Reading Suggestion, Fiction

CWillie, hear, hear! Well said!

I used to wonder this as well when required in college to slog through some boring novel that someone determined was a classic.

And I've frequently wondered why Edgar Allen Poe's works were considered classic. I won't deny that he's creative, in a malevolent and macabre sort of way, but some of his works are positively revolting. I've read that he had a gambling and alcohol problem, so that might have affected his outlook, but to create such horrific situations was just plain sick.

On the other hand, I discovered some authors whose work was really inspiring and insightful. I knew when I read Faulkner's Go Down Moses that he understood the bonds that people discover and/or create with nature. And F. Scott Fitzgerald's works were so insightful studies in the effect of money and wealth on people's lives.

But I've also been influenced by some of the posts in this thread, and think it would be a nice relief to find some more lighthearted books w/o any messages or underlying social analysis. Peter Mayle's charming anecdotes of life in France easily meet that criterion. And I always love a "visitation" to France, even if it's only on paper (and much cheaper!).

I love Steve Berry! I have read a number of his books including Romanov Prophecy. I was reading many of his books. Think I may have started with The Templar Legacy.

Glad, I like Berry's novels as well. The historical settings really enrich the plot. Have you ever read his The Amber Room? Cussler has also written a novel about the alleged gold stolen by the Nazis and possibly sequestered away in some hidden hideout.

Yes, GA I have read the Amber Room, as well, probably 8 years ago or so. Do not remember the story line, though. Must add Gold books to my list! There are a number of them. Which one, GA? I have also read some Cussler, though don't know what.

If you like historical fiction, I devoured everything I could get that was written by Leon Uris back when I was in my teens and twenties. I don't know how well they have stood the test of time though. (Mila 18 and Trinity were awesome)

Went to bed last night thinking that I mis spoke/wrote. The Amber Room wasn't about gold, but about amber treasures. I think..??? Then I couldn't remember for sure! So it's time to read the book again; it was a bit on the rough side but the historical elements compensated for that.

Glad, this is embarrassing. I just read the Cussler book about the Amber treasure but can't remember the name of it. Checked my Cussler library and not even the plot summary helps. I'll keep looking and will let you know when I figure out which novel it was. I go through his books so quickly b/c they're so fast paced that sometimes I have to reread them a second time to remember the plots.

Romanov treasures (the Faberge eggs in particular) was in his Romanov Ramsom. That's well worth reading as well. He has the ability to graphically recreate scenes; I felt as if I was actually a witness to the scene when the Empress reluctantly turns over the Faberge eggs to the revolutionaries.

I wouldn't say Cussler is a moralist, but the "good guys" always triumph over the "bad guys". His work isn't preachy, but it does address good and evil, not in an historical way but more like a James Bond intelligence and physical triumph. There are definitely physical challenges, but intellectual ones as well.

He's also written a very contemporary thriller, Nighthawk, which is probably one of his most complicated novels. It addresses theft of advanced technology weaponry for global domination. I couldn't help thinking of the Putin and his (obsessive?) quest for power and control.

Most of Cussler's works that incorporate contemporary political issues are very thought provoking, especially given the current situation in DC and an unstable amateur threatening N. Korea and communicating through Twitter.


CWillie, I had completely forgotten about Leon Uris. I don't even remember if I read Exodus, but I did watch the movie several times. It ranks with Mayerling, Dr. Zhivago, Gone with the Wind, and other historical dramas as the best movies I've seen. I did read Marjorie Morningstar but it was so long ago I don't even remember what it was about.

I'm still waiting for the now 5 - 8" of snow predicted for today, so I have an excuse to indulge in more reading. Maybe it won't materialize and I'll actually have to do some work today.

Cussler must be preoccupied with gold. Many titles with gold in them. Spartan Gold, Inca Gold and others.

Thank you for all the great book talk. I will have to check my local bookstore and see what I can find.

Bringing this wonderful thread back up to the top, hopefully for more input on posters' reading interests.

