Books

wednesday books


A winning streak never lasts forever….and that’s how I felt about this book! I was on such a roll,reading books I literally could not put down, and was so excited about this one, a civil war drama about the Battle of Franklin, but in the end I lost interest and didn’t even up finishing this. Boo!

Next up on the list:

We are reading this next month for book club and I’m pretty excited because I’ve heard great things! I’ve never read anything before by this author, but can’t wait to dive in.

Did you know the movie was coming out starring Sandra Bullock?

You probably did. I tend to pick up on things later than the rest….like Grey’s Anatomy…and Glee.

What are you reading right now?

 

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  • Angie
    July 27, 2011 at 1:39 pm

    My husband just read this book and said it was incredible…up there in his top ten of all time. I am currently reading Gap Creek which I saw here and then found at a used book store for two dollars!

  • Melissa
    July 27, 2011 at 1:43 pm

    I read your blog every day and LOVE your recipes, but rarely post. Just wanted to say that I read a lot and this book (Exetremely Loud) is in my Top 5 of all time. LOVED it….one of those books that put me in a reading slump for a while afterwards because it was so good nothing else could get my attention.

    Hope you enjoy it.

  • Julie H. of Spinach and Sprinkles
    July 27, 2011 at 1:45 pm

    You are not behind, you may have been on the Grey’s Anatomy scene though! 😉 …I still haven’t caught on to the whole Glee thing, never even watched it in fact…

  • Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray
    July 27, 2011 at 1:47 pm

    Oh my gosh, Jenna, I cannot say enough good things about Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. I read it a good number of years ago now, but it’s still one of the best books I’ve ever read. I’m excited to hear what you think of it! (And if you don’t like it, yes I will cry and cry. Glad you asked.)

    I just finished an awesome book called The Lost Ravioli Recipes of Hoboken (I work at a publishing house, so I tend to just pull random titles off the shelves in my office)–definitely a good family/food writing/cultural anthropology piece! Unless you’re sick of food all the time. I mean…in which case…don’t read it. 🙂

  • Kailey (SnackFace)
    July 27, 2011 at 1:50 pm

    I am in the beginning of a book and I’ve finally admitted to myself that I just don’t like it! At least not at this point in my life. I’ve been wanting to read Extremely Loud & Incredible Close for a while now, though! Maybe that should be next!

  • Johanna B
    July 27, 2011 at 1:51 pm

    I came late to Gray’s Anatomy, too. Still haven’t seen Glee. So, see, you’re not the last one to hop on the band wagon.

    As for reading: I just started Paris Was Ours and I am loving every word.

  • Lisa @ Sunny Seed Stories
    July 27, 2011 at 1:53 pm

    Oo I’ve heard Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close is good–and that was years ago, and I still have yet to pick it up. Maybe I will wait for your review before I pick it up. (What’s a few more weeks, right?)

  • Shari @ Chicago Cuisine Critique
    July 27, 2011 at 1:56 pm

    Currently reading Summer People by E. Hilderbrand for my book club. Love her books! Perfect summer reads. http://chicagocuisinecritique.blogspot.com/search/label/Book%20Club

  • Jillian
    July 27, 2011 at 1:59 pm

    I’m currently reading Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro. It’s a very provocative dystopia so far. It was kind of a diamond in the rough find.

  • jenna k
    July 27, 2011 at 1:59 pm

    oooh, it sounds like i’d love to read the widow of the south. i live a couple hours from franklin, and me, my mom, and my aunt went on tours of their civil war era homes when i was in middle school. i would probably be even more interested now, but they fascinated me then. so maybe your dud will be my winner! 🙂
    i just started water for elephants, because i found out our dollar movie theater is showing the movie for a couple more weeks!

  • Nik
    July 27, 2011 at 2:00 pm

    Everyone is talking about Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close. It’s definitely on my list. I hope it makes up for the previous.

  • Tiffanie
    July 27, 2011 at 2:02 pm

    I, too could not get through The Widow of the South-I didn’t find the characters that interesting. But I chose Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close for our bookclub a couple months ago-one of my fave books of all time! If you end up liking it, you should try Everything is Illuminated, also by Jonathon Safran Foer.
    Your blog is great-I’ve made several of your recipes and I love your book lists!

