When you read this, I will be away from home for a long New Year weekend, so talking about travel seems timely…
Alain de Botton is a great writer. Period. He makes the most mundane things interesting, and he expresses feelings that we’ve all had in such a way that they seem fresh, meaningful and important. If I could have any skill in the world (aside from speaking fluent French!), it would be to be able to write with his kind of clarity and insight.
I’ve read this book a couple of times, and I want to give my current copy of it to one of you!
Leave a comment, and tell us all about your favorite writer and/or book. I could use some ideas for the upcoming year…
(Anybody mentioning Robertson Davies or A.S. Byatt gets extra hugs…)
love,
Janice
I know this is silly but I love the whole Twilight series. :)
Me too!
Alain de Botton also has THE. SEXIEST. VOICE. I missed a talk that he gave in my hometown last year and I was kicking myself!
Well, right now I'm tearing through the Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch. Clever, witty, and exciting. Other favorites of late include Geraldine Brooks (People of the Book is my favorite), Kate Atkinson (Life After Life), Hillary Mantel (Wolf Hall, Bring up the Bodies, and I can't WAIT for book #3!). And I'll always have a soft spot for John Irving. A Prayer for Owen Meaney has made me cry at the end – not just a delicate tear or two, but outright sobbing – all three times I've read it.
There are 2 that quickly come to mind: The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton and Persuasion by Jane Austen. Both writers are keen observers of their surroundings and the social mores of the time.
The book I've never been able to get out of my head is "The Woman Upstairs" by Claire Messud. 'What does it mean to be an artist?', this book asks. A goal this year is to polish up my conversational French for a trip to Paris next winter–I'd love to win a book on travelling as a motivational tool for this project…
My favorite author these days is Jennifer L. Scott and her Madame Chic books. She is trying to bring civility back and pride in one's appearance understanding that how you look and act affect how your are treated by the world.
I must look into this author. Thanks.
If you enjoy mysteries set in rural Québec, Louise Penny is an enjoyable read. The characters of the village are quirky and I feel as though I know them as I am reading her 11th book. You got me going on Canadian authors with Robertson Davies. Fifth Business was a favourite of mine. If you want to keep Paris close to you, try an anthology of Mavis Gallant. Like an Edith Wharton character, she went to live in Paris many years ago and stayed on. I always imagined running into her in a café in Montparnasse. . When I can not travel, I love to read about it! If you want more exposure to French literature (in English), BBC4 Radio has just presented a series of radio plays based on the works of Emile Zola. Glenda Jackson plays the matriarch of a 19th century French family. Enjoy your time away and "joyeuse lecture."
Early VC Andrews are my favorite. After her passing, the Estate hired ghost writers to flesh out manuscripts and ideas VCA left behind and those books aren't bad, but now, there seems to be nothing left of VCA in the books except for the name. The last 10-12 have been horrible, in my opinion. The exception are The Christopher Diaries, but those are base don the original VCA characters.
As for one favorite book, it would have to be Gone With the Wind. Hands down. I've read it probably 20 times (no exaggeration) There have been times when I have finished the last page only to turn back to page 1 and begin all over again.
Right now, I am mid-way through the Harry Potter series (for my 3rd time) As books written for younger people, they are quite entertaining and thought provoking for adults as well.
My favorite set of books has been "The Josephine Bonaparte Collection" by Sandra Gulland. It is a trilogy of books about Josephine Bonaparte and that time in France's history. Fabulous reads.
Janice,
Agatha Christie ! Margaret Mitchell, echoing the sentiments of Beckie, the reader just above this post. I'm having a mental lapse on the name of the author, but the "Mitford" series are charming and sweet without being too saccharine. I have also recently rediscovered Gladys Taber, who wrote a column for " Family Circle" titled " Butternut Wisdom" when I was a kid. I would help my mother unload the groceries and then I would dig into the magazine, reading Gladys' column. It centered on her 17th century home in New England and her life there on Stillmeadow Road. She wrote about 50 books, a new discovery to me ! I plan to purchase another one of hers for my upcoming birthday. Phillipa Gregory for embellished tales of the regents of old England. For murder/ thriller genre, Douglas Preston teamed with Lincoln Child get my vote !
