Read! Here are Some Book Recommendations For You…

My first book recommendations post was quite the surprising hit.  Seems people are always looking for the next great book to read.

Looking for a good book to read?  Today I’ve asked some of my favorite food blogging friends to share their latest great reads.   Here ya go.

Katie from Good Life Eats recommends:

Wither (The Chemical Garden Trilogy) by Lauren DeStefano- Rhine Ellery’s world has been destroyed by genetic engineering. After scientists attempt at perfecting humanity by ridding the world of disease, cancer, and illness is proved a failure, the lives of future generations have literally becoming a ticking time bomb. Men live to age 25 and women only to 20. In order to maintain the population in their poverty-stricken world, girls are shipped off as young as 13 to marry and have children with eager husbands. For Rhine that means being thrust into a posh life with Linden Ashby against her will. Though she lives in a gorgeous Flordia mansion with her two sister wives and is treated like royalty, she longs to escape back to reality with her twin brother.  Book two in The Chemical Garden Trilogy is set for an early 2012 release.

Jessica from How Sweet It Is recommends:

The Island by Elin Hilderbrand. I loved this story because it was about a mother, her 2 daughters and her sister. I’ve grown up in a similar foursome of my mother, aunt and cousin, so it was especially fun to read.
Night Road by Kristen Hannah. I have been a longtime fan of Hannah’s books, but this one reeled me in immediately and I finished it in less than 24 hours at the beach this summer. I loved the underlying themes of friendship, family and forgiveness.

 Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan. This book was about a complex family who spent summers in Maine for decades. It really hit home with me because my family has vacationed similarly in Michigan on the water for decades, so I felt that I could relate. Great story about family and love.

Aggie from Aggie’s Kitchen recommends:

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins: I’m going to be honest, when I read what this was about I wasn’t really sure what to think, but I loved it. It’s definitely not “real world”. The story takes place in a future, kind of demented version of North America, where the “government” – in their way of keeping their people in line – holds an annual event, called the Hunger Games, where a boy & girl from each “district” are chosen to fight until the last one is standing (literally…to death). The characters really hook you in this story. You become attached to them and root for them. It was a great, quick read for me and I’m ready for the next one in the series.
Sarah’s Key: It took some time for me to process this book. I don’t usually read “heavy” stories like this but this one I really enjoyed. It’s partly historical, but bounces back and forth 60 years as the main character- a journalist – uncovers a tragic and disturbing story of a little girl’s life during a time where Jews in France were secretly taken away (during the Holocaust era). The journalist’s life begins to unravel at the same time she is learning of this young girl’s life unraveling. Both women in the story portrayed great strength, in their own ways. Though sad, it was a great eye-opening read.
Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise: I have a confession, I’m a “foodie” and I had no idea who Ruth Reichl was before this book. If you don’t know either, don’t feel bad. She was a restaurant critic for The New York Times and this book is about her time there. I loved it. Ruth’s humor cracked me up, I loved how she transformed herself into disguise as she visited the restaurants she was critiquing, and of course I loved reading about the food.

Kristin from Dine & Dish recommends:

Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum- This was a haunting book about the relationship between the Jews and Germans during the Holocaust, specifically a young 18 year old Jewish girl and a German soldier. It’s a story of love, loss, deception and secrets. I couldn’t put it down!

Bird by Bird - Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott- As someone who makes their living as a freelance writer and photographer, Anne Lamott’s humorous yet inspirational book was a turning point for me when looking at the creative process. Her words and methods inspired me and gave me specific techniques to try when writing.

The Last Child by John Hart- This book isn’t my typical genre, but I couldn’t put it down and have now picked up more books by this same author. This is the story of a brother who continues a search for his kidnapped / missing sister. This is a mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat and you won’t want to put the book down.

And my pick of the moment… (currently reading): The Book Thief by Markus Zusak- I actually picked up this book for my son at the library the other day (in the young adult section), but I had heard so much about it and others had recommended it to me.  So now I’m reading it instead of my son!  I’m enjoying it so far.  It caught me a little off-guard at first, since “Death” is the narrator.   It takes place in the World War II-era and tells the story of Liesel Meminger from the time she is taken, at age nine, to live in Molching, Germany, with a foster family in a working-class neighborhood of tough kids, acid-tongued mothers, and loving fathers who earn their living by the work of their hands. The child arrives having just stolen her first book–although she has not yet learned how to read–and her foster father uses it, The Gravediggers Handbook, to lull her to sleep when shes roused by regular nightmares about her younger brothers death. Across the ensuing years of the late 1930s and into the 1940s, Liesel collects more stolen books as well as a peculiar set of friends: the boy Rudy, the Jewish refugee Max, the mayors reclusive wife (who has a whole library from which she allows Liesel to steal), and especially her foster parents.

