I would highly recommend “The Perks of being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky or “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green. I also love “I Capture the Castle” by Dodi Smith which starts “I write this sitting in the kitchen sink…” Which I just though was a brilliant opening line! I hope you find something fabulous to read! 🙂 x
Oh, I saw The Perks of Being a Wallflower {the movie} and loved it. Thanks for these. 🙂
If you have not already, DEFINATELY read One Day by David Nicholls. You will love it. You will fall in love with Emma and Dex and you will be devestated when it ends.
Also, I just read Silver Linings Playbook and I sincerely loved it.
And The Fault In Our Stars. If you liked My Sisters Keeper, you will love this. So moving and definately authentic.
I read One Day, after seeing the movie. I wish I’d done it the other way around. Beautifully shocking.
Thanks for these. Will read up on them. 🙂
Great! Just read The Silver Linings Playbook, and I have had One Day sitting here waiting for me to read, so that has made my mind up 🙂
The Dove Keepers by Alice Hoffman. Based on historical events and told from a woman’s perspective in what was very much a mans world. I loved that the women were a power to be reckoned with.
I just finished “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green and really loved it!
I have just recently read J’adore New York by Isabelle Lafleche. About a Parisian lawyer who transfers to New York. I am currently reading The Vogue Factor. My daughter also loves A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks. Have a lovely day. Vicki
I just finished Still Missing by Chevy Stevens. It was really good. Before that, i read Family Pictures by Jane Green. Love all her books!
Jessica Rudd. Chick- littish but not cheesy. Good escapist read.
My absolute fav and one I have read again and again is The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons.
Oh I agree!!!
I love books, but unfortunately have been reading a lot of non-fiction myself. Two of my favorite books are The Glass Castle (a memoir) it’s a quick read and The Red Tent.
I’m reading Schroder right now by Amity Gaige. Really liking it. I’m also part way through Flight Behaviour by Barbara Kingsolver and liking that too. Have you read The Language of Flowers? That’s a lovely story that I can’t imagine you’d skip through. The Weight of Silence by Catherine Therese. I think you’d LOVE that. It’s actually non-fiction but it reads like fiction so you’d be getting the best of both worlds. What else?? Eating Lolly is a good one. Past The Shallows is a fave of mine by Favel Parret, up there with The Weight of Silence. But it’s a serious one and not a light read re: emotional stuff.
Hope you find something to sink your teeth into. There’s nothing better than being lost in a story. xx
I read the girl with the dragon tattoo series of books. I loved them.
Oh gosh, I’m no help. I love non-fiction and sci-fi. (loathe vampires and whatever though.) The only fiction I read is Stephen King. I really, really love biographies, they’re my favourite. And historical novels. I have Bring up the Bodies by Hillary Mantel next on my list… if I ever find any time again to read! xo
Someone else also said this…but it is so good that it deserves repeating: ‘The Fault in Our Stars’ by John Green is an extraordinary book that painful, joyful, and honest – one of my absolute favorites.
I just finished reading Someone Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill. Could not put it down!
I have lots of “escape” type reading. I love the funny chick-lit of Sophie Kinsella; especially the “Shopaholic” series. Alexander McCall Smith – No.1 Ladies Detective Agency, but also the Scotland Street series. Just bought “Home to roost” by the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire because although autobiographical, the reviews I’ve read have, without fail been good reviews – both the so-called ‘experts’ and “just readers”…. Just got an ereader and I’ve downloaded all the classics. Just finished “Agnes Grey” by Anne Bronte… very early chick-lit! 😀
Off now to have a look at the once recommended here…. Jude.x
The Book Thief is incredible.
I agree! Best book ever written.
My number one recommended read is the Bronze Horseman but I see I’ve been beaten to it! Definitely have a go at reading it!
The Bronze Horseman!! Whenever I talk about books I always ask if people have read it – it’s AMAZING!! You won’t regret it and you don’t be flicking through pages – my all time favourite book! It’s a trilogy set – honestly amazing 🙂 so glad to see a few others recommend it 🙂
love in the time of cholera, aphrodite’s war…both beautiful love stories! other than that, I love the classics…wuthering heights, jane eyre, the tenant of wildfell hall [I am a fan of the bronte sisters!]
oh also, pretty much any Bryce Courtenay book! heart wrenching but unputdownable
Have you read The Help yet? I know it is several years old, but it was a wonderful book and I guarantee you won’t want to skip to the middle. . . Lol! I read voraciously, so if you really want a list of good books, let me know.
