I’m currently reading The Invisible Wall by Harry Bernstein — a first novel, a true story, written by a man well into his 90s. He’s 97 now and working on his second. Truly inspirational and a terrific read.

I recently finished The Obituary Writer by Porter Shreve. Pretty darn good.

And because of the new addition to my family (the 4 year old Corgi/Golden mix named Artie Fufkin), I’m too busy playing with doggie toys and taking the little man for a walk. Cuts into my reading time but in a fun, good way.

I read _Tortilla Curtain_, which was recommended a while back. It was good but really upsetting! I abandoned it halfway through.

just finished ‘No One Belongs Here More Than You’ by Miranda July. was EXCELLENT. before that ‘The Space Between Us’ by Thrity Umrigar, also quite good.

Right now I’m reading brit chick lit (Adele Parks) but just before this I read a mystery by Harlan Coben, very taut, called The Woods and before that were two crime/suspense novels by Laura Lippman. I thoroughly enjoyed them both (Every Secret Thing and What the Dead Know.

You should look into the Ayelet Waldman book if you get a chance, it was terrific. And my mom is reading and loving the new Khalid Hosseini book - A Thousand Splendid Suns.

Hil - since we’re due for a dinner, just come over and borrow some of mine. I have a TON of good books, most of which I haven’t read but want to including the new Miranda July book.

Seriously, since this baby was born I’ve only been reading books about breasts and mommyhood. Sad, I know. But all good reads!!

The Womenly Art of Breastfeeding — a must-read.
Milk Memos — very funny, inspiring, and informational.
How She Really Does It: Secrets of Success from Stay-at-work Moms — great perspectives on the delicate balance of mommyhood and working.
What the Other Mothers Know: A Practical Guide to Child Rearing Told in a Really Nice, Funny Way That Won’t Make You Feel Like a Complete Idiot the Way All Those Other Parenting Books Do — very funny with some VERY good ideas and tips

Read lately:

“The Game of Life & How to Play It” by Florence Scovel Shinn.

Hi, I also read Harlan Coben’s new book and loved it, all of his books are great. And I read Laura Lippman’s recently. Last night, I finished some good old Chick lit; Baby Proof by Emily Griffin. VG

On someone’s recommendation I bought the Book Thief but have not been able to get into it, I need to keep trying. My mother just bought A Thousand Splendid Suns, I can not wait to read it.

And, I can not wait for more suggestions! thx

I love Harlan Coben too and just finished a book that sat on my nightstand for several months but when I finally picked it up I couldn’t put it down. if you haven’t read “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan,” you should.

I just finished EVENING by Susan Pinot for the second time…it was AMAZING!

Soon to be a major motion picture…opens June 29. The movie looks good, but there seems to be many differences from the book.

No new books since Guests of the Ayatollah by Mark Bowden (an awesome book, by the way). We’ve gotten a lot of stuff about dealing with teachers and schools, and have been following literature about child development (not otherwise specified at this time).

I’m reading a Jane Green novel, “Switching Lives” I love her work. Especially her first novel, “Jemima J”

But, I’ll own up to it, I’m looking forward to the last Harry Potter book on July 21st. I started reading them at 18 while working at a bookstore. Here it’s 10 years later and I’m still excited about J.K. Rowling’s boy wizard.

Recently I reread “The World According to Garp” by John Updike. What I remembered from reading it in high school (on my own, not for a class) was very different from what struck me this time. I’m currently working my way through Updike’s “The Cider House Rules” (I have yet to see the movie).

I also just read “Female Chauvinist Pigs: Women and the Rise of Raunch Culture” by Ariel Levy for a book club. Overall I found the author’s premise very interesting, but I’m not sure this is a book which will last over time, the argument just isn’t that strong.

VirginiaGal - do you mean John Irving? I loved the world according to garp…

I just read The Boook Thief from Hil’s mom’s recommendation. It was amazing, a very powerful story written in a really interesting way. Also read the Memory Keeper’s Daughter from someone else’s recommendation on here. I thought it was good, but not mind blowing.

Currently reading Absurditan which is a satire - very amusing so far.

I read “Say When” a few years ago and enjoyed it, as well.

I am just about finished “The Tenth Circle” by Jodi Picoult. Tried very hard to get into “The Book Thief” (I think I got more than halfway through) but just couldn’t, and took it back to the library.
Read “The Glass Castle” last month and then read it again a few weeks later. Highly, highly recommended!!

I’m reading the Fountain Head by Ayn Rand for my book club. We’ve had to spread it over 2 months because it is so long. It’s perfect for me because I hate finishing a good book.

It’s a modern classic that started a philosophical movement. The characters are all very strong and the story is amazing. It doesn’t read like most philosophy books.

I highly recommend it if you are looking for a break from chic-lit!

Elise - yes, John Irving.
(note to self: always double check the author’s name…)

http://www.twitterlit.com

Interesting idea for a site for readers.

The Book Thief is worth the effort. Very powerful and moving. Love Harlan Coben…have read all of his books. Including “the woods”, his newest one. He is a very talented and fun writer. Memory Keeper’s daughter was fair….too many typos and grammatical errors for me to respect the author. It kinda got in the way of the story for me. Story too melodramatic for me, really. Loved the Glass Castle, I recommended that one highly. Also bought a Thousand Splendid Suns, will read it after I finish the one I am reading. I just finished “Not Me,” by Michael Lavigne. Very interesting premise: dad has alzheimer’s and is dying, son (age 40-ish) is delivered a box with journals that his dad kept during WWII. Turns out dad was an SS officer, a German, a Nazi and to protect himself from prosecution when he found out the camps were to be liberated he decided to “pass” as a Jew. He starved himself for 8 days, shaved his hair, stole striped prison garb from a dead jew and cut into his arm numbers he found on a dead man, one, Heshel Rosenheim. Anyway, I shall not give up the story. It is about truth, faith, honesty, love, betrayal……..what more can I say?? REALLY good book.

More later when I can remember the titles.

MOM

These book recommendations are my favorite and my least favorite postings. My favorite because I love to read. My least favorite because I get so frustrated that I don’t have the time to read as much as I’d like to.

If anyone knows of a job for which I’d get paid to read all day, please let me know. I once wanted to be an editor but I want to be able to choose which books I get to read. Picky, I know.

I’m now reading “Not Me” (by Michael Lavigne) based on your Mom’s recommendation. I’ve been enthralled since the first page. I’m one-thirds in now, reading it very slowly, which is what I do when I can’t stand the thought of the book ending. Thanks, Hil’s Mom, for another great recommendation!