Friday, October 23, 2009

Book recommendations

Hey folks. Need your help.

As most of you know, JB and I are headed to Cozumel, Mexico a week from Tuesday! John is attending a "Dive Medicine Conference" there, and I am attending the "Sun and Relaxation Conference". Okay, so there is no "Sun and Relaxation Conference" but I plan to create my own while I am there. I cannot wait!

We are dropping the boys off with family in Fort Lauderdale and then headed out on our first joint no-Children expedition since Isaac was born in May of 2008.

Anyways, I need your help.

Since JB is in the Conference each morning, I'll be on my own for the first part of each day. I would like to bring 2-3 really good books that I can read by the pool. Now again, please note the words really good. I want your BEST recommendations. The books that you just absolutely LOVED. I don't want anything really sad. I also don't want anything too deep but a little deep is okay. I want something that will make me want to get up everyday and start reading. Page turners that are not depressing.

Can you help? If you live locally, I'd love to borrow your book. If you don't, I'd love the recommendation so I can try to check it out at my library before I leave. I'd prefer not to buy any books.

All right, so recommend away!

26 comments:

Jennifer said...

If you are looking for fiction, anything by Joci Picoult or Anita Shreve are my favorites. I usually can't put any of their books down and can never figure out the ending.

June said...

Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, by Michael Chabon. Won a Pulitzer a few years back but is not stuffy. I loved it.

Anonymous said...

"Last Light" by Terri Blackstock. Its Christian fiction - its got it all - mystery, suspense, drama, love, humor, and faith....I think you would like it. If you decided that you wanted to read it, I hope you can find it at the library! Have a good trip!

Lisa Cronk said...

I love "The Notebook" by Nicholas Sparks. Easy, quick read. It is a little sad, but really really sweet.

Rachel and Hans said...

Have you read "The Shack" yet? It's a shorter one, but I loved it!
Also - I second Jodi PIcoult - her newest "Handle with Care" was very good.
My favorite - "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers.
Darn - I have all these - too bad you don't live by me.

Anonymous said...

"Three Cups of Tea" by Greg Mortenson---very inspiring.

Wendi Kitsteiner said...

Thanks everyone! This is great. I have read THE NOTEBOOK. LOVED IT! Lisa, have you read THE WEDDING?! It was great too. So was A WALK TO REMEMBER. (The movie was not!) I have read one Jodi Picoult book too. Keep the recommendations coming folks!!

Amanda said...

I'm in love with 'The Time Travelers Wife' It's by the same guy who wrote The Notebook.

JenH said...

The Time Traveler's Wife!

Allison and Jared said...

ooohhh The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

Lisa Cronk said...

Actually, Sophie, "The Time Traveler's Wife" is by Audrey Niffenegger and "The Notebook" is by Nicholas Sparks.

I agree, Wendi, "The Wedding" was great too. I've read almost all Nicholas Spark's books and they're all good. I hear he has a new one out, but I haven't read it yet.

Someday I'll get time to read a real book again!
: ) Lisa

miss fluffy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Any book by Karen Kingsbury is a favorite of mine.

Anonymous said...

have you read The Art of Racing in the Rain?? Best book I've read for a very, very long time. It was kind of sad, but sweet (ok, I had tears running down my face on the airplane), but it's the feel-good sort of sad. I highly recommend it!!!

Kristen DS

Shanna said...

Crazy Love by Francis Chan. Its a little deep at times - but sooo worth it!

Anonymous said...

Wen,
I have some of Terri Blackstock's books that you can take with you. I also read, "The Art of Racing in the Rain" and loved it. You can check out my stock when you get to Ft. Laud. if you want.
Joan

Anonymous said...

Totally love ANYTHING by Karen Kingsbury...she has some amazing novels as well as several books in series. You should be able to find her in the Christian fiction section at the library. You won't be disappointed!!

Anonymous said...

Anything by Karen Kingsbury

Amanda said...

Baby Cronk is right, I'm not sure where my head was lol.

Anonymous said...

I must also say that any book by Karen Kingsbury is great. The new book by Nicholas sparks is called The Last Song and is excellent!

Joy Z said...

What about the Twilight books? I haven't read them, but there are several ladies that I know that end up reading all four in a week because they are so good they can't put them down. I'm pretty sure Lisa B has been on that wagon so she probably has them?

Anonymous said...

Dee Henerson (author) has great suspense/mystery/Christian romance all in one! I have read almost everyone and they seem to have them at the library by us here. Have fun - enjoy your trip!

Roberta

Erica said...

1. Have you ever read "The Hiding Place" by Corrie Ten Boom? EXCELLENT book about the Nazi concentration camps but NOT too deep. Just a great, inspirational story.
2. I am a "classics" girl, and I think Pride and Prejudice is outstanding...my all time favorite.
3. I hate to admit it. I never wanted to jump on the Harry Potter bandwagon, but JK Rowling is an amazing author. She really gets you into the story. I only decided to read them after my then-10 year old brother was reading all of them, and this kid doesn't get inspired by much. I figured I should at least see what they were about...and they are great.
4. If you want something to learn, pick up "Manhunt" by James Swanson. It's about the assasination of A. Lincoln but told like a novel. All of the facts are true, but it's more interesting because it is written in story form.
Hope these help!

Anonymous said...

Reading Time Traveler's Wife now and can't put it down.

Read The Shack in 2 days and loved it.

Wanting to read Three Cups of Tea. I have heard great things.

A really good book not yet suggested- Eat, Pray, Love

Anonymous said...

Check out a new site called "She Reads", a spin off from the Proverbs 31 ministry. It will offer insight into excellent books written by Christian authors. http://www.shereads.org/

Alyssa said...

Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez is a favorite of mine.