Looking for Good Books to Read

[Weird Harold]

oooo yes one of my favourites...just finished her Fiery Cross...think it was like 1500 pages!

Now if I could just find the paperback edition of Fiery Cross I'd have a complete set of that series and wouldn't have to run to the library every time Iwant to re-read it.

Speaking of complete sets -- I picked up TheShelters of Stone by Jane Auel in paperback yesterday. It's the fifth book in the Earth's Children series that began with Clan of the Cave Bear, so all five are now available in paperback.

Depending on how fast you read nd how much time you cn devote to reading, the Earth's Children series is anywhere from a week to a year's worth of good reading that will make you think if you let it.

 

[wicked woman]

Originally posted by Weird Harold
Now if I could just find the paperback edition of Fiery Cross I'd have a complete set of that series and wouldn't have to run to the library every time Iwant to re-read it.

It's out in paperback...that's what I read...is it just not available near you?

 

[Mrs Peel]

Recent favorites:

"Atonement" - Ian McEwan
Fiction. A book frightening in its similarity to "Cold Mountain", but set in WWII England. In my opinion, McEwan's a far better writer, and this a far better book.

"The Partly Cloudy Patriot" - Sarah Vowell
Humorous essays/anecdotes about life, politics, and stuff in general. Chapter titles include: "Ike Was a Handsome Man", "God Will Give You Blood to Drink in a Souvenir Shotglass", "Democracy and Things Like That", "Dear Dead Congressman", "Tom Cruise Makes Me Nervous", and "Tom Landry, Existentialist, Dead at 75." Warning: Sarah generally sees life from a left-wing perspective.

Lately, my favorite genre seems to be memoir - especially those with a BIG dose of black humor:

"A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius" - Dave Eggers
Apparently, you either love it or hate it. I loved it. Orphaned at a young age, "taking care of" his younger brother, their move to San Francisco ... hilarity ensues.

"All Over But the Shoutin'" - Rick Bragg
Growing up poor in Alabama, priceless family stories, winning a Pulitzer prize at the NY Times. Hilarity all the way through.

"My War Gone By, I Miss It So" - Anthony Loyd
London Times correspondent covers the war in Bosnia, and his heroin habit. How could this be anything but hilarious? (OK, so I'm twisted....)

And of course, looking forward to reading Sheath's book!

 

[jaded_lily]

I love reading the Da Vinci Code, very good book.. Definately makes wiccans and catholics think.



But my absolute favorite books are the Kay Scarpetta series by Patricia Cornwell. I believe her newest one is Blow Fly, i have it just haven't read it yet.....still reading the da vinci code.

other Patricia Cornwell books are:

Postmortem
Body of Evidence
All that Remains
Cruel and Unusual
The Body Farm
From Potter's Field
Cause of Death
Hornet's Nest
Unnatural Exposure
Points of Origin
Southern Cross
Black Notice
The Last Precinct
Isle of Dogs

Oh and James Patterson - kiss the girls, along came a spider, violets are blue, 1st to die and 2nd chance

 

[sheath]

Oh and James Patterson - kiss the girls, along came a spider, violets are blue, 1st to die and 2nd chance

Mmmm...I loved "Kiss the Girls". I even loved the movie. Did Morgan Freeman play in both "Kiss the Girls" and "Along Came a Spider"?

Tom Clancy is good, too...at least, his older titles are. The later ones, though...he seems to be pumping them out too fast to have any real merit to the storylines.

S.

 

[midwestyankee]

Tom Clancy is good, too...at least, his older titles are. The later ones, though...he seems to be pumping them out too fast to have any real merit to the storylines.

S.

I have to agree with this one. I swear he has a half dozen assistants cranking out formula books that he briefly touches up in a few spots before they are released to the selling machine.

 

[sheath]

I have to agree with this one. I swear he has a half dozen assistants cranking out formula books that he briefly touches up in a few spots before they are released to the selling machine.

Exactly. I gave up on reading him a few years ago...it seemed like every three months a new book was on the shelves, and I can understand a writer having a lot of books in the hopper...I'm working on five separate ones myself at any one time...but to publish THAT many? The man either has them stockpiled or he is writing on the fly with little regard to content. Either way, it's a sad thing, because he has proven himself again and again...but he has to hold to that caliber of writing to keep his fan base...

Boy, I could preach, so I'm going to shut up now. lol

S.

 

[midwestyankee]

Exactly. I gave up on reading him a few years ago...it seemed like every three months a new book was on the shelves, and I can understand a writer having a lot of books in the hopper...I'm working on five separate ones myself at any one time...but to publish THAT many? The man either has them stockpiled or he is writing on the fly with little regard to content. Either way, it's a sad thing, because he has proven himself again and again...but he has to hold to that caliber of writing to keep his fan base...

Boy, I could preach, so I'm going to shut up now. lol

S.

Actually, I've enjoyed his non-fiction lately more than the recent fiction. Some of the works he has done on the military have been terrific.

