Recommendations?

[imbecamiel]

Yep, it's that time of year again... when I look around and attempt to recall all the books I've been meaning to read, all memory of which seems to have abruptly vanished...

In other words - getting ready to head to the cabin in a couple weeks! This year, I am determined to achieve my goal of 20 books in 10 days (or possibly 8-9 days, depending on exactly which day we need to come back). To that end, I've been gathering stacks of books that I've purchased lately and requesting things from the library.

I generally try to bring a few more books than I know I'll get to, to account for both varying moods in what type of reading material I feel like and for the inevitable book or two that I start and just don't like for whatever reason. This year I've been keeping somewhat better lists than usual, so I thought I'd be pretty well set. But, between the library not having some books I'd like to read and the fact that my list's skewed more heavily toward nonfiction than usual, I find myself in need of a few more recommendations to round things out.

Any thoughts? Sex content and heavy-duty swearing tend to be big turn-offs for me, but I'm happy to try a wide variety of genres. (This trip, especially, tends to be my time to try things I might not otherwise get around to. Anything from G.K. Chesterton essays to children's/YA novels.) Newer books are great, but so are older ones/classics. (There've been some that in recent years I've been startled to realize I'd never gotten around to, despite their being so well known.) I try to balance out heavier reads with light, fluffy stuff, so either is excellent. Even if the library doesn't have it or I don't get to it this time, I'll keep it in mind for later reading. ^^

Comments

[framlingem.livejournal.com]

Hi, stranger!

I recommend the Callahan books (get the first three as an omnibus, the Callahan Chronicals (sic) for ease of reading and chronology) by Spider Robinson. They're a series of stories about a bunch of barflies in Long Island who save the world by getting drunk and telling terrible jokes together.

[imbecamiel.livejournal.com]

Hey there! Thanks for the recommendation - I'll check it out! ;D

[goldvermilion87.livejournal.com]

Read the George Smiley books by John le Carre.

NOW!

Also, one of the best books I've read in ages is "The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet".

:-)

[imbecamiel.livejournal.com]

I've requested "Hotel" and the first George Smile book now! Hopefully they'll come in before I leave.

I'd been thinking I should give le Carre's work a better chance. I watched Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, and it seemed like it should be right up my alley, exactly the sort of thing I'd enjoy - and all the more so with the likes of Benedict Cumberbatch and Colin Firth in it. But for whatever reason I just... could not connect with it. I think part of that miiiiight be attributable to the fact that I was having trouble hearing what people were saying for a good part of it. XP So I'm looking forward to seeing what the first book's like.

[goldvermilion87.livejournal.com]

I thought the movie was almost the Platonic ideal of ADAPTATION! HOW IT'S DONE! But disliking it certainly does not mean you will necessarily dislike the book.

And I LOVED the first book, even though it wasn't a work of genius or anything.

[tj-teejay.livejournal.com]

The books I've recently read and enjoyed tremendously is the Murdoch Mysteries series by Maureen Jennings. Detective stories set in Toronto at the end of the 19th century, and I always found the plot surprising and the characters rich and interesting. And the protagonist is great, and Maureen even knows how to subtly whump him every now and then. :-)

[imbecamiel.livejournal.com]

Ooo, excellent. I love detective stories. ;D

my phone is refusing to do uppercase letters today

[frith_in_thorns]

i recommend all books by guy gavriel kay. if you like high fantasy start with the summer tree, which is book one of the fionavar tapestry. if you prefer semihistorical fantasy try under heaven.

also lois mcmaster bujold. shards of honor is sci fi, and gets way way better by the time you hit the second book, barrayar. the curse of chalion is fantasy.

also the night circus by erin morgenstern, or approximate spelling. it is one of my favourite books and it is absolutely beautiful.

Re: my phone is refusing to do uppercase letters today

[imbecamiel.livejournal.com]

Ooo, those sound like some excellent ones. Thanks, I'll look them up! ^^

[scarvenartist.livejournal.com]

I totally second goldvermilion87's recommendation of John le Carre--I've read the first two now on her recommendation and he's just a terrific writer, period. :D

I'd also seriously recommend Code Name Verity by Elizabeth E. Wein...I really can't tell you much about it AT ALL without spoiling things, but it's set in WWII, and is one of the best friendships I've ever read.

And, shorter and non-fiction, I remember enjoying "The Pleasures of Reading in an Age of Distraction" by Alan Jacobs last year, and I can't remember if I've already recommended it to you.... :D

[imbecamiel.livejournal.com]

The first Smiley book just came in at the library, so I'll be able to bring it! And I'll definitely have to check into Code Name Verity. I know I've heard the title, but I don't know anything about it beyond that. :D

And yes, I actually did read "The Pleasures of Reading in an Age of Distraction"! Such a good book. One of those ones I'd actually be tempted to read again at some point.