Has anyone...

...read any good books lately? I just finished Picture Perfect by Jodi Picoult, which was excellent (like most of her books, in my opinion ), and I'm waiting for my friend to finish Kiss My Tiara: How to Rule The World As A Smart Mouthed Goddess(as if I need pointers, lol ) and The Nanny Diaries so she can lend them to me. In the meantime, does anyone have any recommendations??
Thanks!

Jennifer,

I love Jodi Picoult - she is my absoulte favorite author. Actually, I just finished Salem Falls, Picture Pefect is waiting for me ... ! My favorite, though, was Keeping Faith! I've read all but Picture Perfect and the Perfect Match (both on the bookshelf, though)!

I just finished a book by Joy Fielding .. 'The First Time' - it's a real tearjerker ... but was very good!

I'm reading - 'Transister Radio' by the same author of Midwives - it's okay, pretty weird.

I don't know if you read any of Wally Lamb's books. 'She comes undone' and 'I know this much is true'. I loved them both! The second one is long, so be prepared!!

I'll let you know if I think of any others.

BTW .. I read the 'Nanny Diaries' - that was cute, I expected better with all the hype. But it's an easy and good read anyway!

Happy Reading!

Cira

Cira, I'm cracking up laughing because I read ALL of the books you just suggested (I really need to get out more, I think!), except Salem Falls, which I've been searching for in book stores with no luck. I think I'm going to order it off of Amazon.com today.
I LOVED Keeping Faith too, but wait till you read Perfect Match. I read it last week, and it's my new favorite! Let me know what you think.
Another good one by Joy Fielding is Grand Avenue. It has a bit of a switch at the ending that I thought was great.
I also love Wally Lamb, and I wish he'd write another book.
It sounds like you and I have very similiar taste in reading materials. Whenever you read something you love, please let me know ASAP!

Nina, thanks so much for the recommendation. I thought I read all of Oprah's books, but that's one I've never heard of. I'll be off to Border's this afternoon!

I just read a sort of sick sadomachistic murder 'mystery' called Topping from Below by Laura Reese. A few people recommended it to me so I had to read it.

Sick, sick, sick is all I can say. But I couldnt' put it down :D

Reading the Nanny Diaries now.

I read all her murder mysteries.
Interesting point of view: through the eyes of the Medical Examiner who is a Woman!

I've read few Laura Reese books, including Topping From Below. A lot of people recommended her to me because I went on a true crime reading spree not too long ago, and they said the books were pretty graphic. While I have to agree with that, I think I prefer the true crime stuff.

JennRenne: Did you read Panic Snap? How did it compare with Topping?

I am reading : Sharon Tate and the manson Murders... (i know strange ...but i saw the e true hollywood story and it hooked me!! LOL)

Also the Billionaire Boys Club (again the e true hollywood story got me into this one!! )

4 Blondes by candace bushnell (sex and the city author)

Valley of the Dolls, and Shadow of the Dolls, by Jaqueline Susanne were great...

Belinda , by anne rice

Im not really into the romantic love story books...

Jennifer,

Don't order it from Amazon. I got it at the closeout Blookstore in Tanger - only $7! Real awesome price! Plus, I picked up a whole bunch of books there. Check it out!

That is to funny that we have the same taste. I will definitely let you know if there is any other book I read that I liked. Please do the same too!

Plus, I read that Wally Lamb is suppose to write another one - who knows when!!

I'll check my bookshelf for you!

Cira

Cira, Jenn,

Have either of you read THE PACT ? I noticed that you havent mentioned it. I read it a few years ago, and LOVED IT ! Actually, I wrote this long detailed review about it on Amazon, and Jodi herself emailed me !! She was touched by my review and was flattered that her booked 'felt so real' to a reader...

I just had this 'need a good book' itch last week and my sis, best friend and I just started reading GAP CREEK (Oprah's book club !). So far i'm just on the first chapter so i cant say much about it yet !

2 pointers :

1) DONT BUY BOOKS ! What for ??? Getting books out of the library has to be the EASIEST way to save money in this world ! come on ladies ! What do you do with a book after you've read it ??? And what if you hate it after the first chapter ?
(I hate 'collecting junk' so buying novels is one of my 'NEVER EVER's', lol. Other books that I'd like to keep, I'll buy, but I cant imagine ever reading a book twice, life is too short ! )

2)When youre thinking about reading a book, check the reviews on Amazon, I try to do that. Of course your opinion will not be the same as everyone's out there, but you can get a good idea sometimes of whether a book is HOT or a LEMON.

HAPPY READING !
I'll keep in mind some of the books mentioned here!

Sonic Stef ~ Yes, I read Panic Snap. I thought the story was good, but Topping was better. Let me know what you think of The Nanny Diaries when you are done. If your review is similiar to Cira's I might skip it.

