Hi, everyone. I've gone through my pile of must-read books, and need some new suggestions. To that end, I'm wondering what peoples' favorite books were that they read this summer. I'll start: Three months ago, I read a brand-new book called Beneath a Marble Sky: A Novel of the Taj Mahal. This book tells the beautiful story behind the creation of the Taj Mahal. In many ways, it reminded me of Memoirs of a Geshia. I read it cover to cover over one weekend, and have not been so moved by a book in years. It's powerful, gripping, enlightening, etc. I simply can't say enough good things about this book. If you like historical fiction at all, this is an absolute must read. OK, I've made my suggestion. Any for me? Thanks! - Sarah
I like the new Al Franken book and I'm reading Garrison Keillor's new one. Next in line: Dylan's Chronicles.
"East of Eden" by John Steinbeck was fantastic. Very well written, he's a great author. Also, "Illusions" by Richard Bach was very good, and a quick read. Been reading this other book, "Riddley Walker" by Russel Hoban. It's pretty good too, though I'm only half done. I'll let you know tomorrow if it ended good. If you want some non-fiction, check out the Tao Te Ching, it's mind blowing... Other books I'd recommend: "On the Road" and "Darhma Bums" by Jack Kerouac "Walden" and "Civil Disobedience" by Thoreau (nonfiction essays) "The Davinci Code" by Dan Brown I haven't really been reading too many novels this summer, been more into scientific and historical stuff. It's funny, I've read and learned more in the last 3 or 4 months than I did during the entire year at college last year.
Wicked, Confessions of an Ugly Step-sister, Wild Animus, Catch-22.... I'm re-reading Catch-22 AGAIN (like my 8th time) Holly
lets see over the summer i read catch-22, on the road, naked lunch, numurous kurt vonnugut books and i just finished this book by clive barker called abarat. that is a great book...not my fave book ever but it is really worth reading if you just want a easy book to read.
Catch-22 is THE greatest novel of the 20th century, hands down. The story is engaging and thought-provoking. The characters are likable and well-rounded. It's just amazing. Joseph Heller was a genius! holly
I thoroughly enjoyed Tale of the Body Thief by Anne Rice. Guns, Germs, and Steel was also really good. It's all about human civilizations and how and why their histories unfolded the ways they did. It's really interesting.
Agreed, I liked that book a lot. You might like another book by that author, "The Third Chimpanzee." I've read it twice, it's very interesting.
I have Catch-22 right here, I'm planning to read it soon. My favorite book of the summer was Sweet Dream Baby- it takes place in the 50's, it was about a boy who goes to live with his 15 year old aunt, delia (He's 12) in the country, and it's just all about growing up, he learns a lot while he's out there about death, and there's a really good scene that was definitely a part of life to remember i know i'm really bad at describing books, but this is one of my favorite books, it's just so captivating.
I finally got around to reading the Rum Diary this summer, which was perfect because it was a pretty bleak summer. A good read, great fiction, although I have to say I enjoy Thompson when the line between fiction and reality is as clear as their general state of mind.
perks of being a wallflower, catcher in the rye (again, i read it every year) someemerson, thoreau, kerouac, ginsberg, fight club, geek love, if nobody speaks of remarkable things, currently am finishing last exit to brooklyn.
This summer I've read: Deception Point & "Angels & Demons" both by Dan Brown and both very good. A&D has the same main character as DaVinci Code (which I've yet to read). Read a couple of Stehpen King's Gunslinger books (5 & 6) - That's a great series of books if you're ever into some series reading. Not unlike his other books, but not like them either. Manchurian Candidate - very good. I enjoyed that one alot. I'm currently reading "A Death In The Family" by James Agee, having a hard time getting into it. The Demolished Man by Alfred Bester is a good one too. I've been working on "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez for a couple of years, I can read a few chapters in a spurt and then lose interest for awhile. I've never had that experience with a book before.
