As a lover of both lists and books, a website like Goodreads is my happy place. When I was a kid, I kept lists of books I read, but eventually I lost interest. Those pieces of filler paper were tossed in the trash with my old Tiger Beat posters of C. Thomas Howell and Michael Jackson.
The statistics dork in me would love to know how many books I have read over the course of my life. I have been keeping a record since 2007, first on Shelfari and then on Goodreads. There are 553 books on my “Read” shelf, and I have written reviews on this blog for over one hundred of those books. Yet these are only books that I’ve read recently; there are so many oldies but goodies on my shelf that I’ve never shared.
May is Get Caught Reading Month, which is the perfect opportunity to share ten great books that you may not have read. Not only are these some of my favorite books, but they each have a four-star rating or better on Goodreads. When you are #243 on the library waitlist for the newest novels, or when you want an inexpensive ebook to add to your Kindle, choose a read from this list! Unlike pegged jeans and teased bangs, books never go out of style.
The Amazon links in this post are affiliate links; see my disclosure for the small print.
1. I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb
I’m a fan of all of Lamb’s novels, but this is my favorite. It is a family saga told in both the present and in flashbacks, centering on Dominick Birdsey and his schizophrenic identical twin Thomas. It’s an epic read at almost 900 pages, but it’s worth it.
2. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
If you missed this novel and its movie adaption, add both to your list. Read the book first (ALWAYS read the book first). How does a black maid, her sassy best friend, and her white employer’s 22-year-old daughter change their small Mississippi town in the early 1960s? The Help tells their story with heart and humor.
3. The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
The Boleyn sisters are best friends and fighting for the love of a king. Even knowing how it ends, Gregory makes me care about the Tudor court and all its drama and intrigue. Every book in the series is good, but The Other Boleyn Girl was the one that made me fall in love with historical fiction.
4. If I Never Get Back by Darryl Brock
It’s the summer of ’69, and reporter Sam Brock is all about baseball. That’s 1869, by the way, and Sam is somehow transported there from present day. Just go with it, and enjoy the experience of post-Civil War America. Add in the first pro baseball players, a love interest, and Mark Twain, and you have an interesting and fun read that is perfect for summer.
5. The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
Biblical Jacob’s daughter Dinah is barely mentioned in religious text. Diamant creates a novel for her, and in doing so brings biblical women to life and gives them the voice previously reserved solely for men.
6. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
The first dystopian novel I ever read, The Handmaid’s Tale horrified and fascinated me as a teenager. In the Republic of Gilead, women are not permitted to read, and Offred is a Handmaid, valuable only for her ovaries. Yet she can remember a time before, when she had a husband, a child, a job, and a life that was her own.
It was recently announced that this novel is coming to Hulu, in a ten-episode series with Elizabeth Moss as Offred. Let’s hope it is better than the 1990 movie version; play it safe and just read the book.
7. Delirium by Lauren Oliver
Another dystopian novel, this one is YA and the first in a trilogy. Love is considered a disease, and all citizens must receive the cure when they turn 18. It’s the typical YA formula (of course our heroine falls in love), but it works. It is teen-approved as well; my daughter loved all three.
8. Beautiful Boy: A Father’s Journey Through His Son’s Addiction by David Sheff
It is every parent’s nightmare: the vibrant and healthy child becomes the lying, stealing meth addict. Sheff has lived through this nightmare, and his memoir wrestles with the hows and the whys. It is not an easy read, but it is an important one.
9. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
Enzo is Denny’s faithful companion. He is also a dog, and he is the narrator of this book. On the eve of his death, Enzo becomes philosophical about life, as he recalls the ups and downs of his time with Denny. You will laugh, you will cry, and you will want to rescue a million puppies.
10. The Color of Water: A Black Man’s Tribute to His White Mother by James McBride
In this memoir, McBride tells his mother’s story. Rachel Shilsky was the daughter of a Polish orthodox rabbi who emigrated to American in 1921. She married a black minister, was widowed twice, and put her dozen children through college. The book is a fascinating and moving tribute to a woman who told her children that “God is the color of water.”
Happy reading! Do you have any oldies but goodies you care to share?
Fantastic list! The Help and The Other Boelyn Girl are two of my all-time favorites!
I love that you are one of my book-loving friends, Allie. xoxo
Now you have me fascinated with The Other Boleyn Girl. It seems that as I get older, I get more interested in historical/period fiction.
Oh – that’s a good one, Leslie. And Gregory wrote tons of novels, so if you love it you will have plenty of others to enjoy too.
The only one here that I’ve read is “the Help.” That means I’ve got nine more books to add to my list!!
In all of your free time, right? 😉
Such a solid list!
Thanks, Nina. It’s fun to go back and discover the books I still love and recommend years after I read them.
I read The Color of Water in high school, and I thought it was amazing! Also, love The Help 🙂
Me too!
