Each summer, it seems, I re-acquaint myself with my love of a good novel. As hard as I try to pick up a book in the Christian living genre (you know, those self-help-ish, but not self-help types), I just can’t get through them. Fiction novels have my heart.
Over the past several weeks, I’ve devoured a handful of really great books and I have a bunch more I’m looking forward to start (and hopefully finish) before Fall comes around.
The more I read and the older I get, I find I’m really drawn to historical fiction. World War II stories always capture my attention as do ones set in England. Books with multiple characters whose lives somehow come to intertwine feel interesting and intriguing to me. And I just love when I miss the characters when the book is finished. That is the sign of a really good story.
Each of these fall into one or more of those categories. So here’s my list:
The first six I’ve already finished; the rest are in the queue. I won’t give the full description of the book here, but the links will take you to Amazon where you can see all the details. I’ll just tell you what I thought about it.
ALREADY FINISHED
The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty
Loved it. She wrote What Alice Forgot which I read and enjoyed previously. She has a way of talking about big social topics within an approachable set of characters. Entertaining and it makes you think.
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
Loved it even more. This one takes on domestic violence that’s hidden behind wealth and appearances. Sounds like a downer, but it’s so good.
The Last Anniversary by Liane Moriarty
Clearly, once I find an author I like I just go for it. This one was my least favorite of all of Ms Moriarty’s books, but it was still good.
Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear
This is the first in a series of 12 (I think) mystery novels set in England after WWII. Maisie is a private investigator and charming character who sets out to solve mysteries. I liked it, didn’t love it. If you’re into non-scary mysteries, this would be great for you.
Secrets of A Charmed Life by Susan Meissner
BEST BOOK OF THE LIST. I completely adored this one. So much that when I had to go pick my kids up from my in-law’s house I downloaded the audio version and switched off between listening and reading every chance I could. This one is a historial fiction, set it London during WWII. With gorgeous writing and characters who felt like friends by the end. So it basically was my perfect book.
A Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner
I liked the other one so much I picked up another one by Susan Meissner. I like books that switch between present day and past with story lines that overlap and this one was wonderful. Again, I listened to the audio version (while painting my son’s room) and was sad when it was over.
Christian fiction is not always my top choice and I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Susan Meissner is in fact a Christian novelist.
COMING UP NEXT
Moloka’i by Alan Brennert
My mom’s been telling me to read this for years (as well as my Aunt and sister). So far it’s just really depressing. Well-written and interesting, but super sad. We’ll see if I keep going. I might need something a little lighter!
At The Water’s Edge by Sara Gruen
*UPDATE 07/25/15 Finished in two days. LOVED. I listened to the audio version for most of it and it felt like a movie. There is some adult language, just to let you know.
Written by the author of Water For Elephants, which was a favorite read years ago, so I’m excited to try her newest novel.
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
It popped up as a recommended book based on my purchases in Amazon and it sounds darling.
*UPDATE 07/23/15* I just read this over the past two days. Cute, but not my fave. Probably wouldn’t recommend it.
Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
Jamie Ivey told me to read it. So I will.
Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee
Have you read it? Is it worth ruining Atticus Finch’s wonderfulness in my mind? I’m intrigued and my sister-in-law gave me a copy so I’ll probably go for it.
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Another one that pops up regularly as a suggested book. I don’t know much about it, but the story seems to fit with the types of books I like. If you’ve read it, tell me what you think!
So there you have it. 12 books on my reading list this summer.
Now it’s your turn … have you read any of these? What did you think? Any other great summer book suggestions?
My favorite book of last year was “The Nightingale”. So great! I passed it on to my girl friends and they all loved it too. If you haven’t read it yet, do so!
If you love WWII fiction you have to read Blackout and All Clear by Connie Willis. They involve some time travel which is a fun twist, but you will be amazed at the detail & research Willis did when she writes about the London Blitz. Definitely worth your reading time!
Since you enjoy books with multiple characters whose lives are intertwined, you should read books by Sarah Jio. LOVE her books! My favorite is Blackberry Winter. They are quick reads too which is great with young kids in the house!
I am adding Secrets of a Charmed Life to my Amazon wish list!
I saw these were mentioned, but had to recommend Shanghai Girls and Dreams of Joy both by Lisa See!!
I am very disappointed that you liked “At the Waters Edge.” I found the storyline so ridiculous! I read the book just to see how in the world it would end. A really bad story.
