Any good reads lately?

[Tito]

From time to time I get hooked on a writer and find that I have to read about 4 to 5 works until I can move on. Then I have trouble finding another good writer to get addicted to. Any good suggestions for my next author?


BTW I highly recommend Christopher Moore (http://www.chrismoore.com/)

[Kyle]

From time to time I get hooked on a writer and find that I have to read about 4 to 5 works until I can move on. Then I have trouble finding another good writer to get addicted to. Any good suggestions for my next author?


BTW I highly recommend Christopher Moore (http://www.amazon.com/s/104-9484564-0057518?ie=UTF8&index=books&rank=-relevance%2C%2Bavailability%2C-daterank&field-author-exact=Christopher%20Moore)
I know what you mean, I am exactly the same way.

I just re-read Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry and really enjoyed it. It is a western themed book.

[mrob]

If you went to college--or God forbid, teach at one:redface: --you MUST read Straight Man by Richard Russo. Its the best, funniest, poignant book I've had the pleasure of reading.

[NMMB]

You aren't interested in journal articles re: emission-trading, are you? I have read dozens of those recently... actually, if you are looking for a good read there is no book that I can recommend more highly than Freakonomics (http://www.freakonomics.com/). Get it. Read it... learn that economists are not necessarily boring (though some of us can be from time to time... and some of us are all the time!). Freakonomics is, without any doubt, the most interesting book that I've encountered in years (and they don't even pay me to say this).

[Scotto]

I have a deeply abiding love for good fantasy; it is a great relief from staring at scientfic stuff all day. Really original stuff is hard to come by, but lately I have fallen in love with Greg Keyes Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone series. Great, dark fantasy. Other good (recent) authors are George R R Martin and Robin Hobb.

[ada8356]

The Time Traveler's Wife (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/015602943X/sr=8-2/qid=1153056574/ref=pd_bbs_2/104-3773947-6978334?ie=UTF8) - This is the best book I've read in years... a pseudo-sci-fi love stroy. Wonderfully written.


See No Evil: The True Story of a Ground Soldier in the CIA's War on Terrorism (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/140004684X/sr=1-1/qid=1153056677/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-3773947-6978334?ie=UTF8&s=books) - Great non-fiction. CIA officer's experiences while based in the middle east.

Holy Blood, Holy Grail (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385338597/sr=1-3/qid=1153056767/ref=pd_bbs_3/104-3773947-6978334?ie=UTF8&s=books) - For anyone that enjoyed the ideas in the Da Vinci Code.

[Jonnybc]

George MacDonald Fraser's Flashman series are a bloody good read, lots of Victorian derring do and a liberal sprinkling of cowardice and womanising.

They're the books I always re-read when I'm struggling to find a new book.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/102-7597085-1376102?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=stripbooks%3Arelevance-above&field-keywords=Flashman&page=1

[Creslin]

Well if you like crime novels I would recommend "The Rogue's Game" and "The Sweet and the Dead" by Milton Burton. Here is a link to his site.
http://www.miltontburton.com

A bit of honesty here. He's my father but I'm not plugging his books because he's kin; I won't recommend anything I don't personally like. I read strictly for my own entertainment and I find his books to be real enjoyable. Good storylines, great characters, and a flow to the writing which makes the books hard to put down.

Scotto, if you like fantasy you might take a look at L.E. Modesitt's Recluce novels. He also has some real good sci-fi as well.

[Mama Bear]

My biggest vice in life are thrillers and sci fi books... I am simply not content unless I have a stack on the night stand of good reads!

The best thing I ever did was to subscribe to the Easton Press' signed Sci Fi editions. Each month, they pick the best of all the new Science Fiction releases by the best authors and the bind them in leather with gilt embossed edges and each one (less than 1000 of each) is numbered and signed by the author, with a page that has origional artwork designed just for the book.

I swear this is my greatest weakness in life, but I have been collecting them for 20 years... it is an Awesome way to find the best of the best each month...

Mama Bear

[Mama Bear]

Here is a pic...

[rtaylor61]

Just finished John Grisham's "The Broker". Disappointed in the ending. Next up is "The Last American Man (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0670030864/104-3480321-1555120?v=glance&n=283155)" by Elizabeth Gilbert.

Randy

[piperc]

Anything by Karen Armstrong....

History of God, The Battle for God, and Holy Wars.

Not the easiest read, but extremely thorough work.


Chris

[jfm]

Haruki Murakami (http://harukimurakami.com). He is an amazing author, a Japanese (albeit with heavy American influences) Vonnegut writing about the emptiness of modern life through surreal situations. He uses a lot of musical themes in the book, jazz and the Beatles primarily. The English translations (two people have done all the translations I have seen) are excellent. I have every one of his works available in translation, and I cannot recommend him enough!

