I need a good book to read - any suggestions?

[Avandria]

Photography related or not - it doesn't matter at the moment. I'm finishing up Host by Stephanie Meyer for the 5th time and decided it's time to buy some more books to add to my library. I really like fantasy/sci-fi stuff with a hint of love added to the story - but not all that crazy mushy gushy "Jack, come back to me! Oh, Jack have my babies" thats in the "romance section" stuff.


Any suggestions?

[SusanH1970]

I recently finished "The Darkest Evening of the Year" by Dean Koontz. You might like that one.

[oldwolf]

The Dresden Files series or Codex Alera series by Jim Butcher
Earlier David Eddings stuff like the Belgariad or Mallorean series

Both of those writers have a good sense or humor IMO and it's reflected in the stories. They do have love interests in those books but it's not the predominant theme and mushy gushy stuff hehe.

[OeterB]

Check out The Lovely Bones, by Alice Sebold. It's an absolutely stunning book. Fantasy novel taken from the 1st person perspective of a dead girl in heaven after her murder. It has a dark side to it with the murder (based loosely on Sebold's real life experiences, which are covered in the extremely dark auto-biography Lucky), but the portrayal of heaven, the description of how her family and friends move on, and the narrative voice are beautiful.

I hear Let The Right One In (or "Låt den rätte komma in"), the Swedish novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist, has English translations and is a gripping read. The film is superb... and, dare I say it, the best film of 2008, and a bajillion times better than Twilight (which, don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed).

[Gobae]

"Dies the Fire" by SM Stirling.

Explosives and electricity stop functioning and the world plunges into apocalyptic mayhem. The book follows the few survivors as they try to rebuild some stability and vie for control over precious resources.

As a historical re-enactor and primitive skills enthusiast, I found this book (and the rest of the series) well researched about the skills that the survivors learned, and the combination of modern science and primitive tech they needed to survive.

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by OeterB

Check out The Lovely Bones, by Alice Sebold.

+1, excellent book!

I also read "The Almost Moon" by Alice Sebold. Freaky and very good!

[cphoniball]

Not really your category, but try Rant by Chuck Palahniuk. The format takes some getting used to but it's a fantastic story, and his writing always keeps you on your toes.

[OeterB]

Originally Posted by SusanH1970

+1, excellent book!

I also read "The Almost Moon" by Alice Sebold. Freaky and very good!

Oh, awesome. I own "The Almost Moon", but haven't got to it. Uni books are taking up too much time, and reading for my publication. I'll get to it sooner or later --- but glad it's good. I really, well, I can't say 'enjoyed', but found "Lucky" was an amazing book. Very emotive, extremely well written. But not an easy thing to read.

[nsaplayer]

I just read The Time Traveler's Wife, by Audry Niffenegger... Loved it.

-correction, I listened to it...but then I liked it, so I bought the actual book
I spend alot of time in the car, so I got a subscriptin to simplyaudiobooks.com. It makes sitting in traffic much more bearable... half the time I dont want to get out of the car when I get home. :-)

I also loved The Host, so maybe you'll like this one as well..

[Kn1nJa]

I haven't read it myself (yet) but I heard that "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy was a very good read (they are making a movie of it too)