Agreed!! Loved that book 🙂
I also LOVE Jodi Picoult but sometimes just need pure escapism and silliness so I enjoy a good mystery or horror story ( Stephen King, Alex Grey, Karen Slaughter) Recently my daughter recommended SHANTARAM by Gregory David Roberts. I had heard a lot about it and it was widely acclaimed so I got a copy. Alas they forgot to tell me it’s 933 pages long! I really only read in bed and this tome was at danger of becoming a murder weapon as I tend to doze off reading and even the paperback version was likely to leave my husband with a very nasty head wound!!! I have now put it aside until I’m well enough to really give it the attention it deserves and am sticking to the frivolous for now…..
lol Donna… I’ve been reading the Outlander series (7 books, all very big) so I bought them on Kobo and read them on my iPhone!
Two Australian suggestions: Foal’s Bread by Gillian Meats and Ice by Louis Nowra.
I just finished The Pact by Jodi Piccoult which was a riveting read. It had me on the edge of the sunbed all holiday! The Book Thief is also brilliantly good, written by a very talented Australian, Markus Zusak. And I can’t go past Marley and Me, the book is way better than the movie. It’s just all dog and all heart. Two of my favourite things. But you won’t be able to read it without a box of tissues!
I recommend anything by J. California Cooper…’Some Love Some Pain, Some time’ was a great one of hers.. O[rah actually turned two of her books into movies, not that that did the books any justice, lol
I absolutely loved A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini – an absolutely beautiful read which kept my attention right through the book.
Also, a speculative fiction book, so may not meet your criteria, but well worth a look is Aldous Huxley’s A Brave New World – I absolutely loved it when I read it.
The Bloodletters Daughter – I couldn’t put it down
Since early last year I’ve been reading the Phryne Fisher murder mysteries by Kerry Greenwood. The same week I picked one up they showed the TV series of it, but the books are better. Set in Melbourne in the 1920s, there’s a lot to like about the main character and her band of followers/helpers. I enjoy each one, but just finished Blood and Circuses.
Lisa Jewell’s Before I met You. Lisa’s books are always a treat. Nothing too heavy just a good girly read. I like to mix it up and have a frothy book and then something with a bit of weight to it then head straight back to a delicious light read. You get me? The Beachhutcook x
I just read sisters of mercy by Caroline Overtington. It was completely believable… I loved it.
Gone Girl (Gillian Flynn) is a thriller that kept me turning pages until the very end – and I don’t normally do thrillers! But, if you want an easy read, I just finished Barefoot Season by Susan Mallery, and that was very good as well. Practically read it in one sitting.
While it’s premise is awful, I am devouring the hunger games (yes late on that bandwagon) after begrudgingly watching the movie last weekend (and loved it!) Despite the horrific idea of children having to fight to the death, the relationships within it are fascinating.
Any movie you enjoyed, get the book as it is always better. Also the “one for the money ” series by Janet Evonavich until they start getting a bit same same. Also the Amelia Peabody mysteries. I have been re reading these while on holiday. I have run out of book reccomendations so your post has come at a good time.
I’m challenging myself to read 50 books this year so these suggestions will be helpful! I’ve just done 10. The last ones I’ve read we’re the Australia series by Bryce Courtney. It starts with The Potato Factory & follows a lot of convict history of Australia then up to WW1. I’m fascinated by our history 🙂
It’s not super new, but I recently devoured “Gone Girl” in a day… And I’m also someone who found it really hard to get off the non-fiction bandwagon 🙂
It’s so thrilling and engaging, and really keeps you on the edge of your seat. Plus, it’s going to be made into a movie, so best read it now!
Read this http://www.fearfuladventurer.com/book-2. Escapist, hilarious, a non-fiction book (memoir) dressed up like fiction. You’ll read it in one sitting, believe me. Heaps of people say it’s the next Eat Pray Love, and I don’t doubt it might one day be true.
I agree, the book ‘Love with a Chance of Drowning’ was great! A really easy read. I absolutely love reading and feel lost if I don’t have book on the go, so I am enjoying reading everyone’s recommendations. I am currently reading the last ‘girl with dragon tattoo’ book, it’s been a great read. ‘Tully’ by Paullina Simons, Joy Dettman is a great author. I loved ‘I Capture the Castle’, one of my favourite books. Kate Morton is good too.
