Johanna Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 I am leaving for a cruise in a month with dh for a whole week!!! And i will have some great reading time by the pool or the beach! I really want a good (no great) book(s) to take along! cant wait to read your recommendations!:grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrairieAir Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 No, great or no great? I don't know if I understand what you're looking for. Maybe I'm just too tired. You want a great book or nothing *great* and therefore maybe too involved? Are you looking for a book that will completely consume you and become your new favorite book that you'll want to read again and again, or just something good but light? My all time favorite books are the same as always: East of Eden The Grapes of Wrath To Kill a Mockingbird I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Hmmm, none of those says a week alone with dh. I'd get completely lost in any of them and not be able to pull myself free until I was done. Then I'd talk about them endlessly to dh and drive him nuts. I think I'd pick something by Agatha Christie or Lord Peter by Dorothy Sayers. I like a good mystery. I can get caught up in them, but put them down again for a break fairly easily. I might also pick a shorter Steinbeck, but that's treading on dangerous ground for me. Steinbeck is the only man dh has ever been jealous of:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johanna Posted March 31, 2008 Author Share Posted March 31, 2008 yeah...what you said.... "......for a book that will completely consume you and become your new favorite book that you'll want to read again and again...." that sounds good! ...sorry for the confusion...i should be asleep, not typing (hence the errors)..lol :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacy in NJ Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 yeah...what you said.... "......for a book that will completely consume you and become your new favorite book that you'll want to read again and again...." that sounds good! ...sorry for the confusion...i should be asleep, not typing (hence the errors)..lol :tongue_smilie: I'd like to suggest something funny. When at the beach, you just *need* funny. Unfortunately, I can't think of anything funny right now. :D So I'll go with interesting; Children of Men by P.D. James, A page-turner, without being to heavy. HTH, Stacy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTMindy Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 For the beach, I love The Eyre Affair and all the other books by Jasper Fforde. Very funny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sebastian (a lady) Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 I am leaving for a cruise in a month with dh for a whole week!!! And i will have some great reading time by the pool or the beach! I really want a good (no great) book(s) to take along!cant wait to read your recommendations!:grouphug: I love the Peter Whimsey books by Dorothy Sayers. No 1 Ladies Detective Agency is very good. I have read two of M. M. Kaye's books over several times, The Far Pavillions and The Shadow of the Moon. (I like Shadow better of the two.) I also really like the historical fiction of Sharon Kaye Penman. Amy Tan is also very good (The Joy Luck Club and The Kitchen God's Wife are two favorites). FWIW, the cruise ship we were on in December did have a library stocked with a lot of popular fiction. I also found that we were so busy that I didn't get through many of the books I'd brought. But our cruise didn't have any at sea days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 There are so many good ones, but I'll try to stick to some that would be good ones, but good ones to enjoy on a fun vacation (so no super-depressing things, lol).... And, I'll skip all the typical classics since you probably could collect a long list of those pretty easily (though I love, love, love "The Count of Monte Cristo" by Alexandre Dumas). In no particular order: - "Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress" by Dai Sijie (loved this little book -- probably the best book I've read in quite awhile; a true gem) - "Collected Stories" by Ellen Gilchrist (I don't even like short stories, but I really enjoyed this collection) - "The Professor and the Madman" by Simon Winchester (fascinating) - "I, Claudius" by Rober Graves (love this book) - "Dancer: A Novel" by Colum McCann (fictionalized bio of Rudolf Nureyev) - "The Beekeeper's Apprentice" by Laurie R. King (new take on Sherlock Holmes) - "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" by Hunter S. Thompson (I laughed myself silly, but it's not a book for everyone) - "The Glass Castle" (well-told story of an adventurous time growing up) - "Memoirs of a Geisha" by Arthur Golden (really enjoyed this years ago when I read it) - "Passionate Nomad: The Life of Freya Stark" by Jane Fletcher Geniesse (fascinating bio of a woman I didn't know of -- she led an incredible life; if you love to travel, you would probably enjoy reading this book) - "The Secret History" and "The Little Friend" by Donna Tartt - "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" by John Berendt - "In the Company of the Courtesan" by Sarah Dunant - "Daughter of Fortune" by Isabel Allende (starts slowly but turns into a great story) - "The 13 1/2 Lives of Captain Bluebear" by Walter Moers (another one that's not for everyone, but I found it totally endearing & zany, smart, and very, very funny) Enjoy your trip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johanna Posted March 31, 2008 Author Share Posted March 31, 2008 I'd like to suggest something funny. When at the beach, you just *need* funny. HTH, Stacy yeah, great point! Will definitely stay light for the beach.... But, i also am interested in everyone's "absolutely" favorite books in general (can be heavy) ...since summer