It’s Monday and it’s raining – what a good day to read a book! It’s time for me to ask for your most recent good reads for our master list. I will keep track and post them again in about a week so send your favorites sometime this week.
At the moment I’m reading Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens and I’m listening to the Dark Heart by Joakim Palmkvist. I’ve also read A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park, The Wife Before Me by Laura Elliot, the Things We Wish Were True by Marybeth Mathew Whalen and the Rent Collector by Cameron Wright. The only one I did not really enjoy was the Rent Collector but I know several who loved it so don’t count it out
Remember the gorgeous succulent wreath from Amy that I showed you last week? I got my new Country Home on Saturday and look! My wreath is on the cover – with a few added red berries for Christmas!
That is it from me – now I want to hear from you and see some clicks on our page. I am so anxious to hear what you’ve been reading! I’ll get Connie’s list, too. While I’m running the blog, she’s sewing -as fast as she can for our next book!
I just finished Where the Crawdads Sing. Anxious to hear what you think. It was quite different but had a story line that kept you reading!!
Sometimes I dont see anything to click on?
Nancy Wingo – you probably have an ad blocker installed – thanks anyway.
Red a good book “Josiah for President” by Martha Bolton it s about an Amish man running
for President of US
I’m reading “Carrying Albert Home” by Homer Hickam. It’s a wonderful read; funny and a different kind of love story.
Hi Mary, I”m currently re-reading Drums of Autumn, 4th book in the Outlander series, by Diana Gabaldon, for the second time. I’ve read books 1 through 8 and have re-read the first 3 books, The first one was written 25 years ago. I highly recommended these books.
The TV series (on Starz) has had 3 seasons – each based on the first 3 books. and they stay pretty true to the books. It started in 2014,
TV Series Season 4, started yesterday. I like to re-read the book right before each season starts.
For about the last 30 years, I have mostly read only non-fiction, but my daughter told me I had to read Outlander, her favorite book, so I finally did and I have been obsessed ever since. It’s historical fiction and about time travel. For some reason I love books about time travel, even though I know it is not possible. Anyway, this series of books is so well written, once you start reading it, you are hooked. In fact, Outlander (series of books) came in #2 in the Great American Read on PBS, which aired all summer.
I rarely re-read books, but these books are the exception. One of the only other books I’ve ever read more than once is The House on the Strand, by Daphne duMaurier. I’ve read it 3 times, first time in the 70’s – and oddly enough it is also about time travel. I recommended this one, too.
I am a big reader, usually reading 20 books a year.
Gail
Gail, I, too, love the Outlander Series! People question how can it be good when it’s about time travel but oh, it IS good! You really get drawn into the story line and the characters are wonderful. We are also watching the series on tv and I was pleased that it is so true to the books. I love that there are now many knitting patterns based on Claire’s shawls and cloaks! I want to make some of them! Highly recommend these books.
I am re-reading the Niccolo series by Dorothy Dunnett. Book one. 1400s adventures of a merchant from Bruges, quite amazing detail and very interesting locations.
I just read the newest Nicolas Sparks book “Every Breath” ! I have read all of his books & love them! I also read “ The Second Sister” by Marie Bostwick! This book has been made into a Christmas movie on the Hallmark Channel to be shown the weekend of Thanksgiving! She also wrote The Cobbled Court Quilt Series which has 6 books in the series! I have read most of her books too!
I read Amish Books & Christian Books too!
Just finished Heartland by Sara Smarsh, an interesting memoir of growing up in the wheat fields near Wichita. I am now reading The Girl with Seven Names by Hyeonseo Lee, a North Korean defector now living in South Korea. I enjoy reading memoirs of strong women!
My reading is on the back burner. I’ve been quilting, piecing and working on wool felt appliqué ornaments for the six. Grands while my husband recuperates from hip surgery. I just stopped by to click on some ads! I do so enjoy your blog posts.
Cheryl – thanks for the CLICKS!
I’ve been out of the reading zone. Quilting is my favorite pastime. Working on Bonnie Hunter’s Carolina Chain from her Addicted to Scraps book.
I love the Susan Branch cook books all in her own handwriting and illustrated with her water color art. She also has an autobiography and a travel book.
Lynn, I LOVE all of Susan Branch books. I have her cookbook and have made many wonderful things from it. What have you made and enjoyed? My favorite is the summer pasta salad. She is writing another book about her latest trip to England. Have you read all her books?