I would be no help Chantelle, I am an avid reader always have a book in my bag…I will read anything but sci fi, horror or fantasy, however I loved Harry Potter, I bought JK Rowlings venture into the adult fiction ” The Casual Vacancy” (sitll not sure if I like it or not..took a while to get into and it was a hard read). I have read a few Jodi Piccoult that I’ve enjoyed but my favourite genre is crime and mystery with my favourite authors being Lee Child, Michael Connelly, Agatha Christie and Dick Francis.
I just finished reading The Slap – it’s eight stories in one and if you skim to the end you won’t have a clue what has happened in the middle of the book.
Some of my favourites are Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult, it’s very Columbine shooting and quite gripping. I also enjoyed her The Pact. The Fault in Our Stars is sad by an excellent read by John Green. And I was absolutely obsessed with the Hunger Games trilogy. An old favourite of mine is Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. Happy reading!
This is a book I read years ago and still can’t forget…..it is called A Map of the World by Jane Hamilton. It was an Oprah book club book and has been made into a movie (that I’ve never seen because I didn’t want to be disappointed). In fact I’m going to buy it online tonight and read it again. Great book for mums as it deals with the fallout of what happens after a tragedy involving two families…..withnyoung children.
I just finished “sugay in my bowl” Erica Jong. IT IS THE MUST BOOK that all the ladies have TO read. Cheers.
I am currently reading book 3 in a Erotic Fantasy series by Larissa Ione. It has demons etc in it so maybe not something you want. I also read a bit of Rachel Gibbons and Susan Mallery 🙂
ooh that does sound like my thing though…thanks for the idea will look into them now x
Oh my gosh… Where to start? The Night Circus is excellent, I got so lost in it and just totally fell into their world. The Street Sweeper – I do NOT do history at all, but this is just so well written, and it made me want to know more. Couldn’t put it down. I love the Outlander series but they’re a huge commitment – 7 (or 8?) so far, all around 1000 pages. The Language of Flowers is lovely and beautifully written, Me Before You is heart wrenching and just stunning. If you liked My Sister’s Keeper and The Notebook, I’d give Me Before You a go. By Jojo Moyes. Love. Just love.
Lots of good recommendations below!
Hi, I have been stuck reading Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell for AGES! I have moved house while reading this book, and that was quite a while ago. But I’m going to read it before I start another one… it didn’t help when I learned that David Cameron (British Tory Prime Minister) was a big fan (because I’m not a big fan of his), but I’m getting there. I do do fantasy and sci fi, but I know lots of people don’t, so it’s been hard for me to think of what to recommend for you, but I’ve got it… The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey. It’s not fantasy, but it is a little bit magical, and it’s a great story. Plus it’s a stupendously beautiful book, so great to have on your shelf. It was the only book so far in my book group that everyone loved. http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2012/dec/27/darkness-the-snow-child-eowyn-ivey
While we’re here, can I ask you a question? I was wondering how Easter with all its themes of new life plays in Australia, where it’s surely Autumn? I was wondering about it in my blog, here: http://ohwedo.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/thinking-about-easter.html Ta!
First read The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett (it’s a ‘novella’ so almost like an entree), where Queen Elizabeth becomes obsessed with books after a chance encounter with a mobile library at the castle. And then hook into William Kuhn’s Mrs Queen Takes the Train. http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/books/mrs-queen-takes-the-train-20130110-2ci4k.html. Light-hearted fun. Makes me smile just remembering lying in bed reading it!
A girls’ guide to hunting and fishing. I think you would like it very much. x
My all time favourite is “Island of the blue Dolphins” – but the last one I just finished is titled “Black Elk Speaks”. Its about the Lakota Way of Life (Author is John Neihardt). I also love historic novels and can recommend Diana Gabaldon’s books. Oh and all the stories are without witches, etc. Most of the characters really excisted and are non fictional =)
I feel like I’m a bit late to this, but Hannah’s Shoes is a beautiful book. The story is not dissimilar to My Sister’s Keeper.
You need this one: http://amzn.to/WIlAud Guaranteed to make you weep. In a good way!
Man, you can write. Love the review.
As an Ozzie, this may interest you: http://amzn.to/RP6xNa
Another one that a quick, light (but gripping) read: http://amzn.to/WWYDOY
This is nicely out of the ordinary: http://amzn.to/NVJTtq
I would highly recommend “The Perks of being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky or “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green. I also love “I Capture the Castle” by Dodi Smith which starts “I write this sitting in the kitchen sink…” Which I just though was a brilliant opening line! I hope you find something fabulous to read! 🙂 x
Oh, I saw The Perks of Being a Wallflower {the movie} and loved it. Thanks for these. 🙂
If you have not already, DEFINATELY read One Day by David Nicholls. You will love it. You will fall in love with Emma and Dex and you will be devestated when it ends.
Also, I just read Silver Linings Playbook and I sincerely loved it.
And The Fault In Our Stars. If you liked My Sisters Keeper, you will love this. So moving and definately authentic.
I read One Day, after seeing the movie. I wish I’d done it the other way around. Beautifully shocking.
Thanks for these. Will read up on them. 🙂
Great! Just read The Silver Linings Playbook, and I have had One Day sitting here waiting for me to read, so that has made my mind up 🙂
And this: http://amzn.to/n1Judz
The Dove Keepers by Alice Hoffman. Based on historical events and told from a woman’s perspective in what was very much a mans world. I loved that the women were a power to be reckoned with.
I just finished “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green and really loved it!
I have just recently read J’adore New York by Isabelle Lafleche. About a Parisian lawyer who transfers to New York. I am currently reading The Vogue Factor. My daughter also loves A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks. Have a lovely day. Vicki
I just finished Still Missing by Chevy Stevens. It was really good. Before that, i read Family Pictures by Jane Green. Love all her books!
Jessica Rudd. Chick- littish but not cheesy. Good escapist read.
Two more and then I’m leaving the floor to others: http://amzn.to/hsDCut and http://bit.ly/ccSSyK
My absolute fav and one I have read again and again is The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons.
Oh I agree!!!
I love books, but unfortunately have been reading a lot of non-fiction myself. Two of my favorite books are The Glass Castle (a memoir) it’s a quick read and The Red Tent.
I’m reading Schroder right now by Amity Gaige. Really liking it. I’m also part way through Flight Behaviour by Barbara Kingsolver and liking that too. Have you read The Language of Flowers? That’s a lovely story that I can’t imagine you’d skip through. The Weight of Silence by Catherine Therese. I think you’d LOVE that. It’s actually non-fiction but it reads like fiction so you’d be getting the best of both worlds. What else?? Eating Lolly is a good one. Past The Shallows is a fave of mine by Favel Parret, up there with The Weight of Silence. But it’s a serious one and not a light read re: emotional stuff.
Hope you find something to sink your teeth into. There’s nothing better than being lost in a story. xx
I read the girl with the dragon tattoo series of books. I loved them.
Oh gosh, I’m no help. I love non-fiction and sci-fi. (loathe vampires and whatever though.) The only fiction I read is Stephen King. I really, really love biographies, they’re my favourite. And historical novels. I have Bring up the Bodies by Hillary Mantel next on my list… if I ever find any time again to read! xo
Someone else also said this…but it is so good that it deserves repeating: ‘The Fault in Our Stars’ by John Green is an extraordinary book that painful, joyful, and honest – one of my absolute favorites.
I just finished reading Someone Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill. Could not put it down!
I have lots of “escape” type reading. I love the funny chick-lit of Sophie Kinsella; especially the “Shopaholic” series. Alexander McCall Smith – No.1 Ladies Detective Agency, but also the Scotland Street series. Just bought “Home to roost” by the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire because although autobiographical, the reviews I’ve read have, without fail been good reviews – both the so-called ‘experts’ and “just readers”…. Just got an ereader and I’ve downloaded all the classics. Just finished “Agnes Grey” by Anne Bronte… very early chick-lit! 😀
Off now to have a look at the once recommended here…. Jude.x
The Book Thief is incredible.
I agree! Best book ever written.
My number one recommended read is the Bronze Horseman but I see I’ve been beaten to it! Definitely have a go at reading it!
The Bronze Horseman!! Whenever I talk about books I always ask if people have read it – it’s AMAZING!! You won’t regret it and you don’t be flicking through pages – my all time favourite book! It’s a trilogy set – honestly amazing 🙂 so glad to see a few others recommend it 🙂
love in the time of cholera, aphrodite’s war…both beautiful love stories! other than that, I love the classics…wuthering heights, jane eyre, the tenant of wildfell hall [I am a fan of the bronte sisters!]
oh also, pretty much any Bryce Courtenay book! heart wrenching but unputdownable
Have you read The Help yet? I know it is several years old, but it was a wonderful book and I guarantee you won’t want to skip to the middle. . . Lol! I read voraciously, so if you really want a list of good books, let me know.
