readers advisory for all discussion

I always love descriptions of people doing mundane things: going shopping, taking a trip to the park, making dinner, etc. I really like the parts in Harry Potter where Harry is doing everyday things, like studying for exams or having meals with the Weasleys. I've recently picked up a couple slice of life manga that I really liked, too: Yotsuba&! and Bunny Drop. They have very different takes on a similar plot. I love watching the interactions between the older men and the little girls. I know that slice of life usually refers to manga and graphic novels, but I'm okay with slice of life novels, too. I hope my request isn't confusing :/ Thanks for any help!

The Grass Harp or The Member of the Wedding or anything by either author. Also, The Complete Talking Heads almost paints portraits of common people with humor. I especially enjoyed Life Among the Savages and The Pillars of the Earth for descriptions of everyday life.

Thank you for all the suggestions, Elizabeth! I added The Grass Harp and The Member of the Wedding to my to-read list. I'm not really looking for nonfiction or plays at the moment. I think I would also prefer a more modern setting than The Pillars of the Earth. I really appreciate all of your help!

I just read Dandelion Wine and it is a great "slice of life" book. It follows two young boys through the summer and it's full of perfectly written but mundane things. Makes me want to kick off my shoes and run through the grass to the neighbor's house to drink lemonade on the porch.

This isn't quite "slice of life" and this rec may be coming from left field, but have you read Kafka on the Shore? It's more magical realism than slice of life, but the book is loaded with descriptions of everyday life things, such as eating (yum) and interactions between the main characters. The book is difficult to describe as the plot itself borrows from post-modern philosophical ideas, but the everyday actions of the characters are so grounded that it almost feels like the reader is shadowing the protagonists in their everyday lives.

Stina wrote: "I just read Dandelion Wine and it is a great "slice of life" book. It follows two young boys through the summer and it's full of perfectly written but mundane things. Makes me want to kick off my..."

This sounds right along the lines of what I'm looking for. Thank you!

Kay wrote: "This isn't quite "slice of life" and this rec may be coming from left field, but have you read Kafka on the Shore? It's more magical realism than slice of life, but the book is loaded with descrip..."

This sounds really good, too! Thanks!

Standing in the Rainbow

Jaye wrote: "Standing in the Rainbow"

Good choice. Just about anything Fannie Flagg contains a good amount of "slice of life".

Thank you Jaye and Deborah!

All of Jane Austen Books! if you have read them already try Louisa May Alcott

You know, I should probably read some Jane Austen, anyway. Now I'll have some extra incentive to get a few more classics under my belt! Thanks!

Oh, I also wanted to recommend this McCall series - they're sweet.

http://www.goodreads.com/series/43418...

Someone suggested this book in another discussion that I started. It must pretty good! Thanks Deborah!

Kay wrote: "This isn't quite "slice of life" and this rec may be coming from left field, but have you read Kafka on the Shore? It's more magical realism than slice of life, but the book is loaded with descrip..."

I was going to suggest The Wind-Up Bird Chroniclebut Kafka on the Shores is an even better suggestion.

Thanks for the suggestion, Amit! It sounds good, too!

The Sookie Stackhouse novels. She goes to walmart, tans, paints her nails, etc.
The last couple of books seemed to be only that type of stuff.

Thank you, Lauren! I've been meaning to pick up the series. Now I have yet another reason to read it!

Kay wrote: "This isn't quite "slice of life" and this rec may be coming from left field, but have you read Kafka on the Shore? It's more magical realism than slice of life, but the book is loaded with descrip..."

Kay - As a fan of manga, slice of life, AND Murakami I highly second this recommendation! ^_^

Well, I just made this recommendation in the Manga thread, but I thought you might enjoy these as well, Kristen! ^_^

The BEST, most slice-of life manga you could possibly ask for:
1. Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou (volume 1), Cafe Alpha

2. Aqua, Volume 1

I noticed you have read a good bit of sci-fi. Have you looked at Nathan Lowell's Solar Clipper series, starting with Quarter Share? No war, no aliens, no grand heroics, just some very ordinary people dealing with life aboard a commercial space vessel. A little bit of danger, handled through common sense and intelligence. Very endearing characters.

Lowell's fantasy series, The Adventures of Tanyth Fairport, is similar in flavor. There's a little bit more danger and drama than in the Solar Clipper series, but not too much. Mostly it's about the travels of a middle-aged herb woman and the people she meets along the way.

Truman Capote was a master of writing about everyday experiences. I love his short stories,"A Christmas Memory" and A Thanksgiving Visitor." His short story collection, "Music for Chameleons" is priceless.

peg - I love Truman Capote's short stories! My sister has this wonderful tradition of reading a different Christmas short story by the fire on Christmas Eve and the year before last (I think) it was Truman Capote's "A Christmas Memory" and I just fell in love with it! ^_^ Great recommendation!

People doing the mundane, everyday things while they wait for the world to end.
On the Beach

Micha, I just noticed that there is a volume, "The Complete Stories of Truman Capote." That might be the next addition to my short story anthologies.

peg wrote: "Truman Capote was a master of writing about everyday experiences. I love his short stories,"A Christmas Memory" and A Thanksgiving Visitor." His short story collection, "Music for Chameleons" is p..."

Music for Chameleons is my all-time favorite book. Great recommendation!