  • Kelsey @ aslolife
    July 27, 2011 at 2:03 pm

    I’m currently reading The Winter Sea and I am in love with it! It’s historical fiction with a touch of romance with a strong female protagonist–definitely my kind of book!

  • Brittany @ Itty Bits of Balance
    July 27, 2011 at 2:04 pm

    I’m reading The Da Vinci Code (I know, I’m late… 🙁 )

  • Nancy in Naples
    July 27, 2011 at 2:05 pm

    I couldn’t get into Widow of the South either . . . finishing up Cutting For Stone right now and it’s very good.

  • courtney (pancakes and postcards)
    July 27, 2011 at 2:05 pm

    I’m reading Eating Animals by JSF now–let me know how you like that second book, so far I really love his writing style and attitude. Very engaging.

  • Tara
    July 27, 2011 at 2:09 pm

    I’m reading The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. Only about 100 pages in but so far so interesting.

  • Jennifer
    July 27, 2011 at 2:10 pm

    Currently reading “When God Was A Rabbit”…an amazing book. Picked it up Monday morning in the Stanstead airport as I was leaving my beloved to fly back to Germany. Have not put the book down since (except to read YOUR blog, of course) and am almost done……but don’t want to be done…coz then I will have to say good-bye to some amazing friends…yes….I am THAT passionate about books. If I was not a nurse….I would be a librarian!

  • Lauren @ What Lauren Likes
    July 27, 2011 at 2:10 pm

    love the weekly books 🙂 I check them out at my library every time!

  • Keri @ Blue-Eyed Runner
    July 27, 2011 at 2:14 pm

    Right now I’m reading The Paris Wife…

    • Liz
      July 27, 2011 at 4:20 pm

      I loved that book!!! You should go see the Woodie Allen movie “Midnight in Paris” with you are finished with it. Im serious…its like time travel.

  • Cait's Plate
    July 27, 2011 at 2:17 pm

    I’m currently reading (and LOVING) “Cutting for Stone” – it’s so good (actually, maybe I got it from you? I can’t remember – I write down all the books your feature!).

  • Emily
    July 27, 2011 at 2:17 pm

    Jenna- Long time reader, first time commenter 🙂 Loved Extremely Loud Incredibly Close! Such a cute book. You would also LOVE The Book Thief by Markus Zusak and The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay.. All written from sort of a child’s point of view.. and three of my all time favorites.. not sure what that says about me.

  • Olga @ Healthing It
    July 27, 2011 at 2:20 pm

    I love Jonathan Safran Foer. I’ve read everything he’s written so far. “Everything is Illuminated” is also very good and quirky. He also has a great nonfiction book about vegetarianism and raising his kid as a vegetarian.

    I saw him speak back in college and he is a big proponent of the ‘reader experience.’ So many people had specific questions but he left them all unanswered. I definitely recommend everything else he’s written!

    I’m reading ROOM right now. Really good!

  • Cara
    July 27, 2011 at 2:25 pm

    I absolutely love extremely loud and incredibly close. I am excited to hear everyone’s thoughts! I read this for a book club myself.

  • DessertForTwo
    July 27, 2011 at 2:29 pm

    After I finished Gap Creek (thanks to you!), I picked up ‘We Took to the Woods.’ After that, I really want to read ‘The Help’ before I see the movie.

  • DessertForTwo
    July 27, 2011 at 2:30 pm

    P.S. I saw the movie Everything is Illuminated by that author and it was good 🙂

  • Juliette @ Finish Your Broccoli
    July 27, 2011 at 2:43 pm

    Been wanting to read Everything Is Illuminated – can’t wait to hear how you like it. I just read The Hunger Games because everyone I talked to said they were reading it! It’s actually a young adult novel set in post-apocalyptic North America. It’s really dark for being a book targeted at young adults, but I’d put it in the same category as a Harry Potter or Twilight series. Not quite as good as HP, and DEFINITELY better than Twilight. I couldn’t put it down! It’s a trilogy and I’m about a third of the way into the second book. I highly recommend – it’s a quick read and really really good.