However I enjoyed the book “The Charmed Life.” It is set in London during WW2 as a back drop to the story of two sisters.
I agree with many other comments that “All the Light You Can Not See” is the best in category of historical fiction. Runners up are “The Nightingale” and “The Girl You Left Behind.”
“Cutting for Stone” is one of the best books written! And ” Go Set a a Watchman ” is one of the worst—never should have been published.
I just want it say thank you for informing me about Susan Meissner! I just read Secrets of a Charmed Life in one day. It was really good. I will definitely be looking for her other books, as it’s been awhile since I read a book that good. Thank you!!!! ?
Hi Emily,
I feel like we are book soul mates! Your last reading list was fantastic, and I’m still working through it, but I love when I find a list that already has some books on it which I have read and LOVED!
That said, I think you’d like Charles Martin. All of his books have such interesting characters, and each story is different. He’s one of those Christian fiction authors that you are surprised to find is a Christian author, because his stories are so deep and real without being ‘fluffy’. My favourites are “Chasing Fireflies” and “The Mountain Between Us”. Also his two-in-one book called “Down Where My Love Lives”, had me bawling in the first chapter.
Thanks again for these recommendations, lately I’ve been on a WWII historical fiction kick so I’m excited to try “Secrets of a Charmed Life”.
Blessings on you!
Jess
Hi Friend!
I read Molokai years ago and while the subject matter was tough I found it to be a great book. It was great to see it on your list. The Nightingale is one of the best books I have ever read. Absorbing, richly detailed and meticulously researched. Due to the subject matter, it is what I have come to refer to as” historically graphic”. This can make it tough but WELL worth it. Water’s Edge is on my reading list along with Cutting For Stone. Thanks for sharing some new titles I have not read. Please share when you have read the others….best!
I ditto everything wonderful said about The Nightingale!! It was a book I could not put down and still, 3 books later, I cannot stop thinking about the story! Absolutely breathtaking!
I then started reading another novel written by Kristen Hannah, Winter Garden. It wasn’t as extraordinary but the story was gripping nonetheless.
Like several other replies, I agree we have similar tastes in books. I would highly recommend “The Nightingale” but also agree with the posts that recommend “All the Light We Can Not See”. I read it before it won the Pulitzer Prize and absolutely couldn’t put it down. And now I’m so excited to see so many others enjoying it. Also featuring a WWII storyline is Kristin Hannah’s “Winter Garden”. I found this mesmerizing and actually researched info on the historical events featured. My last recommendation would be “Sarah’s Key” by Tatiana de Rosnay. (She was acknowledged by Kristin Hannah in “The Nightingale”.)
Thanks to you and your responders for sharing their favorite books!
I read All The Light last summer and YES, it was so beautiful. Not a quick read as it made me really think through each page and the language was so complex and powerful. Definitely a beautiful book.
Sounds like we have VERY similar taste in books (although, I like a good self help book now and then. I did get a little burned out for a while though, being a pastor for 15 years – you read a lot of them). Thanks for the suggestions, now that I’m a stay at home/work from home mom, I’ve been reading fiction again (I can’t put it down either, so I will avoid reading when I’m too busy). I’ve been wanting to expand my author Horizon’s as well!
Thank you for this post!! I was just looking for new audio books (i spend a lot of time in the car) and then your post popped up in my email. I know have a whole slew of new books to get through this summer!! I love Redeeming Love, it was such a good read. :)
http://www.cocolainerose.com
Omgsh it’d be a trvesty for me to forget Kate Mosse (not the model). She wrote Labyrinth and Sepulchre. I’ve only read Sepulchre but it was so good I read it twice! Back and forth between 1890s France and 2000s you see how 2 girls are related and the story that relates them. Works cannot describe!
RECOMMENDATIONS
All these books popped up in my head while reading your post cause, as it happens, we have the same taste in literature!
The Daughters of Boston series, as well as The Winds of Change series by Julie Lessman. They are Christian series’ but imagine 1910s Boston, following the love interests of each of the many kids of this family and how the family deals with social issues. Both series combined is 6 books and you really see how the family evolves over time! Probably one of my favourite books Christian or non-Christian.
