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Can anyone recommend me a good book to read????
Posted by kaorispoon • 8/20/09 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: books
I like non fictions, biographies, psychology (!!!!), conspiracy stuff..
Any recommendations?
PS I cant do thick books that are over like 800 pages I get too overwhelmed.
User Comments
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oh yea! The 5 people you meet in Heaven!-
Oh I loved that book! I love the way he writes too. But it was disappointing when they decided to make a movie out of it. So unnecessary
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I know I knoow! The movie ruined the book. Well no it didn't...I see it my way every time,so haha lifetime network
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That was a great read. He also wrote Tuesdays With Morrie, which I liked just as much.
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Not really a "conspiracy" nor up your alley, but the book I was most obsessed with over the last few years was:
"How Can Man Die Better? The Secrets of Isandhlwana Revealed"
Basically, it attempts to reconstruct the final moments of the 1st battallion/24th foot (and one unlucky company of the 2nd battallion)during the massacre that was the battle of Isandhlwana, and to question long standing assumptions of that engagement.
Like most things in history - just when you think you know everyting about an event, somethign pops up that makes you question the whole thing all over again.
For decades, the story was that the British were caught out in the open, quickly enveloped on both flanks, and that due to overheating rifles and lack of ammunition the Zulus were able to put to them to the sword (spear)rather easily.
Lt. Col. Mike Snook (himself a ranking historian of the 24th regiment - now the South Wales Borderers) looks past the typical sources used to construct the battle (namely, the handful of accounts from survivors who fled the scene) and instead focuses on battlefield evidence, the lay of the land, actual accounts of the battlefield during burial missions that followed, and surprisingly, the few Zulu accounts of the battle that survive - which (equally surprisingly) nobody bothered to document in the years following the battle.
It becomes clear that the struggle, while never really in doubt, was much longer in duration than we may have assumed, and that judging from where most of the bodies were found, it seems clear that unit cohesion was maintained during a sustained withdrawal from their original firing lines back to the tent lines of the camp itself - which could not have been accomplished at bayonet point alone (which suggests the ammunition flow/weapon malfunction elements of the battle have been blown out of proportion for ages).
The result is a gut wrenching tour de force (admittedly, largely speculative)that takes you painstakingly through the final moments of each inidividual rifle company, all the way through their respective "last stands" as tiny islands of red dotted amongst the landscape.
Either that or I could recommend some Gettysburg related books.
Told ya I'm the biggest nerd you've ever met. -
WHOAA Thank you for that super detailed review! I'll go look for them when I go visit the bookstore again, I'm sorry about the late response I didn't notice your post despite the length. I'm still getting used to this forum as you can tell hahahah I'm such a computer illiterate.
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Newyork times.Midday express.Colash cabinet.Ups! It won't give you much art.Full of speech,controversy,conspiracy ,sport,sex,many more.many fabulous contributors.I recmnd these -
Probably the best non-fiction book I ever read was The Life You Save Could Be Your Own: An American Pilgrimage. It's an intertwined biography of authors Thomas Merton, Flannery O'Connor and Walker Percy and activist Dorothy Day. It is long--not sure whether or not it's over 800 pages--but it's really not dense or daunting at all.-
I just looked that one up on google and it had so many great reviews! Thanks
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There's a wonderful book available on Amazon called Adopting Alesia: My Crusade for My Russian Daughter. Here's more about it:
"When single 40-something Dee Thompson's choir went to Russia, she never thought she would meet a little girl who would become her daughter. An energetic 11 year old blonde waif captured her heart, and she returned home determined to find a way to become a mother. Despite a job layoff, an uncaring boyfriend, a lack of money, an unsympathetic agency, and a host of other problems. Dee persevered, and eventually brought home a Russian adolescent, her new daughter Alesia. This is the story of that tumultuous journey." -
I just read a fun book when I was up in Maine--this was light reading but it was a good book, well written--and such an interesting plot.
