Read Any Good Books Lately?

[bluerose]

I love all the Tony Hillerman novels. Set in the American Southwest, they are about a Navajo lawman who investigates crimes on the rez. Hillerman is one of those that weaves the real life qualities, traditions, and philosophies of the tribal Indians into the story, that educates, and gives a fascinating glimpse into their life. Great novels. I would start with The Blessing Way or Falling Man. Falling Man is my favorite, but the others, beginning with the Blessing Way, give you a lot of context for the lead character.

:bowdown: Thank you for recommending the late, great Tony Hillerman! Like Bonnie, I, too, was sad when he passed, taking with him many unwritten Chee and Leaphorn adventures with him. He mentored Aimee and David Thurlo, two other great Southwest authors in their own right (Aimee passed away last February), and they, in turn, gave me encouragement when I launched my writing career. I like to think that the ink from Hillerman’s pen flows through mine this way!

I have not read “Spider Woman’s Daughter”, Anne Hillerman’s book with continues the series begun by her father, but from the point of view of a different character, but I hear it is excellent… I may have to revisit Hillerman’s work soon!

And speaking of Aimee and David Thurlo, one of their best series was the Sister Agatha mystery series. There are six books in the series and the main character is Sister Agatha, an extern nun in a cloistered convent in northern New Mexico who rides a Harley (when the convent’s “anti-Chrysler” isn’t running) with a retired police dog named Pax riding in the side car. Quirky, but faithful to the Church, you won’t find anything offensive in these books!

 

[Bonnie]

And speaking of Aimee and David Thurlo, one of their best series was the Sister Agatha mystery series. There are six books in the series and the main character is Sister Agatha, an extern nun in a cloistered convent in northern New Mexico who rides a Harley (when the convent’s “anti-Chrysler” isn’t running) with a retired police dog named Pax riding in the side car. Quirky, but faithful to the Church, you won’t find anything offensive in these books!

That sounds sort of familiar. I wonder if I read one of the books. I’ll have to check to see if the library has any.

Added: Just checked & they have a bunch! Thanks for the tip.

 

[Maria_Monte]

You can check out Catholicfiction’s website for recommendations: catholicfiction.net/

My novel Nearer the Dawn, a book about faith in God, is second on their Top Rated list. I also have another novel, Rain from Heaven, about God’s mercy. (Each is $.99 until the end of the year with all net profits going to my parish, which is struggling financially.)

If you like mysteries, you might check out another writer who is a CAF poster: Amy Bennett. She’s published two which I recommend: End of the Road and No Lifeguard on Duty.

Kay Cee, I’ve read both of your books and enjoyed them and can honestly say that Rain from Heaven has helped me in my spiritual journey. That is a great price; I think they are worth far more. I hope that you raise a lot of money for your parish.

 

[pianistclare]

:bowdown: Thank you for recommending the late, great Tony Hillerman! Like Bonnie, I, too, was sad when he passed, taking with him many unwritten Chee and Leaphorn adventures with him. He mentored Aimee and David Thurlo, two other great Southwest authors in their own right (Aimee passed away last February), and they, in turn, gave me encouragement when I launched my writing career. I like to think that the ink from Hillerman’s pen flows through mine this way!

I have not read “Spider Woman’s Daughter”, Anne Hillerman’s book with continues the series begun by her father, but from the point of view of a different character, but I hear it is excellent… I may have to revisit Hillerman’s work soon!

And speaking of Aimee and David Thurlo, one of their best series was the Sister Agatha mystery series. There are six books in the series and the main character is Sister Agatha, an extern nun in a cloistered convent in northern New Mexico who rides a Harley (when the convent’s “anti-Chrysler” isn’t running) with a retired police dog named Pax riding in the side car. Quirky, but faithful to the Church, you won’t find anything offensive in these books!

ooo. Thanks! I’l look those up!

 

[PoliSciProf]

My father landed on Normandy six days after D-Day and my father-in-law was at Iwo Jima so I tend to read a lot about WWII.

Lauren Hildenbrand: The Unbroken(this best seller transcends the WWII genre. Read it before you see the hit movie)

James Scott: The War Below (Sub warfare in WWII focusing on the heroics of the USS Silversides, Drum and Tang)

Alan Rems: South Pacific Cauldron (Lesser known Pacific battles)

Civil War Battles:

Alan Guelzo: Gettysburg: The Last Invasion (the only book you will ever need to read about this battle)

Richard Slotkin: The Long Road toAntietam (the battle through the motives and personalities of Lee, Davis, McClellan and Lincoln)

Finally, one on Eisenhower’s presidency:
Evan Thomas: Ike’s Bluff

 

[jmcrae]

I read two good books this year: The Accident by Linwood Barclay, and I Am Malala, by Malala Yousafzai.

 

[StudentMI]

I finished Diary of a Country Priest by Georges Bernanos a month ago. I really liked it. Very beautiful and devout work of literature. Just started another novel of his, The Imposter, which is so far good.

