I need some book suggestions. Not political!

I read a book about every three days. I'm going to Costa Rica for two weeks and I'm told that books are very expensive there so I need to take some with me. I eat, sleep, drink, breath politics. Air America is on 24 / 7. If I'm on the puter, D.U. is up. I need a brake from the constant political angst.

I like stuff like Ludlum, Follett, Patterson but have read almost everything by them and others. I need some new authors, some good writers. Have you read anything really wonderful that I might consider? Tell me about it please Any topic, fact or fiction, just NO politics.

Thanks for your time. I go book shopping Monday and leave Tuesday.

Bud

NGU.

Anything by LeCarre. Excellent British author, a true craftsman of the novel.

If you were ever an Eian flemming fan, you will love Ludlum. Please start with the Bourn identity! You will never look back! Man do you have a lot of reading to do.

28 replies in Gd so far, 12 in the lounge

Red Mars, Green Mars, Blue Mars.

Very well written yarn; An epic that follows the lives of generations of Mars colonizers.

It is so well written, at a human level, that you forget it is Sci-Fi.

In my literature.

No aliens, or monsters, just a plausible future history of humanity.

It reads like a James Michener novel.

I love them and I almost never buy new books anymore. In fact, I recently got elected to the board of directors on my condominium assc. One of the first things I did was to put a bookshelf in the lobby for a free book exchange. What a success! I have only bought about three books this year. All from authors I learned about through the book exchange, and all from recycled books. It has saved me a fortune!

It's about the investigating Kennedy assassination at the time of the Church committee. (Interestingly, it's a very plausible fictionalization since Tanenbaum was actually an attorney involved in the Church committee.)


1. No Lesser Plea (1987)
2. Depraved Indifference (1989)
3. Immoral Certainty (1991)
4. Reversible Error (1992)
5. Material Witness (1993)
6. Justice Denied (1994)
7. Corruption of Blood (1994)
8. Falsely Accused (1996)
9. Irresistible Impulse (1997)
10. Reckless Endangerment (1998)
11. Act of Revenge (1999)
12. True Justice (2000)
13. Enemy Within (2001)
14. Absolute Rage (2002)
15. Resolved (2003)
16. Hoax (2004)
17. Fury (2005)
18. Counterplay (2006)
19. Malice (2007)

It is a murder mystery that takes place in Istanbul.

http://books.google.com/books?id=JKoVAgAACAAJ&dq=inauthor:Orhan+inauthor:Pamuk

I've also read his "The White Castle."

http://books.google.com/books?id=EBIDAAAACAAJ&dq=inauthor:Orhan+inauthor:Pamuk

Dead Witch Walking series. Extremely well written, fast pace action, and I guarantee that you'll want your own Pixie after reading the books.

http://www.prestonchild.com/

My husband just finished The Book of the Dead, said it was excellent.

Their books are mystery/thriller/crime/archeological adventures.

"War and Peace" - Tolstoy
"Anna Karenina" - Tolstoy
"Portrait of a Lady" - James
"Lolita" - Nabokov
"East of Eden" - Steinbeck
"Tortilla Flat" - Steinbeck

Just some of my favorite novels, read and reread.

For something more modern, try anything by the Indian writer Rohintan Mistry. "A Fine Balance" for one.

For something non-fiction try "The Civil War Diaries of Mary Chesnut" and discover where Margaret Mitchell got some of her characters.

Get the translation by Edith Grossman.

I read it (for the first time) last summer and I laughed my ass off. It's an amazingly funny book.

pick up "lullaby" by palaniuk.
or you could try "blood meridian" by Cormac McCarthy.
if you want the book to last, try "infinite jest" by david foster wallace.

This is about the fourth or fifth rec for Blood Meridian so it goes to the top of the list.

The story of drugs in America. Not politics. Almost a historical narrative of how drugs shaped Amaerica and it's culture.

