Time for a new book - any suggestions?

[danlptr12]

Here are some books which you may like or can consider of reading.

1. The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay (Michael Chabon, 2000, Random House)
2. Just Kids (Patti Smith, 2010, Ecco)
3. The Scott Pilgrim Series (Bryan Lee O’Malley, 2004 – 2010, Oni Press)
4. Tess of the D’Urbervilles (Thomas Hardy, 1891)
5. Monster Rally (Charles Addams, 1950, Simon and Schuster)
6. Transition Plan by Bob Russell (with Bryan Bucher)
7. Gospel in Life (Tim Keller)

[The AD]

I fully enjoyed the Millenium trilogy and would recommend as a fun light read.

I didn't really feel like it was a light read at all. I'm actually a little surprised how popular the books are considering the length and density of them.

[JMO]

Fiction recs: The Signal - Ron Carlson
good outdoor action yarn. Carlson is a really tight short story writer for the most part, but this novel is an entertaining and engaging read

OK - one down a bunch more to go. Good read - made me want to go hiking and fishing and camping. But I was bummed he didn't get the girl back in the end.

I got caught up in a couple other reads including Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal's book and George W. Bush's book, both of which I have started and have many pages ahead of me.

Also, I flew through Rigged by Ben Mezrich which was outstanding - a great read that felt like a combo of Boilier Room and a Hunter Thompson book. But I also started Islands in the Stream by Hemingway - I forgot how crazy his characters were. Good stuff. And of course, I'm reading chapters here and there from David Goodman's latest book Best Backcountry Skiing in New England.

Spats, I'm putting your book on my list. Looking forward to it.

I've read the entire Cormac McCarthy quiver - he's probably my favorite writer. Can't wait for his next one.

[crackboy]

So recently read the Lost City of Z. its about amazonian explorers and well written

Similarly in that vein. Check out the River of Doubt. its about Teddy Roosevelts expedition to map/explore one of the amazonian tributaries

Also In the heart of the sea:the tragedy of the whale ship essex

[Ripzalot]

picked up World War Z for the transatlantic flight and read it over the holidays. nothing like a zombie book to get you in the christmas spirit. surprisingly good. the author has an incredible imagination in thinking through all the possible scenarios that could go down in a zombie apocalypse.

note: not the best thing to read before bedtime.

[vinzclortho]

A Prayer For Owen Meaney by John Irving. absolutely awesome.

[iggyskier]

Been listening to Malcom Gladwell's books lately. All are super interesting.

Finished Blink and The Tipping Point thus far and am in the middle of Outliers. Still have to start What the Dog Saw.

Definitely suggest checking them out.

[The AD]

I am kind of a Bill Bryson whore. His new one At Home is proving up to his usual standards and I'd recommend to anyone if you like funny non-fiction.

I'm in the middle of it now. Definitely very interesting. Not as funny as his more autobiographical books, but you'll definitely learn a lot by reading it. You'll find out very quickly there's a lot you don't know about the history of things you use every day in your home. For example, the modern can opener with the two wheels and twisting handle wasn't invented until 1925.

[DharmaBum]

Seconds on Lamb and Brighter Than A Thousand Suns. Lamb is one of the few books that made me laugh out loud many times over.

I recommend, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon.

[Stu Gotz]

Not "vampire" as in twilight or any of the "blood" series types. Think more like dark-seekers from I Am Legend. Could not put it down. Gonna be a trilogy too.

Interesting about the trilogy. I read the book, enjoyed it very much, but thought the ending was really lousy. And now I know why.

I don't know if he can get another 1500+ pages out of the story though.


I would also like to add "Winter's Tale" by Mark Helprin. I have never read another book like it.

[crackboy]

i really liked the passage too.though honestly i thought the ending was good and agree that i don't know how he can get more out of it.

i would be ok with the way it ends as is

[half-fast]

the lone survivor-marcus luttrell
indian country-philip caputo
the voyage-philip caputo

I like everything I've read by caputo

[dookeyXXX]

I found both Cormac's No Country for Old Men and The Road to be kinda meh, but have heard that Blood Meridian is totally tits. On the fence about it, though, based on my dislike of the aforementioned, but could be easily toppled.

