One of my life's greatest joys is recommending books to friends, family, and acquaintances on the internet. Here are a few books I recommend over and over.
I am 15 pages into A Little Life. Can't guarantee I'll get any farther. Depressing is not for me right now.
Just finished The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride. Excellent!
Reading Demon Copperhead for book club, about as depressing I can get right now.
Also reading The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon, historical mystery inspired by 18th century midwife, Martha Ballard. The book is based on the diary she kept for 27 years. She defied the legal system and left an unparalleled legacy but is nearly forgotten to this day.
Next up is Horse by Geraldine Brooks.
Definitely agree with you, Kolina, about Under the Tamarind Tree.
Last month's book club selection was Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt, which led me to purchase the Soul of an Octopus by St Montgomery.
I look forward to Thursdays. I too recommend many books, continuing from my time working (not work for me) in the library.
You've definitely got to be in the right place emotionally to read it. It could be triggering for any number of reasons.
I just googled its trigger warnings. Here's what a Goodreads user shared: sexual abuse, child sexual abuse, scary verbal abuse, psychological manipulation and gaslighting, kidnapping/imprisonment, many modes of self-harm, a violent accident, a few moments of prejudice against the disabled, drug use, addiction, grief and loss of a loved one.
And then she said, "That said the book is incredible." Which is wild but it's so true! If you do find yourself reading it one day, I'd love to hear your thougts!
You just listed so many good books! I got Remarkably Bright Creatures for Christmas and haven't read it yet. Can't wait though. I've seen The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store everywhere! I will definitely pick that up.
I might suggest NOT reading A Little Life, at least not right now. It's very challenging emotionally!
I've been meaning to try Elena Ferrante for years and this might be the push I needed! I visited Naples many years ago and loved that rough character you've described. Looking forward to reading your upmarket list as well! I find that my favourite literary fiction usually draws in an element of genre, often fantasy/spec fic. Have you read any Mona Awad or Melissa Broder?
You will love Ferrante then! All of her novels include that grit specific to Naples. I’ve read Bunny but no other Mona Awad. And funny you ask about Melissa Broder. I just got a note about 30 seconds ago that Death Valley is available at the library for me! So I will be reading it ASAP!
I am so happy to hear from you. Let me know if you start Ferrante!! 💚
Death Valley was SO good (also my favourite cover of last year, hands down). I liked Bunny but I do think All's Well and Rouge are better. Bunny just seems to be what the Tik Tok-ers latched onto I think? Her more recent two books are a cut above in my opinion.
A few weeks later now, I read Great Circle by Maggie Shiptsead on this recommendation and absolutely loved it! Once I got a few chapters in, I could not put it down. A beautiful story, so beautifully written!
I’m about 2/3rds into one of your 3 I got at Powell’’s on your recommendation—- All the ugly and beautiful things. It also deserves a mention on some list. I’m just tearing right through it!
"A slog of torment and anguish" is a great way to describe A Little Life. I loved that book AND it destroyed me. I don't think I was able to read another novel for the entirety of that year, and no book has ever had a similar impact on me. An incredible and difficult and immense work of art!
I have been wanting to read A Little Life, but after reading the reviews I don’t know if I am emotionally stable enough to handle it. Maybe this is my sign to read it. I’ll add it back on my TBR list along with all your other suggestions.
I LOVED Open Throat and think I read it on your suggestion. Have recommended to a few friends, too. My best read of late is We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman. It takes place in a hospice house and is about friendship, death, and life. So real, funny, and relatable, I might read it twice.
I just finished The Great Circle. And boy was it good. Some books go 650pp just to luxuriate! Great Circle needed every one and I am sure could have gone on and on. Great call and really enjoyed it!!
I am 15 pages into A Little Life. Can't guarantee I'll get any farther. Depressing is not for me right now.
Just finished The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride. Excellent!
Reading Demon Copperhead for book club, about as depressing I can get right now.
Also reading The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon, historical mystery inspired by 18th century midwife, Martha Ballard. The book is based on the diary she kept for 27 years. She defied the legal system and left an unparalleled legacy but is nearly forgotten to this day.
Next up is Horse by Geraldine Brooks.
Definitely agree with you, Kolina, about Under the Tamarind Tree.
Last month's book club selection was Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt, which led me to purchase the Soul of an Octopus by St Montgomery.
