I’ve worked through most of the books on my TBR and am beginning to run out of titles that excite me. I’m drawn to novels with writing that is precise, restrained, and quietly powerful. I also love both fiction and non fiction.
Love classics and literary fiction but have read most classics. If a book is frequently recommended here, I’ve likely already read it, seriously considered it, or decided it’s not for me. I’m looking for not so much obscure books but ones you don’t see listed here every day.
I also enjoy gentle humor coupled with a different culture like the following: the works of James Herriot, Patrick Taylor, and Gerald Durrell, all of which are warm, observant, and deeply rooted in place.
I no longer enjoy fantasy or science fiction, though I once did. I also tend to dislike romance novels and can’t do horror. And nothing pulls me out of a book faster than unnecessary sexual references or vulgarity.
***Favorites***
Anything by Willa Cather
Anything by Jhumpa Lahiri
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro (I’ve also read Never Let Me Go, but Remains is superior imo.)
***Enjoyed (but not favorites)***
Ask Not by Maureen Callahan (I tried American Predator but couldn’t continue; I can’t handle serial killer narratives.)
Prince of Foxes by Samuel Shellabarger
This Is New York by E. B. White
Homage to Catalonia by Orwell (I’ve read most of his work)
Work by James Michener – though I’m not the best with really long books
***Not for Me***
Stoner by John Williams (I disliked both the portrayal of women and the protagonist.)
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (initially loved the writing but the plot was trope-heavy.)
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett (Meryl Streep couldn’t save this one for me)
Empire Falls by Richard Russo (liked his writing, but too many unnecessary sexual references.)
Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason
by VerdeAzul74