I spend a lot of time taking care of my elderly mom and this includes being up all night some times. She struggles with dementia and has sleeping problems. I always have a book to read when I have down time while I'm with her. I'm curious about what good books you have read, that you would recommend to some one else to read and why? Thanks to all for your replies!

Anything by Nicholas Sparks, Jodi Picoult, Barbara Delinsky and the Elm Creek Quilt books by Jennifer Chiaverinni.
I am not into mystery and suspense, so cannot give you any recommendations on those.

I'm a huge james patterson fan, I also like harlan cohben. Those are my two faves. However you cannot count dean koontz out. He is sometimes more difficult for me to read due to his numberous characters, but a good read if you can stay focused

My faves of james patterson are his series involving the womens murder club ( ie 1rst to die, 2nd chance, 3rd degree, 4th of july, 5th horseman, 6th target, 7th heaven, 8th confession, 9th judgement, 10th anniversay)
the quickie
the postcard killers
and the honeymoon were also good reads
he also has his alex cross series
harlen cohben his series featuring myron bolitar

Elm Creek Quilt books by Jennifer Chiaverinni.

I love the Lorraine Snelling books. Many are based in North Dakota and find that a plus. Just good wholesome reading.

A lady at the gym just told me about Jan Karon.... the Mitford Series... read the ist one At Home in Mitford and just started the 2nd in series A Light in the Window...light read and change from mystery gene - which I love.lol

Judy in Phx

Some of my favourites:
Margaret Atwood
Lee Child
Dan Brown
Michael Connelly
Robert Crais
John Darnton
Jasper Fforde
Diana Gabaldon
Lisa Gardner
Tess Gerritsen
Susan Isaacs
Jonathan Kellerman
Jesse Kellerman
Steve Martini
Jeffry P Lindsay
Steve Martini
Robert K Tanenbaum
F Paul Wilson

I love my library :)

My favorite author is Rosamund Pilcher. She has a few books and numerous short stories. Most are set in the English countryside.

[quote=mamaw]Anything by Nicholas Sparks, Jodi Picoult, Barbara Delinsky and the Elm Creek Quilt books by Jennifer Chiaverinni./quote]

In addition to the above authors (who I enjoy reading), I also highly suggest books by Dorothea Benton Frank, Mary Alice Monroe, Beverly Lewis, Emilie Richards and especially, Kristin Hannah.

I also just finished a book titled THE BLUE BOTTLE CLUB by Penelope J Stokes. It was an excellent novel!

I love to read..that is why I don't get as much quilting done as I could! I do not often do mysteries, though, every now and then I do read Robin Cook and James Patterson.

I like the Janet Evanovich books - with Stephanie Plum.

They are borderline raunchy, a lot of fantasy, and - for some of us - laugh out loud, roll on the floor funny.

They will either amuse you a lot - or be a total turn off.

I particularly enjoyed "The Red Tent" by Anita Diamant (not sure I spelled that correctly). The Elm Creek novels are also good. For a fast, easy, laugh-out loud funny read, any of the Stephanie Plum novels by Janet Evanovich are great. I think she is up to 17, but the first book in the series is called "One for the Money." Hilarious read, if you don't mind a walk on the lighter side.

I second Bearisgray's comments - they can be a bit on the raunchy side, but just so darned funny! I have made an utter fool of myself laughing hysterically at the Stephanie Plum books while waiting in doctor's offices and other public places. Once, I was laughing so hard, a woman stopped to ask me what I was reading so she could check it out herself!

Janet Evanovich as Stephanie Plum. Very light hearted funny "detective" From Trenton, NJ. Easy to read and go back to if interupted.
There are no words to express my understanding of what you are experiencing now. There are good days and not so good days. Cherish every moment you can. You are in my
thoughts.

This is a VERY interesting book and has been the choice of a lot of book clubs. My daughter just finished it and could not put it down. It is called "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot.

Here is a little about the book.
Doctors took her cells without asking. Those cells never died. They launched a medical revolution and a multimillion-dollar industry. More than 25 years later, her children found out. Their lives would never be the same

This is excellent.

Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers. It is extremely hard to see my mom in this condition, and the whole family has been affected by her decline. I love her so much! She has been my best friend in addition to my mom. I really enjoy being able to spend time with her, but seeing her change has been so difficult. I draw strength from my Faith and my family. We are very close and everyone pitches in to help take care of mom so that we can continue to keep her at home. God bless!

A List of my Favorites...I like suspense, action and intrigue

Lee Child (Jack Reacher is quite a guy)
Vince Flynn (Mitch Rapp is another superman)
Harlen Coben
Michael Connelly
Brad Thor
Greg Isles
Joel Rosenberg
David Baldacci (The Camel Club Series with Oliver Stone)
Andrew Klavan
Chris Reich
Brad Meltzer
Lisa Gardner
Philip Margolin
Steve Martini
JA Jance

For a Total Change of Pace
Janet Evanovich
Stephanie Bond

I have been reading books from Annie's Attic. They are a light mystery. I call them the adult version of The Nancy Drew books that I read in my younger years. They each have a different author.

It sure would help to know what kinds of books you like to read.

The one I read most recently that I'd recommend highly is The Help, by Kathryn Stockett. There was a thread on here about it recently, but when I went to look for it, I couldn't find it, so I suspect it got deleted. The story is set in Mississippi during the Civil Rights era and is about a white woman who decides to write a book of the true stories of a group of black maids (the help) and the black women who risk quite a lot to tell their stories. It's powerful and very absorbing to read.

Others have mentioned Jennifer Chiaverini's quilting novels, and if you haven't read them, you're in for a treat.

Jodi Thomas writes feel-good stuff, women's books but more than just romances.

I'm also a James Patterson fan. I love the "Alex Cross" series. Not too big on Dean Koontz though. He's a little too "out there" for me!

I recently read Shanghai Girls and its sequel, Dreams of Joy, by Lisa See. I was pleasantly surprised--they're excellent. She has a few other books I'm looking forward to reading. Memoirs of a Geisha is another good one in that similar thread (it takes place in Japan, not China, but it's placed in roughly the same time period).

I don't know how you feel about the Harry Potter franchise, but they are hands-down my favorite book series ever. I got into the series in my mid-20's and have gone through the whole thing no fewer than eight times. The first two books are very obviously childrens' books, but they're still appealing, and the topics of each book get continually more mature and grown-up as the characters age.

Julie & Julia is hilarious and inspiring, if you don't mind a few F-bombs (and by "a few" I mean she's pretty foul-mouthed).

If you like chick lit, I think the British authors can't be beat. Jane Green and Sophie Kinsella are my favorites.

I recently read "House Rules" by Jodi Picoult. It's about an autistic boy that's involved in solving a crime. It was a good book, what I would consider an easy read for entertainment. I usually prefer non-fiction and true crime books, but also enjoy inspirational books as well. I read just about anything, as long as it's not "gutter language or trashy". Those types of books just don't appeal to me. I love the Patricia Cornwell books with "Kay Scarpetta". John Sanford and John Grisham are also two of my favorite authors.

Lisanne, I read "The Help" recently and thought it was excellent. I also just finished "The Lovely Bones" by Alice Sebold. I really enjoyed her writing style and thought it was an excellent book. Both of these were also made in to movies recently , but I didn't see either one of them. The books are usually much better than the movies.

It depends on what time of books your interested in, I come from a medical background so I like these authors.

Robin Cook
Tess Gerritsen
Laurel Hamilton
Kathy Reich
James Patterson
Brad Thor
Tom Clancy
Vince Flynn

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

My pick is "Forever: A Novel" by Pete Hamill. Might be the best book I've read all year.

I love Pete Hamill, and I think this is his masterpiece. Great story, and NYC, specifically Manhattan, is a character- from 1740's until the day after 9/11. It's an amazing, magical, uplifting, thought provoking story. The kind of book you don't want to end.