Anything by Robert Rutherfurd. Yes, his novels are extremely lengthy BUT it’s a feast of everything you love: always a multi generational story following the lives of 6 or more families (there are trees and maps at the beginning) over the course of the history of a city and how some of them intertwine. He’s done Ireland, Paris (reading, and can’t get enough), London, New York and more! Best of both worlds: fiction and non-fiction
Thanks for your recommendations!
Hi Emily!
Thank you so much for the list! I have just finished a great book “A lineage of Grace” by Franicine Rivers. I was on the hunt for something new. I have always interested in WWII and studing it from the prespective of another country sounds great, especially since our family in currently living in the UK!
I enjoy your blog so much and I can’t wait to take you graphic class in September!
Many Blessings
Courtney
Alright just read through the comments, added more to my list! So neat that Susan’s daughter commented! Aaaaand, you need to read Khaled Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns if you haven’t already. I mean…it’s one of my favorites of all time. It’s about 2 women in Afghanistan. The Kite Runner is great too, but I like ATSS more.
As I’ve said before, I LOVE your book posts. I’ve read all of these or have them on my list. Many great! Big Little Lies is my fave LM book, too. I am interested to see what you think of Kristen Hannah novels….I read Firefly Lane a few years ago…SO so good, but I cried a lot. Like that was the hardest I have cried in a book. Very excited to read Secrets of a Charmed Life! I have that on my list based on your recommendation!
I just finished The Nightingale and LOVED it. I listened to the audio version and found myself making excuses to drive just so I could listen to it. I’m sure you’ll really enjoy it!
I am currently reading The Nightingale, it’s so good!! It’s the best book I have read in a while, you will get hooked immediately!!
Jojo Moyes – The Girl Left Behind,
Love the recommendations – have read some and will look for a few others. I too love Kristin Hannah and have The Nightingale on my summer list. Based on your comments I would highly recommend anything that Susanna Kearsley has written, she often employs the past/present story line and does it very well. If you have not discovered Georgette Heyer please do yourself a huge favour and give her a try. Don’t be put off – clever, witty, fun, clean – she researched her period extensively.
Susan Meissner is one of my favorite authors. She does a lot of historical fiction, which also holds a special place in my heart. “The Shape of Mercy” was fabulous. “Lady in Waiting” was very good and also does that present day-historical switch.
I just finished “Summer of Light” by Dale Cramer. Chrisitan fiction, not historical. Beautiful, funny, well-woven story.
Love reading your book suggestions. Always searching for the next one! Loved all of Moriarty’s books, Cutting for Stone is wonderful as is The Nightingale- but be warned- I cried and cried at the end! A few others you might want to try if you haven’t already- Orphan Train, Everything You Never Told Me, The Poisonwood Bible and all of Khaled Hosseini’s books (not just Kite Runner).
A Soldier’s Wife, set on the island of Guernsey during World War ll. AWESOME!
I think you would also enjoy All the Light We Cannot See by Doerr. Set in WWII France with a young blind girl and how her life intersects a German orphan boy conscripted into Hitler’s youth and the war effort. Beautiful. Pulitzer Prize.
I love historical fiction too and The Nightingale is excellent! Will have to try some of your picks as well!
Susan Meissner is my mom…I had a definite proud-daughter moment to see two of her books on your summer reading list. :) Glad you enjoyed them! Secrets of a Charmed Life and The Shape of Mercy are my personal favorites!
I’m going to have to read some of these – thanks for the recommendations. I’ve read Big Little Lies and The Husbands Secret and like them.
If you like books that go between present day and past, you should read Sarah Jio. Her books are written in present time, but involve mysteries that happen in the past. Blackberry Winter and Morning Glory were two of my favorites and the Last Camillia has ties to WWII.
I really enjoy reading your blog!
I love book recommendations! Thanks for this. I loved The Husbands secret. That was her best book I think. I just read The Silver Star by Jeannette Walls. Have you read her? It was good. She also wrote the glass castle and half broke horses.
If you like WWII fiction and characters whose stories intertwine, you must read All the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr. Best book I’ve read in a long time. Good story, beautifully written.
I always love your book recommendations! I have to say, I am a little sad you didn’t love Maisie Dobbs. I have really enjoyed the series (with the exception of the last book). I have mixed feeling about reading Go Set a Watchman, so I haven’t yet. Mostly because I can’t un-read something and I am very attached to Atticus. I really enjoyed Cutting for Stone and while I read What Alice Forgot, I’m not sure I would have picked up the other ones, but with your recommendation I think I just might. Thanks for the list!
