Best book you've read in the last year

[mperfct]

So what is it? I'm going on vacation next week and need to bring a great book along.

And I've already read Goodnight Moon.

I'd say the last book I've read that I liked was 47th Samurai, by Stephen Hunter. I'd like a spy/espionage book, but I'm up for whatever.

 

[Nemo128]

I've read too much in the last year, but one of my favorite books ever is Shogun by James Clavell.

Also, the original Bourne trilogy.

Sun Tzu's Art of War.

What kinds of books do you like?

 

[mperfct]

One of my favorites is HHGTTG. I read it every few years...I'm almost due again. I like all kinds of books: horror, spy novels, fantasy. Mostly fiction I suppose. I get enough reality throughout the day. I did enjoy Freakonomics though, even though it was pretty heavily criticized.

Maybe I'll read Sun Tzu's AoW. I've always kind of wanted too...despite my pacifist nature. I've heard the Bourne novels are quite a bit different than the movies as well, so maybe that's an option as well. All great suggestions.

 

[Nemo128]

Friend, the Bourne books are completely different than the movies! You don't know what you're missing! Believe me, I love the movies, but the books are something else. Ludlum's imagery and the depth he goes into for character development is great.

You'll be surprised by how much in Tzu's can be related to daily life, and how the most affective battle can be fought without physical bodies and violence. It's great if you want a thought-provoking look into warfare.

HHG I'm dying to read, and see the movie. Now I will have to since you brought it up.

I like a series of books known as The Fiddler Novels. AE Maxwell, husband/wife team, wrote them. Other than their massive overuse of the word pragmatic, I love those books.

20,000 Leagues is another of my favorite books. Just don't get a Puffin edition.

Believe it or not, the Eragon series is good. I like it a lot.

Not books exactly, but my list of graphic novels and limited series comics:

Watchmen
V for Vendetta
Preacher
The Boys
Rising Stars
Batman: The Killing Joke

Pretty much anything involving Allan Moore, Frank Miller, Garth Ennis, McFarlane, Jim Lee.

 

[mperfct]

Yea, you've got to read HHG. The movie was crap. Absolute complete crap compared to the book. You'll enjoy it immensely. I read it for the first time in 5th grade and have loved it ever since.

 

[Rickster71]

I enjoyed Freakonomics also.

For fiction: My wife has read all the Randy Wayne White books.
He is best known for his series of crime novels featuring the retired NSA agent Doc Ford, a marine biologist living on the Gulf Coast of southern Florida.

Non-fiction: Propaganda - 1928 Edward Bernays. Pioneered the scientific technique of shaping and manipulating public opinion.
It is a fascinating book, he tells of how he was hired by corporations and governments to manipulate the public.
I found it cheap on Amazon.

Rick

 

[droht]

So what is it? I'm going on vacation next week and need to bring a great book along.

And I've already read Goodnight Moon.

I'd say the last book I've read that I liked was 47th Samurai, by Stephen Hunter. I'd like a spy/espionage book, but I'm up for whatever.

This is a really good beach vacation book: Close to Shore. About shark attacks along Jersey shore in early 1900s. Basis for Jaws.

I'll second the Ludlum rec as well.

Another series of books that I highly recommend if you like history is the Flashman Papers by George MacDonald Fraser. Numerous novels about a fictitious Brit who becomes unwittingly involved in many of the major historic events of the 19th century. Funny stories intertwined with serious but entertaining history lessons. Just search "Flashman" on Amazon.

 

[darien87]

I've really gotten into Laura Joh Rowland's Sano Ichiro novels over the last couple of years. If you like murder mysteries, they're great. Think of Sherlock Holmes if he had been a Samurai.

I read Cell by Stephen King a couple of years ago and really liked that one. That would make a good movie if they do it right.

Also, if you like horror or vampire stories, try the Harry Keogh books by Brian Lumley. They kick the crap out of that Anne Rice junk.

 

[mperfct]

I've really gotten into Laura Joh Rowland's Sano Ichiro novels over the last couple of years. If you like murder mysteries, they're great. Think of Sherlock Holmes if he had been a Samurai.

I read Cell by Stephen King a couple of years ago and really liked that one. That would make a good movie if they do it right.

Also, if you like horror or vampire stories, try the Harry Keogh books by Brian Lumley. They kick the crap out of that Anne Rice junk.

