What Are You Reading?

Updated on July 13, 2009
J.D. asks from Columbia, MD
44 answers

I am a book-a-holic but have read all my favorites and then some, so I'm looking for suggestions on books/authors that you ladies recommend. I can only say that I'm not into romance novels and since this is reading for pleasure, no self-helps please :-)

Any other topics would be excellent!

Thanks
Julie

3 moms found this helpful

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So What Happened?

I now have enough reading suggestions to last a couple years! Thanks to everyone who offered their suggestions.

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J.S.

answers from Washington DC on

I really enjoy Patricia Cornwall's books. I especially like the Kay Scarpetta series. I have read each book in the series several times.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.T.

answers from Washington DC on

I am a book-a-holic as well so here are my favorites...
James Patterson (My absolute favorite!!!), Mary Higgens-Clark, Nora Roberts (her Eve Dallas series is REALLY good), Patricia Cornwell and David Baldacci are terrific crime/suspense/detective type authors. I really enjoys Danielle Steel, Nicolas Sparks and Eric Jerome Dickey for novels. Try some of these. Happy reading!!!

1 mom found this helpful
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L.W.

answers from Norfolk on

I am not much of a reader, but I love the Janet Evanovich series! Here's her website: http://www.evanovich.com/novels/novel

1 mom found this helpful

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A.O.

answers from Washington DC on

Hello Vodka! It's me!!

1 mom found this helpful
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F.B.

answers from Charlottesville on

I like Jennifer Weiner and she has a new book Best Friends Forever and I like Jodi Picoult, she has a lot more than just My sister's Keeper, which was WAY better than the movie, in my opinion. Thanks for asking, I'll definitely be checking some other responses for new ideas.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.M.

answers from Washington DC on

I can highly recommend the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.V.

answers from Norfolk on

my favorites....

Kite Runner
A Thousand Splendid Suns
The Time Travelers Wife
The Red Tent

I am reading Water For Elephants right now and it is good too. I also love Jennifer Weimer (like many others in this post).

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T.H.

answers from Norfolk on

i enoyed the left behind series. yes it is geared towards christianity but there is also a story line in there. it was a great read i thought.

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S.R.

answers from Washington DC on

I enjoy James Patterson's Women's Murder Club books.

C.B.

answers from Washington DC on

I totally agree with the Outlander suggestion. Also, Jane Green and Emily Giffin. These have love stories, but real issues as well.

And, of course, Laura Lippman. Her books are great, and also give you great tips about where to eat in and around Baltimore.

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M.P.

answers from Norfolk on

My favorite recent read was "The Other Boleyn Girl" by Philippa Gregory. It is an awesome read full of plot twists and the characters come to life on the pages. It is historical fiction which I figured would be horribly boring but it was wonderful!

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T.B.

answers from Norfolk on

Recently I stumbled across Lee Child and he writes a series known as the Reacher Novels. try it out! very addictive and I ended up going on Amazon and buying everyone of them! then my hubbie started reading them! good stuff!

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C.J.

answers from Washington DC on

i just read these two:

The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeannette Walls

Everything Is Illuminated: A Novel by Jonathan Safran Foer

both are a mix of hilarity and solemnity.

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M.W.

answers from Washington DC on

Hi there,

I know you said no romance novels, but I don't really think that what I am going to suggest is. It has a love story, but I think it's a great one, along with alot of action!
There are also movies, based on the books, out/coming out. Of course, with any book to movie, it doesn't compare to the book....I suggest the Twilight Saga, by Stephenie Meyer. I am not a big reader, but I fell in love with all 4 books, couldn't put them down!! I think they just got better from one to the next. They are a younger read, but women all over the world have read these books...and loved them as well. The biggest thing said, myself included is...I want more!!

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L.M.

answers from Washington DC on

Some books that were recommended to me, I've loved, and pass on to my friends are:

Kindred by Octavia Butler (not fond of her other books, but this one was excellent!)
Easy by Emma Gold
Undead Series by Mary Janice Davidson (I was surprised to find this in the romance section...I would NOT categorize it as such as I don't enjoy reading those either!)
Plum Island by Nelson Demille
A Million Little Pieces by James Frey (you may know of the controversy with this book, but I still enjoyed it)

Some classics:
Where the Red Fern Grows
Laura Ingalls Wilder Series

Happy Reading!

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T.D.

answers from Washington DC on

Well it looks like you have enough book suggestions to last you quite a while already but here are my suggestions:
My favorite is "The Time Traveller's Wife" (everyone I have recommended it to has loved it!)
Also, if you like Non-Fiction, a book called "Stolen Lives" by Malika Oufkir is excellent.
If you like these, let me know what some of your favorites are as well. I'm always looking for suggestions.

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D.R.

answers from Norfolk on

I am currently loving the Aunt Dimity series by Nancy Atherton. They are mysteries and while they keep my attention, they aren't heavy reading. The first in the series is good but the following books are great. Have a great summer!