It goes from NOLA and Satchmo, to Harlema nd Bird to Seattle and Nirvana with stops in the Haight and NYC along the way. Almost a history of a lot of things all intertwined.

the Publishing or Film Industry I can send you a copy of my book, "The Jesus Bolt" for Review - read a DU'rs work.. I can pretty much guarantee that you will not be bored by it - if you PM me I'll fill you in on it, an Environmental adventure tale based on a True story, back in the 70's when they were building the Alaskan Pipeline, when I flew all over the upper third of Alaska in a flock of helicopters piloted by armed and Dangerous ex-Vietnam veterans.. I witnessed the impact on countless species by the corrupt Oil companies, along with the beginning of global warming..

The Jesus Bolt is of course, that bit of metal at the top of a chopper which holds all the blades together - as the chopper pilots used to say, "You lose your Jesus bolt the next person you'll be talking to, is Jesus, Himself..." (Not a Religious scribe, though there are some elements of Spirituality in it, as the Jesus Bolt functions as an over-arching metaphor for what holds the Universe together, the Ecosystems, and the Protaganist, himself..)

Throw in the protaganist being chased by grizzlies, run out of a village naked by a native lynch mob waving their shotguns and hatchets, into the arms of the Veterans pulling their guns on the other end of the two mile road in the middle of nowhere, and you've got yourself a heady situation :) One of many bizarre scenes sprinkled throughout...

I've only got a few copies I can send out for Review, the reason I ask if you are in either biz..

Nice meaty, no holds barred work of five years, with a hint of Hunter S. Thompson, a dash of Kerouac, and a splash of Salinger, set in the wilds of Alaska :)

How are you going to enjoy the trip while reading a stack of books? Christ, a shark could sneak right up on you! :)

In any case have a fabulous trip, and stay safe... I never did, hence my book :)

Not exactly a literary hotbed among my ranks I'm sorry to say

from the DU rooftops, and I'll be sure and get you a copy - if I sent you one now I wouldn't have any left :) I really think you'd enjoy this my DU Brother..

I've been a Union Man myself, held meets in my house to the point where the bastard boss stole my Job, we need it more than ever right now..

Enjoy the trip, stay safe!

I would be happy to buy a copy.

Thanks for the support, much appreciated ;)

I AM, actually, connected to the publishing world. I'm a published author and a reviewer for the website my wife owns (one of the largest review sites on the web).

ANGELS.

Very likely a personal memoir, but in any case one of the least political books you'll ever read -- and one of the most delightful.

If your local bookshop doesn't have that on the shelf, maybe try:

Kurt Vonnegut's GOD BLESS YOU, MR. ROSEWATER

Leon Uris' TRINITY

Joyce Carol Oates' SONG OF THE MORNING

Bernard Cooper's A YEAR OF RHYMES and

Jerzy Kosinski's BEING THERE.

It's a very good travelin' 6-pack.

lately. Some of my favorites have been...
as mentioned above Lincoln Child..but, with or without Douglas Preston, David Baldacci, Greg Illes, James Lee Burke, Christopher Reich, Lee Child, Jeffrey Archer...check out this website...

http://www.stopyourekillingme.com/index.html

Thank you for your time. I really do appreciate it.
Bud

it's on my wish list...Robert Walker "Rogue:The Cheetah Files"

have fun! Laurie King does a good series starting with Beekeepers Apprentice, Sherlock Holmes but from a different viewpoint and not so annoying. None of thee are tomes, none fluff, but decent to read on vacation. Sheri Tepper was head of CO Planned Parenthood at one point, did a bunch of books with feminist viewpoints Gateway to Women's Country, Grass, etc. Has female main characters, some get a bit much but overall I really like her. Family Tree is more along the line of how do we fit in with the Earth, with Nature, etc. I've recommended this to people and all have enjoyed it, has some twists so don't read the ending first. (actual ending is rather cliched, but I really like this book, but then I like words and language also)

