1. The Jungle - Oh man do I enjoy reading this one, over and over. Gross - yes, depressing - of course, but as a Chicago native this book is like a rite of passage. Read about the meat-packing district of the Windy City prior to FDA regulation and then attempt to eat a meal, haha.
2. In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin - I loved The Devil in the White City (you should read that one too), but this is Erik Larson's latest historical fiction novel and it was my favorite of his books. This one follows the U.S. ambassador and his family to Germany in the years leading up to WWII, his daughter dates many members of the Nazi party, interestingly enough.
3. The Things They Carried - I've read this book a few times, the way it's written is engrossing. It tells the story of several different soldiers in the Vietnam War by introducing them through things they carry in their packs. It's almost like a collection of short stories, of perspectives. I've read a bunch of wartime novels ranging from the Civil War onward, but this is my personal favorite.
4. Double Indemnity - A personal shout-out of the "noir" style books I've read. A fast-talking insurance rep gets talked into murdering a sleazy gal's husband to claim the insurance money - although she's more of a hussy than he ever thought possible. I adore the dialogue in these books - makes me want a trench coat.
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5. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil - This book makes me want to move to Savannah and live in one of those big historic houses so I can attend luxurious parties with all of the snobs. Oh and it's a murder mystery...
6. Heartburn - A recommendation from my mother and a light-hearted sad story (is that a thing?) recounting Nora Ephron's first husband's affair. Her honest writing style and sense of humor make me wish I could have been her best friend.
7. Wicked - Much darker than the play and proves to be a quick read. This is a good one to digest on the porch on a warm Sunday morning.
8. The Game of Thrones (the entire series) - I read these before watching the show (due to a good friend's advice), they are like a grown-up version of Lord of the Rings. Every chapter ends with a crazy cliff-hanger and blow-your-mind plot twists. Try reading one.
9. The Chronicles of Narnia (the entire series) - Ignore those crappy movies, these were the books of my childhood, and they are badass. Super short but full of wondrous adventures - these are beach reads at their best!
10. Sin in the Second City - This is an awesome book about the most famous brothel in the red light district of Chicago. The rise and fall of the Everleigh sisters and the reign of pimps, madams, and dance halls. This is not a clinical analyzation but a narrative ripe with salacious roller coasters.
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| Photo courtesy of GoodReads.com |
11. East of Eden - My favorite Steinbeck novel and maybe his most ambitious. This is a long one, but rewarding. It recounts the stuggles and stories of two families that become intertwined, in a very detailed Steinbeck-like manner.
There you have it! A few options if you are looking for a good read. Feel free to make further suggestions or give opinions about the novels listed. I'm always willing to talk about (or read) a great book!
HUGS!
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