What's your recommendation for a good book to read?

Question

I've been working on my graduate degree for the last several months, but the semester is coming to a close and I am going to have about four weeks to read whatever I want to read (rather than something I've been assigned to read). I will be on vacation most of the time I am away from school and will have plenty of time to read a good book on the beach. I really want to read a good book, something really entertaining and enjoyable. So, my question is what's the best book you have ever read? I've read everything Tom Clancy has ever written, the entire Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling (highly recommended by my 14 year old nephew) and most recently "The Da Vinci Code" by Dan Brown. As you can see, I'm pretty much open to anything as long as it's not a college text book. So, any suggestions?

To address the comments of one particular respondent: Yes, I read “The Da Vinci Code” and I understood it to be a work of fiction and as such pure rubbish. I read the Holy Bible constantly. But thanks for your comments anyway.

Answer 1

It's hard to settle one just one ideal book to recommend ... but I'll try.

Analysing the books you say you've enjoyed, I'd say you like something mysterious/adventurous - not overly high-brow or literary, that you'd enjoy something with a host of puzzling clues, and aren't averse to reading a children's book if it has a really good plot.

Have you tried "Justin Thyme" by Panama Oxridge? Like HP, it's a kids'/teens' book, but with its chapters split up by some very thought-provoking theories about time it has definite crossover-adult appeal too. With a style of writing not unlike a J K Rowling, it's easy and fun to read - ideal for a vacation. It's chock-full of puzzling clues, codes and hidden secret messages that give "The Da Vinci Code" a run for its money ... and it even has an ambigram on the front cover!

I bought a copy off amazon.co.uk for my kids ... but after reading the first few chapters out loud to them at bedtimes, I was unable to wait for just one chapter per evening and found myself compelled to hijack it and read on throughout the entire night!!!

Hope that helps. And, (if he hasn't read it already), you can even loan it to your 14 year-old nephew when you've finished!!!!

Answer 2

The Alchemist, Zahira- Paulo Coelho
The Fountainhead, Atlas Shrugged- Ayn Rand
Art of War- Sun Tzi
The World is Flat- Thomas Friedman
Deception Point, Digital Fortress- Dan Brown (Same guy who wrote Da Vinci)

Answer 3

The Lifegaurd The Beach House Kiss the Girls all by James Patterson

The Time Travelers Wife by Aundry Niffenegger (sp)

im picky about books but these were all amazing

Answer 4

Ok i have three really good ones:

One: The Myst Reader byRand and Robyn Millar with David Wingrove
It contains three books in it, The Book of Atrus, The Book of Ti'ana, and the Book of D'ni. The ages of the Myst are worlds of adventure and awe; of mystery and beauty; of intrigue and betrayal. You will travel to wonderful new ages; you will watch as the unimaginable comes to pass; and you will read a story that until recently has been kept a secret for thousands of years.

Two-Eragon by Christopher Paolini
One boy
One Dragon
A world of Adventure
It's about a boy named Eragon who finds a blue stone in a forest. At first he thinks he can trade it for money for his family. But when the egg hatches into a dragon and Eragon stmbles upon a leagcy nearly as old as the empire it's self. Overnight his life is thrusted into a perilous world of destiny, magic, and power. He only has help from an old storyteller. Over his journey he learns more and more of the legendary dragon riders. (This book is actually becoming a movie on dec. 15 )

Three- Eldest by Christopher Paolini (book after Eragon)
Darkness falls
Swords clash
Evil reigns
Eragon must futher his training as a dragon rider. It is the journey of a lifetime, filled w/ awe-inspiring new places and ppl, each day a new adventure. But chaos and betrayal plagur him at every turn, and Eragon isn't sure whom he can trust.

I recommend all these books to you because i've found myself absorbed in their pages and unable to put the books down until i finished them. their truely remarkable and i hope you can find time to read them. If you read them i hope you enjoy every minute of them.

Answer 5

I highly recommend "Life Expectancy" by Dean Koontz. It is an interesting thriller that is told in stream of conscientiousness. I read it at work during lunch and almost laughed out loud at parts. At other parts I wanted to stay up late just to see if everything was going to work out. More than that it makes you consider fate and really gets you thinking. And Koontz style is amazing. The way he uses the english language is nothing less than masterful. Five stars, two thumbs whatever you want to say. Just enjoy.

Answer 6

I highly recommend the Erast Fandorin series by Boris Akunin. I believe The Winter Queen is first in the series & it makes for an excellent mystery read! The story takes place in late 19th century Moscow, it is Russian to the core and you can truly feel the atmosphere!!! It's full of twists, will pull you in and certainly hold your attention! Captivating... I loved it!

Answer 7

Aldous Huxley books are the best You should find "Brave new world", "the Island" ,"point counter point" or "the doors of perception". Althought his book where written a lot of time ago, their themes are still fun and controversial.

Other writer I recommend is Alfredo Bryce Echenique, a Peruvian writer. His books are very funny and "easy to read" because of writer sesne of humour. Look for books like " A world for Julius" "Tarzan's Amigdalitis" or "Sad guide about Paris"

Answer 8

My favorite book is Shoeless Joe by WB Kinsella. Its extremely well written and if you think you know it because you saw Field of Dreams you are wrong.

King Solomons Mine is a good choice if you like action and adventure books. The hero, Alan Quartermain is the character that Indiana Jones was based on.

The original James Bond books are a good beach choice.

Answer 9

Try the good ole Hitchhikers Guide to the Universe Series...4 Books....Easy and enjoyable read!

By: Douglas Adams

Answer 10

I've just been re-reading "The African Queen" by C.F. Forrester. Great book. Also, almost anything by P.G. Wodehouse. More modern authors I love are Louise Erdlich, Alice Munro,
or for mysteries James Lee Burke.
Congratulations on your graduate work and best of luck.