Looking for Good Books to Read

[+ imagooddog]

I have run out of good reading material and need some suggestions.

I have read all of John Grishams books (fast easy reads and usually

interesting). I tend to like novels (fiction) based somewhat on

history, such as "Cold Mountain", "Thirteen Moons", "The Historian",

and "The Last Town on Earth". Have also enjoyed "Dinner With a

Perfect Stranger", "Five People You Meet in Heaven".

I hate books that you have to read half of before you can really get

into the story.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

:-)

[SmallTownJohn]

Hey Suntan,

 

 

I love the fast pace, detailed settings and action in the James Rollins books("Map of Bones," "Subterranean," "Amazonia" and "Black Order") They are a little historically far-fetched but REALLY pull you into a quick read.

 

The Douglas Preston/Lincoln Child books usually center around or in the NYC Museum of Natural History...cool, bizarre murders and a kick-ass FBI agent, Aloysius Pendergast. Try "Dance of Death" or "Cabinet of Curiosities." I just bought "Book of the Dead" but haven't cracked it open.

 

 

I'm sure you have read it---Dan Brown's "Angels and Demons" is one of my favorites too.

 

 

I saw you mentioned "The Historian" It moved waaay too slowly for me. I struggled lost in all that Byzantine and Ottoman Empire stuff...wanted more blood and vampires.

 

 

Anyone read David Baldacci's books? Wanted info before I commit to a purchase :0)

 

 

Enjoy,

 

John

http://www.stj1.com

[+ purplekow]

Popular a few years back but still enjoyable The Life of Pi. I went to Vegas and started reading it by the pool and spent one full day of my vacation in my hotel room reading it.

If you like historical novels Margaret Gordon has written several but the two I found most enjoyable were the Autobiography of Henry VIII

and Mary Queen of Scots. Henry took a bit to get into but ultimately was fascinating. Mary seemed to move right from the beginning. Reading Henry then Mary gives a nice overview of England and Scotland in the pre-Elizabethean and early Elizabethean eras.

Just finished Anderson Cooper's book. A quick read with some interesting insight into recent world turmoils but not much about the man really shines through. Though his passion for helping make known the misfortunes of the downtrodden is apparent.

I can always reread a Douglas Addams book. Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency is fun. Starts with a man looking for a cat and in the end saving the world and finding the cat.

[ValleyDwellerNorth]

Hello suntan4,

 

My inbox is FILLED with e-coupons this morning! Tis the season. Here is a list of what Barnes and Nobel is selling as their current best sellers.

 

VDN

 

TOP 10 Fiction

 

1. Cross by James Patterson (0316159794)

List Price: $27.99 | Final Price: $13.99

 

2. Wild Fire by Nelson DeMille (044657967X)

List Price: $26.99 | Final Price: $13.49

 

3. For One More Day by Mitch Albom (1401303277)

List Price: $21.95 | Final Price: $10.97

 

4. Dear John by Nicholas Sparks (0446528056)

List Price: $24.99 | Final Price: $12.49

 

5. The Rising Tide: A Novel of the Second World War by Jeff Shaara (034546141X)

List Price: $27.95 | Final Price: $13.97

 

6. The Collectors by David Baldacci (044653109X)

List Price: $26.99 | Final Price: $13.49

 

7. Nature Girl by Carl Hiaasen (0307262995)

List Price: $25.95 | Final Price: $12.97

 

8. Lisey's Story by Stephen King (0743289412)

List Price: $28.00 | Final Price: $14.00

 

9. The Shape Shifter by Tony Hillerman (0060563451)

List Price: $26.95 | Final Price: $13.47

 

10. Capital Crimes by Jonathan and Faye Kellerman (0345467981)

List Price: $24.95 | Final Price: $12.47

 

TOP 10 Nonfiction

 

1. You, On a Diet: The Owner's Manual for Waist Management by Michael F. Roizen, Mehmet C. Oz (0743292545)

List Price: $25.00 | Final Price: $12.50

 

2. The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream by Barack Obama (0307237699)

List Price: $25.00 | Final Price: $12.50

 

3. Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town by John Grisham (0385517238)

List Price: $28.95 | Final Price: $14.47

 

4. Culture Warrior by Bill O'Reilly (0767920929)

List Price: $26.00 | Final Price: $13.00

 

5. The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins (0618680004)

List Price: $27.00 | Final Price: $13.50

 

6. I Feel Bad About My Neck: And Other Thoughts on Being a Woman by Nora Ephron (0307264556)

List Price: $19.95 | Final Price: $9.97

 

7. State of Denial: Bush at War, Part III by Bob Woodward (0743272234)

List Price: $30.00 | Final Price: $15.00

 

8. Why We Want You to Be Rich - Two Men, One Message by Donald Trump, Robert T. Kiyosaki, Sharon Lechter, Meredith McIver (1933914025)

List Price: $24.95 | Final Price: $12.47

 

9. Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid by Jimmy Carter (0743285026)

List Price: $27.00 | Final Price: $13.50

 

10. Thunderstruck by Erik Larson (1400080665)

List Price: $25.95 | Final Price: $12.97

[Guest Jocoluver]

I have got so into Lincoln Rhyme mysteries, I think I have now read every book by the author Jeffery Deaver. Quick into and lots of twists. Check at Amazon.com for list of his novels.

