The Barnes & Noble were my mystery group meets hosted an event tonight with a representative from Random House. It was so much fun I’m so glad I had the chance to go.
Book group members were invited to hear about books that would be great for discussion, books that will be released soon and there were even lots of freebies.
I took notes and what amazed me is that out of the 25 or so books that were mentioned I’ve only read one! I’d heard of most of them but after hearing about them this evening they’ve all have definitely landed on my wish list. Do you want to know what those recommendations were? Let me share some:
- Lying Awake by Mark Salzman. A book you won’t be able to stop thinking about.
- The Painter of Battles by Arturo Perez-Reverte. A bit of a mystery but also a philosophical study.
- Loving Frank by Nancy Horan. A fictional account of the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
- The Eight by Katherine Neville. 20 years ago this was the DaVinci Code of its time.
- Bridge of Sighs by Richard Russo. I know I’ve heard a lot about this one via the blogosphere.
- Company of Liars by Karen Maitland. A sort of contemporary version of the Canterbury Tales.
- Traffic by Tom Vanderbilt. Suggested as the perfect gift for that horrible driver on your list.
- America, America by Ethan Canin. A stunning novel.
- The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff. Yep, this one was already on my list.
- Kissing in Manhattan by David Schickler. A book of interconnected short stories.
- Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates. An unforgetable portrait of lost hopes in the suburbs of America.
- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson. The thriller of the year.
Early next year two books to look forward to are: Hands of My Father and Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet.
And, I was a lucky Bookgirl because I got a copy of Michelle Richmond’s novel, The Year of Fog, which I remember hearing lots of good things about earlier this year.
So that was my fun evening. I’m off to catch up on my current reads.
That sounds so great. I can’t wait to go to the bookstore when I get home in December.
I want more book recommendations! ;P I might want to get The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo because I’ve been hearing a lot of great things about it.
Hope you’ve a great weekend, Iliana!
aka Nik – I bet you are counting the days! So does your hubby also get time off?
Melody – I read one review about that book on a mystery blog and it sounds really good. The Random House rep said that it had a main character who was a cross of Clarisse (from Silence of the Lambs) and Lola from the movie Run, Lola, Run. Fast & intense. I have to read that 🙂 You have a great one too!
The Year of Fog is a really good read. I literally couldn’t put it down. Richmond’s other book, No One You Know, is another one you should read. She writes suspense in a really calm, not frenetic pace which makes you want to keep going. And her characters are totally 3D.
I’ve bookmarked a couple of those pages – they sound pretty good. Thanks!
I’ve heard of 5 of those on your list and read reviews of them. Traffic sounds like one to get my eldest. No matter how many times I remind him, I cannot get him to stop calling me while he’s driving. Enjoy The Year of Fog! I’ve heard good buzz about that, too (or read it, I should say).
I read Lying Awake.
You need to be in a Catholic mood to read it. I am amazed at how right he seems to get being a woman and a nun!
My husband read Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and really enjoyed it. A friend of mine read 19th Wife and thought it good. I have a copy of Loving Frank around here somewhere…
I’m just about to start The Year of Fog, and looking forward to it.
That sounds like a great event, and good publicity. I’ll have to look for that in the B & N near me.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is on my pile. I’m not sure about the 19th Wife, which I left at the bookstore after seeing the “choppy” format.
Several of those titles are either in my TBR collection or on my wish list. How exciting! I have read The 19th Wife and loved it.
Wow, I haven’t read any of those. Although, I have wanted to read The 19th Wife for awhile.
What a terrific list of books! Thanks for sharing your evening with us. 🙂
That sounds like great fun. It’s nice they talked about older books as well as newer. I’ve wanted to read Revolutionary Road for a while–no doubt they are talking it up before the movie opens. I have a few others of those titles on my ‘want to read’ list!
Lucky girl! What fun! I want to read Loving Frank sooo badly! I feel like I see it everywhere and it’s taunting me. 🙂
Amanda – Oh I’m glad to hear you’ve enjoyed her other books! I’ll have more to look forward to then 🙂
Fern – Aren’t some of those suggestions great? All are on my wish list now!
Bookfool, aka Nancy – Ha,ha… I don’t think I would have ever picked up that book if she hadn’t mentioned it to us. It sounds very interesting actually!
Isabel – Ha,ha… I think I do remember now you telling me you had read it. I am pretty sure I have that book somewhere in my stacks.
Stefanie – The Girl book seems like it’s getting some really good buzz with all the mystery blogs. And, I think there are a couple of more in that series that are also going to be published in English so good to know!
Ravenous Reader – I know, I was really impressed with the event. I’d never been to one like that so I hope they’ll do it again. Hope you’ll enjoy Year of Fog!
Matt – Really? It does sound like 19th Wife has a bit of everything going on in it but after I heard the author talk at the TX Book Festival I really want to read the book. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on The Girl book.
Literary Feline – I remember your review of David’s book! I get the feeling I’d enjoy it so hopefully I’ll get that book soon!
Nicole – I know, I’m thinking am I living under a rock?! haha…. All of these sound good to me too.
Joy – You bet! It was so fun… She said she may come back out to meet with our group next year so I hope so!
Danielle – I know isn’t that great? I think sometimes with book blogs there is the danger that you see a lot of buzz for the new books, which is great, but I definitely want to remember those older books that need to be read!
Andi – Oddly enough I had heard a bit about that book on NPR and I wasn’t that motivated to read it. After this event though I’m definitely interested in it!
awesome list! I have bookmarked it.
I have the last one YES! finally i have one book 🙂
and i will be getting “Eight”
and all the other books u talk of here!
I managed to read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo recently and I have to admit it was a page turner – seriously. I also want to read The Eight, since the sequel is coming out soon, as well as Revolutionary Road. My friend has been praising Richard Yates to the skies, but I never read anything by him.
A lot of good books on the recommended list, esp. Lying Awake.