What is the one book you recently read that you couldn’t stop talking about?
Elizabeth
WAITER RANT by the Waiter --- it is nice to know that there are others who think the same way that I do, at times!
Terri Franks
THE SPACE BETWEEN US by Thrity Umrigar
Yasmin Coleman
THE RED TENT by Anita Diamant
Magdalene Iglar
FORESKIN'S LAMENT by Shalom Auslander is laugh-out-loud funny while depicting growing up in an ultra orthodox Jewish community. I loved the humor, the author's audacity, and I learned much about this branch of Judaism.
Loretta Sanford
TELEX FROM CUBA by Rachel Kushner --- we really were the "Ugly Americans" taking what we wanted in resources and not treating the Cuban people well (before Castro threw us out). But their leaders were corrupt and not any better than we were.
Bonnie Capuano
It's *books*, actually, and it's Nora Roberts's trilogy Sign of the Seven. I love them...very easy to read and you don't want to book the books down.
Patricia Sanders
HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET by Jamie Ford
Deborah Oller
DEATH OF A STRANGER by Anne Perry is definitely 5 stars with me. This is part of the Monk series. In this book we finally find out about the life that Monk had forgotten about and why it happened. A real page turner.
Dave Rudy
HOT, FLAT, AND CROWDED by Thomas Friedman
J. Barrett
THE OUTLANDER by Gil Adamson
Lynne Perednia
GILEAD by Marilynne Robinson. What a lovely book of forgiveness and love. I'm looking forward to her follow-up novel involving the same characters, HOME.
Linda M. Johnson
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Lori Fronk
THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins
Sue, Saratoga
THE SENATOR'S WIFE by Sue Miller
Sandy Sizemore
THE BOOK THIEF by Markus Zusak
Laura Lanik
AHAB'S WIFE by Sena Jeter Naslund --- It was awesome!
Laura
SHELTER ME! I really loved that book.
Peggy
The Kite Runner
Toni Blair
The Art of Racing in the Rain
Leanne
The Time Traveler's Wife
Cheryl Kraus
The Art of Racing in the Rain
Karen Haney
THE LEISURE SEEKER --- This little book that I didn't hear a lot about before I got it as an advanced copy to review, was amazing. Funny, poignant, and all the things I love in a good novel, especially great character studies!
Jane
IN THE WOODS by Tana French
Sharon
Bel Canto
BSTM
RED KNIFE by William Kent Krueger
Connie Gentry
THE BIRDMAN by Mo Hader. I couldn't believe I'd never heard of this writer or her books, even if she is British. I've alerted all my reading buddies and we're reading up a storm.
Bookfestival
I would like to recommend THREE CUPS OF TEA: The Young Reader's Edition. If you or a person in your life eight or older, this is a wonderful book. I read the adult version and loved it, now I'm reading the young reader's edition. The young readers edition is a much more personal story. It has maps, pictures, a glossary, a forward by Jane Goodall and a delightful interview with Amira, the author's daughter. This is a must-have book.
Lana E. Mason
LIFE STUDIES by Susan Vreeland
M. R.
WALKING THROUGH WALLS --- I laughed through the entire book.
Andrea
SHANTARAM by Gregory David Roberts
Carol Fox
The Journal of Helene Barr
Malvina Yock
LITTLE DORRIT by Charles Dickens
Beverly
THE SHADOWS by L. A. Banks
This is book eleven in the twelve-book Vampire Huntress Legendseries. This is a series of good v. evil in the ongoing war. The good gives it as well as the bad. Using a mixture of elements, this is a book that will keep you turning pages and you will even like a "bad" person or two (at least for a couple of minutes).
Lisa
THE MYSTIC ARTS OF ERASING ALL SIGNS OF DEATH th by Charlie Huston
Kathryn McNamara
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
kattykathy
The Lovely Bones
Marion Miller
THE ROAD HOME by Rose Tremain
B. Markiewicz
The Soloist
David Siegel
THE BLUE WIDOWS by Jon Land.
Nancy T Thompson
Loving Frank
Whit
Water for Elephants
Fran
The Leisure Seeker
Mary Jane Weishar
SARAH'S KEY and SHELTER ME
Lindsay Roseberry
Three Cups of Tea
Sandra Hughes
THE STORY OF EDGAR SAWTELLE by David Wroblewski
Bob Runyon
Black Ops
Roseann
THE SHACK --- I want everyone I know to read this book. I am thinking of passing it on and then buying more copies to hand out to others.
