I need recommendations...

Amanda9705 · Post by **Amanda9705** » 29 Jun 2008, 22:15

I need ideas for books to read...
Lately I've read:
Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse
Notes from the Midnight Driver
Perks of Being a Wallflower
Harry Potter
Nicholas Sparks books
Dave Pelzer books
Laurie Halse Anderson books
The Lovely Bones

I am open to all kinds of books...but suspense/romance are my favorite. If you could give a small description of the books that would be awsome! Thanks

Wordsgood · Post by **Wordsgood** » 05 Jul 2008, 09:42

First, this probably not what you had in mind by a snall blurb, but.... Second, I have posted this recommend elsewhere in here and it just occurred to me that you may not have seen it. This one has suspense, mystery and romance in it:

The Historian, by Elizabeth Kostova
Published 2005 by Little, Brown and Company
Time Warner Book Group

This is a fantasy fiction story and the author’s debut novel. Below are a couple of excerpts from the book's cover:

Late one night, exploring her father’s library, a young woman finds an ancient book and a cache of letters. The letters are all addressed to “My dear and unfortunate successor,” and they plunge her into a world she never dreamed of - a labyrinth where the secrets of her father’s past and her mother’s mysterious fate connect to an inconceivable evil hidden in the depths of history.

The letters provide links to one of the darkest powers that humanity has ever known - and to a centuries long quest to find the source of that darkness and wipe it out. It is a quest for the truth about Vlad the Impaler, the medieval ruler whose barbarous reign formed the basis of the legend of Dracula.

My dear and unfortunate successor:

It is with regret that I imagine you, whoever you are, reading the account I must put down here. The regret is partly for myself - because I will surely be at least in trouble, maybe dead, or perhaps worse, if this is in your hands. But my regret is for you also, my yet-unknown friend, because only by someone who needs such vile information will this letter be read. If you are not my successor in some other sense, you will soon be my heir - and I feel sorrow at bequeathing to another human being my own, perhaps unbelievable, experience of evil. Why I myself inherited it I don’t know, but I hope to discover that fact, eventually - perhaps in the course of writing to you or perhaps in the course of further events…

I recently finished this book, and while not normally the genre I would go for, I am SO glad I did. It's a great read and a real page turner. The plot is intricate, yet easily understood. The characters are well rounded and in some ways, it has a kind of Da Vince code feel about it. I think you would really like it.

Cheers.

Editor of Diary of Dating · Post by **Editor of Diary of Dating** » 08 Jul 2008, 22:04

I have a great book for you to read. It just came out last week. Its called Diary of Dating From a Beautiful Single Woman by D.G. Elizabeth.

Here is a little insite about the book - Finding Mr. Right isn't easy. Tall, short, dark, blond, serious, fun, intellectual, carefree, "old enough to be my father," "in between jobs." Sorting through it all takes patience, persistence, a sense of humor and a good bottle of wine (and for those really bad dates, a LOT of wine).

The text takes a contemporary look into the world of dating through the eyes of a beautiful single woman, as she keeps a dairy of her dating mishaps and adventures. She is confident, has no inhibitions, embraces her sexuality and yet she's still single. Dating athletes, lawyers and every Joe in between takes her through a string of hilariously bad dates. Along the way, she learns crucial lessons about what it is she really wants in a relationship and in life. A journey through the silly, sexy, playful world of dating and her quest to find Mr. Right. Will Samantha Scott be able to fulfill her long running quest? Read the book to find out.

It really is a great book. If you are interested in getting a copy, please either google Diary of Dating From a Beautiful Single Woman to get the link. They won't let me post the link on here just yet.

Happy Reading!

CassieXO · Post by **CassieXO** » 08 Jul 2008, 23:12

anything by Sarah Dessen
--she writes all sorts of dramatic teen love stories

Looking for Alaska by John Green
--Tells the story of 'Pudge' who goes to a bording school where he is mixed up in girls, drugs, and pulling pranks until a heart wrenching twist changes his life forever

twiedenfeld · Post by **twiedenfeld** » 13 Jul 2008, 16:57

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingslover

A family goes to Africa to convert them to Christianity and show them how to be civilized. The story is told in first person from the point of view of several of the characters, mostly the daughters.