 

[yourcharms]

Exactly. I gave up on reading him a few years ago...it seemed like every three months a new book was on the shelves, and I can understand a writer having a lot of books in the hopper...I'm working on five separate ones myself at any one time...but to publish THAT many? The man either has them stockpiled or he is writing on the fly with little regard to content. Either way, it's a sad thing, because he has proven himself again and again...but he has to hold to that caliber of writing to keep his fan base...

Boy, I could preach, so I'm going to shut up now. lol

S.

I always remember reading an article about Stephen King and his prolific writing. He writes (or he did) 8:30am to 11am 361 days a year (can't remember the reasons for the missing four days - I know one was his birthday and one was Thanksgiving), producing around 2500 words per day.

When he signed a four book deal for $40m with Viking in the early 1990s, he'd already written three of them. He said he worked out his demons through writing and, if he didn't, he'd probably be in a tower with a high powered rifle!

 

[jaded_lily]

Mmmm...I loved "Kiss the Girls". I even loved the movie. Did Morgan Freeman play in both "Kiss the Girls" and "Along Came a Spider"?

yup sure did.

 

[Beloved]

*grins* Definitely among my favorites, yes. You do know there's a fifth book ('No Phule Like an Old Phule') out now, I trust?

(holds up the copy he's reading)

-CoyoteTales

Yup, just waiting for somebody to return it to the libary. lol.

Another author that I recommend, especially if your into scifi, is Harry Turtledove. His books are... different(?) from your normal scifi, but very good reading.

 

[sheath]

I always remember reading an article about Stephen King and his prolific writing. He writes (or he did) 8:30am to 11am 361 days a year (can't remember the reasons for the missing four days - I know one was his birthday and one was Thanksgiving), producing around 2500 words per day.

When he signed a four book deal for $40m with Viking in the early 1990s, he'd already written three of them. He said he worked out his demons through writing and, if he didn't, he'd probably be in a tower with a high powered rifle!

Good point. And the trick of working for a set amount of words every day does work, especially if a writer has more than one novel working at one time...eventually one IS going to hit the finish line and then you can start another.

What I like about King is that he always changes it up. The man is a wellspring of ideas...sure, they are mostly classified as horror, but he doesn't stick to the same subject matter within the genre, which is probably the secret to his longevity.

I can see the truth in working out his demons as well, especially when one reads his works that started after he was involved in that near-fatal accident a few years back. You can see him working his way through it, beginning with a more tentative style and then finding a new niche within his genre. It's fascinating to watch it all unfold.

I could talk about King all day long. He has always been one of my favorites. I'm still in the process of collecting all his books, and I'm still looking for a few first editions I am lacking...

S.

 

[flyindolphine]

i am a huge book lover. i have hundreds of them at home. SO far my favorite was "Eleven minutes" by Paulo Coelho. Its about a women who became a prostitute. Very well written novel and gives you a lot to think about.

 

[Taten]

Haven't read the entire thread so some of these might be duplicates:

Lost in Mongolia - Colin Angus
A very quick read and quite entertaining at times. Expedition down the Yenisey River.

Soul Mountain - Gao Xingjian
A tale of rediscovery of one's man roots, if you may.
Not light reading, too many darn twists and turns left me confused as to 1) what the heck he was going on about and 2) was it real. I'm more than 1/2 way through but put it on hold months ago.

Invisible Man - Ralph Ellison
Anonther man's journey of sorts through bigotry.

The entire "Prey" selection by John Sandford. Quick reads, fast flowing, good plots and quite filling.

The entire 87th?? series by Ed McBain. Darn anything by the man.

Anything by Maya Angelou especially "Wouldn't take nothing for my journey now".

Bill Bryson - especially "In a Sunburned Country". Word of caution don't read in a public place ie. train like I did. You will have to put the book away. Either that or have attacks of laughter so strong that tears will be rolling down your cheeks! which will lead the folks around you to do either of the following - try to see the title or try to move away from you.

 

[SmilinAngel]

Non-fiction: "Into the Wild" by Krakauer - it's about that guy who went into the Alaska mountains and died of starvation - very, very moving. It's one you can't put down.

Fiction (sort of): "The House on Mango Street" by Cisneros - it's about a Latino girl growing up. It's basically a compilation of short stories that are observations of the little girl. But, don't let the short length of the novel fool you. Cisneros is a beautiful, poetic writer.

Classical: Lysistrata by Aristophanes - very under-rated. It's set in Athens. The women of Athens refuse to have sex with the men until they declare peace. Its actually pretty modern for it's time. It's about strong women and has both sexual humor and sarcastic humor. A very good read.

Poetry: Langston Hughes for more serious, political stuff, Nikki Giovanni for more romantic and real-life stuff.

Hope this helps! PM for more suggestions!

