Each month, we host Facebook Friday Recommendations online. You can get personalized recommendations — all you need to do is find our Facebook Friday post and comment with two or three books or authors you like, and we’ll help you find your next great read! Here are the recommendations from February 2017.
Request: I like cozy mystery books like Joanne Fluke and meatier ones like Mary Higgins Clark … I’ve read all the books you have by both authors. What now?
Recommendation: Hi! Diane Mott Davidson’s work tends to be a little darker than Fluke’s, but it shares the tendency to feature quirky characters and tasty recipes. Katherine Hall Page also writes humorous mysteries that feature a lot of food. The “Faith Sibley Fairchild” series is similar in tone to Fluke’s work.
Lisa Gardner writes suspenseful mysteries featuring independent heroines, though her language and plots may be a little more violent that Mary Higgins Clark. Judith Jance is another author of fast-paced mysteries starring intelligent women.
Reader recommendation: If I may — a really unique cozy mystery series is the Morning Shade Mystery series by Lori Copeland. Very quirky and funny, and the mysteries are *really* mild — chain letters, peeping toms, harmless break-ins. I found them at DBRL years ago!
Request: I like Beatriz Williams, Christina Baker Kline, Paula Hawkins and Lisa Jewell, Jessica Knoll and so many more!!!!!
Recommendation: Hi there! It seems like you like a bit of psychological suspense, and Gillian Flynn is a perfect fit. She’s the author of the wildly popular “Gone Girl,” but you should also check out her other books, “Dark Places” and “Sharp Objects.” Donna Tartt is another author that writes similarly to both Christina Baker Kline and Jessica Knoll- “The Secret History” is a great one by Tartt. For a bit of a lighter read, I recommend David Nicholls’ “One Day” or “Us,” as they are both witty and cheerful like Lisa Jewell’s books.
Kim Edwards is an author you might enjoy; she wrote the popular “The Memory Keeper’s Daughter,” but also a lovely short story collection titled “Secrets of a Fire King.” Elin Hilderbrand writes books about domestic life, often set in Maine similar to Lisa Genova, and she has a great many books to explore if you haven’t tried her yet.
Request: I’m looking for a fantasy book by a female author. I love Neil Gaiman — “Neverwhere” is one of my favorite books ever — and George RR Martin is also great (even beyond GOT). Magic within a well-built realistic world.
Recommendation: Hello. Robin McKinley writes fairy tale novels with a sophisticated writing style. Neil Gaiman is a big fan of her! “Angel of Storms” by Trudi Canavan, like “Neverwhere,” is a compelling story featuring alternate realities, mounting suspense and plot twists. “A Madness of Angels” by Kate Griffin is an intricately plotted, darkly humorous fantasy novel that takes place in an alternate version of London.
Patrick Rothfuss’ “Kingkiller Chronicles” series will appeal to fans of George R.R. Martin, and not just because you’ll have to wait forever for the next book to come out. It definitely features magic within a well-built realistic world. You should also check out “Poison Study” by Maria Snider, a suspenseful fantasy novel with plenty of magic.
Reader Recommendation You might try the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon … I’m on book four now. It’s almost exactly what you said — magic within a realistic world.
Request: Two my favorites are “Prodigal Summer” and “The Master Butcher’s Singing Club.” I enjoy almost all Barbara Kingsolver, truthfully.
Recommendation: Hello! You might like “Anthill” by Edward O. Wilson. Like “Prodigal Summer,” “Anthill” is a lyrical novel that emphasizes its characters love for the environment. Kingsolver fans also tend to enjoy the work of Jodi Picoult and Mary Kay Andrews.
Request: This may be an impossibility. My tbr is a mile long and I don’t *need* more books to read. But, I am wondering if you have any other mystery author in mind who rivals Louise Penny. While I wait for her new book, is there someone who writes with both depth and nuance? Somewhere between the happy, cozy mystery genre and the hard, grisly detective world. Thanks DBRL. You guys are just the best.
Recommendation: Haha, I completely understand about not *needing* more books! For some authors similar to Louise Penny I’d have to recommend you check out Donna Leon, who writes very likable characters, though the stories might be on the grittier side. “Death at La Fenice” is a good starting point for Leon. For a cozy and thoughtful, yet provocative and rich storyline, Gail Bowen fits the bill- start with “Love and Murder.” Happy reading!
Request: I really like Kristin Hannah and Luanne Rice. I’ve read all their books. Strong female characters and the importance of family.
Recommendation: Hello! “The Daughters of Mars” by Thomas Keneally is likely to please fans of Kristin Hannah’s “The Nightingale.” It’s similar in that it’s a historical novel featuring sisters in a wartime setting. “The Submission” by Amy Waldman is an interesting novel that blends themes of bigotry along with the pursuit of justice by a lone female protagonist. If these novels do not suffice, I suggest exploring the works of Jodi Picoult, Kristina Riggle, Fern Michaels, and Elin Hilderbrand — each of these authors’ works are similar to those of both Kristin Hannah and Luanne Rice. Thanks for posting!
Request: I like YA books Sarah Dessen, Ellen Hopkins, and John Green. I also like books about fairies like “The Iron King.”
Recommendation: Hello. Melvin Burgess and Adam Rapp share Ellen Hopkins love of writing gritty books about drug use and life on the streets.
Matthew Quick, like John Green, writes young adult novels that deal humorously with troubled and intelligent characters, and explore the bonds that form between outsider teens.