[rtaylor61]

Haruki Murakami (http://harukimurakami.com). He is an amazing author, a Japanese (albeit with heavy American influences) Vonnegut writing about the emptiness of modern life through surreal situations. He uses a lot of musical themes in the book, jazz and the Beatles primarily. The English translations (two people have done all the translations I have seen) are excellent. I have every one of his works available in translation, and I cannot recommend him enough!

What would you recommend as a first read?

Randy

[Kyle]

What would you recommend as a first read?

Randy
The Dick and Jane series is great for a first read.:biggrin:

[rtaylor61]

The Dick and Jane series is great for a first read.:biggrin:

I made the mistake of waiting for the movie! :w00t:

Randy

[Austin]

:biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:

[Tito]

The Dick and Jane series is great for a first read.:biggrin:

Oh My... Stars.:lol:

NMMB: I thought it was a very interesting take on Econ and Stats (correlations). Who knew a kid named Loser would become a decorated police officer?
Mitch: I see that you're in academics. I would highly suggest Fluke (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/006056668X/sr=1-1/qid=1153109658/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-9484564-0057518?ie=UTF8&s=books), Christopher Moore. It is about marine biologists and theories on whales kinda...
Justin: Japanese aso... I like that idea. You might enjoy The Box Man (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0375726519/sr=8-1/qid=1153109122/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-9484564-0057518?ie=UTF8), Kobo Abe. BTW I'm a Vonnegurt nut too.

I been toying with the idea of reading some Carl Hiaasen anybody suggest a good one to begin with?

Tito

[rtaylor61]

Oh My... Stars.:lol:

NMMB: I thought it was a very interesting take on Econ and Stats (correlations). Who knew a kid named Loser would become a decorated police officer?
Mitch: I see that you're in academics. I would highly suggest Fluke (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/006056668X/sr=1-1/qid=1153109658/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-9484564-0057518?ie=UTF8&s=books), Christopher Moore. It is about marine biologists and theories on whales kinda...
Justin: Japanese aso... I like that idea. You might enjoy The Box Man (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0375726519/sr=8-1/qid=1153109122/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-9484564-0057518?ie=UTF8), Kobo Abe. BTW I'm a Vonnegurt nut too.

I been toying with the idea of reading some Carl Hiaasen anybody suggest a good one to begin with?

Tito

I've only ready "Skinny Dip" and "Stormy Weather", and enjoyed them both! Wasn't the movie "Strip Tease" based on his book?

Randy

[jfm]

What would you recommend as a first read?

Randy

Probably Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World. It introduces his writing style with a great storyline. If you don't mind the way he writes AND you like the story, you will probably become addicted to the rest of his books. It's the most sci-fi of his books, but the science part of it is limited to a human encryption device. I've called him sci-fi, but he is more of a surrealist author who pulls from whatever genre he wants to.

[jfm]

The Dick and Jane series is great for a first read.:biggrin:

You think I should move on to a series even though I am still struggling through Goodnight Moon?!?

[Mama Bear]

I am a sucker for Laurell K. Hamilton. She does the sex, the intrigue and character development in a way that melts my heart and this is a true guilty pleasure for me...! Oddly enough, the first book in her Vampire/Werewolf series is named Guilty Pleasures... totally on mark!

I am seriously addicted... is anyone else or am I showing my true colours here.... lol

Mama Bear who swears she only does Aristotle..... hehehe:blushing:

[yasuo200365]

Picked this up last week & just finished it ...., at 563 pages it isn't a short book but it must be a page turner if I read it that quick:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0340794992/026-6668407-0802832?v=glance&n=266239&s=gateway&v=glance

Regards
John

I liked it enough to find out now what else he's written.

[Mama Bear]

Gordon R. Dickson... The Childe Cycle which starts with The Final Encyclopedia... http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0312861869/ref=sib_dp_pt/104-5445039-7999914#reader-link

best sci fi ever, bar none, other than Aasimov's I Robot Series... This is my my favorite book of all time, including Clancy's Red Storm Rising....

Mama Bear

[Mama Bear]

Oh My... Stars.:lol:

NMMB: I thought it was a very interesting take on Econ and Stats (correlations). Who knew a kid named Loser would become a decorated police officer?
Mitch: I see that you're in academics. I would highly suggest Fluke (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/006056668X/sr=1-1/qid=1153109658/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-9484564-0057518?ie=UTF8&s=books), Christopher Moore. It is about marine biologists and theories on whales kinda...
Justin: Japanese aso... I like that idea. You might enjoy The Box Man (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0375726519/sr=8-1/qid=1153109122/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-9484564-0057518?ie=UTF8), Kobo Abe. BTW I'm a Vonnegurt nut too.