Cira ~ thanks for the tip about the book store in Tanger... Patrick is off this week, so guess where we will be taking a field trip to?? I will definitely let you know if anything worth reading comes my way.

Anna ~ Buying books is my sickness. I am obsessed with owning everything I read, and I actually do re-read books. I have managed to stop buying hard covers, and now I'm trying to wean myself off of paper backs. I borrow from friends a lot, and then find myself wishing I had bought the book. Patrick gets so annoyed because I have books EVERYWHERE, and magazines too. I have subscriptions to Glamour, Cosmo, Redbook, Jane, Lucky, In Style, and Town and Country. It is my worst habit and only vice. Patrick sometimes says he wishes I'd take up smoking or drinking instead! Of course he's joking!
Yes, I have read The Pact, and of course I couldn't put it down. I just lent it to a friend who stayed up all night reading it, and loved it too! It is a such a powerful story.
I think it's so cool that you got an email from Jodi! I would print it out and save it forever! I bet you already know this, but she is from Long Island. Cool, huh??
Oh, and I read Gap Creek a while ago, but didn't love it. Let me know what you think when you're done.

Suzanne~ I read Four Blondes this summer... what did you think? I liked it, but didn't love it. Valley of the Dolls is AWESOME I've read it 3 or 4 times! I also read Billionaire Boys Club, but that was a while ago, during my True Crime obsession. I'd be interested in hearing what you think of the Charles Manson book. I think it's something i'd be interested in. Have you ever read Mother's Day (can't remember the author)? SICK SICK SICK and unfortunately true. Of course I couldn't put it down.

One last thing, whenever I read a book, I rate it at Amazon.com, and then they give me recommendations, which I get on my own (I hardly ever buy from them). I've found some really good stuff that way, including the wonderful work of Jodi Picoult.

Jennifer and Anna,

I love owning the books that I've read too. Rob and I want to have a library one day in our home with all the books that we read - I'm sure our kids will donate them to charity once we are gone, but hey it's what we want. But thanks for the tidbit Anna - we are looking at homes and let me tell you, I'm so frustrated, I wished I saved more money as a kid. Ugh !!!!
I read the Pact too - I just started Perfect Match, this morning on the train, and after that, the only book I have left is Picture Perfect. Jodi is my favorite author. But read Keeping Faith - that blew me away!
Actually, my friend Lisa lives in Penn. and she started a book club - that could be a thought! When we meet for dinner, we can all decide on a book to read and then discuss. I may be way to nerdy, here, but I've been reading everything since I didn't take any classes this summer. I guess that will change once the fall starts!
Oh well - Jennifer, I hope you find a bunch of books - I know that store is closing at the end of August - I don't know if they are re-locating or what, but I overheard the guy at the counter. I'll make one more trip before summer ends!

Cira

Thanks for the info Cira. I'm definitely going out there this week.

I think your book club idea is great! I would love to do something like that!

I have been wanting to join a book club for some time now--if you all start one would you mind if I join?

As for my reading, much is similar to everything already said (although I haven't read The Pact-so that will be next). I just finished reading Elizabeth George's In Pursuit of A Sinner which was absolutely great if you like mysteries. She is a superb author and her prose is beautiful.
Right now I am reading Joy Fielding's Grand Avenue.
Loved Wally Lamb, hated Gap Creek (actually it is the ONLY book I ever put down without finishing!)

Misha, you are more than welcome to join us!! The more ideas for future reading the better!

I haven't read In Pursuit of A Sinner... thanks for the recommendation!

I started the book club thing with my sis and best friend. since we live in queens and LI, it keeps us doing something 'together'. Boy do i miss the commutes to the city, just for the sake of having reading time !! i rarely 'make time' to read, im restless and have to keep moving and doing. someone force me to sit still !

Cira, I know what you mean about the library thing, DH already bought 2 big shelves with glass doors to start a library with 'reference' type books (astronomy, golf, psych, law, my baby /development books, parenting, swimming, etc) , it would make me nuts seeing 75 novels taking up this huge shelf (i can be anal about things, lol). but thats cool that you'll have all the books youve read. you and jenn can compare libraries! hey, whatever makes you happy
I started a list once, with books i read, and my own little reviews of them, until the online world came about, and i just do reviews on amazon.

Seems like GAP CREEK is not popular, maybe thats what im not motivated to pick it up again, LOL.

For those of you that like to read true crime books, my MIL loves to read books by Ann Rule.

Also, try half.com and ebay for good deals, even on new books.

Happy Reading !

Don't giggle but....have you read the Harry Potter books? I am in the middle of the third one and think they're wonderful! (I'm a teacher) Some other books I love include:

Summer Sisters
Where the Heart Is
Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood