Since I am on a “book-high” right now, I want to use this post and answer one of my commentator’s question on my last post.
What are your three favorite books.
Let me tell you upfront: I am not at all into “crime/mystery novels” (which does not mean I don’t read them ;)). My book taste goes in the direction of classic literature (I absolutely love Jane Austen!) and romance/historic novels.
I don’t know if I can come up with “three top favorites”, but I can definitely give you some books that I completely and utterly adore!
One of my absolutely most favorite books – hands down – is “Outlander” by Diana Gabaldon.
I’ve loved that book from the first chapter on. The whole story (which has multiple sequels – 6 so far!) is so fascinating and engaging. You can’t put it down. You want to know more…about the characters, their relationships, everything!
Yes, it’s a love story. Yes, it’s a fairy tale or sorts… but it combines a lot of genres that make a book appealing to me: it’s set in a historic background (historic fiction)(well-researched, I’d like to add), there is great character development, it contents a wonderful, romantic love story (romance fiction), there are some unexpected twists and turns in the story and it has a little bit of a science fiction (science fiction – of which I am usually not a big fan), what with all the time travel. It’s a little graphic (sex and violence) at times, I’d like to warn you. That is what most negative critics point out. For me, it somehow was part of the story, part of history (how accurately depicted, is not my concern, it’s a novel after all).
Be warned, it’s not only a page-turner, but also a very thick book. As far as I’m concerned, books can’t be thick enough. That only means I’ll get to enjoy them longer :)
Another book that fits into this theme is “Olivia and Jai” by Rebecca Ryman. This book had me with the first few lines. Such an interesting and mysterious love story.
Oh, this, by the way, is my indicator if I am willing to read a book or not… I read a couple of paragraphs of the first chapter. If the writing style is pleasant and flowing, there is a good chance I’ll pick up the book and take it home. If I stumble over the sentences like a disoriented hurdler, I won’t even bother.
Other books that I’ve enjoyed include, but are not limited to…
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi
The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
Emma by Jane Austen
Das verborgene Wort by Ulla Hahn (unfortunately only in German)
Ok, and now it’s your turn… give me some book recommendations!
I know you want to! :)
Tanja
April 5, 2009 at 9:18 pmI love the crime / mystery stuff but I also like to read books like “Die Saeulen der Erde” or “Die Tore der Welt” from Ken Follett. But acutally – I read everything I can get ;) I still have an aversion to read in english because it is so much easier in German (I know, I have to do it more often…)
Have a wonderful week!
Susanne
April 6, 2009 at 9:39 amI LOVE the Outlanders!!!!! I read it in German a while ago. I loved it! So interesting that you read those too.
Easy to read and I deep story behind: “The friday night knitting club” by Kate Jacobs
Carolina
April 6, 2009 at 12:49 pmIm gonna have to check some of these out!!
My favorite book (as you already know) is White Oleander-Janet Fitch. That’s the only recommendation I have for you. Happy Monday Friend!
steffisn
April 6, 2009 at 12:52 pmi dont think you want my recommendations, cause all i read these days are baby and parenting books :)
Hope
April 6, 2009 at 4:15 pmStumbled on this site. Outlander is one of my favorite books. I’d highly recommend Paullina Simons’ The Bronze Horseman, another sweeping historical romance/fiction.
https://www.amazon.com/Bronze-Horseman-Paullina-Simons/dp/0061031127
Marie
April 7, 2009 at 1:51 ami also loved kite runner, life of pi and the notebook. just read ‘remember me?’ by Sophie Kinsella… love it.
Justin
April 7, 2009 at 10:29 amVery nice list. Here are mine…
-The Secret- Rhonda Byrne
-Out of the Silent Planet- C.S. Lewis
-The Road- Cormac McCarthy
-A Slight Trick of the Mind- Mitch Cullen
-As I Lay Dying- William Faulkner
katelin
April 7, 2009 at 4:43 pmhave you read khaled’s other book ” a thousand splendid suns”? that one is amazing. i almost liked it better than kite runner.
and i would recommend, in cold blood by truman capote, it’s one of my favorites.