What I Read On My Vacation

on May 19, 2011
in Blogger Book Club, Book Club!, Dominican Republic

I am a reading FIEND when it comes to beach vacations.  And thanks to my new Kindle, it’s easier than ever to plow through awesome books while laying in the sun.

IMG_4148

Here’s what I read on my vacation!

 

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen (Alright, I finished this right before we left but I’m including it in the list!)

water-for-elephants

Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin

6a00b8ea0716b01bc000e398a04b730004-500pi

Something Blue by Emily Giffin

Something-Blue

Baby Proof by Emily Giffin

baby-proof-emily-giffin

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

art-of-racing-in-the-rain

Verdict? I loved ALL these books, but Water for Elephants and The Art of Racing in the Rain (which left me sobbing) were particularly good.  The Emily Giffin books were what you’d expect them to be (chick-lit), but perfectly satisfying and not TOO predictable.  I’m reading the fourth book of Giffin’s (Love the One You’re With) now, and it seems equally enjoyable!

 

What are you reading right now?

{ 138 comments }

 

  • Julie @ Shining From Within May 19, 2011, 5:00 pm

    Dang girl, you’re a fast reader! I’m so slow I’d probably still be on the first book haha. Thanks for the suggestions, I’m looking for a good summer read 🙂

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife May 19, 2011, 5:02 pm

    I’ve read a bunch of Emily Giffin’s stuff too…you should read her “Heart of the Matter” book, I liked it a lot!

    I want to read Water For Elephants! Esp before I go see the movie later this month!!

  • Anne Weber-Falk May 19, 2011, 5:02 pm

    Whoa that is a lot of reading! Good for you. I am doing very light reading right now, Black Heels to Tractor Wheels and I Think I Love You.

  • Amber from Girl with the Red Hair May 19, 2011, 5:02 pm

    I JUST finished reading ‘One Day’. I actually didn’t like it that much. I mean, it was a pretty good book, but everyone RAVED about it so much that I expected it to be a lot better. Now I’m casually reading ‘The 5 Love Languages’ (mostly for 5-10 minutes before bed at night. And I’m intrigued about ‘The Art of Racing in the Rain’ – I like books that make me cry. Ha!

    • Shannon May 19, 2011, 5:32 pm

      I’m in the same boat – just finished “One Day” and was a little disappointed with the slow beginning and the ending. But the middle was cute 🙂

      • Amber from Girl with the Red Hair May 19, 2011, 6:50 pm

        I HATED the ending! I wanted to throw my book across the room, lol. I have to say that the movie does look really good and I’m very happy with the casting for Dexter – exactly how I pictured him 🙂

        • Laura May 20, 2011, 3:55 am

          I just read it too – I was really looking forward to it as had heard so many good reviews, but was really disappointed! And the ending…urgh. The trailer is out now for the film.

  • Rachel @ The Perseverance Diaries May 19, 2011, 5:03 pm

    Wow you read a lot of books in that amount of time! I wish I could do that, I always pick up a book and then stop reading halfway. Maybe the problem is I’m not reading interesting books…haha.

    Water For Elephants, I gotta add that to my list!

  • Ashley K May 19, 2011, 5:04 pm

    Oh my goodness, I ready “The Art of Racing in the Rain” a few months ago and could not put it down! I was also sobbing during several parts of the book, but loved it so much!

  • Kristy May 19, 2011, 5:04 pm

    Hi Caitlin! I LOVED “Water for Elephants.” I recently read it and it’s one of my favorites. I also just read “Something Borrowed.” Cute. Now you have convinced me to read “Something Blue.” I’m interested in The Art of Racing in the Rain.” This is the first I’m hearing of it. Thanks for the recommendation. Right now, I’m reading “Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet” by Jamie Ford.

    I may look into getting a Kindle as well. I have so many books in my tiny NYC apartment. I’m running out of room!

  • Jennifer May 19, 2011, 5:15 pm

    LOVE the Art of racing in the rain…love it!!!

  • Veronica (Run Write Repeat) May 19, 2011, 5:16 pm

    I read Water For Elephants in a day! So good! I don’t have anything on my list now… might try “the art of racing in the rain” since there are so many good reviews!