Love Susan Branch. Have read her trilogy, and I follow her blog and twitter. Just bought the Heart of the Home anniversary book. Want to start cooking again.
Loved Where the Crawdads Sing. Now reading the latest John Grisham, The Reckoning. It’s very good. Nancy, western suburb of Chicago.
I am just finishing SHELTER IN PLACE by Nora Roberts and it is really good. It is hard to put down and I am at the very end which will be exciting. I don’t like all of Nora Roberts books but this one is great. On the other hand I just finished JD Robb’s (also Nora Roberts) latest “In Death” book -LEVERAGE IN DEATH and I find all of that series fascinating – the character development is so interesting and the plot lines really keep you interested. In fact I read them so fast that I hate waiting for the next one!!
Kathy Hanson – can you clarify the “in death” series?
i am reading a series by dean koontz about jane hawk. first book is ‘the silent corner’, followed by ‘the whispering room’, then ‘the crooked staircase’ and ‘the forbidden door’. am reading the last one now. this is such a great story line (no horror in this series). the nextt book comes out in may 2019 and will be ‘the night window’ which will be the end of the series. i like the way the story is written and the challenges that are faced. have given up lots of sleep by reading instead of sleeping. thanks so much for working with this thread. patti in florida
This summer when grandkids were hear from California, I read to them…
Red Berries White Clouds Blue Sky. By Sandra Dallas
We also read. Hardscrabble. By Sandra Dallas
All of her books are wonderful..
The Good Widow by Liz Fenton
I’m reading “Lilac Girls” and so far it is what I call heavy but I am thinking about history that must not be forgotten. Author: Martha Hall Kelly.
Hi Mary I’m doing my share of clicking!! Thanks for the blog. I enjoy it.
Marian, I agree it can be heavy, but keep reading; it is very good!! I just finished THE DAY THE WORLD CAME TO TOWN by Jim Defede. It’s about 9/11 when the 38 airliners landed in Gander, Newfoundland with 6,595 passengers and crew members. Gander had not quite 10,000 residents at the time. If you need an uplifting story right now, this is about the kindness of people helping people. It is such a testament to the way people treat others. I highly recommend it.
Diane, I bought this book after it was recommended and I can’t wait to read it. I will pass it on to family members afterwards as it is one I know my daughters would want to read. I feel like it will be one of those I will hold to my chest afterwards and just be grateful for good souls in this world.
U must read first series of Storm clouds rolling in. It’s the first of 10 . I’m on to the 2 nd one can hardly put it down. Look it up and read the about them , please
Norene Elwell – who is the author? Is the name of the book Storm Clouds Rolling In?
I have had an extremely busy October and had not taken the time to read your recents posts. My husband has had knee surgery. This afternoon I read from beginning to end, your recent posts. Thank you for sharing your daily life, with tribulations and good times.
You have inspired me to pull out my box of red scraps and make something for Christmas. Hopefully I will send you a picture before Dec. 25th.
Paula in Texas
Paula Walker – red and white quilts are so inspiring! Happy Sewing!
I love the Susan Branch cook books which are handwritten and illustrated with her water color art. She also has an autobiography and a travel book.
I’m listening to Packing for Mars, by Mary Roach. It’s how NASA is preparing for a trip to Mars. From picking the passengers to testing the equipment. Reality with a lot of humor. Imagine, never smelling flowers again. Running water, spring breeze, rain. It’s fascinating, but not for me!
these are books i have read in the past yr. My most current reads are on the previous listings….
THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN by Garth Stein
about a couple and a dog..I enjoyed the read
PHILOMENA by Martin Sixsmith (I think)
troubling story but I had to finish it
A REDBIRD CHRISTMAS by Fanny Flagg
just in time for the holiday…………lovely story
THE ORCHARDIST by Amanda Caplin
worth reading ..
A list just in time for the snowy months ahead here in WI and MN area……
I just finished “the Sun Does Shine”
How I found life ond freedom on death row
by Anthony Ray Hinton
It was really good. There the Crawdads sing is on my list next.
Perfect timing! I’m in need of a new book. Until then, here are some of my good reads…
The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict
Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
Year of the Runaways by Sunjeev Sahota
Reading Where the Crawdads Sing right now. Just finished Force of Nature. Y Jane Harper. It is the second book of a possible series. The first was The Dry. Good reads from Australia.
