By now, you probably know that BookPage editors have been quite taken with Gail Caldwell‘s memoir, Let’s Take the Long Way Home (an interview with Caldwell is our August cover story, after all). Caldwell wrote the book after her best friend Caroline died of lung cancer in 2002; the subtitle is “a memoir of friendship.”
Let’s Take the Long Way Home is everything a memoir should be. It is filled with beautiful, precise language and a vivid setting. It will cause you to reflect both inwardly and outside of yourself. It will fill you with sadness and also move you by the descriptions of a powerful relationship.
Since we’ve been talking about this book since November of 2009, I figured it was only fair to give you a chance at reading a free copy. We have FIVE finished copies of Let’s Take the Long Way Home in our office. To enter to win one of your own, leave us a message with your favorite book to share with a friend.
I can’t say enough about Atwood’s YEAR OF THE FLOOD. she pulls the string on today’s mores and take’s it to the best and worse place in the future. I look to adjust the culture around me to help direct it to the good places Atwood shows me.
I have been sharing Dewey: The Library Cat with all of my family and friends. I love the story about the whole town that rallied to the cat, the library, and each other when times got hard in their town.
I’d share In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan. It opens one’s eyes to the contents of processed foods and to the practices of food manufacturers and fast food makers in America. It changed my eating habits dramatically and should improve the health of anyone who reads it.
The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russel (and it’s sequel….Children of God…..which tells the end of the story). It was classified as science fiction because it is a story of a mission to a newly discovered planet, but it is really of story of how our misperceptions of others can alter everything. I loved the way it was written.
I also loved those two books and re-read them periodically. I wish Mary Doria Russell had continued (or would continue) the story with another book or two…..
I don’t have ONE favorite book, but many. I love Amish fiction and share those authors and titles with a good friend of mine. The lifestyle of the Amish is interesting and amazing to me…especially in today’s world.
There are so many books that I consider “favorites”…To Kill a Mockingbird and Kiterunner are two of them.
“Making Toast” by Roger Rosenblatt was handed to me by a fiction reader, and briefly described. I started reading it as fiction, but soon found the touch of the story and the writing too exquisite to be fiction, and turned to the flaps. This account of a father and grandfather’s year (or so) is the best writing of the year.
Poignant and utterly honest. One of the best memoirs I’ve read in a very long time.
Any of the Debbie Macomber books. Her Blossom Street books are fantastic. The first book I read of hers was Thursdays at Eight where a group of friends always got together. I felt like I really knew these ladies by the time I was finished with the book.
“The Space Between Us” by Thrity Umrigar. It is beautifully written and hard to belive the main character isn’t one of your best friends.
The most compelling book I have read this summer is “Zeitoun” by Dave Eggers. It is a must-read in light of the fact that nearly 5 years have passed since the compromised levees in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina devastated that city and its inhabitants, and the devastation remains. This memoir focuses on one man and his family, and the unthinkable hardship they faced because of their ethnic and religious background. Don’t miss it.
I have been sharing Simple Wishes by Lisa Dale. I really enjoyed this book.
I also read Dewey the Library Cat, and ended up buying 2 copies for my daughter-in-law and also a grandaughter. Any one who loves cats (and libraries) will enjoy this book! It was just a heartwarming story
My recent favorite is All Over the Map by Laura Fraser. It is about travel, growing older and whether women can really “have it all”. It is fun to read yet thought provoking.
the alchemist
Some of my favorite books have been Margaret Coel’s WIND RIVER SERIES ~ I just recently finished reading THE DROWNING MAN.
My favorite recent read is Cutting for Stone by Abraham Vergese. It is a wonderful story of family set in a mission hospital in Addis Ababa.
One of my favorite books to share is The Art of Racing in the Rain. I just love this book and feel it says so much about friendship although it’s of the human/canine variety!
I loved The Sparrow, too, but I think I would share The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver.
The Saving Graces by Patricia Gaffney was one of our bookclub’s favorites. It generated a ton of discussion for our group as well as laughs and tears. A great combination in ‘my book’.
My favorite novel to share with a friend would have to be Serendipity by Louise Shaffer. This emotional book is memorable.