  • Michele @ Healthy Cultivations May 19, 2011, 5:16 pm

    David Brooks’s “The Social Animal” and Kathy Freston’s “Veganist”

  • Lindsey May 19, 2011, 5:16 pm

    Water for Elephants! And I am lovin it so far 🙂

  • Melissa May 19, 2011, 5:17 pm

    I recently finished Water for Elephants and LOVED it. Have been thinking about checking out the Giffin series but I am so bad about getting to the library…and then once I start reading a book, everything else falls by the wayside (including sleep)!

  • becca (bellebottoms) May 19, 2011, 5:17 pm

    I haven’t started the Emily Giffin books, but they are all sitting on my bedside table right now! I am also obsessed with British royalty, and have two biographies on the royal family as well….love it! 🙂

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) May 19, 2011, 5:18 pm

    I started Sunday’s at Tiffany’s but haven’t had a chance to sit down with it. I hope to soon though by the lake…come on summer time!

    • kimmy May 19, 2011, 10:14 pm

      Its good! I meet the author and got it signed!!

  • Jasmine @ Eat Move Write May 19, 2011, 5:18 pm

    I think I’m the only person who didn’t head over heels love Water for Elephants. I wanted to, I really did! I’m reading a sort of self-help book called “Stuck” right now. It didn’t get good reviews, and I’m not far enough into it to recommend. A few I do recommend: The Lovely Bones (please read this book, so beautiful), Lost in the Forest by Sue Miller, and the new Carrots n Cake book. I read Tina’s book in less than 12 hours! Loved it!

    • Greta @ California Girl May 19, 2011, 5:25 pm

      You’re not the only one. I didn’t love WAter for Elephants either… Loved Into the Forest!

    • Christine May 19, 2011, 7:11 pm

      I’m semi-with you on WFE. I liked it, but more of a quick,entertaining read. I think it’s a little overrated, since everyone and their mother has read it now. I don’t think it’s bad, but there is definitely a lot of hype. The Lovely Bones was decent- what did you think of the movie?

      • Baking 'n' Books May 19, 2011, 9:04 pm

        Hmm…lots of controversy about WFE! I have it here but haven’t read it yet…should be interesting to find out now.

        What is “The Art of Racing In The Rain” about? Is that a running book? Or about a dog?!

        I’m reading Chelsea Handler’s “Are You There God, It’s Me Vodka”.

        Totally counts.

  • Dee May 19, 2011, 5:19 pm

    Shanghai Girls by Lisa See. It’s an historical novel, and though interesting for learning the history, is not that exciting as a novel.

  • Laura May 19, 2011, 5:20 pm

    Try “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot– SSOOOO good!

    • Anne T. May 19, 2011, 8:13 pm

      I second that! One of the best books I have read in the past few years.

  • Greta @ California Girl May 19, 2011, 5:24 pm

    I LOVED Racing in the Rain. I never knew I could sob and smile at the same time until I finished that book! Have you read The Secret History or The Glass Castle? Those are some of my faves.

  • Kimberly @ Healthy Strides May 19, 2011, 5:24 pm

    I loved “Water for Elephants” as well! I’m currently listening to “Friday Night Knitting Club” (I listen to audiobooks during walks and car rides) and the next in my queue is “Bitter is the New Black: Confessions of a Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smartass, Or, Why You Should Never Carry A Prada Bag to the Unemployment Office.” I’m also hoping to get to the Hunger Games.

  • Allie May 19, 2011, 5:24 pm

    I just finished the Art of Racing in the Rain 2 days ago and it was so good. I loved that it was written from the dog’s perspective – just so honest and wonderful.

    Tonight I’m getting started on the Secret Daughter.

  • Lisa May 19, 2011, 5:24 pm

    Emily Griffin’s books are great! I loved all of them.

  • Lisa Fine May 19, 2011, 5:27 pm

    I’m in the middle of American Wife, by Curtis Sittenfeld. If you haven’t read it yet, add it to your list. So far it’s excellent, and I really liked her book Prep.

  • Summer May 19, 2011, 5:28 pm

    Baby Proof is my absolute favorite Emily Giffin book! I love SoBo, too. Right now I’m reading Candy Girl by Diablo Cody about her year as a stripper 🙂 It’s good! Another one I just recently (and shamelessly) finished: Sweet Valley Confidential.

    • Shari May 19, 2011, 5:50 pm

      Yay for Baby Proof! I feel like it often gets overlooked, but it’s one of my absolute favorites, too 🙂

    • Baking 'n' Books May 19, 2011, 9:06 pm

      Eeek!!! What was SV Confidential like?!! I seen that recently and almost died! I loved Elizabeth and Jess back in the day 🙂

      • Stacy May 20, 2011, 8:02 am

        I just read SV Confidential recently also. It was really good. Not life altering literature, but definitely a fun, quick read for someone who enjoyed the series. It was a great wrap-up/where are they now kind of book.

