be happy for this moment.

Show me the books he loves and I shall know the

man far better than through mortal friends.

Dawn Adams

I was chatting with my friend Ashley and she was talking about how she wanted to get more into reading. She knows what a book lover I am (thanks to my mother!) and requested I send her some of my favorite books and authors so she could start some of my selections and hopefully find what she really loves.

I compiled quite the list so I thought I'd share and also see if any of you had additions.

First I shared with her two great websites that help when picking your next book:

Literature Map (shows in comparison other authors to one you like)
What Should I Read Next (you enter the book you just read and it suggests others you may like)

Then I listed my favorite authors (I love everything each wrote!):

• Wally Lamb
• Anita Shreve
• Curtis Sittenfeld
• Anne Rivers Siddons
• Rebecca Wells
• Jennifer Weiner
• Alice Sebold

...and my favorite books that came to mind by other authors:

• The Hours by Michael Cunningham
• Elegance by Kathleen Tessaro
• What Our Mothers Didn't Tell Us by Danielle Crittenden
• Evening by Susan Minot
• The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
• The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
• Mutant Message Down Under by Marlo Morgan
• If I am Missing or Dead by Janine Latus
• Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Any other you'd like to share?