Going to the library today. Need book ideas.

[BarenakedLady]

What's your favorite book EVAH?

I'll read just about anything, save trashy romance novels. I'm trying to broaden my horizons. I can't rely on my stunning good looks and personality forever, doncha know? ;)

[Rambis]

1. Any Ian Rankin or Ken Bruen novel

both excellent detective story writers in the Noir genre.

[BarenakedLady]

4. Thanks.

I haven't read a good detective novel in a long time.

[Patiod]

29. And if you like the Ian Rankin (John Rebus)

the bonus is that there are a LOT more where that came from. He only just finished the series....

[Rambis]

31. I just got Exit Music so no spoilers please (nm)

x

[Patiod]

32. I'm only half-way through, and the library wants it back

too bad - not giving it back til I read the last page (and I NEVER look ahead)

[Rambis]

33. Renew online or pay the fine is my motto

I put a hold on this book a 2 months ago. I find myself finishing Rebus novels quickly (very very slow reader me) but I can't put them down on weekends. I forgot to feed the kids lunch one day terrible!

[kentauros]

2. Science Fiction: A.E. van Vogt

The world of Null-A :)

[BarenakedLady]

5. Sounds interesting.

Thanks!

[Dr. Strange]

3. Read any Christopher Moore?

If not, get one of his books!

[BarenakedLady]

6. Life Sucks?

Was that him?

He sounds familiar anyway.

[Dr. Strange]

20. You Suck.

http://www.amazon.com/You-Suck-Story-Christopher-Moore/dp/0060590297

That was him.

[Lincolngirl]

39. Favorite Christopher Moore...

Lamb-The gospel according to Biff, Christ's Childhood friend.

Not politically correct, but very funny.

Also recommend Tim Dorsey. Vigilante Serial Killer in Florida, like Hiaasen on acid!!!
Very Very Very Very funny.

Did I say it's funny?

[malta blue]

7. my friend just recommended

"The Year of Living Biblically" to me.

She said it was great - I will go to the library this weekend to grab it.

[BarenakedLady]

8. What is it about?

:shrug:

[malta blue]

26. a guy tries to live an entire year following rules

from the bible. :shrug:

[billyskank]

9. Gawsh

I'm so sorry. I can't seem to think of anything. I do read books sometimes, although not as often as I think I ought to, and I have doubts that you'd be into the sort of books I read.

:(

[BarenakedLady]

10. Besides Dune?

:P

Plus, I have that one.

[billyskank]

13. I think I'm going to be reading that one for the rest of my life

I'll never finish it. :crazy:

[Dr. Strange]

43. You HAVE to finish it!

Shai-Hulud demands it!

[Lydia Leftcoast]

11. I've gotten into reading mysteries by foreign authors or in foreign settings

The best one so far is Icelander Arnaldur Indridason. I've read Jar City and Silence of the Grave, but apparently others are available as well.

I also enjoyed James Church's A Corpse in the Koryo, which takes place in, of all places, North Korea.

Reginald Hill is one of my favorite British mystery writers. His Dalziel and Pascoe series pairs a picturesquely raunchy Yorkshireman with a university-educated assistant. Look for the earliest copyright dates first, since the later books are easier to appreciate if you've read the earlier ones.

[BarenakedLady]

14. Thanks for the ideas.

:D

I'm going to have to make a list.

[BarenakedLady]

36. I got Jar City.

:D

Thanks

[yellowdogintexas]

49. try Laura Joh Rowland's Sano Ichiro novels, set in Samurai Japan; wonderful! or

I. J. Parker's Sugawara Akitada series, which is set in earlier even more feudal Japan.

and for just light hearted fun, try Alexander McCall Smith's wonderful novels of Botswanaland.. 'The #1 Ladies Detective Agency' and its sequels. Delightful.

[Jamastiene]

12. Five Smooth Stones by Ann Fairbairn

Also,
Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank

Those are two of my most favorite books.

Five Smooth Stones really makes you think a lot. Despite its thickness, the reader finds themselves unable to put the book down.

Alas, Babylon should be required reading for everyone. It makes you think too. There are so many simple survival facts in that book that most people wouldn't normally think about. It is also hard to put it down.

[BarenakedLady]

15. I love when I can't put a book down.

Thanks.

:D

[Jamastiene]

16. Five Smooth Stones will do that to you for sure.

No other book has ever gripped me, brought me into the story, opened my eyes, and changed me from the inside out like Five Smooth Stones did. I hated to finish that book. I wanted to actually be there in the story at so many points in the book.

Here is a small glimpse:
http://www.amazon.com/Five-Smooth-Stones-Ann-Fairbairn/dp/0899668054

[BarenakedLady]

35. We shall see

They had a copy. :D

[Bertha Venation]

17. My three faves -

Truman David McCullough
A Tree Grows In Brooklyn Betty Smith
Beach Music Pat Conroy

Enjoy your trip!

