Book Suggestions?

17th August 2002 | myself

[maquiladora]

Just wondering if anyone on FR has any good book recommendations. I'm about halfway through a book at the moment and I'm wondering what to get next.
I've read a wide variety of books, early Tom Clancy, Frederick Forsyth, Larry Bond, JRR Tolkien etc.

I like most genres but I'm fond of good thriller/war novels.

Any suggestions?

[HairOfTheDog]

Read any John Grisham? - The all center on legal themes... I like them, and if you like his writing, there are a lot of books: Perhaps start with The Runaway Jury, The Client, or the Chamber.
http://www.randomhouse.com/features/grisham/books/

Or you could always read Lord of the Rings again....

[HairOfTheDog]

If you like thrillers, can I assume you have read a few Steven Kings?

[WFTR]

I always recommend Witness, the autobiography of Whitaker Chambers, in these threads. He was a communist spy in the 20's and 30's and broke with communism when he realized its evil. He eventually testified against Alger Hiss in Hiss's perjury trial. It inspired me so much that I named my website in honor of the book and of Mr. Chambers.

I like Dean Koontz novels. Dark Rivers of the Heart has a good semi-political message, and I'm going to review it on my website soon. Sole Survivor is a pretty involved book but is pretty interesting. Lightning features a woman as a main character, and I've heard that many women like it. From the Corner of His Eye is interesting as well. All of his books are fairly graphic, but they would be no worse than what you've read in some Tom Clancy books.

WFTR
Bill

[maquiladora]

Hi Hair!
Long time no see.
How are you doin? Yes, I could read LOTR again but perhaps not just yet.

Actually, no, I've never read a Grisham novel, but I've seen the movie version of The Client.

[HairOfTheDog]

I have read 6 or so of them. I like them. I think they are classified as legal thrillers...

[maquiladora]

Actually, no, I thought King was more horror?

The only horror book I ever read were some HP Lovecraft book somebody gave to me to read years ago.

[HairOfTheDog]

And I am doin' fine! - Leaving in a few minutes to have a nice T Bone steak with a friend. The friend I am meeting also reads a lot of Dean Koontz, which Bill recommended above. They are kindof murder/forensic stories I think.

[maquiladora]

Thanks, Witness sounds interesting. I'll take a look around for that.

[HairOfTheDog]

Not all Kings are gory at all.... much more thriller/suspense. OK That settles it... Get Delores Clairborne and The Tommyknockers... also Thinner. All three stories are quite different.

[maquiladora]

Did Dean Koontz write a book called 'Intensity' by any chance?

T-bone stake, eh? Hope you've got some nice sauce to go with it. Mmmmmmmmm.

[HairOfTheDog]

A good steak doesn't need any sauce! I am a plain kinda gal. Meat on the bone! See ya later....

[maquiladora]

Seeya later Hair.

[Ima Lurker]

I like Dean Koontz too. He has the intensity of Stephen King but not quite as graphic. Stephen King is just too gross for me. My favorite author right now though is Stuart Woods. I've enjoyed all his books except "Palindrome". That one read like a cheap romance novel. You can't go wrong with his Stone Barrington character though.

[WFTR]

I'll have to look for Stuart Woods. The only Stephen King stuff that I've liked is The Stand and The Dead Zone.

[Ditter]

You didn't mention non fiction or history but I'll tell you about a book I am just finishing. It is Cities of Gold by Douglas Preston. It is the story of 2 guys, a NY liberal & a rough tough Texan who decide to follow Coronados route of 1540, across Arizona & New Mexico on horseback. He quotes from Coronodos (& others) journals & weaves in the early settlers of the 1800's & encounters with the Indians, as well as their own trials & tribulations. I have found it fascinating.

[pa_dweller]

Brown on Resolution, C. S. Forester

Slow start but holds you 'til the end.

[pa_dweller]

P.S.

A Rifleman Went to War, Herbert W. Mcbride (autobiographical account of WWI)

[OldFriend]

Robert Ludlum books might be of interest.

[The Other Harry]

Well, this isn't technically a thriller or a crime novel, but I thoroughly enjoyed David McCullough's boigraphy of Samuel Adams. It's a very easy read, and every bit as captivating as any crime novel I've ever read.

Any of the Shaara novels about the Civil War.

Any of the Partick O'Brian historical sea novels (it's best to start at the beginning). Be careful here -- these are addictive.

In the crime vein, You might try a Patricia Cornwell novel if you've never read one. One is good. She gets a bit monotonous after that (I feel the same way about Grisham, Ludlum, and Clancy, fwiw).

As to Grisham, I quite liked _The Painted House_. It isn't a crime novel. It goes kinda slow. But it ain't all bad.

Anything by Elmore Leonard. I just finished reading his most odd novel, _The Touch_. Just go to the library and check out anything he's ever written. He's the master of American street dialogue.

Good luck!