It's called "The Mirror" by Marlys Millhiser--it is a novel about two women who are lost in time. A grandmother and her granddaughter are transposed into each other's life through the mechanism of an evil mirror (hence the name). The granddaughter goes back to the turn of the century and is struggling in rural Colorado--and the grandmother is thrust back into her granddaughter's time (the late 1970's--this book is an older book) to modern day Boulder, CO.
The characters are well developed, the book is historically interesting, and it is very well written. I was also reading a lot of psychology textbooks over the last week so this was a nice diversion--this book was completely fun and light--just what I was looking for.
It's not a 'deep' book--but a good one.-
Melinda, this sounds like a book my daughter would enjoy--do you think it's appropriate (content-wise) for a thirteen-year-old?
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Tiffany, I really do think it would be appropriate. There are a couple of references to sex in the book (the grandmother who goes into the future is a virgin and the granddaughter is not--and actually the grandmother finds herself in her granddaughter's pregnant (and unmarried) body in the future. There's also a part in the book where the granddaughter loses her virginity (she is in the grandmother's body) but the author doesn't go into any kind of detail with it.
I think I would allow my 13 year old to read it--and I know she would enjoy the book. It's such a compelling story. And the author is a very good writer--it's historically very accurate. It's a well researched book. -
I love time traveling plots, although I haven't read the time traveler's wife yet. thanks for this info!
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Thanks, Melinda. I will look for it.
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i'm reading "Girls Like Us" by Sheila Weller - it's about how Carole King, Jodi Mitchell, and Carly Simon helped change their generation.
it's really awesome!-
Oh, I think I would like to read that!
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Checked this out from the library today. Thanks for mentioning it!
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I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou is a great book.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Know_Why_the_Caged_Bird_Sings-
wow this looks like a really good read.... I should definitely check it out, thank you
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I will post it to you, if you like? I like passing on books once I have read them.
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Oh yea and wisdom of our fathers...tim russertt its awesome
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This book, sounds amazing...... On my amazon list Now!!!!! Thanks!!!!
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"Enjoy your Symptom!" by Slavoj Zizek. -
I'm currently reading "The yellow house: Van Gogh, Gauguin and nine turbulent weeks in Arles." by Martin Gayford.
I would definitely recommend it.-
Thanks, I will! I still haven't gotten around to finding out why that great man had to cut off his ear. This book seems like a good way to find out
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I love creative non-fiction.
"Running with Scissors, Year of Magical Thinking, Dry and Wolf at the Table" by Augusten Burroughs
"Naked, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, When You Are Engulfed in Flames" by David Sedaris
If you like political humor, Sarah Vowell's "Partly Cloudy Patriot"-
I haven't read any of david sedaris' books. I'm missing out. Dry seems like a good book too!
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David Sedaris is brilliant humorist. If you can, get the audio books as well as print. David Sedaris reads all his own work on audio, and it's THE way to hear it. His timing is brilliant and perfect. There is a reason he is the most popular contributor on NPR.
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I liked very much of "red dog" de louis bernieres
but I read that a long time ago..-
I'll check it out love dogs I prefer dogs over cats. I love kittens though, just not cats....
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Girl you need MARY HIGGANS CLARK!! She is the BIZNOMB
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How to build a Multi-Level Money Machine by Randy Gage -
Haha alright! I think I'm going to read Dashing Through the Snow! I have this weird obsession with Christmas seasons...
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the world's wealthiest losers by margaret nicholas:)
or
the world's greatest unsolved crimes by roger boar and nigel blundell -
Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki. It will change you're life!-
I bought that book a few years ago but never touched it since! And i left it at my parents' house back in the philippines. Booooo I'd have to wait until winter.
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"Cold in the Light" by Charles Gramlich. Suspenseful pageturner.-
awesome, thanks!!!
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I read almost all non-fiction
Here's two I have enjoyed
Remix by Lawrence Lessig
The Pleasure of Finding Things Out by Richard P. Feynman -
Fiction, I highly recommend "the Kite Runner" and "A Thousand Splendid Suns". Both fantastic.