Every time I read through the posts here, I imagine a "perfect setting" for reading. Often it's during a snowstorm or blizzard, creating an almost mandatory obligation to stay inside until the storm is through.

Accompanying the sound of wind, or just the gentle fall of snowflakes, are always hot chocolate or beverage of choice, a nice comfy chair or couch, soft and warm fleecy throws or home made afghans, leisure time with all obligations suspended temporarily, and of course, relaxation.

Then I might as a change of pace thumb through an Herb Quarterly magazine and see a lovely drawing of someone reading in the summer, lemonade at hand, furry cat on someone's lap, flowers in the background through a porch window, and sun shining in the distance.

Do others have any "visions" of the best reading scenarios? What inspires you to read? Stress? Relaxation? Expansion of vistas, travels to new lands? New ideas?

Does anyone read educational material such as scientific journals? Smithsonian magazines? Crafting, woodworking or similar magazines? At one time I used to enjoy thumbing through Popular Mechanics; there were always projects that I could imagine tackling someday, or there were good technical articles.

NatGeo is I think one of the most inspirational and relaxing magazines. The photos are of the highest qualify and for me are instantly soothing.

Anyone have any favorite magazines? Quilting? Needlework? Cooking? I don't know (and hope not) if Chocolatier is still being published. I used to mentally salivate at all the chocolate temptations. Taste of Home can be good as well. Of course, when we're dreaming none of the foods have high calories, too much fat, just delicious taste.

I think Jeanne started a wonderful thread, with wide ranging benefits, especially for caregivers. Let's keep this going!

GA, strange about reading for me. For many years I would take an hour or two, nearly daily, to read the novel I was working on at the time. Even while caring for mom and L. With mom at daycare I usuAlly was able to take a couple of hours for me.

When I moved to KS the reading did not stop, but the comprehension did! I do not think I comprehended a single book while there. I was not happy to be there, and the constant distraction of not having mom to deal with. Now that is certainly bizarre, isn't it!

I enjoy magazines too. When younger they were family circle, better homes and others like that. I really enjoyed This Old House for awhile since I had one. Too many projects, too little time, and a high maintenance house. Now, National Geographic I love and the special issues, and you are absolutely correct about the photography!

I forgot to mention my top recommendation from the fiction category. I recently picked up Water for Elephants and was mesmerized from the first page to the last. It starts with an old guy in a nursing home and ends up the most uplifting, heartwarming story I've ever read. Don't miss it!

Glad, there have been times when I haven't been able to concentrate either and end up reading sections repeatedly. I think stress causes us to lose concentration; at least that's been my experience. But I'm trying to read to battle stress!

I used to read the same magazines - Family Circle, Woman's Day, BHG and of course lots of crafting, gardening and quilting magazines for inspiration.

Along the way I used to get Early American Life and Colonial Homes. I loved that period for lifestyle and furniture. Someday I'd still like to try making furniture from scratch. I'll try a flat board first - I should be able to handle that!

This Old House has sooo gone upscale that I hardly even watch the tv show anymore. Interestingly enough, I used to post in the gardening section on an old TOH forum. That was years ago. In the last few months I've gotten half a dozen solicitations to subscribe to the magazine. It took me a while to figure out where they got my e-mail address.


Carla, Water for Elephants was a best seller wasn't it? And I believe a move was made of it. Thanks for the good recommendation; I wouldn't normally read about someone in a nursing home but if there's a positive ending, that's a different story.

Wonderful thread. Think I will look for “The Romanov Prophesy” next year. I am Russian/Ukrainian through my dad & always like Russian history mostly the Romanov period. That last czar was unfortunately not the person to lead Russia for that time. The Rasmussen era, ie.

I can't wait for senior granddaughter (she's two, which I'm forced to agree would be pushing it) to be old enough for the Little House series + Farmer Boy. I will get the whole collection and read it to her during school holidays, is my daydream. Everything I know about handling bears, butchering a pig, making maple sugar and building an ice house I learned from Laura Ingalls Wilder and I bless her memory.

