Looking for Good Book Suggestions

I'm always willing to give book suggestions...worked at a library for 13 years until I had my first baby! I also love autobiographies...some good recent ones I can suggest are "Plain Secrets"...it is about the Amish lifestyle...and how it is misunderstood. I find this interesting since not much is known about them, and they live so near to us. If you are into rockstars, there are a few good ones out there by Slash from Guns n Roses, Nikki Sixx from Motley Crue, Anthony Kiedis from Red Hot Chili Peppers...they all deal heavily with drug addiction, which can be interesting to read about. I also enjoy reading about people with mental illnesses, some that come to mind are "Manic" a recent one about bipolar disorder, "A Beautiful Mind" about schizophrenia (made into a movie) and there is always Girl Interrupted and The Bell Jar. Let me know if you find anything good!

I'm very late with a response, & you may have already heard of this, but there is a website you can use:
www.whatshouldireadnext.com

You type in the book you just finished, or 1 you really like & they will give you other suggestions. Hope that's helpful!

I have 2 recommendations. I have to say YES to "A Child Called 'It,', as someone else recommended. Dave has written about 4 books, but that one is the first to start with. My other recommendation is Tatum O'Neal's autobiography. Wonderful, sad, intriguing stuff.

J.,

Angela's Ashes is an award winner and is the memoirs of Frank McCourt's life growing up poor in a dysfunctional family in Ireland. It is MUCH better than it sounds. The audiobook is great because McCourt narrates it himself and his accent and intonation add significantly to it. You might want to at least listen to a chapter or two from the audiobook so you can keep his authentic accent and emotion with you while you read. It is the best book I have read/listened to in my adult life...and I go through several dozen every year.

It isn't as morbid as the title sounds, but what a book!

It's called "My descent into death" by Howard Storm. It is a real-life near death experience which goes into incredible detail, from an athiest-turned-minister. Amazing!

I even found a conversation on a radio show with a skeptic on youtube...

I love Augusten Burroughs and David Sedaris. Most of their has humor. They both have lived out of the ordinary lives and their books are interesting reads because of it. Try "Running With Scissors" by Augusten Burroughs and "Naked" by David Sedaris.

The Glass Castle is great!!!! Also Infidel is wondeful and opens your eyes to a lot in the world today.

Hi J.,
A couple of years ago, I read A Child Called "IT". It's about a boy whose mother makes him do all the chores, while his brothers play. She doesn't even call him by his name, she just calls him "It". The story tells about his childhood. He has a series of 3 books. The second one talks about his adolescence (his life got somewhat better), & the last one talks about his adulthood. One of them is called A Man Named Dave. Sorry I can't remember the author's last name. It was a good series though. Maybe because I'm a mother/school teacher & my sister is a mother/social worker. The books pull at your heart strings, you find yourself rooting for him the entire time! Good luck!
H.

I just finished the book called "Heavenly Man" by Brother Yun which was incredible. It read more like a novel than a biography.

Hi,
I am a 40 year old mom of 2 wonderful children. This past year I was introduced to a wonderful series called "Christian Heroes Then & Now". It is a series of biographies about missionaries and notable people of history. It has been a really good series. I have followed it up by reading writings by some of the people I read about, most notably Amy Carmichael and George Muller (his autobiography was fascinating, especially after reading the biography)and Gladys Aylward. I would recommend this series to anyone. It's been a great find for my family.

J.,

Congrats to you for having the time to read! I just finished 'In an Instant' by Bob Woodruff and his wife Lee. It was an amazing love story that was also a fascinating look at how different people deal with major events in life. I couldn't put it down! Hope you like it!

K.

I just finished Mistaken Identity by the Cerack's and I can't remember the other authors. It is Wonderful. I cried, laughed and was inspired. Happy reading!

Hi, J.!

Two of my very favorite books are:

"Not Without My Daughter" by Betty Mahmoody and "What Falls Away" by Mia Farrow (autobiography).

