O/T New Year's Reading List

[bossy]

After reading many postings about reading the classics (started by someone who seems to undoubtedly be one great gal) I was wondering if anyone wanted to kind of update that and tell us if they've read any real gems lately. All the glowing reviews of "Memoirs of a Geisha" led me to get the book and am currently in the middle of it and loving every minute - this author is completely entrancing! Any more suggestions guys??

[emilycat]

bossy --

Okay, these aren't classics, but have you read The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood? It's by far one of the most amazing books I've ever read.

Also, Frank McCourt's Angela's Ashes and 'Tis are absolutely wonderful...I could not put them down; he is such a gifted writer, bringing tears to your eyes, laughter to your lips and self-analysis to your thoughts in the course of a few pages.

I just finished reading Chocolat...it was just as the critics said, a delicious read; I think I finished it in day -- I was so mesmerized by the writing.

And I read these a few months ago, but Danzy Senna's Caucasia was really good, and so was Bernhard Schlink's The Reader

But if you're in the market for some good classics, I would recommend Edith Wharton's Glimpses of the Moon , Hardy's Jude the Obscure, Fitzgerald's The Beautiful and Damned, and of course, any of Jane Austen's works http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Those are the ones just off the top of my head, but gosh, I gave you a whole reading list...sorry! I got a little carried away. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

I'm looking forward to hearing about everyone else's ideas!

[mightyh]

You may want to check out this thread from a week or so ago... it has some classics and some more recent books on it.
http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/Forum1/HTML/003498.html

I'd recommend The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell--a sci fi/religion book that I'm pretty sure almost anyone will get hooked on after a chapter or two... It's that good.

I also REALLY enjoyed Midwives by Chris Bohjalian. Yes, it's an Oprah book and I know a lot of people avoid those, but this is a murder mystery sort, told through the eyes of a teenage girl whose mother is the midwife and suspect. A great, quick read. I absolutely could not believe a man wrote this. Checked his bio several times to assure myself. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

And for a very light, very quick read that cracks you up... try Bridget Jones Diary. Guaranteed to make you chuckle out loud.

I just started Stephen King's new book called "On Writing" or something like that. It seems good so far... semi-autobiographical.

Others to think about (I always read about them on Amazon before I decide what to read next) include Anna Quindlen's Object Lessons and Little Altars Everywhere by Rebecca Wells (a prequel to Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood).

Also, even if you've seen the movie (or if you haven't), think about reading The English Patient. It's one of my favorite books of all time. The writing is just so powerful and beautiful--his talent is amazing.

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[hhcowgirl]

I have to recommend Little Altars Everywhere, the prequel to Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood. I also think a new, Fitzgerald-esque book is The Fundamentals of Play; IMO, destined to be a classic. Oh, and I cannot forget The Girl's Guide to Hunting and Fishing, it's superb. Sorry, I guess you were asking about classics, but since that is about all I read in college, it has been nice to read some contemporary stuff lately!

[Laura B]

Emilycat, if you liked the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, you ought to LOVE The Sweet Potato Queens Book of Love and the sequel God Save the Sweet Potato Queens. They are not fiction, but they read like it. They are rolling-on-the-floor-laughing-until-you-cry kind of books. Very southern and very female humor (sometimes pretty raunchy too, just a warning).

OK, so they aren't classics, but I could not help recommending them anyway!

[Lauren]

I second the opinion of Midwives. Couldn't put it down. I'm on a Anita Shreve kick now. She wrote The Pilot's wife and Now or Then, both of which I loved!

How do I enable HTML? I tried to italicize (sp?) the titles using i and /i, but it didn't work?!

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[greta]

my book club recently read SAMURAI'S GARDEN (author's name escapes me)--we all enjoyed it. this was one that i didn't want to put down.

i'm a big fan of john irving, and recently read WIDOW FOR ONE YEAR--i highly recommend it! as well as CIDER HOUSE RULES.

hmmm, there are plenty more but i'm having brain fog. i'll post more when i think of them.
happy reading!!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

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[Wendy w]

I adored Angela's Ashes & Tis also. You all make me ashamed of myself. Although I love to read, most of my book choices involve detectives, forensics, and murder. I really should venture away a bit. I appreciate and will take note of your suggestions.