        • Summer May 20, 2011, 11:35 am

          Very true. It was a little shocking to read about them having sex and hear them using curse words…but it was definitely a good read to get wrapped up in if you were a fan of the series.

  • Marie-JourneytoBodyZen May 19, 2011, 5:29 pm

    I’m reading A Gate at the Stairs by Lorrie Moore. Next on my list is A Friend of the Family and then Water for Elephants! 🙂 Your book club inspired me. What’s next for the book club?

  • Diana @ My Little Part May 19, 2011, 5:32 pm

    How funny! I got Water for Elephants and Something Borrowed for graduation and haven’t gotten around to starting.

  • chelsea May 19, 2011, 5:36 pm

    I cant believe you read The Art of Racing in the Rain….I was told it would be to sad for me as a dog mom, so I wont read it. I know the premise and thats enough, plus I firmly believe my pup will become a human one day…..ok, no I don’t but I want to believe it.

  • Holly @ The Runny Egg May 19, 2011, 5:37 pm

    I love to read on vacation — right now I’m in between books — I finished The Uglies and I’m about to start The Pretties. It is a really good series so far!

    • Baking 'n' Books May 19, 2011, 9:07 pm

      Are those series related?

      • Holly @ The Runny Egg May 20, 2011, 1:15 pm

        It is the series — The Uglies is book 1, The Pretties is book 2 and then there are 2 others.

  • katie @ KatieDid May 19, 2011, 5:37 pm

    I bawled at Art of Racing in the Rain also! So good though! I’ve been meaning to pick up water for elephants because the movie looks awesome!

  • Liz May 19, 2011, 5:40 pm

    If you liked Art of Racing in The Rain, read “The Story of Edgar Sawtelle.” In the top 5 books of my life!!

  • Meaghan (My Spoonful Of Inspiration) May 19, 2011, 5:41 pm

    I am reading all of the Emily Giffin books right now as well! Just what I need for some casual summer reading 🙂

  • Marci May 19, 2011, 5:45 pm

    I have read all but Water for Elephants. I loved Art of Racing in the Rain. Don’t you just love how Enzo talks? I wanted to meet him and give him a kiss. That book was just wonderful. The author tweets!
    And I read Emily Giffin’s books a while ago, they are just chick lit! Fast reads. On really good books, I try to go slow to savor them!

  • Shari May 19, 2011, 5:46 pm

    Emily is my favorite author. The way she crafts her characters into such real, nuanced, relatable people is remarkable. It sounds strange, but I feel like I know them so well that they’re more like friends than fictional characters. The messages and words just resonate so far beyond the last page. I second the comment about reading HOTM. Not only does it really make you stop and think, but she brings back some of SoBo’s characters as a fun bonus. Something Blue & Baby Proof are my favorites of hers, but I loved them all – and to top it off, Emily is one of the kindest, most genuine and gracious people you could ever meet. Love her!

    I’m in the middle of a manuscript from one of my writer friends right now, but I have a stack of ten books waiting for me after I’m finished. It’s always so tough to choose which to read first 😉

  • Averie (LoveVeggiesandYoga) May 19, 2011, 5:47 pm

    Im reading magazines and blog posts. What can I say, short attention span 🙂

    Seriously love all your book recommendations!

  • Kelly May 19, 2011, 5:58 pm

    I’ve read all those books and really enjoyed all of them! Water for Elephants was a great movie too and I usually don’t love books turned movies!

    I’ve now read all of Emily Giffens books but I got sick of them after awhile- does anyone know want to cheat on their husbands haha

  • Abby May 19, 2011, 6:00 pm

    Wow lady! You are a reading machine! Right now I am reading Kara Goucher’s book. I need something to read next though! Thanks for sharing!

  • Maura May 19, 2011, 6:00 pm

    I read all of Emily Giffin’s book as well…I was so sad to see I missed her appearance in Santa Monica a few weeks ago. I walked by Barnes and Noble and her discussion and book signing was just ending – such a disappointment! I really liked Love the One You’re With, sweet book.

