Michele (Happynerdmom) is looking for a book to read over Spring Break. She posted on the books board, but I thought I'd ask over here, too.

I am in between books right now, though I have One Hundred Years of Solitude on my list to read next.

What was the last book you read? What are you reading now?

By Melanie on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 09:45 am:

The last book I read was The DaVinci Code. Currently I am reading The Secret Lives of Bees. Both are very good!

By Ladypeacek on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 09:52 am:

I read the murder mysteries, I like James Patterson and Tami hoag and Patricia Cornwell. Those three are my favs. I have read ALL of their books! I am reading Hornets nest by Patricia Cornwell right now. Have got far enough yet to say how it is though!

By Eve on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 10:16 am:

I'm in my Historical Romance phase. I go from reading a few novels back to romance. They are easy reading and move at a fast pace. I'm reading one of Jane Feather's series now.

I also have Cold Mountain on the back burner (I keep trying, but can't get into it) and The Joy Luck Club. I also just read Timeline, a Michael Crichton. I think John recommended it; it was very good.

I am going to have to pick up a Patricia Cornwell. I think I would like them.

By Angellew on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 11:09 am:

I just finished Big Bad Wolf by James Patterson and am going to pick up Third Degree by him! I'm with Kenna, I love murder mysteries!!!

Eve, I loved the Joy Luck Club (book and movie)!!! I can never get through the movie without crying at least once (usually several times). It's a great mother/daughter story.

By Carolk on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 11:22 am:

I just finished Third Degree. It was really good. I hope he continues and writes a fourth one. Right now I'm not reading anything.

By Trina~moderator on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 11:35 am:

Just finished reading a string of Anne Tyler books - Saint Maybe, Patchwork Planet, Breathing Lessons and Ladder of Years. Currently reading a memoir by Rick Bragg called All Over but the Shoutin'. It's about his childhood in the poor south. WOW! Next book on deck is the DaVinci Code. (Thanks, Eve!)

By Annie2 on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 11:51 am:

I just finished The Time Traveler's Wife. Excellent book. Also just read The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and the 2nd one The Second Summer of the Sisterhood. They were fast reads and reminded me a bit of the Ya-Ya/ Little Alters Everywhere books.
I just started Maeve Binchy's Scarlet Feather...but haven't read too much.

Angela, if you loved the Joy Luck Club, you will probably enjoy The Bonesetter's Daughter. Have you read it yet?

Eve, I could NOT get into Cold Mountain. Way Too much description for me.

By Ladypeacek on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 12:01 pm:

Angela... Have you read any by Tami Hoag. She has one called Ashes to Ashes that is the BEST book i have ever read for murder mysteries!! Then she has part 2 which is Dust to Dust. Man i was on the edge of my seat, i read it all in ONE day, i just could not put in down. I usually read a few chapters in the evening in my bath ( my ONLY time without kids)!! But Ashes to Ashes i stayed up that night just to finish it!

By Fraggle on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 12:41 pm:

I am slowly making my way through the whole series of books by Sue Grafton. I'm up to "J is for Judgement".

By Kay on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 12:50 pm:

Murder mysteries here....I'm currently reading Patricia Cornwell's "BlowFly".

By Vicki on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 12:54 pm:

Currently working on The Last Juror by John Grisham.

By Sunny on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 12:56 pm:

I read the first chapter of One Hundred Years of Solitude while in the waiting room this morning. I hope it gets better! LOL

I loved The Da Vinci Code and Joy Luck Club! There are some really good recommendations here.

By Happynerdmom on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 02:10 pm:

Thanks everyone! (Thanks Sunny for putting it over here.) Lots of good suggestions. Also, lots of my favorites! I LOVE Amy Tan, and have read all of her books. I tend to read in phases...for ex., I'll read all the books I can find set in China, then I'll move to India. I enjoyed Cold Mountain when I was in my "books set in the civil war" phase. The DaVinci Code was the last book I read...loved it...but I haven't read for a while and feel stuck as to what to read. It's like I'm either reading like a maniac, or not at all. Thanks again for all the suggestions!