Here's a link to Amazon with reviews:

http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:5ZsoUtmCVpUJ:www.amazon.com/1491-Revelations-Americas-Before-Columbus/dp/140004006X+1491&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us&client=firefox-a

with some ancient politics thrown in. Link to Amazon reviews:

http://www.amazon.com/Salt-World-History-Mark-Kurlansky/dp/0142001619

books and really enjoyed it. If you just want fun reads Haig is a good one. Then I found out his father is Alexander Haig of Reagan era infamy and almost wrote him off. Glad I didn't. Books not heavy on politics but they do have a military bent. Writer has a good sense of humor, too.

Haig is funny, light interesting reads and almost all of his books are available in paperback. Somehow this guy has managed to be sired by Alexander the General Who Tried to Seize the County but still manages to get some good digs into the political scene in DC. His main character is a Army Jag Officer who doesn't respond well to orders yet somehow maintains his commission while driving superiors crazy.

Anything by David Baldacci is good. And if you haven't read "The Kite Runner" or "A Thousand Splendid Suns" you have a feast waiting for you.

All good reads.

"The Portable Dorothy Parker".

Monterey is only a trip over the hill from me. Had to read him cause it's so local

If you haven't read it, it's a lot of fun.

Hilarious romp in New Orleans of a hot dog vendor.

Sadly, I have encountered so few that have read it.

Funny and kind of poignant, too.

1. Compelling Evidence (1992)
2. Prime Witness (1993)
3. Undue Influence (1994)
4. The Judge (1995)
5. The Attorney (1999)
6. The Jury (2001)
7. The Arraignment (2002)
8. Double Tap (2005)
9. Shadow of Power (2008)

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_n_1?ie=UTF8&rs=1000&rh=n%3A1000%2Cp%5F27%3ASteve%20Martini%2Cn%3A18

Alex Delaware
1. When the Bough Breaks (1985)
2. Blood Test (1986)
3. Over the Edge (1987)
4. Silent Partner (1989)
5. Time Bomb (1990)
6. Private Eyes (1991)
7. Devil's Waltz (1992)
8. Bad Love (1993)
9. Self Defense (1994)
10. The Web (1995)
11. The Clinic (1996)
12. Survival of the Fittest (1997)
13. Monster (1999)
14. Doctor Death (2000)
15. Flesh and Blood (2001)
16. The Murder Book (2002)
17. A Cold Heart (2003)
18. Therapy (2004)
19. Rage (2005)
20. Gone (2006)
21. Obsession (2007)
22. Compulsion (2008)


http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_n_12?ie=UTF8&rs=1000&keywords=Jonathan%20Kellerman&rh=n%3A1000%2Ck%3AJonathan%20Kellerman%2Cn%3A18

Great fun and very entertaining.

He writes historical fiction - really GOOD historical fiction, not claptrap. Excellent, engaging, smart. (Actually, his latest is a contemporary mystery/thriller set in Florida - The Ethical Assassin. I haven't read it . . .)

A Conspiracy of Paper and A Spectacle of Corruption are set in 18th century London.

The Coffee Trader is set in 17th century Amsterdam.

At Play in the Fields of the Lord by Peter Matthiessen
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

and Brian McGrory (my favorite)

Thnks
Bud

(fantasy)

Also there is a two book set (fantasy consisting of "The Mirror of Her Dreams" and "A Man Rides Through It"

These are fantasy and/or sci-fi, but in each case the series' have unique perspectives or plot aspects which really do set them apart from other books ofthose types.

that's by Jonathan Lethem. If you haven't read it yet... it's very good. about a kid with tourettes who gets "adopted" by a mafioso.

Have you ever read any Hakuri Murakami? - Wild Sheep Chase then Dance Dance Dance then The Wind Up Bird Chronicle form a sort of trilogy.

