baldacci, Tami Hoag, Lisa Gardner, Meg Gardiner, Linwood Barclay, John Lescroart, Laura Griffin, Alex Kava.
For non-fiction, off the top of my head: I'll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara, Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson, Columbine by Dave Cullen, Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom, anything by Jon Krakauer, Going Clear by Lawrence Wright, Lots of Candles- Plenty of Cake by Anna Quindlen.
Rita, you are a star! Love this! And yes, I've heard of most of these, have read some, but have not read others. You did a good job of suggesting books across the spectrum and I will put each author or the individual book on my list.
DeleteI find it impossible to tell someone my favorite book because there are just too many books that I love. It's a little bit easier to suggest a favorite author, but still tricky, because I love more than one. But three of my favorite authors are: Simone St. James, Patricia A. McKillip, and Edith Wharton. Oh, and I also really love Henry James. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is hard I know, but I appreciate your thoughts and suggestions, Lark. I've read one book by Simone St. James and really liked it. Putting her on my list. I've not had the best success with Henry James, but I did like The Turn of the Screw. Maybe I could try another - I kind of got bogged down in Portrait of a Lady. Edith Wharton - never read any of her books - maybe I could try a book and a movie adaptation. I'll think on it. Patricia A. McKillip - I'm fairly certain my husband has read several of her books - he's the fantasy reader in the house. I'll talk to him about her and see if he had a favorite he remembers. My thanks for your great suggestions!!
DeleteI'm with Beth F - my mind goes blank when it comes to this question! haha... Today I would say Persuasion by Jane Austen. I loved the main character because I think when I was younger I could relate to her struggle of feeling like your interests were put aside in order to satisfy others first. And, so many other reasons why of course. Can't wait to see what others recommend!
ReplyDeleteOh I loved Persuasion and think it's about time to read it again! I'm thinking I might do a Jane Austen reread and also include one of the recent updates to see how they work for me. I watched the movie The Jane Austen Book Club last night and it got me thinking...hmmm...
DeleteIt's so hard to think of a favourite book; it's like asking you to choose a favourite child, lol.
ReplyDeleteI went through my reviews list and found some titles which I loved:
1) The Lost Girls by Heather Young
2) Yesternight by Cat Winters
3) Redemption Road by John Hart
4) The Longest Night by Andria Williams
And finally, the Last Policeman series by Ben H. Winters. There're a few others as well but then this list will be never ending, lol.
Looking forward to seeing what other readers will suggest! :)
Perfect, Melody! Let's see - I've read a couple on your list, but I'm always up for a reread. I'll put all of them on my list and thanks for reminding me about Ben Winters' series. I read the first one with the mystery group, but didn't ever continue. I'm getting excited about my reading for next year!!
DeleteI think you've read Kate Morton, but if you haven't, I'd highly recommend her gothic mysteries. Also, The Night Circus is one of my favorites that I'm always pushing on people!
ReplyDeleteI have read some of Kate Morton's books, not all. I know about The Night Circus, but have not read that one. On the list it goes. Thanks!
DeleteI find this question so hard partly because I enjoy different books at different times and so my answer changes depending on my mood. The books that had the biggest impact on me I read in my teens, perhaps because they 'spoke' to me at that age. In recent years I'd offer up The Night Watch by Sarah Waters and The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne
ReplyDeleteI totally understand what you mean - my reading tastes have changed over the years. And then sometimes I go back to books that I read years ago and revisit them. I'll note the two you suggested. I've not read anything by either author, but I have certainly heard good things. Thanks!
DeleteI have been thinking on this but nothing obvious and earthshaking occurs to me. A lot of my favorite authors write spy fiction.
ReplyDeleteI do have a favorite series by an author from the UK (now deceased). Jill McGown wrote a police procedural series about two partners (Inspector Lloyd and Sergeant Judy Hill) who also have a romantic history. Not my usual kind of thing but I loved it. First book is A Perfect Match (1983) and was written as a standalone. Only problem is, I don't know how easy they are to find.
I will keep thinking on this.
Tracy, this is perfect. And I see that between the two libraries that use, they have all but the first book. Ha! I've requested for them to see if I can get it from interlibrary loan. I have read spy fiction in the past, not so much now. I used to love reading Robert Ludlum if you consider that 'spy fiction'. Maybe more 'conspiracy fiction'. So, Jill McGown is on my list.
DeleteI don't know how to answer this question, but I do want to comment on Louise Penny. I started the Armand Gamache series because you were always talking about how much you loved it. The series really is something special because it touches me in a unique way. The novels are different than other crime novels. They're fuller in so many ways. I'm grateful to you for introducing me to Penny's books -- they really are awesome! And so are you :)
ReplyDeleteSusan, you are so sweet! And I've gotten a lot of wonderful book recommendations from you - such as Julia Keller's books - love them. Yes, I do think that Louise Penny has a little special gift of 'touching the soul'.
DeleteLike lots of other people here my mind went blank and hasn't really come up with much of an answer. Louise Penny is such a special author that she deserves mention I feel, and it's been interesting reading other people's comments about her here. I also love Fred Vargas's Adamsberg series, for the same reason, they have such depth and the characters feel so real. Same with Elly Griffiths's Ruth Galloway books. I wish I could say why some authors touch me and others don't even come close.
ReplyDeleteCath, you did share a favorite author - Fred Vargas - and I've been watching your progress through that series for quite a while. I'll put it on my list too - looks like I'll be trying lots of new series. Which I love!
DeleteMy recommendations could fill a book, but off the top of my head I would recommend Rosamunde Pilcher, Lisa Genova, Kelly Corrigan, Jodi Picoult, Stephen King, Kent Haruf and Mary Doria Russell. As far as books? Oh, my goodness. Beach Music. The Shell Seekers. 84, Charing Cross Road. The Book Thief. Tell Me More. Before We Were Yours. A Gentleman in Moscow. OK, I better quit. :)
ReplyDeleteLes, I think you and I have talked about several of these books and authors and some I have read - some I have not. I remember when you first told me you loved Beach Music - was a long time ago. I'm hoping to try it in the new year. I'll note down all the books and authors. I'm also thinking about reading The Shell Seekers again.
DeleteNo promises, but if you read Beach Music or The Shell Seekers, let me know and maybe I'll read along with you. :)
DeleteWill do, Les.
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