"Not Without..." is about an American woman who falls in love with and marries and Iranian-American man who becomes a respected doctor and they live a happy American life in Michigan with their daughter Mahtob. When he decides it's time to go back home to Iran with the family for a two-week visit/vacation, things change badly. He is redirected to his Shiite Moslem faith and announces to his wife that they are not going back to America (her home, all of her family and friends and her father has cancer), they are staying there in Iran..."...where women are near-slaves and Americans are despised." When she protests she is told that she can return to America, but not with Mahtob, her 4-year old daughter. Their only hope for escape lay in a dangerous underground that would not take her daughter...but Betty waits (years) and plans and dares to take such chilling chances, as she so passionately wants to return home to her country and family and friends...but...Not without her daughter! (Yes, it was made into a movie with Sally Field...it was pretty good, but, of course, they left out a lot of powerful details).

The Mia Farrow Memoir was incredible. You might think "Yeah, yeah, yeah, Mia Farrow...she did some Woody Allen movies and dated the guy, had a jillion kids and he took off and married one of them once they came of age...yeah, yeah, yeah"...,but you'd be very wrong.

Although I hate to make the comparison, Mia's life was almost like watching Forest Gump where she's just living her life, and without trying, experiences so many different (famous) people and parts of pop culture. So often I was like "I had no idea about this about her!"

J., everything from famous parents, a somewhat normal upbringing in spite of Hollywood, childhood polio and being forced away from her home and family and hooked up to an iron lung, London boarding school, marrying Andre Previn (and what that life was like), marrying Frank Sinatra (and what that life was like), being buddies with Salvador Dali, going to India to study under the Maharishi with the Beatles (yes, on THAT trip!), the whole Roman Polanski thing, being good friends with Sharon Tate before that night with Charles Manson, and then the whole Woody Allen thing (and what that relationship was like) and giving birth to and adopting all of those children (who you will fall in love with).

J., everyone I've recommended these two books two now hold them as two of their favorites too!

I hope you enjoy!

D. C.

BTW: I too was 30 when I had my first child (a boy as well). It's a very good time to have your first child. Although I was ready (or thought I was) much earlier, I am so glad I got to experience some life before motherhood. I was able to really appreciate it then.

I also enjoyed Carolyn Jessops book. Could you just imagine? In our country? I felt so naive!

Hi J.,

I would recommend "Having our Say: the Delany sisters' first 100 years". (Might be "Delaney") They wrote it with someone whose name I don't remember. It's about Bessie and Sadie Delany, whose father was born a slave and remembered when the Emancipation Proclamation occurred. The sisters were born in the 1880's in North Carolina (I think) but later moved to NYC. One became a dentist and the other a home ec teacher in the city schools. Wonderful!

Another one I loved (although it was very sad) is "Joy Street" (sorry I forget the author). It is a collection of letters written between Mirren and her boyfriend/fiance Jock during World War II. They were living in England and he got sent to North Africa. For me, reading his letters, it really underscored the fine people we lose in wars.

I also remember enjoying a bio of Lucy Maud Montgomery (she wrote the Anne of Green Gables books) but I have forgotten both the title and the author).

Oh, you should read "The Life of an Ordinary Woman" by Ann Collins (might be "Anne" with an E, can't remember). IMO her life was anything but ordinary--she went west in a covered wagon to Colorado as a child, her parents moved them back (to Missouri? maybe) and then they went back again to CO. This is an autobiography. She married and had kids, lost her husband and a child, worked as a cook for miners, ran for city council...all sortos of stuff.

Another great one is "A Midwife's Tale: the diary of Martha Ballard" by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich. Ulrich gives you Martha's diary entries but expands on them as to how they reflected daily life in Maine at the end of the 1700s. She makes many analogies to weaaving in the book, so if you happen to have an interest in that, you will especially like this book! I seem to remember some things that seemed inconsistent near the end of the book (I want to read it again and see if I can puzzle them out) but not enough to detract from its worth as a whole.