[SueK]

Originally posted by Wendy w:
I adored Angela's Ashes & Tis also. You all make me ashamed of myself. Although I love to read, most of my book choices involve detectives, forensics, and murder. I really should venture away a bit. I appreciate and will take note of your suggestions.

Wendy-I normally read tons of detective series books too! But, I got inspired by a thread that was posted before New Years, and went out and bought a bunch of classics. It's been a good change of pace so far, but I've been keeping my eye on Amazon for new releases from my favorite mystery authors! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Julie in AZ]

My favorite book is "I Know This Much Is True," by Wally Lamb. I have bought many copies and given them to friends and family. I also suggest White Oleander (can't remember the author), Into Thin Air, ( its about the Mt. Everest tragedy - its truly amazing what these people put their bodies through), and I am currently reading The Robber Bride by Margaret Atwood - I can't put it down!

[mlynn]

Several people have mentioned Frank McCourt's 'Tis. I loved that book, as well as Angela's Ashes. Those books set me on a memoir kick. In the last several months I've read Change Me into Zeus's Daughter by Barbara Robinette Moss, Ten Thousand Sorrows by Elizabeth Kim, All Over but the Shoutin' by Rick Bragg and The Nazi Officer's Wife by Edith Hahn Beer.

All of these books are memoirs, and each tells a remarkable personal story. If you liked Angela's Ashes, I think you will like Zeus's Daughter,and All Over but the Shoutin'. Both books take you into the authors' povery stricken childhoods. Ten Thousand Sorrows is the autobiography of Elizabeth Kim, who was born in Korea to a Korean and an American soldier. It tells of her struggles in Korea, and then later in America where she is adopted by a strict fundamentalist family. The Nazi Officer's wife is the remarkable tale of a Jewish woman who marries a Nazi officer during WWII.

[LGBurns]

I would highly recommend THE POISONWOOD BIBLE by Barbara Kingsolver and THE GOD OF SMALL THINGS (I can't remember the author's name). Both these books are, without a doubt, the best new books I've read in a long time.

For classics, I don't believe MIDDLEMARCH by George Eliot has been mentioned. This is probably one of my favorite English novels (along with PRIDE AND PREJUDICE).

[acorreia]

I've read all of Ann Rivers Siddons books. They are mostly about the Georgia area, in all different time periods. I would consider her books historical fiction. She's great.

I also love John Irving. From him, I've read
- A Widow for a Year (my 2nd fav from JI)
- A Prayer for Owen Meany (my fav. from JI)
- The World According to Garp
- I'm now reading Water Method Man

I agree about Wally Lamb's I Know This Much is True. It is long (I love long books) but I could not put it down.

Has anyone read Wally Lamb's She's Come Undone?

I'm also currently reading Choosing Simplicity by Pierce. This book was recommended in CL. It describes different people choosing to live simpler lifestyles, what brought them to this decision, and what they are doing to get there. Now, I'm very interested in learning more about living simply.

-Angela

[mightyh]

Just a plug for one of my favorite websites, if you're thinking about buying one of these books, as opposed to getting it from the library....

Check out www.half.com (http://www.half.com)

It's a book/CD website that sells used books, most for less than half their cover price. I love this site cause I don't need to read a pristine copy of every book... Books arrive in about a week, as the seller ships them by book rate. It's really a great resource for ANY type of book you need. I've had excellent luck both ordering and selling my old, no longer wanted books and CDs.

[bossy]

Wow thanks for all the suggestions - finished Memoirs of a Geisha today and can't wait to start on some others you've mentioned. And I second the half.com suggestion - that is a website I go to a few times a week and have gotten dozens of books/cds/videos there - just terrific.

[laughsandlaughs]

Memoirs of a Geisha is one of my all-time favorite books, I'd like to see Golden write something else. I also loved The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood but was disappointed with her other books.

