I wish I could sit down and read a book. When I had jury duty a couple months ago I started a great book while sitting in the jury pool. Once I was released that was it. It sits unfinished on my bedside table.

Someday I hope to finish Wish You Well by David Baldacci.

I recently finished "Eat, Pray, Love". I can't say that it's the best book I've read. In fact, the only part I really enjoyed was the "Pray" part. I found it fascinating.
As a result, I'm waiting to see the movie when it comes out on DVD rental.
Lynn

I'm reading the Grant County series by Karin Slaughter. There's I believe 7 books - I'm on #4. She's a medical examiner, her on again, off again ex hubby is the police chief and they get some pretty dangerous goings on in that small town in Georgia! The books are so intense, and some things are pretty gruesome, but once you get into the series (read them in order) you get really involved with the characters and how they evolve from book to book.

I have to say I loved the newest Nora Roberts' book, The Search. If you like dogs, there are some real cuties in this book and the romance part isn't all icky, but more realistic. Not all of her books are winners, but this one definitely is (IMHO).

YES! I read an oldie but goodie not too long ago: "The Moonflower Vine" by Jetta Carlton. I'd never heard of it, but friends highly recommended it, and I do too! It was perfect as a summer read.

BTW, I really liked "The Art of Racing in the Rain" too.

Here is a link that might be useful: The Moonflower Vine on Amazon

I read "The Room" (or was it just "Room"? not sure) a few weeks ago, in two days. Sooo good.

I also recently read "The Ha-Ha" based on someone's recommendation here; liked that a lot too.

If you haven't read "The Help"... SUCH a great book!

Another book that stayed with me for a long time after finishing it was "A Fine Balance" by R. Mistry. I couldn't put it down.

"The Girls" by Lori Lansens is fantastic.

Finally, "We Were the Mulvaneys" is another of my all-time favorites.

I just remembered "Little Bee" by Chris Cleave. It's hard to read in spots, but a very good book, IMO.

Here is a link that might be useful: Little Bee

I just finished all of Michelle Moran's books...Nefertiti, The Heretic Queen and Cleopatra's Daughter. Now I can't WAIT for her new book, Madam Tussaud, to come out in April. Didn't even know I liked historic fiction! I picked up Nefertiti on a whim and that was that.

I truly, truly enjoyed these books and have been recommending them left and right. One caveat, however: if you are a real stickler for historic accuracy, you might be annoyed by some of the artistic license taken. Otherwise, they're great.

I like Jennifer Haigh's writing. I also really like Roxanne Robinson. I would classify those books as literary fiction but readable literary fiction. Both authors have won coveted literary awards. I alternate between the more serious stuff and straight out pink-cover chick lit. Emily Giffen is good for that. If you want fun try Diana Gabaldon. She's written a multi-volume series that starts with Outlander. The story follows a time traveling female doctor who falls in love with a Scottish Highlander and ends up in the middle of the American revolution.

Jean Strouse's marvelous biography of J. P. Morgan. A great overview of 19th century American industrial history, economics, and juicy gossip to boot.

Reread Carolyn Burke's bio of photographer/Surrealist muse Lee Miller. I can't get enough of this amazing woman, reading every tidbit I can find.

And currently reading Patricia Bosworth's bio of photographer Diane Arbus. Meh. Not well written, and DA is depressive and, ultimately, depressing. She commits suicide. Interesting recap of the transition from mannered formality of the 50s to gritty realism of the 60s, set in NYC.

Anne Rice - Angel Time. I read that on a plane recently. I would like to get the next one. I have always liked her books.

Still plowing through Colleen McCullough's Masters of Rome series, finishing Fortune's Favorites now. She writes about the rise of Julius Caesar and the fall of the Roman Republic. Her books are a thrilling combination of history, rich characterizations, and delightful imaginings of the private lives of some very famous people. There are seven books altogether, each about 1,000 pages. If you finish them, you've earned a B.A. in the history of Rome, as Mccullough is a fabulous researcher!

This series brought me to Steven Saylor, whose books are about Gordianus the Finder, a fictional detective in ancient Rome. Whereas Colleen is pretty heavy, Saylor is delicious - wonderful descriptions of Italy and Rome itself, and very human people.

Am now reading J.A.Jance's Partners in Crime, in which Beaumont and Brady finally meet. I love Jance!

