Melissa Shobe
asked:
I loved this book on so many levels. Beautifully written, along the lines of To Kill A Mockingbird, in that is narrated by a young child coming of age, under the guidance of his humble and grace filled father. Also contains much suspense. So, so good! Can anyone recommend a decent follow up to this luminescent book?
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Gaelyn
Melissa!!! You need to read Boy's Life by Robert McCammon, one of the most underrated books ever! It has all the things you want. It's a coming of age story set around a murder mystery with lots of magic realism thrown in the mix AND a very strong father figure. It is not suspenseful throughout per se, but it gears up towards the end. Look it up on this because it has a high rating (4.31 stars) and lots of 5 star reviews. Also, I agree that you should also give Peace Like a River a look as well.
KP
How about Peace Like a River by Leif Enger ?
Amy T. - Book lover!
You should really read Krueger's new book This Tender Land. It's another amazing read!
Missy MacDonald
I'd suggest Ray Bradbury's Dandelion Wine and Kent Haruf's Plainsong. I was reminded of both while enjoying Ordinary Grace
Judi
A beautiful novel (won the Pulitzer) that addresses the topics of forgiveness and grace is Gilead by Marilynne Robinson. Written in the voice of an older pastor to his young son, the pastor learns to move past his resentment of a “prodigal” to an understanding of God’s grace.
Debbie Mcafee
Larry Watson's Montana, 1948 -- has a lot of similar themes and ideas.
and yes, Guests on Earth too --- I have a thing for coming of age books and look for them.
and yes, Guests on Earth too --- I have a thing for coming of age books and look for them.
Heather
The Roundhouse by Louise Erdrich is a nice companion, I think.
Anne
Secret Wisdom of the Earth by Christopher Scotton is very similar to this book. It is a coming of age story of a young boy who is guided by his very wise and very kind grandfather. It also has suspense and well drawn characters. It deals with the mountain top removal in coal mining towns and the divisiveness that happens when economy and jobs meets quality of life. It was a great read.
Ellen
I'm late to the party but am reading through the Q&As as well as reviews for this book, having just finished it. I loved it too. Last year's favorite was "The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell" by Robert Dugoni. Again, a stand-alone novel by an established author who has a Police Procedural series I've also really enjoyed. A previous year's favorite was " A Man Called Ove". I also loved Peace Like a River by Leif Enger. As a commuter, I did all of these in audiobook format and found the narrators to be exceptional. I didn't learn until the end of Sam Hell that Dugoni himself narrated (no wonder I kept thinking he really seemed to KNOW the characters!).
Laurel
A Land More Kind Than Home by Wiley Cash
Sue
I've read three really good books since this one and that is quite a winning streak for me:
All the Light We Cannot See
The Madonnas of Leningrad
Guests on Earth
I thoroughly enjoyed each although the first two are totally unlike OG.
All the Light We Cannot See
The Madonnas of Leningrad
Guests on Earth
I thoroughly enjoyed each although the first two are totally unlike OG.
Karin
Many great suggestions. Some others I feel you would like and are similar to Ordinary Grace: The Risen, My Sunshine Away, LaRose, Wisdom of the Earth, The High Divide. Happy Reading!
Judi Ross
Out Stealing Horses
Irene
'all the light we cannot see' by Anthony Doerr (highly recommend for 12/13 and above) Pulitzer Winner and well deserved.
Audrey
The Summer Guest is a great book. Many friendships, twists and turns, and hard to put down. The setting is Maine. A narrative power, but not a coming of age story. It moves back and forth in time and lets you get to know all the characters! I loved it. And I loved Ordinary Grace.
Bill Reveille
I too thought of To Kill a Mockingbird as I read this. I pictured Gregory Peck as Nathan.
Robin Shakely
Thanks for all of these suggestions. I am going to read every one!
Laura (laurapedenjones)
Did You Ever Have a Family by Bill Clegg
Laura (laurapedenjones)
Did You Ever Have a Family by Bill Clegg
Laura (laurapedenjones)
Did You Ever Have a Family by Bill Clegg
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