Good Minds Suggest—Liane Moriarty's Favorite Books About Suburbia
Posted by Goodreads on August 5, 2014
Spinner of suburban discontent, Liane Moriarty hit international bestseller lists last year with her breakout novel, The Husband's Secret. Her tale of a wife who accidentally finds a sealed letter from her husband to be opened only after his death—except he's still very much alive!—captured the attention of readers for its deft handling of betrayal in a seemingly ordinary family. The Husband's Secret adopted a darker tone than Moriarty's first four books, a trend she continues in her latest suspenseful novel, Big Little Lies, which opens with a shocking death at Pirriwee Public School's annual costumed trivia night (where the women dress up as Audrey Hepburn and the men as Elvis Presley). Without explaining who will die or why, the book flashes back six months to introduce a group of suburban moms who are all bringing their children to kindergarten orientation. Moriarty says, "I have a special fondness for stories set in ordinary suburbs where ordinary people are going about their ordinary lives—until that moment when something extraordinary happens." The Australian author shares her top five tales of "ordinary" people.
The Accidental Tourist by Anne Tyler
"This book is so special to me because it introduced me to the wonderful and inimitable (although so many of us try!) Anne Tyler. I've read all her books multiple times. Set in suburban Baltimore, this is the tender, funny, tragic story of Macon Leary, a travel writer who hates to travel, and Muriel, a delightfully eccentric dog trainer."
"This book is so special to me because it introduced me to the wonderful and inimitable (although so many of us try!) Anne Tyler. I've read all her books multiple times. Set in suburban Baltimore, this is the tender, funny, tragic story of Macon Leary, a travel writer who hates to travel, and Muriel, a delightfully eccentric dog trainer."
Range of Motion by Elizabeth Berg
"I discovered Elizabeth Berg one summer when I was suffering from a broken heart. By the end of the summer, I'd read all her books and my heart was healed, thanks to Elizabeth's beautiful stories. Her genius is her ability to reveal beauty in everyday things. This is the story of a young man who lies in a coma after a freak accident. His wife, Lainey, is the only one who believes he will recover."
"I discovered Elizabeth Berg one summer when I was suffering from a broken heart. By the end of the summer, I'd read all her books and my heart was healed, thanks to Elizabeth's beautiful stories. Her genius is her ability to reveal beauty in everyday things. This is the story of a young man who lies in a coma after a freak accident. His wife, Lainey, is the only one who believes he will recover."
The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta
"This book has an amazing, unbelievable premise, and yet I believed every word. The residents of Mapleton are reeling after the 'Sudden Departure.' A huge chunk of the population has just vanished into thin air. I found this such a compelling, unforgettable read. Absolutely loved it."
"This book has an amazing, unbelievable premise, and yet I believed every word. The residents of Mapleton are reeling after the 'Sudden Departure.' A huge chunk of the population has just vanished into thin air. I found this such a compelling, unforgettable read. Absolutely loved it."
Every Last One by Anna Quindlen
"Mary Beth Latham has built her ordinary suburban life around her family until the day she is blindsided by a shocking act of violence. I was completely enthralled by this book, and I can remember the exact moment in the story when I gasped out loud."
"Mary Beth Latham has built her ordinary suburban life around her family until the day she is blindsided by a shocking act of violence. I was completely enthralled by this book, and I can remember the exact moment in the story when I gasped out loud."
Accidents of Marriage by Randy Susan Meyers (Goodreads Author)
"This is an amazing story about a Boston family and the damaging effects of verbal abuse. Every character is beautifully rendered, and the author's meticulous research (I can't tell you the subject without spoiling the story) gives it such authenticity. It's one of the most memorable stories about a marriage I've ever read."
"This is an amazing story about a Boston family and the damaging effects of verbal abuse. Every character is beautifully rendered, and the author's meticulous research (I can't tell you the subject without spoiling the story) gives it such authenticity. It's one of the most memorable stories about a marriage I've ever read."
Vote for your own favorites on Listopia: Stories of the Suburbs
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Carol
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Aug 07, 2014 09:41AM
I agree with your choices! I have not read Accidents of Marriage or The Leftovers but just requested them from the library. Can't wait to read them.
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loved the Husband's Secret. Can't wait for the new one! BJ
Loved your choices. Although I wound up having mixed feelings about Accidents of Marriage. Think it would make an interesting book club discussion, though, don't you?
Great list! I've read just about all of Anne Tyler, Elizabeth Berg & Anna Quindlen's books, but the other two author's are new to me. I will look them up right now!
Just finished "Big Little Lies". I really enjoyed it. Thanks for the recommendations. Since I have read all of yours, I'm excited to read what you like.
Accidents of Marriage is not available at my local library nor through the "Link" system statewide nor is it on the thriftbooks.com website.
Jane wrote: "Accidents of Marriage is not available at my local library nor through the "Link" system statewide nor is it on the thriftbooks.com website."That's because its release date isn't until 9/2/2014. Be patient.
I'd like to read big little lies and every last one , thanks for your recommendation
Great list. A few I ned to add to my TBR.
Great interview - I adore Liane's books and can't wait to read others she enjoys :)
