Good Books 1

In case you didn’t already know, I am a major book-a-holic. I’m always reading, and I have way too many books. But I love my books. The times in the past when I haven’t had access to my books (such as during our year in North Carolina, when everything was packed away), I’ve felt sort of at a loss. Even if I’m not presently reading anything, just being able to stand at my shelves at look at my books and consider the possibilities gives me great comfort.  My list of favorites has changed off and on throughout my adult years. Certain books that I used to love have been demoted to “so-so” status. Some of the authors I used to love—whose books would be on my “auto-read” list, regardless of, say, reviews on Amazon—are no longer favorites at all.

But there are still plenty of wonderful selections to share with you. I’m sure I’ll be adding to (and maybe subtracting from) this list time and again. For now, here, in alphabetical order, are my Recommendations for a Good Read*.

*Please note that not all of these books feature characters who are paragons of Christian virtue. Some may not be suitable for younger readers.

Alcott, Louisa May. Little Women, of course! I also liked An Old-Fashioned Girl and Rose in Bloom.

Alexander, Tamera. Her Fountain Creek Chronicles—Rekindled, Revealed, and Remembered—are wonderful.  They’re the kind of books that are so good you want to race through to the end to see how it all turns out, while at the same time you want to go slowly, so you can savor every well-turned sentence and just bask in the beauty of the love story as it unfolds.

Austen, Jane. All of her novels are wonderful. Emma is my absolute favorite; Persuasion is closest to my heart. But I love them all.

Barbieri, Elaine. Wishes on the Wind. This is one of my favorite romance novels ever. It’s not morally perfect (or flawlessly written), but neither is it trashy. The characters, Meg and David, are so vivid, you just get drawn into their world (the Pennsylvania coal mines of the 1800s).

Binchy, Maeve. I’ve not read every one of her books (yet), but favorites include Light a Penny Candle, The Copper Beach, The Glass Lake, and Scarlet Feather.

Blackwell, Lawana. Her Gresham Chronicles books—The Widow of Larkspur Inn, The Courtship of the Vicar’s Daughter, and The Dowry of Miss Lydia Clark—are outstanding. The Tales of London series—The Maiden of Mayfair, Catherine’s Heart, and Leading Lady—is also wonderful. Looking forward to The Jewel of Gresham Green, which just came out Summer 2008. Can’t wait! (These are all Christian novels.)

Brown, Helen Dawes. Two College Girls. I found a copy of this book for $3.00 at Anntiques in Bemidji, MN, back in 1991 or thereabouts. It was originally published in 1886 by Ticknor Company. Old book! The story is of Rosamond and Edna, roommates at a ladies’ college. It tells of their attempts to succeed in school and in love. The mood of the novel reminded me very much of L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of the Island, when Anne was at Redmond College and having interesting adventures with her friends. It’s been ages since I read Two College Girls, but I haven’t forgotten it because it was just so cute!

Forster, E.M. I first fell in love with the film version of A Room with a View, which is what got me to check the novel out from the library and read it. The characters are definitely just that—characters! But the story was something different from what I usually read—yes, it was a romance, but the way it comes about is unusual, due to the very “characteriness” of the characters! I also enjoyed A Passage to India.

Frank, Anne. The Diary of Anne Frank is so, so good and so, so sad.  Even though you know how it ends, by the time you get to those last paragraphs that describe how Anne and her family were taken from the attic by the Nazis, you’re in tears.  Still, it’s such a beautiful testimony of how one girl managed to make the best of a terrible situation, even managing to fall in love in the midst of it all.

Gordeeva, Ekaterina. My Sergei. I’ve always been a big fan of figure skating, and this book just broke my heart. Remember Ekaterina Gordeeva and Sergei Grinkov? They skated pairs for Russia in the late 80s, early 90s. He treated her like a kid sister, and then one day……well, they fell in love and got married and had their little daughter, Daria. And then Sergei died—he had an enlarged heart. This book is Ekaterina’s story of how all that came to be. I’m sure I cried through half of it; but oh, it was so good!