[+ imagooddog]

I want to thank each of you who took the time to respond

with suggested reading material !! I am on my way today

to Books-a-Million (the only place in this small town) to

look for some of these titles. Thanks again. You are a

good group of guys!!:-) :-) :-)

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

Not sure if you're a fan of 'character-study' type books, but John Berendt's Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, as well as his new book, The City of Falling Angels, are excellent. If you've seen the film of 'Good & Evil,' then read the book: As always, it's much, MUCH better.

 

I'm also hot on Dean Koontz right now as well. His books become predicatable after a few, but they're still easy & fun reads.

 

 

Happy reading

 

 

 

BN

[SmallTownJohn]

On Dean Koontz, I totally agree with you Ben. I've torn through so many of his titles. They are very predictible but fun to read. 2005 was a Dean Koontz overload period for me especially when flying. One of my favorites is "Shattered" from the '80's...I don't care for the Odd books. I really dug his Frankenstein series...never saw the TV production though. Reviewers say it SUUUCKED!

 

Just back from Harrah's---was rockin' tonight!

 

 

Good morning & good night :0)

 

John

 

http://www.men4rentnow.com/ds/search.asp?cmd=view&id=102838&Login=SmallTownJohn1

[edjames]

Nelson DeMille's latest John Corey thriller "Wild Fire" is great!

 

Ed

[Traveler North]

Hey BN, just bought the "City of Falling Angles? Can't put is down!!! Especially interesting for me as I have visited Venice twice. A whole different perspective from that of a tourist. Glad you mentioned it. Thanks

[Kevin Slater]

A wonderful book for a short read is "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time". It's a murder mystery told from the perspective of an autistic fifteen year-old.

 

I just re-read "The World According to Garp" by John Irving. I think the book is even better than the movie, and it's still fresh despite being 30 years old. (I should speak!) Irving often plays with the theme of prostitution and does here as well (albeit without much interesting to say on that particular subject).

[jackhammer91406]

You might want to avoid this one

 

While scrambling to find additional reading material while on vacation (the three books I brought to RIO were exhausted after the first week of rain), I put out the call to other gringos for books they might lend me.

 

One such book was pretty bizarre and I in NO WAY recommend it, but am putting it here to see if anyone has heard of it and what they might think of it.

 

It is called THE SLUTS by someone who calls himself Dennis Cooper.

The book starts out as a series of reviews of an escort using the exact same format of this site. When the reviews begin to get pretty dark (heavy S&M and snuff fantasy) the webmaster locks down the reviews and opens a message board for anyone having information about the actual people mentioned in the numerous reviews. Thus begins the second third of the book.

 

The last part of the book begins with a series of emails back and forth among certain participants of the review section and the message board section. It then begins a steep decline into very VERY DARK.

 

The reason this books sticks in my mind is not the S&M or even the fantasy aspects. The reason is because of how well the author captures the essence of boards like this one. All the cast of characters that we know are there (if not by name).. The book does name some real names like Renn Addams and others and I don't know how much of the Renn Addams portion is true because I don't follow that stuff.

 

But I would enjoy getting feedback from others who may have read the book or even know something of the Renn Addams story (I think he did wrestling and bondage vids didn't he?)

 

Anyway, this book is not for the squeamish.

[Lookin]

RE: You might want to avoid this one

 

I haven’t read it, but it has been discussed here:

 

 

http://m4m.m4m-forum.org/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=4&topic_id=88434&mesg_id=88434&listing_type=search

 

http://m4m.m4m-forum.org/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=4&topic_id=91703&mesg_id=91703&listing_type=search

 

http://m4m.m4m-forum.org/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=4&topic_id=92043&mesg_id=92043&listing_type=search

[jackhammer91406]

RE: You might want to avoid this one

 

Thanks for doing the research and providing those links.

I had missed all three threads and they give an interesting answer to my posted questions.

[Guest TBinCHI]

If you liked "Curious," you'll definitely like Mark Haddon's new book, "A Spot of Bother." It is a good read. It also has a relatively prominent gay character. I'd be curious as to what people think of how he is portrayed.

[foxy]

"Perfume: The Story Of A Murderer" by Patrick Suskind.

 

This book came out in 1985 and is now finally coming out as a movie to be released Dec. 27th in New York and Los Angeles.

 

The NY Times, Sunday Arts & Leisure section had an interesting article about the how difficult it was to get a screenplay written.

 

It's about a young Parisian man in the 18th century who has no body odor and kills young virgins to make perfume. It's a very strange and fascinating book and it looks like it will be reissued when the movie comes out.

