JessMcG Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 And/or what are your favorite books written by women? I'd appreciate fiction or nonfiction recommendations. I'm looking for a few books to have around after the baby is born (and my parents take the older kids to their house for a week). Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallorie Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 I like Dee Henderson, for Christian suspense/romance. I just finished her O'Malley series. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NanceXToo Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 (edited) My favorite book series ever is the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. "The year is 1945. Claire Randall is traveling with her husband when she touches a boulder in one of the ancient stone circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is hurled back in time to a Scotland torn by war and raiding border clans in the year of our Lord 1743. Catapulted into the intrigues of lairds and spies that may threaten her life, she soon realizes that an alliance with James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, might be the only way to survive. Thus begins a work of unrivaled storytelling that has become a modern classic." The characters are so good, the series has everything- history, romance, drama, fantasy, sex, war, everything all rolled into one! And it's almost impossible to end up not having a crush on Jamie. :D I also like Laurel K. Hamilton's "Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter" and "Merry Gentry" series, but you'd have to be into paranormal/vampire stuff. If you are, I also recommend the Black Dagger Brotherhood books by J.R. Ward, though they are a bit more graphic than Laurel K. Hamilton's books. And another series along those lines is the "Dark" series by Karen Marie Moning Moving away from that type of paranormal stuff, I like almost every book by Jodi Picoult, too. Those are more drama and sometimes suspense. ETA: Oh, and I also love Philippa Gregory for historical fiction novels, particularly about royalty. Margaret Atwood has some good ones but like others have said they tend to be pretty "heavy" and for me personally they are hit or miss as to whether I will get into them or not. The Handmaid's Tale will probably always be my favorite by her. Edited April 24, 2012 by NanceXToo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bamagirl Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Patricia Cornwell - her Kay Scarpetta series..she's a medical examiner, so murder/suspense genre Janet Evanovich - Stephanie Plum novels...they are funny, main character is a bounty hunter Ann B. Ross - Miss Julia series Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Robyn Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea series is great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caitilin Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 (edited) A. S. Byatt is one of my favorites. Her novels are engaging, but not easy reads. They also tend to deal with familial dysfunction, so if that is not your cuppa, they are not for you. Barbara Kingsolver is good; she writes fiction, but I especially enjoyed her non-fiction Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, which is about her year of eating locally. It was very inspiring. For bucolic fiction of the British type, I recommend Miss Read. Yes, Miss. She wrote about small town British life from the mid 1950s on. Sweet, but not saccharine. Perfect post-baby reading, IMO. Her series about Thrush Green is multi book, and just delightful. Oh, and if you are at all interested in sci-fi/fantasy, check out Connie Willis' novels Blackout and All Clear. They are a real and engaging look at London during WWII, seen through the eyes of time travelers. :) Edited April 24, 2012 by Caitilin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissel Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Mary Stewart -- I re-read her Merlin quartet at least once a year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsbaby Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Patricia Cornwell - her Kay Scarpetta series..she's a medical examiner, so murder/suspense genre Janet Evanovich - Stephanie Plum novels...they are funny, main character is a bounty hunter Ann B. Ross - Miss Julia series Patricia Cornwell is one of my favorites as well:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissel Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 A. S. Byatt is one of my favorites. Her novels are engaging, but not easy reads. They also tend to deal with familial dysfunction, so if that is not your cuppa, they are not for you. Oh, yes! I recently finished Possession and The Children's Book. Both were heavy but absolutely engrossing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caitilin Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Oh, yes! I recently finished Possession and The Children's Book. Both were heavy but absolutely engrossing. I LOVE Possession. Such an interesting story--and the poems are good too! ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matryoshka Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Ursula LeGuin Barbara Kingsolver Isabel Allende Amy Tan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WistfulRidge Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 My favorite book series ever is the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. "The year is 1945. Claire Randall is traveling with her husband when she touches a boulder in one of the ancient stone circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is hurled back in time to a Scotland torn by war and raiding border clans in the year of our Lord 1743. Catapulted into the intrigues of lairds and spies that may threaten her life, she soon realizes that an alliance with James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, might be the only way to survive. Thus begins a work of unrivaled storytelling that has become a modern classic." The characters are so good, the series has