    Right now I’m (slowly but surely) reading American Wife, and really enjoying it. I’m sitting poolside in Vegas this weekend, and can’t wait to read more (and sip on some cocktails simultaneously, of course!)

  • Amy May 19, 2011, 6:00 pm

    I’m such a reading fiend between books on my Kindle, books from the library, and all the ones on my bookshelf! I have read “Something Borrowed” and “Water for Elephants” but I’ll have to check out the others you listed. As my blog will attest, I’m on a YA fiction kick. I catalog all of those books at the library and more often than not, I end up taking a stack home with me to read. I think you’d like “Delirium” and “Matched.” I’m not sure if you read the “Hunger Games” but these are similar. I think “Matched” is even better.

  • Mary @ Bites and Bliss May 19, 2011, 6:17 pm

    Everybody’s reading Water for Elephants!! It must be really good!

  • Lindsay May 19, 2011, 6:22 pm

    I also just ready Water for Elephants and Something Borrowed! And I’m reading Something Blue now. I also really want to read “Secret Sister” next!

  • erica May 19, 2011, 6:29 pm

    woah. you must read fast! i think you read more books on vacation than i do in a year! (how sad is that?!) maybe i need to get a kindle too.

    love those emily giffin books! 🙂

  • gabriella @ embracement May 19, 2011, 6:30 pm

    I LOVE Emily Giffin. They’re typical, but I still get completely engrossed. I just read Heart of the Matter and often found myself yelling and throwing my iPad while my boyfriend looked at me like I was insane. I want to read The Art of Racing in the Rain. Right now I’m reading The Family Friend (thanks to your post!)

  • Corrie Anne May 19, 2011, 6:37 pm

    I just read Water for Elephants! It was riveting! I’ve read the Giffin books too! They’re definitely sweet and enjoyable. I can’t wait for school to be over so I can read for pleasure. Has it been rainy there??? It’s been POURING every afternoon in Santiago. You know they have a half marathon in Punta Cana! I wanted to go this year, but I couldn’t swing it on a school weekend. I think that would be the perfect excuse for another vacation in the DR!

  • Molly @ RDexposed May 19, 2011, 6:38 pm

    I almost got Water for Elephants for this vacation; I think we’re going to see Something Borrowed on vacay; and The Art will def make you cry!

  • Heather May 19, 2011, 6:41 pm

    LOVE emily giffin! I read something borrowed and love the one your with last summer, so good. I just finished baby proof, not as good.
    I ALMOST picked up water for elephants at the store. maybe next time.

  • Tessa @ Amazing Asset May 19, 2011, 6:45 pm

    I agree with your choices on Water For Elephants and The Art of Racing in the Rain, two of my most favorite books ever! I am currently obsessed with Kristin Hannah novels, her stories are fantastic and pull me in right away 🙂

    • Beth @ 990 Square May 19, 2011, 7:33 pm

      I really like Kristin Hannah. I’m listening to her new one, Night Road, right now.

  • Natalie @ will jog for food May 19, 2011, 6:56 pm

    That’s alot of books!! I LOVED Water for Elephants. I’m finally seeing it this weekend and can’t wait 🙂

    • Christine May 19, 2011, 11:06 pm

      I saw the movie last weekend – I really liked it. I haven’t read the book, but most of the reviews I read said that the movie was pretty faithful to the book.

  • Kristyn May 19, 2011, 7:07 pm

    Oh what great book choices! The only one of those I haven’t read is Water for Elephants and I really want to read it. Gotta bust it out on my kindle. I’m ready Tina’s book right now. Almost done with it. What a great read…and in between that I’m half way through the new Nicholas Sparks book Safe Haven (TEARS!!!)

    And the girls at GOTR read bits and pieces of your book yesterday as a intro to community service/it’s raining outside and we can’t run anywhere. They loved the idea and you. =) We put notes all over the 3, 4, and 5th grade lockers. Read away!

    • CaitlinHTP May 20, 2011, 8:00 pm

      Thank you so much for all you do with GOTR and sharing OB with the girls!

  • Christine May 19, 2011, 7:09 pm

    The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman. It’s a great novel about the decline of newspapers.

  • Mac May 19, 2011, 7:10 pm

    I want to read both of those books! Right now I’m reading What I Talk About When I Talk About Running… it’s ehh, I haven’t been able to get into it.

  • Katy (The Singing Runner) May 19, 2011, 7:11 pm

    I really need to read Water for Elephants. I’ve heard such great things about it!