I decided in the summer that I didn't read enough of the true classics, so I formed an online bookclub to read the Modern Library's 100 Greatest Classics of the 20th Century. When I saw this list I was horrified that for a person who considers herself pretty well read, I'd only ever read about 10% of those listed. So for the past 6 months this club has been reading the books one by one. It's really informal and everyone is welcome to join and read as much or as little as you'd like.

Here's the URL for the club: http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/modernlibrary100greatestbooks

Here's a link to the list: http://www.literarycritic.com/modern1.htm

Right now we're reading Loving by Henry Green. We'd love to have you!!

[Jessica]

Thumbs up to Midwives and Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood.
Another great writer is Elinor Lipman. She wrote, among others, The Inn on Lake Devine, about a girl who wants to visit this resort with her family, but Jews are not welcome. She tries to visit again as an adult and becomes wrapped up in the family that owns the inn.
If you like Oprah-style books, try the hysterical Patty Jane's House of Curl by Lorna Landvik and the moving What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day by Pearl Cleage.
One of my favorite authors is Carol Shields. Her language is so beautiful you want to cry; try The Stone Diaries or The Republic of Love or Happenstance.

[JLS]

oh... this is going to be a good thread !! I love to read...
(These are not classics...but they are good)
I am currently reading "All we know of Love" by Katie Schneider and it is great.

Other ones off the top of my head that were great....


"East of the Mountains" David Gunderson
"The Simple Truth" David Baldacci (awesome!!!)

"The Loop" Nicolas Evans (same person who wrote "The Horse Whisperer" which was also good)

"Body Farm" Patricia Cornwell (anything else by her is good as well)
"Fountain Head" Ann Rand
"Stones from a River" Ursela Hegi
"Corelli's Mandolin" Louis De Bernieres
"Into the Wild" John K. (same guy who wrote "Into Thin Air")

**"At Home in Mitford" Jan Karon *** This is the first book in a series. It is a story about a single older pastor in a small town and how interwoven his life is among his congregation. I really liked this one.


I read "Robber Bride" by Margaret Atwood that was excellent.

"She's come Undone" was O.K. I try to stay away from Oprah's books because they tend to be depressing !

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[RobinC]

Here is my $0.02+ on some books I've read...

Wally Lamb - This Much I know Is True and She's Come Undone are both excellent. It is hard to believe that She's Come Undone was written by a man.

Like Water for Chocolate, by Laura Esquivel. This is a lovely (even food related http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif ) book.

Bee Season, by Myla Goldberg. A book about spelling bees, Jewish mysticism, and a family that is falling apart. A very good read.

Drowning Ruth, by Christina Schwarz. This is an Oprah book. I usally shy away from Oprah books, but this one is a fastenating tale about a family secret that unfolds throughout the story.

Gap Creek, by Robert Morgan. Another Oprah book. The story takes place around the turn-of-the-century. The author has a wonderful voice, it was a pleasure to read.

From the Ground Up: The Story of My First Garden, by Amy Stewart. If you are a gardener, you will enjoy this story.

I am also a huge fan of mysteries featuring female protagonists. Some of my favorite authors are:
Marcia Muller, Sue Grafton, Patricia Cornwell, JA Jance, and Kathy Reichs.

[LSB]

Wow! So many of my favorite books are mentioned here. The Poisonwood Bible is fabulous. She's one of my favorite authors (Barbara Kingsolver) I would also recommend The Bean Trees, Pigs in Heaven and Animal Dreams by her. I just bought her latest, Prodigal Summer - can't wait to read it.

I just now returned from my Book Club discussion of Wicked (Gregory Maguire). We all really liked it. It's extremely well written. It's the story of the life of the Wicked Witch of the West from the Wizard of Oz. It's very political and has a lot of mythological and religious discussion as well. It's pretty intense, but a wonderful and fun read.

I have to agree with the thumbs up for The Robber Bride, Chocolat, Caucasia and Prayer for Owen Meany (another of my all-time favorite authors).