My favorite book to share with a friend is The Help by Kathryn Stockett. It is a treasure. The best book I’ve read in a long time and a book I recommend to everyone.
Anyone who hasn’t read the wonderful classic, To Kill a Mockingbird, has to read it. I’ve read it, listened to it, and viewed the old Gregory Peck movie, multiple times.
I loved Brava Valentine by Adriani Trigiani…it
was very enteraining. In the Heart of the Canyon by
Elisabeth Hyde. Your readers will enjoy reading these
excellent books. I recommend them to all my friends
and also our Book Club has read them.
My favorite book and one I recommend to anyone who will listen is Granny Dan by Danielle Steel. I love the story and have read/listened to this book a million times.
One of my favorites to recommend is Big Stone Gap (plus the two sequels) by Adriana Trigiani. Another great girlfriend book is Bad Girl Creek by Jo-Ann Mapson.
I’ve been actively convincing particularly non-readers to try Suzanne Collins (Hunger Games) and James Dashner (Maze Runner) books.
Love The Island…. by Erin Hilderbrand. Just finished it and loved every page of it. Have been reading a lot since I retired. Have heard “A book is a necessity”. Not a luxury. I am addicted to Barnes & Noble.
I read several books a week, but the one book I have recommended to my friends and family and the one book I would suggest reading this year is “Roses” by Leila Meacham. A terrific read!
I still love to share “Fidelity” a book of five related stories by Wendell Berry That evoke how community and connectedness bring the deepest satisfaction to our lives.
I always recommend reading “The Help” BY Kathryn Stockett.
My favorite book is Blink. It gives you a great deal to think about. The website citation to the Harvard Implicit surveys is excellent.
Lisa See’s Shanghai Girls was beautifully written and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. The story reflected the relationship of sisters and families with all of the ups and downs. The sisters love and hate each other in turn but always show a great strength for family and traditions. The discrimination shown to certain populations at that time was a sad reminder of the ignorance of people who forget that we may be different on the outside – but inside we all have the same hopes and dreams. As with all of Lisa See’s books, I look forward to the next one.
South of Broad is one of the best novels I’ve read in months!
I have just finished reading One Day. It is a great, if not a little off beat, love story. It will make you laugh and cry. You will not be able to get it out of your mind.
If I have to pick a favorite, it would have to be the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. But, I have many books which I cherish and will read over again so that once more I can enjoy where they take me for the time it takes to read them and long after in my memory.
I just read Wally Lamb’s “I Know this Much is True” , was popular a few years ago. He is an excellent writer, also enjoyed “She’s Come Undone,” another one of his.
the book(s) I share with my grandchildren and greatgrandchildren is Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein. Good, funny, rhymes and poetry.
I’ve recommended so many books to my friends, but lately I’ve been recommending and lending my copies of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest by Stieg Larsson.
The Saving Graces by Patricia Gaffney. Expertly explores the intricacies of friendship amongst 4 women. It literally made me cry. Also, Elizabeth Berg’s Talk Before Sleep. I’ve heard amazing things about Ann Patchett’s Truth & Beauty.
I also loved The Art of Racing in the Rain, just read and recommended The Mountain Between Us and all the Stieg Larsson books. These have been around awhile but just got a friend “hooked” on the Diana Gabldon Outlander series too.
diana
the pact by jodi picoult and the art of racing in the rain….love them both
I have given Eat, Pray, Love to many a friend on her birthday:)
“Amazing Gracie” is my favorite book to share – it is such a tear jerker – yet is the best story of pet ownership I have ever read!! It makes me cry every time, but is is such a great story!
Diana Gabaldon..she’s my favorite and I always recommend her Outlander series to friends…and when I find a friend who loves her as much as I do..then I know I have truly found a soul sister…
The moment after I finished “Two Old Women: An Alaska Legend of Betrayal, Courage and Survival,” by Velma Willis, I went back to the bookstore and bought several copies to send to my best friend of 5 decades. The author captured what is so special about that bond between two women that helps us survive the lowest points in our lives — and come away stronger.
The best book I read lately was “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett. I would share this book to exemplify what true courage could be.
My favourite book to pass along to others is ‘Lamb: the gospel according to biff, christ’s childhood pal’ by Christopher Moore. Good for both the believers and non-believers!!! A non-stop laugh riot!
