Hi,

I'm looking for reading suggestions for my ninety-two year old grandmother.  She enjoyed Robin McGraw's book and is a huge Kelly Ripa fan and is enjoying the book she compiled about mothers.  Any suggestions of interesting reading or biographies would be greatly appreciated. 

Thanks all, and happy reading

Do you think she'd like Erma Bombeck and her stories of life? She has one that I think is called Motherhood:  the Second Oldest Profession or something like that.  I just sent a copy to my mom.  She can be touching and amusing both.

My elderly neighbor has read "Front Porch Tales" and really enjoyed it.  I think there are several similar books by the same author. 

My mother-in-law (86) enjoys reading books by Mary Higgins Clark.  Also the MURDER SHE WROTE series.

Walking Across Egypt, by Clyde Edgerton, might be to her taste.  It's kind of how an older woman "straightens out" a couple of males, one a boy, by feeding them with "good home cooking" and teaching them how to pitch in and "do chores" and in general behave responsibly.   Gently humorous.
 

    My 85 year old mother in law likes the Miss Julia books by Ann B. Ross and everything by Fannie Flagg.  She also enjoyed the Left Behind series.

Perhaps the Tales from Grace Chapel Inn series? Very enjoyable.

I would like to suggest three books:

The Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks - My Mom begged me to recommend an interesting book for her book club, which I always hesitate doing because the books I read have way too much sex for my Mom.  The ladies of her book club voted it their favorite book out of twelve.  All over 75 years old.  They loved it, and my Mom did too.

Unplanned Parenthood by Liz Carpenter - funny and wise and touching book about a 70+ lady who takes on her son's three teens when he and his wife die suddenly or something like that.  Again, I got it for my Mom and she loved it.

Whippoorwill by Sharon Sala - Just hilarious fun with two sequels that are equally good and funny and touching. 

My 93 year old mother enjoyed reading all the historical romances written by Madeleine Brent (pen name of Peter O'Donnell).   They are addictive, well written, and full of plot twists and turns one would never imagine.

You guys are so awesome.  Thanks so much for these suggestions and please don't hesitate to leave some more.  She's reading very fast!!!

Thanks again!

Water for Elephants- Gruen-Told in flashback form about a 90 year old man's life with the circus

The Help- Stockett-Told from various viewpoints about a relationships both racially and from a boss to employee. Between the white society ladies and their "help". Much better than the job I am doing discribing it.

The kitchen house- Grissom  Set in the late 1700's and Early 1800's.  I am currently reading this and have a hard time putting it down.  Please read the discription as I cannot begin to discribe this book with any justice.

The Outlander Series- Gabadon  Time travel back to 1745 from 1945 set mainly  in scotland- Historical fiction and romance

Firefly Lanes- Hannah, Kristin or actually anything written by her.  This is the story of two girls friendship over 30 years.

The book thief- Zusak  Set during WWII in Germany about a girl who steals books  how it affects her and those she shares them with

These are all just good books- mostly historically based.  Hope this is of some help. 

Anything by Per Peterson.

Effie Leland Wilder books are wonderful and funny.  There is a series of them I can't remember the titles,    Over the Hill but not out to Pasture something along those lines.

Prayers for Sale
Author: Sandra Dallas
ISBN-13: 9780312385194 - ISBN-10: 0312385196

This was a favorite in my book club, which is mostly older women. 
 

The books written by Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown.  They're funny and have enough mystery to keep you hooked.  And you have to know what the cats and dogs are talking about. Hope this helps. Amy

My 85 year old aunt loves Donna Leon's Inspector Brunetti's series set in Venice.  I finally collected all of the books and sent them to her.  She likes his wife and said the food is great.  The first is Death at La Fenice.

We are both "armchair travellers".

Susan

Books by Charlene Baumbich are "gentle, feel-good, often funny stories about small towns, families and friendships."  The main character is 87 year old Dorothy, who tools around town in a 1976 Lincoln Contienetal she calls the 'Tank.'

The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout

It of course, depends on your grandmother's interest.

I have found the Red Hat series to be funny and uplifting.  Also the Sweet Potato Queens books.  Both are light reading.

The Kitchen House, someone mentioned, is very depressing. IMO  If she likes books about slavery and that time frame then she might like it. 

Debbie Macomber books.  There are some series and some stand alone books.  Good reading. 

My mom enjoyed all the Dearest Dorothy books; the Mitford series by Jan Karon; Mary Higgins Clark books; Philip Gulley books; Fanny Flagg books; Maeve Binchey books; Miss Read books; Agatha Christie

Gail Fraser's Lumby books have been very popular in our library:

Lumby on the Air, July 2010
The Promise of Lumby, July 2009
Lumby's Bounty, January 2008
Stealing Lumby, September 2007
The Lumby Lines, May 2007

Perhaps she might also enjoy Jennifer Chiaverini's Elm Quilt Creek novels.

http://elmcreek.net/index.php/main/books/

The Southern Sisters mysteries by the late Anne George are also very enjoyable:

1. Murder on A Girls' Night Out (1996)
2. Murder on A Bad Hair Day (1996)
3. Murder Runs in the Family (1997)
4. Murder Makes Waves (1997)
5. Murder Gets A Life (1998)
6. Murder Shoots the Bull (1999)
7. Murder Carries A Torch (2000)
8. Murder Boogies with Elvis (2001)

My grandpa like My Generation  by Tom Brokaw (I think that was the name and title)

 Seconds for Rita Mae Brown books and the Sweet Potato books....my women relatives of that age love those two!

My mother loves the The Cat Who series by Lilian Jackson Braun, she always got a kick out of those cats!!!!