Looking for Book to Read
 

You folks gave me such great feedback in my Looking for TV Series to Watch thread I figured I'd do the same regarding my search for a good book to read...

I read quite a bit and of course have my favorite authors and such, but I'm very interested in what all you readers out there consider your favorites. I like mysteries, thrillers, science fiction on occasion, but I'm absolutely open to all genres. Guess I've said enough. Can't wait to 'hear' what you have to 'say'. :icon_wink:

May I suggest Erik Larson. I have seen a review that called him “the master of narrative non-fiction.”

Larson somehow weaves a “story” in with his non-fiction topic. His research is meticulous, but he makes non-fiction read like a novel. (He, of course, includes an extensive bibliography of his reference sources.)

The one I read was The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America. (pub. date 2003)

Serial killers and true crime are not my thing to read about, but I could not put this book down. Set in 1893 at the Chicago World’s Fair, Larson tells the true story of a psychopath, but most of the book is about the fair itself and the people who planned it — and the human nature of the crowds who attended.

That is the only Larson I have read, but Mr. Boomer has read almost all of them. His recent read was the newest one by Larson, The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz. (pub. 2020) When he starts reading a book by Larson, he finishes it fast.

Thunderstruck (pub. 2006) is about Marconi along with the story of what the synopsis calls “a very unlikely murderer.”

Isaac’s Storm: A Man, A Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History (pub. 1999) is about the hurricane that hit Galveston in 1900.

In the Garden of the Beast: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler’s Berlin (pub. 2011)

Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania (pub. 2015)

I included the publication dates because you might be able to find a “gently used” copy at a good price — if you are into book-books. :) (I have become increasingly into Audible and Kindle but know many others who like a book in their hands.) The Fruitland Park branch of Lake Co. Public Library used to have a nice store, but I have not been in for a while.

You can learn a lot of history from Larson, but there is nothing dry about the way he writes it.

Marian Boomer

The Astronaut Wives Club by Lily Koppel. The original Seven

True story, have read it three times. To read the thoughts of these 7 brave women, who endured more than the public would ever know. The bond they formed to support each other, mostly without help of NASA.

I am old school science fiction, Asimov, Heinlein, Haldeman, et al.

I made a couple exceptions and love Harry Potter and Hobbit/lord of the Rings.

Pillars of the Earth, Ken Follett.
If you enjoy this one, there are many more.

If you can find it, try Condominium by John D. MacDonald published in 1977 and 2014. A novel, but very similar to what recently happened in Florida

I just ordered it from Audible. On Amazon it is available only on Kindle and Audible. But maybe the library has it.

It’s a biggun — an almost 19 hour listen, but I can put in my Airpods and get some other things done. The Kindle description said 588 pages.

This will be my first John D. MacDonald. I am looking forward to it. Thank you, retiredguy123.

Boomer

The Rose Code

All of these are great, not necessary to read 'em in order but it helps.

Mark Greaney - Gray Man series
Philip Kerr - Bernie Gunther series
Robert Crais - Elvis Cole series

easy ones are
Jack Reacher by Lee Child,
Harry Bosch by Michael Connelly
Spenser by Robert B. Parker
Joseph Finder (mostly standalone novels)

Know most of these authors and enjoyed reading them. Might I add a few more:

Christopher Reich
Vince Flynn (Mitch Rapp series)
Brian Haig

"A Land Remembered". A favorite of both my husband and myself. An historical novel of the early settling of Florida with a great story of settler ranchers and Seminole Indians. Gave us an entire new picture of Florida.

For an easy fun read , Valerie Plum. It takes place in a seedy town of New Jersey she is a - well I won't say what that's half the fun of it and there's a large series of her books. They actually made a movie out of one of them. It's not what I call fine literature just a fun read

Good Reads
 

American Dirt by Cummins
Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King
The Round House by Erdrich
Defending Jacob by Landay
Where the Crawdads Sing by Owens
Suspect by Crais (great for dog lovers too)

While I primarily read science fiction, some of the best books I've read are from Robin Hobb which are not SF. The FarSeer trilogy is the first three of 12 great books, each trilogy can stand on it's own however. Try Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb, you will like it.

It's a Fantasy series and while there is magic and sorta has dragons(it's complicated), it's a lot deeper than all that.

