The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber: Peter, a devoted man of faith, as he is called to the mission of a lifetime, one that takes him galaxies away from his wife, Bea. Peter becomes immersed in the mysteries of an astonishing new environment, overseen by an enigmatic corporation known only as USIC. His work introduces him to a seemingly friendly native population struggling with a dangerous illness and hungry for Peter’s teachings—his Bible is their “book of strange new things.” But Peter is rattled when Bea’s letters from home become increasingly desperate: typhoons and earthquakes are devastating whole countries, and governments are crumbling. Bea’s faith, once the guiding light of their lives, begins to falter.

Suddenly, a separation measured by an otherworldly distance, and defined both by one newly discovered world and another in a state of collapse, is threatened by an ever-widening gulf that is much less quantifiable. While Peter is reconciling the needs of his congregation with the desires of his strange employer, Bea is struggling for survival.

The Wanderers by Meg Howley: A brilliantly inventive novel about three astronauts training for the first-ever mission to Mars, an experience that will push the boundary between real and unreal, test their relationships, and leave each of them—and their families—changed forever.

Anonymous wrote:Liane Moriarty books are awesome: Big Little Lies, Whag Alice Forgot

Have you read Gone with the Wind? I read that for the first time a couple summers ago and absolutely loved it. I couldn't put it down. Huge book and I carried it with me everywhere.

For those who enjoyed Gone with the Wind, I recommend Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry - it's his masterpiece, an epic. Loved it.

The Goldfinch
A Little Life
Cutting for Stone
The Orphan Master's Son
Before the Fall
The Nightingale
Let the Great World Spin

Ready player one

"Bad" Lifetime movie

Currently enjoying The Drowning Girls (kind of like a "bax" Lifetime MO ie

Just finished "Monsters: A Love Story" by Liz Kay and loved it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I tend to have more "literary" taste in literature (sorry, I'm not sure how else to describe it), but I too am looking for pleasant reads to escape to during a stressful, difficult time. So I bought the Leanne Moriarty book recommended above, What Alice Forgot. I've only read the first chapter, but yikes. Might be way too fluffy for me.

What I really want is some pleasant, old-fashioned, wonderfully written, coming-of-age story like A Tree Grows in Brooklyn or I Capture the Castle. Have I already read them all?

I Capture the Castle is one of my all time favorites!!!!!!!

It's the PP above. Try Distant Land of my Father
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/cr/0156027135/ref=mw_dp_cr

Try some other YA fiction. I find that it's usually better written than popular fiction for adults. I liked Eleanor and Park, although it's contemporary.

I liked Eleanor and Park, too. But I wouldn't call it "literary" or even especially "pleasant" or light, so it might not be what this PP is looking for. But I did enjoy it.

PP, you might want to try The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate. I think there may now be a sequel, too.

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/the-evolution-of-calpurnia-tate

I also really liked The Age of Miracles:

https://www.amazon.com/Age-Miracles-Karen-Thompson-Walker/dp/0812982940

And The Art of Hearing Heartbeats (a bit more than a "coming of age" story, but in the zone and lovely):

https://www.amazon.com/Art-Hearing-Heartbeats-Jan-Philipp-Sendker-ebook/dp/B004ZZP5M4/ref=mt_kindle?_encoding=UTF8&me=

Thanks, these look promising!

Elephant Hunt Massacre (an e-book available on Kindle and Nook). A political satire/murderous mystery thriller set in DC that rips into Congress, both political parties, "think tanks." the media and more. It was written years ago but foretold with amazing accuracy the showdown in Congress over guns, the Zika virus and even Trump.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I tend to have more "literary" taste in literature (sorry, I'm not sure how else to describe it), but I too am looking for pleasant reads to escape to during a stressful, difficult time. So I bought the Leanne Moriarty book recommended above, What Alice Forgot. I've only read the first chapter, but yikes. Might be way too fluffy for me.

What I really want is some pleasant, old-fashioned, wonderfully written, coming-of-age story like A Tree Grows in Brooklyn or I Capture the Castle. Have I already read them all?

I Capture the Castle is one of my all time favorites!!!!!!!

It's the PP above. Try Distant Land of my Father
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/cr/0156027135/ref=mw_dp_cr

Try some other YA fiction. I find that it's usually better written than popular fiction for adults. I liked Eleanor and Park, although it's contemporary.

I liked Eleanor and Park, too. But I wouldn't call it "literary" or even especially "pleasant" or light, so it might not be what this PP is looking for. But I did enjoy it.

PP, you might want to try The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate. I think there may now be a sequel, too.

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/the-evolution-of-calpurnia-tate

I also really liked The Age of Miracles:

https://www.amazon.com/Age-Miracles-Karen-Thompson-Walker/dp/0812982940

And The Art of Hearing Heartbeats (a bit more than a "coming of age" story, but in the zone and lovely):

https://www.amazon.com/Art-Hearing-Heartbeats-Jan-Philipp-Sendker-ebook/dp/B004ZZP5M4/ref=mt_kindle?_encoding=UTF8&me=