Grange, Amanda. Her takes on Jane Austen’s heroes—Mr Darcy’s Diary, Mr Knightley’s Diary, Captain Wentworth’s Diary—are really fun reads. Yes, they are, technically, “fan fiction,” but, for me at least, they add something to the original works—make it a bit easier to understand the mind and actions of the different heroes. I don’t think she goes too far afield, either, as far as creating a bunch of stuff that doesn’t fit with the original vision of Jane Austen. Of course, we can’t know for sure, but for me, these books enhance, rather than take away from, the whole Austen-novel-reading experience.

Greenough, Malcolm Jr. Dear Lily. I think it’s safe to say that this is my #1 most favorite book EVER (well, after the Bible, of course). Mostly fact, but a little bit fiction, this book is an account based on letters from Greenough’s great aunt to his father. It tells the story of the Violette family and all its tragedies and triumphs. There is an amazing love story that threads its way through this book, and I, for one, found it incredibly beautiful and inspiring. I have a sort of “saying” that “Life is short, but it can also be really long; you never know what’s going to happen.” This book is a perfect example of how true that is!

Hatcher, Robin Lee. This author used to write for the regular romance market but then switched to Christian fiction. I have enjoyed most of her books that I have read, but so far my favorites are those in the Coming to America series, especially Patterns of Love (which made me cry!) and Promised to Me.

Heyer, Georgette. Known as The Queen of Regency Romance, Georgette Heyer wrote so many novels, I’m not sure I’ll ever manage to read them all in my lifetime (especially as some of them are out of print). (She wrote historical fiction and mysteries, as well as romances.) So far, I’ve read just three of her novels—Sylvester, or, The Wicked Uncle; The Masqueraders; and Venetia.   Venetia is considered one of her finest, most passionate works, but I honestly wasn’t that taken with it.  I enjoyed the other two far, far more.  (Maybe I’m just weird.)  Still, I wonder when someone in Hollywood will figure out that Georgette Heyer’s novels would make incredible films. Seriously. Those would be some super-fun movies!

Karon, Jan. Her Mitford series is simply delightful.  You just can’t help but fall in love with the characters, especially Father Tim, who is so humble and funny and good.

Kaye, M.M. It’s been years since I read The Far Pavilions. It is a humongous book, and the action covers a long period of time—it’s one of those “sweeping saga” types of novels. It takes place in India in the 1800s and is, for the most part, about the love between Ash, a British soldier, and Juli, an Indian princess. Not an easy book to read, but oh so very worth the effort!

Kinsale, Laura. For My Lady’s Heart is one of my favorite (secular) romances. It’s all about knights, courtly love, and the wars between Italian families that so had that country in upheaval during the Middle Ages. It’s a violent book, but the hero is so supremely heroic……Shadowheart, its sequel, is an interesting but disturbing novel that I can’t in good conscience recommend anyone to read (however, there is a beautiful Confession scene near the end that almost redeems the whole novel—almost, but not quite). On the other hand, The Dream Hunter is a beautiful book, as is My Sweet Folly (especially the extra-long prologue).  Laura Kinsale is a very literary writer, very talented, but definitely not for everyone.

Lessman, Julie.  Her first book, A Passion Most Pure, just came out a couple of years ago.  I loved the cover, loved the description on the back, so I bought it and let it sit on myshelf for a few months.  Once I read it, though. . .Oh my goodness!  Can this lady spin a yarn or what?  I could not put it down.  And, amazingly enough, it turned out to be about a Catholic family in turn-of-the-century Boston.  Catholics, in a Christian fiction!  Who’d have thunk?!  Loaded with romance and plot twists and turns, this was just a wonderful, wonderful novel.  The “God parts” were handled so well, too.  It was nice to see Catholics portrayed as people of faith (as opposed to superstitious ritual-followers who don’t actually know anything about the Bible or have a relationship with God).  The second book, A Passion Redeemed, is equally wonderful, though perhaps not as “Catholic;” and the third book, A Passion Denied was my favorite of all.  Each book focuses on one of the three O’Connor sisters, plus weaves in stories about their parents and friends.  I can’t recommend these books highly enough.  Julie Lessman is definitely one of my favorite authors!

