<p>Emerald, I never read “As I lay dying” in college but I read it last summer and loved it. </p>
<p>Your mention of it reminded me of another of my all-time favorite books:
“A Prayer for the Dying” by Stewart O’Nan. O’Nan’s writing took my breath away.</p>
<p>There are some really awesome recommendations in this thread. My family is travelling at the end of this month and I’ll be sure to drop by the library before we leave. </p>
<p>I just finished “The Curious Incident of the Dog at Night” by Mark Haddon. It’s really quite interesting and touching. The summary on the back is somewhat misleading though. I’m currently reading Phantom of the Opera and La Guerre de Troie. POTO is a great read for people who have seen the movie and want a different feel.</p>
<p>My MIL just gave my Kite Runner and I was so pleased to be able to say “Oh, I’ve HEARD of this!” All thanks to this thread. </p>
<p>If people are looking for other recommendations, last month when I was reading “The Other Boleyn Girl” by Phillipa Gregory I was staying up late because I just couldn’t put the thing down.</p>
<p>i just started PRIVELEGE. a bubble-burster of a book, from a recent harvard grad…i think this is a the natural segue from recent college apps. books.</p>
<p>Just finished Kite Runner. Amazing book. Tks. guys.</p>
<p>I am currently reading " When we were orphans" by Kazuo Ishiguro
highly recommended-</p>
<p>Just finished a new book “The Ha-Ha” by David King. Totally recommend it! Hard to believe it’s a first novel–what a writer!</p>
<p>Finally getting around to reading the last two P.G. Wodehouse books that I hadn’t read yet. Not as good as earlier in his career, but still worth a laugh. I can’t imagine how much work it was to write something that could come across so casually yet perfectly. I also picked up Martha Grimes’ latest paperback (not her mystery series, which has gotten stale). Not bad, dark humor.</p>
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<p>I completely agree. Really enjoyed both books. Although I have a hard time believing that Bookseller is entirely factual, I think it offers a fascinating glimpse at Afghan patriarchal culture. </p>
<p>Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress is a little gem, particularly for book lovers. I highly recommend it! Gilead is next on my to read list. </p>
<p>Thanks for the book break .now back to college searching.</p>