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Book Recommendations: Part 2

I know it’s been quite a while since my last “book recommendations” post, but after posting the chat with George R. R. Martin, I realize that quite a few of you are reading lovers too (or at least love HBO). Either way, here is the second installment of some of my favorite books. The reader comments of the first post were so fun for me to read, as I’m sure they were for others, so please share your thoughts and current favorites!

1. The Redeemer. Jo Nesbo is a really fabulous Norwegian author who writes a detective series starring the tough talking, surly Harry Hole. The style and stories of the Harry Hole series remind me of a cross between Sherlock Holmes and Steig Larsson and if you’re a fan of either, you’ll love Nesbo’s work. Actually if you’re going to pick it up, I’d suggest you start with The Redbreast, which is the first book (available in English anyway) of the series, and go from there.

2. Little Children. About the lives and frustrations of 30-something parents in suburbia. The whole “suburban angst” thing for me is kind of either love or “ehh.” But Tom Perrotta gets it exactly right. I found Little Children to be engaging from the start, the characters believable and some sympathetic, and I was happily reading until the end.

3. Valley of the Dolls. I’d never read Jacqueline Susann before until a year or so ago when I bought a few of her books – in my opinion this is her best (though they’re all good beach reads), and the characters here are the most interesting and believable. Plus the Hollywood scenes alone are worth it. It’s little schmaltzy and far from perfect…yet I can’t really think of what I’d want to change. If you’re a woman (or man with the self confidence to display the book jacket in public) pick it up if you haven’t already!

4. Lonesome Dove. The first Western I ever read and I’m kind of afraid to read another, I don’t know how it could possibly hold up. The book starts off a little slow but soon you’ll be totally drawn into it, Gus McCrae is one of my favorite characters in fiction. Larry McMurtry the author did an amazing job and I believe it won him the Pulitzer Prize.

5. Astonishing X-Men Omnibus. Astonishing of my favorite comic series that I’d recommend to everybody. This is a collection of the specific titles done by Joss Whedon (writing) and John Cassaday (art) – both awesome and you may recognize Whedon. I’m probably a little biased about Astonishing as it does feature my favorite X-Men character – Kitty Pryde – quite a lot but the art is fantastic, as is the writing, which is witty and fun. Please read it and don’t worry if you don’t know anything about X-Men as the Omnibus has a great few pages of introduction in the beginning that brings you up to speed.

21 Comments

  • Reply
    Leslie Quiros
    February 21, 2012 at 2:24 pm

    lonsome dove looks like a good one! never read a western either so it would be great!

  • Reply
    Jennipher
    February 21, 2012 at 2:38 pm

    I recently read another of Tom Perrotta's works, The Leftovers. While I didn't completely love it, I thought it was a really interesting premise: the aftermath of a rapture-like event, focused on those who were not "called" (which would definitely be me – lol!). Word on the street is that HBO optioned the story, so that's a plus in my mind too.

  • Reply
    pjlatte
    February 21, 2012 at 3:17 pm

    Thanks for the recommendation. I feel the need of picking up a copy of Astonishing X-Men Omnibus. I'm sure my husband will enjoy the read as well!

    Pjlatte's Bag Book

  • Reply
    Ines
    February 21, 2012 at 3:35 pm

    Going to check out your recs 🙂

    Some books I've enjoyed fairly recently (I read at least 2-3 books a month):
    The Millenium Trilogy (i.e. Girl w/ a Dragon Tattoo et al.); Stieg Larsson – didn't want to read it because of the hype (didn't want a repeat of Twilight and other such horrible young adult novels) but it was engaging and well written.
    The Scientists; John Gribbin (great history books)
    A Short History of Nearly Everything; Bill Bryson (good science-y read)
    The Eagle's Throne; Carlos Fuentes (fiction)
    An Apple a Day; Joe Schwarcz (chemistry book written by one of my professors from university)

  • Reply
    Helen
    February 21, 2012 at 4:25 pm

    I am an avid reader of romance novels and comedic fiction. I have heard of Lonesome Dove too. And Little Children sounds interesting to me, might be a parrell to my life in suburbia right now.

    I love the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. I love the writing of Nalini Singh especially her Guild Hunter series (vamps and angels). I am a huge fan of Nora Roberts, her In Death series, and her contemporary romances.

    If anyone is interested in paranormal romance, pick up a Kresley Cole Inmortals After Dark series book. They are fast pace with action and verbal play.