I'm also seriously considering going on a full-tilt Charles Portis bender:
Norwood
True Grit
The Dog of the South
Masters of Atlantis
Gringos

Haven't read any of 'em nor do I know a single soul who has, but based on the Coen Bros. version of TG, which seems pretty damn true to the book, methinks that Portis will be a good yarn spinner.

P.S.
Ron Carlson's short stories are solid...check out the At The Jim Bridger collection.

[Platinum Pete]

So recently read the Lost City of Z. its about amazonian explorers and well written

Similarly in that vein. Check out the River of Doubt. its about Teddy Roosevelts expedition to map/explore one of the amazonian tributaries

Also In the heart of the sea:the tragedy of the whale ship essex

You and my dad could form a book club, same exact book recs he was talking up over x-mas. I read Lost City of Z and really liked it. I'm taking a break from Roosevelt currently so River of Doubt is on hold until next summer.

[crackboy]

hey they are all good books. and it seemed like the OP was looking for adventure type dealios

one of my favorite books is The Gun Seller by Hugh Laurie. Awesome if you like dry british humor.

[Slater]

Hey JMO,
You were looking for a good book awhile back and here's one that I think you will like- White Planet: A Mad Dash through Modern Global Ski Culture. It's written by Leslie Anthony (he's written for Powder and SKIER) and details the evolution of skiing and skiing culture. It's funny and the only romance going on is with the pow.
Here's a review of it:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...rticle1879126/

[Jer]

I found both Cormac's No Country for Old Men and The Road to be kinda meh, but have heard that Blood Meridian is totally tits. On the fence about it, though, based on my dislike of the aforementioned, but could be easily toppled.

The Road wasn't that great. I liked No Country better as a film. But Blood Meridian is wild. The most disturbing book I've ever read. Blood Meridian and Child Of God are my two favorite from C.McC.

[up an down]

reading "breaking the limit" by karen larsen right now.. pretty good.... she rides her harley from new jersey to alaska and back. kind of an adventure story i guess.
picking up a copy of "Deadly Spin: An Insurance Company Insider Speaks Out on How Corporate PR Is Killing Health Care and Deceiving Americans" by wendell potter tomorrow.. title speaks for itself.

[Grange]

Apparently the books I read are like the popcorn movies of literature. The not inspirational or informative, but they are fun reads. I just finished 207 Bones, which is by a producer of the TV show Bones. I don't watch the show, but the person that gave me the book said the book reads like the show.

I just started Camel Club, which is the first book in series a series of 5 books so far. I've already read the third book, Stone Cold before I realized it was part of a series and I hope this one is as good.

[nateski]

can anyone recommend a good history of judaism, or pirates?

[doughboyshredder]

the camel club books are great. I'm on the third one in the series, and I love them. Of course I haven't read anything by Baldacci that isn't great.

[Ubersheist]

can anyone recommend a good history of judaism, or pirates?

Ok... it's not Judaism, but it touches on it, as their history is often intertwined with Arabic and Islamic history:



"Destiny Disrupted" by Tamim Ansary - it's a "history of the world through Muslim eyes." It's a crazy good read, absolutely fascinating. It was written very conversationally, as if you were "talking over a beer" at a bar. The last chapter or two really set the stage for the turmoil over in Egypt and general "unrest" in the Middle East. They really build on the info in the rest of the book, though. It really makes you realize how utterly ignorant Americans are of the ways and desires of Muslims, Arabs, Islamists, Middle Easterners, etc.

[dipstik]

Just finished "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand. Hands down the most unbelievable story I've ever read. I can't think of the last time I was this enthralled by a book.

[fool]

Dipstik, looks interesting: thanks for the posting it.

And I don't think I've - or anyone else - has mentioned it yet but "Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs" by Chuck Klosterman is absolutely brilliant. I'm not even into that much "American culture" things like TV, movies, pop culture, etc. (mainly just books and music) but I still loved it. His other books are pretty good too.

[dookeyXXX]

tonight i stumbled upon the trailer for this new movie called Limitless and while the film looks kinda meh, it mentioned that it was based on the novel The Dark Fields by Alan Glynn.

i read this book several years ago and it was a serious page-turner. it's basically a modern update on Flowers for Algernon and definitely worth the read.

Glynn's latest, Winterland, looks intriguing, as well...