Agreed!! Loved that book 🙂
I also LOVE Jodi Picoult but sometimes just need pure escapism and silliness so I enjoy a good mystery or horror story ( Stephen King, Alex Grey, Karen Slaughter) Recently my daughter recommended SHANTARAM by Gregory David Roberts. I had heard a lot about it and it was widely acclaimed so I got a copy. Alas they forgot to tell me it’s 933 pages long! I really only read in bed and this tome was at danger of becoming a murder weapon as I tend to doze off reading and even the paperback version was likely to leave my husband with a very nasty head wound!!! I have now put it aside until I’m well enough to really give it the attention it deserves and am sticking to the frivolous for now…..
lol Donna… I’ve been reading the Outlander series (7 books, all very big) so I bought them on Kobo and read them on my iPhone!
Two Australian suggestions: Foal’s Bread by Gillian Meats and Ice by Louis Nowra.
I just finished The Pact by Jodi Piccoult which was a riveting read. It had me on the edge of the sunbed all holiday! The Book Thief is also brilliantly good, written by a very talented Australian, Markus Zusak. And I can’t go past Marley and Me, the book is way better than the movie. It’s just all dog and all heart. Two of my favourite things. But you won’t be able to read it without a box of tissues!
I recommend anything by J. California Cooper…’Some Love Some Pain, Some time’ was a great one of hers.. O[rah actually turned two of her books into movies, not that that did the books any justice, lol
I absolutely loved A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini – an absolutely beautiful read which kept my attention right through the book.
Also, a speculative fiction book, so may not meet your criteria, but well worth a look is Aldous Huxley’s A Brave New World – I absolutely loved it when I read it.
The Bloodletters Daughter – I couldn’t put it down
Since early last year I’ve been reading the Phryne Fisher murder mysteries by Kerry Greenwood. The same week I picked one up they showed the TV series of it, but the books are better. Set in Melbourne in the 1920s, there’s a lot to like about the main character and her band of followers/helpers. I enjoy each one, but just finished Blood and Circuses.
Lisa Jewell’s Before I met You. Lisa’s books are always a treat. Nothing too heavy just a good girly read. I like to mix it up and have a frothy book and then something with a bit of weight to it then head straight back to a delicious light read. You get me? The Beachhutcook x
I just read sisters of mercy by Caroline Overtington. It was completely believable… I loved it.
Gone Girl (Gillian Flynn) is a thriller that kept me turning pages until the very end – and I don’t normally do thrillers! But, if you want an easy read, I just finished Barefoot Season by Susan Mallery, and that was very good as well. Practically read it in one sitting.
While it’s premise is awful, I am devouring the hunger games (yes late on that bandwagon) after begrudgingly watching the movie last weekend (and loved it!) Despite the horrific idea of children having to fight to the death, the relationships within it are fascinating.
Any movie you enjoyed, get the book as it is always better. Also the “one for the money ” series by Janet Evonavich until they start getting a bit same same. Also the Amelia Peabody mysteries. I have been re reading these while on holiday. I have run out of book reccomendations so your post has come at a good time.
I’m challenging myself to read 50 books this year so these suggestions will be helpful! I’ve just done 10. The last ones I’ve read we’re the Australia series by Bryce Courtney. It starts with The Potato Factory & follows a lot of convict history of Australia then up to WW1. I’m fascinated by our history 🙂
It’s not super new, but I recently devoured “Gone Girl” in a day… And I’m also someone who found it really hard to get off the non-fiction bandwagon 🙂
It’s so thrilling and engaging, and really keeps you on the edge of your seat. Plus, it’s going to be made into a movie, so best read it now!
Read this http://www.fearfuladventurer.com/book-2. Escapist, hilarious, a non-fiction book (memoir) dressed up like fiction. You’ll read it in one sitting, believe me. Heaps of people say it’s the next Eat Pray Love, and I don’t doubt it might one day be true.