Markandaya, Kamala. Nectar in a Sieve. Beautiful, incredibly sad (but overwhelmingly positive) story about a woman and her family who find themselves reduced to living in dire poverty in India. Shows how truly resilient people can be.

Montgomery, Lucy Maud. My all-time favorite writer! I love all of her books and stories. Her most famous works are Anne of Green Gables and its sequels. Also popular are the “Emily” books (beginning with Emily of New Moon) and Jane of Lantern Hill. But my absolute favorite L.M. Montgomery books are the “Pat” books—Pat of Silver Bush and Mistress Pat. I have also read and recommend Volumes I-V of The Selected Journals of L.M. Montgomery, edited by Mary Rubio and Elizabeth Waterston . These help you get to know the woman behind the stories and see what her life was really like. The hardest part of reading those, though, is that they don’t wrap up all nicely like a novel. Real life can and does end on the turn of a dime; it’s never “finished.”

Morren, Ruth Axtell. My absolute favorite author of Christian romance. All her books are excellent, though I did take issue with one of them (you can read my blog post about that here). My favorites are Wild Rose, The Healing Season, and The Rogue’s Redemption.  I am always thrilled to learn of a new release from this amazing writer!

Morsi, Pamela. I’ve enjoyed almost all of her historical romance novels, but her recent work (contemporary women’s fiction) is even better.  Her characters are quirky and “real.”  Doing Good was a fine read, and Suburban Renewal was excellent—a perfect example of the way things and people can change in lives that are both too short and very long.  I passed my copy along to a friend.  I’ve always got my eyes peeled for new books by this author.  (I haven’t read them all—yet!)

Pilcher, Rosamund. Coming Home was the first novel I ever read by Rosamund Pilcher, and it immediately became one of my all-time favorite books. I liked it so much that, as soon as I finished reading it, I went out and bought copies for several dear friends so they could enjoy it too. I have never read a book by her that I didn’t like.  I especially enjoyed Sleeping Tiger and The Empty House.

Porter, Gene Stratton. My mom and I were excited to discover this author’s books when I was living in Ms. Porter’s home state of Indiana. A Girl of the Limberlost is a wonderful story of a teenager whose love for nature eventually enables her to pay for a college education (something her mother could never afford). Freckles is its sequel, about Elnora’s boy friend.

Rivers, Francine. Like Robin Lee Hatcher, Francine Rivers formerly wrote for the secular romance market and now writes Christian novels. Her Mark of the Lion series is completely wonderful. These books—A Voice in the Wind, An Echo in the Darkness, and As Sure as the Dawn—really challenged my faith and made me think. To sum up: reading the first book in this series is what made me decide to stop watching “Friends.” My husband tried to read this series, but he found it oppressive. It is true—Francine Rivers’ “bad” (i.e., non-Christian or wishy-washy Christian) characters are generally over-the-top rotten; while her “good” (i.e., “real” Christian) characters do tend to be unbelievably perfect. For me, they are an inspiration to do better and lean harder on the Lord; for others, they’re simply intolerable. The Atonement Child was a beautiful story of the dignity of human life. Redeeming Love seems to be at the top of just about everybody’s list, and it was, indeed, a wonderful novel. I cried and cried at the (very happy) ending!

Roberts, Willo Davis. Back in the 1980s, Willo Davis Roberts wrote wonderful historical romances—the “sweeping saga” types, that take you all over the place and let you into the lives of numerous characters over many years. These were all great, but my favorite (which I have read at least twice) is Keating’s Landing. Roberts’ characters are so sympathetic, that you can’t help but feel how they must be feeling. I’m sure I spent most of Keating’s Landing with my stomach in knots, so concerned was I for the future of Maggie Keating! (Since the 80s, his author has primarily written books for young adults.)

