Max Fischer Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 (edited) I thought I'd make a few book recommendations and ask for others to recommend what they've read lately -- Gone Girl - Gillian Flynn. I would highly recommend any of her three books (Sharp Objects, Dark Places) but this even tops the other two. I would be unfair to discuss any plot points other than to say that it starts with the disappearance of a man's wife. A dark, humorous, psychological mystery/drama. On Amazon, those who did not like it seemed be turned off by its "unHollywoodlike" story line, but that's exactly why I liked it. I prefer stories that take chances and don't wimp out, which makes Flynn one of the most fearless writers I've read. http://www.amazon.com/Gone-Girl-Novel-Gillian-Flynn/dp/030758836X/ref=la_B001JP3W46_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1342105683&sr=1-1 Sunne in Splendor - Sharon Kay Penman One of my most enjoyable historical novels, which reexamines Richard III. Deep, rich characters, very-well researched, not at all dry. It's a long book but you don't want it to end. For those familiar with the history Richard III (Shakespeare et al), you will find a very different character that plausibly makes the case that history is indeed written by the victors. I also highly recommend Penman's "Plantagenet" series that starts with "When Christ and His Saints Slept" that chronicles the English Civil War between King Stephen and the fierce Empress Empress Maude, as well as the rise the legendary Henry II and his indomitable wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine. http://www.amazon.com/The-Sunne-In-Splendour-Richard/dp/031237593X/ref=pd_sim_b_2 http://www.amazon.com/When-Christ-His-Saints-Slept/dp/0345396685 Edited July 12, 2012 by Max Fischer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeviF Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 I don't read a ton of fiction anymore (I'm assuming that's what you're looking for), but I picked up a couple of things from Amazon a couple of weeks ago. One is The Manual of Detection by Jedediah Berry. Pretty good first effort, as far as novels go. The other was The Stories of Vladimir Nabokov, which contains almost every short story Nabokov ever wrote. Needless to say, there are some amazing stories in there. Too bad nobody reads short fiction nowadays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Tom Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 Bigfoot War Absolutely hilarious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Fischer Posted July 12, 2012 Author Share Posted July 12, 2012 I don't read a ton of fiction anymore (I'm assuming that's what you're looking for), but I picked up a couple of things from Amazon a couple of weeks ago. One is The Manual of Detection by Jedediah Berry. Pretty good first effort, as far as novels go. The other was The Stories of Vladimir Nabokov, which contains almost every short story Nabokov ever wrote. Needless to say, there are some amazing stories in there. Too bad nobody reads short fiction nowadays. Thanks, I have a many interests (fiction and non-fiction), but thought I'd post recent books I've really liked, and I'm just curious about books not on my radar and/or not sure if I should take the plunge. I've had "Manual of Detection" on my list for some time but have yet to pick it up. You're right, not many people read short fiction anymore, including me. However, when I do, I'm surprised why I have an aversion. I'm not an Ipad/Kindle reader, but I've noticed many authors are churning out some great short stories they've only e-published. For example, I'm a fan of Olen Steinhauer's "The Tourist" series (another strong recommendation), and found on Amazon a short story called "You Known What's Going On." http://www.amazon.com/You-Know-Whats-Going-ebook/dp/B004U2DUPQ/ref=la_B001ITYIM8_1_27?ie=UTF8&qid=1342107183&sr=1-27 99 cents for a nice little read. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cugalabanza Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 (edited) Bigfoot War Absolutely hilarious. I read this based on your recommendation a while back. It actually is pretty entertaining. It feels like a very amateur effort, but the guy does know how to keep the action rolling. He doesn’t have time for petty concerns like character development or plausibility or what you might describe as “good writing” in any way, but it does move—I’ll give it that. And yes, its flaws work in its favor, making it quite funny too. Edited July 12, 2012 by gringo starr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Tom Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 I read this based on your recommendation a while back. It actually is pretty entertaining. It feels like a very amateur effort, but the guy does know how to keep the action rolling. He doesn’t have time for petty concerns like character development or plausibility or what you might describe as “good writing,” in any way, but it does move—I’ll give it that. And yes, its flaws work in its favor, making it quite funny too. You actually read that on my recommendation? 