everything- history, romance, drama, fantasy, sex, war, everything all rolled into one! And it's almost impossible to end up not having a crush on Jamie. :D I also like Laurel K. Hamilton's "Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter" and "Merry Gentry" series, but you'd have to be into paranormal/vampire stuff. And another series along those lines is the "Dark" series by Karen Marie Moning :iagree: Those were pretty much my recommendations as well, lol. I never get tired of reading any of these authors. If you are into Fantasy I also really, really enjoy Jaqueline Carey (start with Kushiel's Dart), Robin Hobb's Farseer & Tawny Man trilogies, Sara Douglass (particularly the Troy Game series), and Elizabeth Haydon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DusksAngel Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 I also like Laurel K. Hamilton's "Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter" and "Merry Gentry" series, but you'd have to be into paranormal/vampire stuff. If you are, I also recommend the Black Dagger Brotherhood books by J.R. Ward, though they are a bit more graphic than Laurel K. Hamilton's books. And another series along those lines is the "Dark" series by Karen Marie Moning :iagree:I love these series! Anne Bishop's Dark Jewels series is really good, as well as Kim Harrison's Hollows series. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tasia Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Seconding the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. I also really enjoy anything by Marian Keyes and Lauren Weisberger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen in PA Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Tana French and Kate Atkinson are two of my current favorites. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanieZ Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 I am struggling b/c I tend to like authors that write pretty heavy (Margaret Atwood, Toni Morrison, etc). . . and I don't think that'd be great baby-bonding-hormonal reading! I think Isabel Allende would be super. It's quality literature, but it's not generally depressing either. Some great stories! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aggieamy Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Am I the first to suggest Agatha Christie? Her books are light fun reading, there's always a twist, and usually they have a happy ending. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datgh Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 I love Beverly Lewis books that are based in the Amish country. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK_Mom4 Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Joanne Fluke is one of my current "light-read" favorites. Her Hannah Swenson Mysteries. I can't believe it - am I the first one to suggest Tamora Pierce? Her fantasy is a good read indeed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annlaura Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Kate Atkinson, esp Behind the Scenes at the Museum Alice Munro A.S. Byatt, her new book, Ragnarok, is wonderful Jane Urquhart, esp The Underpainter Amy Tan Jhumpa Lahiri Tracy Chevalier, esp Girl with a Pearl Earring, and Falling Angels Eudora Welty Julia Alvarez- In the Time of Butterflies Cristina Garcia- Dreaming in Cuban Harriet Scott Chessman- Lydia Cassatt Reading the Morning Paper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KidsHappen Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Um, JK Rowling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staceyobu Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Barbara Kingsolver is my all time favorite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarlaS Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Seconding the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. I also really enjoy anything by Marian Keyes and Lauren Weisberger. :iagree: But get them on kindle if you've got one. They're HUGE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarlaS Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Um, JK Rowling. She has a new book coming out in September too--for adults! :hurray: I wonder if she'll ever write another series. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwjx2khsmj Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Margaret Atwood Barbara Kingsolver Diane Gabaldon Janet Evanovich Jane Austen Laura Hillenbrand Anna Quindlen Agatha Christie Amy Tan Anne Tyler Elizabeth Berg Toni Morrison Maya Angelou Alice Walker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelli Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Sophie Kinsella is one of my favorites for British chick lit :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 ;) Try Kristin Lavransdattar. By Singrid Unset I like Margarite Yourcenar, esp. the Memoirs of Hadrian and The Abyss, both historical novels. Yourcenar spent many years traveling to the places Hadrian went and reading what he read and wrote, in the original. If you want fun and entertainment, we were just discussing THe Egg and I on another thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 A few of my favorites: Classics Mary Wollstonecraft Jane Austen Charlotte Bronte Modern Ursula LeGuin Marion Zimmer Bradley Patricia McKillip Robin McKinley Helen Fielding Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mandymom Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Anything by Francine Rivers, but my favorite by far is Redeeming Love. