epistrophy

I agree - on both counts.

sac

Suite Francaise, a novel by Irene Nemirovsky, about France as the Nazis marched in. It's a sometimes amusing but ultimately devestating look at the various social classes, as well as an honest portrait of relationships between occupiers and occupied.

Irene Nemirovsky was a well-read novelist in France before the war. She died in Auschwitz, leaving behind a suitcase that her young daughter lugged from place to place as a memento of her mother. The daughter couldn't bear to open it, until decades later. She thought it contained journals. Instead, it contained the fully-realized first two sections of what her mother hoped would be a five section book.

Sarahsmom42

I loved "A Thousand Splended Suns", but the one I can't get out of my mind is "Three Cups of Tea" by Greg Mortinson. This true story of one man's quest for peace one school at a time was truly inspirational.

kwtortoise

It's been a year or so, but Kill Me by Stephen White is my favorite novel. Very fast-paced, and makes you think about the topic for days afterwards. The topic of the book is: at what point would a decline in your quality of life cause you to want to end your life? I liked the author's others as well, but this was by far the best.

dke

I've just started the "Three Junes".....so far, so good.

tokenadult

I like the Arden second edition especially for clarity of reading and interesting notes.

garland

A Thousand Splendid Suns--just finished it. Loved it mostly, though the end felt a little off to me, can't put my finger on it.

What is the What--David Eggers. Barely fictionalized story of a Lost Boy in Sudan.

Life of Pi, Yann Martel. Just reread to teach it in my freshman comp class, liked it even better the second time.

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle--Barbara Kingsolver. A lovely look at how and what we eat.

Edit: oh, and I second Deathly Hallows!

geezermom

Half of a Yellow Sun, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, a novel set before and during the Nigeria-Biafra war. Every time I read about Africa, I realize how little I know and want to learn more.

padad

Darkmans by Nicola Barker.

I know that she is totally unknown in this part of the woods, unless the Booker favors her tomorrow.

dke

I just heard the author of Lovely Bones on NPR this a.m talking about her new book. It sounded a little close to home to me (middle aged woman caring for her mother afflicted with dementia) but the interview was tops.

Sarahsmom42

I think that they are making Lovely Bones into a movie?

dke

Between Lovely Bones, the Kite Runner and Sex and the City we'll be set with movies for awhile!

parabella

alwaysamom,
I finished The Thirteenth Tale yesterday. What a delicious book. I couldn't put it down.

caligali

Everyman by Philip Roth. Hadn't read Roth since Portnoy's Complaint and had forgotten how much I like his style . . .

HeliMomNYC

sac, I have just finished "Suite Francaise" and also recommend it. I loved "Water for Elephants", and "Eat Pray Love" is soon to be started...