That first options sounds great!

I actually read the Harry Keogh books when I was in junior high. I loved them, they were a great read. They'd be some kick-*** movies, if done properly.

 

[Matt34]

Lone Survivor was my favorite of 08. Haven't done much reading this year having the little one around.

 

[Matt34]

I liked the Cell also. That kind of genre is right down my alley.

The Art of War should be required reading.: )

 

[jostenmeat]

Great thread!

And I've already read Goodnight Moon.

My favorite book with "moon" in the title is Moon Palace by Paul Auster (who also did the films, "Smoke" and "Lulu On The Bridge", of which I only saw the former). I think I've read nearly everything he's written. Not everything he touched turned to gold, but a few things did.

I'd like a spy/espionage book, but I'm up for whatever.

I almost borrowed Cryptonomicon from a friend last week. Highly recommended by a couple of folks.

I never finished it, but Eco's Foucault's Pendulum read like a page turner.


Never read HHG, or saw the movie. But, I feel like I've read it! I know a bit about it, and recognize most allusions to it.

I've only heard good things about Freakonomics.

Art of War is a good read. Sometimes it seems obvious, but I think the simplicity is part of its strength.

Maybe the best non-fiction book I've read is A Civil Action, on which the movie was based. Now, that was a real page turner. Finished in a 24 hour period.

I was in a small book club a few years ago, and my quitting had the group dissolve. I think my addiction to AV and the forums were the leading culprits. We read Brothers Karamavoz, Moby ****, The History of Philosophy, The Blind Watchmaker, The Amazing Adventures of Cavalier and Clay, among others. By far and away, the hardest read we finished was Gravity's Rainbow. Purely insane, and a dictionary on hand is a must. The hardest read we could not complete was Ulysses. (I think we needed an annotated version, because WTF!).

 

[Alex2507]

I never finished it, but Eco's Foucault's Pendulum read like a page turner.

Quoted for being the weirdest thing I've read in a while.

In the last year I've read a few books out of the bible but the most enjoyable read I have had was today in the waiting room of a shrink's office. No I wasn't there for myself and the book was Curious George Makes Pancakes. I couldn't wait to mention it in the boring thread but then I find this thread instead.

It's a sign I tell you, a sign.

 

[mperfct]

I honestly thought LotR was a hard read too. There is so much detail in the books it takes several reads to really appreciate everything that Tolkien created. Plus every character has like seven names, which doesn't help.

 

[Nemo128]

In the last year I've read a few books out of the bible but the most enjoyable read I have had was today in the waiting room of a shrink's office. No I wasn't there for myself and the book was Curious George Makes Pancakes.

Thanks for making me ROFL at work.

That kind of genre is right down my alley.

Hey hey, keep this thread G rated, we don't want to know about what's down your alley or up your alley or in your alley or comes out of your alley.

 

[agarwalro]

Catch 22 - Joseph Heller
The Gargoyle - Andrew Davidson

 

[droht]

In the last year I've read a few books out of the bible but the most enjoyable read I have had was today in the waiting room of a shrink's office. No I wasn't there for myself and the book was Curious George Makes Pancakes. I couldn't wait to mention it in the boring thread but then I find this thread instead.

It's a sign I tell you, a sign.

I love it when George hides with the stuffed animals and no one can find him!

Not to threadjack too much, but for kids books I have a couple of good recommendations:

The Tale of Custard the Dragon - Ogden Nash, of all people
The Gruffalo - Julia Donaldson
Charlie Cook's Favorite Book - Julia Donaldson

I really enjoy reading to my four year old, but a truly special moment came the other day. She asked if I would put on some music. I asked her what she wanted to listen to (fearing Elmo or the like; hoping for Laurie Berkner). Her reply "Bob Marley". Beautiful!


----end of jack----

 

[Nomo]

Yamaha RX-V1800 users manual.
Fantastic comedy. Wonderful ending.
All in all a great engrish translation of a Hentai classic.

 

[darien87]

I honestly thought LotR was a hard read too. There is so much detail in the books it takes several reads to really appreciate everything that Tolkien created. Plus every character has like seven names, which doesn't help.

Don't forget the singing. Geez, it's like reading a Disney movie.

 

[speakerman39]

Playboy-now I ONLY get it for the articles!!!!!! Yeah right! I must say, however, that the articles are ummmm interesting.


Cheers,

Phil