Heather’s Comments (group member since Aug 30, 2011)

Heather’s comments from the Exceptional Books group.

Hi all,
Let's start this section with a list of all our favorites in this genre. As we go along I will create folders for different times and places as needed. I think we have a seperate section for romance novels, so only include them here if they are truly exceptional enough transcend their genre (like the Outlander series).

David wrote: "Dear Team,

Here are a few novels that I would challenge as "Top 100 Literary Novels of All Time":

-- "The Executioner's Song" by Norman Mailer (Mailer is a probably second tier novelist.)
-- "The..."
I will chime in to recommend "Empire Falls", but I thought "Bridge of Sighs" was just as good, if not better. Russo is a modern master.

David wrote: "I'm all in."

Hot diggity!

Colleen wrote: "Heather wrote: "I also agree with Colleen about the "picky factor". I do listen to music, but I don't watch television, so I can read 2 or 3 books a week. I have been reading adult fiction for almo..."

I already added A Visit from the Goon Squad but I will add the others right now.

I also agree with Colleen about the "picky factor". I do listen to music, but I don't watch television, so I can read 2 or 3 books a week. I have been reading adult fiction for almost 30 years. That adds up to a LOT of books. These days I have very little patience for badly written or formulaic stories. This is why I get so excited when I find a new author whose work is excellent. This year I have been pretty lucky in this department. I discovered Ann Patchett, Lionel Shriver (Author), and Jennifer Egan all of whom have written more than one exceptional book.

I look at it like this. Many books have something about them that is exceptional. They may have great characters, or original storylines, or fantastic use of language. Each reader also has something that speaks to them in a story. When a book has more of something you want you will give it 5 stars, which is the only real criterion for an exceptional book.

Lisa wrote: "Ooh, interesting :) I think there might need to be a discussion thread on exactly what the criteria ARE for it being an EXCEPTIONAL book."

What do you think are the criteria?