OT: Read Any Good Books (Novels) Lately?

[randomkid]

I used to be an avid reader, but between DD, the computer (mostly these boards and eBay), and reading child care books, I havent read a book since Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince! I do like the Harry Potter books, but mostly read them to be able to discuss them with my stepDDs - it's a fun thing to have in common with them.

I don't like things that are too girly like romance, but am open to other suggestions. If you have any, please share a little summary so I know what the book is about.

Thanks and looking forward to a break from the computer and doing some reading!

[bcky2]

I am hooked 110% on the Jodi Picoult books. I just cant seem to get enough. I am actually in fear of what i will do when i get them all read, i am getting close to that point. Once i pick one up i cant put it down :)

[mapg]

Have you read any of Laurie King's Mary Russell series? They are about Sherlock Holmes' wife. I really liked them (and didn't expect too). I also like her Kate Martinelli series. I'm into mysteries these days, thanks to PBS' Mystery.
MA

[cilantromapuche]

I just read and loved Isabel Allende's new book called "saving the World" (at least that is what I think it is called). I am also plodding through and loving "Team of RIvals: the political genius of Abraham Lincoln" and "Omnivore" by Michael Pollen.

Chris

[apriltwinmom]

I just finished this one and loved it...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0143037145/sr=8-1/qid=1156683703/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-3803568-3915233?ie=UTF8

"The Memory Keeper's Daughter" by Kim Edwards. As a mom of twins, it was particularly poignant for me as it deals with separating twins at birth. I'd recommend it!

Great thread, I'm definitely always up for a good book recommendation!
:) Rachel

[boolady]

Yes. I had never read any Lisa Scottoline, who writes girl lawyer suspense books until I needed a break from reading stuff that was too intense and a friend recommended them. I just read Devil's Corner & Dirty Blonde. They were both good reads.

Now I'm switching gears to non-fiction and just started Nathaniel Philbrick's Mayflower. I really loved his book In the Heart of the Sea. I think I need to do this-- switch back and forth between fluff and substance, because I also do a lot of reading at work. Also, there's a book about to come out in the fall called The Interpretation of Murder which was good which I read this summer because my DH got an advance reader's copy through his work, which was a fictionalized account of Freud's only visit to the US at the turn of the century. I also cannot wait for the new Erik Larsen book-- I LOVED Devil in the White City.

[Fairy]

Oh, great topic! Here are some of my faves!

REPLAY, BY KEN GRIMWOOD.
I can't even begin to tell you how wonderful this book is. A man is 40 years old sitting at his desk and work, has a heart attack, dies. Wakes up 18 years old in his dorm room. Eventually accepts he's getting another chance, lives really healthy, 40 years old, has heart attack, dies. Wakes up 18 years old in his dorm room. Eventually there are ads in the paper asking if people remember events that haven't happened yet, and then it gets even better. INCREDIBLE BOOK.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/068816112X/sr=8-1/qid=1156776638/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-1993625-8741665?ie=UTF8

JEMIMAH J, BY JANE GREEN
Yes, it's by Jane Green, but it's got to be her best. Give Camryn's "this one's for all the fat girls!" new meaning. SO great.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0767905180/sr=1-1/qid=1156776797/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-1993625-8741665?ie=UTF8&s=books

OUTLANDER, BY DIANA GABALDON
Ok, this one is Romancey. However, it's not REALLY romance or girlie. An English nurse in 1945 is honeymooning with her husband in Scotland. She's fascinated with botany and is out walking when she sees an interesting plant in a stone circle (like mini-stonehenge), goes to grab it, falls "thru" them, and wakes up in that very spot in 1743. 600 or so pages of her life thereafter then ensues. It's historical fiction with a some romance and a healthy dose of time travel-related science fiction. If you like it, be prepared, there are five more that come after it.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0440212561/sr=1-1/qid=1156777013/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-1993625-8741665?ie=UTF8&s=books

Finally, are you a Star Trek fan? If so, let me know, and I could point you to five of the very best of the Star Trek novels.

Have fun!

