Favorite contemporary fiction, part two
Posted By CarrieK on June 11, 2009
Here’s part two of my list of the best contemporary fiction:
An Irish Country Doctor
This is a delightful novel about Barry Laverty, a newly graduated and licensed doctor, who moves to the tiny village of Ballybucklebo to assist the aging village doc, Dr. Reilly. Reilly is eccentric, foul-mouthed, and set in his ways, but has a few things to teach Barry. This book is full of hilarious characters and equally funny situations. It has some of the feel of the James Herriot veterinarian novels, with a bit more of a saucy sense of humor and the typical Irish penchant for strong language.
The Breakdown Lane
If you listen to audiobooks, try this one, read by Anna Fields. (Make sure it’s the unabridged version.) This novel about a woman whose husband decides he needs a “sabbatical” from their twenty-year marriage just as she’s diagnosed with MS is witty and brutally honest and, ultimately, full of hope. I need to remember to seek out more of Mitchard’s work.
The Camel Bookmobile
A Brooklyn librarian travels to Africa to work for an organization that distributes books to isolated tribes. This book deals with the gift of reading and is the story of a woman placed in a completely different culture, trying to do good, and not understanding that not all good deeds lead to good results.
How to Be Good
Hornby is a genius. I love his fiction, and his nonfiction, and this is my favorite of his works that I’ve read so far. Katie and David’s marriage is floundering. Katie’s the ultimate liberal – believing herself to be considerate, intelligent, and compassionate. When David decides to radically accept religion – and start doing the things that liberals talk about doing, like feeding the hungry and taking in the homeless – Katie doesn’t quite know what’s hit her. Hornby is an atheist, and yet he treats Christianity and faith with respect. His wry look at modern culture is hilarious, and will also make you think.
Belong to Me
Ms. de los Santos is one of those writers whose words are pure poetry, and yet she’s not in love with her own ability to write, as some literary authors tend to be. (You know the type: they take five paragraphs to describe the snow drifts. Or a single snowflake.) I fell in love with the characters in this book, and I fell in love with the way the words appeared on the page – there were so many passages I copied down and marked to share. It’s one of those books that I feel like a total evangelist about.
Stay tuned for the third, and final, part of my list next Friday.
Related posts:
Favorite history books
Favorite books about reading and writing
Favorite historical fiction
Favorite memoirs, part one
Favorite memoirs, part two
I need to get out more…I haven’t read any of these! Sometimes I really wish that I had NOTHING good to read, and that I could grab a list like this and just dive in. These are great recommendations!! I’m impressed that you could actually pick your favorites!
I don’t read enough contemporary fiction!! Belong to Me is on my tbr list and I’m off to check out the audio version of The Breakdown Lane now – love your lists!
LIke Sandy, I wish for those days when I didn’t know what my choices for my ‘next book’ might be – now I’m drowning in that feeling of TOO MANY GREAT BOOKS!! aaauggh. I have had Belong to Me on my tbr for too long. Great list here – and quite varied.
The Hornby book definitely sounds interesting. I’ve not picked up any of his works, but I keep coming across his name as an author to read. Thanks for the recommendation!
I just caught up reading all your “favorites”posts and I have added several new books to my TBR pile. Thank you so much for the informative reviews.
I haven’t read any of these, but they all look good.
I liked Irish Country Doctor and Irish Country Village (I haven’t gotten to the Christmas one yet). Very James Herriott like.
Belong to Me has been on my MP3 player for — well, forever.
Sandy- I have had so much fun putting these lists together, remembering what I loved about a particular book. It’s also reminded me to look for some of these author’s other work.
JoAnn – my sister is currently listening to The Breakdown Lane, and she agrees with me – it’s wonderful!
Care – I feel like that, too. I’ve had the prequel to Belong to Me, Love Walked In, on my to-read stacks for ages, but have yet to find time to get to it.
Bonnie – I’ve heard many people who think How to Be Good is one of his best. You should definitely try his non-fiction, too. There are three books that are collections of his columns on books and reading for The Believer magazine. The first one is The Pollysyllabic Spree.
Molly – you’re welcome!
Kathy – it’s fun to highlight some of the books I’ve read a few years ago – get some different titles out there and give them some attention.
Beth – I haven’t read the sequels to Irish Country Doctor yet, though I own them. My stacks are too high!
I’ve had my eye on An Irish Country Doctor for a little while, since its made to your favorite list it must be good
There is a sequel to Irish country doctor? Cool!
Ladybug – it’s a very enjoyable read!
Lawanda – there are actually two: An Irish Country Village, and An Irish Country Christmas.
Taylor’s book – saucy humor. I like that!
The Breakdown Lane and Belong to Me are both ones I’ve been really wanting to read.
LF – I think you would like both of those.
I love your book lists. I will have to try The Breakdown Lane – I’m always on the lookout for a book that’s also lovely in audio.
Belle – my ssiter is listening to it now, and she agrees that it’s wonderful!
I’m just reading Belong to Me now and absolutely loving it!
Avis – It’s wonderful, isn’t it?
I think I’m a little bit in love with her. Or at least her characters. I’m sad that she hasn’t written any other books yet!
Avis – did you already read Love Walked In? It’s the prequel to Belong to Me. She also has poetry out, but I’ve never read any of it.
Yup, read that one first and loved it too! I may have to get my hands on her poetry…
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