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belacqua Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Margaret Atwood Carol Shields Chita Banerjee Divakaruni Ursula Hegi Allegra Goodman Peg Bracken (she wrote hilarious books about cooking, etiquette, and housekeeping; the suggestions are marvelously dated, but the writing is still sparkly) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Made Unfit Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 I love Jean M. Auel's historical fiction series "Earth's Children". The 6 books are set around 30,000 years ago between the last two ice ages, IIRC, and follow the life of Ayla, a Cro-Magnon girl brought up by Neanderthals. Hard to put down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendi Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Jane Austen Connie Willis Isak Dinesen Elizabeth Peters Wendi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelAR05 Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Barbara Kingsolver Sandra Gulland - I LOVE her writing and her strong female characters Mistress of the Sun - a historical fiction novel about France's Louis XIV, the Sun King, and his mistress, Louise de la Valliere The Josephine B Trilogy - about Josephine Boneparte Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura in CA Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Dorothy Sayers!!!! For bucolic fiction of the British type, I recommend Miss Read. Yes, Miss. She wrote about small town British life from the mid 1950s on. Sweet, but not saccharine. Perfect post-baby reading, IMO. Her series about Thrush Green is multi book, and just delightful. Am I the first to suggest Agatha Christie? Her books are light fun reading, there's always a twist, and usually they have a happy ending. Elizabeth Ironside (modern British mysteries) Ellis Peters (Brother Cadfael and other books) Americans: :) Anne Tyler Anne Fadiman, "Ex Libris" Firoozeh Dumas, "Funny in Farsi" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caitilin Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Doh! How could I have not put the immortal Dorothy on the list! Lord Peter Wimsey remains my ideal man... :svengo: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrixieB Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Elizabeth Jane Howard Maeve Binchy Rosamunde Pilcher Diana Gabaldon J.A. Jance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura in CA Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Doh! How could I have not put the immortal Dorothy on the list! Lord Peter Wimsey remains my ideal man... :svengo: :iagree: :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joanne Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Eudora Welty. Carson McCullers. Flannery O'Connor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wheres Toto Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 For Fantasy: Mercedes Lackey Barbara Hambly Robin McKinley For light romance: Deborah Macomber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tristangrace Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Dorothy L. Sayers (esp. the Lord Peter/Harriet Vane series--begin with Strong Poison)--mysteries that are more "literature" than "genre", so to speak Dorothy Parker--short stories, acerbic wit, can be a mild downer if you read too many in one sitting Hester Browne (Little Lady series)--Brit chick lit Ruth Rendell--suspense, mystery Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Anne Lamott She writes nonfiction about her life--single mom, often hilarious, a little "inappropriate" if you are super conservative, but she's a Christian and came to faith after some rough life experiences. Traveling Mercies and Bird by Bird are my favorites. Beloved and The Bluest Eye are by Toni Morrison. Her writing in Beloved is so beautiful. I also like Ann Voskamp, but she's an aquired tast to some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairfarmhand Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Ann B. Ross Jan Karon KAren Kingsbury Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in Neverland Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Beloved by Toni Morrison is my all-time favorite work of fiction by male or female. Incredible story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama Lynx Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Dorothy Sayers :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celticmom Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 I love fantasy and I see Mercedes Lackey has already been mentioned. I also enjoy Katherin Kurtz but some of hers can be a little heavy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFSinIL Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Elizabeth Peters - her series with Amelia Peabody! Jan Karon Jane Austen Dorothy Sayers Anne Perry (her Pitt and Monk series) Pearl S. Buck Betty Smith (not just A Tree Grows in Brooklyn - she wrote more!) Barbara Pym - try Excellent Women older anthologies of columns by Erma Bombeck also fun light reading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kubiac Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Betty MacDonald's adult stuff (she wrote Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle for kids) is hysterical. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thescrappyhomeschooler Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Barbara Kingsolver. I love everything she's written, but my absolute faves are The Poisonwood Bible and The Bean Trees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrookValley. Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Barbara Kingsolver. I love everything she's written, but my absolute faves are The Poisonwood Bible and The Bean Trees. Speaking of post-partum reads...a friend of mine brought me The Bean Trees while I was recovering in the hospital after the birth of my son. Good read. I:) I've never actively sought out a Barbara Kingsolver book. Usually, someone passes me a copy. But I've never been disapointed. I just finished The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, which I really enjoyed. Very visual; absolutely beautiful, actually, with several great characters. I'll also third or fourth Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series--fun stuff--as well as the spin-off Lord John series (Outlander is a bit of everything; the Lord John books are more mystery). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom-ninja. Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Um, JK Rowling. No better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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