What to read next?

I found the book as disturbing to read as I find Tilda Swinton to look at. Scary stuff

For a sweet, non-traumatic read there's always The Art of Racing in the Rain.

Just finished Gone Girl and it is creepy on the same level as the Defending Jacob and We Need to Talk About Kevin. I also just finished a Flavia de Luce book, which I enjoyed. Next I am reading Still Life and the Laurie King book, so its back to mysteries, and I am still working through Catherine the Great - non fiction usually takes me longer and I usually read it at night while I am not sleeping.

The creepiest/most disturbing book I have ever read is Pet Cemetery. I started it the day before I took a flight to London, and finished it about 3am. I remember being so creeped out that I couldn't fall asleep before my flight and was so jet lagged I fell asleep in Westminster Abbey. I think we were supposed to be appreciating sacred music or something but I nodded off.

I'm just glad they filmed Pet Semetary AFTER we vacationed in the same house.

http://petsematary666.tripod.com/hancock.htm

Just noticed FC's post regarding Barbara Pym. I was on a total BP kick in the '80's -- haven't thought about her in awhile. Really loved her! Agree on the Austen-ness.

You know, I've never been a book club person, but some of us sure do have good overlap in tastes/interests for one. campbell29, look forward to hearing what you think of Laurie King. She's one of a couple of detective-ish writers whose next book I always eagerly await (E. George, Nevada Barr, Robert Barnard being others). Love Lionel Shriver, too, though agree that the Kevin book was both compelling and scarey. Haven't been able to bring myself to watch the film as yet.

Just thought of another: for a literate, historical, adult "vampire/witch" book try Deborah Harkness's "A Discovery of Witches." She has two thus far, this one and a new one forthcoming "Shadow of Night." I found it to be an excellent pageturner with well-developed characters, a lot of legit history and just plain escape. Sometimes described as adult "Twilight." Yes, some romance, U.K. etc.

Barbara Pym is one of my idols. SOME TAME GAZELLE -- JANE AND PRUDENCE -- EXCELLENT WOMEN -- adore them all. They are funny yet totally real. She conveys volumes in a few deft, wry words. Cannot recommend her highly enough.

Just started "a discovery of witches"!
and i would recommend all of gillian flynn's books, absolutely.

kathy said:

Victoria Thompson's Gaslight series is one of my favorites.

Love this series! Just finished the new one and it is one of the best in a while.

You may also like the Molly Murphy series by Rhys Bowen

I started Gone Girl last night but I was just too sleepy to get anywhere but was jolted somewhat awake by one foreshadowy sentence. Also downloaded Art of Fielding and Canada.

debby said:

For a sweet, non-traumatic read there's always The Art of Racing in the Rain.

I finished this last night and really loved it.

Great book.

Campbell - I forget, did you read Let the Great World Spin? Wonderful story with parts told from different character's perspectives (like Pillars of the Earth).

Sometimes I go "cruising" in libraries or bookstores where I pick out random books that seem interesting. Two I got this week are "Portrait of an Addict as a Young Man" and the follow-up "Ninety Days" both by Bill Clegg. Clegg worked as a literary agent in New York when he became gripped by addiction to crack cocaine. I'm reading "Portrait" and so far it's a can't-put-down work. http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/04/01/bill-clegg-recounts-relapse-excerpt-from-memoir-ninety-days.html

At times, when I have time, I treat myself to a "sit-down" book at the library or a large bookstore. I'll take a reasonably-sized, "fast read" book and finish it in one sitting. One unforgettable book was "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" by Jean-Dominique Bauby. I think a film was made, which I never saw, that was based upon the book. http://www.nytimes.com/books/97/06/15/reviews/970615.mallon.html

One other book, considered a young adult selection, was "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" by Jeff Kenney. The Wimpy Kid books are really funny. I wish they were available when I was younger. But, hey, it's never too late.

If you want to read a great YA book, check out the Tale of Despereaux, by Kate di Camillo.

algebra2 said:

debby said:

For a sweet, non-traumatic read there's always The Art of Racing in the Rain.

I finished this last night and really loved it.

It was just lovely.

debby said:

Great book.

Campbell - I forget, did you read Let the Great World Spin? Wonderful story with parts told from different character's perspectives (like Pillars of the Earth).

Yes, I have read it. I agree.

The Dovekeepers was truly awesome.
I also recommend anything written by Ann Pachett - a great story teller who writes beautifully. Am currently reading her latest book: State of Wonder

Yes, I love anything by Ann Patchett. State of Wonder was amazing.

Big fan of Ann Patchett--she writes so well. I really loved Truth and Beauty, her book about her friendship with the late writer Lucy Grealy.

I also have another recommendation for fans of Brit crime novels: Caro Ramsay, whose series is set in Glasgow. She's written 3 novels so far; I'm reading the second one, and it's excellent. Looking forward to reading the other two.

Zadie Smith - On Beauty

Maura, did you also read Lucy Grealy's book (Autobiography of a Face)?

bookgirl said:

Maura, did you also read Lucy Grealy's book (Autobiography of a Face)?

I did, and I loved it. I shed a few tears when I heard she'd killed herself.

I think I am the only person who does not enjoy Patchett, although the only book I've read is Bel Canto.

Try something else--one of my all time favorites of hers is The Magician's Assistant. Not at all like Bel Canto. The Patron Saint of Liars is very good too.

Campbell, you've found me...your soulmate.

Yes, also love Rhys Bowen's Molly Murphy series. And I liked her Evan Evans series also, but I don't think that there has been a new one in awhile.

I read A Discovery of Witches on the recommendation of a friend whose taste in books I often share, but I hated it. I thought that it was not well-written and I just couldn't buy into the plot lines.

Among the mystery series that I keep up with, beyond those already mentioned:

Anne Perry has two different series, one with Thomas and Charlotte Pitt set in the 1890's and one with William Monk that starts in the 1850's. Both have sets of well-portrayed characters that are developed over time. Ms. Perry has a rather quirky writing style but I tend to get sucked into her stories very quickly and not notice. (This is what did not happen for me with A Discovery of Witches.)

Alexander McCall Smith has several series, of which The Number One Ladies' Detective Agency is probably the best known, but I particularly like the one set in Edinburgh that begins with The Sunday Philosophy Club.

Sharan Newman's historical series featuring Catherine LeVendeur, set in 12th-century France, has Heloise and Abelard (and their son Astrolabe) as minor characters.

And my all-time favorite is a series from the 1930's by Dorothy L. Sayers, with Lord Peter Wimsey as the detective. In recent years several volumes have been added by a new author, Jill Paton Walsh, and although I would generally be wary of such a scheme, these are perfect.

So many books, so little time! I have been on a Florence (Italy) kick recently and am currently reading Sarah Dunant's The Birth of Venus.

campbell29 said:

I think I am the only person who does not enjoy Patchett, although the only book I've read is Bel Canto.

That is why you don't enjoy Patchett. Her first two novels, The Magician's Assistant and The Patron Saint of Liars (as mentioned by bookgirl) are so, so much better. I tried to read Bel Canto, couldn't, and haven't read anything of hers since.

I, too, have enjoyed Ann Perry's series! Have to admit they get pretty formulaic after awhile, but I still read them. Also, Sayers but have read the old ones a few times. Good news on the new ones! Thanks! Also Rhys Bowen Murphy series.

Another good Ann Patchett is Run. And I agree with the others, Bel Canto is not her best. (But, to be honest, I liked it too)

Just finished and enjoyed, Life Among the Savages, by Shirley Jackson, probably best known for her short story The Lottery.