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My birthday's coming up, and I need a list. What I need help with is a list of books. I've read almost nothing but sci-fi and fantasy this year, and I want something a little different for the summer. So, who has suggestions for books? Keep in mind that I'll have to narrow it down to about five because if I ask for more than that my mom complains that my list is too "boring" and I need more "fun stuff." So, any books that you'd like to recommend, the fluffier the better since I'll be reading it during my time off at camp.
Posts: 1547 | Registered: Jan 2004
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lol! I actually have been meaning to read those though. I just wanted something a little different for over the summer.
Posts: 1547 | Registered: Jan 2004
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YA books? Any particular topic -- romance, adventure, horses . . . ?
Pending your answers, I recommend whatever Enid Blyton books are currently available in the US and L'Engle's Austins series.
[Edit: wow! Lots more Blyton stuff available than there used to be. And some is for young kids -- never read those. Aim for the ones with the word "Five" [addit: or "Seven"!] in the title.]
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I haven't read much in the way of YA stuff in the past two years or so, for two basic reasons: 1) Since I started reading OSC and other sci-fi stuff there's been no real reason to venture past the third row of the book store. 2) I'd been getting kind of fed up with how insanely flakey that stuff is. Some of it's good, but it's like some others are thinking, "Hey, I don't really have a plot or developed characters, why don't I just claim it's YA?"
That said, if anyone has any suggestions that happen to be in the YA section, I'll read them.
Posts: 1547 | Registered: Jan 2004
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I suggest "Lonesome Dove," if you've never read it. I figured I would hate it, but instead I loved it. The characters in it are wonderful, and it has lots of action as well. If you like it, there is also a prequel, which I just read and loved as much as the original. I'm getting ready to start on the third one. Anyway, it's a meaty book that's a fun read.
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Get the complete collection of PG Wodehouse's published works. If you don't like it, I'll buy it off you.
Posts: 22497 | Registered: Sep 2000
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I recommend Nicholas Nickleby and Oliver Twist. Those are my two favorites.
I also highly recommend anything by CS Lewis, including the Screwtape Letters and the Space Trilogy (even though it's SciFi...kind of. )
Those are all really pretty things for your collection. There are several really nice-looking collections of Edgar Allan Poe short fiction and poetry. I just got an old used collection of Mark Twain stuff and it's wonderful. I also recommend the short fiction of O. Henry.
Posts: 6415 | Registered: Jul 2000
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Jean Auel's Clan of the Cave Bear--the rest of the series drops of swiftly, but the first one is good.
James Michener's books for solid Historical fiction. And they are a good value, at penny per page rate. They usually log in at about 1000 pages each.
Gore Vidal is a bit grown up book, delving into the seemier sides of life. "Creation" was the most cynical book I've ever read. "Burr" and "Lincoln" are both good. Stay away from "Myra Breckenridge" if your mother is buying it.
Mysteries are great. I enjoy rediscovering Agatha Christie and anything by her. Ellery Queen is designed to get your brain going. Even Asimov's "Murder at the ABBA" is interesting, if you are in any way interested in a career in writing.
Posts: 11895 | Registered: Apr 2002
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I really like Barbara Kingsolver ( The Poisonwood Bible is probably the most literary - all the others are lighter, but very enjoyable. I especially recommend Prodigal Summer and The Bean Tree )
Others... well I think Tony's books are very good. Not that I'm biased. Or trying to do my best to extend their sales to the American market...