I'm reading a grown-up book. (I KNOW! I'm just as shocked as you are.) And what's more, I'm thoroughly enjoying it. In case you're interested it's A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving. So far it has made me laugh, made me cry, made me think and made me wonder whether I should read grown-up books more often. I'm finding this one very difficult to put down, despite the fact that it's definitely not a page-turner.
So... should I read more grown-up books, and if so, which ones? Just so you know, I'm not very good with long passages of description or, y'know, boring things.
I'm guessing you'd prefer something short, so have you seen the Mabinogion series from SerenBooks - re-imaginings of old Welsh folk tales - or PeirenePress' short translated fiction. If you don't mind longer books try The Time traveller's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger or (really long)Vikram Seth's A Suitable Boy.
ReplyDeletemy favourite adult book is gone to soldiers by Marge Piercy, in fact it is probably one o my favourite books ever. It is very long and it is based around world war two so might not be your thing if you are not into history but it is awesome!
ReplyDeleteI love Lionel Shriver, We Need to Talk About Kevin is a must read if you haven't already read it. The Secret History by Donna Tartt is a great read, and This Book Will Save Your Life by A M Homes is another good (if weird) one.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recommendations, ladies! Haven't read any of them. Although I did start A Suitable Boy, which is still sitting on my shelf and looking at me in an accusing manner.
ReplyDeleteIt's quite slow paced so might not be your cup of tea but I LOVED Crow Lake by Mary Lawson. I'd also recommend anything by Paullina Simons (love her) - especially Tully and The Bronze Horseman.
ReplyDeleteOh I loved A Suitable Boy! One of my favourites! I also love The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay, and Fingersmith by Sarah Waters. If you like John Irving some of his other books are really good too - The Cider House Rules or The World According to Garp.
ReplyDeleteMaryom's recommendation of Peirene Press' books is excellent - they publsh cutting edge novellas designed to be read in the time it takes to watch a DVD. Also try Cody James' The Dead Beat, a short, hilarious novel about a group of meth addicts trying to make sense of their lives in 1997b San Francisco
ReplyDeleteAny and all books by Charles de Lint. It's a bit of fairie, windershins, mystery in an urban setting. He writes YA and adult. His words flow so easily either genre reads like magic. Might make for easier reading since you enjoy YA so much but are venturing toward adult. (Hugs)Indigo
ReplyDeleteIt isn't too adult but this book made me laugh. It is called Sh*t My Dad Says. Its short stories and advice this guy received from his dad growing up and it's all true stories.
ReplyDeleteWater For Elephants by Sara Gruen is a fab book too. That one is being turned into a movie too. :)
Thank you so much for the recommendations, everyone. They've all gone into The Notebook. I've only read one of them - The Power of One (which I LOVED). And I'll definitely be checking out some more John Irving. So much reading to be done... it's overwhelming.
ReplyDeleteHee hee... I know exactly what you mean. Adult books scare me. Have you read The Unit? AMAZING adult book. Bloomin' scary but so compelling and no long boring bits. Perfect.
ReplyDeleteThey makes books for *adults*?! Is this a new development?
ReplyDeleteActually, I'm reading a (technically) adult book right now too. It's 'Prep' by Curtis Sittenfield, was recommended by Becky, and it's pretty good so far. But it's about a schoolgirl, so I may fail this one.
I;m a little late to this, sorry.
ReplyDeleteHow are you with urban fantasy? Because I can give several recommendations...
Shifters series by Rachel Vincent - Stray is the first (werecats).
Cassie Palmer series by Karen Chance - Touch the Dark is the first (all sorts of supernatural beings).
Night Huntress Series by Jeaniene Frost - Halfway to the Grave is the first (vamps mainly, but some others).
Spellcrackers.com series by Suzanne McLeod - The Sweet Scent of Blood is the first (again, various supernaturals).
Weather Wardens series by Rachel Caine - Ill Wind is the first (people who can control the weather).
I know there are others, but I can't for the life of me remember them. But I think there's enough there to be getting on with :)
Two books that have really made me think/laugh/cry or touched me more than most are, The Time Travellers Wife and The Girl With Glass Feet. TGWGF is incredible, it was quite slow going to start with, but stick with it because it pays off.
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