The Nightingale was recommended to my by a friend, it was fantastic and a side of WWII that I had never even thought about. It stayed with me for a while after I had finished the story. I also love books set in England and the author Rosamunde Pilcher is an all time favorite. Many of her stories are set in England (Cornwall, London) and Scotland. Coming Home is a fantastic story about WWII as well as The Shell Seekers. Hallmark made a movie of The Shell Seekers and Angela Landsbury is in it. Jan Karon’s Mitford series is another favorite of mine. Maeve Binchy, Mary Kay Andrews, Lucy Dillon, Sarah Jio & Katie Fforde are some of my favorites ! Happy Reading, Kathleen
I highly recommend the Outlander series of novels if you like historical fiction. I have been hooked on the books dive a friend introduced me and I can’t put them down (my poor family!).
Your taste in books is very similar to mine! Have read almost all of the ones you listed, but The Nightingale was my new favorite when I finally read it 3 or 4 weeks ago. But that changed a couple of books later when I read “All The Light We Cannot See”! That became my new favorite, & it will take a lot to knock it out of 1st place. Have fun reading!
I always appreciate your recommendations, I know they will neither be trashy nor full of bad language. On the contrary they are fun or uplifting or both. I too love Liane Moriarty, nice call on those, AND I have to say you will LOVE The Storied Life of A.J. Fickery, it is so fast and delightful! Now that our our children aren’t tiny, I read this by the pool over Spring Break while they played. Enjoy!
These look fantastic! It sounds like you would love Jojo Moyes books. The Last Letter From Your Lover is captivating – alternates between two time periods and London. She creates endearing characters that make you wish the story wouldn’t end! I’m getting ready to start another book of hers (The Girl You Left Behind) – I’ve heard it’s quite good as well! Thanks for the suggestions! Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Top Books I have read in the last few years include…The Glass Castle, The Invisible Bridge, and Cutting For Stone.
Thank you for the suggestions above.
I actually LOVE Christian fiction (I find other books can be a little unsafe due to some content issues). Francine Rivers, “The Mark of the Lion” series changed my life, her novellas are amazing, “Redeeming Love” is also AH-MAZING. I must say, I’ve never read one of her’s that hasn’t impacted me. Fiction that seriously changed my life!!! Karen Kingsbury is fab also! I’ve enjoyed everything from both of these authors. I LOVE Jan Karon’s “Mitford” series (audio version is fantastic!). I’ve recently started reading a series by Thomas Kinkade and Katherine Spencer, the “Cape Light” series is turning out to be a lovely set. Shocking, I know!
I usually read at night before I go to bed to settle myself from all the computer time I have to put in for work. I’ve recently started reading the “Eragon” series and that’s been giving me some freaky dreams so that’s since been moved into the bathroom for intermittent reading and is no longer a nighttime read, lol! Very good, just not at night, haha!
Hello,
If you like the intertwining of stories (past/present), I think you’ll like Sarah Jio. Start with The Violets of March and go from there!
Love your book recommendations, Emily! I kept seeing rave reviews about The Nightingale so I decided I should read it and am just a few pages in. I adore historical fiction like you, and two of my favorites are The American Heiress and The Fortune Hunter by Daisy Goodwin. SO GOOD!! It took me a bit to get into the language of the late 1800’s but these two stories will make you swoon!! Thinking about them makes me want to re-read them both. ;)
I just finished reading The Nightingale last night. One of the very best books I’ve read by Kristin Hannah! She is one of my favorite authors. I SO enjoyed reading this book. I will be checking out a few of your suggestions to add to my ever growing Kindle library.
Love your book recommendations, Emily! I kept seeing rave reviews about The Nightingale so I decided I should read it and am just a few pages in. I adore historical fiction like you, and two of my favorites are The American Heiress and The Fortune Hunter by Daisy Goidwin. SO GOOD!! It took me a bit to get into the language of the late 1800’s but these two stories will make you swoon!! Thinking about them makes me want to re-read them both. ;)
I highly recommend Winter Garden by Kristen Hanna. It jumps from current day to Russia WW2 I believe. I will NEVER forget that book. It has been over a year and I still think about that story. Truly amazing book!