“City of Fallen Angels” should appeal to fans of “The Iron King.” It’s an action-packed urban fantasy romance. Also worth checking out: “The Treachery of Beautiful Things,” another urban fantasy novel.
Request: Dan Buettner, Jan Karon and Catherine Marshall. Thank you.
Recommendation: Hello. Jan Karon fans are likely to enjoy the inspirational books of Debbie Macomber. Jennifer Chiaverini’s heartwarming, friendship-heavy novels are also likely to appeal.
Andy Turnbull and Priscilla Galloway also write about travel, and should be of interest to Dan Buettner fans.
Mary Connealy and Stacy Henrie are also writers of heartwarming tales. Fans of Catherine Marshall should enjoy them.
Request: I like Dean Koontz and Stephen King. Just read Joe Hill’s books. Enjoyed “A Man Called Ove.”
Recommendation: Hi. King, Koontz, and Hill fans are likely to enjoy the work of Peter Straub (King has collaborated with Straub on a few novels: “The Talisman,” “Black House”). You’re also likely to enjoy Neil Gaiman. Justin Cronin has a trilogy of massive King-like novels. “The Passage” is the first of them and a fun read.
“The Widower’s Tale” by Julia Glass is a funny and moving novel about old widowers with cold personalities that eventually warm up. “Elling” by Ingvar Ambjornsen shares the irreverent humor of “A Man Called Ove.”
Request: Harry Bernstein, Sarah Addison Allen, “Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.” Yes, I have weird and varied tastes.
Recommendation: Hello. Like Harry Bernstein, Kari Hesthamar writes compelling stories about family. Monica Wesolowska shares Bernstein’s tendency to write heartwrenching stories.
Alice Hoffman’s quirky characters and magical realism is likely to appeal to Sarah Addison Allen fans. Laura Esquivel also writes stories that include a dose of magic with the romance and troubled families, though Esquivel tends to be more bittersweet.
“Island Magic” is a heartwarming character-driven novel that is likely to appeal to fans of “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.” “The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir” is also set during World War II and features colorful characters.
Request: I like G.A. Henty’s books, “The Giver,” and historical fiction about Tudor, Plantagenet and Stuart England.
Recommendation: If you enjoy historical fiction, you might give Rosemary Sutcliff a try. I’d recommend starting with “The Eagle of the Ninth.” Another historical fiction book to take a look at is “The Secret Horses of Briar Hill” by Megan Shepherd. It takes place in World War II, but has a delightfully ambiguous ending, much like “The Giver”. But if it’s a dystopian novel you’re in the mood for, “The City of Ember” by Jeanne DuPrau sounds like it would be right up your alley! Happy Reading!
Request: I like Laurell K. Hamilton, JR Ward and Charlaine Harris. Would love to find a new author!
Recommendation: Hello! Patricia Briggs writes contemporary fantasies that include romance, sex, and violence. Karen Chance writes violent paranormal fantasy full of vampires, werewolves, and dark magic. Carole Nelson Douglas features plenty of monsters and strong female characters. These authors should be big hits with fans of Hamilton, Ward, and Harris.
Request: “God’s Smuggler” and “The Hiding Place”
Recommendation: Hello. “Rebel Priest in the Time of Tyrants” by Claude Lacaille is a life story featuring Christian Missionaries, and is likely to be a hit with fans of “God’s Smuggler.” “Saint Katharine” by Cordelia Frances Biddle is very similar, as is “What a Life!” by Donald R. Jacobs.
“Pere Marie-Benoit and Jewish Rescue” by Susan Zuccotti is a story about a Catholic priest hiding Jewish people during the Holocaust because he was morally compelled to help people whose lives were in danger. “Never the Last Journey” is another moving story set during the Holocaust.
Request: I enjoyed the handful of books by Claire Donally — cat mysteries
Recommendation: Hi. Claire Donally fans will likely enjoy Jane Rubino, Lilian Jackson Braun, Ann Ripley and Rita Mae Brown. These authors write cozy little mysteries that are gentle reads, while, of course, still have murder.
Request: Are there any books like “Circling the Sun” or the “House at the Edge of Night,” both with independent heroines?
Recommendation: Hi there. You might like “Ines of my Soul” by Isabel Allende. Like “Circling the Sun,” it’s an atmospheric and character-driven work of historical fiction featuring a strong female lead. “Boleto” by Alyson Carol Hagy is a lyrical coming-of-age novel about a young person using their horse training talents to break free from their small-town life.
“The House of Blue Mangoes,” like “The House at the Edge of Night” by David Davidar uses a world war as a backdrop and celebrates the joys of family. Another Allende novel (and another one with the word “house” in the title, oddly enough) may appeal: “The House of the Spirits” is a nostalgic and dramatic family saga with magic and history playing a large role.
Request: I love Dr. Seuss, Shel Silverstein, and the author of “The Bee Who Sneezed,” Stephen Evans.
Recommendation: Hi! If you haven’t checked out Maurice Sendak, you definitely should- he’s written much more than just “Where the Wild Things Are.” “Higglety Pigglety Pop!” is whimsical, but still explores life’s deep questions. Sandra Boynton is a great author for those who enjoy Dr. Seuss, as they are full of fun and rhymes. As for an author similar to Shel Silverstein, I recommend John Ciardi, who writes fun poems that are meant to be shared.