Sister of My Heart (Chitra Bannerjee Divakaruni) is another great one - a story of two cousins living in India who end up in arranged marriages with different experiences. Her writing is beautiful.



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[Natasha]

Great suggestions!

Here is an eclectic mix of some books I ve read (and in some instances reread) and enjoyed. Some are classics (or what I consider "modern classics"; others are not. I have designated them as C and MC, respectively, where I felt it was appropriate, though it's just MHO, of course.)

Cinnamon Gardens by Shyam Selvadurai (I read it twice in a matter of months; it s set in Sri Lanka of the 1920s) *MC*

Sister of My Heart (which Louise mentioned)

The Edible Woman by Margaret Atwood (I reread this one for maybe the fifth time on a transcontinental flight and it managed to keep me occupied - and I hate flying!) *MC*

Alias Grace, also by Margaret Atwood - this and The Edible Woman are my two favorite Atwood novels, hands down - this historically-based novel deals with a study about a woman s psychological health, but it also about social history, love, etc. *MC*

The Trials and Tribulations of Tiffany Trott (Bridget Jones-like novel - hilarious very light reading)

The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery - it ain t Anne of Green Gables! While I love Anne, The Blue Castle is my all-time favorite Montgomery book, and it s not especially for kids. It is about an unhappy and unfulfilled 29-year-old in a backwards town, and how she changes her life. Inspiring, well-written, but especially downright hilarious. Highly recommended. *MC* (well, semi-modern)

Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert - a true classic (I m currently reading L education sentimentale by the same author (sold in English under the title A Sentimental Education), and so far so good...) *C*

Anne Frank (the biography), by Melissa Muller - as you would expect, this is a tragic book, but also engrossing, insightful and well written

Juliette Pomerleau by Yves Beauchemin - a large volume, but happily so, about a diverse cast of characters living in a rooming house *MC* (French-Canadian classic)

A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth - the 1500 or so pages are a turn-off for many, but I loved it. It s got it all: culture (set in India of the 1950s), politics, religion, love, humor... *MC*

- as others have suggested, anything but Jane Austen *C*

...and I m going to stop here before I ramble anymore.

Happy reading!



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[Kristilyn1]

What an awesome thread! I am going to print it, as I am always looking for more book selections--some recent faves:

I KNOW THIS MUCH IS TRUE--I agree, fabulous. As a twin, I think this is probably the most honest book about the relationship between twins that I have ever read. I also liked SHE's COME UNDONE--but thought it was not quite as good.

MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA--another of my faves.
DROWNING RUTH--I am really enjoying this one.
A GESTURE LIFE(as you can see, I'm not good with authors) this was a beautifully written story about a japanese man who lives a life that is more appearance than actual substance.
TIMELINE, by Michael Crichton. I'm not usually a fan of his, but this was mesmerizing--time travel and medieval France, need I say more.
BRIDGET JONES DIARY and it's sequel--I thought this was hilarious! Almost as good as GIRLS GUIDE TO HUNTING AND FISHING--which ought to be required reading for every single girl in America.
THE PILOT'S WIFE and THE WEIGHT OF WATER--Anita Shreve is sooooo talented.
CIDER HOUSE RULES--I detest John Irving as a writer, but I really, really enjoyed this one.
HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG-- a story about people and their tragic inability to understand one another.
INTO THIN AIR--have to agree this is not my usual genre, but I was enthralled.
For mysteries/crime stories, I love Michael Connelly (BLACK ICE, THE CONCRETE BLOND, etc.) and Dennis Lehane who's paperback novels occupied my entire summer.
Jane Austen is another favorite author. I also really enjoyed THE ENGLISH PATIENT, though I know that some of the imagery was over my head--a reader's guide would have been helpful. If you like that style of writing, I highly suggest THE REMAINS OF THE DAY, another book that a movie actually did justice of. While I was totally into ANGELA's ASHES, I couldn't get into TIS--maybe too much of the same thing? YA YA's--another one that I didn't really enjoy--though everyone tells me I'm crazy. SWEET POTATO QUEENS--I loved this. It had moments that I thought, gee--these women try way too hard, but it was endearing and very funny. I think if I was a southern woman I probably would have understood more of the underlying premises. Glad to hear there is a sequel, I will definitely get it. I remember I bought that because of a discussion on here about "Fat Mama's Knock You Naked Margaritas" which is an actual product you can buy--the phone number is in the book. What a fabulous drink to serve to guests, no?

