Fall, Winter and the First Half of Summer Reading

Here's a comprehensive list of what I've read since my last update. I read a wide range of books - everything from memoirs to total beach reads to JA novels to serious literature. I've listed them in the order they were on my Kindle so there's no ranking or anything like that. In fact, my favorite book so far this year, I only recently read.

W is for Wasted by Sue Grafton (I've read the entire series from A is for Alibi onward and I love these books. I think they keep getting better and better).

Paris by Edward Rutherfurd (This is a dense, historical novel. I enjoyed it.)

Night Film by Marisha Pessl (I thought about this one for a long time when I finished. It's strange, but good.)

The Death of Bees by Lisa O'Donnell (A story of two young sisters with an unconventional living situation and what happens to them - charming and a bit sad, but it has its bright moments, too.)

Just One Evil Act by Elizabeth George (Again, I have read everything Ms. George has written and I will continue to devour her mysteries. So, so good.)

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (Beautiful, sad, uplifting with compelling and likeable characters - a great JA novel that I read so I could discuss it with the girls. It was hard to put down.)

The Confessor by Daniel Silva. And also by him A Death in Vienna and Prince of Fire. (I really enjoy these spy/assasin thrillers.)

The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert (I liked this one quite a bit. The story of the main character kept me guessing throughout.)

The End of the Point by Elizabeth Graver (The story of a multi-generational family centered around their summer home.)

The Bloodletter's Daughter by Linda Lafferty (This one is a little strange, but I was compelled to finish it. I'd love to hear what you thought if you have read it.)

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt (It won the Pulitzer Prize. Fatty loved it. I liked it. Read it yourself and form your own opinion.)

Still Life With Breadcrumbs by Anna Quindlen (I love the way Anna Quindlen writes about women. This was very enjoyable. I also read One True Thing by the same author, which is a look at a mother/daughter relationship - a nice read.)

The Valley of Amazement by Amy Tan (Not my favorite by Amy Tan, but still a great story with many layers.)

The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty (A quick read - I saw the plot unfold before it did, but I still enjoyed it.)

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (I won't give it away, but I'm sure you may know what this is about. Again, I read it to keep up with my kids. I tore through it and enjoyed every last word.)

The Unlikely Pilmgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce (I'm not sure how I picked it, but I liked the story of Harold and his journey.)

The Little Giant of Aberdeen County by Tiffany Baker (I wasn't sure what this was going to be about, but I was surprised at the turns in the plot and the development of the main character.)

A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki (This one had me thinking, in a good way. It's a very compelling story.)

Magnolia City by Duncan W. Alderson (Total page turner, beach read, long in length.)

Ladies Night by Mary Kay Andrews. (This is another tear-through book with a pretty predictable plot, but still highly enjoyable. Perfect for poolside or the beach. Since I read this one, I have also read Summer Rental, Spring Fever, Savannah Blues, Savannah Breeze and Save the Date, all by the same author, all in the same vein.)

Delicious by Ruth Reichl (This is fiction, unlike her other books. A quick, fun read).

Delancey by Molly Wizenberg (If you follow Molly's blog, Orangette, and/or have read her first book, A Homemade Life, you will find this very enjoyable. If you haven't read the blog or the other book, you will still like this memoir quite a bit.)

How to Catch a Frog by Heather Ross (Just read it. You will love the way Heather recounts her unconventional childhood and how it has formed her into the person and artist she is today. Plus, it's funny.)

Bellweather Rhapsody by Kate Racculia (This is about high school students at a large arts conference - there's a mystery involved, too. The characters are well thought-out and it was among my favorites of this year.)

Seating Arrangements by Maggie Shipstead (Centered around a family wedding on an East coast island, this one feels like summer.)

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (This book! The story is wonderful, the characters charming and is right now my favorite book of the year.)

The Promise by Ann Weisgarber (I felt like this one ended too soon. I'd be curious to hear thoughts from anyone else who has read it.)

Point of Direction by Rachel Weaver (Short, but packs a wallop. I really liked this story of two people who choose to live in a light house in Alaska.)

That is A LOT of books, you all. Go and Read. Enjoy the holiday weekend

Just a note - these are affiliate links, but I purchased all the books on my own. Of course, the opinions expressed are also all mine.