Suzanne in Ohio
STILL ALICE by Lisa Genova
Lynn Clifford
The Heretic's Daughter
Diane La Rue
TEAM OF RIVALS by Doris Kearns Goodwin is a book I can't stop talking about. The parallels between Lincoln and his savvy, and Barack Obama make this a timely read.
I grew up in Auburn, NY, where William Seward lived, and was fascinated by the research Goodwin did in my hometown.
Irene Yeates
A THOUSAND VEILS by D.J. Murphy is based on a true story of an Iraqi woman who is on Saddam's death list because she continued to write about the plight of ordinary Iraqis under Saddam's regime. A debut novel that moves from the literary genre to a thriller. Amazing story and an unforgettable read.
Nancy Sampson
Marley & Me
Ann Smith
WORLD WITHOUT END by Ken Follett
Jeanette Milliner
The Twilight series and Lady Grace series.
Rosalie Sambuco
THE SHACK by William P. Young. It is still in the forefront of my mind. I bought 2 extra copies to give to friends, and I encouraged my husband to read this book so he could join our discussion.
Marsha
Loving Frank
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle
Kristy
THE MIDDLE PLACE by Kelly Corrigan
Rita Carter
I really enjoyed THE RIDE OF OUR LIVES. It's a nonfiction about an extended family that takes a month-long vacation in 2 motor homes. The parents reminded me so much of my own parents! What a wonderful trip.
Joyce
THE HOUR I FIRST BELIEVED by Wally Lamb
Robert E. Brown, Sr.
MANHUNT by James L. Swanson --- this is the most comprehensive history of the story of John Wilkes Booth that I have ever read. I now have to go out and buy it for re-reading. I just have to talk about it because it was so good.
Judy Dils
COAL BLACK HORSE --- a very vivid description of the Civil War. Even the language puts you right there.
Susan
RUNNER by Thomas Perry. I am just happy that he finally wrote another book in this series. I've been telling everyone about the earlier books.
Madeline
THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins
Olivia
THE GARGOYLE by Andrew Davidson
Anna Robinson
BONES OF BETRAYAL by Jefferson Bass.
This writing team is from Knoxville, TN and has written four mysteries that have connections with "The Body Farm at the University of Tenn." "Bones" is set in Oak Ridge, TN, which was a part of the Manhattan Project during World War II. Since I live in Oak Ridge, I found the book fascinating.
Karen Terry
Fearless Fourteen
Mary Q.
TESTIMONY by Anita Shreve. (My husband and I both read it, had a couple of great conversations about its issues, and then I talked it up to three reader friends who, on my recommendation, read it and also thought it was terrific!)
Dolores Purzycki
THE HISTORIAN by Elizabeth Kostova
Lee
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Sue
The Reader
Dia
THE HOUR I FIRST BELIEVED by Wally Lamb
Curt Jarrell
THE MONSTERS OF TEMPLETON by Lauren Groff. I am a bookseller and loved this book so much that I have been recommending it to all book club leaders ever since. Copies sold so far: 70. Unhappy readers 0. It is a great read with lots of heart, drama, suspense, laughs and surprises and is original and well written. do yourself a favor and buy this book. Buy 2 copies so you can it with a friend. Yes, it is that good.
Francine
THE FORGER'S SPELL by Edward Dolnick
Jean Craig
UNCHARTED by Angela Hunt. It really made me look at my life and how I was treating others.
Jo from NY
I've been telling anyone and everyone to read THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. It was the most charming and delightful read I've had in a long time. Set on the island of Guernsey immediately following World War II and written entirely in a series of letters, it tells the story of how the locals lived during the German occupation and how they are dealing with the aftermath. The characters will remain with you for a long time.
Lois Cairl
The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo
Lynn
Water for Elephants
The Art of Racing in the Rain
Manish Patwari
RAT: How the World's Most Successful Rodent Rose To The Top by Jerry Langton
R. Honey
The Guernsey Literary And Potato Peel Pie Society
Carol
THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY by Mary Ann Shaffer, Annie Barrows
Alexis
Still Alice
Barbara Goettler
John Grisham's THE APPEAL
Barbara Goettler
CHANGE OF HEART by Jodi Picoult
Michelle Saroki
THE SNOWBALL by Alice Schroeder (a Warren Buffet Biography) --- A fantastic book about business, life and marriage. I could not put the 849-page book down.
