bittermuch? 0 Report post Posted October 4, 2010 Hi. Our book club needs some relatively light reading for the next few months - one of our members was recently the victim of a violent crime, and we don't want to read anything too intense or upsetting or depressing for awhile. Any recommendations? We want something interesting and challenging, but without violence or too much sadness...no animals/children/cute old people dying, etc. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Serendipity 12 Report post Posted October 4, 2010 So sorry to hear about your book club member's ordeal. Sincere wishes for a strong recovery on all levels! Don't know if I'd call it challenging, but I've been enjoying "Girls Like Us" by Sheila Weller. It's about Carole King, Joni Mitchell and Carly Simon, but is not a cut & dried bio of the three women. Where it would have been very easy to make this a 3-part bio, the author divides each section into a 4 or 5 year time span, and the narrative describes the lives of these women during that time, from their girlhood insecurities, family lives, and how their music shaped their lives (and obviously the lives of others). It's a glimpse back to the days when women weren't always so accepted in the music industry, to the wild and free times of the LA scene in the 1960's, to.... I'm not sure yet, because I'm still reading it. The author describes it in her acknowledgments as "three women, three moments, one journey." I'm enjoying it very much and my boyfriend is anxious to read it when I'm done. In the back of the book, the author poses questions and topics for discussion, too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hoyaheel 1,874 Report post Posted October 4, 2010 I'm not good with Book Clubs, but here are some lighter, I-don't-think-anyone-dies books I've enjoyed: Adriana Trigiani Valentine series - first two are out, 3rd due early next year I think. Very Valentine, Brava Valentine. Something by Peter Mayle or Frances Mayes (A Year in the World - such lovely travel essays) Summer We Read Gatsby? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
branchop 319 Report post Posted October 6, 2010 (edited) One of my favorite authors is Jennifer Crusie (old stuff, her new collaborative efforts are well....not good) Funny, romance novels with a cast of crazy characters. In my opinion her best is Welcome to Temptation. ETA: Ithink there is a dead body in that one - very weird side story. Try Bet Me or Manhunting. Bet Me has better supporting characters. Edited October 6, 2010 by branchop Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ranchdog 0 Report post Posted October 6, 2010 Two wonderful authors come to mind. If you have not read "I Capture the Castle" by Dodie Smith, I recommend it. this novel, written in diary form, of an intriguing, eccentric English family who live in a 14th century castle in the English countryside. It has humor, joy and a charm of its own. Perhaps it is time to read or read Barbara Pym, sort of a 20th century Jane Austen. Her books, although also written about a small slice of English life, have wit and depth and wonderful writing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fykeylicious 1,099 Report post Posted October 6, 2010 Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster is a delight, very charming. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hoyaheel 1,874 Report post Posted October 8, 2010 Lunch in Paris by Elizabeth Bard. http://elizabethbard.blogspot.com/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bittermuch? 0 Report post Posted October 11, 2010 Thanks for all the recommendations! I'll check them out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites