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The English major in me comes out when I read for pleasure and while I do enjoy light reading, these are books I can recommend because they are really well written. Amazon offers reviews on the pages you will be linked to, check them out and decide for yourself. Just click on the hyperlink to go to the Amazon site.
Above and Beyond by Derek Stockton. The story of a German WWII fighter ace,
it is an excellent read filled with vivid and well researched details that
capture the excitement and horror of the dog fight and war. This is a book about
healing as well. Written by former knifemaker, Murad Sayen, under the pen name
of Derek Stockton, it is a remarkable first novel. You can read a few chapters online
to get the favor of the book before you buy.
Maine, The Home Place, by Murad Sayen. A photo
essay on Maine. Beautifully done photographs and essays on Maine.
Cold Mountain by Charles
Frazier. This is a novel set in North Carolina during the civil war. It is beautifully
written and covers life in the mountains during the war. Hard to put down and in the end
disturbing and thought provoking. My first introduction to this book came during a long
car ride from Wisconsin. Carla read the first chapter to us as we rolled along and I was
hooked.
All the Pretty Horses
by Cormac McCarthy. A novel set in the hill country of Texas and northern Mexico. It is so
well written it has to be read word by word, the images stark and memorable. Good read.
The Crossing by Cormac
McCarthy volume two in the Border Trilogy. McCarthy is a significant writer and if you are
complaining about no good books out there, start here.
Cities of the Plains
by Cormac McCarthy. I have to confess I didn't know this one was out, but am going to get
it immediately and complete the set.
The Stone Diaries by Carol
Shields. This is a strange tale of a family with the warp and weave of real life. It is
strange and fun and confusing and touching and hard to put down. It is hard to describe
her style, but her writing is wonderful.
Musashi by Eiji
Yoshikawa. This is the best book on the Samurai warrior. Great tale, full of the mystery
of Bushido, the way of the warrior, and is a classic in Japan. Great read.