Just finished A Man Called Ove. Thanks to @ignatius and all the others who’ve recommended it. Great read. It’s been awhile since I’ve read a book that has literally made me laugh out loud and cry as well.
I stumbled across this website today, and I was intrigued because sometimes I choose my books by location. Eg, I had finished the Ferrante series and wanted to get out of Europe with my next read for a change of pace, so now I’m reading The Light Between Oceans, set in Australia. Or I’ll look at my to-read list and decide based on whether I feel like going to Japan or Russia or New York City. Does anyone else do that?
Anyway, this website has that angle. You can choose your destination, narrow it to a setting if you wish (country garden, prison, cathedral), and it will come up with titles for you. I haven’t explored in depth, but I thought this group might be interested:
Darn it, no “monastery” location. But I still think it is cool, will try out some suggestions.
That’s very cute. When my kids were young we made a trip to Japan and before hand I read them (or encouraged them to read) as many books as I could find set in Japan. We also watched The Seven Samarai, which they loved.
@intparent : for a monastery book try Louise Penny’s The Beautiful Mystery! 
Thanks, I have read it. :). It was the first Gamache book I read, drawn by the monestary setting! Like Name of the Rise by Eco as well.
I also want to say thank you for the recommendation of A Man Called Ove. I loved the book. It is so charming and I came to enjoy all the characters.
I am now reading the book about the making of the musical Hamilton. If you have a fan in your family, I highly recommend this book. Interesting information about the history of the show, the complete libretto, and fantastic show photos.
I am also reading Cloudstreet by Tim Winton. Not very far in but it seems good so far.
I have a Hamilton junkie in the family (she managed to see it twice before it was even on Broadway). @alwaysamom, can you please provide the title & author?
@lasma, if you want to go to South Korea, I can recommend I’ll Be Right There by Kyung-Sook Shin. I particularly loved the description of the food. Good political backdrop too.
I too just finished Ove and loved it. So unique. The writing was very fresh.
@intparent It is Hamilton by Lin-Manuel Miranda. One of the many aspects of this wonderful marketing project that will make him even further millions!
Lol – because he is not busy enough, he wrote a book about it. (I do not think he sleeps, it is not possible given everything he does!)
It’s also compilation of his notes, and the work with his collaborators, during the several years of the project, pretty interesting. I was happy to see that an agreement was reached to share some of the profits with the original cast. There had to be some tension there while those negotiations were going on.
Well, he just won a Pulitzer for it today.
No surprise that Hamilton won the Pulitzer for drama. That was a slam dunk.
^ Was at a Broadway show with my D yesterday (not Hamilton, lol) and she was saying that she saw a show of his at Wesleyan (was a couple years behind him) and knew how amazing his stuff was even back then. Looking forward to seeing it, some year, lol.
Saw Hamilton in January–can’t say enough about it. I started reading Ron Chernow’s biography of Hamilton, which I wasn’t sure I would finish. So far, it is keeping my interest.
Intparent–have you read the Brother Cadfael series by Ellis Peters? Cadfael is a 12th century monk in the St Peter and St Paul Abbey in England who solves mysteries. There was a PBS show (on Mystery) based on the books. I thought the books were much better.
No! Off to check my library now.
My husband really likes the Brother Cadfael series.
I am planning on hosting my book club in May. The Hostess gets to pick the book. I am looking for a well written book that has a feel good message. We have been reading some depressing books lately! We definitely don’t want another WWII book! Any suggestions???