Danielleg - Thanks for the suggestion of Moran. Reading about Rome brings you to a lot about Egypt, so I'll check her books. I also had not read historical fiction in decades; forgot how much fun it is.

Awm03 - you like biographies! I have a collection of biographies of fascinating, independent women. Favorites are Gertrude Bell, Queen of the Desert, by Georgina Howell, May Sarton, by Margot Peters, O'Keeffe & Stieglitz, by Benita Eisler, and Simone de Beauvoir, by Deirdre Bair. I'll have a look at Lee Miller's bio, thanks!

Saving CeeCee Honeycut was just a feel good easy read. Kind of like Secret Life of Bees, but I liked Saving CeeCee a bit more.

Also read Art of Racing in the Rain. If you like that kind of book (told from dog's perspective) "Dog On It" and "Thereby Hangs a Tail" by Spencer Quinn. NYT bestseller. Features "Chet" whose owner is a PI and Chet gets to ride along. Fabulous books for any real true dog lover!

Copying the tried and trues for my next run to the bookstore/library.

I'm the same way, never been able to sit still long enough read...unless I'm in the bathtub! So I "read" books-on-cd while I'm doing other things like gardening. I check them out from the library. Unfortunately that means I'm at the mercy of whatever they choose to carry.

Right now I'm listening to Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead and I love it...so far. I inherited my mother's copy of the book and wanted to read it but never could so I'm glad I am finally able to see what this book is all about.

Other books I thought were really good were Ethan Fromme and Lust for Life (by Irving Stone).

I don't always check out classics, I listen to silly fluff too. Can't remember any I liked enough to recommend though. Sophie Kinsella's "The Undomestic Goddess" was a complete waste of time not to mention an insult to chefs everywhere. ;-)

sable_ca, yes I do love biographies! I have that Gertrude Bell book too. She had tremendous force of character and brains to have the influence she did in WW I intelligence/political circles. All that and a love of fashion too -- what a woman!

Instead of recommending specific books, I'd like to recommend a few of my favorite authors. First of all is Elizabeth Berg. I like her older books a little more than her more recent ones, but I've still read everything she's written. I've heard her speak twice at the libraries in the area; she's a very down to earth person. Here's her website where she has a list of all her books and a brief synopsis of each one.

Another of my favorite authors in Anna Quindlen.

Here is a link that might be useful: Elizabeth berg website

sable ca, the Rome Series by McCullough sounds fascinating!

I am currently reading "Matterhorn" by Karl Marlantes. It's about Marines in the Vietnam War and he covers all aspects, both personal and political of the war. He's done great with characters and focuses especially on the leadership development of a young lieutenant, Mellas. Reminds me again of the bravery of our armed forces and the significant sacrifices they are still making for us.

Bac717, I just started reading "The Last Time I Saw You" by Elizabeth Berg -- I'd never heard of her before, but saw the book in the new arrivals section at the library. I'll have to read some of her earlier work as well!

hoosiergirl, take a look at her website and definitely read her blog on the site. I just love the way she writes. After you finish "The Last Time I Saw You", I recommend starting with "Open House". Hope you enjoy her as much as I do.

I second Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt. I liked it more than The Help, and I really liked The Help.

Also reading Hell's Gate. Linda Fairstein's legal thrillers interest me because she includes so much history about NYC. She also doesn't overdo the description of the violence that is necessary in the story line.

Why My Third Husband Will Be a Dog is written by Lisa Scottoline, who usually writes great legal thrillers. This book is from her Philadelphia newspaper column. I wanted to hear this book, as opposed to reading it, because she actually reads her own articles on the CD. These articles are light and humorous and entertaining. I am such a fan of her books (read them all) that I was excited to hear her personal stories. In addition to writing great humor, Scottoline is good at telling or reading her work as well. Worth taking the time to LISTEN to this one.