  • Shut Up and Run
    July 27, 2011 at 2:44 pm

    I’m currently reading Unbroken.

  • Maria
    July 27, 2011 at 2:45 pm

    I’ve never heard of either books so I guess I’m behind of this trend too. I’m reading The Beach by Elin Hildebrand. It’s okay, I’m having a hard time getting really into it, but my goal is to finish it by this weekend so that I can start of something else a little bit more exciting

  • katecooks
    July 27, 2011 at 2:53 pm

    i’m loving jonathan franzen right now. read The Corrections while relaxing at the lake a few weeks back, and now i am powering through his latest, Freedom. best part about his books…the fact that he truly is an excellent writer. real prose can’t be beat!

    • Caitlin in MD
      July 28, 2011 at 12:56 pm

      I am reading Freedom right now, too. Franzen is an amazing writer. I’ve never read anything so full of substance.

  • Jennifer
    July 27, 2011 at 2:54 pm

    Call me crazy, but I’m rereading Harry Potter. I felt so lost in movie #8 that I definitely need a refresh! I love all of your suggestions though 🙂 Love from runningwithmascara.com

    • Baking N Books
      July 27, 2011 at 3:14 pm

      Ah – I read the first 3 years ago but have yet to go “beyond”. I must get back to those.

      Have you read Lord Of The Rings?? Even better.

      • HilJo
        July 27, 2011 at 4:44 pm

        LOVE lord of the rings…Im reading a dance with dragons right now, the 5th of the song of ice and fire series (game of thrones is the first)–its pretty good…they are all really long, but every chapter makes you want to read the next one 🙂

        • Baking N Books
          July 27, 2011 at 6:30 pm

          I’ve never even heard of that. LOTR is classic – we had to read the first one for high school and I thought I would die when I seen the thickness and detail…but fell in love and promptly read the others on summer vacations…and then ever summer during college after that 🙂

        • Erin
          July 28, 2011 at 6:26 am

          I’m 100% obsessed with George R. R. Martin and the A Song of Ice and Fire books. I’m really loving A Dance With Dragons so far, I’m about halfway through. Winter is coming……..

  • Fran@ Broken Cookies Don't Count
    July 27, 2011 at 2:58 pm

    I “read” Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” by audio when I was commuting. It was unusual. My big issue with the book is this: What responsible parent would allow an 8 year old go by subway all over New York City. I had a tough time getting past it. I’ll be interested to hear what you think.

  • Dana
    July 27, 2011 at 3:08 pm

    I read Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close about a year ago and I was SO CONFUSED for like 90% of the book. (I swear I’m not stupid, it was just the style the author used to tell the story.) I think I only appreciated it at the end when I finally understood what was going on and could appreciate the story. In the end, I did think it was a good book, however, because I was so confused for most of it I feel like I can never recommend it to anybody else to read.

  • Baking N Books
    July 27, 2011 at 3:13 pm

    Is that the movie that George Clooney is in as well??

    Do you plan to see The Help movie this summer? I’ve yet to read that one.

    I just finished “The Lost Girls” and LOVEEEEEEDD IT!! I highly recommend to anyone and everyone – who may be “lost”, trying to figure out what they want in life, career, relationships; who LOVE to travel; and for humanitarian knowledge…also for people who are addicted to technology and can’t escape work – or the computer.

    Now – Glee? Ugh…I can’t do that at all – sorry it’s just fake or something…I’ll give it another try maybe one of these months. 🙂

  • Courtney
    July 27, 2011 at 3:14 pm

    I have started adding so many of the books you review to my Goodreads.com list. It’s really starting to get a little out of hand! I’m about to start The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson for our book club.

  • amy walters, aDESIGNdock
    July 27, 2011 at 3:14 pm

    I’m waaay behind the eight ball – I haven’t heard heard of this book…let alone the movie 😉 Right now I’m finishing up a fabulous book called “Healing Sands” – A Sullivan Crisp Book by authors Nancy Rue & Stephen Arterburn.
    It’s the third and last book of the series. The series follows a Christian Psychologist, who lost his family a decade ago and is dealing with his own pain while he helps his clients do the same. It’s a fabulous series and I’m sad I’m almost done. Boo.