    I’m currently reading The New Rules of Lifting for Women. Great stuff! 😀

  • Erin @ The Grass Skirt May 19, 2011, 7:31 pm

    Wow! You really are a reading fiend! I finished our book club book last weekend, and I’m too scared to read anything else because I’m worried that I’ll forget it before we meet!

  • Natalia - a side of simple May 19, 2011, 7:32 pm

    I actually JUST picked up The Art of Racing in the Rain! Can’t wait to start it 🙂

  • Beth @ 990 Square May 19, 2011, 7:32 pm

    Hey, I’ve read all of those! But I have a book problem, and I have an online tool (LibraryThing) to track what I read so I remember!

    Right now I’m listening to Night Road by Kristin Hannah and I’m reading Lisa See’s new book Dreams of Joy! I’m really enjoy both of them!

  • cathy May 19, 2011, 7:32 pm

    emily giffin is PERFECT for a beach chair read. “love the one your with” is worth your time. you just need another 3 days in the dominican to read it!
    i did not enjoy “water for elephants,” to be honest. to each their own!
    currently, i am reading “the help” and it is amazing. run run run and get it asap!!

  • Mary May 19, 2011, 7:34 pm

    I loved The Art of Racing in the Rain, and I sobbed like a baby at the end. I am glad to hear someone else did, too. Dean Koontz’s A Big Little Life made me cry, too. I read both right after my 14 year old dog died – bad timing!!! I am a fan of Emily Giffin books. Nice light reading. I didn’t really get bowled over by Water for Elephants though. I am not sure why, as recently everyone had been raving about it. I read it a while ago and can barely remember it.

  • Cait @ Beyond Bananas May 19, 2011, 7:38 pm

    Love the Emily Giffin books! I have just started reading Bitter is the New Black.. and by just started.. I mean I read 10 pages before bed last night and passed out…

  • Margaret May 19, 2011, 7:39 pm

    “The Art of Racing in the Rain” started off a little slow for me but got so much better! I am currently reading “A long Way Gone” by Ishmael Beah-it’s his memoirs of being a child soldier in Sierra Leone. My current favorite has to be “We Two” by Gillian Gill. It’s about Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Really interesting stuff for a history nerd like me!

  • kate May 19, 2011, 7:47 pm

    Just started water for elephants…LOVED LOVED LOVED Art of Racing in the Rain!!

    if you’re looking for a great book I just finished Black and Blue by Anna Quindlen…arghh I couldn’t put it down and was so sad when it ended!!

  • Debbie May 19, 2011, 8:00 pm

    I loved The Art of Racing in the Rain. Yes, it made me cry too, but it was still very uplifting at the end.

  • Paige @Running Around Normal May 19, 2011, 8:04 pm

    Emily Giffin books are the *epitome* of beach reads! I loved Love the One You’re With best 🙂

  • Karlee @olivewineandfood May 19, 2011, 8:29 pm

    love water for elephants, the art of racing in the rain, and all the emily giffin books, still need to read the newest eg one! I’m reading the center of everything right now, got it on my kindle for one penny! can’t beat that.

  • the urban pilgrim May 19, 2011, 8:37 pm

    Right now I’m reading Atonement (apparently I missed the pre- and post-movie craze) and it is addicting. Water For Elephants — also on my list of favorites!! Have you read The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy? Its in my top 5 🙂

  • Stephanie @cookinfanatic May 19, 2011, 8:41 pm

    Emily Griffin books are my favorite, I love “Love the One You’re With!” Have you seen Water for Elephants movie yet? I totally loved both the book and the movie so much! Looks like you were super productive with your vacation reads, impressive 🙂

  • Kari @ Human, MD May 19, 2011, 8:44 pm

    I JUST read “The Art of Racing in the Rain” while I was at the beach last week. I’m working on “The Omnivores Dilema” and “Commencement” right now, and with a couple transatlantic flights coming up, will bust though a bunch more, I’m sure!

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin May 19, 2011, 8:46 pm

    Wow, you seriously plowed through all those books! I really want to read Water for Elephants.

    I just finished reading The Glass Castle – it was amazing!

  • Parita May 19, 2011, 8:56 pm

    I am reading The Alchemist! Have you read it yet? If not, I think you’d really like it!

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey May 19, 2011, 9:20 pm

    I am reading Think Twice right now – it’s so good. I have a few more on my list for the summer though!

    I have been wanting to read that dog book!