Pat

I've read (and own) the similar biography about Gertrude Bell, but this one is called "Desert Queen" by Janet Wallach. I agree with AWM, what an incredible woman Gertrude was! BTW, loved the book!
I'm a huge biography and autobiography fan . . . as long as they're not the trashy kiss-and-tell ones. Two of my favs are "Me", Katharine Hepburn's autobiography and "The Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin" by H.W.Brand. Two other all-time favs are David Niven's, "The Moon's A Balloon" and "Bring On The Empty Horses". He was such a classy guy! Next two on my list to buy: Hoda Kotb's new autobiography and Condoleezza Rice's, as well . . . two awesome, strong ladies that I admire.
Lynn

Awm and Lynn - Agreed, Gertrude Bell was one of a kind. She simply never stopped, physically and mentally. As you know, she was a major factor in the creation of modern Iraq and as such, was one of the most influential people of the twentieth century. There's an interesting movie, A Dangerous Man, about the role of T.E. Lawrence (of Arabia) in the dividing up of the Middle East between Britain and France following WW1. It stars Ralph Fiennes as Lawrence, and Bell is also portrayed. It's pretty talky, but if you've read her bios, that wouldn't be at all boring. Very different portrayals of the main characters than in Lawrence of Arabia.

Doonie - You could try the first book in the series, The First Man in Rome, and see how you like it. Before that, I'd read some of the reviews on Amazon; there are some Roman and Latin scholars there who have good things to say, but some people also express their frustrations with adjusting to Mccullough's style. She uses the full Roman names and nicknames of everyone and it's like trying to plow through War and Peace, which I gave up on - >: >( . The first 200 pages or so almost did me in, and I had 4 years of Latin in high school, so was familiar with the subject. But if you're interested in this period, the payoff is terrific! The violence, and there's a lot of it (all those wars) is not gross, and the sex is explicit. Colleen does not back away!

I have Saving Ce Ce Honeycutt on my list to read.

I am reading She flew the Coop by Michael Lee West, a southern novel as all her books are I believe. It's quite good!

Lynn, I like to read autobiography's as well. Lee Iacooca's autobiography was wonderful and since you are originally from Michigan I think you would enjoy it. Gosh, that book I think was probably from the mid eighty's, but even so.

Sable Ca, I love hard books. I'm glad to hear the McCullough's series is worthwhile! (I've only had 1 year of highschool Latin though!)

I'm putting the Gertrude Bell & the Grant County Series on my list. They sound really interesting.

I am also reading "Infidel" right now, a biography by Ayaan Hirsi. It's a fascinating account of growing up in an Islamic culture.

Some really good hard core science fiction books are "Revelation Space" by Alastair Reynolds and "Pandora's Star" by Peter Hamilton.

> I like to read autobiography's as well. Lee Iacocca's autobiography was wonderful

He wrote another book last year I haven't got around to reading yet. Iacocca was pretty amazing - he saved Ford, and then he saved Chrysler. (At least as long as he was still there to run it - the later Daimler/Mercedes merger buyout didn't exactly work out.... we'll see if Fiat can salvage what's left of the company.)

I'm waiting for Keith Richards' auto-bio. Should be interesting....

I'm enjoying 'The Glass Castle' and 'Half Broke Horses'. Reading one and listening to another on audio in my car. They aren't the best books I've read but I relate to some of the authors background. My parents were much more stable but they thought being poor was the same as being Godly. We were raised to feel like we were almost better than people with money.

I love Historical fiction so much.

I did try the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon..is pretty addictive. Once you read one...they are hard to stop!

Just finished Keith Richards' Life - came out last week. I loved it.

Right now, I am reading "True Blue" by David Baldacci; I truly enjoy his books.

I have read the Diana Gabaldon Outlander series twice and loved the books both times. Can hardly wait for the next one to come out - there has to be a next one!

I am definitely going to look for the Grant County series and the Masters of Rome series. Will also look for Nora Roberts' "The Search."

Books by W. E. B. Griffin are great reads, too.

Outlander! I have been trying to remember the name of the book I borrowed about 10? years ago from a former coworker and couldnt remember the name or author. Thanks! Fun read.

Great thread - I've added a few of the books suggested above to my own "to read" list. I just finished reading The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and couldn't put it down. It was a bit more science than I'm used to in my reading material, but not too difficult to understand. The story is about how the cancer cells taken from the cervix of Henrietta Lacks revolutionized medical research, and how her family, poor African-Americans, came to terms with the cells being taken from their mother upon her death (HeLa cells) - without their knowledge - and were turned into a multi-billion dollar business, even though her own children couldn't afford adequate health care.

Here is a link that might be useful: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

I am reading two great books - The Bible (I am taking a 24 week class on Matthew) and Michael Savage's new book: Trickle Up Poverty. Awesome, very informative.