Two of my favorite past-times: Looking through magazines or reading a good book. It’s what I do every evening to unwind from the day. I’m getting desperate for more books to read so if you’ve read a good book share it! Mysteries are my favorite but I’m open to any good book. I love a series so I can read on when I’m done with one book. I’m reading Lisa Gardener’s book called Catch Me. I’ve read almost all of James Paterson and the whole Stephanie Plum series from Janet Evanovich. I know there must be book lovers out there reading away and enjoy books I haven’t read. Help! (Yes, I read The Help LOL.)
One of my favorite magazines, Jeanne d’ Arc Living just arrived at our door! It’s such an expensive magazine that I normally only order special issues, but this month Jeanne d’ Arc surprised us all and reduced the cost of the magazine in the US to $13.95 per issue. This is about half of what it’s sold for in the past so I’ve added a few copies to our website . Jeanne d’ Arc is published in Norway and it’s a treat to find it in the US. Enjoy the photos (taken by the Jeanne d’Arc photographer…not me) as a sampling of what’s inside this beautiful magazine.
Courtesy of Jeanne d’ Arc Living
Courtesy of Jeanne d’ Arc Living
Courtesy of Jeanne d’ Arc Living
I can’t wait to hear about what you’re reading…I’ll keep a list so email me or leave a comment. Have a great day everyone!
Follow up: Here’s a PDF file of books you suggested: Books to read from my blog readers
Thanks for asking this question…I’m getting good ideas, too, from the comments! One of my most favorite mystery series ever is the Southern Sisters mysteries by Anne George. They are hilarious to read! Unfortunately there were only 8 written before the author passed away. Would love to meet her in heaven someday. Which reminds me…Fannie Flagg has written some fantastic books, including “Can’t Wait to Get To Heaven.” A lot of the characters made appearances in her earlier books, so I’d recommend reading those, too – maybe first, if you can. They move so fast and add so much to life – you won’t be sorry! I hope she has it right, describing heaven her way! (Her most famous is Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Cafe.”)
Hi Anne, I am currently reading The Bird Sisters by Rebecca Rasmussen. I fill in my reading time with quilt history books and i never tire of reading just plain old quilt books be my favorite designers, especially civil war era. Good idea for a blog topic!
David Baldacciis my favorite mystery writer. I don’t buy books. I prefer to use my library card. But his Camel Club series is a set of 5 books that I own just because the stories are so darn good. Patterson has gone sour for me: all follow the same formula in these days. This weekend I finished “Taken” by Robert Crais, also on my favorite author list. Good subject – glad you brought it up. We all can take notes and run to the library.
I can’t see all the other comments, but I just found the Mrty Nickerson books by Rose Connors on audio. I “read” that ay a lot now so I can listen while I quilt. They are courtroom based mysteries and the two I have “read” so far have been good. The first was published 2003 so they are current, but not brandnew.
Thanks Anne for requesting all of our favorite reads… I am feverishly taking notes so I can get some good reads too :)
hi, i just finished a wonderful book called Destiny of the Republic. It’s about James Garfield and his short term as president. Very interesting and was highly recommended by my sister who is a librarian.
Anything Harlan Coben for a good mystery! They will suck you in and not let go. No second chance, tell no one, the woods.
Laura Childs writes the Tea Shop Mysteries, which are fun and include lots of info about tea and great recipes as well. Susan Wittig Albert writes several series – one is the China Bayles series, which takes place in Texas and centers around China, who owns an herb shop. Albert also writes a series called Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter. Under the name Robin Paige she writes a series of Victorian/Edwardian mysteries with her husband.
Finally, I can’t help but recommend a non-mystery: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society – probably the best book I’ve ever read.
Anything by Nora Roberts- She also writes under the pen name J.D.Robb. I can’t put her books down- I am now a usual at the local used book store. She writes “1 of ” books, “2 of ” books and many “3 of ” book series. I just finished a ’2 of ‘ series of Hot Rocks by Nora Roberts with a continuation of Big Jack By J D Robb- This was a murder mystery about stolen jewels. If you haven’t read any her books before then you are in for a happy surprise. Happy Reading.
