Okay- this post was going around and around in my head last night and I thought I'd go ahead and put it out there. Maybe one of you can help!! I am looking for a really great book. I have read many great books but haven't found one that is "perfect" yet. Here's my list of what's been running through my head- maybe you can give me referrals that fit:
Twilight series-
Likes- The characters were so well developed that I just can't stop wondering about them for a while after I read the books. She easily draws you on from page to page.
Dislikes- She tied it up all too nice and tidy. There should have been a battle and at least one person could have died. Not the main characters, mind you. Perhaps a guard or one of the many extras- besides Irina. The whole "Renesmee" thing was too weird too.
How Green Was My Valley-
Likes-Oh I just LOVE the words in this book. So beautifully written and descriptive of the people, place, and time.
Dislikes- No good resolution at the end. I'm a sucker for a happy ending. That doesn't mean it has to be all kittens and rainbows but in the end, the boy should get the girl and they should live happily ever after.
Poisonwood Bible-
Likes-I really enjoyed the way this book made me think and think and think about the characters after I finished reading it. I think it's a really good Book Club Book but I don't think a lot of people would like it in my book club... ;)
Dislikes- It was just a bit too dark for my sensibilities. I don't mind reading a book like this once in a while but it's not a genre I can read a lot of. I like to escape reality and go to a happy place when I read. It took me longer to read than I thought which means it didn't call to me either. How good can a book be if you can put it down for a couple of days?
Dean Koontz-
Likes-I just love the way this author makes me giggle at some of his phrases. I wish wish wish I could come up with some of the phrases he uses. The books are SO different from what I am used to that I get a kick out of reading them and they really interest me. I bet he is an interesting person.
Dislikes-again, I can put these books down. A couple have had really twisted endings but instead of twising in the direction to shock and surprise you- it twists the other way and underwhelms you. I've never been really satisfied with an ending from him.
Life of Pi-
Likes-An odd book and quite different than anything I have read. I did enjoy it and the character he created. Worth reading.
Dislikes- I had to work a bit throughout to read it and I don't like to work for my books- it should be the other way around.
Gurnsey Literary and Potatoe Peel Pie Society-
Likes- the characters were GREAT. I loved the story.
Dislikes- the characters were TOO great. I wanted much more than she gave me about the side characters. I couldn't decide if I liked the book or not because it left me wanting almost too much instead of being satisfied.
Dan Brown-
Likes- I enjoy his storylines- he knows how to do a twist and he keeps me turning those pages.
Dislikes- I don't dislike a ton about his books but some of them just have more swearing than I am comfortable with. I'd like a bit more on a personal level as well.
Those are just some of the books I was thinking of last night that were close or had things that I really really enjoyed but missed the mark. Any suggestions? I need a book with great characters, a page turner, a happy ending that isn't a cop-out, has enough meat in the story to keep me going, witty remarks and descriptions that put me there. You know, the perfect book?
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
What a Girl Wants
Posted by Lena at 10:20 AM
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
Well, I don't know what the perfect book is. If you find out, let me know. Although, Pride and Prejudice comes close. :) I also really liked the series, The Great and The Terrible, if you can find someone to borrow them from. The Children of The Promise by Dean Hughes was a good one, if you like a book based on some history. Gone With The Wind isn't working out for me. Did you say you read the Shopaholic series? Hmmmmm..... I'll keep thinking.
Lena, one of my favorite books would have to be "The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine" It has such a great story line and is wonderful! There are so many twists and turns and it was hard to put it down. It is about a girl in the early 1800's when Indians would come into a settlement, so there is some death, & such, but the girls character is so strong & tries so hard to do the best she can at life, especially when trials come her way. It is definatly on my Christmas wish list. ;)
I love Dean Koontz, but I agree, his endings leave a lot to be desired. Always. Every book. I think he just gets tired of writing the stories and then just slaps something together. I love the ones that are like series, because there's no 'real' ending, like Seize the Night (Main character Christopher Snow) and Odd Thomas, although Odd Hours felt... watered down from his previous incarnations.
Twilight hooked me at the beginning, but like you, the Renesmee thing was WEIRD.
Have you ever considered reading Stephen King? I happen to have falling deeply in love with Roland of Gilead of the Dark Tower series. Also, Dreamcatcher, The Green Mile. I'm working my way through Josh's collection. He uses plain language (a little course at times), but the stories really are good, real stories. They are believable, and they linger.
You know me, it'll be a church book so if you want one of those, let me know. Hope you are having a good week!
P.S. I teach Relief Society this Sunday...yikes!
I loved the Guernsey book and love your description of your likes and dislikes.
I've been on a book kick and have had wonderful recommendations given to me and have given some that have been hits, so hopefully this will help.
Do you like Jane Eyre? To Kill A Mockingbird? Then I highly recommend "The Thirteenth Tale." That and "Shadow of the Wind" are my go-to recommendations and have always been well received. Every year our book club (we read one book/month) votes on our top 2 favorites and those 2 were runaway favorites.
Do you know about our book club website? Maybe there are some idea there? I'm happy to answer any questions you may have about them. We read a huge variety of books. Here it is.
I can't resist posts like this!!
I've wanted to read the Poisonwood Bible, but have never met anyone thats read it! Maybe I'll give it a shot...
anyway, my favorite author is Nora Roberts - she also writes under the pen of J.D Robb. She writes mystery, romance and suspense all in one. Check her out at noraroberts.com!
Good luck!
Post a Comment