A favorite with which I gauge my friends’ reading interests is The Confessions of Max Tivoli by Andrew Sean Greer. This book so moves me, and continues to enchant me, reading after re-reading. Friends who have read and loved this book as well are understood as “book soulmates” of a kind.
Our book club just finished reading ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’ by Khaled Hosseini. It’s such a beautiful story about the power of women & friendship. A few of us even admitted to crying during several parts.
“One Day”—a beach book that I’ve been recommending
One Day – I really enjoyed that book and am actually looking forward to seeing how well they adapt it to a movie.
I’m starting that today!!
My favorite book to share with friends depends on what they’re going through. The Year of Magical Thinking is very readable and relatable. I also think Mitch Albom’s fiction provides peaceful encouragement.
I really enjoyed Water for Elephants. I’m really looking forward to the movie coming out. I also just recently discovered the Twilight series of books by Stephenie Meyer. I can’t believe I missed out on both the films AND the books for so long!!!! However, I’ve more than made up for it. I’m a dedicated Twi-hard now.
Hi Marge,
I also loved Water for Elephants. I hope the movie is as good as the book!
I hope so, too! I think it has the potential, because after all, look at the actors in it–Reese Witherspoon, RPattz, Christopher Walz, and others.
A Tree Grows In Brooklyn, my copy has been past along many times.
I really enjoyed reading The Guernsey Literary & Potato Pie Society with my book club friends!
I LOVED this book!
The Poisonwood Bible and The Great Gatsby should be read by everyone.
I just finished All Other Nights by Dara Horn. Lovely writing style. I couldn’t put it down.
The book that I have passed along most is The Shack. In fact I have three copies so I could pass it around to more people.
Absolutely! I couldn’t wait until my parents read the book so that we could discuss. I imagine that we had a much different conversation than we would have if this book would have been published when I was a teen.
In a somewhat related vein, my favorite dog book to recommend to friends is also a Caroline Knapp book: Pack of Two. It’s a life-affirming exploration of not just the human-canine connection, but how dogs can help us reconnect to people after a difficult time.
So it probably goes without saying that because of my love for Caroline Knapp, I’m eager to read Caldwell’s memoir of their friendship.
I just finished Breath by Martha Mason who lived for 61 of her 71 years in an iron lung. It was very intersting and inspiring.
This may sound trite but my favorite book to share with a friend is Oh the Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss. I shared this book everday, sometimes twice a day, with my son for ten months while he battled brain cancer. He’s in remission and that book is a true testimony of our journey.
Oh, Leenadria, this touched me so! What an awesome book to share with such an awesome testimony. I will never read that book the same way again. Thank you for giving me a different perspective.
I’ve just finished “Still Alice” by Lisa Genova. It’s a beautiful, haunting account of a woman diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s Disease. It was illuminating.
I agree. It helped me to better deal with my mother-in-law who suffers from memory loss.
My all-time fvorite book continues to be “Gone With the Wind”…..it was the first ‘adult’ book my mom allowed me to read. She had finished it and felt that I would enjoy this historical fiction, and she was absolutely right on that.
I am currently reading “Where’s My Wand” ny Eric Pool
and I have already decided to give to my friend when she comes to visit me in September.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
I’m still telling everyone to read “City of Thieves” and “Ghosts of Belfast”.
Cecelia Ahern’s ” The Gift” was a lighthearted,yet very touching novel.
Cecelia Ahern’s “The Gift” was a lighthearted, yet very touching novel.
I always recommend The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan. It’s one of my all time favorite books.
My favorite book is “The Magic of Ordinary Days” By Ann Howard Creel. Out of all the books that come and go, this one has a permanent spot on my shelf.
Steffni, I agree. After I read that one, I made a permanent home for it on my bookshelf as well.
How Starbucks Saved My Life by Michael Gates Gill
I have passed my paperback copy of “Zippy” around so many times several pages are taped in. Such a multifacted book – catches the reader in the first page!
My favorite book (s) to share with friends has been the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and Girl Who Played with Fire and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest. They are all fascinating!
The two books I am recommending right now are Little Bee by Chris Cleave and The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Both are great!
seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com
I shared Water For Elephants and The Help with my friends.