I agree, the book ‘Love with a Chance of Drowning’ was great! A really easy read. I absolutely love reading and feel lost if I don’t have book on the go, so I am enjoying reading everyone’s recommendations. I am currently reading the last ‘girl with dragon tattoo’ book, it’s been a great read. ‘Tully’ by Paullina Simons, Joy Dettman is a great author. I loved ‘I Capture the Castle’, one of my favourite books. Kate Morton is good too.
I would be no help Chantelle, I am an avid reader always have a book in my bag…I will read anything but sci fi, horror or fantasy, however I loved Harry Potter, I bought JK Rowlings venture into the adult fiction ” The Casual Vacancy” (sitll not sure if I like it or not..took a while to get into and it was a hard read). I have read a few Jodi Piccoult that I’ve enjoyed but my favourite genre is crime and mystery with my favourite authors being Lee Child, Michael Connelly, Agatha Christie and Dick Francis.
I just finished reading The Slap – it’s eight stories in one and if you skim to the end you won’t have a clue what has happened in the middle of the book.
Some of my favourites are Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult, it’s very Columbine shooting and quite gripping. I also enjoyed her The Pact. The Fault in Our Stars is sad by an excellent read by John Green. And I was absolutely obsessed with the Hunger Games trilogy. An old favourite of mine is Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. Happy reading!
This is a book I read years ago and still can’t forget…..it is called A Map of the World by Jane Hamilton. It was an Oprah book club book and has been made into a movie (that I’ve never seen because I didn’t want to be disappointed). In fact I’m going to buy it online tonight and read it again. Great book for mums as it deals with the fallout of what happens after a tragedy involving two families…..withnyoung children.
I just finished “sugay in my bowl” Erica Jong. IT IS THE MUST BOOK that all the ladies have TO read. Cheers.
(also “1q84” Murakami. “Eating meat” Safran Froer)
SUGAR IN MY BOWL. my bad jajaja
I am currently reading book 3 in a Erotic Fantasy series by Larissa Ione. It has demons etc in it so maybe not something you want. I also read a bit of Rachel Gibbons and Susan Mallery 🙂
ooh that does sound like my thing though…thanks for the idea will look into them now x
Oh my gosh… Where to start? The Night Circus is excellent, I got so lost in it and just totally fell into their world. The Street Sweeper – I do NOT do history at all, but this is just so well written, and it made me want to know more. Couldn’t put it down. I love the Outlander series but they’re a huge commitment – 7 (or 8?) so far, all around 1000 pages. The Language of Flowers is lovely and beautifully written, Me Before You is heart wrenching and just stunning. If you liked My Sister’s Keeper and The Notebook, I’d give Me Before You a go. By Jojo Moyes. Love. Just love.
Lots of good recommendations below!
Hi, I have been stuck reading Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell for AGES! I have moved house while reading this book, and that was quite a while ago. But I’m going to read it before I start another one… it didn’t help when I learned that David Cameron (British Tory Prime Minister) was a big fan (because I’m not a big fan of his), but I’m getting there. I do do fantasy and sci fi, but I know lots of people don’t, so it’s been hard for me to think of what to recommend for you, but I’ve got it… The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey. It’s not fantasy, but it is a little bit magical, and it’s a great story. Plus it’s a stupendously beautiful book, so great to have on your shelf. It was the only book so far in my book group that everyone loved.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2012/dec/27/darkness-the-snow-child-eowyn-ivey
While we’re here, can I ask you a question? I was wondering how Easter with all its themes of new life plays in Australia, where it’s surely Autumn? I was wondering about it in my blog, here: http://ohwedo.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/thinking-about-easter.html Ta!
First read The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett (it’s a ‘novella’ so almost like an entree), where Queen Elizabeth becomes obsessed with books after a chance encounter with a mobile library at the castle. And then hook into William Kuhn’s Mrs Queen Takes the Train. http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/books/mrs-queen-takes-the-train-20130110-2ci4k.html. Light-hearted fun. Makes me smile just remembering lying in bed reading it!
A girls’ guide to hunting and fishing. I think you would like it very much. x
My all time favourite is “Island of the blue Dolphins” – but the last one I just finished is titled “Black Elk Speaks”. Its about the Lakota Way of Life (Author is John Neihardt). I also love historic novels and can recommend Diana Gabaldon’s books. Oh and all the stories are without witches, etc. Most of the characters really excisted and are non fictional =)
I feel like I’m a bit late to this, but Hannah’s Shoes is a beautiful book. The story is not dissimilar to My Sister’s Keeper.