I just read “Their Eyes Were Watching God” after seeing it on the library’s recommended shelf. Can’t believe I never read it…it shows up on HS required reading lists now.
Anyway–wonderful book! So lyrical & beautifully written.
I just came back from vacation and read an outstanding book, The Language of Flowers by Veronica Diffenbaugh.. I liked it so much, I read it twice and have recommended to at least five other people. Also read Shanghai Girls by Lisa See which was pretty interesting and set up for a sequel and now reading The Lake Shore Limited by Sue Miller. I always like Sue Miller but so far, not as good as some of her others.. the last two I picked up at huge discount when Borders went out of business.
Correction to above post.. the author is Vanessa Diffenbaugh, not Veronica and it is debut novel.
Also enjoyed The Elegance of the Hedgehog but was also disappointed by the end..also wanted to know more about the character and the back story did not seem all that clear to me.
Kayak Morning: Reflections on Love, Grief, and Small Boats by Roger Rosenblatt
Loved his other book -"making toast " as well.
Mommusic–one of my favorite books–I’ve read it many times! 
Just finished The Professor and the Housekeeper by Yoko Ogawa. It’s a beautiful story. I was sure I wouldn’t like it because (among other things) it’s about math. I was wrong–still thinking about the story and will for quite some time. It’s about a brilliant university professor (math) who loses his short-term memory and bonds with his housekeeper and her son.
Strange as it may seem, The Hunger Games.
The story is compelling and well told, despite the limitations of young adult literature. It has the potential to make an excellent movie.
Unfortunately, its sequels are not quite so good, although their story is more sophisticated. I think this is because the author chose to tell the stories in all three books from the viewpoint of a single character. However, this character becomes less of a protagonist and more of a pawn and a damaged victim of her experience as the series progresses. Perhaps the choice to continue to tell the story exclusively from her viewpoint was unfortunate.
Of course, the movies won’t have that limitation, so it is possible that the sequels could be as good as the first one even if the later books in the trilogy arguably were not.
agree with Marian! Hunger Games normally, not my type of book, but our Book CLub read and I really had a hard time putting it down. Nice to see female employing skills, strategies, etc. Looking forward to seeing how movie handles many of scenes… Opens March 23. I’m starting Mockingjay now…
[The</a> Hunger Games - March 23, 2012 - May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favor](<a href=“http://www.thehungergamesmovie.com/index2.html]The”>http://www.thehungergamesmovie.com/index2.html)
The sequel Dreams of Joy came out last May.
" Looks like I’m going to be spending some time in this fantasy world. Kushiel’s Dart is the first of nine books now in the Kushiel’s Legacy series - most with strong reviews, I think. Regardless, I’m hooked at the moment: Kushiel’s Chosen up next."
I read the series until it had her ‘adopted’ son take over as lead character, these were just not as strong as the first three, I’d love to hear what you think about them though. I agree with the other poster who said her other series/novels were not as strong as the Kushiel series. Long live Ph
I found Born on a Blue Day fascinating. I read a lot and of all the books I’ve read I will never forget this one. it’s written by autistic savant.
Thank you so much to the people who recommended “The Fault in Our Stars” here. It was wonderful…not distressing, as I thought it might be. The word I’d use would be “touching.”
The story left you with a warm feeling in the end, despite the poignancy…somewhat like “Still Alice.”
Compassion, forgiveness, and familial love were among the themes.
I actually thought another John Green book, “Looking for Alaska,” which deals with a different sort of loss, was sadder.
Fortune’s Formula – makes matheticians exciting.
John Green is one of my 20 year old D favorite authors. I’ve read most of his books. He is a good writer.
I would second The Professor and the Housekeeper. I read it several years ago, and finally convinced one of my book groups to discuss it this week. A wonderful, quiet, kind, and spare book, and it was an excellent discussion. I originally read it and Born on a Blue Day back to back–two very different books about how brains work (or don’t). An interesting contrast.
I just placed a hold on The Housekeeper and the Professor. The descriptions on the library web site made it sound like a book I’d love.
After reading the comments of ignatius, USN_Transfer, and intparent I decided to read Kushiel’s Dart. I finished last night and really enjoyed the book. Thanks for the recommendation.
Take Good Care of the Garden and the Dogs - by Heather Lende
I just read a review for [The</a> Technologists by Matthew Pearl](<a href=“http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/the-technologists-by-matthew-pearl/2012/02/06/gIQAbtwNlR_story.html][u]The”>http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/the-technologists-by-matthew-pearl/2012/02/06/gIQAbtwNlR_story.html) in the WashPost. Has anyone read this yet? It looks interesting:
gosman.. i agree.. S1 is trying to get me to switch over to ebooks (i am getting buried in hard copy books) and purchased hunger games for me through kindle/ipad. i kept putting off reading it, as i didnt think it would be one i like.. started it the other night … really liking it so far.