I get stuck on an author, reading everything they've written. This creates a bit of a problem for such a reader though. It takes a long time to write, edit and publish a book. In Heat Moon's case, he took seven years to write Prairy Erth and four years to write Quoz. That's a total of 11 years in the writing and under two weeks in the reading.
Bill Bryson is another favorite of mine and now I've read all of his books. I know he doesn't write just for me, but in a way he does. He is beholding to every one of his readers. So, he better get crackin'.
I had the idea for this post after the last book that I read but it took till today to actually put it together. In the meantime I discovered (by visiting Bryson's own site) that he has indeed written and published a new book that will be released this fall. Hooray.
Is there an author that you are loyal to, knowing that they will never disappoint?
Until Bryson new book comes out I need suggestions! What should I read next. I saw the movie, The Secret Life of Bees, which as terrific in my book, but a neighbor told me that the book is so much better.
So, that's on my list for my library visit today. Give me some more ideas, and thanks in advance!
17 comments:
Steinbeck never ever disappoints.
I read The Secret Life of Bees before watching the movie. Yes, the book is better (if very odd), but the movie comes about as close as any movie can to being as good.
Right now I'm reading A Thousand Splendid Suns by Kahled Hossein (sp?), and it is really excellent. Last year I read The Kite Runner, which I had wanted to read but was afraid I wouldn't be able to handle. The Kite Runner was disturbing and heartbreaking but totally worth reading. One hundred pages into A Thousand Splendid Suns there has been plenty of heartbreak, and I can sense more coming, but it is a beautifully written book. I love the insight into the culture and the understanding and empathy it fosters. Before this I read Kabul Beauty School and Zoya's Story. I easily shared their anger over the oppression and abuse of women, but, reading A Thousand Splendid Suns, I can understand a little more why some women might feel protected by the burqa and treasured by a husband who wants her kept from the eyes of other men. Well, just a little.
Currently, I'm reading Elizabeth Berg. Somehow I don't think that you'd be impressed, though. But I like light reading just now with just a bit of food for thought. Yes, I'm on a limited literary diet. I could not handle the books that Jenni just described above.
I love Anne Rivers Siddons. I have a book waiting to take on vacay tomorrow. She writes southern chick lit in the very best way. There is depth to the story...not all fluff. All others are imitators! I like to find a new (for me) author who has written for several years....then I can read quite a while before I have to wait for the next book!
I just can't handle the heavy stuff anymore.
I am the same way! When I read a book I like...I want to read everything they wrote! The Secret Life of Bees is a wonderful book. I was disappointed with Mermaid Chair...it was AWFUL! I read New York by Edward Rutherford and would like to read more of his books...but they are REALLY long! heehee! Love ALL of the books that Sarah Addison Allen has written and Mary Alice Monroe! I love to READ! Enjoy! ♥
I just requested the Road to Quoz from my library! I am excited to read it! Thanks! ♥
I also loved the Secret Life of Bees, and did not like the Mermaid Chair. I like to read books that take me to another place or time...as well as non-fiction. I just started The Shipping News, winner of the Pulitzer in 1994. I do not know how I feel about it yet.
The last book I really enjoyed was Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, which I read in the spring. I reccommend the following authors- Barbara Kingsolver (The Lacuna), Tracy Chevalier (The Girl with the Pearl Earring)and Jhumpa Lahiri (The Unaccustomed Earth). I warn strongly against reading any Steig Larrson books. I read The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo, and it contained scenes of hideous violence against women and gruesome details of animal cruelty. I cannot understand why people have made his books bestsellers.
I agree about the violence in Steig Larrson's books but I have not been able to put them down.
Sue
Bill Bryson caught my eye on another blog and so I stopped in to say hello. My reading group, The Muses, is reading "The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid" for next month. I've read a number of his books and like him a lot--as I see you do.
Best,
Bonnie
I read The Secret Life of Bees and truly enjoyed it. I am not one to go see movies after I read the book, as I enjoy my own visuals while reading.
A great read is Time is a River by Mary Alice Monroe. I am now hooked on her writings and have recently enjoyed The Beach House and, the sequel, Swimming Lessons.
I just read Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon and loved it more than any book I've read in years. It really transports you to another time and space...in this case post war Barcelona.
I love Anne Tyler, and have read everything she's written. I buy her books in hardback as soon as they hit the bookstore. She wrote _The Accidental Tourist,_ which was made into an excellent film with William Hurt, Geena Davis and Kathleen Turner, and she won a Pulitzer for _Breathing Lessons,_ which was made into a TV movie that I don't even remember.
I remember reading an essay about fractured English, and some exerpts from highschool kids' writing was included. One of them noted in a book report that the author of his book had won The Pullet Surprise.
Right now I am in reader's limbo...I have loved to read since I learned to read. Yet right now, I have a hard time finding stuff that holds my interest..even stuff I have read in the past and reread and enjoyed, it doesn't hold my attention.
Two of Rosamunde Pilcher's books are among my faves. One is The Shell Seekers, and the other is Coming Home. I have read them both more than once and always enjoy them.
I have also read The Hiding Place many, many times. It's one of the most dynamic and inspiring books I've ever read and it never fails to hit me in a profound way and to make me want to be a better person.
I am reading the trilogy of the Stieg Larsson...The Girl with the Dragon Tatto, The Girl that Played with Fire and The girl that kicked the hornets nest. I love them....But tragicaly he has passed and there won't be any more. I like suspence and such and this will have you sitting on the edge of a chair. He was really a good writer. But right now am reading Wicked, waiting for the 3rd book to get to may house. What a fun book Wicked is, then I want to read the other ones. Have you read of any of Bobby Ann Mason books they are great and Rainwater by Sandra Brown I think. I am not real good at remembering authors. I did read a true book about the murder of two girls and how the cousin was blamed, It happen on the Chain of Rocks Bridge over the Mississippi River near St. Louis. Wish I could It is called a Rip in Heaven by Jeanine Cummings. Really good book and sad. Of course Ann Rule is the best when it come to real life happenings. I could go on. I love Bryson too....
Loved The Secret Life of Bees, great book!
Like Vee, I'm also an Elizabeth Berg fan and she has quite a few books under her belt. The Help, a recent best seller, is excellent as well. Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall will touch your heart, too.
Cheryl
Post a Comment