[flvegan]

18. "Wherever You Go, There You Are" by Jon Kabat Zinn

I also really loved "The Art of Happiness" and "Ethics for the New Millennium" both by HH Dalai Lama.

[MountainLaurel]

19. Favorite books evah: Jane Eyre, followed by Dracula

Some other favorite authors and books:

Neil Gaiman: If you haven't read Good Omens (written with Terry Pratchett), pick it up now.
I second the Christopher Moore: funny as hell but also philosophical at the same time
Martin Cruz-Smith's Arkady Renko novels: thrillers that provide history lessons about the evolution of the Soviet Union
"The Beekeeper's Apprentice"
"We Need to Talk About Kevin"
Nevil Shute

[skygazer]

23. I second Neil Gaiman and Good Omens

And would highly recommend his book American Gods. One of the best books I've ever read - kind of sucks you in and won't let go.

[BarenakedLady]

34. I have a shelf full of Terry Pratchett

Good Omens is in there. :D

I did end up grabbing the one Christopher Moore they had I haven't read...The Stupidest Angel.

[Lincolngirl]

40. Let me know

What you think of it. Haven't read it yet.
Have you read Lamb?

[BarenakedLady]

41. Yup

Laughed my ass off.

[taterguy]

21. Psychotic Reactions and Carburetor Dung

The anthology of writing by the world's greatest rock critic Lester Bangs

[YankeyMCC]

22. Top 3

Odyssey and Iliad (cheating a bit to lump them together)
East of Eden

I want to recommend one of my favorite SF but I'm reluctant to recommend my true favorites the Asimov Robot and Foundation novels, I know it is not for everyone so let me recomend one of these two options:
If you're prepared to tackle a space opera (but in a very good sense in that it has a wide scope but in a very smart and literate way) Dan Simmons' Hyperion
If you'd like a lighter SF read but still very well done "Learning the World" by Ken Macleod

[RFKHumphreyObama]

24. Well....let's see -three intriguing books I'm reading at the moment

"Keeping Faith" by Jimmy Carter
"No Excuses: Confessions of a Serial Campaigner" by Bob Shrum - a very candid political autobiography providing an up close and personal view of many of the losing Democratic presidential campaigns of our time, regardless of what you think of Bob Shrum
"Bill Clinton: Mastering the Presidency" by Nigel Hamilton

Also "Out of Iran" by Sousan Azadi with Angela Ferrante. An intriguing account written by a member of the Iranian nobility about the early years of Khomeini's rule and the persecution that she and her family experienced.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

25. One of my favorites is "A Simple Plan" by Scott Smith.

[Richardo]

27. Catch-22

[Chan790]

28. I'm on a huge Haruki Murakami kick lately.

Start with The Wind-up Bird Chronicles. It's his most easily-accessible novel...he tends to write long flighty novels full of esoteric minutia of urban Japanese culture but that one is fairly easy to get enraptured into.

[Inchworm]

42. I'm digging him too

Still on Kafka on the Shore, but I'm loving it.

:thumbsup:

[Parche]

30. These For My Favorite BNL

I want a 69 page essay after each book

:woohoo: :hi: :hug:

[BarenakedLady]

37. Thanks everyone. I'm back

I got Five Smooth Stones, Jar City, and The Stupidest Angel. I thought it was a good mix.

I have all the other recommendations written down for next time. :D

[Greyskye]

38. 3 Cups of Tea - Greg Mortenson

I think this book inspired my wife to go help build a school in Malawi Africa this past summer.

Also, anything written in the last 10 years or so by Charles DeLint - my favorite author ever. :hi:

[alfredo]

44. Orhan Pamuk has never let me down. titles: "The White Castle"

"My Name is Red."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orhan_Pamuk

http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/literature/laureates/2006/

[Sanity Claws]

45. Library is closed today for Veterans Day

Try tomorrow.
As for recommendations, give me an idea of what you might like.
:hi:

[BarenakedLady]

46. No it wasn't

:D

My kids and I all took out books this afternoon.

[graywarrior]

47. The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell

Unbelievable story about a Jesuit priest. I may read it again come to think of it.

[Monkey see Monkey Do]

48. Ringolevio by Emmett Grogan (& it's just been reprinted)

Am gonna be slightly lazy & post from the blurb, but really can't recommend this highly enough. It's gonna be quite a few people's Xmas present this year.

The best and only authentic book written on the sixties underground.
— Dennis Hopper

Emmett Grogan was a wonderful storyteller, and Ringolevio is a great book.
— Jerry Garcia

Superman of the Underground.
— The Times (London)

http://www.nybooks.com/shop/product?usca_p=t&product_id=8371