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I'm in one of my mainstream fiction moods, and I just don't know what to read. The amount of mainstream fiction that is utter crap astounds me and I can't think of any way of sifting through it all.
So anyone, anyone, tell me something fantastic to read. Modern novels are better (it seems to be that sort of mood), but I'll take anything.
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"Once a Thief" and it's sequel "Always a Thief" by kay Hooper are absolutely incredible. They're REALLY funny. But I can't say anything or I'll give away the big twist. *zips mouth shut*
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Lost Boys (Orson Scott Card) - I finished reading this one a few days ago...it was excellent! Dune (Frank Herbert) - Was referred to read this book. Not far in at all (pg. 19-20?). Heard great things about it, though.
Posts: 63 | Registered: Feb 2006
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Carl Hiaasen's books about ridiculously odious Florida dwellers are usually a lot of fun. "Skinny Dip" was one of our favorites. Posts: 1681 | Registered: Jun 2004
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None of these are new, but Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver, The Chosen by Chaim Potok, and Peace Like a River by Leif Enger were all good reads. (hmmm . . . actually those just came to mind and it wasn't intentional, but all have religious themes. )
Posts: 3149 | Registered: Jul 2005
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'Lamb' is great. Also, 'Good Omens' if you haven't read it already.
I've been reading W. Somerset Maugham, and am absolutely in love with just about everything he wrote, but he's not exactly modern...
'Gun, with Occasional Music' is my all-purpose recommendation at the moment. It's by Jonathen Lethem, and is a lot of fun. Talking animals, weird drugs, and futuristic detectives, but what's not to love about a gangster kangaroo named Joey?
Posts: 36 | Registered: Dec 2005
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Carl Hiaasen is good fun. Serious and sad: Kite Runner (Khaled Hosseini). Romantic and modern: The Time Traveler's Wife (Audrey Niffenegger). Strange and shocking: Middlesex (Jeffrey Eugenides).
Posts: 308 | Registered: Sep 2005
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Leonide, I just read Lamb as well. I enjoyed it immensely. I liked the way I could relate somewhat to Joshua as a human, a person with needs and uncertainties, and desires.
I also enjoy irreverence. And there was plenty of that. However, I suspect that it may be offensive to some people, so be warned.
Posts: 3546 | Registered: Jul 2002
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I really enjoyed "Angle of Repose" by Wallace Stegner. It is seriously good.
Carl Hiaasen is fun and light. Not really serious literature, but diverting.
Pete Hamill's "Snow in August" and David Guterson's "Snow Falling on Cedars" are two books that have nothing in common but snow, but they are both worth reading.
"Inside, Outside" by Herman Wouk was enjoyable. Not serious, but well-written, funny, and diverting.
Posts: 10397 | Registered: Jun 2005
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Try "Blindness", from José Saramago. The story is powerful but disturbing. The Portuguese author is a nobel prize winner. The translation to english is supposedly very good.
Here is a link to Amazon, where you can read full-fledged reviews and comments about it:
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Neal Stephenson's Cryptonomicon Elinor Lipman's Isabel's Bed (not real heavyweight, but enjoyable) Dave Barry's Big Trouble Elmore Leonard's Pagan BabiesPosts: 3826 | Registered: May 2005
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Grass by Sheri S. Tepper. It is Sci-fi, but it's quite a trip.
My mother swears by anything Tepper writes, but Grass is the only one I've looked at (actually I haven't yet finished it, so don't give anything away if you read it ).
And I'll give a whopping second to anything by Dave Barry.
Posts: 270 | Registered: Jul 2004
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If you liked the "Da Vinci Code", I am reading "The Templar Legacy" by Steve Barry right now that is seeming to be a fun, fast read.
Posts: 697 | Registered: Nov 2005
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I definitely agree with Xaposet and Nell. Life of Pi by Yann Martel is splendid.
If you get it, buy it in the children's section. It's usually about $14, but I stumbled upon a smaller kid's paperback for $7.99.
Posts: 484 | Registered: Feb 2006
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quote:Originally posted by Fyfe: I'm in one of my mainstream fiction moods, and I just don't know what to read.
What I don't understand is why people would read this line, and post recommendations for Dune and So You Want To Be A Wizard.
Posts: 12266 | Registered: Jul 2005
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