My favorite book to share is SUZANNE’S DIARY FOR NICHOLAS. It was loaned to me by a co-worker and she said I just had to read it. It was sent to her by her sister. Another one of my favorites is A KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOUR. This was also loaned to me by a different co-worker. I really miss my job there
I like passing most of the books I read to anyone wanting to read them. Books are for sharing!
Even though my girlfriends and I are in our 30′s, we LOVED Anna Brashares’ Pants series.
The Happiness Project
The Mitford books by Jan Karon!
The Help was great! We discussed in our
book club, and all agreed fun book to read.
I’m a lover of all books, so it’s hard to choose, but I would put POPE JOAN by Donna Cross at the top of my stack to pass along.
THE KING’S DAUGTHER WAS GOOD, SO CEMETERY DANCE BOTH HAVE BEEN GREATLY SHARED
my most recent share was “the girl with the dragon tatoo”. what a ride!!!
I enjoyed reading “Giants of the Frost” by Kim Wilkins. It had me bawling harder than a lusty newborn. I’ve shared my copy with several friends. It’s a great read!
Anything that makes me cry
Stephanie Plum books are always so fun and entertaining to read. I hate to see the book end.
“Tuesdays with Morrie” by Mitch Albom. I have multiple copies and I have a long post-it note in the front of my original copy in which anyone who borrows my book signs, so I know how far I’ve spread the gospel of Morrie. From people out of town that I have sent copies to, most have sent me notes thanking me for sharing that book.
“These Is My Words” is a favorite to pass along
My “newest” favorite is “The Shack”. I’ve shared it with many friends.
It’s hard to choose because there are so many books I love for so many different reasons, but if I had to choose just one, I would have to say Suzanne’s Diary For Nicholas by James Patterson.
My Favorite Book is The Gardians: Loving Eyes Are Watching by Richard Williams, a most rewarding Christian book. Also another book is OUT OF THE Darkness by Lilly Gayle, her first book.
Sorry about the misspelling of Guardians.
Just read “Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire” to my son and we laughed throughout. Good clean fun.
Mith Albom’s books are for everyone
One of my very favorites was “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan” by Lisa See. As soon as I finished, I stared rereading it!
One of my favorite books to share with a friend is “Crossing to Safety” by Wallace Stegner!
Amy
Aimala127@gmail.com
My favorite book to share with Christian friends is “The Same Kind of Different as Me”, a great life story by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. Otherwise, I like to share “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett. I am glad that they are both still on the NY Times best seller list.
Since I share most books it is hard to pick just one. One I really like is Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt.
“The Help” by Kathryn Stockett–interesting reading & so true of that time in Mississippi.
So many books….my favorite would be an all time best seller “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. I would share my experiences in living in the south with my friend-it helped this book come alive for me!
How do I pick just one??? Um, I can’t so I won’t! I’ll list them all: absolutely loved “The Double Bind” by Chris Bohjalian absolutely blew me away – I’ve recommended this to several friends and book clubs because I love the element of the surprising twist and the lively dialog it envokes! Other favs that I recommend/share time & time again (with my intrigue & gritty loving friends) is the Lucas Davenport series by John Sandford and anything – ANYTHING – by Dennis LeHane. He rocks! My favorite is “Shutter Island.”
‘A Voice In The Wind’, the first book in the Mark Of The Lion series by Francine Rivers. Oh to live my life as humbly as Hadassah, her character is an inspiration!
Drinking A Love Story gets my vote!
interesting…the long way home is usually the shortest…
The Story Sisters by Alice Hoffman
I like to get my friends started with Laurie King’s Holmes/Russell series, especially the first book The Beekeeper’s Apprentice, which I love.
Stupid and Contagious by Caprice Crane.
just finished Dawn Light,Dancing with Cranes and Other Ways to Start the Day by Diane Ackerman author of The Zookeepers Wife.
Pack of Two is a wonderful book to share with a dog loving friend.
“Run” by Ann Patchett!
Also “Pillars of the earth” by Ken Follett
Fried Green Tomatoes by Fannie Flagg. I am sure that there are more favorite books I could let friends borrow.
I would share Snowflower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. It’s a book I shared with every girlfriend I have! Simply beautiful and a wonderful story of friendship.