Kristi

[hhcowgirl]

Just have to comment on She's Come Undone--is there something wrong with me that I thought this was the most depressing book I have ever read? I sincerely was in a slump for a few days after I read it. Yikes! Maybe I should try Lamb's other book, but I may need to take antidepressants beforehand!

Okay, I am going to try to redirect this thread toward the classics, seeing as how we have begun talking about ANne Rivers Siddons and Patricia Cornwell (about the furthest two authors from "classical" that I can imagine, IMO). I would like to second Emilycat's recommendation for The Beautiful and Damned--I felt like a much more enlightened person after I read it. I would also say that Salinger is a must-read--I love The Catcher in the Rye and Frannie and Zooie. Finally, I have a weird streak in me that is a big Faulkner fan--if anyone wants some recommendations/opinions about his work, let me know!

[Laura]

Originally posted by hhcowgirl:
[B]Just have to comment on She's Come Undone--is there something wrong with me that I thought this was the most depressing book I have ever read? I sincerely was in a slump for a few days after I read it. Yikes! Maybe I should try Lamb's other book, but I may need to take antidepressants beforehand!

B]
I have to agree. I read this as part of a book club about a year and a half ago and didn't really like it. I had lobbied for Briget Jone's Diary which at least would have been more uplifting. Plus I couldn't get the song out of my head for weeks! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif


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[Kerri]

Oh my goodness hhcowgirl, you are soooo right! She's come undone was a wonderful book, but kinda made me feel like ripping my own heart out and jumping up and down on it. I thought about reading another one of the Lamb books, but I am also afraid too.

Nobody has brought up Pat Conroy that I saw. Lots of low country stories. Prince of Tides is probably the best book I have ever read and Lords of Disapline was also very moving (although a bit sad). The rest of his books are okay. Sullivan's Island is also a great read. I don't remember the author, but it is destined to be an Oprah book.

I can't wait to read Bridget Jones diaries, but it has been hard to find it in the library. I guess I will need to reserve it.

[Natasha]

Originally posted by hhcowgirl:
Just have to comment on She's Come Undone--is there something wrong with me that I thought this was the most depressing book I have ever read?

I thought exactly the same thing. As soon as I finished it it was destined straight for the secondhand bookstore. Not only depressing, but I thought it was way cruder than it had to be...but maybe that's just me.

[acorreia]

Originally posted by hhcowgirl:
seeing as how we have begun talking about ANne Rivers Siddons and Patricia Cornwell (about the furthest two authors from "classical" that I can imagine, IMO). [/B]

hhcowgirl,
Have you read much of ARS's books? What don't you like about her writing? Just curious.

-Angela

[Laura Wick]

This is a great thread. I read a lot, and appreciate all the new titles everyone has mentioned. Margaret Atwood is one of my favorite authors. Several people mentioned
The Robber Bride and others she wrote. One of her older books, The Handmaid's Tale is incredible. If you like Atwood, you will probably also like The Creed for the Third Millenium by Coleen McCullough. She write Thorn Birds--this book is very different, quite short.

If anyone is into very realistic, detailed historical fiction, Margaret George has three incredible books--The Memoirs of Cleopatra, HenryVIII and Mary, Queen of Scotts. The first is mesmerizing. SharonKay Penman writes very detailed stories about several kings of England.

If you like a bit of fantasy and mysticism in your historical fiction, Diana Gabaldon has a series of books set in Scotland in the 1700's. Can't remember the name of the first one, and they should definitely be read in order. the second or third one is Drums of Autumn.

