book recommendations

[tinkerlion]

ok, so i have been inspired by sway. so let's share! what are some books that have touched you, inspired you, made you think, or you just really love. in other words, books that when you put down, you start thinking of who you want to give them to next. some of my favorites are...(in no particular order)


songs of ice and fire</span> series by george rr martin
wheel of time</span> series by robert jordan (although this series was blown out of the water by mr. martin for me)
outlander</span> (or voyager</span>) series by diana gabaldon-a little more for the chicks
harry potter</span> series-and i have turned many </span></span>adults onto this series, and if you've just seen the movies, they aren't nearly as good (which is usually</span> the case)
of course-ishmael</span> by daniel quinn
anything by ayn rand, but mostly atlas shrugged
ender's game</span> and the following 9 (i think) books in the ender and bean series by orson scott card
alvin maker</span> series by orson scott card
hitchhickers guide</span> by douglas adams, well actually the whole series (you can find them all in one edition!) one of the most entertaining reads ever
stephanie plum</span> series by janet evanovich-another more for the chicks
the stand</span> by stephen king (can't believe i forgot that one first time around!)

</span></span></span></span></span></span>there are many, many, many more, but those are the ones i pass around the most. i won't bore you with descriptions of all, but let me know if you'd like me to elaborate on any.
damn i read alot!smileys/smiley23.gif</span></span></span></span>
</span>
Edited by: tinkerlion

[Mr. Cleanface]

Go get this ASAP, and thank me later...


http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0375725784.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

[swaytosway]

Tinker, I love Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged was my favorite for a long time.Just a while back, I read The Secret LIfe of Bees, by Sue Monk Kidd-probably more of a woman book (an oprah pick), but by the end it makes you feel proud and strong, like you can feel the struggle and triumph that's been passed through our dna. (maybe I should get a job writing the back cover of books)

I'm going to try yours next Mr. C.
I sure like hanging with you guys.

[tinkerlion]

i reread atlas shrugged</span> every few years, and have read every thing i can find by ayn rand. i actually got a play yesterday to read. i'll add these books to my list. keep the recommendations coming!

[greengirlie]

its so werid because i was actually thinking of starting this thread a few days ago- and then when i saw it, i thought "wow- was i wasted and started this thread?!" lol


but anyways, mr. c, what's that book about?


I read a whole lot and just got done reading an amazing book called "smashed". It's about a young girl's struggle with a love affair with alcohol that begins at 14, goes through college and finally wakes up and realizes she needs to stop drinking. Possibly my favorite book, non fiction wise.


Also read a book called "dry". Its a memior about an alcoholic that is very funny and interesting.


I love books by an author named LaurieNotarro. She is by far the funniest author I have ever read. she literally has made me laugh so hard i cry.


My favorite book of all time EVER is the great gatsby and anything by fitzgerald. he's totally a genius.


I like the harry potter books as well, but always forget what happened in the last one before the new ones come out. i gave up and im just waiting for all of them to come out and i will read the series from start to end!


Wow-this is a long post. but is there anything better than reading a book out on your porch when a nice breeze is blowing? It's myfavorite thing to do!

[kelli420]

sounds odd but the book that marilyn manson wrote, the doors books and well almost any other biography ive read.

[B-Love]

3 Books...


On the road


Celestine Prophecies


To catch a fire biography of Bob MarleyEdited by: B-Love

[swaytosway]

i'll second the celestine prophecies,
I read that a few years ago,
still sometimes when I'm looking out at a tree(for example), I try to focus on it's outline and it's place among the other natural outlines and imagine how the interrelationship looked a hundred years ago.
For some reason that idea stuck with me from the book (no it's not my own kooky idea)

[Pokie325]

HUGE fan of catcher in the rye...anyone else???
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[ragmop]

Go get this ASAP, and thank me later...


http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0375725784.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg





thank you, Mr. C!!!!! i could never find anything to balance the washer. worked like a charm.