I been toying with the idea of reading some Carl Hiaasen anybody suggest a good one to begin with?

Tito

Anything by Greg Bear instead......???

Mama Bear

[Kyle]

You think I should move on to a series even though I am still struggling through Goodnight Moon?!?
:lol:

Now I've certainly read that book a few times, however, it has recently taken 2nd chair to Moo, Baa, La La La!

[jmhUT]

Hi Tito,
I just finished Fast Food Nation by Eric Schloesser. I've been meaning to read it since it was first published a few years ago but just got around to it. It is in many ways an updated version of The Jungle. Although Schloesser's book is considered to be far more factual.

As for good, all-around addictive authors:
Hemmingway - I put a pool in last summer and read all his stuff in about two months. His writing style is abrupt and takes a little getting used to but it's Hemmingway and it's worth it.

James Michener - He writes 1,000 page epic retellings of the formation of nations (and their annexed territories). My favorite is Alaska. He begins with the forming of the earth and takes you all the way up to the day the book is published by telling the stories of the people who lived there and shaped the land. I cannot adequately put into words how well this is written. Everything in the book is factual except the characters. Events, places, all retold through the lense of a superb fiction writer. I also enjoyed Hawaii, Texas, and Mexico.

Leon Uris - His best work is Exodus. The meat of the book begins with the formation of Israel in 1948 from British Palestine. It then goes through 1967 and the 6 day war. There was a slight bias toward Israel but their misdeeds are told as well. His other books are quite good too. Similar to the Michener books, Uris attempts to portray actual historical events through the dramatic storytelling of fictional characters. In light of what is going on in the world today Exodus is quite relevant.

Jeffrey Archer - As seems to be the case with all the greats Sir Archer was just released from prison. He is my pick for best living author. Start with As the Crow Flies. I read his books in the manner in which you describe. That is, several hours at a time until I could no longer keep my eyes open. He is a remarkable talent. His short stories are better than any I've come across.

The early Tom Clancy's are very good but they are getting a bit dated. His current offerings are very poor IMO.
Cheers,
Jeff

[rtaylor61]

Jeff,

I found Michener's "Centennial" to be a great book. It started off a bit slow, but was well worth the effort.

Randy

[jmhUT]

Hi Randy, that one is on my shelf but I haven't picked it up yet. His tomes require a bit of a commitment and I am currently wrestling my way through Atlas Shrugged.

Most longer novels start off slowly which can turn some readers off. Michener's books are like this but the best example I know of is War and Peace. The first three hundred pages are nothing but names. It's bewildering trying to keep everybody straight but the payoff is big. If you are a fan of this type of writing I would highly recommend Alaska, also by Michener. The beginning is also a bit slow but as you way, well worth the effort. I was particulary impressed that after 900 pages I did not feel that I had been given any superfluous information. I understand he took years researching before writing a signle word.
Cheers,
Jeff

[Harkonnendog]

You guys might try my novel, CLOWN.

There's a review of it from Eric Schie of Classical Values, here:

http://www.classicalvalues.com/archives/003435.html

If anybody is interested let me know. I'll give a special B&B discount. :001_smile

[AJS]

I am of the opinion that Milan Kundera's "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" should be required reading for everyone. I try to read it at least once a year and it never ceases to amaze me (not that I think I have the right to even comment on such a momentous and important work.)

[TraderJoe]

Southern Exposure: A Solo Sea Kayaking Journey Around New Zealand's South Island by Chris Duff

Incredible, easy to read. I highly recommend it, even if you aren't a kayaking enthusiast. Great for beach-reading.

[moses]

If you like scifi/fantasy, C.J Cherryh is pretty good. Plenty of option in either genre. I really enjoyed Fortress in The Eye of Time.

Also, people tend to forget how really readable and entertaining some of the classics are. I just read Razor's Edge, by Somerset Maugham, and found it almost impossible to put down. (No, not a suspense thriller, though, despite the title). Also, if you are a geek like me, his style is amazing - that man knew how to HANDLE the english language.

Also love Robert Penn Warren, especially All The Kings Men. Terrific combination of political intrigue, psychological tension, and personal battle against the forces of corruption, all told in perfect Great Southern Novel fashion.

[ada8356]

For the Stephen King/Dean Koontz type crowd you should check out the online novel John Dies in the End.

The Novel is HERE (http://www.johndiesattheend.com/) and worth looking at... I haven't finished it yet, but I am on Chapter 8 so far.

[Livingston]

Anyone interested in America's real foreign relationship with Saudi Arabia should read ex-CIA Operative Robert Baer's book

"Sleeping with the Devil...How Washington sold our soul for Saudi crude"

Well written and well documented sources and references.

It will astound you.