 

[Crown_of_Stars]

I read constantly! Lately, I’ve been in a biblical fiction mood. I’ve read all of the little novels by Francine Rivers about the five women of the Bible in the “Lineage of Grace.” Right now, I’m about halfway through Angela Hunt’s “Dreamers” and it’s extremely interesting and riveting, without being distastefully graphic. Before that, I’ve read “Claudia: The Wife of Pontius Pilate” by Diana Wallis Taylor, and also by her “Journey To The Well.” I’ve read Angela Hunt’s “Magdalene” about Mary Magdalene, and another version of the Samaritan woman titled “The Well,” but I can’t remember the author. I’ve also read other versions of Mary Magdalene’s story, and they’re all just so interesting. I’ve loved all of them.

 

[StSentry83]

Do you like mysteries? I really enjoy anything at all by Agatha Christie, but especially the Poirot mystery novels. “And Then There Were None” and “Murder on the Orient Express” would be my two recommendations there, though the former is not Poirot.

 

[Kay_Cee]

Kay Cee, I’ve read both of your books and enjoyed them and can honestly say that Rain from Heaven has helped me in my spiritual journey. That is a great price; I think they are worth far more. I hope that you raise a lot of money for your parish.

I hope so too. Today’s the last day when they’ll both be just $.99 with all net profits going there. Glad you enjoyed them!

 

[Crown_of_Stars]

Do you like mysteries? I really enjoy anything at all by Agatha Christie, but especially the Poirot mystery novels. “And Then There Were None” and “Murder on the Orient Express” would be my two recommendations there, though the former is not Poirot.

Believe it or not, I used to read what they call “fluffy” mysteries, or “cozy” mysteries. I’m not into that anymore, but some of the cozies were all right if they weren’t too silly and without much substance. But then I guess that’s why they’re called “fluff,” because they’re not supposed to have much to them. I’ve never read Agatha Christie. I might try her sometime. I’ve read Mary Higgins Clark, because she’s not graphic or too violent. Although, by her, I thought “Where Are the Children” and “All Around the Town” had disturbing content (the abuse of a little girl) I haven’t been into mysteries though for years.

 

[Bonnie]

Believe it or not, I used to read what they call “fluffy” mysteries, or “cozy” mysteries.

Me, too. The only ones I still read, when I want something light, are the Mrs. Pollifax mystery/adventure stories.

I’ve read Mary Higgins Clark, because she’s not graphic or too violent. Although, by her, I thought “Where Are the Children” and “All Around the Town” had disturbing content (the abuse of a little girl) I haven’t been into mysteries though for years.

I heard a talk a while back by an author (& ex-cop) of police procedurals. He was warned by his publisher to not have a child be a murder victim. He did anyway, and had to change publishers. I read it, in spite of being warned. Wish I hadn’t - it was one of the most depressing & realistic police novels I’ve read.

 

[bluerose]

Believe it or not, I used to read what they call “fluffy” mysteries, or “cozy” mysteries. I’m not into that anymore, but some of the cozies were all right if they weren’t too silly and without much substance. But then I guess that’s why they’re called “fluff,” because they’re not supposed to have much to them. I’ve never read Agatha Christie. I might try her sometime. I’ve read Mary Higgins Clark, because she’s not graphic or too violent. Although, by her, I thought “Where Are the Children” and “All Around the Town” had disturbing content (the abuse of a little girl) I haven’t been into mysteries though for years.

You might enjoy the Sister Agatha mysteries by Aimee and David Thurlo. There are only six, but that was because the author refused to make changes that the publisher was asking of the main character (Sister Agatha)–namely, not so much praying and perhaps a love interest. The author said she’d rather end the series than make such changes! I think they’re the best books these authors ever wrote!

 

[Kay_Cee]

You might enjoy the Sister Agatha mysteries by Aimee and David Thurlo. There are only six, but that was because the author refused to make changes that the publisher was asking of the main character (Sister Agatha)–namely, not so much praying and perhaps a love interest. The author said she’d rather end the series than make such changes! I think they’re the best books these authors ever wrote!

Good for her!

 

[iepuras]

Since it is already on your list, I recommend reading Something Other Than God. It had been on my stack of books to read and was able to pick it up since I’ve been on vacation. I read it in less than 36 hours (and I spent the day at the zoo during that time). It was a quick and engaging read. I am a convert and much of her journey resonated with mine.

 

[Crown_of_Stars]

You might enjoy the Sister Agatha mysteries by Aimee and David Thurlo. There are only six, but that was because the author refused to make changes that the publisher was asking of the main character (Sister Agatha)–namely, not so much praying and perhaps a love interest. The author said she’d rather end the series than make such changes! I think they’re the best books these authors ever wrote!

Good for her! Clearly, the publisher cared more about sex than God, as does most of our demoralized culture.

 

[Midwest88]

Yay! I hope other CAFers are finding these useful, too.

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I really enjoy these types of threads. It adds more books to my queue. Aahhh!