What is the last book you read?

Question

I want to read a book that is going to knock my socks off. Any recommendations? I like almost anything fiction/non-fiction. No Sci-fi please.

Please no classics or "new classics" either. I had to read most of them 10 years ago in high school.

Answer 1

"On Beauty" by Zadie Smith. It was great (and won the Orange Prize last year and was nominated for the Booker. )

Answer 2

I'm like you--I read both fiction and non-fiction. I haven't been too happy with the fiction I've read lately. The last few I did like were
THE MEMORY KEEPER'S DAUGHTER (Kim Edwards) and WISDOM'S DAUGHTER (a novel of Solomon and Sheba) by India Edghill.

A thoughtful, insightful book that will keeping you thinking about it long after you finish it is FOR THE TIME BEING by Annie Dillard. It's really vignettes on seemingly unrelated topics that do tie in as you read the book so you can read a section, put it down and reflect on it while you do the dishes or something else. It's the kind of book that you read while you're reading another book at the same time. I know I didn't explain that very well, but it's a great book.

For non-fiction I just finished HENRY FORD AND THE JEWS (The Mass Production of Hate) by Neil Baldwin. Fascinating insight into that period of American history and its entrepreneurs. You won't find this information in school textbooks.

Currently I'm reading 740 PARK (The Story of the World's Richest Apartment Building) by Michael Gross. It tells how this apartment building which was actually co-ops came into being. People like Jackie Kennedy's family, the Rockefellers, Astors, etc. lived there. For a long time they wouldn't let Vanderbilts live there because they weren't in the right "social class" because of how they made their money. It's a fascinating social history. After reading about some of them I found myself being glad I didn't have that kind of money or have to deal with those people.

Answer 3

Not too long ago I finished The Kite Runner. Interesting book - what a rollercoaster the protagonist is on.

I also read a few by Alice Hoffman - Second Nature sticks out (this is technically the last one I read). I enjoyed it, but the premise is pretty odd. Fortune's Daughter by her as well.

OH! Wait. Lucky and The Love Bones by Alice Seabold. Those two are really good.

And if you like vampire type books, you might try Laurell Hamilton's Anita Blake series.

Answer 4

The last book I read was kind of sci-fi. But a book that I read a few months ago and I'm still obsessing over is Twilight by Stephenie Meyer.

Answer 5

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman.

Wonderful book about a man going through a journey that changes his view about life and learns what is most valuable to him, and what he lives for. Will definitely change your views and ideas on life and leave you crying at the end. Wonderful book a friend gave me to read.

Also good is The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley. Story of a tomboyish princess that matures late and receives a wonderful "Gift." Moving, witty, and a great read

Answer 6

Saran, the book of England. It's a fictionalized origin of England from Neolithic times to the late 19th/early 20th century. It seemed like a hard read but it wasn't; just very long. I managed it in two days.

Answer 7

Read Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt. It's a true story about a boy growing up in Ireland and all the hardship his family had. You'll have to put down the book to sob and choke. It was made into a movie but the book is by far better.

Answer 8

Scaramouche by Rafael Sabatini.When his best friend, a young clergyman, is killed in a mockery of a duel by an arrogant noble, just to quiet his eloquent expressions of democratic ideals, Andre-Louis Moreau vows revenge. From that point, through meteoric careers as a consummate actor and scenario writer, then as a fencing master, and finally a politician, the brilliant Moreau keeps thwarting the aims of the aristocratic Marquis de la Tour d'Azyr. However, the nobleman causes pain to Moreau as well, and the time must come when the two will meet to settle their enmity once and for all. You are not likely to guess how their confrontation finally turns out. Set against the backdrop of the French Revolution, this swashbuckling novel is exciting throughout, and it presents one of the most dashing heroes in fiction, a man who can fight equally well with his mind, his mouth, his pen, and his sword, a man who stirs up events wherever he goes.

The door to december by Dean Koontz.A psychiatrist's daughter was kidnapped by her ex-husband years ago. When the daughter is finally found, the real fight begins. One by one the people who held her captive become mysteriously tortured and killed. Everyone is afraid the young girl will be next.

The mystery unravels as to what happened to the young girl while she was kidnapped. The young girl, Melanie, is unable to speak, but her mother soon learns that the young girl went through extreme torture as her father used her for a rat in his experiments.

The Cop and the Anthem by O.henry.Its about a young tramp Soapy who tries desperately to get arrested so that he can spend the winter in jail.He eats in expensive restaurents,steals,insults women,cause general mayham.But to no avail.he just doesn't get arrested until...
The Gift of the Magi,From the cabby's seat,Last leaf all by the same author are terrific stories.

Count of Montecristo by Alexander Dumas.The hero is Edmond Dantés, a young French sailor who, falsely accused of treason, is arrested on his wedding day and imprisoned in the island fortress of Château d'If. After staging a dramatic escape he sets out to discover the fabulous treasure of Monte Cristo and catch up with his enemies. A novel of enormous tension and excitement, Monte Cristo is also a tale of obsession and revenge, with Dantés, believing himself to be an `Angel of Providence', pursuing his vengeance to the bitter end before realizing that he himself is a victim of fate.The author did a great job describing the emotions of the prisoner.Disbelief,denial,self pity,madness,apathy and finally hope.For God's sake don't see any of the movies based on the book.They don't do justice to the book.

Garlic and sapphires by Ruth Reichl.
As the New York Times's restaurant critic for most of the 1990s, Reichl was determined to review the "true" nature of each restaurant she visited, so she often dined incognito--each chapter of her book highlights a new disguise, a different restaurant (including the original reviews from the Times), and a fresh culinary adventure.

Savage and Ascension by Kelley Armstrong.Both are available free from the author's website.They tell the story of Clayton,how he was made a werewolf,how Jeremy rescued the feral child wolf and earned Clayton's undying gratitude,and how Clayton became someone to reckon with in his Pack.Told in 1st person from Clayton's view,it is poignant and touching at times and humorous.We understand how his childhood influenced his later life.

Answer 9

I am reading SychroDestiny by Deepak Chopra. I borrowed it from the library. This non-fiction book is about the power of coincidences to create miracles.

Answer 10

I only read non fiction and biographies Have just read 2 books since Xmas.....'and its good night from him' by Ronnie Corbett and Ronnie Barker the uk comedians and "Joanne Lees" the story of the murder in Aust of her boyfriend Peter Falconio... both cant put down books!!!

Answer 11

Read "The Tender Bar," by J.R. Moehringer. It's a memoir, and it "knocked my socks off," so maybe you'll have the same experience.

I'm considering round two with this book myself, that tells you how much I enjoyed it.