  • Chris @ Toque Girls
    July 27, 2011 at 3:15 pm

    Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close was a great, great read. You’ll fall in love with the little boy. You should also read “One Day” by David Nicholls before the movie comes out next month. It’s a very unique approach to writing a story. I don’t want to give away any details so I’ll leave it at that. Other recent faves: The Help, Room, Incendiary.

  • Mary @ stylefyles
    July 27, 2011 at 3:29 pm

    I just finished reading The Help which I thought was FANTASTIC. I’m pretty sure the recommendation came from this blog, but if not, you should check it out stat. Now I’m working on the Paris wife (20% of the way in…and I say it this way because now that I’m reading off a Kindle, all I know are percentages, not page numbers – ha!)

  • AnneW
    July 27, 2011 at 3:29 pm

    Extremely Loud was highly recommended to me… but I couldn’t finish it! Too sad, too weird…. it just made me feel funny. Report back if you enjoy it or not!!

  • Kath
    July 27, 2011 at 3:50 pm

    It seems like you always are reading the best books!! I only enjoy about half the books I’m given to read. Have you hated any of your recent ones?

  • Karen
    July 27, 2011 at 4:02 pm

    On your recommendation, I’m reading The Violets of March…I’m really enjoying this breezy summer read, though it’s a bit lighter than my usual fare. I can’t wait to dive back into it tonight!

    I’ve never been disappointed with your recommendations, Jenna, but I can’t say I enjoyed the Murder’s Daughters much. Though I admire the author’s bravery in telling a tough (and all too common story) I don’t think it was written particularly well and I would have liked to see the characters develop psychologically as they aged. It was just mediocre in my view.

  • Jackie @ That Deep Breath
    July 27, 2011 at 4:18 pm

    I just picked up The Murderer’s Daughters and By The Time You Read This (by Lola Jaye)…I’m so excited to get started reading them tonight!

  • holly
    July 27, 2011 at 4:19 pm

    reading ‘maine’ great beach read!

  • TanyaS
    July 27, 2011 at 4:21 pm

    Just finished the Bonesetter’s Daughter. I was surprised that I loved it. Amy Tan has an awesome writing style that can make stories from a century ago seem very current.

  • Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga
    July 27, 2011 at 4:27 pm

    “I tend to pick up on things later than the rest….like Grey’s Anatomy…and Glee.”

    Well, I’ve never picked up on those!

    Nor Harry Potter, nor do I even have one board made out on Pinterest. But I have an account and I have followers, I just havent done anything with it. Later than everyone else to that party, too 🙂

  • Kat
    July 27, 2011 at 4:33 pm

    I’m currently reading Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer and I’m loving it.

  • Molly @ RDexposed
    July 27, 2011 at 4:42 pm

    My Name is Memory!

    • jen
      August 1, 2011 at 11:51 am

      I loved My Name is Memory! And I heard she is making it into a trilogy…?!!!

  • Emma Ruth
    July 27, 2011 at 4:50 pm

    currently “the girl who kicked the hornets nest”. just finished the second and excited to finish up the series!

  • Urban Wife
    July 27, 2011 at 4:52 pm

    Sadly, I’m pretty much right there with any others who are late to the party! 🙂 Currently, I’m reading Mere Christianity (C.S. Lewis) and The Light of the Evening (Edna O’Brien).

  • Carol
    July 27, 2011 at 4:56 pm

    The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot – can’t put it down ! Nonfiction – Doctors took her cells without asking. Those cells never died . They launched a medical revolution and a multimillion-dollar industry.
    More than 20 years later her children found out . Their lives would be the same .
    A must read for you Jenna !!!!

  • Claire!
    July 27, 2011 at 5:04 pm

    Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close is one of my FAVORITE books of all time! I read it many years ago but am now tempted to pick it up again.

  • Emily
    July 27, 2011 at 5:05 pm

    Oh man, I hate when you fidn a book you think you’ll absolutely adore and then it turns out to be a dud.

    I’m rotating between Crazy Sexy Diet and The Debt Free Graduate. CSD is AMAZING and the money book? Intimidating.