The “in death” series by J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts) is fabulous. Love them all.
I love mysteries too. Have you read the Shardlake series by C.J. Sansom? The first one is called Dissolution and is set in the time of Oliver Cromwell, so they couyld count as historical too.
I agree with Dianne—am on book 2 of the J.D. Robb “in death” books and I love ‘em
I love Deborah Crombie books. If you like action – you can’t beat Lee Childs. David Baldacci. I loved Kate Morton’s books – The House at Riverton, The Forgotten Garden. Susan Hill’s Simon Serallier Series. Good stuff!
Thank you so much for the free patterns you have shared in the past! I am almost finished with the basket series and can’t wait to start on Squirrel Hollow. :) Three of my favorite series are: The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter by Susan Wittig Albert, the Benni Harper series by Earlene Fowler, and a series about a cookie shop owner in Minnesota by Joanne Fluke. These are cozy mysteries.
My current book, which I am enjoying, is The Snowman by Jo Nesbo. Along the same lines is The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson. They are in the Nordic Noir genre of mysteries.
You might also like the Kinsey Milholne series of mysteries by Sue Grafton.
My alll-time favorite book series is written by John Sandford – they are absolutely wonderful! I think there’s 20 books, all with the word “Prey” in the title. I went to a used book store and bought all 20 of them!
Sue, I, too, love the Prey series by John Sandford. I was able to find quite a few of them at a book sale ($1 each!) – the rest I get at the library.
Another good series is by Michael Connelly (The Lincoln Lawyer, Brass Verdict, etc.)
These ladies are absolutely correct. There are no books being written like the Prey series by John Sandford. They are fantastic. You do need to read them in order. You will fall madly in love with Lucas Davenport. When you finish the Prey series you can read the Virgil Flowers books by John Sandford. It took me about 3 days to read each of the books because you cannot put them down.
thank you, thank you for this amazing list of authors… i hope i live long enough to read all of these interesting books…..will have to check out the audio books …
Donna Leon’s “Commissario Guido Brunetti ” mystery series set in Italy are also very good reads….
thank you also for your fantastic patterns…..
I very much enjoy Lynn Austin’s books – historical fiction. She’s very witty! My favorites were ‘Wonderland Creek’ and ‘A Proper Pursuit.’ She also has some series which are great.
My 13 year old daughter loved ‘The Homelanders’ series by Andrew Klavan. Very suspenseful and appropriate for her age group. I loved them, too!
I wrote down several of the suggested authors and books – can’t wait to get to the library!
Try reading the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear. They count as both british mysteries and historical.
I’m also reading the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear–set in England in the decade after WW!. Very good!
If you like Janet Evanovich you should read:
Good light and funny mysteries -
Gemma Halliday’s books. She has a couple of series – High Heels and Hollywood
Dorthy Howell – Purses series
Jana DeLeon – Mudbug series
Kathlene Bacus – Calamity Jane series
Kit Frazier – Cauley MacKinnon series
Ellen Byerrum – Crimes of Fashion series
Good Regency mysteries
Ashley Gardner – Captain Lacey series
I have more on my reading list but these will keep you busy and entertained for a while
My favorite mystery books are the Ladies Number One Detective Agency books by Alexander Mc Call Smith- set in Africa with a gentle rhythm and a very different view of things – nice… and
Any mystery by Robert B Parker – not so gentle…
Have to agree that The Number One Ladies Detective Agency series of books is wonderful, especially if you’re able to watch the series after reading the books. You’ll appreciate the flavor and color of Botswanna portrayed in the books. Ma Ramotswe is a lovely, character, always dealing with kindness. Alexander McCall Smith has other series and I would like to get to those soon.
Recently read The Host by Stephanie Meyer..had an interesting premise. I won’t say anything more about it because there is a movie coming out for it. Did enjoy it though.
