Dear Wonderfully Knowledgable Librarian,
Today I come to you with open ears (well, eyes) and an open heart. I have a problem and am in need of your help.
I. Am in. A reading. Rut.
Tragic, I know.
The books I’ve picked up the last couple of nights just aren’t doing it for me and I’m kind-of, sort-of know what I’m in the mood for but nothing I grab off the shelves satisfies me. Don’t you hate that? So I figured I would lean on you, my one-stop circulation specialist shop, to see what you recommend I delve into next.
Last week I was reading something fairly modern with a mystery twist to it. And it lost me. For now anyway. I want something rooted a bit more in history but not too historical fiction-y (Read – no Tudors, princesses, or queens right now. I love them but they can wait.) Perhaps I want a contemporary classic? I do love coming-of-age stories. Or since we are flirting with Spring here in New York City, maybe I’m in the mood for something light and airy but not too fluffy? It is hard to say.
So, please give me the best you got and I promise I will take all your wonderful suggestions to heart. Also, if you are in the same boat I am, unburden your heart and perhaps someone can throw you a line.
Thanks in advance!
-Marie
PS – Don’t worry about crossing publisher lines. We have been known to cheat a little here. I won’t tell if you won’t!
The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig. Historical fiction-y, but mostly just awesome.
Soon to be released “The Map of True Places” – great contemporary story set in Salem, MA so has an historic element to it.
totally different: Farm City: The Education of an Urban Farmer. This was nonfiction, but read like fiction. great story in here.
Are you averse to reading YA? (Please say no.) I highly recommend “The Hunger Games” books by Suzanne Collins. Also, “How I Live Now” by Meg Rosoff. Dark, creepy, and not very spring-like, but sometimes we need a little darkness so we can appreciate the light!
I just finished an ARC of The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by Kelly O’Connor McNees. It imagines a summer not well documented by Alcott scholars. It’s a little historical, light and springy, and an interesting idea, especially if you loved Little Women.
Hi Amanda,
I loved loved The Hunger Games and Catching Fire. I can’t wait for Mockingjay!
Marie
What about A Tree Grows in Brooklyn? Historical without being too historical-fictiony, and coming-of-age too! (And to me, the title just evokes spring!)
Hi Jennie,
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is one of my favorites and I’ve actually considered re-reading it. Perhaps I will. Have you read Betty Smith’s other book, Joy in the Morning? I think that’s what it is called. It probably isn’t the same as A Tree but I’ve had that one on my list for a while. Maybe I should just revisit my reading lists! Thanks for the great rec!
Marie
what about Missy by Chris Hannen? It’s Deadwood meets Huck Finn.
Sorry, for the second comment, the author of Missy is Chris Hannan (I think I misspelled it previously.) The another good coming of age book was A Swift Pure Cry by Siobhan Dowd. Set in rural Ireland in the 1980s the novel captures the tone and rhythm of life perfectly.
Have you tried “Impossible”? It is a modern fairy tale tied to the folk song Scarborough Fair. Author is Nancy Werlin.