Looking for book recommendations

A left for FL today to visit his grandson Q. Q is a great kid, bright, thoughtful but lively.

Did some cleaning and yardwork today, worked on plans for the boy I tutor on Tuesday nights. We are doing double sessions these days, getting him ready for Subject tests. I myself have been learning gobs about US history, which seems so fascinating especially in light of what goes on today.

My student is adorable, serious, frustrated with his helicopter parents, introspective. He surprises himself by opening up to me. Tonight I gave him a little speech about not making the mistake of associating SAT scores with self worth. Body language is interesting–sometimes he seems stiff and doesn’t look at me, until we set everything aside for a few minutes and talk about life and colleges and so forth, and then he relaxes and smiles.

He asked me to recommend some good novels (that adults like). He likes fiction but mostly knows the classics, nothing modern.

Anybody have any favorites to recommend?

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April 1, 2008

How old is he anyway? What sort of genre are you looking at? It’s always easier for kids to open up to adults other than their parents.

April 2, 2008

middlesex

April 2, 2008

If you are working on History then there are quite a few modern books on historical figures like John Adams and Paul Revere. I have just finished a book, Amish Grace , that was just amazing in how it has me reflecting on who and what I am spiritually.

April 3, 2008

Anything by Khaled Hosseini (sp?) The Kite Runner or A Thousand Splendid Suns, American Gods by Neil Gaiman, Fight Club or Survivor by Chuck Palahniuk (depending on how much utter weirdness he can take) There are more but I can’t think of anything else.

April 4, 2008

What age group are we looking at? Favorite genres or styles?

April 9, 2008
April 9, 2008

Prodigal Summer, by Barbara Kingsolver. Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kidd. both US, both excellent. Ray Bradbury’s Dandelion Wine if you can find it. Octavia Butler for Sci-Fi, or Joan Slonczewski. “Daddy” by Loup Durand, or Margery Allingham’s detective series. Or Dorothy L Sayers. Or Shantaram by Gregory Roberts – it a fictional account of his own experiences. all good.

April 10, 2008

Author: Chuck Palahniuk. I’ve known several, ranging from 18 through their 50’s who are in love w/ this author’s story telling. I myself cannot say I’ve read them, but the others are addicted.

Saw you on readers choice for some reason. And wanted to say that I just finished a book called Fire Fly Lane. It’s a good book about best friends. Not sure what kind that you like to read but this was the best book I’ve read this year and Im an avid reader.