One of the best books I've read in the last 6 months is .

@alwaysamom, The Sparrow (and its sequel, Children of God) are oft cited in my book club as the book that none of us thought we’d like and all of us loved. It’s amazing imo.

I also loved The Girl with All the Gifts, @scout59. I hope they don’t ruin it with a bad movie.

Enjoying the ‘companion’ novel to Kate Atkinson’s spectacular Life After Life, A God in Ruins. And the third in a fantastic trilogy set in early 20th c NYC, The Fatal Flame, is out this week and I’m actually putting off starting it because I already don’t want it to end. Crazy, huh?! The first books, The Gods of Gotham and Seven for a Secret, were wonderful. Lyndsay Faye is the author.

I really liked The Sparrow. Author has an interesting background–raised as Catholic and converted to Judaism–which is reflected in the story, IMO.

@jaylynn - I agree; I hope they don’t ruin the book! The movie has already been cast (Glenn Close will be Dr. Caldwell and a newcomer will play Melanie). Looks like the author of the book will adapt the screenplay.

The ending just wrecked me. In a good way.

A short story that reminded me a bit of the book is called This Year’s Class Picture by Dan Simmons. You don’t have to be a fan of zombie stories to like it; it’s fabulous.

Absolutely! That’s why I’m still thinking about it…

I am also very much enjoying A God in Ruins! And now will look for The Girl With All the Gifts…

oohhh - Dan Simmons! I really liked his book The Terror. I’ll have to look for that short story

I also loved The Terror (I really need to be in a book club with you, @scout59 lol). But some of his others, not so much. But check out the story. It’s great.

I agree @jaylynn - about Dan Simmons’ other books (I only liked The Terror) AND about “our” book club. I’ll look for the story!

My dd’s whole college freshman class had to read the Sparrow. Wonderful book. I also love her other books- Thread of Grace and Doc. I once sent the author an email telling her how I enjoyed her books and she wrote me right back. It made my day.

Just finished Fourth of July Creek…wow. Harrowing and interesting and authentic and deeply felt.

I’m reading The Rosie Project based on recommendations on this thread. It’s a quirky rom com, sweet, smart, and funny. It would make a great vacation read.

The Rosie Effect is out btw as book 2.

Natchez Burning. This is book 4 in the Penn Cage series. I believe all are independent. Well, anyway, wow! This gentleman is a great writer. It is really good. Author is Greg Iles.
Highly recommend.
We read Natchez Burning for book club then someone chose The Bone Tree for next. Very, very long but never, ever boring. Great writer.

Just getting around to reading The Girl on the Train. LOVE it.

I’m looking forward to a couple of the books I read last year coming to the screen - television and movie. Me Before You by JoJo Moyes will be released in 2016, starring Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones) and Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarity will become an HBO mini-series and will star Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon.

I liked Me Before You. Definitely a tearjerker. BIg Little Lies was a really fun read. Both will make great movies!

Just finished I am Pilgrim. Long book but definitely kept my interest. The author wrote a lot of screen plays so I’m sure that will be a movie soon as well.

Crow Lake by Mary Lawson, recommend by Anne Tyler in interview. Couldn’t put it down,

^ Guess I should add it to my list!

I should put this here for people who like fantasy - there is a 13 ebook epic fantasy bundle assembled by Kevin J Anderson. A two day sale where you pay what you want. Its got a couple of my favorite authors and a bunch of new ones:

https://storybundle.com/fantasy