Jenny in GA Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 ... what other novels have you really liked? I feel like reading a really good novel, but it is so hard to find one I really like. I generally don't like "chick-lit, romance" stuff, but at the same time, I don't want something very heavy, either. My favorite novel in the last couple years has been The Help, so I'm trying to find something else I like as much as that. I also fairly enjoyed a Jodi Piccoult book called Plain Truth, but there was several things that made my eyes roll (mostly involving the goofy lawyer romance). Oh, and I usually like anything with a courtroom scene. Any suggestions? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nakia Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 I loved The Help. I like a lot of different genres (my favorite is historical fiction), but like you, I don't like the "chick lit" type stuff. You might like: Water For Elephants The Kitchen House Snow Flower and the Secret Fan (has some pretty heavy stuff) I Capture the Castle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissKNG Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Which Grisham books have you read? The Confession was not great imo but pretty much anything else he writes, I usually can't put down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hockey Mom Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Water For Elephants was a great book. I know it's been out for a while, but The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk was set in the same era (I think), and was a pretty good read too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in GA Posted November 27, 2011 Author Share Posted November 27, 2011 Which Grisham books have you read? The Confession was not great imo but pretty much anything else he writes, I usually can't put down. I read The Firm over a decade ago when the Tom Cruise movie came out. I enjoyed it some, but never felt compelled to read something else by him. Maybe I should try another ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissKNG Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 I enjoyed: The Street Lawyer The Associate The Appeal The Brethren The Partner The King of Torts to name a few.... ETA: I could not get into A Painted House either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Hmmmm. Maybe you would enjoy Madame Tussaud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momma aimee Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 the red tent http://www.amazon.com/Red-Tent-Novel-Anita-Diamant/dp/0312427298/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322439257&sr=1-1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolphin Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 Not courtroom, but the other novels I have enjoyed recently (and I LOVED the Help) Water for Elephants Friday Night Knitting club Cutting for Stone Poisonwood Bible Nicole Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer in MI Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 I'm watching this thread. LOVED the Help! I did a google search on "If I loved the Help, what would I like?" Saving CeeCee Honeycut came up. I got it and read it. Good book. Not as good as the Help by a long shot! Currently, I'm reading Frankenstein. But, I'm going to order Water for Elephants! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kathymuggle Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 The Thirteen Tale - just plain good To kill a Mockingbird - southern , court room Midwives - court room Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plink Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 (edited) What I loved about The Help was the interaction between the characters. I found it similar to The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. http://www.amazon.com/Guernsey-Literary-Potato-Society-ebook/dp/B0015DWJX2/ref=dp_kinw_strp_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2 Edited November 28, 2011 by LibertyH Cuz' I cant spell wurf nuthin ;o) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwjx2khsmj Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 Here are some of the books I've really enjoyed this year. Some are social consciousness fiction. Others are non-fiction, interesting or fun. The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson The Paris Wife by Paula McLain One of Ours by Willa Cather My Antonia by Willa Cather The Magician's Assistant by Ann Patchett A Proper Pursuit by Lynn Austin Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese Lost in Shangri-La by Mitchell Zuckoff State of Wonder by Ann Patchett Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly The Widower's Tale by Julia Glass Mothers and Other Liars by Amy Bourret Digging to America by Anne Tyler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T Baer Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 Water For Elephants was a great book. I know it's been out for a while, but The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk was set in the same era (I think), and was a pretty good read too. I really enjoyed reading the Secret Lie of Bees. I wasn't too thrilled with the movie, but that's generally the case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisabees Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 the red tent http://www.amazon.com/Red-Tent-Novel-Anita-Diamant/dp/0312427298/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322439257&sr=1-1 Not courtroom, but the other novels I have enjoyed recently (and I LOVED the Help)Water for Elephants Friday Night Knitting club Cutting for Stone Poisonwood Bible Nicole The Thirteen Tale - just plain good To kill a Mockingbird - southern , court room Midwives - court room :iagree: Agreeing with all of these, especially Cutting for Stone. How about The Book Thief? Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks? I remember loving The Rapture of Canaan years ago. And Mr. Emerson's Wife. My mil says that I will love Major Pettigrew's Last Stand and I've heard great things about Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption. I read The Forgotten Garden; many love it. Same for The Secret Life of Bees. I just didn't get into them. YMMV. Oh - maybe Thousand Splendid Suns and Kite Runner? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuntieM Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 I read The Firm over a decade ago when the Tom Cruise movie came out. I enjoyed it some, but never felt compelled to read something else by him. Maybe I should try another ... Testament is good. As far as other recommendations, :bigear: I haven't had much time for non-educational reading in a while, I'd love something else like The Help for a nice break. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caroline Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 Since I think you might be in the Atlanta area, you might like Swan House. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lauranc Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 One that I really liked is Remarkable Creatures by. Tracy Chevalier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasmel Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 Just finished To Kill a Mockingbird and it reminded me how much I love that story. The Glass Castle, is a true story but it is a little heavy. I was amazed at how the author coped. Same kind of Different as Me - another true story. Great book, christian theme. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in GA Posted November 28, 2011 Author Share Posted November 28, 2011 To kill a Mockingbird - southern , court room Midwives - court room Yes, those are two books I loved as well! :001_smile: OP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuntieM Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 Oh, the Flavia de Luce mysteries by C Allen Bradley are good. Flavia is quite the character. The titles are kind of funky, I think they go like this: A Red Herring With Mustard The Weed That Ties the Hangman's Bag And I can't remember the third. Seconding Guernsey Lit Society. If you like mystery, Agatha Christie is great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pink Fairy Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 Velva Jean Learns to Drive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thescrappyhomeschooler Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 I agree- Water for Elephants was great. I just finished State of Wonder by Ann Patchett recently, and that was a great book. I liked her novel Bel Canto, also. Anything by Barbara Kingsolver, but Poisonwood Bible or The Bean Trees are super. I like Adriana Trigiani books also. I've enjoyed all of them, but Lucia, Lucia was my favorite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommaduck Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 (edited) the red tent http://www.amazon.com/Red-Tent-Novel-Anita-Diamant/dp/0312427298/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322439257&sr=1-1 :iagree: A bit out there, but interesting spin. I like a wide variety, so I can't really think of much that matches up with The Help (btw, I loved it, my fifteen year old son loved it, and my thirteen year old daughter loved it...and my husband loved it when we read parts out loud). I'm in the middle of a Harry Turtledove book, In the Presence of Mine Enemies (a "what if Hitler had won" type of book from the perspective of a handful of "blended in Jews"). Once Upon an Autumn Eve is pretty good also. And The Pink Carnation series! I've been reading Midwives every time I go to the laundromat (it's their book). Very good read. The oldest three kids and I have been reading I Am Number Four (yes, the movie was based on it) and it's sequel, The Power of Six. Edited November 28, 2011 by mommaduck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ondreeuh Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 I enjoyed The Help, but not as much as others. I just finished the best book I have ever read. And I've read a few ;) The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. Yes, it has a great story but it is also artfully written. I was so sad when I finished it. I read it with nothing but the book jacket to go on, but apparently it's been hyped up. I think that often ruins a book (people expect something different than they get) so I would go into it without reading too many reviews. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is also very good - a little more heavy. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold is another that I enjoyed. I'm fairly picky about books, but these all get my thumbs-up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancypantsgirl Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 I loved The Help. LOVE LOVE LOVE The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series. They are addictive. Alexander McCall Smith is a literary genius. Also La's Orchestra, Portuguese Irregular Verbs and series (same author). I also really like The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie and sequels. So fun. Also, oldies but goodies are the Mitford books if you didn't read them back in the day. OH and the gem of gems... The Geurnsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. This one will make you laugh and cry and love invisible people. I am just starting The Elegance of the Hedgehog. I've heard from an absolute bibliophile that it is proof that good novels are still written. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirch Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 What I loved about The Help was the interaction between the characters. I found it similar to The Gurensey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. http://www.amazon.com/Guernsey-Literary-Potato-Society-ebook/dp/B0015DWJX2/ref=dp_kinw_strp_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2 This is the first thing that popped into my mind. Great read. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
