topic Re: I'm almost too embarrassed to ask... in Community Chat

I'm almost too embarrassed to ask...

MariotaMurielle — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 00:09:48 GMT

I used to enjoy reading but I have to admit that over the last decade or more I was always so exhausted from work that I just couldn't concentrate long enough to finish more than a chapter or two of any book. now that I'm retired I would like to start reading again but I don't know where to begin. I used to like mystery/thrillers and history based novels. I think the last book I actually finished was something by John Grisham, but it's been so long I can't remember the name of it. any suggestions?

Re: I'm almost too embarrassed to ask...

gardenman — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 00:29:20 GMT

I'd recommend hitting a local library/used book store and grabbing a few books that catch your interest. If you like them look for more, if you don't, move on to something else. Grisham is still writing and has several books that have come out since you last read one.

Re: I'm almost too embarrassed to ask...

Vamp — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 01:42:31 GMT

Here are a few recommendations of historical fiction that I have enjoyed:

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer

The Other Bolyen Girl by Philippa Gregory

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus

The Help by Katheryn Stockett

I have also enjoyed many books by Sandra Dallas including The Diary of Mattie Spenser, The Persian Pickle Club, and The Chili Queen.

One of my favorite mysteries is Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

Re: I'm almost too embarrassed to ask...

MariotaMurielle — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 03:08:32 GMT

thank you gardenman and Vamp. great suggestions.

Re: I'm almost too embarrassed to ask...

MoJoV — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 03:53:03 GMT

Mocha, I just retired too! And I know exactly what you mean about being too exhausted to concentrate after a long day at work. Now I'm enjoying reading so much. Right now I'm reading Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel. I'ts a good read, she's a fantastic writer. If you like historical fiction I think you'll like this. I usually don't care for fiction but this is kind of semi-fiction. A librarian recommended it to me

Re: I'm almost too embarrassed to ask...

Tinkrbl44 — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 04:40:37 GMT

OMG ....... You must get the Janet Evanovich series of the Stephanie Plum, bounty hunter ...... there are currently 21 in the series.

You could order the paperbacks One and Two on Ebay slightly used for next to nothing.

They are written with a flourish of humor and can be read in a couple days. I've read all of them at least twice!!

Re: I'm almost too embarrassed to ask...

qualitygal — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 13:16:14 GMT

Keep watching the suggestions in this area of books. I've from time to time, squeezed in a book or two. Before my father passed he and I spoke of one book in here and he remembered the man in the book. My jaw totally dropped when he told me some stuff I was reading in the book. I'm glad we had something he could tell me about. So, I suggest you do like I do and these ladies fill you in on what they've read and suggest. Good luck it's a good section.

Re: I'm almost too embarrassed to ask...

lainey1 — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 16:18:05 GMT

Check out the monthly ""What Are You Reading"" thread that gets posted in the books section each month. Lots of good ideas on there!

Re: I'm almost too embarrassed to ask...

Lilysmom — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 23:29:32 GMT

Mochahoney, try Stephen King's 11/22/63 which is a story about President Kemnedy's assassination. It is not at all like King's horror writing. It is very good reading. I am sure you will enjoy it...check out book reviews on Goodreads.com. One of our reading buddies put me on to that site and it is fantastic. Lainey's monthly 'What are You Reading November 2014, for example, is one to watch. Love it! Welcome back to reading. I am such a book hound!!! LM

Re: I'm almost too embarrassed to ask...

Hooty — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 23:57:16 GMT

On 11/15/2014 Tinkrbl44 said:
OMG ....... You must get the Janet Evanovich series of the Stephanie Plum, bounty hunter ...... there are currently 21 in the series.

You could order the paperbacks One and Two on Ebay slightly used for next to nothing.

They are written with a flourish of humor and can be read in a couple days. I've read all of them at least twice!!

ITA, I was recommended this series by a sweet poster who is no longer on the forums, but a new one comes out almost once a year, it has just about everything in it, love, mystery, and humor!

I also enjoy Mary Higgins Clark's books.

Re: I'm almost too embarrassed to ask...

lolakimono — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 00:55:30 GMT

Have you read Robert Parker's books? He has quite a few to keep you going, and they're easy reads.

Re: I'm almost too embarrassed to ask...

Anglophilly — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 03:32:39 GMT

When you've been up to your eyebrows in the responsibilities of work and home, it can be difficult to just sit down and read for pleasure. There's that guilty feeling that one should be doing something "productive". Maybe you don't need suggestions for books, but to give yourself permission to once again just enjoy reading what & whenever you like.

Lots of great suggestions here. Enjoy!

Re: I'm almost too embarrassed to ask...

RainCityGirl — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 04:09:45 GMT

If you are into e reading, join Book Bub. They will send you a daily list of books in your interest area, some free, some nominal prices.

Re: I'm almost too embarrassed to ask...

CANDLEQUEEN — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 21:34:56 GMT

Mysteries by

Wendy Corsi Staub

Carlene Thompson

Carla Cassidy

All good mystery writers!

Re: I'm almost too embarrassed to ask...

3blackdogs — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 17:42:56 GMT

The Art of Racing in the Rain and Water for Elephants are both really good. Water For Elephants - best ending ever. I also like Jeffrey Archer books and he has a new series out The Clifton Chronicles.

I agree if you use an e-reader BookBub is a great.

Re: I'm almost too embarrassed to ask...

keithsmom65 — Sat, 22 Nov 2014 13:19:22 GMT

You have to stop everything and read The Shack, by Wm. Paul Young first if you are just getting back into reading.

Re: I'm almost too embarrassed to ask...

Karsa — Sat, 22 Nov 2014 16:58:04 GMT

John Grisham has a good sequel to A Time To Kill called Sycamore Row. I enjoyed reconnecting with the characters from the first novel after all these years.

Re: I'm almost too embarrassed to ask...

Group 5 minus 1 — Sat, 22 Nov 2014 17:26:15 GMT

I am reading the new Mary Higgins Clark book ""The Cinderella Murder"". Her books are light and pretty easy to concentrate on. She is partnering w/ some one whose last name is Burke.

Re: I'm almost too embarrassed to ask...

number one queen — Tue, 20 Jan 2015 22:57:45 GMT

I wish we had interesting book clubs,The ones I found read to me very long boring books.Myself I love mysteries here are a few authors PeterRobinson,all (DCI Alan Banks),Tanya French, Debora Crombie, M. Connoly ( all Bosch),just a few. I take a title or author and do their bios and check out what they are. I also go down to my local bookstore and just go through books,also Barnes and Noble. Just enjoy whatever you read!

Re: I'm almost too embarrassed to ask...

lovescats — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 18:55:06 GMT

Besides all the recommendations here I like to look at different websites that review books and have lists.

2 that I like are

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/

http://bookriot.com/