I got lost in life before getting a chance to write back. I loved Unbearable Lightness of Being, and have enjoyed what little of Murakami I have read. John Irving I’ve not read, so I’ll add him to my consideration.

A book I am planning to re-read in the near future which is light and fast and yet not light and insubstantial is Christopher Moore’s Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal. It’s a sardonic look at religion, and is quite funny. Again, nothing hair-raisingly difficult, but fun nonetheless.

Thanks much for the suggestion, but I already read this book. Can’t say I am as thrilled about it as you, found it somewhat trite, although I do think it is a good book. But anything by Milan Kundera, Haruki Murakami, and most of John Irving has it beat. I have become a Cormac McCarthy fan, although some of his work was too dense for me–The Road, The Border Trilogy were excellent. OK, well, do you have a second favorite book?

Linda

You are right to want to read Haruki Murakami, I have read all his novels and they are wonderful. The Wind-Up Bird Chronical made me need glasses! Norwegian Wood is divine.

As for John Irving, please read him, too, although some of his work is not so great (imho). His early work (Garp, Hotel New Hampshire, etc. is great, Owen Meany is fantastic.

If you could recommend one book to your audience, what would it be?

Thank you.

Linda

And thanks for checking out my site.

Recommended Reads:

Tom Robbins: I recommend “Stilllife with Woodpecker” or “Invalids Home from Hot Climates” A daring, bizarre, creative, lol writer whose every sentence is poetic but when combined form drug-trip-like descriptions.

also

Joanne Harris: “Gentlemen and Players” or “Blackberry Wine”
Books infused with food, a touch of magic, and plots like animal paths; earthy, careful and yet carefree, but that can be twisty.