I am going to be on a sailboat for ten days in July and would love some good book recommendations. Here is what I have been reading lately and my thoughts. I would love to hear yours!
The Last Painting of Sara de Vos by Dominic Smith
I am not that far into this book; I am really enjoying it so far. It is the story of an artist in Golden Age Holland and the modern-day art restorer who forged her work.
The Good House by Ann Leary
Meh.
Moby Dick by Herman Melville
I have been trying to finish this book since we bought a copy at the New Bedford Whaling Museum while cruising in 2013. I absolutely love it and fall asleep every time I pick it up. On the boat we were reading it aloud. Maybe that’s the key.
The Collected Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway
I picked this up after seeing the Hemingway exhibit at the Kennedy Library. The exhibit is WONDERFUL if you have not see it yet. I’ve enjoyed the stories I have read so far, but a little Hemingway goes a long way for me.
My Struggle by Karl Ove Knaussgaard
I am currently on Volume IV, which I believe is the last one available in the US so far. I have so enjoyed reading the first three volumes of this memoir/fictionalized autobiography?
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
A wonderful story.
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
This would have been perfect boat reading.
The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan
Brutal. I cannot in good conscience recommend this book unless you are seriously interested in being as depressed as possible.
The Orphan Master’s Son by Adam Johnson
Brutal. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is an account of life in North Korea presented in a fictionalized form. Amazing writing and story telling.
The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth GIlbert
Meh.
On deck–unless you tell me not to–I have:
I’m Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid
Exposure by Helen Dunmore
High Dive by Jonathan Lee
Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo
Something Will Happen, You’ll See by Christos Ikonomou
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty. Perfect cruise reading! Unputdownable. You might actually run aground because you can’t stop reading to tack the genoa…
Thanks Martha! Have you read her first book?
My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell you She’s Sorry by Frederik Backman is what I’m reading right now for my book group – pretty good! Have you read any Curtis Sittenfeld? Her latest, Eligible, which is a modern-day Jane Austen was pretty good too. I really liked The Red Notebook, set in Paris, by Antoine Laurain. Have a good cruise!!
Thanks Janet. I love Jane Austen so Sittenfeld sounds perfect!
Never mind a book. I am so jealous that you will be sailing for 10 days!! Do like we did down the Cape all those many years ago: pick up copies of every trash magazine, such as the National Enquirer, Star, etc, along with a large bag of Sour Cream and Onion Chips!! Have a great time!
Boy, that does sound perfect! How the heck are you doing??
Hi Cheryl
Love reading. There are so many I could recommend. Here are just a few more recent ones I’ve read:
The Book Thief by Zusak
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver ( Read a long time ago but remember it)
Sarah’s Key by Rosnay
Unflinching by Jodi Mitic
Baltimore’s Mansion By Wayne Johnston( set in Ferryland, NL — a memoir)
I could go on and on!
We have such similar taste! I have read a few on your list, and I can’t wait to check out those I have not! Thanks, Tanya!
I’ve been meaning to get your opinion on new books to read! “The Narrow Road to the Deep North” seems really interesting.
Can’t say I have any suggestions, I’ve been trying to go back and read the high school English class staples that I never read.
Do you by chance have that Richard Flanagan book? I’ll gladly pay for shipping 🙂
I do! I am happy to ship it to you!! Address? It is deeply disturbing though, just to forewarn you.