Found it ! Jan Karon is the author of the Mitford series..
I don't know if he's my favorite writer, but my eating habits have certainly been influenced by Michael Pollan.
From Margie in Toronto – Well, being from Toronto I have to list Robertson Davies as a favourite! As for A.S. Byatt, I've been rearranging my bookshelves the past couple of days and not only found an A.S. Byatt that I haven't read as yet (Babel Tower) but 3 by her sister, Margaret Drabble, whom I actually prefer as a writer! I am particularly addicted to books about books and recommend "Howard's End is on the Landing" and "Leave Me Alone – I'm Reading". Also a ScyFi and mystery fan so recommend Jim Butcher, Kelley Armstrong, Charlaine Harris = and for just great reads, anything by Aleander McCall-Smith or Violet Winspear (gentle but thought provoking series). Love to read and love to travel so please enter me ino the draw. Enjoy your long weekend.
I love reading anything by Kristin Hannah. "The Winter Garden" is my favorite and you learn a lot about the rough life in Russia during the war.
I loved The Nightingale – it was my introduction to Kristin Hannah. This book was on my 'recommended reads' in 2015!
Impossible to say who or which is my favorite … The one who had the biggest influence on me, almost certainly Simone de Beauvoir. But the book I want to recommend to you is The Virgin Blue by Tracy Chevalier. Perfect for an American woman who loves France. Would love to be entered in the drawing! Prof P.
My favorite fiction from the last couple of years: State of Wonder by Anne Patchett. Favorite nonfiction, hands down: The Happiness Hypothesis by Jonathan Haidt.
I love Bill Bryson – and I can't wait to read his latest book (hoping for it for my birthday next month). He has written travel stories about his trips in America, Australia and England. Love his sense of humour! Lyn
I'm a fan too, Donny. I'm currently enjoying 'At Home', his history of western domestic life, while waiting for my husband to finish 'The a Road to Little Dribbling' … From the bits he's reading out to me between chuckles, it's another cracker.
Robyn in Tasmania
I'm always up for a good read! This is by far my absolute favorite book ever, Lincoln The Unknown. It is out of print and there's only one in the entire Chicago Public Library system. If you think you might like to read it, I would be happy to loan you my copy. Easy since we both live in Chicago :) It's a super fast read because once you start, you don't want to put it down.
I am currently loving the Harry Hole series by Jo Nesbo. The first in the series is called The Bat.
Happy New Year!
Anna
I’ve been tackling the classics as of late: Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Cather, Faulkner, Steinbeck … I’ve discovered that not only are they great reads with great story lines, but they also contain lessons which often parallel and impact things that presently exist in my life. A quote by Clifton Fadiman comes to mind: “When you read a classic you do not see in the book more than you did before. You see in you more than there was before.” Good stuff!
I love historical fiction, and all the history that can be learned by default, so have greatly enjoyed Diana Gabaldon's "Outlander" series. Also, "Burial Rites" by Hannah Kent. The vivid description of life in another time and place, combined with the unfolding humanity is very moving. Thanks to all of you who have shared here today, my to-read list is freshened up with several new authors and titles to try. Mary
I enjoy Terry Pratchett immensely. His children's books are just as well written and intelligent as the adult books.
The book I loan out & replace most often is Small Gods.
Wee Free Men is also a good place to start. The lead character is a 9 year old girl who saves her toddler brother from the fairies.
OH! My all time fave author! Wish he was still here writing…
Another foodie lit suggestion, Ruth Reicel. My favorite is Garlic and Sapphires
I am currently reading some of the Jeeves and Wooster series by PG Woodhouse. Woodhouse is very funny and his character descriptions are marvelous!
