Give me books!

[sophia jane]

Due to recent circumstances, I'm going to have some extra time on my hands and I need distraction, so I'd love to get some book recommendations. My only requirements are that they be something that the local library might have (can't afford to buy books right now) and that they can not be depressing or sad (I have enough of that in my own life).

Thanks!

SJ

 

[cloudy]

If you're up for education, try In the Spirit of Crazy Horse, by Peter Mattheissen. I just finished it a week or so ago, and it's very enlightening.

Another good one for dispelling myths is Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, by Dee Brown.

edited to add: Coyote Medicine, by Lewis Mehl-Madrona

 

[impressive]

Three Women by Marge Piercy

 

[Kassiana]

Gordon Korman's books about Bruno and Boots are great. I'd highly recommend Beware the Fish, This Can't Be Happening At McDonald Hall, and pretty much all the others about them.

You might be able to find a copy of the Principia Discordia at your library. If so, get it. It's wonderfully funny.

Mary Janice Davidson's supernatural fiction is light as a feather and hilarious, especially if you know traditional vampire and werewolf mythos.

The Thirty-First of June is good. I think it's written by J.B. Priestley, but I could be wrong.

Don Quixote, USA by Richard Powell is also worth a good read.

 

[TheEarl]

Any of the Thursday Next books by Jasper Fforde. They are (in order): The Eyre Affair, Lost in a Good Book, The Well of Lost Plots and Something Rotten.

Any Janet Evanovich books are generally well worth reading for pure entertainment. The ones with Stephanie Plumm are the best IMHO and they all have a number in the title ("One for the money", "High Five", "Hard Eight", etc), so probably best to start from one and work your way up.

The Earl

 

[English Lady]

I'm a fantasy kinda gal Anything by Terry Pratchett should cheer and amuse, I'd not go for the earliest books, my favourite is Mort, but you can't go wrong with Wyrd Sisters, Soul Music or The Hog Father.

JV Jones does some funky fantasy too, very character driven, compelling. More edge of your seat than depressing. Very empowering. I recommend "The barbed coil" by her especially.

Darkest Fear by Harlan Coben is a really good thriller read. Theres some very good comedic moments and it's engrossing, you'll find it hard to put down!

Chocolat by Joanne Harris is a wonderful book but you do need to have plenty of chocolate to hand as you read it. It's a good girly read!


I reckon you should be able to get those in your library

 

[Hooper_X]

Portnoys Complaint by Philip Roth

The Fuck Up by Arthur Nersesian

People in Trouble by Sarah Schulman

 

[Hooper_X]

If you're up for education, try In the Spirit of Crazy Horse, by Peter Mattheissen. I just finished it a week or so ago, and it's very enlightening.

I'm going to add this to my summer reading list. Most biographies of historical figures are of no interest to me, but Crazy Horse has always been a hero of mine.

 

[cloudy]

I'm going to add this to my summer reading list. Most biographies of historical figures are of no interest to me, but Crazy Horse has always been a hero of mine.

It's not actually a biography of Crazy Horse. The subtitle of the book is The story of Leonard Peltier and the FBI's war on the American Indian Movement.

I shouldn't have told you, just so that you'd read it. I'm an AIM member, and Peltier is an issue I'm concerned about, obviously. It's very eye-opening. If you trusted the FBI before, you won't after you read the book.

The title refers to Crazy Horse's defiant attitude, and willingness to die for his people.

 

[scheherazade_79]

The Mysterious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime - Mark Haddon

It's a kind of crime adventure told from the perspective of a teenage boy who's autistic. It's a nice easy read and has an 'unputdownable' quality. It also gives you a really accurate insight into the mind of someone who has autism. Totally fascinating.

 

[Dar~]

if you like Mysteries and serial killer stuff I would definitely reccomend anything by Michael Connelly.

I enjoy horror by Robert McCammon, esp Swan Song which is so full of hope and the goodness of mankind.

There's a new book out for kids that actually has clues to finding real treasure that the author has hidden in the contiguous states called Treasure Trove. Its chamring and fun.

 

[TheEarl]

The Mysterious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime - Mark Haddon

It's a kind of crime adventure told from the perspective of a teenage boy who's autistic. It's a nice easy read and has an 'unputdownable' quality. It also gives you a really accurate insight into the mind of someone who has autism. Totally fascinating.

Definitely seconded. Great book.

The Earl

 

[Guest]

Any Janet Evanovich books are generally well worth reading for pure entertainment. The ones with Stephanie Plumm are the best IMHO and they all have a number in the title ("One for the money", "High Five", "Hard Eight", etc), so probably best to start from one and work your way up.

These are what I was going to suggest. On top of having a mystery in each book, they are pretty funny too. I think she's up to 11 now.

 

[impressive]

The Mysterious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime - Mark Haddon

It's a kind of crime adventure told from the perspective of a teenage boy who's autistic. It's a nice easy read and has an 'unputdownable' quality. It also gives you a really accurate insight into the mind of someone who has autism. Totally fascinating.

Seconded! Great read.

 

[Svenskaflicka]

Douglas Adams books "Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy" is kinda fun.

 

[raphy]

Anything by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
Anything by Lois McMaster Bujold
Anything by Terry Pratchett

 

[Svenskaflicka]

Anything by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
Anything by Lois McMaster Bujold
Anything by Terry Pratchett

Those guys didn't have much imagination coming up with titles, did they?

 

[Salvor-Hardon]

I'll second EL's recommendation of Terry Pratchett especially Mort. Its by far one of my favorites.

And for lighter reading some kids books are great classics. The Phantom Tollbooth by Morton Juster, or any of Roald Dahl's stuff. Charley and the great glass elevator or James and the giant peach.

 

[oggbashan]

Your own on-line library

Try this: Project Gutenberg and read the classics you missed or didn't appreciate when you were younger.

There are more books there than in your local library and they are FREE.

Og

 

[Salvor-Hardon]

kudos to oggbashan for plugging such a great endeavor!

Gutenberg has filled in a lot of the classic education I slept through in high school and has some truly amazing stuff not easily found elsewhere.

A pint of the best ale for the man in the funny hat!

 

[Hooper_X]

Those guys didn't have much imagination coming up with titles, did they?

I don't think I've ever exchanged even a post with Svenskaflicka, but she is hands down my absolute favourite Litster, excepting myself of course.

 

[Colleen Thomas]

Watership Down By Richard Adams Poignant at times, but ya can't go wrong reading about the adventures of bunnies

Traveller by Richard Adams. Great take on the Civil War, as seen trhough the eyes of R.E. Lee's horse.

Any of the Dragonlance, Thieve's world, or original Conan books can give hours of fantasy reading with plenty of swords, Soccerers, fantastic Monsters and bedable wenches

I won't post historical stuff, unles you are into it it's kinda dry.

 

[glynndah]

Anonymous Rex and Casual Rex by Eric Garcia: Dinosaur private eye

 

[rgraham666]

Harlan Ellison never fails to stir me one way or another. He's mostly short stories but the man is a master at them. "Repent Harlequin," Said The Ticktock Man is probably my all time favourite short.

As far as fantasy goes, I have a soft spot for Michael Moorcock. All the books in his 'Eternal Champion' cycle are good, especially Elric and Corum.

 

[BlackShanglan]

The Picture of Dorian Gray.

Just be warned that you may never stop reading it.