  • Krista
    July 27, 2011 at 5:20 pm

    I just finished Breakfast with Buddha by Ronald Merullo for my book club. I highly recommend!

  • The Healthy Engineer
    July 27, 2011 at 5:38 pm

    I’m gonna go on a looooong plane ride soon so I need books to keep me entertained!

  • Julie @ Sugarfoot Eats
    July 27, 2011 at 5:40 pm

    I just finished reading Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner and really enjoyed it!

  • Angie
    July 27, 2011 at 5:55 pm

    Jenna – I love the variety of your blog. People still ask for your favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe since i made them for people at work last fall 🙂 I love the book reviews and now have to add “extremely loud” to my long list of books to read! Thanks for the great read 🙂

  • Andrea
    July 27, 2011 at 6:15 pm

    Jenna (and all blog readers)! You MUST MUST read Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin. It’s the perfect read for the summer because it hooks you in, it’s not too “deep”, and the way she writes from two different perspectives is amazing. I LOVED IT!!!!! For me, I enjoyed it more than Violets of March, which was still a very good book!

    • Baking N Books
      July 27, 2011 at 6:31 pm

      I love her! I want to read that…and I have to stop commenting on this thread and not be so spooky…I can’t help it! Love to talk about books clearly…gulp 😉

      • Andrea
        July 27, 2011 at 7:35 pm

        Oh you have to read it!! It’s SO good!! I love her books as well, but this is probably my favorite so far.

  • Maddy
    July 27, 2011 at 6:19 pm

    Extremely Loud is so amazing and one-of-a-kind! One of the most idiosyncratic, fascinating protagonists, and an all-time favorite read. Truly original, breathtakingly poignant, I could go on and on. Enjoy!

  • Joelle (On A Pink Typewriter)
    July 27, 2011 at 6:27 pm

    I read Everything is Illuminated a few years ago, and it was pretty good! Not my fav, but not terrible.. the author is very.. descriptive 😉 you’ll see what I mean. There’s already a movie out about it btw, starring Elijah Wood from years ago! It’s kinda meh.. I also highly recommend The Unbearable Lightness of Being – similar to this book, but a billion times better!

  • Jersey Girl
    July 27, 2011 at 6:48 pm

    I just finished Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan. Loved it! Definitely a great beach read.

  • Christina
    July 27, 2011 at 6:58 pm

    Hey Jenna!

    I absolutely adore the outfit you had on during your previous post. As far as reading, I am reading “Have a Little Faith” by Mitch Albom. Next on my list is Nicholas Sparks’ “Three Weeks with my Brother”. Have you read either??

  • Anna @ Food Fitness and Frolicking
    July 27, 2011 at 7:10 pm

    I’ve read Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close and it’s AWESOME. You should really enjoy it!

  • Janna
    July 27, 2011 at 7:11 pm

    I’m currently reading sex and the city lol it’s actually very entertaining and really different from the series

  • Alex
    July 27, 2011 at 7:23 pm

    read it for a class! love it. love foer. hes an amazing writer. some people criticize him for being too “artistic” or like somewhat contrived but i love it. i dont find it contrived at all.

  • kaila @ healthy helper!
    July 27, 2011 at 7:40 pm

    Right now I am reading the pretty little liars series and Native Son!

  • Alex
    July 27, 2011 at 7:40 pm

    also, read a heartbreaking work of staggering genius by david eggers. AMAZING.

  • Dynamics
    July 27, 2011 at 7:43 pm

    I read Clan of the Cave Bear and Valley of the Horses ions ago. Jean Auel is coming out with the final book. I need to catch up. I finished Mammoth Hunters last week and will be starting on Plains of Passage this weekend. I hope to finish it and Shelters of Stone before the new book reaches me from the library. I am on the wait list and there are 163 people ahead of me.

  • Ginny
    July 27, 2011 at 7:58 pm

    Oh.My.Goodness. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is extremely and incredibly amazing. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!! Definitely top 5 for me (and I’m and English major, so I read a lot!)