Happy New Year and thank you for the gift! Robertson Davies – his trilogy is one of my all-time favourite reads!
As for a recommendation – "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doer is a stunning book, especially for a Francophile! And one that I love always "I Know This Much is True" by Wally Lamb. Best for 2016!
A couple of my favourites are by Vivian Swift, combining travel and Francophilia (is that a word?) and remarkable watercolour illustrations on almost every page: Le Road Trip: A Traveler's Journal of Love and France, and When Wanderers Cease to Roam: A Traveler's Journal of Staying Put. They never cease to delight and are always on my reading table.
So glad to see these mentionned! I'm a fan of books whether "p" or "e" but these are a tactile and visual celebration of print and paper. *off to reread with a cup of tea and a bicky or two*
There are so many! But I recently read and LOVED Circling the Sun by Paula McClain. She also wrote The Paris Wife, which was amazing as well. Can't wait to see what she does next!
any book by Lynda Barry ;-)
Oh, it's so hard to choose. I enjoyed All the Light We Cannot See and I'm thrilled to see, in a comment above, that he's written another book. I love the Louise Penny books featuring the dishy Inspector Gamache and other characters of Three Pines (great food in the books, too). The Light Between Oceans is a book that continues to haunt my thoughts – full of great sadness, but great beauty, too. Can't remember the author.
Enjoy your trip. Happy New Year's, Janice, and thanks for your wonderful blog! Have you ever thought of expanding your advice to include what differently shaped clothing can do for a body? I'm always veering between fitted clothing and more drapey stuff.
Lorrie, I really enjoyed both of the "Light" books as well. I'm reading Louise Penny's "The Nature of the Beast" right now.
A book that I've read several times and never get tired of is "Without Reservaations" by Alice Steinbach. A travel memoir by a woman of a certain and wonderful age.
I made a goal to read 24 books this year. I just finished Four Season in Rome by Anthony Doerr (and I can't believe Dore Way two comments above is suggesting him too) and it was so so so lovely – a refreshing literary tonic to start 2016. His voice, insights and the way he captures the small moments of beauty make me want to be a writer. And it's chilly here in Vancouver and basking in the warmth of Rome right now is delightful.
I do not have a favorite author but would love to read this book!
I love mysteries! Favorite authors? Elizabeth George, Martha Grimes, France's Fyfield. And until her last book, Kate Morton.
For prose, Marilynne Robinson's "Lila." For poetry, Edward Hirsch's "Gabriel." Thank you for all the reading suggestions!
Happy New Year to you Janice and all the Vivienne Files Readers.
I see you have changed the banner, what a great start to 2016! I'm looking forward to reading more of your thoughtful ideas, suggestions and comments.
Mariann
I can't think of any favorite books. I read a lot, but I never read a book twice if I can help it. I feel like there are too many books and I'll never get to read them all. I've made a list of about 8 books from the comments that I want to look for at the library this week. Thanks for the book giveaway.
I have loved reading the comments by your other readers. Right now I am reading, Between Me and the World by Ta-Nahisi Coates, which I am finding very provocative. But my favorite novelists are Salinger, Faulkner, and A.S.Byatt. One winter my sister and I planned a tour of England based on The Children's' Tale. I can't tell you how many times I have read Possession, but After my first reading I started it over again. She is The Best.
Mention favorite author? NOT possible to choose. But for light, comfortable reading, you couldn't do better than Miss Read and her stories set in the Cotswolds. Gwen Watford does a good job narrating the few available on Audible, too.
Oh, YES to Robertson Davies (so sad the Toronto trilogy was never completed) and A.S. Byatt. Also YES to Julian Barnes (A Sense of an Ending and The Pedant in the Kitchen are wonderful in different ways), Marilynne Robinson, Louise Penny and C.S. Lewis. But if you want one book to read, Kent Haruf's Our Souls at Night.