I also love Yann Martel. "Life of Pi" is probably my favorite novel of the past 10 years.-
I loved The Life of Pi, except for the ending. It seemed like a cheap dodge to me. I want a firm ending, damnit! -
Pervert!
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"Beyond Good and Evil" is my obsession, It is the best philosophy book ever written in my opinion.-
I'm actually reading the will to power right now. its taking me forever but i love it!!
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The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Hinds Feet On High Places by Hannah Hurnard-
I have read The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and it's one of my favorites.
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maybe it's just where i live but borders have such a small selection in store! hmph
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I'm currently reading Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder. Its a great philosophy/fiction book. Almost like a textbook in a storybook kind of way. Its a bit draggy through the textbook bits but the storyline keeps you reading for sure! Let me know if you've heard of it or plan to try it! I'm halfway through the book myself!-
Every time I ask for a book recommendation, somebody would always mention Sophie's World and yet I STILL forget about it everytime I'm at a book store! Thank you for reminding me I'll make sure to check it out this week
xx
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Thinking of your other thread...have you ever read "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time"? The narrator is a teenage boy who has autism.-
Ahhh!!! Thank you!! I've been looking for other good autism books, thanks thanks thanks
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You mentioned conspiracies - have you read The Traveller, a thriller about the sinister rise of surveillance technology and the "Vast Machine"
written by anonymous, off-the-grid author John Twelve Hawks?-
No but that sounds interesting. I've never read any thriller books I should start off with that one. By the way why did he publish it as an anonymous but giving it someone else's name? I don't get it
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Also if you're looking for autism themes I would recommend Speed Of Dark by Elizabeth Moon.
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There was a lot of speculation about who he actually is, I don't think he's ever been unmasked. In an interview he described John Twelve Hawks as an "adopted name."
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The Lovely Bones - it's an amazing book. A film has been made for this due to come out soon. Not sure if it will be as good as the book but i'm hopeing it is. The book made me cry so i'm thinking the film will make me even worse at the cinema!!
I've also read all the books by Cecilia Ahern, all her books are great!
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OOO I should read it before the movie comes out. I have this thing against movies on books unless they're like really good or they just become one of my guilty pleasures like harry potter hahaahaha
(but most sad movies are always good because they make me cry no matter what )
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The Bible. It's a true story btw. Non-fiction. -
I recently read a collection of short stories and novellas by Orson Scott Card, Keeper of Dreams that was fantastic. They are more fantasy than science fiction and were amazingly well-written. They also led me to read Magic Street, as the title story of the collection is sort of the basis of the novel, which I loved.
Also, take a look at Ann Patchett's Bel Canto, which is a beautiful story about love, relationships, and, well, being held hostage. It's a strange premise and the story is extremely well-written.-
the word dream always gets my attention haha. that's going on my amazon listtt thank yoou!
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I really enjoyed "Out" by Natsuo Kirino.
It has its moving moments and a lot of craziness to it. You might like it.-
Is that a Japanese book? Sounds familiar.
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The author is Japanese, but the book is in English and very interesting. That book reinforced my fear of women.
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Cool! I'll look into it, thanks. And women aren't scary! I think we like to b tch and complain more than we like to intimidate men.
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If you like comedic style type of writing, get anything from David Sedaris. I find his writing excellent as well as his delivery to make you laugh! -
'Tis by Frank Mccourt and also Angela's Aches (which I am reading next) 'Tis is about Frankie's life (born in the US) growing up in Limerick, Ireland, after his father abandonned their mother with 4 young sons, surviving poverety, hunger, an alcholic country, the US Army, an alchoholic community in NYC, being a teacher, marrying and having a child, etc...
The subject of the book should make you cry but it is so funny. I would read it late at night with a flashlight and explode in laughter so loud, my husband would make me read the funny passages to him.
I decided to write him a letter but after I finished it and looked for an address online, I learned that he passed away the day I picked up the book at the library (July, 19)
I cried and I don't know him so read his books.-
i loved Angela's Ashes. it's a very good book. -
i'll read it. i saw half of the movie on showtime last month but i wanted to read the book first. please read 'this.