Cat Matkovic
THE DAILY COYOTE by Shreve Stockton
Elizabeth V
THE STORY OF EDGAR SAWTELLE by David Wroblewski
Linda
THE PILLARS OF THE EARTH - Ken Follett
Brenda Klaassen
ASTRID AND VERONIKA by Linda Olsson
Antoinette Tomasich
THE BOOK THIEF by Markus Zusak
Lea Ann in Seattle
THE GARGOYLE by Andrew Davidson. This book begins with a horrific scene of an automobile accident, in which the driver, the main character of the book, is horribly burned. In his hospital room, a young woman appears, claiming a relationship with him beginning in 1300. The book continues with stories of their shared past, the present they are now sharing and the future yet to come. Once the reader gets "hooked" there is no putting this book down.
Phyllis Hartman
DEATH IN A PRAIRIE HOUSE: Frank Lloyd Wright and the Taliesin Murders, written by William R. Drennan
Dena W.
VEXING THE VISCOUNT by Emily Bryan
Kathy Vieira
Every book-related conversation (and some that are not book related!!) that I have had lately contains something about Pete Hamill's NORTH RIVER. A master storyteller who has a great love for New York (as I do), Pete Hamill brings to life the struggle of the working class neighborhoods during the Great Depression. Filled with lovely characters with interesting stories and superlative writing, this is a book recommended to people from 15-100! Oprah, are you listening??
Debbie
THE GIVEN DAY by Dennis Lehane. This is an amazing book!! It was definitely worth waiting for.
Lyn B
I just finished THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN and have told many of my friends about it.
Gary
THE BARBED-WIRE KISS by Wallace Stroby. A thriller/mystery with some of the best writing and dialogue I've ever read for this type of book.
Claudia
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society!
Emily Eller
SAME KIND OF DIFFERENT AS ME by Ron Hall and Denver Moore
Peggy
Mrs. Astor Regrets: Inside the Unraveling of a Great American Dynasty
F Tessa Bartels
CROW LAKE by Mary Lawson
Lynn Ketelsen
THE FRIDAY NIGHT KNITTING CLUB by Kate Jacobs
Val
THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN by Garth Stein
Emily
THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY by Mary Anne Shaffer and Annie Barrows
Emily
The Survivors Club by Ben Sherwood
Emily
MISTER PIP by Lloyd Jones
Reader4life
THE ROPE WALK by Carrie Brown
What a beautifully written book. If you haven't read it yet, you should!
Sue Spencer
FOUCOULT'S PENDULUM by Umberto Eco
ck
LOVING FRANK by Nancy Horan
Debbie
HEARTSICK and SWEETHEART by Chelsea Cain
Juanita
THE KITE RUNNER, for our Feb. book duscussion. I read the book a few years ago, and saw the movie but I am still enjoying reading the book again. It's not a "happy" book, but it is very well written.
Neworleans Reader
THE PRINCE OF FROGTOWN by Rick Bragg
Mary
CJ Box's THREE WEEKS TO SAY GOODBYE
Michelle
THE BOOK OF UNHOLY MISCHIEF by Elle Newmark --- It is a whole new concept to me.
Melissa
CHANGE OF HEART by Jodi Picoult
MarthaE
I guess this would be THE SHACK by William P. Young.
Fran
Water for Elephants
Twilight
Plain Truth
Bill
THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO has a great plot, is well written, and has just the right amount of suspense and intrigue.
Carroll
The Kite Runner
Linda Jitmoud
DUMA KEY, the latest novel by Stephen King, continued to haunt me long after I read the last page. It's long, but I definitely recommend it. (Some say they're not Stephen King fans. I wasn't either until recently.)
Kay M.
THE GEOGRAPHY OF BLISS by Eric Weiner --- Both of my book groups read this book and had interesting discussions on happiness.
Leola Harris
THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES by Sue Monk Kidd. I think it is going to be my no.1 favorite book for all time.
Deirdre
THE HOUR I FIRST BELIEVED by Wally Lamb --- I couldn't put it down. It was one of the best books I've read in a very long time and well worth the ten-year wait! There were several stories within the main story, each one very compelling. It makes one really think about how our histories and past generations influence our lives.
Gloria Buchanan
DIVINE JUSTICE by David Baldacci
GB
CATHEDRAL BY THE SEA by Ildefonso Falcones, a wonderful historical book.
