Posted on 03/20/2005 10:29:44 AM PST by Finger Monkey
I am in desperate need of an engrossing novel. I would like a big fat book, historical fiction, preferably. The last engrossing book I read was Shogun, and that was last spring.
I am also a sci-fi geek, any really good series recommendations would be appreciated. And fantasy too. Yes, I am that big of a geek.
Thanks for any help you can give, I have been reading periodicals, mostly politics and science, and I need some fiction. I know that you, intelligent FReepers that you are (excuse me while I clean off my nose), will recommend many a good book to me, BerthaDee, newbie.
And since you liked "Shogun" try "The Samurai's Garden" or anything else by Gail Tsukiyama. I think she has 3 or 4 novels under her belt, now. :)
Thank you. I will add it to my Amazon shopping cart. Hee, hee, there is nothing "high brow" about my reading preferences. I am a book whore. I am the chic sitting alone in a restaurant reading.
Anything by Mark Helprin, especially "A Solder Of The Great War" or "Winter's Tale".
You will never see the world the same way again.
Which made me think...if you haven't read the Dune series by Frank Herbert it is excellent.
Thank you. I have seen the Terry Goodkind books and picked them up, but never purchased any. I will add them to my list as well as the Orson Scott Card series.
Thank you very much, added to the list.
I second the vote for Cryptonomicon, it sounds like exactly what you are looking for.
Also I would humbly suggest The Moon is a Harsh Mistress... not so historical, but absolutely engrossing.
Oooooo, a second, me thinks Cryptonomicon will be heading to the top of the list. Your humble suggestion will be added to the list. Thank you very much.
And as far as Helprin. His are some of the best books I've ever read(be sure to check out the reviews at Amazon.com). They are at times laugh out loud funny and yet moving. For you and anyone else here who hasn't read anything from him, I can't recommend them enough. Plus, I believe he was a speech writer for Reagan.
If he was a speech writer for Reagan, he goes straight to the top. And science fiction to boot. Go figure. Thank you.
The Memory, Sorrow and Thorn trilogy (actually four books in paperback), by Tad Williams.
Be warned: the first 100-200 pages were deadly dull to me, though they were mostly-necessary backstory. But once a character called Binabik is introduced, the ride gets going -- and what a ride it is. Really well-written.
The Fist of God is a very good historical novel about the first Gulf War. Absolutely riveting.
The Devil's Alternative is also excellent, set in the cold war. Involves Ukranian separatists, an oil tanker, and a bunch of other subplots all woven together quite well.
The Day of The Jackal, about the OAS's attempted assassination of de Gaulle, is probably his best known, and a very good book, but I like the first two better.
All of his books are good, although I haven't read the Phantom of the Opera sequel. The Negotiator was also a good read. I like his novels over his short stories. His latest novel, Avenger is also good.
Sorry, Helprin isn't scifi, but he's a great read. "Winter's Tale" has fantasy elements mixed in with the real world. I'm not quite sure how to describe his books.....they're about the human spirit and are very uplifting. You'll understand what I mean after reading one of them. Again check out the reviews on Amazon, they may help give you an idea about his works.
PS And yes, "Cryptonomicon" was a very good book.
Thank you very much. I have read something by Tad Williams, but it wasn't a triolgy. I will add it to the list. I love series.
Elron Hubbard is the Sci-Fi author who was the Elmer Gantry behind Scientology.
His 'fiction' is essentially indoctrination and the profits go to the Scientologists no that he's gone.
So9
Thank you very, very much. All added to the list.
By the way, how many licks does it take to get rid of the "newbie" title?
Your FR Secret Decoder Ring is in the mail. When it arrives is unfortunately unknown. In the meantime, remember:
Bill Clinton = The Bent One Who Would Be UN Secretary General
Hillary Clinton = The Gaia Marxist Who Would Be Queen-For-Life
etc....
And if you visit DU, remember their chant: Two Legs Baaaad, Four Legs (or fins) Good.....
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