Book suggestions request

1. 69

   sunforgedposted 14 years ago

   After tonight I want to take a short writing vacation, i really, really want a new book.
   
   but since Im an ebay seller/buyer and i live a block away from a huge used book store, literally every author I like, I have tracked down every book they own and read them all.
   
   I need something new, an author I dont know about. I want lighter reading, a novel of some sort.
   
   So my favorite authors that best reflect what I enjoy:
   
   Kurt Vonnegut
   Herman Hesse
   John Irving
   Chuck Pahliunuk
   James Clavelle
   Jonathan Safran Foer
   Paolo Coelho
   Tom Robbins
   Neil gaiman
   Milan kundera
   
   
   So considering that list, do you enjoy any of those authors and can think of someone related I might be able to find tonight at either a local bookstore or a borders?
   
   oh yeah, asimov, piers anthony, heinlein and dan brown are also already well covered for light reading
   
   any thoughts? Ive proven to be genuinely incapable of just browsing around and finding a gem

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   1. 74

      gunsockposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Hi sunforged
      
      I see you have John Irving in your list - so I know you have great taste! 'A Prayer For Owen Meanie' by him is just a wonderful book, both sad and funny at the same time. The scene where little Owen has to play the role of baby Jesus in the Nativity play is laugh-out-loud funny.
      
      Have you read 'Life of Pi' by Yann Martel? If not try it. It takes some getting into but its well worth it.
      
      Or maybe one of Haruki Murakami's novels - 'The Wind-up Bird Chronicle' is particularly good.
      
      One more - 'The Story of Lucy Gault' by William Trevor, is very moving and tender.
      
      Hope you find something you like.

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      1. 69

         sunforgedposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         now, im excited.
         
         youve referenced Irving and "life of pi" , ill be on the lookout for both those books, thank you!

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      2. 56

         wrenfrost56posted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Life of pi, I'de second that, what a great suggestion. I loved that book.

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         1. 69

            sunforgedposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            thirded - i own 3 copies and i give them away whenever possible

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2. 73

   Arthur Fontesposted 14 years ago

   Victor Hugo Les Miserables  I just finished the book and really enjoyed it.

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3. 0

   Nelle Hoxieposted 14 years ago

   William Peter Blatty who wrote the Exorcist has a new book - Dimiter. I'm reading it now. Verrrrry creepy and very good.

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   1. 69

      sunforgedposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Im putting it on my list of authors to check out, lol, but..whats kind of a uniting thread with my favorite authors is humor (robbins),absurdity (vonnegut) or a positive message (coelho). The exorxist scares me, not sure if it will be the light or positive contemplative mood im looking for.
      
      i dont know how to pigeonhole hesse or kundera, but they are truly amazing.
      
      but Nelle, as i think I have commented on one of your hubs, I have actually read most all of the vampire series you have reviewed so my tastes get around, but i only picked those books up because my girlfriend left them lying around, Im wishing for a author like those I referenced... like, hmm "Life of pi"
      
      i know a very scatter brained response Its hard to describe something I dont even know exists yet

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4. 69

   sunforgedposted 14 years ago

   that is a great suggestion and right down my alley, but its been read and re-read, as have most classics from aesop to virgil, im searching for something from this century, even this decade...someone I may have never heard of or is not so well known.

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   1. 73

      Arthur Fontesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      How about the "Sword of Truth" series by Terry Goodkind.
      
      The show "Legend of the Seeker" is based on these books.

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      1. 69

         sunforgedposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Im unfamiliar with the show, but I have heard of the book series, I will take your suggestion. thank you, bet ill have a chance at the big used store near my house on those

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   2. 63

      TheGlassSpiderposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      How about Dave Eggars' A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius? I loved it. And apparently he's become quite famous since he published it.

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5. 0

   Nelle Hoxieposted 14 years ago

   Among Thieves by David Hosp is an intriquing who dun it based on the true story of the Gardener Robbery in Boston. Great thriller. Hosp is a local attorney and the book is based on lots of inside info and research.

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6. 78

   Sally's Troveposted 14 years ago

   Maybe take a spin on mystery and crime with two stellar women authors...Nevada Barr and Janet Evanovich.
   
   I guarantee that you will laugh our arse off reading Evanovich's Stephanie Plum novels and want to know more about history, geology, ecology, and crime with the Barr books.
   
   For sure, these are lighter works, maybe a change of pace from Vonnegut, Hesse, Irving, and the others.  Sometimes it's good to escape.

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7. 87

   IzzyMposted 14 years ago

   Have you read any of James Patterson's books? I think he's absolutely brilliant and have read loads of his. He wrote a lot of police crime thrillers but his Maximum Ride series are amazing! They're about children that are half-bird/half-human. Oh I think he might still be a cop in those books too, can't remember.

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8. 69

   sunforgedposted 14 years ago

   thanks for the suggestions, thank you very much..im off to read book reviews and price comparisons.

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9. 0

   blake4dposted 14 years ago

   You might enjoy Phillip K. Dick, William S. Burroughs, and Hunter S. Thompson.

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   1. 69

      sunforgedposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      very accurate identification of where my tastes lie, but alas, I have already devoured them all..Phillip k dick sit strong on shelf of honor..although you remind me that there is no way I actually own ALL of thompsons work...the hunt is on
      
      Thank you!

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10. 59

    Randy Godwinposted 14 years ago

    Yankee Pasha by Edison Marshall.  Adventure, romance, mystery, tragedy and humor.  A fun read!

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    1. 69

       sunforgedposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Thank you, thats a total unknown to me will look into it further

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11. 61

    logic,commonsenseposted 14 years ago

    Dangerous Visions by Harlan Ellison!

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    1. 69

       sunforgedposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I do like harlan ellison but I havent collected and read all his works, good reminder im all over that one

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    TheGlassSpiderposted 14 years ago

    *slaps forehead* I can't believe I forgot to mention Jose Saramago!
    
    Blindness or any others he's written.
    
    Phillip K. Dick is also an excellent suggestion

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    silkwormposted 14 years ago

    There are plenty good books I would recommend like "Crime and Punishment by Dostoevsky", "Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond", I got plenty so lets read these two first.

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14. 78

    Sufidreamerposted 14 years ago

    Glad that you like Neil Gaiman - top author.
    
    Don't know if you have tried Stephen R. Donaldson - his Thomas Covenant series is one that I return to often. Philip Pullman is another - 'His Dark Materials' hits the spot. Robert E. Howard's Conan is very underrated - much more subtle than people give him credit for. There is Terry Pratchett, too - good for light relief.
    
    That's all - I need to place a big Amazon order soon, or learn better Greek

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    1. 69

       sunforgedposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       certainly a fan of the "His dark materials" series am actually angered that it seems the movies series doesnt have a snowballs chance in hell of being produced.
       
       Apparently, Pratchett, Howard and Donaldson need to make my list. Im sure ive read Donaldson but I really cant recall any details so it seems at the very least its time for a reread..if you like Gaiman, ill ahve to take your other suggestions

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       1. 63

          TheGlassSpiderposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          Make sure you go to the bathroom before you read Pratchett...if not you'll pee yourself laughing. He's really THAT funny. I highly recommend Reaper Man.

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