There is also the oldie but goodie, "The Diary of Anne Frank". The has been (in the last 10 years or so a book about one of the people who helped hide Anne's family, Miep (I think her last name was Gies). But the memory is going and I don't remember any more except that I enjoyed it!

Have fun reading!

K. Z.

She does not write bios, but I love Jodi Piccoult. Her stories are heartwarming, interesting, and often surprising stories of families.

There is a biography by Nichola Sparks, it is called like Micah & me or My brother & me. IT was really good.

I also read If I am Missing or Dead by Janine Latus (?) It was super good. I actually put everything on hold to read that book. It was based on a true story. Awesome. I might have to get that at the libray again!

I want to read that book by Carolyn Jessop, but I always forget when I actually get to the library.

Madame Secretary by Madeline Albreight (sp?) has been on my list of books I want to read for a while now. I saw her speak in Columbus a few years ago and she was wonderful - very insightful and funny. I was pleasantly surprised by her and immediately wanted to read her book. However, it's huge! (lol) and I haven't had a chance to read it yet. Someone else mentioned David Sedaris...I'll second that! He's hilarious. Good luck and happy reading!

Tony Dungy's book is awesome!

Sorry Im a little late, but loved the other posts, even took notes to take to the library tomorrow. A few great books I have read recently, the best so far had been Denise Jacksons "It's All About HIm". She is the wife of country music superstar Allan Jackson, however the Him in the title refers to our Lord Jesus. It was a very inspirational story, a very easy read, I read one Monday afternoon, a book I am contemplating buying. I just finished "Sick Girl" by Amy Silverstein, she is the longest living heart transplant patient, a very good read, however, this is very near to my haert as my husband has had 2 open heart surgeries in the last 1 1/2 years. I also loved June Cash bio about her life with Johnny Cash. Someone else mentioned 90 Minutes in Heaven, phenominal. I recentlu also rediscovered the love of reading, since our youngest is going on 6 now, my problem, when I start a good book, all else goes out the window! Floor needs vacuuming? Ya, as soon as Iread one more chapter...If you would like to keep in touch, let me know, Im always up for a good book. God Bless, A.
PS: I also have read a ton og great Christian books if you are interested

I know I'm pretty late responding and you have lots of suggestions already, but I have just one. The Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer. It's fiction and I love it. I've never been into fiction before, not even Harry Potter. I always like to read biographies, histories, etc. So I was hesitant to read Twilight, especially when I found out it was a vampire love story--not my cup of tea. I'm 31 and this didn't seem to be books geared for me. But I eventually caved to all the pressure from other women and I was pleasantly surprised. I REALLY like her writing style, plots, etc. They are making it into a movie this December so if you don't read the books, you can always see the movie.

There is one I can recommend. The Death Shift. It's about Genene Jones. She killed countless children. You just wanna tear her head off through the book but it is a very good read and has some photos of the victims and the victims familys. It is a good read. Let me know if you get it and like it.

I don't know of any good biographies but I read alot of general fiction and really suggest reading any of the books by Jodi Picuolt. Her books are fantastic and usually based on something in real life! I read a ton and could suggest any number of good books/authors. If you need anymore just let me know!

I read a lot of Karen Kingsbury books, she had two that I really like "One tuesday morning" and "Beyond tuesday morning" also "The glass castle" by Jeanette Walls. All very good reads. Good luck. K.

Deanna Farve (yes, Bret's wife) has a book about her battle & survival w/ breast cancer as well as her life w/ Bret. One of my clients is reading it and continually says, "It's phenominal" and "One of the best books I've ever read."

In addition, I just finished a book called 90 Minutes in Heaven, I believe Piper is the author and it IS his account of dying and going to heaven. GREAT story!

About a month ago I had the pleasure of meeting Civil Rights activist and author Constance Curry. She is truly an amazing woman and has documented some of her experiences and experiences of African Americans. One book is called "Silver Rights" and the other is called "Deep in Our Hearts". "Silver Rights" is a true story about an African American family and the hardships they endured. "Deep in Our Hearts" is a biography about 9 white women in the Civil Rights Movement. Enjoy!

