1. Meg Wolitzer (The Interestings)
This will certainly appear on my year-end favorites list. The Position is just $1.99 for the kindle edition now. Have you read it? Can you recommend any of her other novels?
2. Ken Follett (Fall of Giants)
My first book was both long and the beginning of a trilogy. Winter of the World is on my shelf and the third installment, The Edge of Eternity, was just released.
3. Anne Enright (The Forgotten Waltz)
Beautifully written, maybe a little depressing. Her prize-winning novel, The Gathering, will be next.
4. Graham Greene (The End of the Affair)
Was it the novel or Colin Firth's narration? Either way, I definitely want more.
5. Claire Messud (The Woman Upstairs)
I was so impressed with this novel, I picked up The Emperor's Children at the library book sale.
6. Elinor Lipman (The View from Penthouse B)
I'm sorry it took so long for me to finally read one of her novels. The Inn at Lake Devine will be next.
7. John Williams (Stoner)
This one is actually an all-time favorite, so I really hope his other books are as good.
8. Junot Diaz (This is How You Lose Her)
A complete surprise...I never expected to love this book. The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao is near the top of my TBR pile.
9. W. Somerset Maugham (The Painted Veil)
It's been over five years, but I still plan to return to this author.
10. Daphne DuMaurier (Rebecca)
Why have I never moved beyond Rebecca? Maybe My Cousin Rachel will be next...
Visit The Broke and the Bookish for more Top Ten Tuesday posts.
I've only tried one of those authors - Junot Diaz - and he didn't wow me.
ReplyDeleteKathy - I was shocked by how much I liked his book.
DeleteI've read one other book by du Maurier and I think I actually liked it better than Rebecca! I see several - Follet, Greene - that are on my TBR already and a few that I haven't heard of and definitely need to check out. Great list!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - I'd love to squeeze a DuMaurier title in next month for RIP.
DeleteI read The Forgotten Waltz as well--the only Anne Enright I've read.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty far down on the list at my library for Follett's 3rd Century book . . . but that's fine, I'll bide my time. I wouldn't say I'm fabulously anxious for it . . .but I"m sure I'll enjoy it once I get started!
Leila - I read Fall of Giants on vacation a couple of years ago and may save Winter of the World for this winter.
DeleteI really liked My Cousin Rachel. Love her creepy subtlety!
ReplyDeleteSandy - Hope I can fit it in next month!
DeleteI really want to try Ken Follett, I know I will love his books, but they are just so long! Maugham and du Maurier were on my list too.
ReplyDeleteSam - That's the big drawback for Follett... his books are so big and so heavy! Unfortunately , I have it in hardcover.
DeleteMaugham is on my list too (like you, I've only read The Painted Veil but I do want to read more). And I'm also curious about John Williams' other books, as I loved Stoner!
ReplyDeleteHelen - Hope we can both get to read more of these authors soon!
DeleteOnce again The Painted Veil gets a mention - I am going to have to read this soon! I know Lipman and Diaz are both in the library but haven't read either - more for the TBR. Also pleased to see Stoner on the new books shelf last week.
ReplyDeleteCat - The Painter Veil was a favorite several years ago... just don;t know why it's taking me so long to return to Maugham. I think you'd like Stoner, too!
DeleteNow I'm curious about My Cousin Rachel...
ReplyDeleteDiana - This seems like the perfect time of year to read My Cousin Rachel.
DeleteI'm reading The Inn at Lake Devine, my first Lipman, right now. You have a number of authors on your list that I still want to try for the first time: Greene, Williams (I've heard so many wonderful things about Stoner), Maugham, and Wolitzer. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteDebbie - I'll be curious to hear what you think of The Inn at Lake Devine.
DeleteI haven't read any of those author's books. Thanks for sharing your list.
ReplyDeletePat - I made a list similar to this several years ago and then went back to read more by those authors. Will make it a point to do it again!
DeleteWolitzer was on my list too - Shannon at River City Reading really liked The Wife. I also love Ken Follett - I'm about to start Edge of Eternity and also loved his Pillars of the Earth and World Without End books (also clunkers).
ReplyDeleteSarah - I remember Shannon recommending The Wife and added it to my list right away. Follett's books are so long! Hope I remember enough of Fall of Giants when it's time to start Winter of the World.
DeleteI keep meaning to read more du Maurier, too! I absolutely adored Rebecca. I loved Oscar Wao but I know it can be hit or miss. I'll look forward to seeing what you think when you do get to it.
ReplyDeleteTrish - I'll be getting to Oscar Wao before too long. I have both the paperback from the library sale and an audio version!
DeleteLoved The Interestings. It seems to have struck a chord with so many readers. I would highly recommend My Cousin Rachel - I actually prefer it to Rebecca!
ReplyDeleteVintage Reading - I went to Barnes & Noble today and was shocked that they had only one copy of Rebecca and nothing else by DuMaurier. Tomorrow I will head in the opposite direction to visit an indie bookstore. Fingers crossed for a better selection!
DeleteAs much as I love Rebecca, I've never read any other du Maurier either. Must definitely rectify that. I did not like the audio version of Oscar Wao; I think I would have liked it in print much better.
ReplyDeleteLisa - I remember reading about Oscar Wao on your blog. At that time I already had the audio version, so was thrilled to find a pristine paperback for a dollar at the latest library sale.
DeleteI loved Ken Follett's first series (Pillars of the Earth and World Without End), but haven't started his newer series. I'll probably listen to those on audio, as I did the others since the print editions are SO big! When I unpacked his new release (Edge of Eternity) on Tuesday morning as I set up the displays in our store, I couldn't get over how heavy it was. No way could I read that chunkster in bed!
ReplyDeleteLes - I don't know what I was thinking buying the hardcover of Winter of the World at the library book sale (actually, I was probably thinking what a great deal). Have a feeling I'll be downloading the kindle version when I'm ready to read it. Maybe I should do a read/listen combo?
Deletegreat post! I read a collection of Anne Enright's short stories (Yesterday's Weather) which I really enjoyed and recommend. I haven't read Elinor Lipman's latest but I really enjoyed The Inn at Lake Devine. I met her a BEA last year and she was charming!
ReplyDeleteColleen - Anne Enright's writing was beautiful and I'm overdue for a good short story collection. I'll keep an eye out for Yesterday's Weather - thanks!
DeleteCan't wait to read The Inn at Lake Devine. I think you'd enjoy The View From Penthouse B. It had me googling several Manhattan restaurants!
I recommend Up at the Villa by W. Somerset Maugham! It's a wonderful novella that reads like an old black and white film! It did come out in film in 2000 but I like my imagined version while reading it better!
ReplyDeleteLilea - Thank you for the recommendation! I was considering Up the Villa, but now my decision has been made.
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