I’ve read a lot of these but The Red Tent is by far one of my very all-time favorites. I adore it. I should read it again. I’m reading Summer Sisters right now because either you or Allie said I should.
It wasn’t me – must be Allie. I need to stop friending avid readers – my to-read list is too long!
i have read 3 of these. i really enjoyed the color of water, so much so that i gave it to my mom to read and she loved it.
My mom reads a lot of what I recommend, so maybe she’ll try that one too.
“If I never get back” needs to be on my summer list. It would be the only title on my summer list, but that’s a start, right? Also, I think we’d all love to see you with teased bangs, just once.
Eli -yes! I think you would like that book, probably even more than I did. I know very little about baseball, but I love when actual historical characters appear in novels.
I’ve read a few of those. Atwood is one of my faves too.
I’m not sure I’ve read anything else by her…maybe one other. I should check out her other novels.
I’ve actually read two of these – The Red Tent & The Help. The Red tent was riveting in a weird way. I’ve also looked at The Art of Racing In The Rain multiple times, but have never actually read it. Great list and glad you linked up!
Me too, Lisa! You’d like The Art of Racing in the Rain, I think, especially because you’re a dog person.
I’m happy to report I’ve read three of these- The Color of Water, The Help (loved!), and The Red Tent (our very first book club book). This is a fantastic list I will save and refer to… Daughter is currently reading 1984, which I’m supposed to read after her. The Handmaid’s Tale sounds like an intriguing follow up. Thanks!
It’s one of the few required reading books that really stuck with me – I liked it better than 1984. But so much symbolism in both!
I was just looking at my copy of The Red Tent the other day — such a fantastic book! (I wish I could say the same thing about Boston Girl, didn’t enjoy that one as much.) And Handmaid’s Tale was also fantastic. I can’t remember if I read The Other Boleyn Girl, but I can see The Constant Princess, another book by Philliipa Gregory, from where I sit and I know I liked that one. Pinned this for future reference, so many great suggestions as always!
I’m with you on Boston Girl – okay, but no comparison with The Red Tent. I haven’t read all of Gregory’s books; I really should pick a few up.
I like the variety in your list! I’ve read two of those – The Help and Delirium. Will have to look into some of these!
Hope you find some other reads to enjoy, Julie!
I had to read the Handmaid’s Tale in college. It’s a classic for a reason! I confess that being an English major and being forced to read for 4 years made me rebel as an adult and read mostly lighter fare like chick-lit (Carole Matthews is a fave) or cozy mysteries (I really like Elaine Viet’s series).
I’m not familiar with either of those – I don’t typically read chick-lit. My lighter fare is usually paranormal/fantasy – sshhh, don’t tell!
Boy do I have my work cut out for me here. I can’t believe I haven’t read “I Know This Much Is True.” Mainly, because “She’s Come Undone” was life changing for me.
Also mainly, because.. fun fact.. Wally Lamb is friends with my in-laws! Like.. real friends. Phone numbers and all.
Really? How cool. “I Know This Much is True” was amazing, although I loved “She’s Come Undone” too. I wonder if he has another novel coming out soon? If you find out, let me know!
Thanks for sharing the oldies. They are quicker to get from the library. I’ve read The Help and The Color of Water. Loved the audio for The Color of Water – BUT, there are two versions. I really wanted my mom to listen to it but her libray and audible don’t have the one I listened to. The one I listened to was read by Andre Braugher and Lainie Kazan.
I definitely want #9. If you love the books narrated by a dog check out the Chet & Bernie (audio) series by Spencer Quinn and make sure to read/listen to them in order. Chet’s funny.
I just looked that series up on Audible – I’ve never heard of those books. Sounds like a fun listen; I’ll have to check them out.
–I’ve read 4 of these.
Just added The Art of Racing in the Rain ( I’ve been wanting to read this!)
Thanks for the list! x
Ps. one of my all time favorite books is THE BOOK OF RUTH by Jane Hamilton. ( this was Oprah’s first pick for her book club. I’ve read it several times.
I will check that one out – thanks Kim!
Thanks for your list. I am looking for a book for my next Book Club meeting in June. This is helpful.
My pleasure, Valerie! If you choose one and enjoy it, please let me know.
It is downright scary how many of these are on my all time favorites list – The Red Tent, I Know This Much Is True, The Help and The Other Boleyn Girl! Obviously I need to read the rest and, I’m currently looking for Audible books for my solo trip down to your neck of the woods so this is perfect timing! Does “The Art of Racing in the Rain” have anything to do with actual racing? LOL!
Actually, it does! But not running racing. Denny is a race car driver, and loves to ride with him.
I love your list: I just ordered two to reread and one to read this summer. Thanks!
You’re welcome!
My favorite on your list is totally The Help, but still a few here I haven’t read. So, I am most definitely going to add some of these to my own Goodreads’ list now and thank you as I do love when you share your book suggestions here so much always 😉
My pleasure, Janine!