Galileo's Daughter is a great historical biography that centers around correspondance between Galileo and his daughter.

Jaime:
Have you thought of signing up at www.Paperbackswap.com? I haven't paid for a book in 6 months! It's great!
Also, I read "A Mother's Ordeal--the story of Chian--One Woman's Fight Against China's One Child Policy" it is RIVETING.. (warning, though...some parts are heavy..in China they practice forced abortions)..I absolutely LOVE this book. I think every woman in the west should be required to read it. :)

THere is another book about the same subject by Elissa Wall. I don't remember the title, but it is very good. The other book I would suggest everyone read is The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch - it's excellent.

I like biographies too, and wasn't sure if I would like this book because is actually a novel, but THE GIRLS is written like an autobiography.
It is the story of craniopagus twins (joined at the head).
I found it very interesting (a little slow at times) but I persevered and cried at the end. I was surprised that it affected me that way.
It really gives you some things to think about.

I liked "Post Cards From the Edge" by Carrie Fisher, "The Needles Eye" by Jesse Stuart, "The House of Exile" by Nora Waln, "Good Night, Sweet Prince" by Gene Fowler, "Queen Victoria" by Lytton Strachey, and since I like the Elizabethan Era all of the books about Elizabeth the First, and the Biographies about all six of Henry the Eigths wives. There are several really good books about Katherine Parr, his last wife and her relationship with Thomas Seymour.

I agree with a couple of the others on Jodi Picoult. She wrote "My Sisters Keeper", "The Plain Truth", and many others. I am currently reading "Nineteen Minutes" by JP and she captured me in the first 5 pages.

If you enjoy historical fiction, I would highly recommend The Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon. BUT I must warn you, they are very addicting. There are six in the series (so far), all over 800 pages each, and my husband lost me for about 6 months while I read them in the tub over the winter. Happy reading!

Looks like I'm late to the party here, but I recommend The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio, by Terry Ryan. Mom of 10 kids in the 1950s, husband who spends most of his paycheck on booze, she supports the family by entering jingle/slogan/essay writing contests sponsored by various companies. (The book was written by one of her daughters.) I love, love, LOVE this book, and I've never talked to anyone who's read it who didn't like it.

Also, These Is My Words, by Nancy E. Turner. A fictional pioneer diary, based on the real-life diaries of one of the author's ancestors. This book is dangerous! It doesn't have chapters, just dated diary entries, so it's easy to think, "Oh, I'll just read another entry or two," which turns into ANOTHER one or two after that, then another and another, and then you look at the clock and it's waaaay past bedtime, and you still can't stop reading! Hmm, on second thought, maybe this isn't a good recommendation for a new, sleep-deprived mom. :) It's still a great book.

Here are a some more suggestions:

"Marley & Me" (Biography about a dog, but also a story about his people that is both hilarious and a tear-jerker)

"The Worst Hard Times" or any books by Timothy Eagan

"An Innnocent Man" by John Grisham - a NON fiction true story

"This House of Sky" & "Heart Earth" non-fiction by Ivan Doig

Also any of his other books in particular he did a series of historical fiction that is based on the story of his own family history
"Dancing at the Rascal Fair", "English Creek" and "Ride with Me Mariah Montana"

Enjoy!

-"90 Minutes in Heaven" fascinating near death experience
-I've read two books by Alan Alda recently-great
-Sidney Poitier-great autobiography in the form of letters to his granddaughter.
-I'm Proud of You by Tim Madigan (FW Star-Telegram writer)about his friendship with Fred Rogers (I've given at least 10 copies of this book away and cry each time I read it
-Amazing Graces by Patricia Gaffney-also a book I've given many copies of-great women's book.

hey there,

i love to read and i'm reading CANE RIVER right now by Lalita Tademy. I CANNOT put it down.
Lalita is the former vice-president of Sun Microsystems who left her corporate job to trace her family's history. She is a descendant of slaves. The book is sooooooo good. I know you have a huge list but I would definitely make this a MUST READ. I am the mother of 3 6, 4 and 1 1/2. I have been stealing minutes here and there just to read.

I know im late but anything by Jenny McCarthy. I read Belly Laughs in between my first and second kids and laughed so hard I cried through the whole thing. Its a really easy read, but shes a great writer. All of her books are autobiographical. When you need a break from biographies and need some good fiction, feel free to e-mail me...My hubby and I have a library instead of living room. I get a large box from amazon every month.

Check out this website called goodreads.com. It is an awesome way to get ideas and catalog what you have already read. Here is the link to join my group if you wish...

http://www.goodreads.com/friend/i?i=LTM2MDYwNzA0MzU6MzU5%0A

Enjoy!

K.
www.babybootcamp.com

This came highly recomended to me. A friend suggested that I read it to my husband while we were driving, on our way to vacation in Colo. We were both hooked. Could hardly lay it down.

Same Kind Of Different As Me

by Dan Hall and Henry Moore

Keep your hankey handy.

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom is another book about the holocaust that was a bestseller in the 70's. The lady who wrote it survived, but her family didn't. One of my friends recommended it to me, she says she re-reads it at least once a year.

I know you've already responded, and I don't know how I missed this topic! I'm an avid reader, and if you like non-fiction, you should really check out John Krakauer's work -particularly "Under The Banner Of Heaven" if you aren't already FDLS'd out from your other read. Also by him -"Into Thin Air" and "Into The Wild". I second the Alan Alda autobiographies (Never Have Your Dog Stuffed and another one) and I just read "Born Standing Up" by Steve Martin -his autobiography. He's a favorite. "On Writing" by Stephen King is a FANTASTIC account of how he recouperated and started writing again after his near-death accident of being hit while walking along a country road in Main. Feel free to email me if you need more suggestions and like mystery/thriller novels and good adult fiction.

Paula Deen's story .... is excellent. I listened to it on CD as I do a lot of driving and it is very inspiring.

Just about anything Bill Bryson has written!
"Notes from a Small Town" "A Short History of Nearly
Everything" (FANTASTIC BOOK), He's marvelously
(satire) funny, absolute brilliant, laugh-out-loud
methods.

It's Historical fiction, rather than a biography but The Other Bolyn Girl (by Philipa Gregory)was a fantastic read. I didn't see the movie and heard it was a disapointment but the book was so great. It is long but everyone that I know who has read it (about 15 people) finished it without a hitch and loved it.
Another couple of historical fictions that I really enjoyed were:
"1000 White Women". (Forgot the author)Not the greatest title but a terrific story.

I, Mona Lisa by Jeanne Kalogridis

Both had great story lines with a lot of accurate details of the time.

Happy Reading

Hi J.,

One of my favorite memoirs ever is Two in the Far North by Margaret Murie. Mardy Murie was an incredible woman, mother, and advocate for the protection of wilderness.

"
Two in the Far North is the life story of Margaret Murie, who grew up in Alaska before it was a state, tramped its wild lands before they were mapped, and has worked hard to preserve its wild places. She went North at age nine to a new life in a log cabin in Fairbanks. Her childhood was filled with the dangers and thrills of life on the frontier: the night the town caught fire and her father and the other men burned the town's bacon supply to keep the water pump going; an exciting cross country trip on the last dog sled mail run of the year over rivers that were breaking up; the dazzling weekly arrival of the mail sleigh with its flamboyant driver. When she graduated from college she married - at three a.m., just before the Arctic sun rose - a young biologist named Olaus Murie. Together they spent the next fifty years exploring and mapping the wilderness of Alaska, researching, studying, and counting its wildlife by dogsled, snowshoe, skis, boat, and floatplane - sometimes with a baby in tow. All of these adventures she shares in buoyant, lively prose. For Margaret Murie it is the people as much as the place that makes Alaska home, and her book is a loving tribute to both." (from Amazon.com)

I read this book when I was nursing my 1st baby - a boy - and was so inspired and humbled by Mardy's accounts of taking her babies into the wilderness.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

One of my all time favorite biographies is Learning to Breathe Again by Tammy Trent. She is a Christian singer/songwriter who loses her husband on a scuba diving trip. The message is very good and it makes you think about all the things you take for granted in life. It is a tear jerker though, so grab a box of kleenex!

