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Mar-23-2005 00:15

This has probably been discussed before, but I couldn't find a thread on it ...

As a serial reader and bibliophile, I am always seeking new recommendations on reading material (not particularly detective novels).

I have just finished Postmortem and Body of Evidence by P.Cornwell (first time I've read her) and am currently reading 'The Shadow of the Wind' by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. What should it be next?

Mar-23-2005 05:18

For detecive stories that are a bit different you could try "Thraxas" by Martin Scott or "No haven for the guilty" by Simon R Green. Both are fantasy based detective stories.

Mar-23-2005 07:53

I know it sounds strange but if you haven't read it "Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus" it is one of the greatest books EVER written (the first edition 1818)!!!! Thriller of gargantuan, dare i say monstrous, proportions!!!
Anybody even MENTIONS Pride and Prejudice on this or any other page and my mates from Cosa Nostra will be round to "sort you out" ;)

Mar-23-2005 10:42

Sue Grafton'a alphabet series is good if you are looking for a detective story with a difference. Also quite into Quentin Jardine's books at the moment. These are mainly set in Scotland. As for classic literature, Charles Dickens my favourtie being Daid Copperfield. (Hides in case Crosey dislikes that) Also for something more modern being originally from the area they are based in Catherine Cookson novels. And for something again similar to that Maeve Bincy.

Mar-23-2005 11:16

Tolstoy's War and Peace.. best novel ever.. in my humble opinion :) I try to re-read it atleast every 2 years, I'm always able to get more out of it :) Doystoyevskys Crime and Punishment is also worth a read. For modern literature , I have to admit i love Dan Browns novels, Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons.
Oh and i love Pride and Prejudice..and Emma.. and Mansfield Park.. and Sense and Sensibility :)

Mar-23-2005 11:27

Catch 22: Joseph Heller

No explanation needed.

Mar-23-2005 12:08

Blackmask Online maintains an archive of many great stories, available in PDF form, which is probably the only e-book form I can read properly. Among other things, you can get lots of pulp novels that are extremely hard to find. Dr. Fu-Manchu, Doc Savage, Dr. Nikola, The Shadow, etc, etc.

http://www.blackmask.com/page.php

Mar-23-2005 13:29

ac doyle, great stuff

Mar-23-2005 13:35

Sue Grafton is good, and Robert B. Parker's Spencer novels. I like the books much better than the show.

Stephen King's earlier works, IT, The Stand (the Stand is much better if you can get the unedited version, about 100 extra pages but well worth the extra time. I've read both versions.)

Dean Koontz
Laurell K. Hamilton
Stephen R. Donaldson

And for something really different, read Gone With the Wind. Even if you've seen the movie 100 times it pays to read the book, there's just sooo much more detail!

There's a lot more that I just can't think of at the moment. I used to read 3-4 books a week but now most of my free time is spent online LOL

Mar-23-2005 18:10

oh yeah, john grisham has some good ones, or at least i'm sure they're all great but i've only read two, so far very clever and fun

Mar-23-2005 18:16

If you are into profiling of true crime, Mind Hunter by john douglas is good