Can someone recommend me some good books?

Question

i'm looking firstly for a novel (for myself) i am a wilbur smith fan but want something new, something about modern life and young people or perhaps a murder novel, i've never read one of those, except the curious incident of the dog in the night time.

Also I need a good cook book for a Xmas pressie for my cous who is a single bloke, so a book full of tasty SIMPLE recipes that are easy and cheap to do. Thanks

Answer 1

"Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom.

Answer 2

on the cook books, i recommend the ones by Jamie Oliver (now that bloke can cook for me anytime). the recipes are easy, nice looking, and really tasty. and you may get to surprise all those people that think you are no good in the kitchen.

as for murder novels, you can't go wrong with the classics - the Poirot series, or the Sherlock Holmes. also you have to try the Edgar Allen Poe, if you have nerve.

there's loads of great books and writers out there, so if you have the chance just walk into a book shop (you need lots of spare time too) and browse through the shelves.

o, and Anne Rice, if you are into the vampire lore. Bran Stocker's Dracula is by far better than any of the films you may have watched.

have fun!

Answer 3

If you like Wilbur Smith, you'd love Ian Fleming's Bond books! They have far more detail than the films; try Thunderball, Diamonds are Forever, Goldfinger, Moonraker, but almost all are excellent.

Stephen King is the master of murder/mystery.

Also, Roald Dahl wrote some excellent books for adults - find the ones about Great Uncle Oswald; Dahl's another writer (like Fleming) with a hugely detailed knowledge, of everything from scorpions to greyhound racing. His adult short stories (Tales of the Unexpected, in several volumes, and Kiss Kiss ) are also excellent; creepy, saucy, and so well-written you suspect they could be true...

The cookery book - a Jamie Oliver? Most cookery books have recipes for 4-6 people; there are some for one or two people, one on Amazon by Don Alexander called 1 -2 Cook.

Answer 4

A murder huh? well you can always try a classic like Sherlock Holmes or Dr. Jackal and Mr.Hyde (I'll be starting that one soon.) Hmmm, since I am not a man I don't really know what to recommend since I mostly read what some people call,"girlie books." (horrible choice of words, I must say.) where woman are the hero's or are the ones that need to be saved like Dragons Milk Dragons kyn and Sign of the dove all by Susan Fletcher. Beauty sleep (an adaption of the classic Sleeping beauty.) For a more boyish light I can only recommend new age Batman/superman graphic novels. I love them and think they're brilliant. Jeph loeb is wonderful as well (the author and writer of the graphic novels and also the TV show HEROES.) For holiday cook books, try skimming the shelves of your local book store or library. (I have tons of cook books at home but usually get one from the library for different Christmas foods.)

Answer 5

check out the Quicksilver Trilogy by Neal Stephenson, an awesome adventure/historical novel, his other books are good too. If you like wilbur smith, you could try Terence Strong, his thrillers have a strong african theme, although they're not as deep.
Also for murder mysteries with a different setting to the usual try anything by Martin Cruz Smith, start with Gorky Park they run in a kind of order.
As for the cook book try The Million Menu Cook Book, it has hundreds of recipies for all three courses that make up over a million menus.

Answer 6

I also love Wilbur Smith - Try books by Patricia Cornwell - basically this is based on a Medical Examiner's Crime solving Skill. Michael Crichton Books especially the State of Fear - Brilliant! Mathew Reilly also has great books - all based on old archaeological sites/ secrets with lots of suspense. If you want to try something completely different BUT with still loads of suspense and thrills - try some of the science fiction books by David Eddings - actually some of them are also good comedies in parts. COOKBOOKS: The two books my husband finds really easy to use is Nigella Lawson Feast and Nigel Slater REAL Food - both are great. Happy Reading!

Answer 7

Well i was a chef for 17 years and for a first time cook you cant beat Delia! She easilly explains most dishes, and unlike most cook books they are every day dishes you would want to eat.

As for a book to read well Im a james herbert fan. These are not quite murder novels but some are real good stories without being scarey books, such as Survivor, which is not your usual horror story but has a quirk right at the end which really makes the book special.

Answer 8

Terry Pratchett
Douglas Adams
Tom Sharpe
Terry Brooks
Spike Milligan
Bernard Cornwell

Answer 9

I like books with great well developed characters I can relate to.

Currently I am reading Slaughter House Five:

It is a 1969 novel by best-selling author Kurt Vonnegut. One of his most popular works and widely regarded as a classic; it combines science fiction elements with an analysis of the human condition from an uncommon perspective, using time travel as a plot device and the bombing of Dresden in World War II, the aftermath of which Vonnegut witnessed, as a starting point.

When the book was released, the bombing of Dresden was not widely known and was rarely discussed by veterans and historians. The book led to an increased awareness of the bombings and a reevaluation of the justifications given for aerial bombing of cities by the Allies during the war.

Here are some other favorites:

1. The Wold According to Garp by John Irving
2. Fire Starter by Stephen King
3. Mona Lisa Overdrive by William Gibson
4.The Stand by Stephen King
5. Jurassic Park by Michael Cricton
6. The Language of God by Francis S. Collins
7. Moby Dick by Herman Melville
8. Enders Game by Orson Scott Card
9. Blue Beard by Kurt Vonnegut
10. Sideways by Rex Pickett

Answer 10

A WALK IN THE WOODS - By Bill Bryson.

This guy is a travel writer. He bravely decides to walk the longest public footpath in the world. (Appallacian Trail, East America)

He decides to take his best friend with him (Kats), who is an alcoholic. He writes with humour about the journey. He has an encounter with bears, a woman who's a complete nutcase, severely bad weather and - this is the funniest book I have ever read in my life.

I have never hiked or been to America but I felt as if I'd been there after reading this. Its much better than I can describe. Please check out the title on the internet and read the reviews.

I know you or your family will be entertained with this dry, witty travel writer.

I hope I have helped!

Answer 11

Any Madhur Jaffery book - Curries. That should go down well.

Novels. Im not the biggest reader myself, but I would recommend Ian Banks, The crow road is good, but I enjoyed the wasp factory.

Ben Elton's 'Dead Famous' is easy to read as well. Murder mystery in a Big Brother house.