[Laura B]

Angela - I don't think hhcowgirl was saying anything bad about Anne Rivers Siddons. She was trying to get the thread back to the request of the original poster - and that was for recommendations on the classics. Of course, so many of us have tried getting threads back to their original purposes to no avail. This group does so love to digress! (And I think that is when the best conversations tend to come up.)

[hhcowgirl]

Acorreia--Laura B is right. I have actually read all of ARS's books and for entertainment purposes only, they are great. But, IMO, they are also "fluff." Not very thought-provoking or heavy. Which is great if that's what you are looking for. But as Laura B intimated, the original post was about classics, and I certainly do not consider Siddons' work to be "classic."

[hlao23]

Would someone please define "classics"?
My two favorite books are:
Watership Down - Richard Adams
To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee

The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy by C.S. Lewis are also excellent. Farenheit 451 (Ray Bradbury, I think) is a quick read and quite intriguing if you like books.

[Natasha]

I read The Blind Assassin and found it just tooo weird (and not interesting, either). But some of my friends really enjoyed it. It's funny about Atwood - I love some of her writing, but it truly depends. I disliked The Handmaid's Tale (?) too. I prefer it when she stays away from sci-fi or too exotic writing.

[LUCYT]

My picks are Under the Tuscan Sun and Bella Tuscany by Frances Mayes. These 2 books are not classics, but they are memoirs. They make you fall in love with Italy and Italian food and wine. They are wonderfully written.

[acorreia]

hhcowgirl,

Then I guess I must be into fluffy, non-thought provoking books. After reading about telecommunications crap all day, I just need the break.


-Angela

[hhcowgirl]

As I said before, I totally understand. I'm in one of the hardest law schools there is and I can definitely relate to needing an escape! I just know, as an English major, none of those books could possibly serve as the subject of an in-depth discussion or essay, IMO. But that doesn't mean they aren't great for entertianment. Not sure why you found this offensive . . .are you related to AR Siddons or something???

[sushibones]

I second the Diana Gabaldon books. Wonderful characters, a can't-put-it-down plot, and a heart-throbbing romance too.

The original trilogy is Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber, and Voyager (in that order). Drums of August is the 4th book.

I also just found a book at the library called "The Readers' Choice: 200 Book Club Favorites." It gives a plot summary and some reflective questions for each one. The index also breaks the selections into a variety of categories: Teenage Angst, Pioneers, Latino culture, among others. Each book is listed under several categories. I am currently working my way through the books in our local library. I also found this book in our local bookstore, so I would imagine it is fairly available. Just got the Robber Bride from the library--from recommendations here as well as being listed in the book.

[SClementson]

hhcowgirl, I would love to know what your favorite Faulkner reads are... I have to put in a plug for Edith Wharton. I've enjoyed all of her books, even thought they aren't always very cheery. (AND, The House of Mirth is now a movie...we'll see how that works!)

Being a Northern Californian, I love John Steinbeck and Wallace Stegner. Not sure if Stegner is considered "classic" anywhere else, though!

I have to chime in about Margaret Atwood. I also have re-read The Edible Woman, and I think it gets better every reading. I'm looking forward to reading her latest, Blind Assasin. Has anyone read it yet? I'd love to hear any comments!

[acorreia]

Originally posted by hhcowgirl:
As I said before, I totally understand. I'm in one of the hardest law schools there is and I can definitely relate to needing an escape! I just know, as an English major, none of those books could possibly serve as the subject of an in-depth discussion or essay, IMO. But that doesn't mean they aren't great for entertianment. Not sure why you found this offensive . . .are you related to AR Siddons or something???

First, no I'm not related to ARS.
Second, let me apologize for being so sensitive yesterday. I had a crappy day at work and just got offended for no good reason.

I talked to my mom about ARS's books last night. I started reading her books because she has SOME lengthy novels, not all. And, I like a long read. Plus, she's writes about the Atlanta, GA area....a place I have never been. Just the way she described it made me feel like I've walked the roads of Buckhead and Peachtree. But, Mom and I did agree that after you've read one of her books, you notice the same story line in her other books.

