I need a book that...will revive my love of books

[Jocelyne]

Nicole wrote: "My suggestions would be:

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

The Green Mile

A Separate Peace"


I agree I especially loved A Separate Peace

[Elizabeth]

Erik wrote: "As a writer I'm so busy writing, I'm not busy reading. As a teacher, I'm often so busy teaching, I don't have time to read the things I invite my kids to read. Now the book's finally out in the wor..."

Try 'Rockbound' by Frank Parker Day or 'Not Wanted On The Voyage' By Timothy Findlay.One is an epic like 'Moby Dick' or 'Treasure Island' and the other is a different take on 'Noah and the Flood'.These might fit the bill.

[Elizabeth]

Both books can be describe fantastic, creepy and wonderful.I hope you might enjoy them.

[Edward]

I get jazzed again about reading by getting lost for hours in a huge indie or B&N bookstore. Thumbing thru hundreds of books, and find poems, short stories, or novel passages that rock my socks. Failing that, skim through the pantheon of great writers. Nearly got dehydrated doing that in The Strand in NYC one day.

Edward Iwata

[KelseyKES]

I SINCERELY LOVE DIVERGENT



by



If you haven't read it, you really should! (:

Kelsey @ Kindle Affairs

[Pam]

Was going to recommend The Night Circus and The Shadow of the Wind, but many have beat me to it! But I'll put in my third, fourth, fifth, whatever - both amazing books.

[Kristie]

Some random thoughts...my sleeping pills are kicking in, so I hope this is somewhat coherent.

First of all, thanks for posting this question. This is a great topic to follow to see what people are suggesting as really amazing reads. I'm fascinated by some of the recommendations.

I agree with 11/22/63. It was really well done...definitely one to get immersed within.

I recently read Cutting for Stone, and while I know it's not sci fi, it's definitely one of the best books I've read in a long time.

What about Neil Gaiman? I really enjoyed American Gods.

If you're open to amazing storytelling in non-fiction, I'd suggest Seabiscuit: An American Legend or Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption, and I second The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks listed above. All three were absolutely riveting.

(For what it's worth, I've listened to all of these on audiobook. I found the audiobook format totally transformed my interest in and ability to read books. Between work and family, I can only justify the consumption of books while multi-tasking -- driving, exercising, doing housework, etc. -- and audiobooks have made that happen. More often than not, I'm convinced that the narration improves my enjoyment of a book. Shantaram listed above is an excellent example of that; the narrator is top-notch and, while the book is quite good, I'm pretty sure I'd never have finished the 1,000 page tome if I were reading it on paper. Just a plug for audiobooks as a possible means of reviving your reading pleasure...)

[Elizabeth]

Have you read 'The Dovekeepers'?I loved this book and the other book I would like to recommend is 'In Calamity's Wake'.

[Betsy]

Elizabeth wrote: "Have you read 'The Dovekeepers'?I loved this book and the other book I would like to recommend is 'In Calamity's Wake'."

Loved the DoveKeepers - one of the two best I've read this year...

[Nancy from NJ]

I would recommend books by any of the following authors:

Luanne Rice
Alice Hoffman
Alice McDermott
Calvin Trillin
Anne Tyler
Jodi Picoult
Nelson DeMille
Harlan Coben
Daniel Silva

happy reading

[Sandra]

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

[Elizabeth]

How about a couple of light reads:
1.The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
2.The Best Laid Plans by Terry Fallis

[T.L.]

The Grimm Diaries by Jace Cameron - he's an indie author and fantastic!

[Kiana]

I recommend Sweet Home by Tillie Cole. Sooo good!

[Muriel]

I recommend Scared Courage. It received two 5-star ratings and one 4-star rating. Read the reviews here on Goodreads.
Please don't discard my recommendation as self-promotion (though there is some amount of it there, there is also value and worth).
It is downloadable from http://www.lulu.com/shop/muriel-gill/...

[Jasmine]

If you're willing to break your ban on mysteries, some of them transcend the genre. In this series [before he became a bestselling thriller writer], Olen Steinhauer creates a world set in a fictional East European country after the second world war. It's absorbing and fascinating.

