Ten on Tuesday

10 Books You Would Recommend to a Friend

This is the perfect week for this topic for me! My friends and I have been eagerly awaiting the release of the newest Stephanie Plum book and it is on the shelves today!  I'm also in a Book Group with many of my friends and neighbors.  Were a large group of about 20 and have quite a mix of personalities, so we have read a variety of books.  Some I've liked, some I've loved, some I've hated, some I just plain gave up on because they did nothing for me, and some surprised me.  Here are some of the books that I would love to share with you!

1. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen.  This book has a little bit of everything.  It's a love story, coming of age, it's a period piece, it's an adventure, has a villain and a hero.
2. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. As well as being a great story, I learned a fair bit about ancient Chinese culture.  I still shudder when I think about foot binding!
3. Fortune's Rocks by Anita Shreve. I've read almost all of her books and I think this one is my favorite.  Plus it's setting is not far from where I live so that intrigued me as well.
4. Midwives by Chris Bohjalian.  I was so drawn into this story told from the viewpoint of a 14 year old girl.  I loved it.  The I read the author bio and realized it was written by a man!  Unbelievable.  This story has stayed with me for years!
5. Very Valentine and it's sequel, Brava Valentine by Adriana Trigiani. This is another author that I love.  She writes great character driven books.  I always find them enjoyable.
6. The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo by Steig Larsson.  If you like intrigue and mystery, read the whole series.  Fantastic.  It's also a great series to listen to.
7. The Help by Kathryn Stockett.  I want to be Skeeter when I grow up! I thought it was a great insight into the roles that the maids have in these households. This story may have taken place in the south, but it is true world-wide.
8. 1000 White Women: The Journals of May Dodd.  This was a book that surprised me.  It was a Book Club book that I never would have read on my own.  It grabbed me from the beginning and I couldn't put it down.
9. A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson.  Great story of what you can do if you really want to.  Plus Bill Bryson is hilariously funny in how he tells a story.
10. Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult.  I'll read pretty much anything she writes. Bonus, she's a local NH author.  But this story, WOW!  Could you forgive the unforgivable if it could possibly save your child's life?

So there's my list.  I hope you find something on it that intrigues you.  If you do and you like it, please let me know!

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to download Smokin' Seventeen by Janet Evanovich and continue the debate with my girlfriends....  Joe or Ranger? And are you a Cupcake or a Babe?

Happy reading and Happy Tuesday!