[+ Lucky]

I am reading The Echo Maker, by Richard Powers. My choice seemed justified as it won the National Book Award right after I bought it, but it is not such an easy read. Fascinating, though, as it tells the story of a brain injured man and his sister's attempts to help him despite his inability (or refusal) to recognize her as his sister. Lots of stuff on how the brain works and how little is known about it.

 

I did read Nelson DeMille's book, Wild Fire, and liked it enough, but William Boyd's "Restless" was more interesting.

 

BTW, it is Margaret George, not ""Gordon", who wrote the fascinating fictional history of Mary, Queen of Scots, which I re-read before my recent Scotland trip. Her latest, about Helen of Troy, was horrible, though. I could not finish it as she just seemed to be phoning it in to complete a book contract.

 

Finally, as I mentioned in another post, The Men From The Boys by Willian J. Mann is a darn good gay fiction novel.

 

Has anyone read the new LeCarre novel?

 

I think my favorite novel of the year is The Futurist by James P. Othmer. If you are a bit of a cynic, this book is for you!

[BigK]

>Anyone read David Baldacci's books? Wanted info before I

>commit to a purchase :0)

>

>

>Enjoy,

>

>John

>http://www.stj1.com

 

 

ST John,

 

I recommend Baldacci's books. Good attention grabbing fast reads.

[+ Lucky]

A Spot of Bother is a strange story about a strange family. The gay guy seemed pretty dizzy to me. Not much about the story was credible, though, so I don't recommend it. I haven't read his first book yet, but I think the critics mostly agreed that the second book wasn't worth the bother.

[+ Tygerscent]

The War of Roses, The Baggivadgita, Memoirs of a Geisha???

http://www.tygerscent.biz

503.317.8055

http://www.daddysreviews.com/area.php?loc=63150&who=tyger_portland

men4rentnow.com tygerscent in Portland, Oregon

[+ purplekow]

.

>

>BTW, it is Margaret George, not ""Gordon", who wrote the

>fascinating fictional history of Mary, Queen of Scots, which I

>re-read before my recent Scotland trip. Her latest, about

>Helen of Troy, was horrible, though. I could not finish it as

>she just seemed to be phoning it in to complete a book

>contract.

>

>Thanks for correcting that. I have made that same mistake several times. Have not looked at Helen of Troy but Mary, Queen of Scots and Henry the 8th were topnotch. Cleopatra was so so and I have her book about Mary, Mother of Jesus but have not opened it yet.

 

Too lazy to see if I already suggested For One More Day by Albom which I bought yesterday afternoon and finished yesterday evening. Nice read and the last sentence gives a whole new light to the preceding 200 pages.

[Guest TBinCHI]

Lucky,

Thanks for your comments. The family was definitely strange, though not completely out of the ordinary (at least in my world!). The gay guy was pretty dizzy, but I liked the way he was equated with straight men who are also afraid of commitment. Having lost both of my parents to serious illnesses at the age of the father in the book, I could relate to how his paranoia impacted his life. Not for everyone, I agree, but I enjoyed it.

[Charlus]

Greg Iles has a number of mostly very well written mysteries and thrillers set often in the South. I'm now reading his latest, "Turning Angel", which just came out in paper.

[Guest TorontoJared]

Here are a few books that I have enjoyed reading in the last while:

 

"Aztec" is a very interresting book about the time period of the Spanish coming to Mexico. I noticed that you mentioned that you enjoy books having something to do with fiction and this is a very good one that follows the life of an Aztec from boyhood to old age. It is a fascinating look at life in this time from the point of view of a native. It is exciting and will keep you on the edge of your seat. Also, the description was wonderful.

 

"The Pillars Of The Earth" is also an interresting book set during the middle ages. It deals with an architect looking to build a cathedral. It is very well done.

 

"The Camel Club" is a book that is a mystery. I too have enjoyed the books of John Grisham and this one is in the same genre and if you enjoyed his books, you will enjoy this one too.

 

"Shadow of the Wind" was a very good book that I read that was dark but beautifully written. I highly recommend this book.

 

"The Name of the Rose" is also a good historical book about a murder in a monestary. It takes a while to get into but once you are into the book you can't put it down.

 

I also read "Les Miserables" this year and loved it. Granted, it is a massive book, but the story is so gripping, the characters so memorable, and the description so vivid that it will be a book you will treasure.

 

Anyway, there are a few suggestions. I hope that they come in handy. Enjoy whatever books you decide upon and have a good day!

[Kevin Slater]

I should have mentioned in my earlier post the South African author J. M. Cotzee. I really enjoyed his “Life and Times of Michael K”, and that work’s great humanitarian themes make it clear why he won the Nobel for literature (2003).

 

But I liked “Disgrace” better. It starts "For a man his age, fifty-two, divorced, he has, to his mind, solved the problem of sex rather well." What’s not to like? It won the Booker.

 

He also wrote “Waiting for the Barbarians” which is great in parts but lingers, and “Elizabeth Costello” which I couldn’t trudge through. But I highly recommend the first two titles.