I finished The President Is Missing while on vacation. I thought it to be very good, but I am always up for a good mystery.
I reread Fried Green Tomatoes. I don’t usually reread a book, but somehow this one called out to me when I was in my favorite used bookstore. I’m very glad I did. It’s a great one. I am going to try and find A Red Bird Christmas now because Fannie Flag is such a good author.
Now I am nearly done with Now You See Him. An easy read, another mystery and I will probably forget about it almost as soon as I put it down.
Books that stay with me are always my favs.
Mary….I not only commented, I bought something. Two of those noise making things for women to carry in case they are grabbed. One for each daughter. Now I wonder if that will show up in your data.
Any book in the Joe Pickett series by C J Box. He’s a game warden out in Wyoming & has quite the suspense filled adventures that keep me reading to the end. I could list a ton of books but for now I’ll start with those! Reading is a passion of mine & you will always find me with a book close by to read in those few spare moments of the day!
Oh, yes, but read them in order. The Joe Pickett books by C J Box are absolutely wonderful. They take place in Wyoming!
I agree – I love this series!
A Spark of Light Jodi Picoult
Educated Tara Westover
The Perfect Couple Elin Hilderbrand
Juror #3 James Patterson
Every Breath Nicholas Sparks
I don’t think I have seen the James Herriot books on the list. All Creatures Great and Small, etc. I read all of the books every decade starting in the 70’s when first published. So I have read them 5 times. I was lucky to visit the surgery in Thirsk. England where James Wigt (sp?) Practiced. I have a book going all of the time and I really appreciate your hard work on the book club lists.
OH-h-h I loved reading All Creatures Great and Small. Read several of them but not all of them long ago. My favs too.
I just finished “The Clockmaker’s Daughter” by Kate Morton. I enjoy how her books have suspenseful stories that have so many unexpected twists and turns. It makes me want to reread some of her earlier books again!
I just read “Every Breath” by Nicolas Sparks! Love all of his books! I also read “The Second Sister by Marie Bostwick! This book has been made into a Hallmark Channel movie to be aired on Thanksgiving weekend! She also wrote the Cobbled Court Quilt Series which has 6 books ! Loved them! I read a lot of Amish & Christian books!
I read the Great Alone by Kristin Hannah and it was wonderful.
Thank you for writing your blog and doing the book lists. I mostly “read” audiobooks these days. The titles escape me authors JD Robb, James Patterson, Lisa Jackson are the writers of books i have listened to.
It is so nice of you and others to list books that are important works and stay with you.
My reading or listening lately has been more entertainment than thought provoking a mix is good your reading list is helping me balance my reading
You are so kind thank you
I finished Where the Crawdads Sing. I like the writing but not sure I liked the ending. Will be anxious to hear what you think.
Listening to Jane Eyre-sometimes a review of a classic is good.
I think that wreath is SCRUMPTIOUS!!! I don’t think I have the patience to pull it off but love looking at it.
I am still working my way through Jacqueline Winspear books as I find them. I was lucky enough to pick up three at a local flea market for just $2 a piece. I read so much I need to find deals. I am presently up to 92 books this year!!!!! And I still manage to find time to quilt and run my antique shop. (I do not watch television except Red Sox Baseball.) I admit to sitting in my shop and reading while in between customers and ALWAYS have a book at the ready when waiting in a doctor or dentist office!
The Last Mrs Parrish by Constantine, Liv
If you love suspense : )
Liz
I loved “The Lightkeepers Daughters” by Jean E. Pendziwal. It was a page turner to the very last page!!
I have just finished A Dangerous Crossing by Rachel Rhys – historical fiction about passengers on a ship from England to Australia just before the start of WW II. I mostly enjoyed it – story might have stretched out a bit too much.
I also remind you of The New Farm by Brent Preston – a young couple who decide to try farming. He is Canadian from Ontario and she grew up on a farm in Vermont. I really enjoyed their stories about animals and crops – and their environmental message too.
Gail
All of the Mitford series books by Jam Karon. At Home in Mitford is the first. They are a delightful & life lesson books.
Founding Mothers by Cokie Roberts about the women in the lives of the men who founded our country.
A few to add to your list.
The Second Sister by Marie Bostwick. It’s a fiction quilting series and this particular book has been made into a hallmark hall of fame movie to be shown Saturday November 24, but retitled Christmas Everlasting. Patty LaBelle will be in the movie. The author made table runners to give to several of the cast when she went on set.