  • Babs May 19, 2011, 9:23 pm

    Water for Elephants was so good. I’m reading the Hotel on the Corner of Bitter & Sweet. I think I’ll read the Art of Racing in the Rain Next.

    I
    love
    books

  • Amy @ Love4Living May 19, 2011, 9:25 pm

    Wow, you are a super fast reader! Glad you and the husband are enjoying your well-deserved vacation!

  • M May 19, 2011, 9:37 pm

    Ive been thinking of getting a kindle. However, I dont want to have to pay for the books, since I usually get my books at the library. Do you buy your ebooks or do you get them from the library? If you get them from the library, how does that work/ do you feel like it is working for you?

    • Jen May 20, 2011, 9:16 am

      I have spent so much money since I got my kindle on ebooks, but luckily my library started lending ebooks recently to Noook users. Kindle books are coming later this year. So research your local library, there is definitely a chance they lend them to you for free.

    • CaitlinHTP May 20, 2011, 7:59 pm

      I bought them… at $6 – $10 a pop they add up!

  • Wendy May 19, 2011, 9:54 pm

    I do not have a kindle or nook, but I listen to a lot of audiobooks. My local library’s website has a whole digital section where you can download audio/e-books to your computer for free. I haven’t tried the e-books, but I LOVE it for audio!

  • Lee May 19, 2011, 10:00 pm

    The Art of Racing in the Rain is one of my favorite books. Both my husband and I read it on our honeymoon and both of us were sobbing.

  • Melissa May 19, 2011, 10:09 pm

    I read all the Emily Giffin books!! I love them! I’m reading “Water for Elephants” now. I’m only on the second chapter, but it got great reviews! I’m a total reader on vacation as well!!

  • Maria @ Chasing the Now May 19, 2011, 10:10 pm

    I’ve read all of Emily Giffin’s novels (love them for a quick, mindless read) and I’m currently work g through Water For Elephants. If you enjoyed Emily Giffin, check out Jane Green–she writes the best chick lit out there in my opinion.

  • Pam May 19, 2011, 10:16 pm

    I enjoyed “Water for Elephants” and I literally cried at the end of “The Art of Racing in the Rain” even though I knew what was coming. Anyone who loves dogs can’t help from getting emotional from that book. I just finished “The Help” by Katherine Stockett. I loved it and recommend it highly.

  • Erin May 19, 2011, 10:18 pm

    I really enjoyed Water for Elephants (which I bought at the CUTEST book store in Savannah, GA on vacation last year) but I couldn’t finish The Art of Racing in the Rain. Not because I didn’t like, but because it makes me cry too hard. I tried to read it shortly after my dog passed away and it was way too soon to read something like that. And now I think I’ll always associate it with her loss.

  • Jessica May 19, 2011, 10:29 pm

    ooh I just read Something Blue the other day… I read Something Borrowed a while ago, but this time I kept imagining John Krasinski as Ethan and it made it weird because I cannot picture him with Kate Hudson! That’s one reason why I don’t like when books are made into movies because the story in my head is infiltrated with celebrities! I’ve had the Art of Racing in the Rain in my bookcase for a while so I think I’ll read that next after seeing you liked it 🙂

  • Katherine May 19, 2011, 10:41 pm

    I want to read them all. Send them please?
    I have been reading Jodi Picoult books non-stop!

  • Holley @ Lunges and Lashes May 19, 2011, 10:54 pm

    thanks for the book recommendations! i am always looking for a good read!

  • ashley @ ashley's adventures in alaska May 19, 2011, 10:56 pm

    I love ALL of the books above! I’m not reading anything right now… our library is kinda small and awful here. 🙁

  • Kristen May 19, 2011, 11:07 pm

    I want to read Emily’s books. Which one should I start with?

    • Julie May 20, 2011, 3:26 pm

      Something Borrowed, then Something Blue!

      • CaitlinHTP May 20, 2011, 7:58 pm

        yes you must go in that order!!!

  • Linz May 19, 2011, 11:14 pm

    One of my coworkers was just telling us today that she finished The Art of Racing in the Rain last night and just sobbed her face off. I loved a book that brings out a good cry and put it at the top of my ‘to buy’ list.
    I’m currently reading My Fair Lazy by Jen Lancaster, totally hilar.

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing May 20, 2011, 12:14 am

    I loooove Emily Giffin!!! And Love the One You’re With is probably my favorite!

