Please tell me you've read these books already. Or that your clicking through to Amazon immediately to get them. If you're not a reader, well, these would be worth trying again. I promise not to fake snobbish-intellect and put books that are really smart sounding, but that aren't generally enjoyable. No, these are accessible and - I'd venture - important if you're going to make efforts to have good literary conversation with friends. So: read and enjoy, my friends. Read and enjoy.



Gilead: A Novel by Marilynne Robinson
Permalink: http://amzn.com/031242440X
It won the Pulitzer Prize, so you can feel great about your brain when you enjoy this story of a Father's life, told to his son. This is a lazy afternoon by a pretty, slow-moving river...in book form. Beautifully written, wonderful thoughts on faith and life and family.



The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Permalink: http://amzn.com/015602943X
Don't see the movie until you've read the book - if you need more incentive. It's top-shelf storytelling that will stretch your skills a little to keep up with the journey of one man as navigates a genetic possibility to travel through time.



The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Permalink: http://amzn.com/0399155341
A loving faux-memoir written about living in the servant-culture of the 1950's South. Incredible characters and brilliant fiction for those of you who like historically based literature.



The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing by Melissa Bank
Permalink: http://amzn.com/B001TI5WSW
One of my favorite books of all time due to it's humorous and true interpritation of family and impending adulthood. Light, but meaningful. You can thank me later.



Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith by Anne Lamott
Permalink: http://amzn.com/0385496095
She's my favorite writer. It was a tough call on whether to recommend this non-fiction book, or my very favorite one by her that's mostly important to writers, "Bird by Bird."

Oh man, I love this book.


The Prince of Tides: A Novel by Pat Conroy
Permalink: http://amzn.com/0553381547

Conroy is arguably the best writer in the last generation. This is an incredible story spanning 50 years and the incredible, dark history of a family coming to terms with the statement "Every family's got something..."

Read More 1 Comment | Posted by Erin