I'm with you ... I love James Patterson, especially the Alex Cross series. And of course, Nora Roberts, Catherine Coulter, and can't leave out Danielle Steele. More, but I'm kinda brain-dead now.

I'm so sorry to hear about your situation - I had a similar experience with my mom. Unfortunately she passed away in 2005 after suffering with dimentia/Altzheimers for several years. It was SO VERY hard to see her change and then not even know who I was! I'm not sure if this will help you or not, but after she passed away, the "bad" memories I had gradually began to fade and the wonderful memories from "the good old days" came back. I'm thinking of you and wishing you and your whole family well! Take care and "hang in there"! :thumbup:

I forgot to mention the books! Janet Evanovich is hysterical! Right now I'm reading My Name is Mary Sutter (historical fiction) and if you have LOTS of time, the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon is EXCELLENT - you'll absolutely fall in love with Jamie, but the books are about 700 pages long!!! :-D

She is also my favorite author. Though all her books are wonderful, The Shell Seekers is a must read.

I'm also reading the Outlander books by Diana Gabaldon. About an English woman who gets caught up in time traveling from the mid 20th century to 18th century Scotland.

Our prayers go out to you and your family ..

Thanks for your kind thoughts and your concern. I really appreciate all of the support and kindness from the members of this board. Everyone has been wonderful. I'll look into the books and authors you've suggested. They sound like subjects I would be interested in and the 700 pages doesn't scare me off (lol)! Thanks.

Thanks for the suggestion. This sound like a book I would enjoy. I will definitely look into this book.

Thank you so much. Everyone here has been just wonderful.

I ditto all the authors already mentioned. If you like romance, Robyn Carr has a series-- Virgin River-- that's pretty good. I lost my mom in August. She had been between the hospital and nursing home since April. In the beginning she went through an episode of dementia which the doctor said was hospital induced psychosis. She didn't know where she was and barely knew me and my sisters. I believe it was the drugs they were giving her supposedly for anxiety and to sleep. She got better after awhile and was more like herself. It was really sad seeing her go through this. She was 92 and lived a healthy life until this episode. You're in my prayers. I know you're going through a rough time.

Thank you so much for your kind words. My mom is 79 years old and has been struggling with this for almost two years. It is more of a psychosis instead of dementia. She has both her long and short term memory, but she has hallucinations. Some times she thinks that I'm her older sister and she thinks my brother is our dad. Some of the things she says are just precious, for instance, I recently had a birthday and the entire family gathered at her house. I brought a lemon meringue pie and she told everyone they had to try a piece of the pie because she made it from scratch from lemons she picked off a tree in her backyard! Other times she has horrible hallucinations, seeing snakes, spiders and other frightening things in her home. She does take routine medications to help with the hallucinations, but there are occasional times when the medications don't seem to help. She has more good days than bad, thank goodness. She has always been such a loving and gentle person and would do anything to help anyone that needed it. It's hard to see her change so much.

I love Jodi Picoult, but she always makes me cry!! Nora Roberts is also a favorite, or Phylippa Gregory. Or if you're into the supernatural I am hooked on the Charlaine Harris Sookie Stackhouse books!

My two favourites:
The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, by Carson McCullers
To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee.
Both are page turners and the movies made were well done as well.

Iris Johansen-the Eve Duncan series-good reading

Mary Higgins Clark
Carol Higgins Clark
Diane Mott Davidson
Richard Paul Evans - Every book a treasure, truly
Joanne Fluke
Earlene Fowler
Jan Karon
Wally Lamb - Excellent
Beverly Lewis
Judith Miller
Tracie Peterson
Emilie Richards
Ann B. Ross
Nicholas Sparks
Nancy E. Turner

As you can see, I keep my records alphabetically.
Each book by each author is an audiobook. For those of us who are audiobookphiles!!!!!! Edie

I read anything printed on paper..lol. Loved "The Help" and all those silly Stephanie Plum's make me laugh. My love and prayers...going through almost the same with my Mom. We moved her into our home first of October and hoping to keep her for a very long time.