Recommending books is always hard. I may recommend a certain book to my daughter that I would never recommend to one of my friends. And what if the person hates a book I love? Here are some of the books I tend to tell people they should read.
Classic
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas – Yes, it’s long, but it’s a grand adventure and the revenge novel. Make sure you get the unabridged version.
General Fiction
The Help by Kathryn Stockett – Made me laugh and cry and gave me a new look at the South in the 60s.
Mystery
Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache series – tTis is the only mystery series I’ve told my mother she had to read. They have more layers than the average who dunnit.
Have Gun, Will Play by Camille LaGuerre – The sleuths in this Old West mystery are one of my favorite fictional couples.
Fantasy
Trash, Sex, Magic by Jennifer Stevenson – Unique plot, gorgeous writing, truly memorable.
Childrens/ Middle School
Favorite Tales of Monsters and Trolls by George Jonson – One of the few books from my childhood I remember clearly and am so happy to still have. Great stories, amazing illustrations. If you have kids, buy it if you can find it.
The Gammage Cup by Carol Kendall – Another favorite from my childhood. It shows that even those who don’t fit in can become heroes.
Non-Fiction
At Ease: Stories I Tell to Friends by Dwight D. Eisenhower – I spent a year or so working in Gettysburg and one of the things I did was sell tickets for the tour of the Eisenhower farm. I picked up this book at that time and while I’m not much of a history or military buff, I truly enjoyed these stories. It really did feel like him just telling about his life.
The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larson – Non-fiction that reads like fiction. I was fascinated by the World’s Fair and the true crime angle added a bit of spice.
Ballad of the Whiskey Robber: A True Story of Bank Heists, Ice Hockey, Transylvanian Pelt Smuggling, Moonlighting Detectives, and Broken Hearts by Julian Rubenstein – Attila Ambrus’s life is almost too big to be believed. (Actually I should pick up a copy for my husband. I bet he’d love it.)
What books do you tend to recommend?
Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, and yes, I’m a day late. Sorry.
I love your choices…they are so different from mine most of the time!
That’s why I like lists like these. I’ll see things that people love that I wouldn’t necessarily have thought of picking up otherwise.
I haven’t read The Help yet, but the movie was excellent so I’m sure the book is too.
I love the Count De Monte Cristo!
Wow, I’ve only read one of those books – The Help.
Same here! I’m going to check out the other books on your list, tho. They sound very interesting! Feel free to check out my TTT if you feel like it 🙂
What a great list! Several here that I loved – The Count of Monte Cristo, The Help, Devil in the White City. I will take you advice and read Louise Penney… am also curious about Eisenhower’s book.
I always think it’s interesting to see lists like this, because eveyrone will have completly different books. Thanks for sharing.
Devil in the city and Still Life are on my Wishlist. Have you seen The Help, amazing movie also.
I did see it. I thought they did a great job.
What a great list! Love The Count and Devil in the White City. I’ve heard great things about Penny, but haven’t read any yet.
Still Life is coming up soon for me 🙂