  • Elisabeth May 20, 2011, 12:21 am

    I’ve read all of Emily Giffin’s books – make sure you read Heart of the Matter, too! Right now, I’m reading the two books in the Blue Envelope series by Maureen Johnson. They’re Young Adult (which I still really enjoy as a 29 year old – they have much better YA books now than they did when I was a teen), but the first was free a couple weeks ago on my Nook & the second was available at the library 🙂

    • Cindy May 20, 2011, 7:47 am

      I loved the first 13 Little Blue Envelopes. I read it with one of my classes last year! I can’t wait to read the sequel!

      • E May 21, 2011, 7:20 pm

        I just finished the sequel. I think, if possible, I actually enjoyed the sequel more!

  • Allison @ The Delicious Life May 20, 2011, 2:24 am

    I love Water for Elephants! I’m curious about the movie..

    Thanks for sharing your recommendations. I’m going on a flight later this week and I am looking for a book!

  • Marina May 20, 2011, 2:33 am

    That last book sounds interesting, I would love to read it.
    Right now, I’m reading my materials for an exam, so unfortunately, I have no time for other books 🙁 But last book I’ve read is Tarnished Beauty, and it is beautiful. I highly recommend it!

  • Khushboo May 20, 2011, 3:08 am

    You sure read a lot! I’m in the middle of The Help by Katheryn Stockett and I am loving it! It’s def one of those books where you can’t put down and if you haven’t read it as yet, pls add it to you list!

  • Christine @ Burning It Off May 20, 2011, 6:23 am

    Chick lit is perfect for the beach! I’ve had a Sophie Kinsella book with me for every beach vacation I’ve ever taken.

  • Cara May 20, 2011, 6:23 am

    I loved Emily Giffin’s books! I read them all too! I am currently plowing through Ree Drummond’s Black Heels to Tractor Wheels.I love it!

  • Jen May 20, 2011, 7:39 am

    I adore Emily Giffin! We just got back from a cruise and my Kindle was so handy. I usually read 5-6 books on a trip so it was great to not have to add the extra weight to my carry on. My favourites from this trip were “Dreaming in English” by Laura Fitzgerald and “Arranged” by Catherine McKenzie. I read a few others that were just okay…can’t even remember what they were called now!

  • Cassie @ Back to Her Roots May 20, 2011, 7:41 am

    The Art of Racing in the Rain is one of my favorite books EVER as a dog lover and racing fan (I grew up in Indiana and have been going to Indianapolis 500 every year since I was 11) it was just perfect. LOVE IT.

  • Kim L. May 20, 2011, 7:47 am

    Water for Elephants and The Art of Racing in the Rain were two of the best books I have read in the last couple of years. I have also read a few by Emily Giffin and they are nice, quick easy reads. I am like you- when I go on vacation I take 5 or 6 books and spend all my beach time with my nose in a book. I am currently reading “Ask Me Why I Hurt” by Randy Christiensen, MD. It’s a memoir about a pediatrician who runs a clinic out of a Winnebago and treats the homeless children in Phoenix. It’s well written and a good read.

  • Cindy May 20, 2011, 7:48 am

    I’m reading Blue Yellow Tibia for a book group I found locally here in Glasgow. I am also reading several books for my dissertation on bullying and recently finished re-re-reading the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon and the newest Sookie Stackhouse novel, Dead Reckoning.

  • Samantha Angela May 20, 2011, 8:15 am

    You read that many books in a week?? That’s insane. I don’t have the patience to sit down for THAT long to read.

  • Charise May 20, 2011, 8:51 am

    That’s a lot of books for a week! I recently finished Water for Elephants too, which I really enjoyed, along with Those That Save Us, which was great. Before that, it was The Irresistable Henry House, which was decently good, and The Good Thief, which I thought was just meh.

  • Julie May 20, 2011, 9:05 am

    I SOBBED after The Art of Racing in the Rain too!!! Oh my goodness was that a tearjerker. But SUCH an amazing book. Loved it!

  • Jen May 20, 2011, 9:11 am

    It’s sooo funny you say that because I just got back from my honeymoon and read all the same books except the art of racing, I read Chelsea Handler’s new book. That cracked me up when I read this post. My husband was like, hon, did you marry me or the kindle?? lol

  • Katherina @ Zephyr Runs May 20, 2011, 9:23 am

    My best friend always sent me Emily Giffin’s books when they came out so we could read them together 🙂 I think they’re cute! The Dirty Girls Social Club is another good chick lit series. I’m finally reading Born to Run which I started MONTHS ago but tucked away for some reason after hitting page 100.