Check out all of Janet Evanovich's books. The best series is the Stephanie Plum series. Enjoy!!! Her books make you want to laugh out loud and bring tears to your eyes. If you're EVER in a down mood - just read one of her books. I'm sorry - I didn't read your question first before I responded to your question. I only read your response to everyone for writing to you and giving you suggestions. I do love all the Queen Elizabeth era.

I know this is a little late, and you already have some great suggestions, but here are a couple more for you:

Audition by Barbara Walters

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch (I think someone already recommended this one...very quick and easy read, too!)

I just finished The Color of Water by James McBride. It is an autobiography wrapped in an biography of the author's mother.

I read through all of the recommendations and am interested in checking some of them out... You sure did ask a good question!

I know it's not a biography, but I thought I'd share just in case you wanted to mix up your reading list. My favorite book is "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers. A riveting story of a girl in the early 1900's who was forced into prostitution at a young age. It is an amazing book as you see her struggles with life, finding who she really is and dealing with other people accepting her for who she is.

I've recently read Gene Wilder's biography--"Kiss me like a Stranger" that was pretty good & Terri Garr's autobiography too, "Speed Bumps". Life san be tough on everyone!

I had not been a big reader and I had not been a great example of a christian.. I then [prayed to the Lord a bout a year a go for wisdom and knowledge and the Lord has blesed my socks of from reading His word. I would certainly suggest reading the Holy Bible... I started with Mathew and WOW it is awesome then I went to Proverbs and threw this the Lord provided Bible college for me and I have learned SO much! The Lord is ready to bles us all in our obdience in reading His word. It seems so simple ( like working out LOL) but it is a discipline to read the Bible but TRUST me it is a great read !!! Let me know if you get a chance to read up and let me know what you think... Emial me any time ____@____.com

Mitch Albom's Tuesdays with Morrie. I believe this is a true story/biography if I remember right. If not, it is still one of the best books ever written. Fast read, but profound.

Also by Mitch Albom, The Five People You Meet in Heaven. Not a biography, but a life-changing book. Yeah, I know, there are are a lot of "life-changing" books out there, but this one I first read several years ago and I can vividly recall many of the scenes in this book. It touched me very deeply. A fast read, but have your tissues handy. I have read it over and over again, though not recently. I like to light a candle nearby as I read it.

The other Mitch Albom book is For One More Day, which was good, but I think not as good as his first two.

(If you read The Five People You Meet in Heaven, I would love to know your reaction to it.)

America Alone by Mark Steyn. It is not an auto biography or biography but if you are interested in what is really going on in the world and how the changing demographics of the world will impact the lives of our Children, please read this book before the next election. L., married mother of three children.

"Loving Frank" is a *great* fictionalized biography of an amazing woman central to the life and work of Frank Lloyd Wright. It is written as a memoir of sorts, based on what little is known about her, and makes the history come to life.

I just read The Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason. Very good. I am now reading This much I know is True by Wally Lamb...also very good.

R.

Mistaken Identity by the Cerak and Van Ryn families is a good one. Sad and inspiring at the same time. Also, I just finished Tom Cruise by Andrew Morton. Kinda funny, I know better than to believe everything I read, but he's so very convincing!

Also, fiction wise, the Twilight saga by Stephenie Meyer is excellent! Yes, it's technically a teen book, but so is Harry Potter! Unfortunately, while I was waiting for the next book to arrive in the mail, I decided to read The Host (her first adult novel) from the library, and, 2/3's done, I'm not so sure it's as good as Twilight.