Jeanine M. Pappas
The Art of Racing in the Rain
Catrina
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Bonnie Gluhanich
Still Alice
Bonnie Capuano
It would have to be THE SHACK. It really meant a lot to me and I gave a copy of it to our Priest.
Marleen Davis
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle
Cat
THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, one of the year's best.
KC
Infidel
Rosalie Ciardullo
I read the arc of VERY VALENTINE by Adriana Trigiani and loved every moment of it! It was entertaining in so many ways and in these difficult times, I think that readers will appreciate the humor, beauty, romance, etc. that this story imparts, taking them to a different place for awhile.
Jerri Patton
I couldn't stop talking about the Young Readers Edition of THREE CUPS OF TEA. I have recommended it to everyone with a child eight or older. I loved the original adult version, but I like the Young Readers Edition maybe even a little more. It has a great interview with Amira, the author's daughter, along with a glossary, maps and it's just a more personal story.
Gail Cornell
TWILIGHT by Stephenie Meyer
Michelle Berry
I loved and still talk about Carla Neggars's COLD PURSUIT. It was such a good book.
Michelle Miller
TWILIGHT, of course!
Olga Purgavie
Seducing Harry
Sue W.
LOVING FRANK --- not because it was a favorite book of mine, but because it was so controversial.
Kasi Kirby
A.J. Tata's SUDDEN THREAT. He's a new novelist who is a Brig General in the Army, and his debut novel filled with action, thrills, military action, and up-to-the-minute terror scenarios that will keep you up all night.
Karen Butcher
The Twilight books by Stephenie Meyer.
Barb
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
Winterlily
It was the book POWER PLAY by Joseph Finder. It was astounding.
Kim Mullin
WHERE THE RIVER ENDS by Charles Martin
Jeannine
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Ruth Ross
I loved Peter Manseau's award-winning novel, SONGS FOR THE BUTCHER'S DAUGHTER. Manseau got the atmosphere of turn-of-the-20th-century Jewish Russia and the Lower East Side just right; his research was seamless. Riveting!
Barbara Broberg
CAN'T WAIT TO GET TO HEAVEN by Fanny Flagg
Debbie
SONG YET SUNG by James McBride
Gail Coulson
SERENA by Ron Rash is one of the best books I have read in a long time. Even though I didn't like the main character (Serena) because she was ruthless, I think it was due to Mr. Rash's great writing that caused me to feel this way. I had read two other books by Mr. Rash which I thought were very good also.
Pam
A THREE DOG LIFE by Abigail Thomas
Suzanne
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Sally Gawne
An arc of WAGGIT'S TALE was sent to me by Harper Children and I thought it was just the best book. I think I tell everyone I can about it as it is for ages 9+. It has wonderful characters that could be anyone you know and how to survive with friends. WAGGIT AGAIN is coming out soon but I guess I have to just wait for it!
Vivian Watts
THE ASSOCIATE by John Grisham
Pattie Berryhill
John Lennon: The Life
Dave Rudy
HOT, FLAT AND CROWDED by Thomas Friedman. I encourage many folks to read this book. I would love to have our new US President read this book as well, along with all members of Congress so we can get our act together.
Sandra S.
Water for Elephants
Irish
The Shack
Pat Stuckey
THE CHRISTMAS SWEATER by Glenn Beck
Mary Lou
I haven't come across a book like that in a while. However, I saw the movie version of THE READER yesterday and can't wait to get my hands on the book.
Marion Miller
THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN by Garth Stein --- I just loved that dog!
Jaye
Out Stealing Horses
Kathy Kasten
Phillipa Gregory did a Wideacre series that featured some of the nastiest characters I have ever encountered. My whole group read that series and really couldn't get over it.
Stephen Noel
DERAILED by James Siegel
Peggy Carlin
Like Lay's potato chips, I can't have just one. The three are John Hart's THE KING OF LIES and DOWN RIVER, plus the not-to-be-missed DAMAGE CONTROL by Robert Dugoni, who has a new book coming soon. I can't wait!
Ronna L
DOG ON IT by Spencer Quinn
There are many duos in the mystery world, but when Chet “lifted his leg” and marked his place in my heart, I knew that this duo of Chet --- a mutt --- and his detective partner, ex-cop Bernie were destined to be my new favorite pair. Chet tells their story of searching for a missing teenager who seems like a model child; maybe even including the bag of grass (not grass cuttings from her yard) that Chet sniffs out under her bedside table. Her parents hire Bernie and then fire Bernie, but the duo never quits until they search and seek to their own satisfaction. Bernie feels the pains of child loss because he has to share his son, Charlie, with the ex-wife from ‘society hell’. What our duo discovers surprises everyone but Chet. The humor is worth the read alone. Add a great mystery to a great man/dog pairing and there is a new winning team for mystery fans.
