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book reviews, really?
I had no idea my book reviews were so missed. This is a little akward, because I can see a few ways of proceeding: Only reviewing books I really like and would recommend highly (which means, not many reviews); reviewing everything I read (which would be a bit much); a mixture of good and bad. But the last option means I'd be putting up negative reviews, and you remember what a stink that caused, right?
So here's a list of novels I'd recommend, in no order at all. Everything mixed together, all genres, but just novels, and all modern. With another hour to spend I'm sure I could double it without hesitation. Which means: there are many, many other novels I would recommend as well, if I had time. But I'm stopping, because otherwise I'd be sitting here all night.
- The French Lieutenant's Woman, John Fowles
- Jim Fusilli's series
- John Sandford's series
- The Light in the Piazza, Elizabeth Spencer
- The Time Traveler's Wife, Audrey Niffenegger
- A Thread of Grace, Mary Doria Russell
- The Sparrow, Mary Doria Russell
- My Sister's Keeper, Jodi Picoult
- Ain't She Sweet, Susan Elizabeth Phillips
- Every Secret Thing, Laura Lippman
- White Doves at Morning, James Lee Burke
- A Catch of Consequence and Taking Liberties, Diana Norman
- Harmful Intent and Wrongful Death, Baine Kerr
- Lee Child's Jack Reacher novels
- The Love Letter, Cathleen Schine
- All Saints, Karen Palmer
- Dorothy Dunnett's Niccolo Rising series
- Shutter Island and Mystic River, Dennis Lehane
- Dennis Lehane's Patrick & Angie novels
- Bride of the Wilderness, Charles McCarry
- Dan Simmon's series starting with Hardcase
- Jenny Crusie, everything she's written
- Flowers from the Storm and For My Lady's Heart, Laura Kisnale
- Judith Ivory (aka Judy Cuevas), everything she's written
- Stephen Hunter's series
- Sacred Hunger, Barry Unsworth
- The Grand Sophy, Georgette Heyer
- Shipping News, Annie Proulx
- The Inn at Lake Divine, Elinor Lipman
- Possession: A Romance, A.S. Byatt
- Margaret Lawrence's four novels about post-revolutionary Maine and New York
- Greg Rucka's series
- The Magician's Assistant, Ann Patchett
- A Soldier of the Great War, Mark Helprin
- the first three novels in the Outlander series, Diana Gabaldon
- The English Patient, Michael Ondaatje
- The Rose Grower, Michelle de Kretser
- Passing through Paradise, Susan Wiggs
- The Water Method Man, John Irving
- Beloved, Toni Morrison
- Straight Man, Richard Russo
- Rose, Martin Cruz Smith
- The Moonflower Vine, Jetta Carlton
- The Handmaid's Tale, Margaret Atwood
November 16, 2005 04:50 PM
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Comments
Don't think of it as having caused a stink. Think of it as having sparked a wonderful debate. I don't recall people having objected to the negative review itself; it was more the tone of the review that caused people to bristle, myself included.
Posted by: Teresa at November 16, 2005 08:41 PM
A John Irving novel! I've read most of his books but not that one....I'll have to pick it up. I loved the Cider House Rules and A Prayer for Owen Meany.
Posted by: Carolyn C at November 17, 2005 04:21 AM
How lovely! I always need book ideas. And I certainly didn't go wrong when I took your advice on Jennifer Crusie.
Posted by: Danielle at November 17, 2005 06:37 AM
Why do so many people like Jennifer Crusie so much? I've read two of her books and they both have made me want to shake her then slap her.
Posted by: Bugg at November 17, 2005 02:39 PM
Bugg -- which ones?
Posted by: Sara Donati at November 17, 2005 02:45 PM
Curious - for the Dunnetts why Nicolo but not Lymond? It's my preference as well, but I think both series are on my favorites list.
Posted by: Scarlet at November 17, 2005 02:57 PM
Scarlet -- I did like Lymond, but nearly as much as Niccolo. Not even to put on the list.
I adore Niccolo. Slowly I'm winning people over, getting them addicted. My conversion count is now six -- which is a lot, if you consider the simple number of pages, the complexity of the storyline, and the challenge.
Posted by: Sara Donati at November 17, 2005 06:50 PM
Ever read Cynthia Wright's romance novels? The story of how she wrote her first novel and had it published to become a hit intrigued me, and it's fairly decent storytelling too. Perhaps a bit "romance predictable" but highly readable to me.
Posted by: Pam at November 17, 2005 09:08 PM
Why do so many people like Jennifer Crusie so much? Ditto. This is my only objection. Laughing. Maybe one or two of her novels, not ALL! Otherwise, it's a fantastic list. I am going to link to it. My personal favorite, Possession by A.S. Byatt. I also loved The Rose Grower, Michelle de Kretser, a novel that deserved more acclaim than it received. I am big fan of the two Laura Kinsale novels. too. An addition.
Letters from an Age of Reason by Nora Hague. I highly recommend it for your list. Beautiful list, everyone should read now!!
Posted by: Jane Harrison at November 20, 2005 11:49 AM
Pam, I haven't read Cynthia Wright, but I'll put her on my list.And now Letters from an Age of Reason is also on my list, thanks to Jane.
I'm actually surprised that Jane likes the whole list (with the exception of all of Jenny's books) -- have you read the crime novels, too?
I have this (possibly mistaken) sense that my taste is a bit odd and eclectic, so somebody who likes everything there -- that I didn't expect.
Posted by: Sara Donati at November 20, 2005 12:29 PM
I'll have to look at home. I can't remember the names...
Posted by: Bugg at November 21, 2005 12:08 PM
Yep, I own all these books and have read most of them, though some I have read only "parts."
You didn't like Letters From An Age of Reason and I loved it. I'll reread it after the holidays and get back to you, but I definitely disagree with your thoughts on the novel.
Now I like the list. It's a good mixed list. And I am recommending it. Have I read them all? No. I have "ambivalent" feelings about Hunter. He writes well, but I don't like him. Laughing.
Posted by: Jane Harrison at December 6, 2005 09:05 AM