I have been so involved lately in the process of creating books, talking books, promoting books and so on, that I’ve suddenly began to flounder when it comes to choosing something to read for pure pleasure. With more books than ever flooding the marketplace, I’ve become overwhelmed by choice. There are so many books, being promoted by so many anxious authors trying to get theirs to the top of teetering reading lists, it’s harder than ever to find that gem in the rubble. I’ve been burned a few times lately by disappointing books, and it’s come to the point where it’s now really hard to make a decision to buy something, even after reading the sample. I have relatively little time for pleasure reading these days, and so obviously I want to spend that time reading great books.
So I throw the gauntlet to you, dear readers. Find my next book! I will purchase the book for my Kindle, read it and post my thoughts in a future post.
To help you, here is a selection of books I love, in no particular order:
- The Time Traveller’s Wife – Audrey Niffenegger
- Cat’s Cradle – Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.
- The Neverending Story – Michael Ende
- The Book Thief – Markus Zusak
- Lovesong – Nikki Gemmell
- Stardust – Neil Gaiman
- The Hunger Games – Suzanne Collins
- The Kitchen God’s Wife – Amy Tan
Of course there are millions of others, but this cross-section of my book collection might give you an idea of what I’d enjoy. By all means, if you are an author, recommend your own book. But tell me what it’s about and why I might like it. Leave your recommendations in the comments, and I’ll blog about any books I end up reading from the list, including why I chose them and what I thought of them – I’ll also post a review on Amazon.
Just so you know, I’m really not into horror, and not particularly fond of romance, though I don’t preclude books with these elements – I’m just not overly fond of the formulaic or gratuitous use of either.
Also, this little experiment doesn’t mean I’m going to turn this into a book review blog, I’m simply looking to get out of my current reading slump and will hopefully find something fantastic to entertain myself with, and subsequently tell everyone about. Vær så god, as we say in Norwegian (in this case, meaning off you go):
I’m addicted to Lee Child at the moment. Read 14 books in 4 months
I’d recommend Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion – zombie story with a difference.
Also recently read and loved City of a Thousand Dolls by Miriam Forster – younger YA.
You can also try Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere or American Gods if you liked Stardust.
Caleb’s Crossing by Geraldine Brooks and Secret River by Kate Grenville. Loved, loved, loved them.
My favorite book ever – The God of Small Things, although you may have already read it as its not new! I just love the authors voice.
So, my recommendation based on you… Alice Have I Been http://www.amazon.com/Alice-I-Have-Been-Novel/dp/0385344139
My recommendations based on books I love… Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
http://www.amazon.com/Bel-Canto-P-S-Ann-Patchett/dp/0061565318
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness, its’s fantastic!
My favourite ever series is The Bronze Horseman Trilogy by Paullina Simons……a bit romancy but a fair amount of focus on Russia during the war etc as well.
I have also been reading lots of Karin Slaughter and Caroline Overington books at the moment.
here’s the book I recommended to you the other day: http://www.amazon.com/Djinn-Nightingales-Eye-S-Byatt/dp/0679762221 modern literature with magical realist ties into folklore
Try ‘Zoo City’ by Lauren Beukes.
If you liked ‘The Neverending Story’ you’ll also like ‘The Stone and the Flute’ by Hans Bemmann.
Cheers.
Well, since you’ve already read the book I rec to everyone (The Book Thief!!! best ever) I’m going to suggest Sacred Scars. It’s dark but not gorey or anything so hopefull that doesn’t count as outright horror? http://knowsprose.com/review-sacred-scars-by-kathleen-duey/
I recommend Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress.
A charming tale of the power of storytelling and the influence that books can have.