How about some non-fiction - did you ever read Devil in the White City by Erik Larson? Turn of the century murder. Did you ever read The Alienist by Caleb Carr?
...or maybe Perdido Station by China Mieville? someone else mentioned Kim Stanley Robinson. How about Years of Rice and Salt. sci-fi alternative history.
Have you ever read Red Harvest, by Dashiell Hammett? Have you ever read Jim Thompson? Pop 1280 is good.

"Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card. He's a fabulous writer. I've recommended this book to quite a few friends and no one, yet, has been disappointed. A modern classic, IMO. And there are a number of sequels if you like it.

"Darwin's Radio" by Greg Bear. Very creative, reads like a thriller, well written. Again, if you get hooked, there is a sequel, "Darwin's Children".

Nelson Demille ... I do.

Martin Cruz Smith, Gorky Park, Wolves Eat Dogs
Charles McCarry (Last Supper)
Brian Moore (Lies and Silence or The Statement)
Tim Sebastian Spy Shadow
Perez-Reverte The Flanders Panes
Alan Furst Dark Star
Robert Harris Fatherland (I'm not wild about his other books, love this one)
Smilla's Sense of Snow
Headhunters
Sacrifice of Isaac, neil Gordon
A Small Death in Lisbon
Bangkok 8 (or any of Burdett's)
Due Preparations for the Plague Janette Hospital (Loved it)
Restless William Boyd

More in the mystery category
Rumpole series by Mortimer
A Cort of Varnish C P Snow
Dime to Dance By Walter Walker
Always a Body to Trade Constantine
Hindsight Dickenson
Thief of Time Hillerman
Time's Witness Michael Malone (or his other mystery...
Elizabeth George Well Schooled in Murder and others
Bootlegger's Daughter Margaret Maron
Original Sin PD James (any PD James
Mallory's Oracle Carol O"Connell (any by him)
Daughter os Cain Colin Dexter
The Dark Room Minette Walters (love Walter's stuff)
Aqua Alta donna Leon
Always Outnumbered Always Outgunned Mosley
In a Dry Season Peter Robinson
Mystic River (or anything by Dennis Lehane)
Case Histories Kate Atkinson
Devil's Feather Minette Walters

Anything by Henning Mankell
Lawrence Block and James Lee Burke are also wonderful

Funny mysteries, anything by Carl Hiaasen

(I read a couple a week too...and I've had my head in the sand since the Dems took over not wanting to hear or think of it. So, back to mysteries and thrillers for me.)

down favorite.

Just for laugh out loud, wicked twisted fun.

Practical Demonkeeping (1992)Orbit Book Co.
Coyote Blue (1994) Simon & Schuster
Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story (1995)
Island of the Sequined Love Nun (1997)
The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove (1999) Harper Collins
Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
2002) HarperCollins Publication ISBN 0-380-81381-5
Fluke, or, I Know Why the Winged Whale Sings (2003) William Morrow & Company ISBN 0-380-97841-5
The Stupidest Angel: A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror (2004) William Morrow & Company Publication ISBN 0-06-084235-0
The Stupidest Angel: A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror, v. 2.0 (2005) -- contains the same text as the above, with an additional 32-page short story at the end
A Dirty Job (2006) (awarded The Quill Book Award for General Fiction for 2006) Harper Collins ISBN 0-06-059027-0
You Suck: A Love Story (2007) William Morrow ISBN 0-06-059029-7

Historical fiction about the ending of the Roman Republic and the beginning of the Empire. First book is called "The First Man in Rome" followed by "The Grass Crown" and then 5 or 6 others.

Read more about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masters_of_Rome

I highly recommend Robert Tenanbaum and John Sanford. I also like Catherine Coulter, Tami Hoag, and Kay Hooper too.

Of course, if you feel like straying a little farther afield, there's always MY books. :evilgrin:

Great smarmy dog story. Easy to read without that much thinking but still rewarding.

DaVinci Code, Digital Fortress, Angels & Demons, Deception Point.