i.love.lucy Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 I loved The Help. I like a lot of different genres (my favorite is historical fiction), but like you, I don't like the "chick lit" type stuff. You might like: Water For Elephants The Kitchen House Snow Flower and the Secret Fan (has some pretty heavy stuff) I Capture the Castle Glad to see you recommend The Kitchen House! It's up next for me! The Thirteen Tale - just plain good To kill a Mockingbird - southern , court room Midwives - court room Be careful with The Thirteenth Tale. Man, it was a great book and the story really grabs you, but there is some twisted stuff in there. Not for the faint of heart. But if you aren't too ultra conservative when it comes to novels, it's a great one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 Not courtroom, but the other novels I have enjoyed recently (and I LOVED the Help)Water for Elephants Friday Night Knitting club Cutting for Stone Poisonwood Bible Nicole :iagree: All the same ones I was thinking of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momma aimee Posted November 29, 2011 Share Posted November 29, 2011 bump I love to read, HATE romance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunriseiz Posted November 29, 2011 Share Posted November 29, 2011 Two seasonal suggestions: Skipping Christmas http://www.amazon.com/Skipping-Christmas-Novel-John-Grisham/dp/0440422973/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322595807&sr=1-1 The Christmas Train http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Train-David-Baldacci/dp/0446615757/ref=tmm_mmp_title_0 I really enjoyed both of these! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ottakee Posted November 29, 2011 Share Posted November 29, 2011 Two that I have just read that aren't really romances but good books are They Almost Always Come Home about a woman dealing with the "what ifs" when her husband doesn't come home on schedule from a hunting trip http://www.amazon.com/They-Almost-Always-Come-Home/dp/1426702388/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322600167&sr=1-1 Walking On Broken Glass which is the story of a lady entering rehab for alcoholism http://www.amazon.com/Walking-Broken-Glass-Christa-Allan/dp/1426702272/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322600255&sr=1-1 I got both as free Kindle downloads from Amazon and was very pleasantly surprised at the books. Ones that were quick and lighter reads but yet made you think. I need to request The Help from the library now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 Jenny, I LOVED The Help as well as many others suggested here. I also am not into chick-lit or romance/heavy romance. I used to love John Grisham's older stuff, but not his most recent stuff at all. Some of my favorite reads that others may or may not have mentioned: ABSOLUTE AND ALL-TIME FAVORITES The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende and anything else by her, but this is her best. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Allende :) OTHER BOOKS THAT I HAVE LOVED (not in any particular order) Can't Wait to Get to Heaven by Fannie Flagg and most of her books - very sweet and light - and quite funny The Secret Life of Bees Books by Maeve Binchy – light, fluffy, but also very accurate about human interactions and relationships The Poisonwood Bible – Barbara Kingsolver (but might be too heavy for you at the moment) OTHER BOOKS THAT I HAVE LIKED (not in any particular order) The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society The Ladies No. 1 Detective Agency Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynn Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in GA Posted December 1, 2011 Author Share Posted December 1, 2011 Thanks so much for all the suggestions! I took a list to both used bookstore and the library a couple days and decided on The Thirteenth Tale. I'm on page 40 and so far like it very much! OP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kahlanne Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 I have been researching books for gifts and nearly everyone that was mentioned is on my list. I too loved The Help but hated Water for Elephants. Can't wait to try many of the suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeaganS Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 I enjoyed Memoirs of a Geisha and Alas Babylon. They are two of my favorites. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenL Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 SO many excellent recommendations so far! I'd like to add Sarah's Key which was fantastic. Little Bee was great as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunriseiz Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 I enjoyed Memoirs of a Geisha and Alas Babylon. They are two of my favorites. I am usually a courtroom/crime drama type person, but really enjoyed Memoirs of a Geisha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 Subbing to this thread and resurrecting it. Sounds like many of you have the same or similar taste as I do. I have really enjoyed Water for Elephants and the Help and The Poisonwood Bible. Trying to get some of my book list together for 2012. Dawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forget-Me-Not Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 I've enjoyed all three of Kate Morton's novels The Forgotten Garden The Distant Hours The House at Riverton I also really enjoyed Wildflower Hill by Kimberley Freeman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perry Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 Gilead The Glass Castle Mitford series Ladies No. 1 Detective Agency series Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in GA Posted December 30, 2011 Author Share Posted December 30, 2011 Subbing to this thread and resurrecting it. Sounds like many of you have the same or similar taste as I do. I have really enjoyed Water for Elephants and the Help and The Poisonwood Bible. Trying to get some of my book list together for 2012. Dawn Try reading my other thread about a great way I compiled a book list. Also, I just finished Thirteenth Tale, thanks to this thread, and liked it a lot. OP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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