I look forward to Thursdays. I too recommend many books, continuing from my time working (not work for me) in the library.
I was thinking the same for myself with A Little Life. Maybe one I will finally read it
You've definitely got to be in the right place emotionally to read it. It could be triggering for any number of reasons.
I just googled its trigger warnings. Here's what a Goodreads user shared: sexual abuse, child sexual abuse, scary verbal abuse, psychological manipulation and gaslighting, kidnapping/imprisonment, many modes of self-harm, a violent accident, a few moments of prejudice against the disabled, drug use, addiction, grief and loss of a loved one.
And then she said, "That said the book is incredible." Which is wild but it's so true! If you do find yourself reading it one day, I'd love to hear your thougts!
A Little Life if you can work through the material is worth every moment you’ll spend wirh it
I COULD NOT agree more!!
A little life- if you’re ready for the material- is one of the greatest books I’ve ever read and worth the emotional investment!
You just listed so many good books! I got Remarkably Bright Creatures for Christmas and haven't read it yet. Can't wait though. I've seen The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store everywhere! I will definitely pick that up.
I might suggest NOT reading A Little Life, at least not right now. It's very challenging emotionally!
Sy Montgomery
I've been meaning to try Elena Ferrante for years and this might be the push I needed! I visited Naples many years ago and loved that rough character you've described. Looking forward to reading your upmarket list as well! I find that my favourite literary fiction usually draws in an element of genre, often fantasy/spec fic. Have you read any Mona Awad or Melissa Broder?
You will love Ferrante then! All of her novels include that grit specific to Naples. I’ve read Bunny but no other Mona Awad. And funny you ask about Melissa Broder. I just got a note about 30 seconds ago that Death Valley is available at the library for me! So I will be reading it ASAP!
I am so happy to hear from you. Let me know if you start Ferrante!! 💚
Death Valley was SO good (also my favourite cover of last year, hands down). I liked Bunny but I do think All's Well and Rouge are better. Bunny just seems to be what the Tik Tok-ers latched onto I think? Her more recent two books are a cut above in my opinion.
Gahhh can’t wait! Ok I will give Mona another shot. Rouge sounded really interesting to me. I bet you’re right re: TikTokers!
A few weeks later now, I read Great Circle by Maggie Shiptsead on this recommendation and absolutely loved it! Once I got a few chapters in, I could not put it down. A beautiful story, so beautifully written!
Thank you so much Jo!!! I am thrilled you loved it. Such a fantastic read. 💓
Will do!
Thanks! Such great recommendations. Haven’t read any of the others yet, but love Elena Ferrante’s novels.
She's just so wonderful. If you read any, please do let me know! I'd love to hear your thoughts!
I’m about 2/3rds into one of your 3 I got at Powell’’s on your recommendation—- All the ugly and beautiful things. It also deserves a mention on some list. I’m just tearing right through it!
That's a great one if you can stomach it! Maybe I'll do a list of hard-to-stomach novels that are worth it if you can stick with them.
You’ll need to work on the branding but as you know I love that ‘sub genre’ if that is a thing!!
HAHAH. The branding. And same -- I love that subgenre!
"A slog of torment and anguish" is a great way to describe A Little Life. I loved that book AND it destroyed me. I don't think I was able to read another novel for the entirety of that year, and no book has ever had a similar impact on me. An incredible and difficult and immense work of art!
I felt the same way! I didn’t want to read anything afterwards! It ruined everything for me because it made me feel so much.
I have been wanting to read A Little Life, but after reading the reviews I don’t know if I am emotionally stable enough to handle it. Maybe this is my sign to read it. I’ll add it back on my TBR list along with all your other suggestions.
I LOVED Open Throat and think I read it on your suggestion. Have recommended to a few friends, too. My best read of late is We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman. It takes place in a hospice house and is about friendship, death, and life. So real, funny, and relatable, I might read it twice.
LOVE to hear that, Molly! There's no higher compliment than someone enjoying a book I recommended. :) :)
We All Want Impossible Things sounds amazing. I'm going to check it out!
I just finished The Great Circle. And boy was it good. Some books go 650pp just to luxuriate! Great Circle needed every one and I am sure could have gone on and on. Great call and really enjoyed it!!
YES! I knew you would love it. It is such a stunning book! The detail is out of this world.