What book should I read next? (Details inside)?

Question

I work a pretty laid back third shift job that gives me an insane amount of time to read. I started the job last week and read through Jimmy Buffett's "Where is Joe Merchant?" and thought it was good. Right now I am reading Flags Of Our Fathers and would like to hear suggestions for what I should read next.

I'd prefer fiction (I plan to read fiction then nonfiction then fiction etc). A good mystery might interest me (I've read Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons, I liked them but don't particularly like Dan Brown).

A while ago I read the first 3 Harry Potter books and liked them, I'd consider reading through the series.

I love Stephen King. I read The Shining and it scared the piss out of me. Although, I work third shift security and walk around an empty office building so horror might not sit well with me...

Bonus question: What nonfiction book do you recommend after this next fiction book? I love Flags Of Our Fathers so far and am interested in learning more about American history (also was/military history).

I'm sorry, I meant to type war/military history in the last detail.

Also, in regards to nonfiction, I read "Salam Pax: The Clandestine Diary of an Ordinary Iraqi" and loved it. Can you also recommend any books like that?

Answer 1

I would definitely recommend finishing the Harry Potter series. For some grown up fun, if you don't mind graphic violence, you should check out Lee Child. His main character is named Jack Reacher. He's a former MP who got Riffed out of the Army and is basically a Rambo/McGyver/James Bond type of guy. Fast paced, funny, and informative. For non fiction, you might try Frank McCourt, the Angela's Ashes guy. Only guy I know who can make misery funny. You gotta love him. Good luck.
PS. I thought of a few more. Try "THe CUrious Incident of the Dog in the Night" a mystery told from the perspective of an autistic boy. Also, think about "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini. I thought I was going to hate it, but can't recommend it highly enough! Also, the guy who wrote "Jarhead" is named Swofford. Happy reading!!

Answer 2

Fiction: Well, have you ever heard of Ted Dekker or Frank E. Peretti. They are two very good fiction writers.

Ted Dekker books:
Blessed Child (2000)
A Man Called Blessed (2000)
Heaven's Wager (2000)
When Heaven Weeps (2001)
'"Thunder of Heaven (2002)
Blink (2003)
Thr3e (2003)
Black (2004)
Red (2004)
White (2004)
Obsessed (2005)
Project: Showdown (2006)


Frank E. Peretti books:
This Present Darkness
Tilly
Piercing the Darkness
Prophet
The Oath
The Visitation
Monster

Now both of these writers came together recently to write a fiction called House. The buzz on this book is that this is the best both men have written.

Nonfiction: Sorry don't read a lot of those.

Hope my answer helps you.

Answer 3

Since you liked The Davinici Code and Angels & Demons, there are several fictional novels in the same genre that may appeal to you. The Secret Supper by Javier Sierra which deals with Leonardo painting the mural and how it gets tangled with murders etc. You may also like 2 novels by Steven Berry, the first being The Templar Legacy which is along similar lines to the Davinci Code but they are looking for the lost Treasure of the Temple of Solomon. His other book is the Third Secret.

Would also recommend you look at any of the novels (including the co authored versions of Clive Cussler. He has very interesting characters and plots which alway center around the oceans.

Answer 4

If you enjoy fantasy and Stephen King, you might enjoy his Dark Tower series. It's less horror and more fantasy.

If you're interested in American history, I'd try any of the novels by Jeff Shaara, especially The Killer Angels or Gods and Generals, both of which are set during the Civil War and wonderfully historically accurate. For non-fiction, I'd try Brokaw's The Greatest Generation.

Answer 5

Non-fiction - A People's History of The United States by Howard Zinn was excellent. I also liked Jarhead by that guy whose name I can't spell correctly.

Fiction - I don't think we'd have the same taste. This is a fiction work based on history - In The Time of The Butterflies by Julia Alvarez. It's my favorite book. And you surely do want to finish the HP series.

Answer 6

I really enjoyed the Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde as it was a very funny and clever book, in fact the whole series is brilliant. I would also recommend Terry Pratchett's diskworld series because if you're working in am empty office at least no-one will hear you laughing out loud. I keep getting caught like this and it can be very embarrassing, especially on the bus!

Answer 7

I know you said that you don't particularly like Dan Brown but I just finished his novel called Deception Point and it was great. I went int to it with no expectations and it totally sucked me in. I ended up reading it in 2 day's when it would have probably taken me a week.... with work/school/life etc....

also... I thought we were talking about books not being saved by Jesus pilgrim_153. I think you are a little off base. Perhaps you should read The Origin of the Species by: Charles Darwin???

Answer 8

For your next history, I'd recommend either 1776 by David McCullough -- a fine history of a year primarily known for the signing of the Declaration of Independence -- but it was also a pivotal year for the Continental Army and American diplomacy or His Excellency, George Washington by Joseph J. Ellis, the first president's life story before he became President (though that's there too).

Answer 9

"The Historian" by Elizabeth Kostova was a good book...it's fiction. At the moment I'm reading "Dreams from my Father" by Barak Obama...that's turning out to be interesting as well. The Harry Potter books are excellent reads too.

Answer 10

if you have a lot of time on your hands i would very much recommend george r.r. martin's fantasy saga, a song of ice and fire.

they're good, juicy, intelligent, sexy, political, cut-throat, fast-paced, GREAT characters, plot twists, and oh yeah, they get better as the series goes on!!!!

start with A Game Of Thrones and go from there. By the time you get through the ones he's already written, he may have come out with Dance With Dragons.

for the money, you just can't get better. i'd recommend a hardover, though - they're pretty big novels and i tend to wear out the paperbacks.

oh and yes of COURSE the rest of the harry potter series!

here's envying your time to read!