My wife and I loved the books so much we named our dog after the main character, Fitz. Who was the illegitimate child of one of the princes and became an apprentice to the king's assassin. It turns out the there are two magic lines in this universe, Wit and Skill. They are both joined in Fitz although he is pretty much unaware of this for much of his early life.

By the end of books, you will absolutely adore Fitz, The Fool, Burrich and specially Night Eyes.

I can’t find this book. I really want to read it as my name was Valerie Plumb and I am from New Jersey. Any suggestions? Thanks

One of my favorite books. A great read about a family escaping the War between the states. It is remarkable of their survival with the help of the Seminoles.

Maybe books by Janet Evanovich?…although I think her character was Stephanie Plum?

Books to read
 

John Grisham and James Patterson books are all good reads. Patterson books move fast and you can be finished reading a book in one or two days. Grisham books take a little bit longer to finish. Hope that helps

I normally stay away from this type of book, but I picked up the Brad Meltzer/Josh Mensch book "The First Conspiracy - The Secret Plot to Kill George Washington". I found it as an e-book on the Sumter County Library system. I'm almost through with it, and it has grabbed my attention.

You should join one of the many book clubs. They are a great resource and you will meet a lot of new people with common interests

Jonathan Cahn has 2 books that I found to be sooo spellbinding that I have read them both a second time. “The Harbinger” and “The Harbinger II”. The word harbinger is another word for “warning”. Be amazed.

Good Reads
 

Anything by Nelson Demille, especially The Gold Coast. His books are full of adventure and fun. He's my favorite.

Try the Florida comic novelist Carl Hiassen. All of his novels are delightful and outrageous and the essence of Florida. If you like fishing, read his “Double Whammy”, which is about high level bass fishing in our part of Florida. So much fun.

If you're up for something a little different, I heartily recommend"The Bookshop of Yesterdays" by Amy Meyerson. I'm almost at the end and it's been a real page turner.

Anything by Michael Connelly.

Also “The Professor and the Madman” by Simon Winchester about the amazing collaboration to compile every word in the English language — pre-computer or even typewriter — for the first ever Oxford English Dictionary. It is also a great movie currently on Netflix.

Sarum by Edward Rutherford is historical fiction. It follows several families throughout centuries in England, beginning in time when the island was still connected to the mainland. I read it after a visit to England, when all the sights were still strong in my mind, and this book explained the why’s, who’s, and how. He’s a wonderful story teller and paints beautiful pictures for your mind. He has many other history fiction also.
Another old author is Wilber Smith. Exciting, historical fiction.

Any books by

Malcolm Gladwell
Michael Lewis

non fiction reads. . .

… how about the Bible!

It's Stephanie Plum, the author is Janet Evonavich, they are a great fun & funny read. Try to read in order as the characters become more developed as the series progresses. I've embarrassingly laughed out in a crowded waiting room.

I enjoy reading Mary Higgins Clark books. All are mysteries.

Books
 

Lee Child
Also try ‘West with Giraffes’ based on true story of giraffes traveling from NYC to Cal.in the 30s

Any Janet Evanovich book They’re all numbered. Start at the first

BOOK WOMAN OF TROUBLESOME CREEK
by Kim Michele Richardson

Of course, OUTLANDER by Diana Gabaldon

Absolutely! Really enjoyed this. The author really did some research.

The Cimbri Series at Amazon.com, Three stand alone books that track each other
 

The Spirits of Cimbri, Attack on Cimbri, and The Flames of Cimbri on Amazon.com, Like "Game of Thrones" and "The Three Musketeers rolled into one. Strong personal stories and outstanding battle scenes. Each is a stand alone , but each follows one another

The Cimbri Series at Amazon.com (Three stand alone books that track each other)
 

If you're looking for for a different interesting read, then"Chasing Shadows", by Ron Miller at Amazon.con. Great historical murder/mystery with an unusual twist. High drama and surprise ending.

I think the poster meant STEPHANIE PLUM. Author is Janet Evanovich. Book #28 will be out in the Fall.

kathy

It’s the Stephanie Plum series …the Author is Janet Evanovich

For a fun read ... mindless entertainment, Janet Evanovich series featuring Stephanie Plum. Fairly comical with a bit of mystery and suspense thrown in.

Serious mystery but not gruesome, books by Louise Penney regarding Inspector Gamache. New one is coming out in August. I have read all the existing ones.

Yes, it is Janet Evanovich the author and Stephanie Plum the character. Book number 28 is arriving November 8.