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That sounds like a really sad but insightful book I should read that. And I'm sorry to hear about not being able to send the letter
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if you love shopping and really don't want heavy reading, get The Lucky Shopping Manual. it's amazing!
if you want a book book (haha), i recently read "American Wife" by Curtis Sittenfeld and loved it. it's based on the life of laura bush and it's such an interesting story.
Claire Messud's "The Last Life" is also a good book. -
Try reading twilight. its a thick book but you will get right into it and be done with it by the end of the week
you'll like it -
"Message from the masters " by Dr. Brian Weiss
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Great recommendation! I just looked it him and his book sounds like something I'd definitely enjoy. Thank you!!!!!!
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Great recommendation! I just looked it him and his book sounds like something I'd definitely enjoy. Thank you!!!!!!
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You mentioned you are into psychology. If this includes hypnosis then it has to be Dave Elmans Hypnotherapy.-
Yes Anything psychology philosophy spirituality.. I love that stuff.
Thank you for that recommendation I'm really interested!!!
Is it about a hypnotherapist? -
Dave Elman, I guess you could call him an early innovator of modern hypnosis and speed-trance. It was written in 1964 but is still very relevant today. Fascinating book, well I think so, enjoy if you decide to but.
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So long as you're into non-fiction, why not "Undaunted Courage" by Stephen Ambrose. It's a biography of Meriwether Lewis, so most of the book is taken up by telling the story of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The best kinds of stories are the real ones!-
"The best kinds of stories are the real ones!" - I agree! thanks for the recommendation I'll check it out
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you want a non fiction conspiracy book?-
I like both. Non fiction preferably, history or biography. I also Love psychology, and philosophy. Books I can really learn from
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The world is Flat-
Ahhh i can't do economics haha if only i were smarter
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Leadership Lessons from the Civil War by Wheeler -
Hi Kaorispoon,
Check out my blog which is all about my new book, which is about a brand new theory of life called "LIfe Cycles". You can order it through me. I guarantee you'll be fascinated, but do look me over first on www.lifecyclescollege.com Hope to hear back, Neil.-
Cool congratulations on your book publication! I'm looking at your website right now
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"Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" -John Berendt may be the most captivating writer of non-fiction character ever. And it will make you want to go to Savannah, which is one of the most intriguing cities in theAmericas. It's gotten even cooler since the Savannah College of Art and Design has unleashed 9000 art students there, totally hipping the scene (world's largest art school).-
Is it really the world's largest?? I had no idea haha. A few of my professors actually taught there too a couple of yrs ago. Thats awesome, I hear its gorgeous out there too.
I'll check out that book. I'm reading some of its reviews online, they're all good stuff. I've never heard of it but apparently it's even been out in the movies?.. I feel like I am missing out on a lot
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A New Earth - Eckhart Tolle.-
We read a chapter or two from that book during one of my philosophy classes!!!! ITS GOOOD!!!!!
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read about the heavenly calling of saints and the return of Jesus Christ in the Book of Hebrews (King James Bible)
heavenlycalling.wordpress.com/ -
Hello there kaorispoon,
I can certainly recommend 10-10-10 by Suzie Welch. At first, I avoided buy this book because I thought it was "just another self-help" book that would be read and then put on the shelf but Mrs. Welch really has several good pieces of advice and the methodology makes good sense.
I think this one is a keeper.
Thanks,
Bob J.-
Awesome thanks!!! i'll check it out. Yeah I know what you mean about the "self help" kinds, I've been kind of ufff with self-help books they're getting overrated, I feel like its getting harder to find actual insightful ones nowadays.
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The Revolution: Osho on Kabir-
OSHO'S THE MAN!!!!! I love him!!!!!!
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Hi Kaorispoon,
I hope you got some idea of what the book's about. It's a brand new theory of life with 25 new terms and icons. It's also an integrated system of knowledge with it's own charts, reaseach methods and form of prediction. Also if you're into conspiracy the whole book itself is an enigma that you only come to realise as you read it. I hope we can speak further, Neil.
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