[greengirlie]

Mr.C--- In the middle of ahwosg.... LOVE IT SO FAR!!!smileys/smiley4.gif

[ragmop]

summer of night~dan simmons


to kill a mocking bird~harper lee


1984~george orwell


devil in white city~erik larson


how the light gets in~m.j. hyland


the stand~stephen king


a prayer for owen meany~john irving

[LipstickVogue]

a crack in the line - michael lawrence


in silent graves - gary braunbeck


house of the scorpion - nancy farmer


q. road(i dont remember the authors name on this one)


you cant be neutral on a moving train - howard zinn


anything by henry miller as long as his graphic sexuality doesnt offend you(under the roofs of paris is EXTREMELY naughty)


gulliver's travels(if you like sattire) jonathan swift


the theif of always - clive barker


considering i used to work for borders, this list could go on for miles and miles, so i will spare you and leave it be. smileys/smiley1.gif

[kaupuole]

I'm new to the site and have been readingyour posts for the last few days...


One more must read to add to the list is The Sun Also Rises by Hemingway.

[Mr. Cleanface]

If anyboby is into history type stuff, like me, this is one I am reading now...


http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2005/SHOWBIZ/books/05/25/ew.book.1776/1776.jpg

[tinkerlion]

mr. c. have you read the kent chronicles by john jakes? eight books that follow a family line from 1770-1890. starts with a young man in france and travels to american where it traces american history through the family and the people around them. i'm on book 6 (1864-1868.) pretty interesting if you like history.

it starts with the bastard
http://www.johnjakes.com/images/bastardcov.jpg

[tinkerlion]

just finished the secret life of bees. great book! i guess as someone who doesn't have a relationship with my mother, it really reached out to me.

thanks for the recommendation sway!

[swaytosway]

you're welcome, that's one of those books I could read more than once.

[tinkerlion]

oh yeah. there were points in the book when i got chills. especially the last scene with t. ray.

[swaytosway]

Mr.C--- In the middle of ahwosg.... LOVE IT SO FAR!!!smileys/smiley4.gif

I loved it at first. The first third of it I read straight through. Got about half way through the next day or so, then fizzled. Ends up I returned it to the library 2 weeks late and only got 2/3 way through.
The writing style really grabbed me at first, such a real, disenfranchised, american youth perspective.
No glossy coating - but, I guess it overtook the plot for me after a while.

[swaytosway]

oh yeah. there were points in the book when i got chills. especially the last scene with t. ray.

I really liked the part at the end where she was given the picture of her mother and herself as a baby.
"I figured May must've made it to heaven and explained to my mother about the sign I wanted. The one that would let me know I was loved."

It really is a beautiful book.

[swaytosway]

one more...when I pulled that last book out to write that quote down, I saw another old favorite.

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
(from the back cover)
It's a story told by the wife and 4 daughters of a fierce, evangelical Baptist who takes his family and mission to the Belgian Congo in 1959. They carry with them everything they believe they will need from home, but soon find that all of it, from garden seeds to Scripture- is calamitously transformed on African soil.Edited by: swaytosway

[greengirlie]

Mr.C--- In the middle of ahwosg.... LOVE IT SO FAR!!!smileys/smiley4.gif

I loved it at first. The first third of it I read straight through. Got about half way through the next day or so, then fizzled. Ends up I returned it to the library 2 weeks late and only got 2/3 way through.
The writing style really grabbed me at first, such a real, disenfranchised, american youth perspective.
No glossy coating - but, I guess it overtook the plot for me after a while.


I'm about 2/3's of the way through.... usually i read books al in one night/sitting... but ive ben so damn busy... cant wait to see where this book goes.

[Jaykob]

Kavalier and Klay by Michael Chabon!!!!!

[tinkerlion]

Mr.C--- In the middle of ahwosg.... LOVE IT SO FAR!!!smileys/smiley4.gif

I loved it at first. The first third of it I read straight through. Got about half way through the next day or so, then fizzled. Ends up I returned it to the library 2 weeks late and only got 2/3 way through.
The writing style really grabbed me at first, such a real, disenfranchised, american youth perspective.
No glossy coating - but, I guess it overtook the plot for me after a while.





my library didn't have it (not surprising since my personal fiction collection is about 1/3 of the libraries,) so i'm gonna dive into you shall know our velocity after i finish the book i'm reading. have you read this one mr. c?



I'm about 2/3's of the way through.... usually i read books al in one night/sitting... but ive ben so damn busy... cant wait to see where this book goes.

[tinkerlion]

one more...when I pulled that last book out to write that quote down, I saw another old favorite.



