Sewhappy and Garland, the superb “Middlemarch” is one of the few books I’ve ever read where the characters truly came to seem like genuine human beings whom I got to know and care about.
As I read it, instead of thinking, “I want to find out what happens next in the story,” I’d catch myself thinking something along the lines of “I need to get back in touch with my good friend Mary Anne to find out what’s happening in Middlemarch.”
I read Middlemarch one summer in college and just loved it. I tried to read it again when I was in my 30s and stalled out, but I should probably try it again.
I’m currently reading Julia Child’s My Life in France. It’s not great literature, but I’d love to give this book to any person who is about to spend some time abroad. She really embraces French culture and always looks for the good in it instead of wishing they were more like us. Having spent a gap year in France before college and five years in Germany after grad school, I know a bit about both the fun and stress of adapting to a foreign culture. She really nails it.
For anyone in the mood for more dystopia, check out “Mockingbird” by Walter Tevis. Remember “Farenheit 451”, about a world where owning books is illegal and firemen burn any books that are found? “Mockingbird” is the sequel, a world where no one reads, or really does much of anything. Until one young man shows up who’s taught himself to read.
I can’t recommend this book enough. Even if you’re not a science fiction type. Look at the amazon reviews if you don’t believe me. 
It’s unfortunately out of print, but your library might have a copy.
Man oh man, I wish someone would make this into a movie.
So, thanks. Per your recents recommendations I just ordered Middlemarch (free on Kindle), Farenheit 451 and Mockingbird. The latter is available used on amazon for less than $2, by the way.
I also just started Catching Fire, which so far seems more forced hn Hunger Games, but I will persist.
Here is an interesting op-ed piece by Ann Patchett in today’s New York Times about the lack of a Pulitzer prize winner for fiction this year: <a href=“http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/18/opinion/and-the-winner-of-the-pulitzer-isnt.html[/url]”>http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/18/opinion/and-the-winner-of-the-pulitzer-isnt.html</a>
I posted this on the CC State of Wonder book thread, but I thought readers on this thread might be interested in Patchett’s book recommendations.
^^In that article, Patchett mentioned Denis Johnson’s “Train Dreams,” which is very high on my “to read” list.
Am giving Ann Patchett’s Bel Canto out on World Book Night - Monday April 23rd.
All there is - love stories from story corps .
Also loved the first book -Listening is an art of love ".
Regarding post 1565: In the article Patchett mentions "Kevin Wilsons beautifully weird The Family Fang which I plan to start today. I read another book on the list - Swamplandia - and found the story disturbing - beautifully written but disturbing. I loaned it to a friend who just emailed her mid-point thoughts: "kind of eerie and depressing for me at the moment … "
I just finished The Fault in Our Stars and I’m sad. Loved the book … but hope The Family Fang runs in the opposite direction.
If anyone has read the books recommended by Ann Patchett, please give us your opinion of them. I don’t want to read books that are just plain depressing (i.e. Swamplandia).
I love books that stretch me, but the ones I enjoy reading are the ones that make me think and are somewhat uplifting. For example, I enjoyed Cormac McCarthy’s The Road (despite its dark setting and theme), but absolutely abhorred “A Map of the World” by Jane Hamilton; and “A Thousand Acres” by Jane Smiley. There’s got to be a little glimmer of hope in there somewhere for me to ENJOY reading a book
Agree that it is difficult to get through books sometimes that are just so full of hardship. Interesting, though, because at one time in literature they were all that way.
Ann patchett is a great writer and I am working my way slowly through bel canto. All of hers I have read are full of great characters having difficult times. I highly recommend ‘Run’ by her, maybe my favorite so far
Just finished a book on tape by Jane smiley. About a woman who marries an eccentric physicist. Can’t remember the name. Had I not listened to it while driving would probably not have finished it. Enjoyed it though
I also listened to John Grisham’s book about the death penalty. (I’m really bad with titles.). Loved it!