Again, sorry for being such a "B".
-Angela

[Laura B]

Lucy, here is an excerpt from the chapter "What to Eat When Tragedy Strikes" from the Sweet Potato Queens Book of Love by Jill Conner Browne.

"All tragedy is relative of course. It could be anything from a car or plumbing failure to the death of the only woman who has ever been able to give you a really great haircut. If you're in any way upset by something - it's a tragedy. A tragedy demands food, and lots of it. We Queens try to include items from all four major food groups - sweet, salty, fried, and au gratin. Balance is very important to us. You'll also want to have friends on hand for the tragedy-thwarting feast....
Chocolate is the main staple of sedative food - the undisputed queen of all comfort foods. I know this in my deepest heart. I frankly don't understand how people who are genuinely allergic to chocolate manage to put one foot in front of the other, day after day; I'd have thrown myself in front of a bus. I thrive on chocolate. My system requires an abundance of it every day, just to function normally."

Then follow the recipes for: Chocolate Stuff, Armadillo Dip, New Allison's Mambo Margaritas, Absolut Fredo, Oh, God!, Come Back Sauce, Danger Pudding, and Mimi's Butterfinger Cookies. Then there is a section on funeral food.

I chose to highlight this chapter since it is related to food, of course! But not lowfat food in any way.

Also, you can go to www.sweetpotatoqueens.com (http://www.sweetpotatoqueens.com) to get another "taste" of the Queens and order the book if you want.

Can you tell I ADORE this book? And the sequel is just as good if not better.

Again I must mention that it helps to be southern and to not mind a healthy dose of raunchy humnor in order to enjoy this book!

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[Laura B]

Silly me! You wanted know what it was ABOUT! It is just a collection of funny anecdotes really about the author and her friends. They are in a parade every year and they have crowned themselves the Sweet Potato Queens. It is not fiction. You would find it in the humor section of a bookstore.

[LUCYT]

Laura B,

Thanks for the input. It definetely sounds like a "soul" book!

Lucy

[darthchrista]

The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy were written by Tolkien not CS Lewis. He wrote the Chronicles of Narnia. Just to clarify an earlier post.

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[Susan]

Originally posted by LSB:
[B]I just now returned from my Book Club discussion of Wicked (Gregory Maguire). We all really liked it. It's extremely well written. It's the story of the life of the Wicked Witch of the West from the Wizard of Oz. It's very political and has a lot of mythological and religious discussion as well. It's pretty intense, but a wonderful and fun read.[B]

Thank you for recommending Wicked! It sounded so intriguing that I bought it today. I can't wait to start reading it!

~~Susan~~

[LGBurns]

Some more recommendations for classics:

THE HEART IS A LONELY HUNTER by Carson McCullers (a profoundly moving book, sad but wonderfully written. On my jacket cover they say she was influenced by Dostoevsky and you can really see that). Speaking of Dostoevsky:

CRIME AND PUNISHMENT, by Fyodor Dostoevsky (this book would make an excellent discussion at a book club if anyone is interested because of its stand on the very subjects in the title).

This next book is not a classic but I always bring it up in these kinds of discussions. If anyone out there is interested in American history (or has seen or is interested in the movie "Thirteen Days") you may be interested in a great book on the Cuban Missile Crisis called ONE HELL OF A GAMBLE. It's by two historians, one American and one Russian, using both U.S. and newly released Soviet documentation. This book is compelling reading. My husband and I both loved it (I was assigned it in a Cold War history class and then recommended it to him). It is very accessible, not at all like a dry textbook. What I particularly like about it is that it shows the crisis from both the Soviet and U.S. side (and gives much better insight into the Cuban side through Soviet documents). It's also a great window on the human side of these crises -- the kind of white-knuckle decisions these men had to go through is amazing.

[kima]

I would like to add a book to the fine suggestions already noted. I loved Before Women Had Wings- definately not a "fun" read as the subject matter is very disturbing. But the writing is brillant and the final scene a is just about the most moving piece of writing I have ever read.
Oh yes- I am glad to see that you are aware of Canada's fine writers- Margaret Atwood and Michael Ondaatje. May I also suggest anything by Carol Shields? Another wonderful and very long book is Rohinton Mistry"s A Fine Balance. It follows the lives of some poor people in India- lives lived in a fine balnce between hope and despair.
I LOVE this tread and though its not about cooking it adds alot to the BB- nice to know I am not alone in my two obsessions- reading and cooking!