For you, I recommend _On Rue Tatin: Living and Cooking in french Town_ by Suan Herrmann Loomis. It's a memoir, but also a cookbook. And it's a Francophile's dream.
I loved this book.
I'm reading works by E.L. Doctorow – kind of a binge – finished The March, Billy Bathgate, and am partway trough World's Fair. What evocative language! I also deeply appreciate everyone's suggestions here. Happy new year!
My favorite Author is Wallace Stegner. His novel Crossing to Safety explores friendship, love, and what it means to be a family. I recommended it to my bookclub (a bunch of hard to please ladies) and it was one of the few books all 10 of us enjoyed.
I have many different favorite authors, but am currently leaning toward Edward Rutherford (sweeping historical/family sagas showing the evolution of a place)and Colleen McCullough (Cleopatra and Mary, Queen of Scots being the novels which converted me to historical fiction).
I have recently enjoyed the works of Imogene Robertson — a sort of CSI: Georgian England. I am currently working my way through P.F. Chisholm's Robert Carey mysteries, which were recommended on Diana Galbaldon's methodone list.
Deana
Love Robertson Davies and am always happy to hear about non-Canadians who love him, too. Highly recommend Susan Howatch's Church of England series, first published in the early '80s: Glittering Images, Glamorous Powers, Scandalous Risks, Ultimate Prizes, Mystical Paths, Absolute Truths. Great writing, great stories, spiritual questioning, etc. I think you'd like them.
I carried The Deptford Trilogy (Davies) with me on my first solo trip to Florence, Italy. I had overpacked like a complete novice, and was shedding shoes and clothes every place I stayed. I also would tear the Trilogy apart, ripping off 50 pages or so to read and then discard to lighten my load. I clearly remember retreating to my hostel on a very hot summer day (after having been harassed, as young female travelers sometimes are, by the local males) with a gelato and my Deptford Trilogy for solace.
I recommend Barbara Pym – her books are wonderful. Try "Excellent Women". And for lighthearted fun, try the Southern Sisters mysteries by Anne George. My sisters and I quote them to each other – but you don't need a sister to appreciate Anne George's wit.
I enjoy Laurel K Hamilton for pure escape. Think the smarter, older, cooler sibling of the Twilight series & the 50 Shades series.
Enduring, long-time favouit: Pride & Prejudice, by Jane Austen. Others that I have enjoyed or that have made an impact recently: "First They Killed My Father" by Loung Ung, a story of her experience when the Khmer Rouge took over Cmabodia,which I read in advnace of a trip to Cambodia and Vietnam. Horrific but very moving. The Time Hunters by Carl Ashmore (a chikdren's science fiction/ time travel series). Jaqueline Winspear's Maisie Dobbs series.
R
A.S. Byatt (hug) and Donna Tartt are my favorite authors – and I got to meet both! Heavenly. I also like Margaret Drabble, Louise Penny, and Susannah Clarke (Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norell). Faves of old: Austen, Bronte (all), and Elizabeth Gaskell. And my prize possession is a first edition of Anne of Green Gables given to me by my grandmother for my 7th birthday. — Queen Lucia
For curling up on a rainy day, I love Elizabeth George and the Inspector Lynley series. For serious reading you can't beat Faulkner. I especially love As I Lay Dying.
If you like mysteries that have clever people in them and wonderful writing, you cannot go wrong with the Marcus Didius Falco series by Lindsey Davis. I sure hope she's gonna write more of these…..
I may be too late (or ineligible as I live in Spain) but I wanted to thank everyone for listing their favourite books, which will be added to my shopping list! I love books about Paris, which I always refer to before the next visit to my favourite city. The first one I bought was "Parisian Chic" by Ines de la Fressange". My latest purchase was "Bright Lights Paris" by Angie Niles. I've recently discovered Cara Black's series of mystery books set in Paris.