I recently read Dear Mr Knightley and Lizzie and Jane by Katherine Reay and loved them both…lots of Jane Austen references and they are set in the present with lots of historical references…she’s also a “Christian novelist” but I liked these a lot more than most in that genre ;)
And I have Cutting for Stone on my summer reading list too!
Move ‘Cutting for Stone’ to the top of your list. A really great book. Do;t let summer get away without reading it.
Thanks! I will!
Love this post. Great list. I am 165 pages into The Nightingale and am enjoying it. I just finished These Is My Words (The diary of Sarah Agnes Prine, 1881-1901. Arizona Territories) by Nancy E Turner. LOVED! The two main characters Jack and Sarah reminded me of Rhett and Scarlett in Gone with the Wind. The book is inspired by the author’s own family memoirs. Happy Reading everyone!
I’ve read almost all of these so we must have similar tastes!
A word of warning on Cutting For Stone: it’s a phenomenal book. I consider it one of the finest stories I’ve ever read. But you will be thoroughly confused at first. Keep reading!! In the end you will go back and read the beginning and be amazed at how it all comes together.
The Nightingale is fantastic too.
Thanks for the warning … another comment just suggested I listen to the audio version to help with language and medical terms, so I’ll try that!
I love the reading list. Very good. I am a big Maisie Dobbs fan. Just a note though. It is about Maisie after World War I – not II. She was a nurse in WWI. Then becomes an investigator.
I do not plan to read the new Harper Lee because I love Atticus Finch just as I found him in To Kill A Mockingbird.
Susan Meissner is an AMAZING author! She also happens to be my friend, but I’m not biased…she really is amazing! Her book The Shape of Mercy is another fantastic one about the Salem Witch Trials and she has a new one coming out in January called Stars Over Sunset Boulevard about old Hollywood :)
Lucky you :) Her writing is really, really great. I’ll put her new book on my list!
Ha, I am in the process of plowing through all of Liane Moriarty’s books. I am on the library waiting list for the last 2 of hers that I haven’t read. Big Little Lies has also been my favorite so far!
My favorite book that I have read this summer has been The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman. Oh my, it was good!
I’m not sure historical fiction is my thing, but I am going to try Secrets of a Charmed Life since you loved it so much. Right now I am reading The Girl On the Train. I can’t wait to find out what happens!
Happy reading!
The Nightingale is AH-MAZE-ZING! Read it immediately. And I actually listened to it – the narrator is superb. Go read it it now. P.S. Even my husband liked it!
Have you read Boys in the Boat? – great book. Just finished Destiny of a Republic and thought it interesting. I love history.
Shanghai Girls and Dreams of Joy – Lisa See are definitely worth reading (more like historical novels).
Thanks for your suggestions and great blog!
I have Boys in the Boat on my ipad – my mom said it’s great – I just haven’t opened it. Thanks for the suggestion.
We are book twins! I love Liane Moriarity’s work, and just finished At the Water’s Edge. You will enjoy it! I started the summer with The Nightingale, and it remains one of my favorites. Thank you for this post — there are a few included that I hadn’t yet added to my reading list!
I have just picked up At the Water’s Edge and I cannot wait to start reading it. I too love WWII genre novels (and early 20th century).
I most recently read “All the Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr. It was one of the most beautifully written books I have read in a while. The story shares the perspective of WWII from the eyes of a young German boy and a young Parisian girl and how their stories overlap as the war unfolds. Wonderful book.
I have also recently read and loved The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult and The Shoemaker’s Wife by Adriana Trigiani.
Thank you for the other recommendations!
Happy reading :)
Emma
I read All The Light and you are so right – so beautiful.
I have a copy of the shoemaker’s wife and haven’t read that one yet. i will!
Just finished Secrets of a Charmed Life and loved it!! — you know it’s good when you make audible noises in response to situations in the book— sighs, etc. Ryan laughs at me. Started Fall of Marigolds but after reading the comments on this post I might jump to The Nightingale first. Love reading recommendations as I get lost trying to figure out what to read next and then end up reading nothing. Thanks for the recommendations and from those in the comments. One to come back to, for sure!! I loved Hotel on the Corner of a Bitter and Sweet.
I also just found Liane Moriarity and am going through her books – her books take on “real life” issues and have made me stop and think. If you haven’t read it yet – and its been several years since I have – read “All the Numbers” by Judy Merrill Larsen. I could NOT put it down – and as a mother it packed a powerful punch!