I love Ann Patchett, but there always seem to be one or two things that happen at the end of the novel that make me think–oh, no–don’t go there; that just almost ruined it. Without going into detail about bel canto (no spoiler here), I guessed two things that had to happen at the end, but then the thing that happened after that seemed all wrong to me. Then in State of Wonder, one horrendous thing happened that seemed to get glossed over, and one what was to me wrong thing happened, that seemed there in order to move a piece of plot forward, but wrong for the characters.
Hopefully, that was cryptic enough.
Middlemarch is one of my favorite books, I had to read it as part of a Victorian novel class at umich and fell in love with victorian literature. For those who are fans, the BBC did a mini-series on Middlemarch that may still be available on netflix instant watch.
I just finished reading the Hunger Games trilogy and enjoyed it thoroughly, which was highly unexpected. Not great literature but a fun, light read. I started it when I was still on the painkillers from my wisdom tooth surgery and needed something that wouldn’t make me think too hard. 
Garland, I felt the same way about Bel Canto, to the extent that I would not read another fiction work by Patchett unless I could be reasonably sure that it wasn’t likely to involve similar wild improbabilities.
She writes beautifully, but some of her choices about plot and character leave me scratching my head.
Loved Bel Canto, even though it had me tied up in knots at times. Haven’t read this whole thread, but would recommend City of Dreams, historical fiction about the early days of NYC and the medical profession in this country.
NJtheatermom–good to think we feel the same! I tried Wonder twice before I got into it, and then I did like it a lot, until the end again! I read Run, too, and to me it felt like something dashed of because someone has a book contract, but I can see others don’t see it that way.
^ Drives me crazy when an otherwise good writer has plot holes or improbabilities like that. I have taken to not finishing books when I am so annoyed. Sorry, my disbelief won’t suspend that far…you’ll have to go on without me! 
I am so with you on State of Wonder. Some love that book, I know, but it was full of holes. I don’t trust her book recommendations.
Currently reading Isabel Allende’s “Zorro.” What fun–don’t know why I have such an affinity for the Spanish-era Southwest, but I do. Remember “Ramona”? I think I read that in 7th grade, on my mother’s recommendation!
Actually, I’m re-reading Zorro. I must have read it when it came out, but have forgotten enough to make it enjoyable. One of the benefits of getting old and not having things stick in the memory.
What a great thread - I find myself jotting down notes for further reference on deciding what to read next.
Garland, Mathmom, NJTheatreMom – somehow it feels wonderful to hear others voice their love for a great book. I am unreasonably annoyed with my poor DH who hasn’t read Middlemarch and thus can’t discuss it with me! Garland, yes that is the scene that rocked me most, I think, where Rosamond redeems herself by telling Dorothea the truth about Ladislaw. It caught me so off-guard yet was so believable and Elliot’s genius makes you understand the magnitude of how hard that honest moment is for Rosamond. I also love how Elliot depicts Lydgate’s relationship to her – how he sees her weakness,shallowness – but the caretaker in him stays steadfastly at her side. Also, yes, the long awful night for Dorothea is such an important interlude in the book. It makes her actions make sense and we get that she is authentically good at heart and so abandoning her fortune is belieavable.
Emaheevul07 - thanks so much for the heads up on the BBC version of Middlemarch. Will try to find that.
I really think Emma Thompson needs to produce a film version of Middlemarch and play the role of Mrs. Garth. Hmmm . . . who to play Dorothea? What fun it would be to cast such a film!
Am interested now in Hunger Games since so many George Elliot fans seem to like it.
Those who enjoy Jane Smiley may really like her comedic novel Horse Heaven. It’s just hilarious and also quite emotional. Has the most wonderful first-person character in the form of a Jack Russell. I’m not a horse person but gained an appreciation for that world full of rich and poor eccentrics. Her book Moo is also a lot of fun if you are or ever were in academia.
Agree on Bel Canto. It seemed to be all exquisite prose leading no where that made real sense. I wasn’t inspired to read another of her books.
Mathmom - I received the Julia Child book as a gift and am planning to begin it soon. Will be in Paris in late May so the timing is right.