ALL-TIME FAVORITE BOOKSBEAN TREES -- Barbara Kingsolver -- This story demonstrates that power of love conquers all. Beautifully written and memorable.
BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY -- Robert Waller -- I love a good love story and this is one that I enjoyed reading. I liked the film adaptation as well.
FRIED GREEN TOMATOES -- Fannie Flagg -- Endearing, effective and memorable characters and language of the depression era in the South fill every page of this book.
HERE ON EARTH Alice Hoffman - What a storyteller! Hoffman shows how the past has such a powerful hold on us -- you can't really escape it-- you have to learn to be stronger than it!
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA -- A cultural awakening for me! The geisha in this story is a heroine who has somehow found peace in her heart to have survived the life she was forced to live. I would love to meet this woman in real life.
MRS. DALLOWAY -- Virginia Woolf -- Stream of consciousness style is the key feature of this book. It will give you the ability to see Clarissa Dalloway's strengths, although on the surface, she seems all fluff. But in truth Clarissa is a survivor! I love the development of this character.
OUTERMOST HOUSE -- Henry Beston -- I was completely entranced by this book. It captured the sea, sand and nature of the Cape. The only phrase to describe the book and the feeling it evokes is "perfect harmony."
SHELL SEEKERS -- Rosamunde Pilcher -- I hated to leave this book. Penelope is the key to three generations of a family, and through her you can become so absorbed in the family.
SHES COME UNDONE -- Wally Lamb -- Dolores is an overweight emotional mess whose family is totally dysfunctional. she somehow managers to grow stronger from her life's adversities to overcome all the hardships. As she comes of age, she blossoms into a woman who has control of her world.
SUMMER SISTERS -- Judy Blume -- I read this in 3 sittings. This book evokes personal memories of growing up, forever-friends and coming of age. This is a great story with so much depth about the bond of friendships, life, love and survival.
THE COLOR PURPLE -- Alice Walker -- A book that can be reread over and over. Haunting and beautiful. The Dear God entries are my favorite pieces.
THEIR EYES WERE WATCHING GOD -- Zora Neal Hurston -- Janie is a powerful character who touches your heart and soul. Her life and struggles are inspiring to all woman. I love the style of Hurston's writing with the dialect and the expressions.
WHAT LOOKS LIKE CRAZY ON AN ORDINARY DAY -- Pearl Cleage -- Real life -- falling in love -- dealing with major life issues -- and above all surviving to live one day at a time. Hard to put this book down.
MUST
READ BOOKSANGELA'S ASHES -- Frank McCourt -- The story was so powerful that I could only read small doses at a time. Nevertheless, it's a "must read" book.
BELOVED -- Toni Morrison -- Slavery and all it embodies set the background for the haunting story of baby's death. Oprah has just made the movie, but I don't see how she could capture all the complex storylines of this novel. You should read the book before seeing the movie.
BLACK AND BLUE -- Ann Quindlan -- There is realism in the struggle to break from spousal abuse that has imprisoned her and will continue to imprison her in one way or another all her life. This story leaves you feeling sad.
BOOK OF RUTH -- The human cpacity for mercy love and survival are exemplified in this memorable story.
IN SEARCH OF OUR MOTHER'S GARDENS -- All women should read this book for it shows the truths that we often hide from ourselves.
JOY LUCK CLUB -- Amy Tan -- The inextricable link between mothers and daughters -- one of my favorite subjects to read about. This book explores the topic through the connection of 4 Chinese women and their families. Its a bonding experience.
MAYBE THE MOON -- Armistead Maupin -- Cadence Roth (I love this character)-- a 31" dwarf whose personality and charm make her 6 feet tall. There are parts of this book that may be a little racey for some.
PORTRAIT OF AN ARTIST AS A YOUNG MAN -- James Joyce -- This is a classic book because it is an autobiography of James Joyce himself. You can see stages of his complex personal development which are reflected in his other writings like the Dubliners.
SCARLET LETTER -- Nathaniel Hawthorne -- This is a classic example of tragedy, symbolism and excellent character development.
SLOW WALTZ IN CEDAR BEND -- Robert Waller -- This book is based on the same storyline as Bridges of Madison County. Middle-aged man meets a married middle-aged woman and they unintentionally fall in love. Their love unleashes the woman's free spirit which had been trapped in her marriage. It's a formula that seems to work all the time.
THE NOTEBOOK -- Nicholas Sparks -- A great love story that made me cherish the everyday life of my own marriage. It's especially memorable if you listen to this book on tape.
TURTLE MOON -- Alice Hoffman -- Alice Hoffman's characters are always memorable. Lucy Rosen is no exception. She becomes so real that you feel as though you are right there as she makes her way through this haunting story.
GOOD
READINGA CURE FOR DREAMS -- Kaye Gibbons -- Another story of generations of women in a family. Good read.
LOVES MUSIC, LOVES TO DANCE -- Mary Higgins Clark -- I read lots of Clark's mysteries but this one stuck out in my mind. One scene, in particular, comes to mind when I think of this book . It really haunted me.
PIGS IN HEAVEN -- Barbara Kingsolver -- Sequel to Bean Trees. The best feature is great character development. The writing style is witty. The story gives an interesting but not serious look at family and culture and the moral dilemmas that face so many broken families.
SUMMER GLOVES -- Sarah Gilbert -- This is a good book, sometimes funny and sometimes sad about a woman who has to find her own self-worth.
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