I LOVED Cutting for Stone but a lot of people in my book club did not. If you have problems getting into it, get the audio book. There’s a lot of medical terminology and various languages so that was helpful to me!
Thanks for the tip!
Before I left on vacation this summer, I looked back at your April 2015 book recommendations. I just finished The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton (want to read some of her other books now) and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer. I loved both of them! I will be looking into several of these books that you have on your summer 2015 list. Thanks!
I just finished The Nightingale a couple weeks ago and loved it – move it up your list! It is a great book, strong character-driven story surrounding two sisters. Found myself going back and forth between who I could relate to and who I wanted to be more like!
If you love historical fiction you have to read The Other Boleyn Girl by Phillipa Gregory. It’s fascinating and pulls you into the story. I was so sad when it ended and really missed the characters. It’s been made into a movie but I can’t bring myself to watch it because I know there’s no way it can compare to the book :)
great suggestion for the Christian living genre book that you will actually enjoy! … I love anything from Jen Hatmaker. She is around our age and very conversational in her writing- I loved her book “7” and also the one she wrote before, “Interupted”
Might want to give it a try! : )
Well, naturally, I do love Jen Hatmaker books :) I’ve read both of those and adored every page.
I would highly recommend Suite Francaise! It has a lot of the elements you mentioned you’re drawn to, and the tragic backstory of the author, Irene Nemirovsky, makes it that much more fascinating.
Great list! I I enjoyed many of these, sounds like we have the same taste in books. You will love The Nightingale, best book I’ve read this summer, couldn’t put it down. I think Go Set a Watchman is important to read, I think it portrays Atticus accurately for the time period. It doesn’t change my love for TKAM. Others I’d recommend are Life After Life, Sandcastle Girls, The Art of Hearing Heartbeats and The Snow Child.
Loved the Nightingale. Great list.
Oh, and Charlie Lovett’s books! I flew through both of his novels this past month, and highly recommend.
You should add “What She Left Behind” by Ellen Marie Wiseman. It’s a totally engrossing quick read. I’m about 90% done and regardless of what happens at the end I’ll still recommend it. I’m adding the Susan Meissner books to my list!
Oooh! These are good! I’ve read only one.
I am currently absorbed in the Flavia de Luce stories. Have you read those? They are about a quirky eleven-year-old in post-war England who is obsessed with chemistry, especially poisons, and who solves mysteries. An eleven-year-old who’s obsessed with poisons sounds morbid, and it is a bit, but in the best way.
I love these posts! I’ve literally dug through your archives to these posts when I need a good read. Thanks!
My TBR list crosses over yours quite a bit! I am currently listening to The Husband’s Secret, and just yesterday picked up At The Water’s Edge and Go Set a Watchman from the library.
I am also right there with you on the WWII settings. However, earlier this year, I read several WWII books in a row, and the subject matter got too heavy and overwhelming for me. I think The Storyteller and Unbroken were the last ones that I read. All were excellent, but maybe I should have added a bit more fluff books in between.
I agree with the previous recommendation for the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, and would add Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. Loved those two.
I love Moloka’i and his other book called Honolulu! Both great reads, I might have read them a few times already. Another one that I love is Loving Frank by Nancy Horan.
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. So good…..I’ve read it multiple times. And her new book, Bridge To Haven is excellent too. Actually, most of her books are pretty darn fantastic!!
I would highly recommend All the Light You Cannot See for some more WWII fiction. It is so beautifully written.
The Stories Life is so sweet and wonderful. I hope yoh enjoy it.
And I think Maisie Dobbs takes place post-WWI. I enjoy that series on audio.
I always love your lists, thanks for the new one!! I’m currently reading What Alice Forgot, and just ordered The Husband’s Secret for our upcoming beach trip. I’m also curious about Go Set a Watchman but feel like I need to read it, just because, well, Harper Lee!!!! Thanks for the great recommendations!
Bethany
thehouseoffigs.com
Love your reading list posts! You should check out The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult (my favorite author!). It’s a WWII novel that switches between timeframes and the characters weave together. So good. And when you are done with it check out her other books- all big social issues written into a beautiful novel.
Love your reading list posts! You should check out The Storyteller by Jodi Pucoult (my favorite author!). It’s a WWII novel that switches between timeframes and the characters weave together. So good. And when you are done with it check out her other books- all big social issues written into a beautiful novel.
I can’t wait to dive into some of these suggestions! I read, “Where’d You Go Bernadette?” on your recommendation awhile ago and really enjoyed it. “Secrets of a Charmed Life” sounds intriguing. Have you read “The Paris Architect”? That’s next on my list and it sounds like something you might like too!
Ooh, I haven’t read The Paris Architect! I’ll add it to my wishlist.
Hello! I love fiction as well. I joke with my husband that it is unhealthy for me to read at this stage in life with a newborn and 2.5 year old because I get so into the book, I will use my only me time to read and end up staying up all night! Try A Long Time Gone by Karen White. It is a multi-generational mystery. I couldn’t put it down.
I also loved the Liane Moriarty books…found myself unable to do anything else those days. AJ Fikry was good–not amazing, but good! It’s not fiction, but a few years ago I read “Nothing to Envy,” which is about North Korea. It was FASCINATING. Love all your reading lists–I’m always looking for something new to read, and you’ve given great recommendations in the past (All the Light We Cannot See, Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, etc etc)!
The Nightingale is my favorite book of the summer so far. Beautifully told story of sister/heroes in France during WWII. Epic story with a tender, well- done ending. READ.
I am in the same boat with the new Harper Lee book. I want to preserve Atticus as a hero but will read it.
Thanks for all the great book suggestions! The Girls of Atomic City:The Untold Story of the Woman who helped WIn WWII. was a great book. While it is not fiction, the story of a top secret city in Tennessee that was not on any map- that held a promise of steady work and help toward the end of the war was a great story that I could not stop reading! Give it a try!
I’m about 150 pages into The Nightingale myself! I had the same thoughts you did about it – didn’t know much about the book but it seemed like me. And now that I’m finally cracked the cover, I’m definitely enjoying it! I loved Kristen Hannah’s Winter Garden (tragic but absolutely beautiful) and I’m now 99% sure this is going to be another hit!
Liane Moriarty is one of my favs! I’m guessing since you have the same love for WWII historical fiction as I do, that you’ve read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society? It’s right up your alley! Also, check out Sarah Jio and start with Violets of March! She writes past and present books. She another favorite! Thank you for all the suggestions because I’m reading like crazy this summer and running out of options. Currently, however, I’m reading Kitchen House per your suggestion on the podcast!
Guernsey was adorable. Loved that one and the characters.
Cutting for Stone is definitely in my top 5 of all time, it is an absolutely beautiful, engrossing, fascinating novel. I wish Dr. Verghese would write another.
I just finished The Storied Life of A.J. Finkry and it was just delightful! After about an hour of reading it, I realized that my face hurt from smiling so much. That is the definition of a great summer read. I highly recommend it.
I have been on a Lisa Genova kick this summer. Still Alice and Inside the O’Briens were great and I have Left Neglected on my nightstand (beside Go Set a Watchman and The Art of Hearing Heartbeats).
Really enjoyed The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry–it was a little slow in a couple parts but overall cute. Go Set a Watchman is worth reading, I thought, but then I am an English teacher. It isn’t as smoothly written, but the different way she conveys prejudice and bigotry in a society is interesting to compare to how she does it in TKaM. That was an awkwardly worded sentence, but I’m sitting in a dark room with a sleeping toddler and a sleeping infant, so I’m not going to try to fix it–hopefully it made sense! If you like historical mysteries, you should check out the Amelia Peabody mysteries by Elizabeth Peters.
I love Liane Moriarity! I went all in on her books too, and read all that I could get my hands on after I read the first one (What Alice Forgot). Such great reads to dig into and enjoy! Thanks for the other recommendations – always on the lookout for new reads.
Hi Emily,
Great list!
If you enjoy WWII novels you should read all of the Zion Chronicles and Zion Covenant books by Bodie Thoene! They tell the story of Jews during WWII and the start of Israel as a nation after the war. It switches between present and past and different characters. A Good but definitely moving and sometimes hard read.
Have you read Hadassah – One night with the King by Tommy Tenney? I think you might love that one. It’s the story of Esther from Esther’s point of view and also moves between present day and past as her (I believe) great-great-great-……. granddaughter discovers her ancient grandmother’s life and story while finding her own place and purpose in life.
I really enjoy your blog!
Blessings to you and your family,
Bri