 

[dollface007]

just thought of a few more

Here are some modern and not-so-modern classics:

100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez - there is alot of mysticism and fantasy in this story. Really fantastic book

Song of Solomon by Toni Morrisson - you basically can't go wrong w/Toni Morrison...this is one of my faves...it involves a bit of mystery

Candide by Voltaire - this is really hilarious book. you can read it in an afternoon

 

[sheath]

BUMP

Just because I love the thread, and because I just finished reading "The Horse Whisperer" by Nicholas Evans...again. I love the book!

The movie was really popular, so many of you have probably seen it...it's one of those rare cases where the book and the movie can stand alone in their own rights. The movie is loosely based on the book, but has its own integrity. Same for the novel. I love them both equally.

S.

 

[sheath]

Another one by Nicholas Evans..."The Smoke Jumper". I'm working on this one right now and I love it. It gets a little melodramatic at times, but it doesn't detract from the message he has to send.

In an interview about "The Smoke Jumper", Evans said this:

"It's not really about fire fighting. The fire is more of a metaphor, something the characters must pass through to become fulfilled. For me the story is about the choice that many of us have to make in our lives between passion and loyalty. Do you choose to walk through the fire to get your heart's desire, or do you stay in place because of honor or friendship of a commitment you've made?"

It makes me think.

S.

 

[cecelia]

'Perfume' by Susskind.
It may be out of print now but it's one of the best and most original pieces of fiction I ever read.

 

[Beloved]

I also recommend the Robotech series, based on the old cartoons. It's a little campy, but if you're looking a quick read with a surprisingly interesting plot line, this is a pretty good series.

 

[shmily]

Another one by Nicholas Evans..."The Smoke Jumper".
"The Horse Whisperer" by Nicholas Evans...again. I love the book!

I agree - they were both great books.

James Patterson - has been good just finished "three blind mice" , "along came a spider", "the beach house", just saw another of his in the store - waiting for it to come to the library

also Nicholas Sparks is a good author.

enjoy
S

 

[fille]

Recent favorites:

"Atonement" - Ian McEwan
Fiction. A book frightening in its similarity to "Cold Mountain", but set in WWII England. In my opinion, McEwan's a far better writer, and this a far better book.

Hmmm. I really loved Cold Mountain, but couldn't slog my way through Atonement. After the first 100 pages or so, I concluded that there wasn't a single character whom I didn't despise. So I just put it down.

 

[fille]

Non-fiction: "Into the Wild" by Krakauer - it's about that guy who went into the Alaska mountains and died of starvation - very, very moving. It's one you can't put down.

I am a big fan of this one, even though I don't usually care that much for non-fiction.

 

[AttentionWhore]

Books...

My favorite books are:

"The Notebook" by Nicholas Sparks - Not a stupid romance, but the story of how love can change thru out the seasons of your life.

"I Know This Much Is True" by Wally Lamb

"Transister Radio" by Chris Bohjalian

"Vinegar Hill" by A. Manette Ansay

"The Lovely Bones" by Alice Seabold - A story of how not everyone's heaven is the same, and how life goes on and grief and loss changes you.

And for somewhat light reading, the "Ya-Ya Sisterhood" books. Some of the subjects dealt with are dark, but there is also a thread of optimism, however fine, in them.

 

[H0wl]

Oooh! So many choices

First off....a warning. I am an insane bookworm. I have over 1000 books in my collection

That said here are some of my top picks. These are almost exclusively SF of some stripe or another.

Lois McMaster Bujold My all time favorite author. She's best known for the Miles Vorkosigan books but I think her best books are actually "The Curse of Chalion", and "Paladin of Souls" and the "Shards of Honor/Barrayar" duology. She's an author who not only entertains you but actually makes you think. These are books that are made for grown-ups though there's nothing objectionable in them.

David Brin: The Uplift Trilogies, EARTH, The Transparent Society(Non fiction). Great technologist and thinker.

Laurell K Hamilton (though I think she's starting to run down a bit, I don't mind a little sex but she's going overboards)

Barbara Hambly (Time of the Dark, Walls of Air, Armys of Daylight)

Barbara Hambly writes some of the BEST horror/fantasy out there. She's also written a couple of books in the Star Wars extended universe.

Larry Niven, Jerry Pournelle. (What else needs to be said?)

Robin McKinley (If you think you know what she writes, then read "Sunshine" and think about it again)

CJ. Cherryh 's Union/Alliance series is some of the best thought out SF that I've ever read. Her fantasy series are great too.

Dianna Wynne Jones (Harry Potter before there was a Harry Potter. And BETTER too. Okay..I'm a snob, I admit it).

Stephen R. Donaldson Best known for the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, I think my favorites are "The Mirror Of Her Dreams" and "A Man Rides Through".

Diane Duanes "Young Wizards" series. Eminently readable, geared towards kids but worth it for adults.

Military SF

I like this category, but it's not everyones cup of tea. A lot of these authors also do alternate history.

David Drake
David Weber
John Ringo
Eric Flint
Jerry Pournelle
SM Stirling

Okay.

I should have been in bed a while ago...