Have you read a good book lately?  Please share… 

20 Comments / Leave a Comment »

Posted by Lori Lange on October 26, 2011

Leave a Comment

20 Responses to “Read! Here are Some Book Recommendations For You…”

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   Lauren at Keep It Sweet — October 26, 2011 @ 1:57 PM

   I love these book suggestion posts! I just finished Jerusalem Maiden (per your suggestion)- so good!

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   Shari @ The Daily Dish — October 26, 2011 @ 2:01 PM

   This is a great list. I added a few to my own must-read list. They sound so good.

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   Blog is the New Black — October 26, 2011 @ 2:02 PM

   Ahhhhhh! Love this!!!! Can I participate next time!? I read a ton of books & have read most mentioned above!!!!!! I loved One Day, Bossypants, Shenghai Girl…

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   carly {carlyklock} — October 26, 2011 @ 2:04 PM

   I’m reading ‘Room’ right now – a bit difficult to get through purely due to content, but beautiful writing and a gripping story.

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   Jacqueline — October 26, 2011 @ 2:25 PM

   I haven’t read any of those and in fact the book thief is the only one I have heard of. Mind you reading lists across the pond can vary greatly. I am noting a few of these down to order from the library (my bookcases are already groaning). A superb idea for a post. Now to find a pen.

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   Suzy — October 26, 2011 @ 2:34 PM

   I’m currently reading “Life Itself” by Roger Ebert and loving it. He is an amazing writer. “Room” is also on my Kindle; can’t wait to start that one!

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   Aggie — October 26, 2011 @ 3:17 PM

   I have actually read two of Jessica’s picks (Night Road and The Island) just this summer! Great reads!

   loving this list, thank you for including me! I will have to check out yours in the YA section which for some reason I’m finding myself lately

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   Gwyn — October 26, 2011 @ 5:02 PM

   I loved “Saving CeeCee Honeycutt”, by Beth Hoffman

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   Rachel @ Bakerita — October 26, 2011 @ 5:16 PM

   I’m reading Matched right now and really enjoying it so far!
   Can’t wait to read some of your other picks as well

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    Susie — October 26, 2011 @ 5:20 PM

    I also loved The Book Thief. It was originally released in Australia as an adult novel (this was the author’s intent, too), but when they released it here publishers decided to classify it as young adult. Personally, I think they did it a disservice!

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    Miss — October 26, 2011 @ 5:25 PM

    I love to see what everyone is reading, I am always looking for a great book. I am reading Bloodroot right now and it’s a little tedious but I can’t put it down.

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    Paula — October 26, 2011 @ 8:22 PM

    Kurt is reading this right now, too!! I will have to read it when he is done – I need a good book!

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    Aimee — October 26, 2011 @ 9:50 PM

    I am so happy to see The Book Thief here. I really loved this book. Such a beautifully haunting story. I couldn’t put it down and it still lingers with me though I finished it a few months ago. I love all of the recommendations here. I’ve added quite a few to my Good Reads “To read” list.

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    Caitlin C — October 27, 2011 @ 8:22 AM

    Love the book recommendations! I purchased The Book Thief and have just never picked it up, but now I will! Thanks for all of the great reviews!

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    Janis — October 27, 2011 @ 12:59 PM

    Thanks for the recommendations! I just ordered one of the books from http://www.paperbackswap.com which is a great book swap website. Just sign up and list books that you’re willing to send when requested. You get a point for every book you send. Use your points to order books from other members. It’s great!

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      Lori Lange replied: — October 27th, 2011 @ 3:19 PM

      Haven’t heard of that website. Thanks for the tip!

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    RecipeGirl's Mom — October 28, 2011 @ 8:58 PM

    Loved reading the variety of books in this collection. Thanks to all your participants. Hope to see more in the future.

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    dorothy mora — October 30, 2011 @ 1:29 PM

    listening to the hunger games and the marriage plot on my ipod- listening to books is a great way to get through long drives and to make household chores either go faster or come to a dead halt…

    if you liked the hunger games, check out the passage by justin cronin. it’s a lengthy book (800 or 900 pages i believe) and a long listen (25 or so hours)- either way the initial protaganists and how they are brought together will grab you, then hold on for a stormy ride!!!

    thanks for branching out recipe girl!

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    Mary — January 22, 2012 @ 4:51 PM

    Just finished reading Please stop laughing at me by Jodee Blanco. Excellent book about herself growing up and being bullied.

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    Amanda — February 12, 2012 @ 7:47 PM

    Thank you for adding this to your site – it is so nice to have others recommend books. All of the suggestions you listed look like wonderful options that I can’t wait to start reading!