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Post by matt on Jan 5, 2006 10:47:10 GMT -5
Because you demanded it! A lot of us are always looking for new books to read, and from my limited time on the boards it seems we share some tastes. For example, from what I've seen, we have more than a few Tolkien fans on the boards. People can feel free to recommend books they've enjoyed, and perhaps just jot a line or two about why they enjoyed them. Here's a couple I've read recently, and enjoyed: "Dead I Well May Be" by Adrian McKinty - a tough, gritty, well-written crime novel about a low-level Irish hood in early-90s New York who makes the mistake of falling in love with the boss's girl. Think Frank McCourt meets Mickey Spillane. "Homecoming" by Cynthia Voigt - an exceptional teen novel (but readable by adults as well), a classic about a group of siblings whose mother abandons them by the interstate in Rhode Island. Fearing separation from each other, they attempt to make their way on foot to their aunt's house in Connecticut relying on one another. Looking forward to hearing from others (Not The Others  )! |
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Post by Jeremy on Jan 5, 2006 23:04:39 GMT -5
hmmm...some of the books that I have read and enjoyed lately...
"The Dante Club" Matthew Pearl - it is a historical fiction (for lack of a better term) It follows the lives of Those translating Dante's Inferno into english. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes, James Russell Lowell and publisher J. T. Fields are the people translating the story, but they are involved in a mystery when people start dying...exactly like scenes from the Inferno! the first couple chapters are slow, but once I was past them, I didn't stop reading the book til I finished!
"Lies My Teacher Told Me" James W. Loewen - this is a book about some of the Glaring mistakes that American History textbooks have left out. Interesting stories from American History that most don't know. Maybe I find it interesting because I am a History Major, but it has some interesting facts if you like history.
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Post by Jeremy on Jan 7, 2006 0:20:40 GMT -5
Nobody else has books to recommend?
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Post by joss on Jan 7, 2006 0:27:32 GMT -5
Well, I'm just starting to read more because I have no school anymore and just got a library card! I know we'd already discussed Dan Brown on the other thread.
This week I read a book by James Patterson. Which I'm not going to recommend. Perhaps other people like that type of book, but I didn't.
Which is why I need these recommendations...so I don't waste time reading things I don't like because I chose them at random.
I checked out some other books so now I just have to read them ;D
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Post by joss on Jan 7, 2006 0:28:36 GMT -5
Oh, and Jeremy, I wrote down the titles of the books you recommended so next time I go to the library I will check them out.
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Post by Jeremy on Jan 7, 2006 0:50:15 GMT -5
Yeah, I was looking at the Matthew Pearl website and it looks like he is coming out with another book called "the Poe Shadow" If it is as good as "the Dante Club," it will be awesome.
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Post by Annie on Jan 7, 2006 12:19:16 GMT -5
I end up reading a lot of young adult fiction to screen for stories my kids might enjoy.
There is an excellent set of adventure books I would recommend for sheer entertainment. They have mystery, suspense, a certain creepiness, humor, rich history and nautical atmosphere.
Iain Lawrence's books
The Wreckers
The Smugglers
The Buccaneers
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Post by Annie on Jan 7, 2006 12:26:56 GMT -5
Oh, and Phillip Pullman's books are great. The Golden Compass. Wow!
We have a lot of books at our house and tend to lend to the neighborhood kids. One 13 year old girl kept coming back for that one over and over, but the 14 year old boy next door brought it back early. He said it was too scary for him.
One of my favorite books is Skellig by David Almond. It is a really beautiful, strange, touching story.
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Post by matt on Jan 7, 2006 12:59:22 GMT -5
If you're looking for some good kids' books, Annie, try The Tripods Trilogy by John Christopher. It's a classic series set several hundred years after alien beings have taken over the world, a young boy sets off to find freedom in 'The White Mountains.' Really terrific characters, suspenseful, touching. The trilogy consists of The White Mountains, The City of Gold and Lead, and The Pool of Fire.
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Post by Jeremy on Jan 7, 2006 13:45:01 GMT -5
The series of Unfortunate events is also a great Series. It is meant for a "younger audience," but I must say that they are excellent for anybody. The Movie doesn't do the books justice (but does it ever? :  , but I have enjoyed them for a long time, and they are actually written to be enjoyed by older audiences, with clever plot details. Check them out! |
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Post by Annie on Jan 7, 2006 16:04:37 GMT -5
Yes, we have all of those Series of Unfortunate Events books. My daughter loved them a few years ago. I can see you liking them.
The Tripods Trilogy sounds interesting.
My husband keeps wanting me to read Enders Game. I haven't got around to it yet. My kids are dubious about anything he recommends because he is an unreliable critic. Everything he sees or reads is "the best."
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Post by heyes on Jan 7, 2006 17:03:28 GMT -5
Oh, do read Ender's Game! I've read both it and it's sequel Ender's Shadow, and each are spectacular. Although they can be a little disturbing at times, it truly is a good book with a fantastic premise. I'm not a major sci-fi fan, but this one sucked me right it!
Another book I've been reading lately is I, Claudius. It's historical fiction set in ancient Rome, but is also extremely witty and humorous. Claudius is a wonderful narrator and character. And you can forget about tranquility when young Caligula comes to power! Also, to our resident baby eater, you might like this book especially well. Dead babies seem to be a running theme. ;D
But truly, it's really a great book. I think I'm going to read it's sequel Claudius, The God in a bit.
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Post by matt on Jan 7, 2006 18:00:06 GMT -5
Cynthia Voigt's Tillerman series is also top-shelf. A few of its novels won or were nominated for the Newberry Award for teen fiction.
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Post by KatieIsland on Feb 20, 2006 15:25:59 GMT -5
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Post by bakersdozen on Feb 20, 2006 17:16:35 GMT -5
"Lies My Teacher Told Me" is amazing, I second that, Jeremy! Ironically enough, it was my history teacher who lent it to me last year...but I recommend that one.
I'm currently reading "The Pirate Queen" by Alan Gold, it's decent so far. I like historical fiction a lot...
However, right now I'm really into H. G. Wells (read the Time Traveller! Do it!) and the Sherlock Holmes series. So I'll recommend those as well.
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)!
, but I have enjoyed them for a long time, and they are actually written to be enjoyed by older audiences, with clever plot details. Check them out!