[tina-t]

I love Devil in the White City too! It is a non fiction novel about 2 different men in Chicago during the turn of the century. One was a killer, and the other was an architect.

[anamika]

Me three! What is Larsen's new book about?
I'm recently reading the Artemis Fowl books (it's like Harry Potter - meant for kids but good for adults too). I'm actually borrowing them from my nephew :)
And of course, my love-affair with Terry Pratchett books continues.
I also read May contain nuts - funny book about how parents obssess over their kids.
I read a lot of other books which I didn't like so I won't mention them :)

[boolady]

The new Larsen book is Thunderstruck. I don't remember exactly what it's about, but it's like Devil in the White City in that it connects a historical event (Marconi's discovery of radio) with murder/murders. I read the capsule summary on Amazon. I hope it's good...I couldn't put Devil in the White City down. My DH, who works in the book industry, said it's getting great advance buzz.

[randomkid]

Thanks for all the great ideas! Now, I just have to decide where to start and get one of them. It may take me a little while to get started, but once I do, there won't be any stopping me!

My goal is to get the house cleaned tomorrow since I have the day off and DD is going to daycare. I'll add "pick up a book" to my list and start reading. I'm really looking forward to reading a good novel again!

I am a fan of Star Trek movies, but not so much that I would be interested in the books. Thanks for the offer, though.

[kristenk]

I recently finished Love Walked In by Marisa de los Santos. It was marvelous and I really loved her writing style. Here's the link for a description:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FZDKPC/sr=1-1/qid=1156789153/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-7522622-1178434?ie=UTF8&s=books

And the hardback is currently "bargain-priced" at $6.99. Have to like that!

[fredsmom]

These are the books I really enjoyed this summer:

Small Island

Bitter is the New Black

The Big House

She Got Up Off The Couch (sequel to A Girl Named Zippy)


Happy Reading,
Kathleen

[tina-t]

Wow, "Replay" sounds interesting. May have to look for that.

[willow33]

Another vote for Jodi Picoult...love her books and easy reads!!

[Fairy]

I'm telling you, I could not put the thing down. Ken Grimwood died a few years ago; too bad, he was so talented. I will shill for this book every chance I get :-)

[fauve01]

OH i love these book threads!! let's see, what have i read lately...

i LOVED The Other Boleyn Girl by Phillipa Gregory. it was amazing--historical fiction about Anne Boleyn and how she ends up marrying Henry VII, told in the first person by her sister.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0743227441/sr=8-1/qid=1156801228/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-8357711-4305659?ie=UTF8

Wicked: the life and times of the wicked witch of the west by Gregory Maguire. it's so interesting!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060987103/sr=1-1/qid=1156801317/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-8357711-4305659?ie=UTF8&s=books

i also really liked Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister also by Gregory Maguire. it's not quite as weird as Wicked, just because it's set in a real place.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060987529/sr=1-2/qid=1156801409/ref=sr_1_2/002-8357711-4305659?ie=UTF8&s=books

the Psycho Ex Game and Marley and Me kept me interested. i definitely would second the recommendation of Outlander. i loved that! similiar to Outlander is The Time Traveler's Wife:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/015602943X/sr=1-1/qid=1156801743/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-8357711-4305659?ie=UTF8&s=books

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0812969057/sr=1-4/qid=1156801522/ref=sr_1_4/002-8357711-4305659?ie=UTF8&s=books

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060817089/sr=1-1/qid=1156801564/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-8357711-4305659?ie=UTF8&s=books

i have read some by Susan Wiggs lately. she is shelved in fiction and has really interesting characters, but i would say straddles the line of romance LOL. this wasn't too romancey IMO:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0778322866/sr=1-16/qid=1156801656/ref=sr_1_16/002-8357711-4305659?ie=UTF8&s=books

Edited to add: Enchantment by Card. it's sleeping beauty set in modern times. sort of. i got the rec from Mudder17/eileen from this board. really made me stay up late to finish!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345482409/sr=1-1/qid=1156801986/ref=sr_1_1/002-8357711-4305659?ie=UTF8&s=books

ok that's all i can think of off the top of my head. GOOD LUCK!

Anne + DD 10-03