The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

(from the back cover)

It's a story told by the wife and 4 daughters of a fierce, evangelical Baptist who takes his family and mission to the Belgian Congo in 1959. They carry with them everything they believe they will need from home, but soon find that all of it, from garden seeds to Scripture- is calamitously transformed on African soil.

ok, i've liked the books you recommended so far sway, but i'm hesitant to try this one. i was rasied southern baptist, and have huge</span> issues with the church. wanna convince me why i should read it? is it really that good?

[swaytosway]

well, it's not a classic sunday school tale, if that's what you're thinking. It's more of a tragic tale, highlighting the deficits of 'traditional religion'. And really, I have more memories of the book in regards to learning things about the congo. But whatever, there are millions of great books out there, read whatever.

Another one on the shelf, very long, but I remember it as being very good- A fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry.
It's set in India in the 1970's, about peoples lives that intertwine. I can remember being quite shocked at the caste system, for some reason I thought that was 'old' history. (A child may be born into the beggar caste, but their parents and other caste members physically cripple/disfigure them to create beggars that will elicit sympathy, thus fulfill their roles)

[Rensul]

Tink- if you are still on the fence about the Poisionwood Bible, maybe I can help. I had this book sitting on my bookshelf for about 2 years- and I just couldn't bring myself to start it. About a month ago I decided it was time. It was a fantastic read. By the time I was done with the book I truly felt I had been to the Congo and experienced life with all of the characters. The author does a wonderful job developing the characters, their relationships among themselves and with the Congo. You also get a pretty good idea of what the political climate was like there in the 1950-1960's. I highly recommend this book.

A few other all time favorites that haven't been mentioned before...some go way back for me- but I still own and LOVE them dearly...smileys/smiley1.gif

Bridge to Teribithia- Katherine Patterson
Jacob Have I Loved- Katherine Patterson
The Awakening- Kate Chopin

[tinkerlion]

thanks rensul. might have to give it a try, of course it's not like i don't have tons of books waiting to be read. i was mostly curious if baptists were romanitcised. you get a lot of that down south, and it frankly makes me sick. but that's just me. the pull of africa is most likely going to win out.


now to go finish my current read in the sunsmileys/smiley16.gif

[Rensul]

no baptists are definately not romanticised in this book- not to worry - actually the father (minister) really is more a villan here...enjoy your reading in the sun- I am jealous! Stuck in an office- waiting fot the day to END!

I am familiar with the south as well- went to school in Nashville- so I get the bible belt thing...and can sympathize.

[tinkerlion]

hopefully you'll get out of the office soon. i needed the relaxation after spending the morining in at the hospital. they give me the heebie geebies.smileys/smiley5.gif

[Sgana]

Just stumbled onto this topic and already got some good stuff to add to my list of books to get.


Some good books that stuck to my mind: "My sister's keeper" (Jodi Picoult) - fascinating and intrigueing; "lucas" (Kevin Brooks) - teen book, but I LOVED it; "the shadow of the wind" (carlos ruiz zafón) - for anyone that's been to barcelona or likes suspense; "the kite runner" (khaled hosseini) - shocking, but intrigueing; "Cheet" (anna davis) - chicklit, but damn funny and cool

[tinkerlion]

i love jodi picoult! some must reads (in my opinion of course) are the pact, keeping faith, and mercy.

[Sgana]

If they're as good as my sister's keeper, then I must get my hands on those too!! smileys/smiley17.gif

[tinkerlion]

all of her books are good. i thought she was a great find as an author because she didn't fall into a trap of all the books feeling the same. i guess because each has a different social issue at heart is the key. it's also nice how she just presents the situatation and lets the reader draw their own conclusion (especially in keeping faith.)


i also started with my sister's keeper. i was sobbing at the endsmileys/smiley19.gif. i loved how you could empathize with so many of the different points in the book.

[Sgana]

Indeed I felt the same when reading my sister's keeper. Lots of different points of view and something to say for all the different opinions. No preaching though, which I loved. And a very unexpected, but very well thought of ending! Now I'm sure I'm going to have to pick up those other books too! Thanks for the feedback!

[kaupuole]

I second the Kite Runner - at first itwas kind of boring, but oncei hit a certain point in the book, i couldn't put it down and finished it in a few nights... great read.