  • Ashley
    July 27, 2011 at 9:05 pm

    Oh, that is too bad you didn’t like it, I loved The Widow of the South. It was pretty slow at first, but once the story got going I really started to enjoy it! I love Civil War subjected books!

  • Ashley
    July 27, 2011 at 9:48 pm

    East of Eden!!!! Why did I wait so long!??!?

  • Alyssa Trobacher
    July 27, 2011 at 9:54 pm

    Hi there! I’ve never commented before, but have been reading a long time. I felt compelled today to mention a book I just read by the same Jonathan Safran Foer called Eating Animals which is FANTASTIC! and you should definitely read. Made a huge difference already in my life. Thanks for listening.

  • Julie - StressStories
    July 27, 2011 at 10:34 pm

    Extremely loud… is soo good! I both laughed and cried and absolutely loved it.

    I’m reading ‘Minding Frankie’ by Maeve Binchy. Not as good as some of her other books I think. It’s weird how an author can write in a smooth and thrilling language in one book, and then be kind of ‘flat’ and with dull language in the next one…

  • Vaala ?
    July 27, 2011 at 11:36 pm

    Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close was an amazing reading experience. Brilliant book. His other book, Everything Is Illuminated, is also awesome. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did. A movie, hmmm…

    …which makes me think of another great book I read that I have since heard is being made into a movie, Cloud Atlas. Have you read that one? Very different again.

  • Cathy
    July 28, 2011 at 1:24 am

    Still Alice……one of the best books I’ve ever read.

    • Karen
      July 28, 2011 at 10:36 am

      Oh, I agree…that was a great book!

  • megan @ blackberries for jam
    July 28, 2011 at 2:40 am

    I’m reading Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close right now! It’s fantastic so far. Quirky and insightful.

  • Jessie
    July 28, 2011 at 4:47 am

    I am finishing up The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest. Great trilogy if you can get past the first 100 pages of the first book (a LOT of Swedish background). Thanks for you book reviews. Book club starts in August again and I need some recommendations!

  • Christy
    July 28, 2011 at 5:45 am

    My book club is reading Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand right now. It’s not fast paced, more of a nice leisurely read.

  • Laura
    July 28, 2011 at 6:10 am

    I had to read Extremely Loud for a class in college – LOVED it. One of my favorite books, and I’m looking forward to the movie. I’m sure I’ll have to re-read it after seeing the movie to refresh my memory. Right now I’m actually reading something by Jonathan Safran Foer – Eating Animals.

  • Terri
    July 28, 2011 at 6:24 am

    New York
    It’s U.S. history but it is written so well and is an amazingly fascinating story!

  • Anne
    July 28, 2011 at 6:25 am

    Love J-S-F !!! You should read her wife too, Nicole Krauss, as good !

  • Baby's Moon
    July 28, 2011 at 7:29 am

    Love this “Wednesday books” – reading a lot of stuff I otherwise never would have looked at… Just “Homemade Life” and “Violets of March” (which I read in about 8hrs! – good book but was looking for a little bit more on the ending!) Currently reading “My Year with Eleanor” and asked hubby to pick up “The Help” today when he goes to Walmart….going to check out the “Lost Ravioli Recipes of Hoboken” too

  • kaethe
    July 28, 2011 at 7:50 am

    extremely loud is my favorite book of all time. I don’t cry in movies…or when I read books…. and I DEFINITELY cried reading that one.

    So so so good.

  • JenS
    July 28, 2011 at 9:49 am

    Jenna,

    Thanks for the book recommendations! I’m reading the Secret Daughter right now, but just finished Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. Loved it. Also glad to know that I’m not the only one who couldn’t get through Widow of the South. I rarely quit reading a book, esp after making it to the middle, but I just couldn’t bring myself to keep reading 🙁

  • Erin D
    July 28, 2011 at 11:23 am

    I love your book recs! I just read “Girl in Translation” which i LOVED. I have also read two hilarious books by Jonathan Tropper this summer, “This is Where I Leave You” and “Everything Changes”. His writing style is unique, hilarious and most definitely a page turner. You’d conquer them in a day, for sure.

  • Helena
    July 28, 2011 at 11:33 am

    Oh, I love anything by Jonathan Safran Foer! His writing is so good and to-the-point. I first read “Eating Animals” (I’m a vegeterian), and I was stunned when I realized that not only his research was good, but also that he could write so well 🙂

  • Rachel @ the Avid Appetite
    July 28, 2011 at 11:37 am

    Extremely Loud is a great read – esp as someone who was in NYC on 9/11. Right now, I’m reading A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard. It is horrifying yet inspiring – she is an amazing person and I cannot.put.this.book.down.

  • Lauren
    July 28, 2011 at 11:57 am

    Extremely Loud was amazing! I absolutely loved it, and I hope you do too!

    I’m reading a (very short) novel called Bad Marie right now, by Marcy Dermansky. It’s interesting – the tone of the book is very witty and flippant, which is very contrary to the subject matter. It’s not my absolute favorite book, but I’m enjoying it.

  • Morgan
    July 28, 2011 at 12:53 pm

    I read Widow of the South too and didn’t enjoy it. I forced myself to finish it though. I’m currently reading The Red Tent, which is alright.

  • Caitlin in MD
    July 28, 2011 at 1:00 pm

    Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close is a fantastic book. Foer is an original and so very talented. After I finished reading, I closed the book and literally had to sit there for a while and collect my thoughts and try to wrap my head around what I just read.

  • Stephanie@eatingfromtheheart
    July 28, 2011 at 1:35 pm

    “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” will change your life. It remains the best book I have ever read.

  • Brindi
    July 28, 2011 at 2:37 pm

    I just finished Jennifer Cruise’s new book “Maybe This Time” and I’m now reading “Water For Elephants.”

  • Nicole
    July 28, 2011 at 2:51 pm

    We did “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” for our book club and it turned out to be one of my favorite books. I will say it can be a tough book to read in small amounts. I seemed to understand it more when I was actually able to read for a longer period of time. I hope you love it!

  • Mich
    July 28, 2011 at 7:35 pm

    I read the second book you are reading for book club a while ago- and I remember liking it 😉 Reading Erik Larson at the moment myself- def. recommend it! “In the Garden of Beasts”. xoxo.

  • Kim Foster, MD
    July 28, 2011 at 10:30 pm

    Just finished reading Eat, Pray, Love. So awesome. And sooo much better than the movie.

  • Heather Fischer
    July 29, 2011 at 9:42 am

    Jenna your book highlights and reviews are so helpful! I love checking out your blog for my next great book to read. Thanks for being an honest blogger – your posts are interesting, real, and delightful to read. Always brightens my day!

    • jenna
      July 29, 2011 at 11:20 am

      thanks so much! 🙂

  • Mel
    July 29, 2011 at 9:34 pm

    I know this post was from a few days ago, but I thought I would tell you that I have LOVED nearly every book I’ve read that you’ve recommended, which so far has been nine total! My absolute favorite was American Wife. I felt like the author was so delicate and sensitive in the shaping of that character, it was so moving. The only one I wasn’t a big fan of was My Name is Mary Sutter. It was on your summer reading list, have you read it yet? Anyhow, I hope you continue to read fabulous books and pass them on! I never used to read much contemporary fiction and chose to stick to the classics, but your book selections have inspired some changes within me. Thank you!

  • Jenna
    July 30, 2011 at 4:46 pm

    Just finished “The Island” by Elin Hilderbrand on vacation at Anna Maria Island, FL!! A really good beach read!!

  • Koko
    July 31, 2011 at 8:46 pm

    I am reading Widow of the South and agree, just can’t get into it! I hate when that happens since I always want to give the book the benefit of the doubt! I’ll have to try the new one you posted!

  • a tuesday book review — Eat, Live, Run
    September 20, 2011 at 12:50 pm

    […] terms of Civil War books, I liked this book way more than this one, which shocked me because the latter came highly recommended by another book nerd friend. […]

  • Amy
    November 9, 2011 at 4:45 am

    You can actually visit her house and the graveyard in Franklin, TN. The visit made the book so real to me. I agree, the book was a little slow in some places, but when you walk in the bedroom and see the bloodstains on the wood floor, you realize these were realpeople who fought for what they believed in. It really brought it home to me.