is coming, no school=more reading time for mom:-) thanks!!!!:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah CB Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 The first few that come to mind are: The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood (classic Canadian lit) A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich (Russian lit) The Painted House by John Grisham (a surprise for me, I usually read Grisham for fluff - this definitely wasn't fluff) The Stand by Stephen King (my favourite King novel) The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards (I just recently read this - it was amazing. About a secret and how it shaped and split a family.) Sarah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTMCassandra Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 Anything in the Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters. Hilarious! Mystery, romance within marriage, whimsy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTMCassandra Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 Oh, and Jan Karon's Mitford series, of course, if you haven't read it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 fillllllllllllller Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buddhabelly Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls, Smilla's Sense of Snow, and the Shipping News. The last two are quite old, but if you haven't read them they are wonderful. I just have to add that I tried to read Karen Armstrong's newest book, "The Bible: A Biography" on the beach in Mexico. Great book, wrong venue. She demands one's full attention, with no shimmering waves or margaritas. julie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pixelroper Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole (you mean as an adult right? just to clarify) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 My current favorite funny book: Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. HILARIOUS! Although....it is a funny book about the apocalypse, could be offensive to some (I'm a Christian and found it funny but not everyone is like me). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Lorna Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 One of Paul Theroux's travel books. They are hilarious at times, engaging, very honest and thought-provoking. How about 'The Great Railway Bazaar' or 'The Happy Isles of Oceania' (where he paddles the Pacific from island to island in a collapsable canoe, sometimes staying the night on deserted islands)? 'Sir Vidia's Shadow' is an excellent read too. It charts the rise and fall of his real-life friendship with V. S. Naipaul. He spares no one is his account, and it is a fascinating insight into an intellectual relationship. It is, of course, one-sided and so, as in real friendship there are misunderstandings which he has no idea of. For a more gentle old-fashioned read I love 'Where Angels Fear to Tread' and ' The Longest Journey' both by E.M. Forster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soph the vet Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 How about a political thriller? These are page turners with a bit of history and prophecy thrown in by Joel Rosenberg: In this order: The Last Jihad The Last Days Ezekiel Option Copper Scroll Dead Heat - just came out and haven't read it yet but there are over 60 requests for it at our local library I don't usually read any fiction but these have been good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liberty Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 My favs in no particular order: 1. East of Eden (One of the longest books I've ever read, but I couldn't put it down--Steinbeck's very best work, imho) 2. Angela's Ashes (I've read this book 5-6 times now-- there are parts that still make me laugh out loud and other parts that make me cry like a baby) 3. Seabiscuit (One of the most uplifting books I've ever read--even better than the movie) 4. The Autobiography of Malcolm X (I was totally suprised by how much I liked this book, and have now read it 2-3 times) 5. The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down (fascinating case study of Hmong immigrant family whose daughter is taken away due to their culture clashing with medical science) 6. A Separate Peace (my favorite from my teenage years until an adult) 7. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy- Long but GOOD (I still love the main characters in this book-- Levin is my all time favorite book character) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in Neverland Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 Favorite novel of all time: Beloved by Toni Morrison Best book I've read lately: Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie in Ma Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 For R&R reading, definitely not my continuing education list! Mrs. Mike Jubilee Trail, Gwen Bristow the entire Elizabeth Peter's Amelia Peabody series Robert Parker's Spencer books The Belgariad and Mallorean by David Eddings Diana Gaboldon's(sp?) Outlander series The Chronicles of Amber The Dragonriders of Pern series by Anne McCaffrey and last but never least, the LOTR trilogy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janna Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 I'm not very well-read, so you may have to take these with a grain of salt: East of Eden - John Steinbeck (as others have said, BUT it is a heavy storyline and I struggled with it because there is a particularly disturbing character that I could not relate to at all) Uncle Tom's Cabin - Harriot Beecher Stowe Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte The Thirteenth Tale - Diane Setterfield The Chosen - Chaim Potok A Girl of the Limberlost - Gene Stratton Porter 84, Charing Cross Road - Helene Hanff (a perfect beach book, imo) To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee Edited to add that these are not in order of favorite-to-least favorite Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beth in Central TX Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 I have an eclectic favorite book list: Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen (you can never read this too many times) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoughCollie Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 One of my favorite books is The Cape Ann, by Faith Sullivan. I have given it to every woman I have made friends with over the last 20 years, and without exception, they have all loved it. I also like Charlaine Harris' books, all of them (she has several completed series). I love her Southern vampire mysteries (Dead Until Dark is #1) and her Harper Connelly series (Grave Sight is #1). I had already read all of her other series when I decided to give the popular Southern vampire series a try. I wasn't into reading about vampires, so I nearly didn't read the first one. I'm glad I did. Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series is also great. The first one is called Outlander. I put off reading this for years because I didn't think I'd like it even though many people recommended it to me. Finally, I bought it and the week I read the entire series, my DH went to Barnes & Noble several times to get me the next book, and I hardly got any sleep, they were that good. I read a couple hundred books a year, so I have lots of favorites. Here are a few more: Dream When You're Feeling Blue, by Elizabeth Berg The Blue Star, by Tony Earley Joanne Fluke mysteries World of Pies, by Karen Stolz Fannie Flagg Joan Medlicott's The Ladies of Covington series (if you like the Mitford series, you'll probably like these too) Diane Mott Davidson's culinary mysteries Lorna Landvik (Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons & Patty Jane's House of Curl) The Red Tent, by Anita Diamant Barbara Delinsky Maeve Binchy Marcia Willett Leslie Meier's Lucy Stone mysteries M. C. Beaton's Agatha Raisin series & Hamish Macbeth series Aunt Dimity series by Nancy Atherton Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series Jane Whitefield novels by Thomas Perry Spring Moon, by Bette Bao Lord Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johanna Posted March 31, 2008 Author Share Posted March 31, 2008 I am off to Amazon to check out all these great titles!! You ladies are awesome:-) :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kokotg Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 My bias might become obvious from my first two selections ;): Delta Wedding, Eudora Welty Absalom, Absalom, William Faulkner those might be my two favorite books, but not exactly beach reading. Bobbie Ann Mason, particularly Shiloh and Other Stories earlier (but not too early) Anne Tyler--in particular, Celestial Navigation, The Accidental Tourist, and Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant Katherine Anne Porter's short stories, particularly the Miranda stories Peter Taylor's short stories more recent, less regional, I liked Middlesex and Snow Falling on Cedars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heidi @ Mt Hope Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 My most favorite book is The Count of Monte Cristo, but at 1400 pages it is hardly the book to take to the beach. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellifera Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 The Chosen and The Promise by Chaim Potok Silverlock by John Myers Myers Most anything by C. S. Lewis Most anything by David McCullough Disc World series by Terry Pratchett Disc World and Silverlock would probably be ok for the beach, (Silverlock might be pushing it a bit) the rest, not so much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6packofun Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 No, great or no great? I don't know if I understand what you're looking for. Maybe I'm just too tired. You want a great book or nothing *great* and therefore maybe too involved? Are you looking for a book that will completely consume you and become your new favorite book that you'll want to read again and again, or just something good but light? I simply took it to mean, "Good...no, make that *great*, selections!" Does that help? ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaMere Academy Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See Literacy and Longing in L. A. by Jennifer Kaufman and Karen Mack The Knitting Circle by Ann Hood Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhondaM. Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 Favorite novel of all time: Beloved by Toni Morrison Best book I've read lately: Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett I agree! Pillars was one really great book. (Heather, you know there is a sequel to this, right? Called World Without End. I have it on my shelf to read ...when I can find time to read it. It's a BIG book!) He (Ken Follet) is a good writer...loved Dangerous Fortunes! Wilbur Smith writes really good adventure books...The Seventh Scroll, River God are two of my favorites. A very enjoyable book I read was Must Love Dogs. Cute, short and funny. Recently I read The Secret Life of Bees. Different, but I loved it. Sea of Dead Languages (I think I have the title right) was a good one...Carol Goodman wrote this it (and several others that I've enjoyed.). Anything by Brad Meltzer, Dan Brown (The Da Vinci Code!!) and Michael Crichton. And if you want a woman's book with lots of adventure, some lusty romance and a bit of almost realistic timetravel, you HAVE to read Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. Happy reading and cruising whatever you choose. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurel Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 Favorite of all time: The Chosen by Chaim Potok Favorite Beach Reading: Anything by Sophie Kinsella (Shopaholic Series, Can You Keep a Secret, Undomestic Goddess) I also LOVE David Sedaris. Very funny. Hilarious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
................... Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johanna Posted March 31, 2008 Author Share Posted March 31, 2008 I love the book Stepping Heavenward! I am saving it for my dd:-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johanna Posted March 31, 2008 Author Share Posted March 31, 2008 Yup, that is what I meant...lol! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PixieKris Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 All time favorites: Les Miserables and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn Slightly more beach oriented favorites: The Eyre Affair series The Time Traveler's Wife Life of Pi Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood Anne of Green Gables Series Candide Lying on the Couch Have fun!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendi Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella (note: some adult content) Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters anything by Jane Austen, but especially Emma The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams My favorites (off the top of my head): Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Perelandra by C.S. Lewis (helps to read Out of the Silent Planet first) Doomsday Book by Connie Willis Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien Wendi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen sn Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 Girl With the Pearl Earring The Red Tent - loved this book - excellent read The Poisonwood Bible - but a little sad - maybe not for a vacation To Kill a Mocking Bird - just read this one and loved it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra in NC Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 I'd recommend anything by Barbara Kingsolver (The Bean Tree is good as is High Tide in Tuscon...the latter is a collection of short stories). Books by Amy Tan like The Hundred Secret Senses and Saving Fish from Drowning, are good.. For a funny, thoughtful, nonfiction book, I recommend PJ O'Rourke's "All the Trouble in the World" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom2legomaniacs Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 The Poisonwood Bible is a great book! by Barbara Kingsolver I also like the Harmony series by Philip Gulley (people stories like Mitford series, but IMO even better. He is a great writer and really funny) Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Burns is really good! The Secret Life of Bees (worth reading) books by Wally Lamb are very interesting The Friday Night Knitting Club (just read it -- easy read and it was about knitting!) Maeve Binchy -- easy reads and not too heavy That's what pops out at me right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cin Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 For beach reading, I like the Stephanie Plum Series (One for the Money, 2 for the Show) or Kinsey Milhone (A is for Alibi....). Fun, frisky easy reading mysteries. I'm just starting on Amelia Peabody mysteries, but they seem pretty good so far. have Fun!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura K (NC) Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 Silence, by Shusaku Endo The Brothers Karamazov, by Fyodor Dostoevsky I didn't think they were difficult reading, but they were both complex. They stay with you a long time. The first one in particular is a good one for conversation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KidsHappen Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 When I want a beach read, I want entertainment plain and simply. No deep thinking maybe a mystery, thriller, horror or alternative theories on things. So my list would be: Anything by Stephan King - The Stand is my favorite but some of the short stories and great for when you only have little snippets of time. Harry Potter of course. Alfred Hitcock short stories or Agatha Christy detective novels. Anything by Dave Barry. Scielence of the Lamb, always good creepy fun. The Red dragon is also pretty good. Presumed Innocent. Under the Lake by Stewart Woods Artimas Fowl series - especially good on audio. Hidden History of the Human Race Civilization One Descent of Woman - excellent if you would like to look at evolution from a female POV. The Bible Unearthed Before the Flood The Turin Shroud David & Soloman The Second Messiah Misquoting Jesus Book of Hiram The Hiram Key The Jesus Mysteries Jesus Dynasty The God Delusion The Laughing Jesus Jesus Puzzle Templar Revelation God against the God Fingerprints of the Gods Supernatural - Graham Handcock The Archimedes Codex Any of the Politically Incorrect Books Any of the DOn't know anything books Concensed Knowledge books And any books about Buffy, Angel or Lost. That should provide plenty of mingless mind candy. Perfect for relaxing and getting your mind off of all your real life worries. :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom2jnb Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 First, I have to say, that I love all the suggestions. I have not read so many books in my life until I became active on this board. Thank you all for you suggestions. I am currently reading A Year of Biblically Living. It is honestly a pretty funny book. The Time Traveler's Wife was a great book Books by Jodi Picoult are a fave of mine...but I know a lot of people don't care for them My mom loves Janet Evanovich My Stepmom loves Sue Grafton she loves mysteries I have the Ken Follett book. I just had dh pick it up from the library last night. Good luck and thanks again for all the suggestions I love getting new ideas. Alison Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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