Currently I’m reading a nonfiction book, Message From an Unknown Chinese Mother, about unwanted Chinese girl babies, how mothers, families, villages, and the government deal with the overpopulation issue and the horrible consequences some of the policies generate. I would have thought this would have been part of history, but apparently it is still happening.
What a great list! I was just thinking the other day that I’d love to find out what others are reading – and here you go! Two of my favorite authors and I am surprised they aren’t mentioned are Amy Clipston who writes about the Amish in Lancaster County. I also love Jan Karon’s Mitford series. While they aren’t mysteries, they are good, fun reads. Thanks again for this list, Anne.
You should all get on Goodreads.com.. You can post the good books you are reading and you can connect with friends to see what they are reading. Also you can see what everyone on goodreads.com is reading along with their opinions and rating. It’s a great site. The only problem is my list of books to read keeps getting longer and longer :-)
I love goodreads.com….would like to be friends with you.
Loved Loved – Louise Penny Series http://www.louisepenny.com/ (my husband also enjoyed )
Tana French – In the Woods is #1 in the series
If you enjoyed The Girl with the Drgaon Tatoo try the Henning Mankell’s series
I am just finishing the House at Riverton, wonderful book, I tend to like books that will take you on travel. Anything by Ann Patchett most recent is State of Wonder. J.A. Jance she has three or four different series-J.P. Beaumont and Joanna Brady are my favorites.
You have mentioned several of my favorite authors! I try to keep up with anything by Nora Roberts/J.D. Robb, and her latest series is/will be “The Inn Boonsboro”. #1 was “The Next Always”, which I will be re-reading, since #2 (“The Last Boyfriend”) is due out next month. I wish I had the self-discipline to purchase them as they come out and not read them until the LAST one is in print, but I haven’t been able to do that so far!
I also enjoy Joanne Fluke’s Hannah Swensen books — Hannah has a cookie shop, manages to solve murder after murder, and all of her adventures so far include some really great recipes! Another author to look for is Diane Mott Davidson Goldy series; Goldy is a caterer who is a darn good detective, except that she almost gets herself killed on a regular basis! Those also include recipes, and they DO turn out well — yes, the mysteries AND the recipes!
What I can’t figure out is how I manage to gain weight by READING recipes! Have fun, everyone!
Hi Anne,
You can’t top the John Sanford books. I wait for May every year because that is when he comes out with a new one. Have also read all of the J.D. Robb books and you should read the Robert Parker books. When Tom Selleck bought eight of them I thought I had gone to heaven! He IS Jesse Stone and the T.V. movies really follow the books closely and I have seen each of them at least 3 times-he is about to release #8. Tess Garrettson (sp?)is another wining author-in real life she is a surgeon. There is another great series with husband and wife in the F.B.I. and I can’t think of the author right now but the wife’s name is Sherlock.
I am not out to improve my mind when I read as you can tell. Just want great suspense to keep me up all night reading at times and loving every minute of pure pleasure.
I am reading Death Comes to Pemberly at present. Easy read and great for anyone who wants to read about life after marriage for Mr Darcy and Elizabeth of Pride and Prejudice fame.
Recently read The Night Circus and LOVED it! Part mystery part fantasy and very well written.
Have to agree that the Guernsey Literary and Potatoe Peel Pie Society was a lovely book
If you like mysteries and spunky young girls you will love Flavia deLuce in The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, The Weed that Strings the Hangmans Bag and Red Herring With Mustard. She is currently my favourite detective!!
Another awesome book, though not a mystery, is The Time Travellers Wife. Original, really well written and it keeps you reading long after you should have turned out the light!!
My favorite books mystery book series is The Cat Who series by Lillian Braun. The best ones start where Jim Quilleran moves to his Aunts home town I cant think of the name of it right now (have been very sick) I think it starts in book 4. I read them over and over and then my other book I love is not a mystery but I love the U.K. and its called Heidi’s alps and its a true story of a woman who takes her 4 daughters on a trip around the the U.K. Oh and I just thought of Under the tuscan sun its not like the movies but they are wonderful of a couple who are college proffesors who have a second home in Itlay a true story of their lives. A funny one is a bit of mystery too is Home to Harmony. I love your website and your shop, you have my daughter and mine most favorite patterns. There isnt one we dont like. She is expecting a little baby boy in the next couple of weeks and has made one of your baby quilts for him. Thank you!