Wordsgood · Post by **Wordsgood** » 13 Jul 2008, 20:07

The Historian - as described in my other recent post on this thread has both mystery/suspense and romance in it. I would defefintely recommend that one as fitting the bill of your choices description!

Biblioklept · Post by **Biblioklept** » 13 Jul 2008, 20:18

If you are looking for a good spiritual chew with a touch of sci-fi I recommend The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell.
It is both humorous and gut-wrenching. It's a really entertaining look at science meets religion and the troubles we face embracing religion when horrific events occur.

Delaney55 · Post by **Delaney55** » 16 Jul 2008, 11:59

If you like mystery or crime style mysteries I recommend:

Jonathan Kellerman
James Patterson

Any of their books are really good!

stripedtiger · Post by **stripedtiger** » 31 Jul 2008, 21:41

Any of Greg Isles' books.

My personal favorite The Third Degree.

It's amazing how perfectly woven the plot is! I can't do the plot justice without giving anything away but I'll try.

It's about a marriage and the events of 48 hours that are a complete 180 from the norm. There marriage seems so idealic but reality is far from picture perfect. The wife has to reaquaint herself with a husband whom has abandoned the morals he's had for a lifetime. You ask yourself if he's a hero or a monster in the end. It's not a clear cut choice!

Isles works the readers emotions so perfectly that I felt like an instrument being played by an expert musician (in a good way). How does this guy know what I'm thinking?

I've just learned I'm not good at blurbing!!!

RIMHfire · Post by **RIMHfire** » 04 Aug 2008, 22:12

I suggest anything by Scott Westerfeld.
Take a look at Life As We Knew It and the dead & the gone both my Susan Beth Pfeffer.
Anything by Kevin Brooks.
Artemis Fowl.
His Dark Materials Trilogy. The first book is the Golden Compass.
The Keeper's Son by Homer Hickham.

CharlotteG · Post by **CharlotteG** » 06 Aug 2008, 19:40

Hi Amanda,

So much to read, so little time!

If you like Nicholas Sparks, you'll love Richard Paul Evans!

I just read all the Women's Murder Club books by James Patterson again. I can't think of a James Patterson book I didn't like. Most of them are mysteries, but he throws you a curve once in a while, like "Sam's Letters to Jennifer" and "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas".

Another book I read, oh, maybe 100 years ago...no, but a real long time ago..is "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand. I loved that book! Very different for me...I think I may have to read it again.

Charlotte

perksofbeingme · Post by **perksofbeingme** » 07 Aug 2008, 00:01

Hello amanda! i am also amanda. you seem to enjoy a lot fo the books i like so i'd have to suggest jodi piccoult. pretty much every book ive read by her has been amazing a good starter is my sister's keeper, nineteen minutes is amazing the pact really sticks with you. theyre all interesting subject matter but im afraid to give a description because i dont want to give away too much. i hope that helps!

Hiril Isilme · Post by **Hiril Isilme** » 07 Aug 2008, 01:10

Hello there,

If you like suspense with romance, I can suggest Maggie Shayne's romantic suspense trilogy.

Thicker Than Water
Colder Than Ice
Darker Than Midnight

I found these to be very well written and more fiction than romance. Keeps you on your toes and keeps your nose in the book until you figure things out. They also gave me the chills...

flcollegeathl · Post by **flcollegeathl** » 26 Aug 2008, 16:15

I was walking by the local indie bookstore in Orlando and saw an author reading from his book. The book was a memoir called Dumbfounded and the author is Matt Rothschild. His reading was really funny so I got a copy (I'd never heard of him but he was in the paper). Anyway, if you love Sedaris, you'll love this guy.

Rothschild grew up in ritzy New York City, and definitely pokes fun at his upbringing. His grandmother is a riot. It's like Auntie Mame meets Fiddler on the Roof. I read it in two sittings. Laugh out loud funny.

onewrite · Post by **onewrite** » 28 Aug 2008, 03:19

If you would like to include a book of poetry to your books to read, may I recommend http://www.amazon.com/review/product/15 ... ewpoints=1

Critics have called this book one of the most formative poetic books of our time.[/url]