By Pamt on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 02:27 pm:

I've got 3 books going right now. My main read is "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl" by Harriet Jacobs. I'm also reading "Little House on the Freeway: Help for the Hurried Home" and "Celebration of Sex" . I just finished "The Bonesetter's Daughter" and "Stepping Heavenward" both of which I highly recommend.

Trina, I LOVE Anne Tyler and just mentioned her to one of my coworkers this morning. Her books are great character studies with such interesting quirky people...but yet I always know someone "just like them." She's definitely one of my all-time favorite authors.

Eve, you just HAVE to read "These is My Words" by Nancy Turner if you like historical fiction with a romantic twist. One of my favorite books of all times...I have 2 copies I love it so much and lend it out often.

P.S. Loved "Cold Mountain" and didn't care for "The DaVinci Code" much at all...seems I'm the odd man out on both of those counts.

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 02:43 pm:

Recently read Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophia Kinsella. I found it rather funny, although the ending seemed a little bit over the top.

Also, recently read Let's Roll by Lisa Beamer, the wife of Todd Beamer who died on Flight 93 on 9-11.

By Conni on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 05:10 pm:

Currently reading 'Body for Life' by Bill Phillips (also just bought the Eating for Life cookbook ) and 'Angels and Demons' by Dan Brown.

Sitting on the shelf waiting to be read...'DaVinci Code' and 'Armageddon'.

By Colette on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 06:36 pm:

Planning on starting Mother of Pearl tonight, my mother gave it to me. I also have a bag full of books my aunt sent down that I need to go through.

By Palmbchprincess on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 06:46 pm:

I just finished "The Girlfriend's Guide To Toddlers". I'm a big James Patterson fan, but haven't had time to catch up lately. Neat topic!!

By Lauram on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 07:18 pm:

I'm reading Fathers and SOns for my book club. I just finished Picture Perfect by jodi Picoult.

By Bellajoe on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 07:48 pm:

If anyone likes Historical Romances, Diana Gabaldon is the author for you!

She has a series of 5 books. I read 3 of them and couldn't get into the fourth. I just started reading the series all over again. I read it first when i was about 19 and decided to start it again, i loved the first three alot. These are the books:

Outlander
Dragonfly in Amber
Voyager
Drums of Autumn
Fiery Cross

They are about a woman in Scotland who travels through time, all the way back to 1700s in Scotland. Its romantic, and adventurous! I know a lot of women who have read them and loved them all!

By Eve on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 07:52 pm:

Patti! These are my *favorite* series of books!!! Have you read "Lord John and the Private Matter?" It is about Lord John Grey, one of the characters from the series! I have not read it, but it's sitting on my desk. These were books that I would slow down reading, because I just didn't want to say goodbye to the characters. I felt so connected to them. Ok, can you tell I am a fan?

By Amecmom on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 08:01 pm:

I really liked "All She Ever Wanted" by Anita Shreve - not sure if that's the correct spelling. Very suspensful psychological tale of obsession set at the turn of the century. Meaty characters, really great.

I'm reading "Footprints of God" by Greg Iles, which is good so far.
Enjoy!
Ame

By Momof3teens on Thursday, March 25, 2004 - 08:10 am:

I am reading Davinci code and like it, I have read all of Patricia Cornwell's and Blow Fly is next on my list. I love mysteries also- I have a brother in law who buys me books(most are autographed) for my Birthday and mostly he is on the mark as far as books I like but I could not get thru Cold Mountain.... Sue

By Carolk on Thursday, March 25, 2004 - 10:36 am:

I just picked up the book we're reading in our book club. It's "Girl With A Pearl Earring"

It seems like it might be good. I guess I'll soon find out.

By Bea on Thursday, March 25, 2004 - 02:49 pm:

I just bought another historic book from an author who signed it for me at the reenactment. It's called The Stone Wall and is about a Confederate soldier who fought at Gettysburg.
I'm re-reading a few of my favorite Rumer Godden novels right now. I'm on The Battle Of Villa Fiorita now.