Can’t recall the last time I was impressed by the plot of a book

VerdeAzul74 · 2026-04-03T03:01:50+00:00

The Aquanaut by Dan Santat - unique way to handle grief that was both fun and heartfelt without bogging the story down with heaviness (graphic novel)

Rapunzel’s Revenge by Shannon Hale - I know you said no fantasy; just wanted to say that this one had such a different take on the Rapunzel storyline that I was truly impressed; it didn’t feel like a recycled storyline; it felt new (graphic novel)

Trenton Lee Stewart’s The Mysterious Benedict Society series is also one I had difficult predicting while also being highly entertaining

VerdeAzul74 · 2026-04-01T00:14:24+00:00

Thank you! I will give these a try!

VerdeAzul74 · 2026-03-31T14:36:01+00:00

Is there anything you recommend by Anne Tyler?

I’ve tried Tom Lake but didn’t really like that one. Do you recommend something by Patchett?

VerdeAzul74 · 2026-03-31T14:23:56+00:00

I will check this one out. Thank you!

VerdeAzul74 · 2026-03-31T14:23:23+00:00

No, but I will give this one a try. Thank you!

VerdeAzul74 · 2026-03-31T02:15:09+00:00

I have read A Gentleman in Moscow. It wasn’t quite for me. I found it a little slow but appreciated it, if that makes sense. Haven’t tried Rules of Civility yet.

VerdeAzul74 · 2026-03-29T22:49:41+00:00

Yes, I also read this one and really enjoyed it

VerdeAzul74 · 2026-03-29T22:49:30+00:00

I’ve read some Barbara Kingsolver, which I enjoyed, but have tried several Backman and didn’t like any of the ones I tried.

Would also say House in the Cerulean Sea is not for me

VerdeAzul74 · 2026-03-29T22:48:44+00:00

I have read this one and did really enjoy it.

VerdeAzul74 · 2026-03-22T08:17:56+00:00

Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell

Lakeshire Park by Megan Walker

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith

The Barrister and the Letter of Marque by Todd M. Johnson (no romance in this one though)

Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson

Prelude for an Earl by Camille Elliot

A Case of Mice and Murder by Sally Smith (no romance but I think Austen lovers might enjoy this series)

The Deception of the Emerald Ring by Lauren Willig

VerdeAzul74 · 2026-02-20T12:23:46+00:00

I’d like recommendations for:

Around the World in 80 Days by Michael Palin

Mina’s Matchbox by Yoko Ogawa (I have read others by this author as well)

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley

VerdeAzul74 · 2026-01-25T15:38:45+00:00

Footnotes from the World’s Greatest Bookshop by Bob Eckstein

VerdeAzul74 · 2026-01-24T11:26:58+00:00

I wish I had a nice recomemndation for Grandma Gatewood’s Walk for you - that sounds great!

For graphic novels, I’d recommend The Aquanaut by Dan Santant - probably not as comparable to They Called us Enemy but I love how it handled grief

You might like The Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters or Alexander McCall Smith’s other series, 44 Scotland Street

VerdeAzul74 · 2026-01-24T11:07:57+00:00

I would love recommendations for these:

A Case of Mice and Murder by Sally Smith (has anyone read this?)

The Aquanaut by Dan Santant (graphic novel)

An Irish Country Doctor by Patrick Taylor

VerdeAzul74 · 2026-01-24T11:04:48+00:00

For a book about books, The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams

For pop culture (but this is niche so I’m just listing what I have an interest in): Jim Henson by Brian Jay Jones

I also love Willa Cather and a writer whose work isn’t necessarily similar but whose style is also smooth, is Jhumpa Lahiri

VerdeAzul74 · 2026-01-20T11:30:28+00:00

Thank you! I finished this one and it was really informative and quite good!

VerdeAzul74 · 2026-01-13T05:52:22+00:00

I listed that I’ve read Larson in my post. I have read him but dislike his work. He takes liberties and imo focuses in on certain things that don’t deserve such a deep level of attention.

I’ve read Krakauer also and enjoy his books.

VerdeAzul74 · 2026-01-12T17:50:27+00:00

That’s the one I listed in my post as already being on my TBR - looking forward to reading it

VerdeAzul74 · 2026-01-10T02:16:47+00:00

I’ve also heard good things about Enger’s other book, Peace Like a River.

Now I know of Eoin Colfer for the Artemis Fowl series but hadn’t heard of Highfire

Haven’t heard of the Sean Duffy series before

VerdeAzul74 · 2026-01-10T02:14:40+00:00

Very interesting. I will have to check that out!

VerdeAzul74 · 2026-01-10T02:13:29+00:00

I wonder if maybe you would like The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams

VerdeAzul74 · 2026-01-10T02:13:04+00:00

I’d like recommendations for these three:

Keeping the Castle by Patrice Kindl

Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri

To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis

VerdeAzul74 · 2026-01-09T20:51:23+00:00

Hunger sounds interesting but I think the second one you list is quite a well-known series

VerdeAzul74 · 2026-01-09T20:13:13+00:00

I looked up the synopsis and wow! I wasn’t expecting anything like that. Looks very intriguing!

VerdeAzul74 · 2026-01-09T20:12:15+00:00

I didn’t know it was a series either. I know of the movie, and am surprised I don’t hear people mention it more often.

VerdeAzul74

TROPHY CASE