'Cause...y'know...I wasn't actually serious. Only reason I read it was because it was 99 cents on Kindle, and occasionally I need a break from military history and give my brain a rest...so why the hell not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cugalabanza Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 ...so why the hell not? exactly. I check out lots of stuff people recommend around here, even if they're half-kidding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdog1960 Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 Listened to the audiobook version of "All Cry Chaos" by Leonard Rosen on the long drive back and for to Rochester. Very enjoyable : a thriller involving fractals, chaos theory and economics. I recommend it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsFanNC Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 I read this based on your recommendation a while back. It actually is pretty entertaining. It feels like a very amateur effort, but the guy does know how to keep the action rolling. He doesn’t have time for petty concerns like character development or plausibility or what you might describe as “good writing” in any way, but it does move—I’ll give it that. And yes, its flaws work in its favor, making it quite funny too. You actually read that on my recommendation? 'Cause...y'know...I wasn't actually serious. Only reason I read it was because it was 99 cents on Kindle, and occasionally I need a break from military history and give my brain a rest...so why the hell not? Any recommendations for Bigfoot War 2: Dead In The Woods? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jauronimo Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 Security Analysis, by Benjamin Graham. An erotic thriller. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Britbillsfan Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 Currently working my way through the Flashman Papers, historical fiction where the nominal narrator/'hero' (Flashman) is a liar, lecher, bully, coward and much more (less?). Very enjoyable and recommended. When the first book came out several acedemics wrote reviews believing it was the real memoirs of a historical figure... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Jim Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 exactly. I check out lots of stuff people recommend around here, even if they're half-kidding. Try a **** sandwich sometime. Remember, you heard if from a Chef. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Tom Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 Any recommendations for Bigfoot War 2: Dead In The Woods? Downside: It lacks the moral and ethical quandaries that makes the original such a rich, rewarding read. Upside: It's got zombies. Zombies and Bigfoot. !@#$, yeah. On a more serious note: Hunting The Elephant in Africa, and Other Recollections, by Chauncy Hugh Stigand. Stigand was a Victorian-era British Army Captain who spent most of his time in British East Africa, the book is kind-of a grab-bag collection of stories and recollections from his time there. Fascinating man, as a soldier, hunter, explorer, and naturalist, and apparently a genuinely decent guy, and the book amazingly lacks the racist overtones so particular to most Victorian-era writing. If you're a fan of Roark, Roosevelt, Hemingway, etc., it's well worth a read. And it's available as a free eBook on Google books - er, "Google Play Books". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cugalabanza Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 Try a **** sandwich sometime. Remember, you heard if from a Chef. I think I ate one the moment I decided to post in this thread. Sheesh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jauronimo Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 On a more serious note: Hunting The Elephant in Africa, and Other Recollections, by Chauncy Hugh Stigand. Stigand was a Victorian-era British Army Captain who spent most of his time in British East Africa, the book is kind-of a grab-bag collection of stories and recollections from his time there. Fascinating man, as a soldier, hunter, explorer, and naturalist, and apparently a genuinely decent guy, and the book amazingly lacks the racist overtones so particular to most Victorian-era writing. If you're a fan of Roark, Roosevelt, Hemingway, etc., it's well worth a read. And it's available as a free eBook on Google books - er, "Google Play Books". I thought that was whole point of reading those books? To pick up arcane racial slurs that you can use without getting an earful from tgreg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim in Anchorage Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 I thought that was whole point of reading those books? To pick up arcane racial slurs that you can use without getting an earful from tgreg. Tall order since apparently the phrase "kitchen cabinet" is racist to the NAACP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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