My current read is not a new book, but I am enjoying it. Worth Dying For by Lee Child, it is one of the Jack Reacher series, it takes place in corn country of Nebraska.
Just finished Work Song by Ivan Doig and before that read The Bartender’s Tale by the same author. I LOVE his writing – set in Montana around the 1920’s or so. I hate to have them come to an end – just want the stories to go on and on. Also just read The Lady of the Rivers by Philippa Gregory – historical fiction about English royalty and court around the 1450’s.
Looking forward to reading some of the books on this list. Thanks for doing this Mary!
I just finished The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. It was so good!
finally someone else read this book and liked it. alot of people i know don’t get it. thanks for mentioning it ginney camden. patti in florida
Reading The Reckoning by John Grisham….love it!!!!
I am a fan of Susan Branch’s Fairy Tale Girl, Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams, and A Fine Romance.
Lynn from Highlands Ranch, CO – I did not realize Susan Branch wrote novels!
These are memoirs full of her art and photos. May get a tv movie out of them. We’ll see. She wrote them out of order.
I just finished Beneath the Scarlett Sky and it was a “can’t put it down” book. So good and a glimpse what was happening in Italy during WW 2. I learned so many things about what life was like with the Nazis in control, the last days of the war dealing with what Italians were like during that time. I didn’t know there was a Catholic/Jewish underground. Wow! One of the best books I’ve read in a long time. Anybody else?
Sarah Lusmann – Beneath a Scarlett Sky is in my top ten favorite books!
sarah lusmann, i loved that book also. a real page turner. being a military brat, we went to germany in 1959 (i was 8). went to italy several times. so many places were still in ruins. i thought the people in these countries that worked for the underground were so brave. patti in florida
I haven’t had much time for reading lately as when I start a book the world comes to an end till I finish it! That being said, I have devoured the books by Nelson DeMille and Vince Flynn (CIA, espionage) and also enjoy Ken Follett. A few years ago my arthritis was so bad that I couldn’t pick up a needle so reverted to books. Full time. Arthritis under control, back to quilting!!!
Thanks for preparing the list, hopefully I’ll get a few books from the library and set aside some time to read every day.
I recently finished reading When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi. Thisthe story of the authors diagnosis of lung cancer when he was in the last months of his neurosurgery residency. His honesty and courage is amazing.
I’ve recently finished reading “Murder at the Breakers” by Alyssa Maxwell and I have requested the next book in the series from my library. I am currently reading “Where We Belong” by Lynn Austin and am about 3/4 through it. One of those hard to put down books. Last week I finished listening to “Remarkable Creatures” by Tracy Chevalier. When I’m sewing, I like to listen to books on CD.
That wreath is beyond beautiful. I got my copy of Country Home today and enjoyed the article about the 80 year old that works with wool. The house looks very interesting. It is something how she displays her wool in her studio for all to see. It was striking. The entire magazine looks interesting this time. Thanks for your blog. (It is more interesting than Country Home.)
Kathy Schwartz – yes, I thought this was a pretty good issue and I, too, enjoyed the article about the wool. Maybe we should all tell them what we want to see more of!
I love Country Home magazine and your wreath!! Paula in KY
I just finished reading The Hideaway by Lauren Denton. I enjoyed so much. Thanks for your book list, I split my winter hobbies between reading & sewing. Lori
I found a book you may like to look through. The title is Literary Chickens by Beth Moon. It has black and white photos of fifty-two heritage-breed chickens paired with excerpts from classic literature. It has 144 pages. I am going to start reading The House on Foster Hill by Jamie Wright. It takes place here in Wisconsin. We are to get 1-2 inches of snow tonight through tomorrow morning.
Last month, Last Bus to Wisdom by Ivan Doug was listed. I am listening to the audio version. Heartwarming. Coming of age story told from the 11 year old Donny’s point of view. 1951 travels from Montana to Manitiwok, Wisconsin on a Greyhound bus and much more.
Beneath the Scarlet Sky probably the best read in ever! All of the Bess Crawford series, in order, by Charles Todd. The Address by Fiona Davis, The Invisible Bridge by Orringer, the Kate Shackleton series by Frances Brody, White Rose, Black Forest by Dempsey, Only Child by Navin, Carnegie’s Maid by Benedict, The Alice Network by Kate Quinn……Jeepers I’ve read 49 books this year!!