Hey flygirl, I was inspired by this thread to host a magazine/book swap with all the teachers in my building the week before spring break so everyone can have a little light beach reading.

Also, I wanted to add Isabel Allende's "Daughter of Fortune" and its follow up "Portrait In Sepia" as fun reading.

Brought this one up from last week because I finished a book in a couple of hours last night that was SO good and perfect for March.

Anita Shreve's new one- "Light On Snow".

For all of you that loved "Secret Life of Bees" this one is definitely for you.

Also in N.H. and during a snowstorm- great storyteller. Very, very easy read.

I just finished "Dogrun" by Arthur Nersasian. Perfect for a hilarious beach read, esp. if you're an about-to-be or recently-turned urban slacking thirtysomething woman. One of the most convincing and original female protagonist I've read ever written by a male. Basically she comes home from her temp job to find her live-in slacker boyfriend dead on her couch. The book then chronicles her adventures as she finds out more about her dead BF by meeting his exes then she ever knew while he was alive.

Wow, that one is on my list for sure.
"Dog Run"- sounds a bit like "Practical Magic" which has a similar occurance.


My girlfriend and I always have said we do not believe that the guy who wrote-"Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All" is actually a guy, regardless of the picture/history on the back pocket. Another in that vein "Memoirs of a Geisha" -but at least that one is third person. Thanks, TravelDiva!

For anyone who has been downsized, who is trying to find balance between work and personal life and/or has gotten too busy for family....
The Language of Sycamores by Lisa Wingate.

I have "Sycamores" on my bedside table but haven't started it yet - but loved L. Wingate's earlier novel "Tending Roses" - dealing with the r'ship between a young mother on the fast track vs her elderly grandmother who is fighting to con't to live on her own. Sweet!
Anne George is another author with hilarious easy-reads about two sisters and the antics they get into - reminds me of female relatives I have!

JJ5 - I'll have to check "Oldest Living..." out. Yeah, Memoirs of a Geisha...probably the #1 finest example of male-created female protagonist. That is one of my favorite books of all time and I can't wait till the movie comes out!

Not exactly current, but I also like Amy Tan's books about life in China (The Hundred Secret Senses, The Bonesetter's Daughter, etc.) and Rohintons Mistry's about India (A Fine Balance).

amwosu, that is great! how did the swap go?

Hi JJ5, I just saw your post. I read Secret Lives of Bees while I was in Portland OR. Thanks for the info about the new book "Light On Snow". In fact, is this not a great thread? A wonderful way to keep up with new books.

Loved the Secret Lives of Bees. Have enjoyed Sue Monk Kidd's articles in Guideposts for years.

Anyone read "Zippy"? Hilarious, fast read!

worthwhile and a bit scintilating (sp!?) -- The Lady & the Unicorn by Tracy Chevalier -- aka author of Girl w a Pearl Earring. loved both books!

Are there any other males who read ?!?! Maybe they are scared off by the topic header. It's not trashy, but I love reading Hemingway at the beach.

Thanks to whomever posted about having a book swap. You've given me a great idea for a party. I've been wanting to host a small party with my friends but wanted to have a purpose to it. Since I hate those "come to my house and buy something" parties, don't really want to join a book club and be compelled to read anything and I hate crafts, a book swap sounds like the perfect idea.

Wine, appetizers, a dozen or so friends. Book markers as a favor. Bring a book or two, leave with a book or two. What do you think?

Sounds like a great idea, Bennnie! I'll have to keep that one in mind.

bennnie, great idea. I have one good friend who reads as much as I do and 1 brother-in-law (MALE and he would like this thread)- they give me ideas/leads outside my own first inclinations as well. My daughter's mother-in-law, who is an author and has published two fiction books, and I trade titles through my daughter, and also swap with my mother- although we seldom see each other. It's a wonderful bridge.

Another good one I just finished "Puppet" by Joy Fielding. She wrote "Run, Jane, Run". Puppet started out not to my taste (protaganist is rather a sex addict and leaves people like bowling pins in her wake) but then after about 1/3rd of the way through, I couldn't put it down. Finished it last night when I got up at 2:30pm and couldn't get back to sleep.
To relate this to travel, this book has excellent dichotomy of Palm Beach, FL and Toronto weather etc. Main character is a two-city girl.

Have a Happy Easter everyone and much love to all and your families!

bennnie, what a great idea!

Another fun thing that has taken off all over the world is BookCrossing - www.bookcrossing.com. When you're finished with a book, you can "release" it with a note asking the finder to read it and pass it on.

For you Mitford fans, I got to look at my friend's copy of The Mitford Cookbook and Reader last night. It's a very nice collection of recipes interspersed with photos and excerpts from the books. It's a little too hefty for beach reading, but it might make a nice addition to your own library. :-) I noticed that buy.com and hamiltonbooks.com both have it for about $20.

Lee Ann

Hi Traveldiva!
Memoirs of a Geisha is one of my favourite books also! I didn't know a movie was being made, do you know when it will be out?

