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Nadia, I became aware of Erdrich through her The Master Butchers Singing Club. I am now reading Love Medicine A Novel. Eventually, I will read everything, but she is too good to just read them back to back.

Yeah, I got a few of her books signed! I was so excited!!!

With Erdrich I tried reading The Painted Drum and couldn't get into it. A few months later I read Miracles at Little No Horse not realizing it was the same author! I enjoyed Miracles, so I will probably give her another shot.

My number one is definitely Laurie Notaro. She is the funniest woman in the universe (I enjoy Jen Lancaster for similar reasons but HATE Stephanie Klein). Continuing down the list are Neil Gaiman, Tom Robbins, Haruki Murakami, and Margaret Atwood.
I discovered Jodi Picoult this year and have been burning through all of her books. My favorite ones are the ones that make me completely break down sobbing, the others I don't like as much.

I just finished My Sister's Keeper Justine so I know what you mean about Picoult and I feel the same way. The two I read before this one didn't get to me the way My Sister's Keeper did that's for sure.....

Mandy, I'm really enjoying Kristin Hannah as well. She's quickly becoming a fave of mine. I haven't been disappointed yet.

ReneeB ~ What books have you read? I read Firefly Lane first and I was afraid to read another one because I loved that book so much I was afraid of being disappointed but True Colors was a great book too. I just don't want to lose my love of her yet. It's too soon. =) So I need to know what to pick up next.

Hi Mandy Sue, I haven't read Firefly Lane. It's been on my TBR list for some time, but it's good taht you also recommend it.

I've read: Between Sisters, Angel Falls, The Things we do for Love, Summer Island and Distant Shores. They're all good.

Elizabeth wrote: "Has anyone read Alice Hoffman? I'm currently reading Blackbird House A Novel, which the book flap describes as "a rare and gorgeous departure". I think the departure is that it is re..."
Elizabeth, what did you decide about that one. I read it earlier this year and I really liked the interconnected stories and the setting. I was a Hoffman fan before but that one I really liked.

ReneeB wrote: "Hi Mandy Sue, I haven't read Firefly Lane. It's been on my TBR list for some time, but it's good taht you also recommend it.

I've read: Between Sisters, Angel Falls, The Things we do for Love, ..."
Renee, we will have to get after each other to read Firefly lane it is on my pile. (along with about 200 others...sigh) :)

Nevil Shute fans??? I know there are a few from the intro thread. I too read A town like Alice because it was on a list and Loved it! Then I read the Beach and
Trustee from the toolroom. All good. I need to check out some of his others.

KrisT wrote: "Elizabeth, what did you decide about that one. I read it earlier this year and I really liked the interconnected stories and the setting. I was a Hoffman fan before but that one I really liked."

Kris, I liked Blackbird House. I found the format to my liking. I'm getting quite an author list, so don't know that I will be reading much more of Alice Hoffman, but then I may surprise myself, too.

KrisT, the only Nevil Shute book I have read is On the Beach, which I loved. Read it years and years ago. I think it was the book that got me hooked on reading post-apocolyptic novels.

Lizzi wrote: "I like James Patterson's Women Murder Club books. Does anyone else read them? I started the Alex Cross books but never got into the series that much. When I want humor I gobble up Janet Evanovic..."

Are the Women Murder Club books the numbered series? If so, I have the first few on my shelf and I've never read them. Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever read anything by Patterson.

Thanks ReneeB! You should bump up Firefly Lane too!!

Katie, yeah the number books are Patterson's Women's Murder Club. I loved 1-3, but 4 stunk in my oppinion. I enjoy reading him in general. I really liked his non-fiction book, Against Medical Advice.

I read Mystic Lake by Kristen Hannah, and enjoyed it. I wasn't blown away or anything. I started Firefly Lane, but had to return it to the library before I got very far (it's huge!).

I've read everything that Jodi Picoult has written (except for Songs of a Humpback Whale, which is her first...just doesn't interest me). I think she is very hit and miss with her books. Some of her books are just so good that I can't rip myself away, and then others take me forever to get through.

And Renee B, I agree about Harlan Coben and Tami Hoag! I have read a few of each of their books and so far I'm impressed.

I've also read quite a few of Nicholas Sparks's books. I think so far, of the ones of his I've read, my favorite is definitely Dear John. I loved that book, although my friend hated it!

I really, really want to like Nicholas Sparks. It's just hard for me to get past the fact that the plots seem so formulaic. So far I've read Message in a Bottle, The Rescue and just finished True Believer.

I guess it's not so much that they're "bad." In my mind, they just don't quite live up to all the hype.

I'm a huge Nicholas Sparks fan. I love all of his books. Jen Lancaster, Emily Giffin, Stephenie Meyer. Those are all my favs at the moment.

I agree with everyone about Firefly Lane! AMAZING book! A must read!

Wow, I'm really going to have to get Firefly lane. I can't believe all the positive reviews. Might have to request this from the library. So many books, so little time!

Everyone who has ever had a GIRLFRIEND needs to read FIREFLY LANE. No ands, ifs, or buts.....

I haven't got Firefly Lane yet but I read her True Colors. It's hard to make me cry but the buckets were brought out for that book. I think sometimes that a good cry makes you feel better.

Shelby ~ You need a few boxes of tissues for Firefly Lane. True Colors made me cry too but Firefly Lane had me sobbing.

I have to say I've always been a huge fan of Dean Koontz. But, I've found a few good authors since I've been on GR. The best so far is Jennifer Crusie...Agnes and the Hitman was both funny and suspenseful.

Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ and this group def make your TBR list grow. I've discovered several authors that I probably wouldn't have tried otherwise. Right now my two new favs are Kristin Hannah and Joanne Harris. LOVE them!

I just got an e-mail from Sophie Kinsella that her new book, Twenties Girl A Novel is being released on July 21st!

She's one of my favorite authors. I've either read or have to-read every book that she's written so I'm excited to see something new!

Katie ~ I got the email too. I just love her!

Hiya Thomma! I love Murakami too! The last book of his I read was After Dark and it was weird because when I finished the book I wasn't that sure I had enjoyed it, but when I was talking about it with a friend I found myself discussing it so thoroughly that I realized how I much really liked it. His writing is so refreshing and I just love his work. What else have you read by him?

Thomma wrote: "Lately, I've been into Haruki Murakami. I adore his writing, his storytelling, his sojourns into magical realism. I've already read three of his novels and plan on reading everythin..."

These sound really interesting! I just checked and my library has [i:]After Dark[/i:] and [i:]Norwegian Wood[/i:] on audio. May have to check those out soon!

Katie--James Patterson is one of my fave authors. Try one of his and tell me what you think!

Thomma is right Katie! Murakami is just an amazing writer! I've read the Wind-Up Bird Chronicle which is brilliant!! And I have read some of his short stories. Every time you read one of his books he takes you away on such a fascinating journey. And the way he presents Japan with the western influences leaves you with a feeling like you are in modern day Japan and you feel as if you have can walk down the street and stumble upon the place. He just has this way of ensnaring his readers' attention. You will definitely enjoy his work Katie.