[lace-chat] Book Help

[Webwalker]

I just finished a very depressing book for our August Library Book 
Chat-- "A Fine Balance" by Rohinton Mistry.  Two months ago we read "The 
Corrections" by Jonathan Franzen and most of us thought that was not not 
worth the time it took to read it.  A little web research shows that 
these were "Oprah" recommendations.  A recommendation by Oprah is not a 
prereq for a book to be selected for our group, and in fact, I have read 
a couple that appear on Oprah's list that I would also recommend; to 
wit, Black and Blue by Anna Quindlen, Poisonwood Bible by Barbara 
Kingsolver.

But in my web search, I also found reference to the "misery index" of 
Oprah books, and I think that the crux of my problem.  I would like to 
find some books that have some meat, (unless they are just plain fun), 
but aren't such downers.

What I am hoping is that some of you might list a few books that you 
have read over the years that stick out in your minds as having been 
worthwhile.

My own favorites include Kingsolver's "Poisonwood Bible" and "Prodigal 
Summer";  Anne Tyler's "Patchwork Planet", "Back When We Were Grownups" 
and "Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant", "Cold Mountain" by Charles 
Frazier and books that are more fun -- John Grisham, esp "The Brethern". 
 I thought Ayn Rands books were worthwhile (albeit that was years ago); 
and I enjoy Jeffery Archer in any form.  I am especially fond of an old 
book by Michael Gilbert called "End Game" - which would probably be 
called a mystery.

Any help greatly appreciated.  I will tabulate and publish results if 
there is any interest.

Susan Webster
Canton, Ohio
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