The Red Tent - Anita Diamant, while not trashy an excellent read.

It wasn't a book I thought I wanted to read, it was passed along from my SIL, I gave it a try and I was gripped by the end of the first chapter.
At the end of the book I felt as though a long friendship had come to an end.

Any Georgette Heyer, although why they're classed as 'romance' novels is beyond me (she's in the same vein as Jane Austen) try The Grand Sophy, wonderful humor and personality interaction.

Maeve Binchy, Rosamund Pilcher (Shell Seekers - wonderful) Marian Keyes.

:-B
I will be reading "Writing Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare/Living Wills/Trusts for Dummies".

Oh Kal, LOL! Leave it to you to come up with the chuckle for the day. However the subject is not a laughing matter, is it.

L'amore!

Not it's not at all.

I'm just glad I don't have to make the call, either way.

We started POAs/Trusts twice already...this third time will be the charm.

I'll be bringing "The Secret Life of Bees" with me to Spain. I don't have much time to read at home, hence the reason that book has been sitting unread for about 8 months now. I'm looking forward to finishing it on the plane!

Just finished reading "The Dive from Clausen Pier", boy is that a good "chick" book, or what. Immediately thought of this post! ;-)

Another very good read TRAVEL related as well. The Family Tree by Carole Cadwalladr (spelt like that without the e). It is different, original, and very witty- as it ties in the 1970's in the UK, media, tv, cultural mores etc. with genetics' studies. The protagonist's husband is a geneticist and she is 8 and an adult (every other chaper)connecting memory with the scientific method and empirical proofs for cause and effects in relationships. She footnotes and charts, as she is forever connecting in context to the present tense tv programs, styles or political thought of the times. Easy to read, very light hearted and positive, yet definitely not fluff. Rather deep without trying to hard to be. It would be an extremely different kind of book if the protagonist was a pessimist, but she is not.

Her description of her family's first travel trailer (caravan) trip to Norfolk in the rain is hysterically undertold through the eyes of an 8 year old. You really get to know this family, and they could be living anywhere. This author has vivid characterization and is concise and scientific at the same time.

Sorry for the typos, it's late and I'm waiting for something to get out of the oven for tomorrow or I would be sleeping.

Happy Easter to all- it just hit Chicago as it is midnight.

Have you read any of Anne River Siddens' books? My favorite is Summer Sisters focuses on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I also like Sue Grafton, Patterson, Evanovich, Sanford, Fielding and Cornwell. Evonovich because her books make me laugh so much, Cornwell - because her stories take place in my home state of Virgnia, Sanford, Grafton and Patterson not only because the stories are good, but I love the main characters. Another series of books I loved was the one written by the Vet - All things Bright and Beautiful, etc. I cannot for the life of me remember his name - but he was a real Vet in either Scotland or Ireland I think - they made me laugh out loud many times.

Kal: You gonna autograph books? And at which watering-hole can we make reservations to find you since I'm thinking the regular bookstore signing isn't quite your style!

Benita, was it James Herriot or something similar?

Yes, James Herriot. One of the oldies but goodies.

OMG - trip down memory lane!

James Herriot, Scottish Vet working in North Yorkshire.
Wonderful books, fantastic sense of humour, I was introduced to these at age 11(ish) by my science teacher. As a family we spent most weekends exploring the Yorkshire Moors so now I feel the urge to read them again. Thanks Benita.

For a light read, try some of the Lorna Landvik books. I thoroughly enjoyed "Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons" and "Welcome to the Great Mysterious."

Not a light read, but I just finished "Emma and Me". The subject could be a bit disturbing (abuse) but the book was amazing, a la "Lovely Bones". Could not put (either) down 'til finished.

Sorry if I am repeating a previous recommendation, I just couldn't "plough" through all the above, but "The Time Traveler's Wife" by Audrey Niffenegger was outstanding.

Hope this post works... Having trouble today!

I like many of the above. Any new suggestions?

Any input on:
Mermaid Chair
Swing
Chore Whore
Hunt Sisters

Thanks in advance for any feedback!

Maggi, I loved The Time Traveler's Wife -- I hear they're making it into a movie, should be good!

A tip -- if you want to scan a post for a mention of something, click your cursor near the top of the post, then hit "ctrl/f" (shortcut for Find) and type in what you're looking for. I've used this trick numerous times to avoid reading a whole post.

The book swap went well. I've already had two books returned by people who finished them on spring break.

One coworker loved "Split Second" by Dan Baldacci and plans to read more of his books so I feel good about helping her discover an author she likes. She was in the copilot seat while her husband drove through the night to Florida (can you say yuck?)and when the batteries in her reading lite died she insisted he stop at a gas station so she could keep reading the book.

Love the idea about having a book swap party. Let us know how it goes.

I just picked up "Kiterunner" at Target because a friend came to the 6am aerobics class I teach reading the book. She didn't put it down until the music started. That was endorsement enough for me.