Summer Book Recommendations

I know a lot of you are avid readers, as am I.  Since I haven't done a book recommendation post in awhile, I thought it was time I share a few books that I have enjoyed recently with you all.

I have never read anything quite like this book.  The first words in one of the Amazon reviews I looked at says "Marriage can be a real killer".  Um yes it can if you have a relationship like Nick and Amy Dunn, two of the most disfunctional literary characters I have ever encountered.  Talk about a page turner!  Things flip back and forth in this book so fast you won't know what hit you.  This is probably my big hit of the summer, and the reviewers on Amazon think so too.  Over 1200 reviews!

"Andy Barber has been an assistant district attorney in his suburban Massachusetts county for more than twenty years. He is respected in his community, tenacious in the courtroom, and happy at home with his wife, Laurie, and son, Jacob. But when a shocking crime shatters their New England town, Andy is blindsided by what happens next: His fourteen-year-old son is charged with the murder of a fellow student.

Award-winning author William Landay has written the consummate novel of an embattled family in crisis—a suspenseful, character-driven mystery that is also a spellbinding tale of guilt, betrayal, and the terrifying speed at which our lives can spin out of control."  (copied off of amazon.com)

This book was a combination of a legal thriller and a family drama--the courtroom scenes were well done and the characters are very masterfully drawn.  You will be caught up in this story!

For me, this book was literary fiction at its best.  The author writes about glamorous New York City in 1938, with a cast of characters impossibly fascinating and flawed.  The writing style reminded me a bit of F. Scott Fitzgerald, as well as Henry James.  You will feel like you know these people by the end of the book and think of them often in the days to come, wistfully wondering why on earth they made the decisions they did.  I just immersed myself in the author's writing and lost hours at a time.  I enjoyed this book as an audio book, and the narration was supurbly done.

This author, Tana French, has been my discovery of the summer!  I started with her first book, In the Woods, and haven't stopped.   Her novels are police procedurals, set in Dublin, Ireland.  This woman knows how to create atmosphere and characters, that is for sure.  "With Tana French, you can expect humour, pathos and well-observed social commentary, but above all, a cracking story that keeps you guessing until the end".  The writing style is so well done, and believe me, you will be hooked from the get go.  Like Elizabeth George, the point of view of the main character shifts from book to book.  Someone who is a minor character in one book turns out to be the protagonist in a subsequent book.  Her books contain humor, dead on social commentary, and crystal clear characterization.  I have really enjoyed this series of books and cannot wait for the next one.

The subject of this non-fiction book is a troubled young woman who decides the only way to get a grip on her messed up life is to take off on a solo hiking trip on the Pacific Trail from the Mojave Desert to Washington State.  No experience hiking, her pack is over stuffed and weighs 70 pounds, her boots are too small--the list goes on.  Somehow despite it all, she succeeds in her journey, both the physical and spiritual.  I would have enjoyed this book more if the author had not been so totally self absorbed and annoying.

***********************************************************************************************************************************

Hope you enjoyed my book recommendations!  Happy reading!

 

Comments

[Linda Smith]

I read Wild this summer and surprised myself by sticking with it. The parts about the hiking were interesting but I completely agree that this author was really annoying. Thanks for the recommendations on the other books!

[julie]

Thank you! I will definitely be looking into these books!!

[Marge]

I just finished Wild. I did enjoy the hiking part, and the interesting folks she met along the way, but yes, she was annoying and very into herself and her troubles. Yet, I did enjoy it but kept saying "get over it already!"

[Inese]

Hi Nicole! Thanks so much for the recommendations. Always enjoy reading your blog and your little Eva is beautiful!

[Anne Simonot]

Gone Girl is on my list of to-read books already! Glad you enjoyed the Tana French books - she is fantastic and I am looking forward to Broken Harbour. If you are looking for any recommendations, Nicci French is a great (usually) thriller author, and I just finished Spilled Blood by Brian Freeman. Oh, and have you read Before I Go to Sleep? by S. J. Watson? You might also enjoy The Dark Rose and The Poison Tree by Erin Kelly.

[Barbara Anne]

Thanks for these recommendations! I love to read and with all that's been going on, it's great to escape for a while, even just into the pages of a wonderful book.

I'm staying with FIL while AMIL and DH are at the grocery. He's napping.

Hugs!

[floribunda]

Thanks, Nicole! I listened to Gone Girl recently and really enjoyed it...
Rules of civility as been on my to-read list and now I've added Tana French.

[Debbie]

I'm going to look into all your recommendations. You seem to like the same types of books that I do. I just picked up Gone Girl, and just read Rules of Civility which I really liked. And I have In the Woods and have had it for quite a while. Guess I better bring it off the shelf!!

[Lisa]

Thank you for the recommendations! Gone Girl looks like just the thing that my book group would enjoy - thanks x

[Jean]

Going to B & N to look for Tana French!!! They sound great.

[Dortha]

Thanks for the recommendations. Can you remember a children's book you recommended a while back that you said was out of print? I have a grandchild now and would love to find it if you remember it. Thanks.

[Sinta]

Thanks, I just put together a reading list together for fall/winter... now I need to add a few!

[Joan]

I really appreciate your recommeded book list. I always chuckle to myself that I get the best reading recommendations from what are basically quilting blogs. Great minds think alike :-)

[Linda W.]

I am deep into Gone Girl right now--hoo boy, what a page turner! Hmmm...I wonder why Tana French's books set in Dublin, Ireland appeal to you?? :-) How fun to feel you are a little closer to your son that way... Thanks for all the recommendations. Best read for me this summer: The Midwife's Confession. And don't miss The Soldier's Wife.

[Sherry]

I have read many of the books you've recommended before - will definately check these out. Thanks!

[Sarah Rothe]

Thank you for your recommendations! I am always looking for new authors to try. And your choices are right up my alley!