Recommend a Book You've Read Recently and Enjoyed

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Someone on DCUM recommended Outlawed by Anna North and it is a great women-centered literary fiction dystopian western

I recommended this. Hope you liked it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
While I'm here, I'll also recommend The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak. It's a family story told across two generations, in Cyprus and in London. It's excellent.

This has been my favorite read of this year by far. It's just beautiful and one of those books that sits with you for a while long after you're done with it.

[Anonymous]

I really enjoyed Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. I also recently read Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn and a Liane Moriarty book, think it was called The Apples Never Fall or something like that. IT was OK - plus.

[Anonymous]

Not a new book, but I recently finished Helter Skelter, Vincent Bugliosi's account of the Manson Family murders. It was excellent - long, richly detailed, and kept me on the edge of my seat. A must if you're into true crime.

[Anonymous]

1984, by George Orwell

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not a new book, but I recently finished Helter Skelter, Vincent Bugliosi's account of the Manson Family murders. It was excellent - long, richly detailed, and kept me on the edge of my seat. A must if you're into true crime.

He has several other books too and they are all really good.

[Anonymous]

Faves this year so far:

Barkskins by Annie Proulx
The Tree of Life trilogy about the Lodz ghetto. Actually changed my life I think.
The Nineties by Chuck Klosterman
The Love Songs of WEB Du Bois by Honoré Fanonne Jeffers

[Anonymous]

I love this thread. I go back and forth from it to my Libby app to put holds on books. Thank you all!

[Anonymous]

I just finished Where'd You Go Bernadette? and it was OK--different from the movie in some key ways, but still pretty good.

I'm in the middle of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet and am enjoying it--I have a history major and this resonates with an important projects I did when getting my degree. If you enjoy WWII historical fiction---about the people affected by the war, not the war itself, then this is a good one. Well written, takes place in Seattle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm in a reading rut - too many light-weight thrillers lately - and could use some new ideas!

I typically like literary fiction, but the more accessible kind that crosses over into popular fiction (think Ann Patchett, Jennifer Egan, Dave Eggars, Mohsin Hamid).

I've also had good luck these past few years with women-centered novels that go a bit deeper (as opposed to the current glut of thrillers with "Girl," "Woman" and "Wife" in the titles . . . . ) For example, I really liked The Vanishing Half, This Is How It Always Is, Black Cake, The Power, and Such a Fun Age.

Thanks!

OP here. Just finished Lessons in Chemistry, by Bonnie Garmus, which I loved! Totally in my sweet spot (accessible woman-centered novel with depth) with terrific supporting characters. A++

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Currently reading The Kitchen House. Very good. Can't put it down.
Recently finished The Maid. Loved it. (Not to be confused with Maid- the Netflix series- totally different)

The kitchen House was excellent! If you aren’t already aware, there is a sequel called Glory Over Everything which also was very good.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:The Change - read recently based on DCUM. Revenge fantasy about women who get witchy powers after menopause. A little over the top but fun.

Slightly more rooted in reality, but also a story of menopause: Wayward by Dana Spiotta -- maybe my favorite book of 2022

OP here - YES! I loved that book!! Have you read anything else she's written? I've been meaning to try her earlier books . . . .

So many bad reviews of Wayward on Amazon. You guys really thought it was good?

Yes, I really did!!! I think it helps to be on the older side (I’m late 40s) - YMMV, but I’m guessing my 20-something self couldn’t have related, and my 30-something self might have been too judgy of the main character? But at this age, I really appreciate how Spiotta explores the complexity of midlife - balancing multiple facets of our identity, not just me-as-mother above all else. Messy and not always pretty. But I thought it was a great take.

I also really enjoyed it. I’m 32 so younger than the main character and older than her daughter but found both characters relatable. It was funny, engaging, smart. I’d recommend.

Yep, liked it a lot! It hit an interesting middle ground of realism and satire. Poked some fun at the tension between younger and older liberals. And I'm from Syracuse and could easily visualize the neighborhoods.

[Anonymous]

I've never watched an episode of The Bachelor but I really enjoyed Hannah Brown's memoir, God Bless This Mess. She's a very good storyteller and the entire book read like a plot of a TV show with all the twists and turns. Highly recommend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sort of woman-centered, but a beautiful and thought-provoking read regardless: Happiness by Aminatta Forna

I’m reading this now based on this rec. It’s sooo good! Love the writing.

[Anonymous]

Just finished "Flying Solo" by Linda Holmes. Think I preferred her first one ("Evvie Drake Starts Over") slightly more for some reason, but they are both funny, easy reads w/o being dumb.