    Helen

  • Reply
    Adele
    February 21, 2012 at 4:33 pm

    I've read a couple of Joe Nesbo's but not the one you have reviewed. Will have to check it out xoxo
    http://www.intotheblonde.com/

  • Reply
    0000
    February 21, 2012 at 4:42 pm

    I loved your last post (plus, my boyfriend is a Game of Thrones addict) and I love how you love the X-Men! The best things in the world are when you find out someone's secretly a nerd haha (this is coming from an anime nerd)… Recently I've been reading a good amount of young adult novels. I highly recommend John Green for a quick shot of teenage nostalgia straight to the veins. Not to mention, a lot of his books are really funny!

  • Reply
    Lindsay
    February 21, 2012 at 5:02 pm

    The Nesbo book is on my to do list! I loved the Larsson series and I kind of secretly want to be a detective/spy, so it sounds like a great fit. Also, love the Valley of the Dolls! It's such a classic!

  • Reply
    silvergirl
    February 21, 2012 at 5:21 pm

    love the book Lonesome Dove and can remember sneaking to read Valley of The Dolls in jr. high with my friends
    back then our parents were horrified by that book lol
    brett

  • Reply
    Amanne | UrbanBedouGirl.com
    February 21, 2012 at 5:57 pm

    I haven't read Valley of the Dolls in ages. Seeing it pop up on your book recommendations makes me want to find my old copy and read it again. So good the first time.

  • Reply
    Diva In Me
    February 21, 2012 at 6:29 pm

    You are exactly like my sister. She has cabinets after cabinets of books displayed in her room. She read each and everyone of them..

    Valley of dolls look interesting =)

  • Reply
    alison*elle
    February 21, 2012 at 6:45 pm

    I always pick up Valley of the Dolls when I'm in bookstores (can't say no to a pink cover) but wasn't sure if it would be good or not. However, your rec makes it sound interesting so I'll try to remember that for next time!

    xo, alison*elle

  • Reply
    makeupandpearls
    February 21, 2012 at 6:56 pm

    oooh yes more books! i'll have to get these on my kindle!

    laurafornerphotography.blogspot.com

  • Reply
    Lindsay K
    February 21, 2012 at 7:27 pm

    Keep up the reading posts. I always love seeing what's on people's bookshelves. Reading is one of my favorite things, so it's nice to have a few good suggestions. And who can deny that sometimes you need a good beach read;)

  • Reply
    Amy
    February 21, 2012 at 7:29 pm

    I really enjoyed Little Children. It was a great albeit disturbing book, but wonderfully written, and some interesting insights on life in the suburbs.

    Am looking forward to reading your other recommendations though! Cheers.

  • Reply
    caise
    February 21, 2012 at 8:13 pm

    I love Jo Nesbo's books

  • Reply
    Sarah
    February 22, 2012 at 12:01 am

    I've never read Lonesome Dove, but I loved the miniseries. I think I might have to pick it up! I recently started reading The Maze Runner series, kind of a guilty pleasure but definitely hard to put down! lol

    keepcalmandcarrylipstick.blogspot.com

  • Reply
    Katherine
    February 22, 2012 at 2:19 am

    Wow thank you everybody for all the book recs and feedback! I was happy to hear that I share favorite books/authors with so many 🙂

  • Reply
    Katrina
    February 22, 2012 at 8:15 am

    I can't wait to read some of these, I am a reading junkie and I'm always on the look out for a good recommendation. p.s. I nominated you for a Seven x Seven award, I don't expect you to carry it on, I just wanted to let you know that I really enjoy your blog. 🙂

  • Reply
    Permanent Nomad
    February 22, 2012 at 9:38 am

    I'm in Thailand on a solo trip and my kindle is the best!! I love memoirs. Some of my favorites: A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers (such a great writing style, wit, rye sense of humor), Some Girls: My Life in a Harem by Jillian Lauren, Wasted by Marya Hornbacher (abt anorexia and bulimia). A few historical fiction novels: The Help and I just read The Kitchen House- both I loved!

  • Reply
    The Wild West » Feather Factor | Feather Factor
    July 30, 2012 at 6:49 am

    […] I decided to re-read one of my favorite books, Lonesome Dove, mentioned in this reading favorites post. Every time I finish the book, I am left in awe of how amazing the men and women (American, Native […]

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