Need a new favorite book to add to your list?

[readstoomuch]

I've just finished "The Collection" by Gioia Diliberto. It is a novel about post WWII Paris in the early part of the 20th century and a young French seamstress who goes to work for the fashion designer, Coco Chanel. I stumbled upon this book at Barnes & Noble while enjoying window shopping the bookshelves . . . it was a lucky find! I just LOVED this book and couldn't put it down. If you like sewing, fashion, famous people, Paris or just a good story about people you will enjoy this book. It made me want to read more about Chanel ... she is an interesting woman for sure!


Before I read this one, I read Kathryn Stockett?s "The Help" and thoroughly enjoyed reading it too. This book is an eyeopener. Well written with great flair and wonderful, wonderful character development.


Now, beginning tonight I will read Christmas stories for the next month . . . this is one of my favorite things about the month of December. I savor my reading time for my holiday favorites ... new & old ... fiction & nonfiction!

[Shannamay]

Thanks Mollie, I'll look out for those!

After you've finished your holiday reading, you must get "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak, if you haven't read it already. It. Is. Amazing. Quirky in part, spectacular character development set in one of the most tragic time periods of history.

[digigrandma]

Thank you, Mollie and Sharon. I've added all 3 of these to my list of books to pick up soon.

[LauraBean]

Sounds terrific! The first one in particular sounds perfect for my daughter (and maybe I'll sneak a read in before I wrap it up for her for Christmas!).

[mugsbigsis]

I was in need of another book. Thanks for posting this. I loved the last one you recommended, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. :O)

[iUma]

Just ordered The Collection for some holiday escape. Thanks.

[DonnaNJ]

THanks for posting these... right on to my Christmas List they went :-) DonnaNJ

[geekgirl415]

Thanks!! Sounds like a great book and it's on my list. The Help is a book club book I haven't picked up yet, and the Book Thief was one of my favorite recent reads.

[iUma]

Ordered from backpack books through amazon for 2$ plus 3.99 shipping. they sent it out the same day I ordered....like as in TODAY!! Go to amazon and look at other sellers.

[Carol Elliott]

Perfect timing as I am in need of another book! I've so enjoyed your other recommendations. I've added all three to my list of books to pick up!

[maureenreynolds]

I read "The Collection" some time ago, enjoyed it and passed it on to a 'seamstress' friend.

Right now, Jonathan Coe's "The Rain Before it Falls" is keeping me enthralled. The opening reminds me of Ali Edwards' thoughts on wanting to know about people who came before you. Quite apropos for those in her Yesterday and Today class.

[KerryMac]

Thanks for the recommendation, Mollie! I'm going to add it to my list.
Right now I'm reading "Half Broke Horses" by Jeannette Walls. I'm enjoying it but not quite as much her other book "The Glass Castle".
I would highly recommend "The Worst Hard Time" if you like history. I LOVED that book!

[cstaff]

Kerry... "The Worst Hard Time" was fantastic. As a kid growing up in KS and my mother living through the dust bowl in W. TX then marrying a KS farmer that survived the dust bowl... this story really hit home. Wonderful selection!

[cstaff]

And... I am now reading "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle". Very thought provoking. Read this and you will be following Katrina and become a vegan or at least vegetarian. Get your seed catalogs collected and begin planning your spring garden. Fascinating book of what we have become with our fast food society, easy but not healthy eating and convenience forsaking healthy nutrition. Not a feel good read but VERY enlightening.

[champsarahjoy]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions...i was just wondering what to read next. Thanks to you, I should already have a few winners! I also read The Worst Hard Time recently...absolutely incredible. Nothing like the history that I learned in school! It was so in depth and real life..amazing!

[readstoomuch]

Carol ... I read "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" a few months ago and really loved reading it. What a wonderful portrait of a family trying something new. making do. or doing without! I would love it if B. Kingsolver would write a sequel to AAM, wouldn't you?

And, Kerry & Carol ... I have "The Worst Hard Time" on my bedside table to start after the first of the year. It is going to be facinating I know. I recently read "The Lost Mother" by Mary MaGerry Morris ... another book about hard times. And, reread for about the third time "The Yearling" by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings back in June. I love books about how people with very little get along ... the strength of character that is written about somehow imparts something to me too.

[AllynD]

A friend just returned my copy of "The Book Thief," and thanked me for lending it to her. It is my favorite of all the books I've read for my two book clubs in the past two years. Technically "young adult," but I loved it!