  • Mona May 20, 2011, 9:34 am

    I’m just starting “The Way to Paradise” by Mario Vargas Llosa – my best friend sent it to me as a birthday gift and she said she loved it.

  • Leslie May 20, 2011, 10:16 am

    The Art of Racing in the Rain was one of my favorite books of all time. I’ve never even heard of anyone else reading it. A Must Read for all dog lovers. So sad but so so good!

  • Krissie J May 20, 2011, 10:42 am

    I’ve read all 5 of the Giffin books and loved every one of them. They’re just fun reads. 🙂

  • Amber K May 20, 2011, 11:46 am

    Thrillers and mysteries for me. Reading books by Dan Brown, James Patterson and J.A. Jance currently.

  • Angela May 20, 2011, 12:46 pm

    That is SO weird. I literally read the exact same books last week!!

    • CaitlinHTP May 20, 2011, 7:56 pm

      That is weird!!! Which did you like the best

  • Natalie May 20, 2011, 12:50 pm

    Hey there!
    I am reading “American Wife” by Curtis Sittenfeld. It was on Eat, Live, Run’s reading list and it ROCKS!

    • CaitlinHTP May 20, 2011, 7:55 pm

      I LOVED that book!

  • Julie May 20, 2011, 3:24 pm

    The Emily Giffin books are so cute and perfect beach reads…I read her first 4 when I was in Maui a couple years ago! And I bought her 5th book, Heart of the Matter, and Water for Elephants for my upcoming trip to Kauai! Great minds think alike 🙂 But right now I’m reading the 3rd book from The Hunger Games series and it’s so addicting! Quick reads and really interesting…highly recommend them.

  • Sarah May 20, 2011, 5:36 pm

    I recently read Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safron Foer, and I highly recommend it! I also love Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver as a meaningful and beautiful summer read.

  • Susan May 20, 2011, 10:16 pm

    The Art of Racing in the Rain was the last book my uncle read before recently dying of brain cancer. He raced cars for over 40 years and I found myself remembering all the racing references in the book as ones I learned from him. Anyways, I love that book in more ways that I can put to words. I definitely sobbed reading it!!

  • CH May 21, 2011, 12:57 am

    Oooo, thanks for sharing! I am going to take a trip to the library soon because I will be travelling all summer and I have NO reading material (this is literally going to be the first time in years that I will have time to read some non-academic books!) 🙂

  • Sarah May 21, 2011, 9:54 am

    I read “the art of racing in the rain” a few years ago.. so good and sad! I JUST finished Listening to something borrowed on audio book yesterday, it took me 2 days 🙂 I got really into it, for a chicky book 🙂 and now im about to start listening to something borrowed! we have a lot of similarities here

  • Leila @ Spinach and Skittles May 21, 2011, 12:29 pm

    The Art of Racing in the Rain and Water for Elephants have been on my to-read shelf for ages. It just keeps growing!
    I read the Emily Giffin books years back, and the movie is totally adorable. I’m smiling right now just thinking about it. I can’t tell you if it follows the book well though, since I read it back in ’07.
    I just started Sarah Dessen’s Just Listen (YA), and am liking it so far. I also recently finished Thirteen Reason’s Why and The Hate List (both YA), and would highly recommend both. Tear jerkers and kind of hard to read (because of the subject material: suicide and a school killing), but I think they should be required reading for anyone working with 11-18 year-olds.

  • Jess@atasteofconfidence May 21, 2011, 4:46 pm

    I read water for elephants on vacation too- perfect beach read!

  • Sara P May 23, 2011, 8:18 am

    Wow! Quite the selections for a trip. I have actually read all 5 of those books myself. Emily Giffin is one of my favorite chic-lit authors and I think that her story telling is very vivid and I always feel like I can picture everything that is going on (always a good thing). I am in a book club and our book of the month was Water for Elephants. I enjoyed it…but didn’t think it was as grand/epic as I expected. The art of Racing in the Rain (a book I chose previously for my book club) was phenomenal. I know that you are a dog lover (as am I) and I thought some parts were really heart-touching. I also that the story was very unpredictable….and it kept me on my toes!

Previous post:

Next post:

Search The Blog

Read by Month:

Read by Topic:

Healthy Tipping Point