Fiction
The Dinner by Herman Koch. “Brilliantly constructed story of two brothers' dinner in a restaurant with their wives. It is a story of depravity and deception which bounces back and forth between present and past, laying out a shocking and unexpected set of events that culminate over the course of a meal.”
Discovery of Heaven by Harry Mulisch: My Dutch friend recommends this book by a Dutch author. From Amazon: An "epic tale of love, friendship, and divine intervention in this cerebral story of heavenly influence." One Amazon reviewer says it starts off like 'It's a Wonderful Life,' with a conversation between two people in Heaven talking about how they influence events on earth.
Disgraceby J.M. Coatzee. “Though not very long and quite an easy read, this book amazed me with all it accomplishes. Coatzee does gender and race in South Africa without ever mentioning the words, hardly hinting that he’s talking politics at all. In fact, the title could be ‘Desire,’ for all its focus on what the heart wants. I’ve wanted to read Coatzee since he won the Nobel in 2003, and I wasn’t disappointed. Yes, the book’s subjects involve the political, but what he’s really written is a suspenseful—This can’t be happening but it is!-- near-Biblical tale on the meaning of love—and parenting.”
Dissolution (Matthew Shardlake Mysteries) by CJ Sansom. “Historical fiction about King Henry VIII and the Reformation. Similar to the Name of Rose by Eco. A complex murder mystery set in a corrupt abbey. First in the Matthew Shardlake series.” There are more.
The Distant Hours by Kate Morton. “Like Morton’s other books, this book centers on a generations-old mystery that takes place in an English estate. This time a woman searches for clues about her mother’s life during WWII, when she lived with a family of elder twin sisters and their younger, vivacious sister. The younger sister has been a Havisham-like recluse since her fiancé disappeared. A thriller much like her Morton’s other books.”
The Distant Land of My Father by Bo Caldwell. “…Really great history of Shanghai and redemptive father-daughter story.”
The Divergent Series by Veronica Roth. “Of course, I like the books better than the movie (even though the first movie released was pretty good). If you liked the film, do yourself a favor and read the books. I will tell you that the last book really ticked me off, although I completely understand why Veronica Roth wrapped the triology up the way she did. Still made me mad.”
Do Not Become Alarmed by Maile Meloy. What could go wrong on a holiday family cruise? Kidnapping, a South American drug ring, murder, illicit sex, all wrapped up in a package of privilege, race, and guilt.
The Do-Over by Kathleen Ossip. “This wonderful, poignant and critically acclaimed book of poems (with some prose bits thrown in) is an homage to the poet’s beloved mother-in-law who has passed away and reflects the poet’s attempts to understand what this woman means to her, in life and in death (‘I never want to forget how this feels I will of course forget’). Her style is colloquial and varied, and always engaging. Great even for novice poetry readers.”
Doctor Sleep by Stephen King. “Sequel to the popular The Shining. In Doctor Sleep the child Dan is now an adult recovering alcoholic who still has the gift of seeing the dead and reaching out through his mind to others with "the shining." This brings Dan into contact with a young girl who is even more gifted than he, and classic King terror ensues. The book returns to the old isolated hotel made famous in The Shining.”
A Dog’s Purpose: A Novel for Humans by Bruce Cameron. “Much to learn from our 4 legged friends!”
The Double by George Pelecanos. “Of all the writers who've ever attempted to capture all that is Washington, DC, Pelecanos does the best job. You can really tell that he lives here, and he loves the city. In this book, private eye Spero Lucas is hired to return a stolen painting. It's a nuanced and shaded book with twists and turns that never seem convoluted or contrived. If you haven't read Pelecanos, start now. He's a master.”
The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman. “Historical fiction with four strong female characters whose lives intersect.”
Dune Road: A Novel
East of Eden by John Steinbeck and Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy. “Both beautifully written, both also on Oprah's book list (not that I usually consider this a source of great literature but it did inspire me to read the above two).”
East of Eden by John Steinbeck. "Big commitment, but worth it. Troubling characters, mediations on free will and the human character. Still second to Grapes of Wrath but Steinbeck is always worth the effort."
Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson. "For those who like romantic Austen-esque novels set in the early 19th century, this is a charming alternative to the trashy ones that dominate the genre. A young woman, bored and trying to avoid an unwanted suitor in Bath, England, joins her social climbing twin sister at a house party in the English countryside. Shenanigans and romance ensue. Fluff, but much better written and not as pornographic than the usual fare."
The Eight by Katherine Neville. Written in 1997, “an intense thriller that is steeped in history. The story revolves around a chess set with magical powers that is sought after across the ages. Highly complex and quick-pace at the same time.”
Eighteen Acres by Nicolle Wallace, former White House Communications Director. “A great ‘beach’ read. Nicolle did a great job, I thought. Couldn't put it down. Although, fiction, It's full of insider info on the workings of the White House from someone who's been there!”
Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowells. Several of you recommended this. “This was a YA hit last year, but I only got around to reading it this year and loved it. Two high school misfits secretly love each other. They trade mixtapes and comic books and secretly spend time together. He is from a loving family. She's from a broken, abusive home. It's sweet and lovely, and I adore the author and think she's a class act.”