[Gabriella]

Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurer
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

[Steve]

I'm going out on limb here, but my wife's book is excellent.Soul Journaling - Lessons from the Past

[Steve]

And i agree with 11/22/63 excellent book to rekindle your love affair with reading.

[Michael]

I'm Not Scared

I can recommend the above book, one of the very few I'll re-read owing to its brilliance. This is one author worth checking out.

[Tina]

Karen M wrote: "Stephen R. Donaldson anyone of his series are good. I'm partial to the White Gold Wielder/Thomas Covenant but maybe that's because I just bought the 1st volume in the 3rd series. =-)"

I agreen that this author is really good. I liked "The Mirror of Her Dreams" and "A Man Rides Through" ... books #1 & #2 of Mordent's Need.

[Tina]

I also recommend "Mr Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore" ... it's not a long read, but it is engrossing.

[Robert]

Read The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. Gave me faith in storytellers again.

[John]

I run toward the fantastical, like sci-fi/fantasy/horror...I'm looking for something immersive, not just light summer reading

Most of my favorite books fit this description! :)
You've gotta try:

- Shadow and Claw, or Litany of the Long Sun... I think the latter is more accessible and, IMHO, is kind of a better introduction to the series. But the former is generally held to be Wolfe's masterpiece.

- The Gormenghast Novels. Awesome. An epic saga in a strange Edward Gorey-like world. The last book gets a little strange and does not really feel like it fits with the first two, but still good.

- 1Q84... Slow-paced for the most part, but if you can let yourself get immersed in it, it's great. There is a little semi-explicit sex in this one, but it's important to the plot, and not done in a gratuitous way.

I think someone else already recommended Borges, Jorge... also a great choice. And if you like him, you should try Italo Calvino as well.

[Marybeth]

Have you read the softwire series. The first one is virus on orbis 1. It is a little slow but they get better throughout the series up to number2

[Cathryn]

Really enjoyed Angelfall by Susan Ee and The Iron King by Julie Kagawa.

[Elizabeth]

Currently enjoying ' The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow',if you love it,I think you'd also enjoy 'The Story of Edgar Sawtelle'.

[Pamela]

Mansion wrote: "Shailey wrote: "Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts"

If anyone has read Shantaram and looking for something to read next I have two recommendations.


Thank you for the suggestions!
If you are looking for a book abo..."

Kenneth wrote: "Mansion wrote: "Shailey wrote: "[book

[John]

Graeme Simsion's The Rosie Project - a fun lighthearted comedy, if that's your style, that is a marvelous book about a man Asperger's syndrome trying to find the love of his life in the most unconventional way possibly. You'll love the character, laugh out loud and forget you're reading because you'll be so immersed in the story. Then if you want something serious with a big emotional impact try Christopher Coake's You Came Back about a man who is told is dead son has come back to the house where he died. An amazing, amazing book. Those are my two faves of past couple of years.

[John]

Graeme Simsion's The Rosie Project - a fun lighthearted comedy, if that's your style, that is a marvelous book about a man Asperger's syndrome trying to find the love of his life in the most unconventional way possibly. You'll love the character, laugh out loud and forget you're reading because you'll be so immersed in the story. Then if you want something serious with a big emotional impact try Christopher Coake's You Came Back about a man who is told is dead son has come back to the house where he died. An amazing, amazing book. Those are my two faves of past couple of years.

[Robert]

I recommend Rules of Civility by Amor Towles. Wonderfully written. It really did revive my own love for reading.

[Nancy from NJ]

I recommend

A Fine Balance
Sister of My Heart
The Namesake
Desiree
Katherine
Green Darkness

[Jennifer]

Erik wrote: "As a writer I'm so busy writing, I'm not busy reading. As a teacher, I'm often so busy teaching, I don't have time to read the things I invite my kids to read. Now the book's finally out in the wor..."

Try Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. It is young adult but very unique and captivating. With tidbits of sci-fi/fantasy this is a great series that combines actual photos with a wonderful plot.

Another one of my favorites is The Night Circus which is a fantastical circus/magician story.

[Carolyn]

I, like many other readers, recommend "The Rosie Project." Also "Shadow of the Wind."

[Brenda]

Shailey:. A quick thank you for recommending Shantaram. I have just got my hands on it and am really enjoying it so far.