..and a few more:


Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden - excellent historical fiction; was my favorite for many years (long before the movie came out).


The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time by Mark Haddon - written from the perspective of an autistic boy ( to all teachers).


Balzac and the Little Seamstress by Dai Sijie - excellent historical fiction about the Chinese cultural revolution.


Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi - written by a uni proffessor in Iran who held literature groups; kind of got boring though.

[swaytosway]

I just finished The Rum Diary by Hunter Thompson. That's a quick easy read. Perfect for a few afternoons at the beach.

[Sgana]

Indeed kaupuole, the Kite Runner starts of a bit boring .. but then becomes really fascinating. I wasn't too sure about the ending ..., but still a pretty good read!!


From what I can tell from your book-choices I think you would enjoy reading "the shadow of the wind" too. It takes a bit of getting used to the style of writing, with a lot of detailed writing about surroundings, etc. But once you get into the story it's difficult to put the book down. It's too difficult to explain what the book is about in a few words, but you'll find some good info here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0143034901/qid=1152783992/s (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0143034901/qid=1152783992/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/103-8648077-8289441?s=books&amp;v=glance&amp;n=283155) r=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/103-8648077-8289441?s=books&amp;v=gla nce&amp;n=283155

[Rensul]

loved Memoirs of a Geisha- didn't bother with the movie though...did anyone see it was it any good?

hit the NPR site yesterday and they had a few reading suggestions- anyone checked out the following:Brief History of the Dead-Kevin Brockmeir or the Little Friend- Danna Tartt? They looked interesting- was wondering if anyone had opions on these...

after Tink and Sqana's discussion on Jodi Picoult- I will be hitting the library to find- as I am not familiar with her and the books sounded interesting- so thanks!

[kaupuole]

Thanks Sgana, i will have to pick up your suggestion soon.


Rensul, i saw the movie b/c i loved the book so much and actually enjoyed it. It was pretty accurate to the book and i really liked the cinematography - beautiful to watch.


I'm seeing Devil Wears Prada tonight, after having read the book. Anyone read it? I only thought it was okay; didn't care for it much... but still have to see the movie.

[Rensul]

I tend to be a little let down by movies based on books that I have read- ...The Harry Potter series has been the exception for me- but I will have to check out Memoirs now

I haven't read Devil Wears Prada- or seen the movie- I really want to see it though- it looks really good...let us know how it is

[Sgana]

I looked at the Devil Wears Prada book so many times, but never actually bought it or read it ... mixed reviews made me hesitate. The movie sounds good though, tell us how it was please!!

[tinkerlion]

see i did read the book. i enjoyed it, not too heavy of a read. but i was surprised their making a movie, didn't seem strong enough for me. don't know that i'll see the movie. might be a renter.

[kaupuole]

Okay, so i was dissapointed by The Devil Wears Prada book, and at first didn't even want to see the movie b/c it was that much of a dissapointment. Then i saw the ads for the movie on tv over and over again, and for some crazy reason i talked myself into thinking it might be a cute movie (and my mom wanted to see it b/c she likes Meryl Streep). Unfortunately, i was dissapointed again. Sorry, gals, I have to give it a big ole' thumbs down...smileys/smiley21.gif

[Rensul]

oh crap- that sucks! The ads really do suck you in...

[greengirlie]

My Sister told me TDWP was the WORST movie she has EVER seen. She debated walking out of it. She never read the book though. I haven't either but am not interested at all in the book or the movie.


Mr. Cleanface... Finished a HWOSG aND absolutely LOVED it. Thanks for the great recommendation.


Right now I'm reading a really easy read called, "Riley's fire". Very good. A fictional book about a little boy burned in a playhouse fire. It is set from his POV when he is i nthe hospital undergoing physical reconstruction and mental reconstruction.

[Rensul]

finished reading The Kite Runner on Saturday- read it in 3 hours- what a great read- loved it!!! Have been telling eveyone I know to pick it up.

I also finished Brief History of the Dead- Kevin Brockmeir- was good / entertaining...not my most favorite though. Had very interesting ideas of what happen to someone when they die- the story had people going to another realm that was rather like this one when they died, which they "lived" in only as long as someone who remembered them was alive...