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N.B.

answers from Washington DC on

The Little Book by S. Edwards
Sarah's Key by T. de Rosnay
Are you connected to GoodReads? It is an online site for booklovers to connect and share recommendations. Happy reading! :) N.

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A.D.

answers from Norfolk on

some of my favorite books (books I loved so much I bought them for other people as gifts):

Odd Thomas (Dean Koontz but not his usual horror, more of a mystery/thriller/with a "Sixth Sense" type of twist)

The Eyre Affair (especially enjoyable if you like the classics, as this book makes lots of allusions to them. VERY clever)

A Dirty Job (funny)

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (some people find it too weird but for me it was a couldn't put it down type of book)

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A.N.

answers from Charlottesville on

I have really enjoyed the Harry Potter series if you haven't read that one yet. I also like anything by Dee Henderson and Terri Blackstock. They are both Christian writers, and their stories are often a suspense genre, with a touch of romance thrown in.

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C.S.

answers from Richmond on

You don't mention what type of books you like to read or what authors you've already read, so I'm not sure what to suggest. I read a LOT and really enjoy Susan Elizabeth Phillips (she does write romance, but not like you're thinking. she's funny and her characters will make you laugh, plus characters you've read about in previous books, turn up in other books which is kind of neat). Also really enjoy Janet Evanovich (sp?) and the whole Stephanie Plum series (really funny too). Meg Cabot is good (not the Princess Diary stuff, her adult books). James Patterson, John Sanford, Dean Koontz, Sofie Kinsella. There are two other really good authors, but I can't remember their whole names. One of their last names is Kaufman and the others first name is Lorna (last name starts with an L too, but it's not coming to me right now). Good luck and happy reading.

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K.S.

answers from Washington DC on

Jodi Picoult is one of my Favorite authors. I am going to go get the Twilight series everyone keeps raving about!

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R.K.

answers from Washington DC on

I like Jeffrey Deaver's Lincoln Rhyme novels (The Bone Collector, the first in the series, was made into a movie with Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie), Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch novels, Tess Gerritsen, Daniel Silva, John Lescroart, and David Sedaris. I joined booksfree.com which is like netflix for paperback books.

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S.M.

answers from Washington DC on

NPR does seasonal reading lists. Here is one below. Sometimes they have great recommendations.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9058...

You also might be able to download the episode where tehy discuss the books.

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J.D.

answers from Roanoke on

I absolutely LOVE the Jennifer Chiavarini Elm Creek Quilts series. It has alot of history in it and lots of fun stories. At this point I think there are 14 books-have been waiting patiently to purchase the latest in the series.

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M.H.

answers from Washington DC on

Hi, real quick and spelled wrong, but that is what google is for...Lights out..Wiley...omnivorous dilema..steve uhg, cant remember..anyway books about our food and living habits..good luck M.

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M.B.

answers from Washington DC on

I really enjoy most of James Patterson. Though if you can, read them in order, but it isn't necessary. Vince Floyd is good too, it's based in DC, so it's fun when he includes a local haunt, and interesting to get his thoughts on how politics work. Other recent books I've enjoyed were My Sister's Keeper, The Other Bolyn Girl, The Red Tent...

Some that I read a few years ago and loved were A Prayer for Owen Meany, Enders Game, The Princess Bride (amazing book), and you could always return to some of the classics, Jane Ayre, Shakespear, etc.
Happy Reading!

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R.H.

answers from Norfolk on

I don't read many books outside of education. I read, Ron Clark's "Essential 55". I loved the book! He was on Oprah's list and was on her show. It is 55 rules every child, adult, parent, teacher, etc. should live by. Who would have thought he could move from NC & transform inner city kids in New York. I have also read "The Book Whisper". Sorry I do not know the author, but it was recommended at the public library in Defiance, Ohio as one of their books for their monthly book groups. I read it and loved how takes all the different learners and teaches them how to love reading! Just thought I would share these with you.

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C.B.

answers from Washington DC on

I definitely recommend getting on www.goodreads.com. It's really easy to use and you can get good recommendations on books.

My own recent recommendations:
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The Guernsay Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shafer
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
Life As We Knew It - Susan Beth Pfeffer

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J.S.

answers from Richmond on

I absolutely love Jennifer Weiner, but if you are a book-a-holic then you probably know of her work. If not then I highly recommend Little Earthquakes, Good in Bed, Goodnight Nobody and In her Shoes.

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E.D.

answers from Richmond on

J.,

I like to read books by Lori Wick. She's a Christian author and her books are very down to earth and could be real. I've read several of her books several times.
I've picked up a new author, her name is Linda Windsor. Right now I'm reading a book called Maria(pronounced Moy-Rah). It's set back in the fifth century Ireland and is really funny at times. I'm finding it a wonderful read.
All the books I read have adventure, Love, romance, history, and Christianity in them. The authors have really done their homework for their books.
Hope this helps. God Bless.