Oh the whole Little House Collection is on my bookshelf. One year when we were at Branson, Mo. Our parents took us to Mansfield, Mo. To see Laura's last home. Wonderful Books!

My book club read and discussed Water for Elephants a few years ago. It is awesome!

Bumping this up to push down the troll-y threads!  :-) 

If you like a Russian history background, consider A Gentleman in Moscow . This was the selection of one of my book clubs in September.

My favorite genre is murder mysteries. Anyone else like those?

Me! Me, jeannegibbs! Me! I am a sucker for good writing and women detectives.

Have you ever read Laurie R. King?

I love, love, love Laurie R King, I've read everything she has written! I also enjoy the Anna Pigeon series by Nevada Barr, and Kate Shugak by Dana Stabenow.
Oh, and Marcia Muller too.

Oh, I forgot Karin Slaughter. I'm sure I'll remember a few more as my coffee kicks in!

Carol O'Connell, Sara Paretsky, Tess Gerritsen, Kathy Reiches, Charlaine Harris, Laura Lippman....

Yeah, I gravitate toward women authors with strong female protagonists!

Just want to toss out a few more:
the Jane Whitfield series by Thomas Perry (yes, I do sometimes read male authors, but the protagonist is still a kick ass woman!)
And if you like supernatural mysteries - Women of the Otherworld series by Kelly Armstrong, the Hollows series by Kim Harrison, Jane Yellowrock series by Faith Hunter, Mercy Thompson by Patricia Briggs, and the first few books of the Anita Blake series by Laurell K Hamilton (before the author discovered sex and turned them all into porn), oh, and the Sookie Stackhouse books by Charlaine Harris were a lot of fun!

Oh this is awesome, thanks you guys! I have a whole bunch of new-to-me writers to check out!

I have been trying to remember another author I have read lots of. Finally the first name hit me, googled first name followed by author, and up it popped! Google is wonderful, isn't it? Karen White. Don't remember much about her books, but I really enjoyed them.

So....this isn't really mystery or suspense, but I'd like to recommend the historical novels of my fellow Canadian, Pauline Gedge.

She writes mostly about Ancient Egypt, though there was one about Boudica and the Roman invasion of Britain (The Eagle and the Raven) that was pretty good. Anyway, if you like the kind of historical non-romance novels where the writing is excellent, the women are strong characters, and where you almost feel you can actually see, smell, touch, hear, and taste everything, she's the one.

I recommend Child of the Morning to start, which is about Hatshepsut, the female Pharoah. That's the first one I ever picked up.  I think the only thing she got wrong was how she died, and that's because it was written before they discovered how!  So it was a pretty good guess.  And also the two-parter, House of Dreams and House of Illusions, which is about a fictional peasant girl who rises up into Ramses III's harem. (I think these 2 had different names in some countries....Lady of the Reeds was one of the titles, maybe?)

Oooo, I think I must have read that one years ago Dorianne, I can't imagine there is more than one novel about Hatshepsut!

I read another one about Hatshepsut that wasn't quite as good....and I can't tell you what it was called.

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Oh, goodness! I just did a google search and apparently there are a few! Lol.

Science Fiction - James S.A. Corey writes a series (2 male authors working together with JSA Corey pseudonym) that the series "The Expanse" on Sci Fi is based on. Character development and science exploration. Some strong female characters.
Anne Bishop - novels of The Others - alternate world fantasy with werewolves, vampires, etc. She is a tremendous writer with a gift for writing ways about other Races, not just humans with super gifts. Relationship issues and the idea of human property rights.
Nora Roberts - also writes as J D Robb with Eve a strong female detective in future New York. Lots of sex, though, with her husband after much drama pre-wedding.
Seanan McGuire - also writes as Mira Grant - urban fantasy with great female character that combines modern earth with elves, etc. Under Mira Grant wrote a series about a zombie outbreak, government conspiracy and electronic journalism.