[Meg O'C]

Hi All- great discussion. I disappear for a couple of days and come back to one of my favorite topics-- books!
This month my book club is reading Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man. Someone brought a list of the 100 best novels of the 20th century to our last meeting and we decided to pick something off of that.

Last month we read Asylum by Patrick McGrath-- chilling and generated great discussions. People had strong emotions around the main character, Stella. Anything that promotes that heated a dialogue must be the mark of a good writer.

One of my favorite classics is Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston. I also enjoy Edith Wharton (I took an EW seminar in college and really grew to appreciate her work).

On Memoirs of a Geisha and She's Come Undone, the thing that fascinates me about those two books is that they are both written by men but "feel" so much like they are written by women.

I recently bought a biography by Susan Hertog on Anne Morrow Lindbergh and Alice Walker's new one- The Way Forward is with a Broken Heart (haven't dug in to them yet). One of my friends in VA and I exchange books every year for our birthdays (usually something our respective book clubs have read or one of those books you pick up every time you are in Barnes and Noble and never treat yourself to. This year she sent me Waiting by Ha-Jin.

If you liked Memoirs of a Geisha, try Falling Leaves by Adeline Yen Mah (biography).

If you liked Bridget Jones, try The Girls Guide to Hunting and Fishing.

Also love Anna Quindlen (her novels and the books of her compiles NYT columns), Jane Hamilton, Frances Mayes . . .

On the non-fiction front, just read Flux, Women on Sex, Work, Love, Kids and Life in a Half-Changed World by Peggy Orenstein. Very thought provoking.

Happy reading all!

[LUCYT]

Can someone give me a little "taste" of what the Sweet Potato Queens Book of Love is about? It sounds good and just want to see if it is something I should buy. Thanks!

[hlao23]

Oops! My bad. C.S. Lewis also happens to be one of my faves. He was friends with Tolkien. Does that count for anything?

Angela

Originally posted by darthchrista:
The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy were written by Tolkien not CS Lewis. He wrote the Chronicles of Narnia. Just to clarify an earlier post.

[This message has been edited by darthchrista (edited 01-17-2001).]

[This message has been edited by darthchrista (edited 01-17-2001).]

[darthchrista]

Originally posted by hlao23:
Oops! My bad. C.S. Lewis also happens to be one of my faves. He was friends with Tolkien. Does that count for anything?

Angela




It totally counts!

I just recently finished reading Lord of the Rings (all four books) for the first time. My husband loves them so I knew we would be seeing the movies as they come out. The first is to be released this Christmas. I figured I better read them so I would have a clue. I absolutey loved them all. I couldn't put them down and felt drawn to read them as they were drawn to the ring. My next task is to read all of the Chronicles of Narnia]. I have only read the first book, and that was in elementary school.

My book group just finished a book by Ursala K. Leguin called The Lathe of Heaven. It has a Matrixesque feel to it. I don't generally read science fiction, however, this book kept me entertained and was thought provoking. It asks us to question reality and can we really have a "perfect" world. It is very short, and could be read in a day or less. Great for a rainy day. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[hlao23]

Ursela K has an awesome trilogy as well. It consists of A WIZARD OF EARTHSEA, THE TOMBS OF ATUAN (sp?), and THE FURTHEST SHORE. I am currently reading the Tolkien trilogy to my husband (the only way I can get him to read fiction - plus it's good together time).

The Chronicles of Narnia are wonderful. TIL WE HAVE FACES is good - based on the myth of Cupid and Psyche, I think. Lewis also has an adult trilogy: OUT OF THE SILENT PLANET, PERELANDRA, THAT HIDEOUS STRENGTH. Sci-fi-ish but really, really good and thought-provoking(I don't consider myself a fan of sci-fi typically).

Angela