P.L.

answers from Washington DC on

Dear J.,
Just read some great reviews on Mommy Trac'd(newsletter)
The revioew was titled Fiction for your nonexistant free time. Here's the link http://www.mommytrackd.com/bookshelf/amazon?url=http%3A%2...
There's also different categories that the mommy book critic has such as anti princess books and fluff fiction(great for summer). A book she reviewed that did great is Carpool Diem by Nancy Star and Death os a PTA Goddess by Leslie O'Kane. Also don't knock the Twilight series till you've tried them, fun brain candy.
Happy reading
Pammy

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Y.B.

answers from Washington DC on

If you like mystery novels, Ruth Rendell is a great British writer, and she also wrote under the pseudonym Barbara Vine. I love her books because they're not only thrilling but extremely well written, and there are lots of them too.

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

Disc World books by Terry Pratchet - They are wonderful and there's over 30 of them. MTYH INC Link books by Robert Asprin are very funny. I liked the Percy Jackson books by Rick Riordan.

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J.L.

answers from Norfolk on

Two quick, fun authors I read are Christopher Moore and Jasper Fford. Moore writes these weird, yet funny books about monsters and vampires and stuff (but not the Twilight or True Blood sorts of vampires) and Fford writes Nursery Rhyme/Crime books (think CSI crossed with Little Red Riding Hood).

~J.

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B.F.

answers from Washington DC on

I just finished The First Patient by Michael Palmer. A doctor who was a college room mate of the president of the USA is called in to be his personal doc. Really a great read.

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K.L.

answers from Washington DC on

The last two really good books I read from back when I had time to read were "Life of Pi" and "The Lovely Bones." These were so popular you've probably already read them, but just in case not, you should check them out. I was somewhat disappointed with the endings of both, but they were such good reads that I forgave them that.

If you really need a lot of reading, I'm assuming you've read War and Peace. Greatest book of all time and actually a pretty easy read (except for the French - that was kind of annoying to those of us who don't know French. But that was sparse.)

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L.R.

answers from Washington DC on

i am currently ready Jodi Picoult books and love them. I also like Christopher Moore - requires a kind of warped sense of humor to appreciate. Jeffrey Deavers and Elizabeth George are good if you like historical fiction. Rick Bragg's books "Ava's Man" and "All Over But the Shoutin" are excellent protrayals of an Appalacian family - great character study. Nora Roberts is good. If you haven't read Pat Conroy before I highly recommend his books. I often look for book club books when I am out of ideas. Clive Cussler is an oldie but a goodie and has lots of books - mysteries.

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C.J.

answers from Danville on

Hi J.
I am a devoted reader. Reading is one of my favorite past times. I enjoy reading a lot of mystery novels. Thes are some of my favorite authors.

Mary Higgins Clark-I have read all of her books.

James Patterson-He has a series called the "Alex Cross" series. If you try them, read them in order if possible. He has other books as well that are very interesting.

Karen Rose-Her books should be read in order if you can. A lot of the characters go from one book to the other. She really holds your interest.

Enjoy!!

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A.C.

answers from Washington DC on

New David Sedaris just came out recently- 'When you are engulfed in flames'- hilarious. I also like anything Chuck Palahniuk but he can be a little weird and slightly depressing, but very addicting. Lately I've been revisiting some Stephen Kings... just read 'Night Shift', 'Misery' (SO GOOD) and reading 'It' now. If you haven't read those already they're fun and easy reads, creepy mixed with a little humor. My favorite book is 'Apathy and Other Small Victories' by Paul Neilan... it made me really laugh, but it's not for everyone... If you haven't already read Augusten Burroughs, pick up anything by him, like 'Sellevision', 'Running with Scissors', 'Dry' or 'Magical Thinking'. Those are just a few of my favorites, they're just fun fiction novels... hope you enjoy! :-)

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A.B.

answers from Washington DC on

Anything written by Ha Jin (fiction), Octavia Butler (science fiction), and Maryse Conde (fiction). I'm now into biographies. Not sure if you've exhausted those. Also, google Oprah's Bookclub selections.

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G.S.

answers from Washington DC on

I have recently been blown away by The Best American Nonrequired Reading series and The Best American Short Stories series. It's like really good writing in spurts all packed into a book. My husband was a writing major and he turned me on to them. I'm also secretly in love with Peter Ho Davies so I recommend his books.

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D.K.

answers from Washington DC on

Anne McCaffrey, Mercedes Lackey, Tad Williams, Dan Brown, Glenn Beck, A book called Amy's Eyes (not in print any more, but you may be able to find it still), Anne Rice, Larry Dixon, Steven King, TERRY GOODKIND SWORD OF TRUTH SERIES!!! (these are a must read, it's a series of 11 books, all one long story, an amazing, sweeping epic) and so, so many more, but I think this can keep you occupied for a little while at least.

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J.B.

answers from Washington DC on

Ahab's Wife by Sena Jeter Naslund The story of a strong and independent woman who married Captain Ahab. Taken from a line in Moby Dick in which Ahab speaks passionately about his young wife. Beautifully written and captivating. Happy Reading.

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