Santmyer, Helen Hooven. She is most famous for her huge novel, ….And Ladies of the Club, which I have yet to read. I read Herbs and Apples years ago, though, and it is one of my all-time favorite books. One of the main characters is an aspiring writer!

Smith, Betty. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and Joy in the Morning are classics. I love how Betty Smith shows realistic characters making their lives meaningful, in spite of poverty.

Specht, Robert. Tisha is the true story of Anne Hobbes Purdy, who traveled to Chicken, Alaska, to be the school teacher for the children there. She faced poverty, prejudice, and the freezing cold, but somehow she managed to make a go of it and become a beloved teacher and respected citizen of Chicken. And if you know me, you know I wouldn’t like this book so much unless it had a love story…….and it does.

Sunfire Romances. This series of young adult romances was published by Scholastic back in the ’80s. I checked out my first one from Miss Erickson’s classroom library in 6th grade, and after that I was hooked. Eventually, I collected all 30+ of these sweet novels. Written by such authors as Candice F. Ransom, Willo Davis Roberts, Jane Claypool Miner, and Vivian Schurfranz, each book features a heroine of about 16 years of age, set in some period of American history. Always, according to the cover art and the description on the back, the young heroine has to “choose” between two suitors who are both vying for her affection (though in some of the books, this situation is virtually non-existent). I loved all these books, but I think my favorites were Susannah (set during the Civil War), Caroline (set in the California Gold Rush), and Margaret (can’t remember the setting, but Margaret was a school teacher). The point of these books was to entertain while teaching adolescent girls about American history. If (big IF!) I ever have a daughter, I hope she will read and enjoy these Sunfire books as much as I did and still do.

Tan, Amy. Years ago, when I was newly married, my mother gave me a big, hardcover copy of The Kitchen God’s Wife, in which a Chinese immigrant to America tells her daughter her life story.  It was such a wonderful book, I ended up reading it again several years later.  I think pretty much all of Amy Tan’s books are about mothers and daughters of Chinese heritage, and they are all incredible to read.  (The Joy Luck Club was made into a very good movie.)  I’ve never read anything by her that wasn’t outstanding.

Turner, Nancy E. These Is My Words is the fictional-but-based-in-reality diary of Sarah Agnes Prine. This is such an exciting, nerve-wracking read! Set in the 1800s, it’s about one woman’s fight for survival in the U.S. western territories (especially Texas, if I remember right). There are now two sequels to this book. It’s been such a long time since I read These Is My Words, I plan to read it again before I begin the first sequel, called Sarah’s Quilt.

Willett, Marcia. My mom introduced me to this author a few years back. Her books are similar in style to those of Rosamund Pilcher and Maeve Binchy. I first read and loved A Week in Winter, but A Summer in the Country is one of my favorite books ever. It took me a long time to read, but it was a good long time, for Marcia Willett novels are the kind you want to take your time with and savor. There was a marvelous surprise at the end of A Summer in the Country. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Williams, Tina. The inspirational romance market is currently saturated, top to bottom, with books about Protestants, written by Protestants. I enjoy these novels, but as a Catholic, I long to be able to read books about characters who share my Catholic faith. Until a shift occurs (and it will), such stories are nigh onto impossible to find (and believe me, I am searching). Imagine my delight, then, when I discovered Tina Williams’ novel, entitled Offerings: A Love Story. It is a wonderful story with beautifully-depicted settings and realistic characters. I was hard-pressed to put it down during the reading, and once I finished, I wished it hadn’t had to end. (I laughed, I cried, blah blah blah!) This book is not available in stores at the moment (not that I’m aware of, anyway), but you can purchase it (and read my actual review!) here or from the publisher.

Williamson, Penelope. She no longer writes romance novels (has moved on to suspense/thrillers, I believe), but Heart of the West has been on my list of favorites ever since I first read it years ago. So much of it is really sad, on so many levels. But, of course, being a romance, everything works out happily in the end.