I am also a huge fan of Louise Penny. I have been reading mysteries for many years, and she stands out as one of the finest authors on my favorites list. I also love the Inspector Lynley series by Elizabeth George. Start at the beginning — she develops her characters with each successive book.
What a great list of authors and books. A lot of them were already on my wishlist at the library. Just wish I had more time to read them. I read on my nook and listen on my ipod as I walk, sew, or do things around the house. One author that I haven’t seen mentioned is Linda Howard. I just finished listening to Kill & Tell, CIA Spies Series #1. I download my books for the nook and the ipod from my local public library, and have read several other books by Linda Howard. All of them have been great. A new author that I have started reading with his first book out only as an ebook is Timothy McDougall. It is called Violence, seems good so far.
I am SO late to this party … and the reading party. Just finished Hunger Games and am going to the movie tonight. Reading Catching Fire and liking it more. Otherwise … I am afraid I’m a non-fiction/behavoral science geek. Give me anything by Malcolm Gladwell (Outliers is my favorite) and I am good to go.
Mary
I guess it is only fitting that your scrappy plate quilt is the prettiest of them all! Thanks so much for this fun QAL!!!!
Hello, Anne! Sorry to say we’ve lost touch. I haven’t been blogging much and decided to visit this quiet Saturday morning. I see you love Jeanne de Arc Living Magazine as well. A little birdie told me that our home is featured in the June issue coming out soon. AND if you happen to see the March 6 issue of Cottage Style Magazine, you’ll find our home on page 94. Okay, enough bragging…..LOL. I’d love to hear from you!
Cindy Roberts
I don’t normally like Stephen King but his latest one entitled 11/22/63 is fantastic. One of the best books I have read and I read alot.
The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. Ah! What an incredible book. She writes with such amazing clarity, and it’s her first book. It’s just wonderful. xo Pam
If you want two incredible non-mystery reads there are two books I cannot recommend highly enough. One is “Mountains Beyond Mountains” by Tracy Kidder, the story of Dr. James Farmer, a Harvard-educated physician establishing a clinic in rural Haiti and the other is “If You l Lived Here I’d Know Your Name” by Heather Lende. The latter is a marvelous book by a woman who writes obits in Haines, Alaska.
You asked for interesting series books. If you like to read about the Amish, the series by Beverly Lewis is great, beginning with The Covenant of “Abram’s Daughters” series. These are actually children/teenage books, but let me tell you, they keep you interested and keep you guessing, too, plus it’s a great learning experience about Amish tradition. This series goes from The Covenant to The Betrayal, The Sacrifice, The Prodigal and The Revelation. I’m on The Prodigal now. Another of her series begins with The Shunning which was made into an acclaimed movie, followed by The Confession and The Reckoning. I haven’t read that, but plan to when I complete her “Abram’s Daughters” series. Let me know if you decide to try one.
I am currently getting caught up on Jennifer Chiaverini’s Elm Creek Quilt Series. There are currently 19 books in the series and I have about 5 more to complete before her next one comes out in October(?). I have read them in chronological order so that they blend one into the other with no gaps in story lines. I also love Amish Fiction and a variety of authors there.
Also if you want something short and funny read any of the Judith Viorst books as she traverses another decade of her life from “When did I Stop Being Twenty and Other Injustices” to ” I’m Too Young to be Seventy and Other Delusions”. Pick the one that’s age-appropriate for you.
A little late… just found your blog while Googling my new love- Dresden Plates! But William Kent Krueger is amazing. His series starts with Iron Lake. I bought his book on sale for 99¢ and it is better than any Dean Koontz or Stephen King book. If you try him, I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.