Like so many people, I read a lot of books during the pandemic. Since I only posted about books I liked/loved/lost it over, I decided to create a post that recommends books that match a particular mood. This post appeared on my old site and is from 2021, but the recommendations stand. This site is most DECIDEDLY NOT affiliated with A****n!
Are you in a "well-behaved women seldom make history" mode? "A Well Behaved Woman" by Therese Anne Fowler is an insighful, poignant autobiographical novel about the real-life Alva Vanderbilt; prominent multi-millionaire American socialite and a major figure in the American women’s suffrage movement.
It's winter. It's dark and cold. How about some dark Nordic noir at its finest? "Lazarus" by Lars Kepler is part of a series that I recommend reading in order, as the characters and plots continue through.
Eva Björg Ægisdottir is also excellent. Try Girls Who Lie/The Creak on the Stairs.
Looking for a book that transcends its plot to cover love, violence, loyalty, marriage, parenthood, rebellion, politics, family? If I sound like I’m waxing lyrical, I am. Elena Ferrante wrote this intense, heart-wrenching quartet which on its surface is about two Neapolitan girls who grow up together. It's so much more than that.
No one does character studies like Frederik Backman. This is a book of simple, beautiful prose (part of a series and with characters from other Backman books) that revolves around hockey but is really a rich, insightful study of the people who live in this small town.
I like history that reads like fiction. How about a book with: Marconi! A notorious murderer! The invention of the telegraph! Criminal investigation innovations! Need I say more-it’s Erik Larson.
A work of historical fiction so gripping that it’s un-putdownable. A group of women on a very dangerous Arctic journey; fits right into that sweet spot of mystery, thriller and intense character study. By Greer Macallister.
Another historical fiction recommendation: "Hamnet" is a brilliant book about Shakepeare’s son; so little is known about the lives of the father or the son that O’Farrell’s imagination can really shine through.
Is there a British mystery lover in your life? Get one of Kate Atkinson’s clever Jackson Brodie mysteries; one should always be in the mood for these fantastic books! Below is #4 in the series.
Did you love "The Orchid Thief? This book that bears some similarities to that book, but with a very different focus and background; natural history and a daring heist.
A brutally honest and well-written account about running the Iditarod and musher life in general. On Bluesky, if you follow #mushertwitter or #uglydogs, this is the book for you!
A quintessential Amisosity, Amistic, Amisesque novel/bio/essay/WTF kind of a book
Thus endeth Part One of the “What are You in the Mood For? posts. Part Two will cover fantasy, fashion and more.
Please buy/order any of these books, which are still in print, new or used,
at your local independent bookstore, or go to bookshop.org and order there!