Harriet Stay
THE GIRLS WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO by Stieg Larsson, and MISSING by Karin Alvtegen. Both outstanding. I have even loaned my copies to friends.
Eleanor Grams
THE STORY OF EDGAR SAWTELLE --- beautifully written, many layers to the story, and an unusual subject.
Martha Brown
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle
Kathleen Boucher
NINETEEN MINUTES by Jodi Picoult --- There's so much to discuss: teen pressure, loyalty to friends, how important is it to be "popular", how our actions hurt others, sometimes fatally deep. A truly wonderful book for discussion, yet a good novel!
Bob Hartzo
ALASKA by James A. Michener
Jack Thompson
THE EIGHT by Katherine Neville
Ro Blake
THE SECRET SCRIPTURE by Sebastian Barry. An interesting, absorbing biography of a 100-year-old Irish woman and the doctor who is trying to help her.
RitaB
VERY VALENTINE by Adriana Trigiani. I loved this book!
Sandy Person
Still Alice
Mary Allred
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle
Linda H.
DOMESTIC AFFAIRS by Eileen Goudge
Melissa Applin
The last book, or series rather, that I was truly obsessive about and wanted everyone to read was Jacquelyn Frank's Nightwalkerseries. The book titles of this series are JACOB, GIDEON, ELIJAH, DAMIEN and NOAH. Jackie has such an enthralling writing style that truly makes you feel like you're a character in their stories. You become part of their lives and they become part of yours. This series, from beginning to end, is one enormous emotional roller coaster ride. At times I laughed, and other times I cried a river --- what an amazing feeling! I'm a stay-at-home Mom, so I read *all* day, *every* day. As an avid reader of many genres, Jackie is the best writer I have come across so far. This has to be the most memorable series I've ever read.
Barbara Bocan
LOVING FRANK by Nancy Horan
Linda S. Miller
MIDNIGHT by Sister Souljah
Cheryl
TEAM OF RIVALS --- I found it absolutely engrossing. I didn't want to finish it as I knew how it ended.
Carole
About Alice
Nancy Diefenderfer
THE STORY OF EDGAR SAWTELLE --- it was the most lively book club discussion we have ever had!
Michele Janke
Twilight :oX
Jay
MONKEEWRENCH by P.J. Tracy
Andrea Arbie
I just read a book called SARAH'S KEY and I loved it. There are a lot of novels that deal with World War II and the Holocaust --- either directly or indirectly --- and this one deals a child from France who was taken to a bike arena in '42. With the scope of all the horror in Holocaust history, it's the single stories that stick with you and this one, a girl who tries to save her little brother by locking him in a cupboard, sticks.
Michelle
Just began reading JOHN ADAMS, but have already told several people how good I am finding it.
Winterlily
I just recently read the book Kane and Abel by Jeffrey Archer. I loved every minute of it.
Rachel
The Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer. I finished the 4th title yesterday, BREAKING DAWN. I have read all 4 titles in the last month.
Jim Dermody
City of Thieves
Marie Marsac
A Thousand Splendid Suns
Connie Booton
Twilight
Kathleen
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle
Gail
Wally Lamb's latest, THE HOUR I FIRST BELIEVED.
Trudy
Beside a Burning Sea
Sarah's Key
Jane Howland
STILL ALICE by Lisa Genova
Judy Oswood
It would have to be SARAH'S KEY by Tatiana De Rosnay. It is about the roundup of Jews in 1942 by the French Government. An absolutely awesome book.
Lacy Hubbard
The Shack
Maggie Harding
LAST LIGHT by Terri Blackstock, the first of her Restorationseries. An amazing "what if" story that explores what would happen if all the motors, electronics and communication devices just stopped working.
Paula Hess
HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET by Jamie Ford
Bernice Spier
THE ABSTINANCE TEACHER by Tom Perrotta
Donna Alspach
Hannah's Dream
Julia's Chocolates
The Sugar Queen
Paola
The one book that I read and could not stop talking about was IDENTICAL by Ellen Hopkins. That book was wonderful. It's one of the best books I have ever read in my life.
