I am also a great Lawrence fan. My favorite--and I think perhaps her most original book-is Gardening for Love, a very personal book about the market bulletins published at one time by State Extemsion services through the south and in which various folks, chiefly rural, offered varoius bulbs, seeds, and plants for sale or swap. Lawrence shows a respectful affection for some of the folksy voices heard in the various listings. Lawrence was a friend/acquaintance of the Mississippi writer Eudora Welty and after you read Gardening for Love you will understand the affinity. There is also another set of gardening essays by Lawrence's friend and fellow N. C. resident, William Lanier Hunt. I forget the title but it also has interesting info about gardening in your area and the same endearing, slightly old-fashioned casually genteel tone that Lawrence has. On unhappy days I retreat into my study with a cup of coffee or tea and a couple of Lawrence's books--they are very good company.

Karen Robards is one of the BEST - I may be prejudiced - she is an old Kentucky gal! Love ALL her books. Love Sandra Brown and Linda Howard. Nora Roberts - Love many of her novels (until she gets started on the trilogies-not so good). Just to name a few good ones: Carolina Moon, Norther Lights, Devine Evil, Montana Sky, Angels Fall. Can't forget Lavyrle Spencer, one of my all-time favorits. She doesn't write suspense, but is a great writer. I went into mourning when she retired. Can you tell - I love to read. Tuesday

I got tired of Patricia Cornwell. The early books were SO good. I will read anything by Jeffrey Deavor John Sandford is a favorite Nevada Barr and J A Jance are a must-read when a new one comes out in paperback I have everything Dick Francis ever wrote..his descriptions are spot on (I even found one plagiarized, word for word, in a Robert Parker novel) Iris Johanssen pleases me Sometimes Maria Stewart I will read a book a day if I allow myself to do so. Literally hundreds of books are donated yearly to the library, or Habitat, or whoever will take them.

Kate Wilhelm's Barbara Holloway series. I don't recall the wonderful person who recommended her on this forum, but I am truly to indebted to him/her. I absolutely love this series. Am finishing the third book tonight and CANNOT WAIT for the next one, which will arrive in about ten days. We have family in that part of Oregon and are starting to travel up there regularly and Wilhelm perfectly captures its atmosphere. Barbara H. is a woman with I can identify and I find the other characters pretty well-drawn. The court scenes are terrific. I read the books slowly, as I don't want them to end. Also loved Nelson De Mille, but read the first chapter of his newest book online and his writing and plot fell apart. Also Ann Rule. From years ago: Simone de Beauvoir, especially "The Mandarins" Albert Camus Fyodor Dostoevsky Frederick Forsyth D.H. Lawrence