[kaupuole]

I really liked The Kite Runner too - it kept taking all these turns that I actually didn't want it to take, but kept me captivated none the less! I think it's part of highschool curriculum for some districts in Michigan... not sure how I feel about that, though.

[Rensul]

yes- it definately took some turns that made me a little uncomfortable- but I couldn't put the book down. My husband's Aunt works for the library and she told it is now part of the required reading list in Massachusetts too...
Edited by: Rensul

[the duke]

hmmm, i'll have to borrow it...my boyfriends mum read it and said it was good...but I barely read books for pleasure during the uni semester....

[Sgana]

The Kite Runner sure took a few shocking turns, but does make one think about excepting others and how to behave towards friends and family!!


I'm not too sure if I think it's a good idea to put it on a required reading list for highschool kids though. Part of me thinks it's a GREAT idea, but part of me isn't sure .... I guess if they'll get to talk about it in class afterwards it could lead to some interesting and good discussions about understanding and exceptance ... But it could also be very hurtfull for kids in abusive /bullyingsituations ... hopefully it'll make them open up and get them out of the bad situation, but it could so easily go the other way ....


I guess I'm staying on the fence on that subject ....

[Rensul]

I'm not positive it should be required reading at the high school level either- but I suppose like you said with class discussion it could be good...although I can't imagine some of the teachers I had trying to discuss some of what was found in there...I guess the teacher handling the discussion would have to be very careful too.

[- Mav -]

The Power of One, Dreaming in Cuban, The Rum Diary, The Curse of Lono, and The Count of Monte Cristo are my favs.

[Rensul]

who's the author of dreaming in Cuban? What's that one about?

[- Mav -]

Cristina Garcia, its about a cuban family and the younger generations go over to the United States to live. Deals with the revolution and changing world versus the oldcuban way butshe kind of does it through dreams and in a spiritual way and gives the history of the family.

[tinkerlion]

yeah, i needed this freakin' thread yesterday! guess i'll just have to go back to the library later this week. sigh, the hardships of life sometimes.

[Rensul]

I am going back to the library tonight...I can tell you I loved -Oh the Glory of It All- Sean Wilsey- it really was a good read...autobiography-he had a very unconvential- entertaining childhood / young adulthood

I didn't like Neighbors- Thomas Berger- I couldn't even get into it gave up last night...will have to review this thread new ideas...

[tinkerlion]

bump bump bump

[tinkerlion]

bump for the book exchange group.

[sway2sway]

I'm reading the newest update of the Bob Marley biography, 'catch a fire'. It's a little slow for me at first cause i get all swamped down in history, all the names & dates make me lose focus and right now it's getting into the birth of Rastafari. I didn't have anything to read last week and I owe $45 at the library because apparently I lost a book about a gerbil named Max, or some such nonsense. So, I went to the grocery store and bought the Mr. Marley book.

There is a 1955 movie with Frank Sinatra called the man with a golden arm. It's about a card dealer, reformed heroin addict, who gets out of jail and his struggles to keep on the right side of line. His name is Frankie Machine, how cool of a name is that? The book is by Nelson Algren, but I haven't found it anywhere yet. I just can't help but ramble, maybe I should talk more instead.

[gumbolimbo]

The Time Travelers Wife. Strange concept- yet great book.
If you liked the Kite Runner, then read: A Fine Balance. It was on the Oprah or Today show booklist a few years ago....I don't know. It was great...:)

[sway2sway]

If you liked the Kite Runner, then read: A Fine Balance. It was on the Oprah or Today show booklist a few years ago....I don't know. It was great...:)

A fine balance is really good, I think I mentioned it before. It's a big fat one set in India, written by Rohinton Mistry.

[scurfing]

The Bonesetter's Daughter - Amy Tan

The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho

The Power of One - Bryce Courtenay (I think someone said this?)

Tandia (The sequel to The Power of One)

Shantaram - Gregory David Roberts

A Child Called It - Dave Pelzer

A Short History of Nearly Everyting - Bill Bryson

Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald

Jessica - Bryce Courtenay

Daughter of Fortune - Isabel Allende

Years of Wonders - Geraldine Brooks

The Other Side of the Story & Sushi for Beginner's - Marian Keyes