Good book for summer reading?

Question

I like "old" kind of books (like, not books based in the 90's or 2000's) and I also like mystery genre so I'll actually keep reading it. Oh and for length, about 200 pages or so. Thanks!

Mkay forget about the "length" part. I just want it long

Answer 1

Okay, one book that I think that everyone should read is East of Eden, by Steinbeck. That book is incredible. It's about 900 pages, so if that's too long, I suggest one that I just tore through: Cabinet of Curiosities by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. It's really great, and it goes really, really fast, which is saying something, because it's about 550 pages. The ending has like four consecutive twists. You think you see it coming but you don't. I've included a link to the amazon page, which has the synopsis and reviews by readers and critics. I strongly recommend it. Feel free to hate me if you don't like it, but I promise you will.

Answer 2

I highly recommend the "Left Behind" series.

I started the series because I'd heard so much about it from many different people. The books use fictitious characters to explain the events of Revelation from the Bible in layman's terms. I've tried reading and understanding Revelations, but I didn't understand all the symbolism. I read the first book and it was riveting. One friend started reading before me, but had to quit because it scared her too much. I could hardly put it down. It was so moving that within three minutes of finishing the first book I felt ill. Two minutes after that I was vomiting. This wasn't from grossness from any part of the story, I just felt very odd. (However, there's plenty of suspense & gore). I'm not worried about me, I know where I'm going; I think it was the realization of what's to come. I'm on the second book in the series, and once again the authors really explain Biblical prophecies in a way that's interesting and easy to comprehend. I hope you give book one a try.

Here's a quote of a summary of the book.
"Terror and chaos continues worldwide as the cataclysm unfolds. For those left behind, the apocalypse has just begun... In this moving novel, Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye offer an account of what life might be like for those left behind when millions vanish. Left Behind will intrigue you, entertain you, and challenge you. And when you realize it represents an event that millions believe will actually occur, it could change your life."

Answer 3

If you like mystery, you should try Raymond Chandler. He wrote in the 1940's and his books are really great. I recommend The Long Goodbye and The Big Sleep to start with. Or, for something that is also mystery but really funny, try the Nursery Crimes series by Jasper Fforde. The first one is called The Big Over Easy. Those are the only ones that come to mind at the moment. Enjoy!

Answer 4

If you haven't read any of the Dick Francis books, that might be a great starter. Once you start, you won't be able to put them down. I think it is the first time I read a book which I really hated to see the end coming. He has about 12 books out now I think. I would start with the oldest first. They aren't connected but they do usually surround a mystery having to do with race horses in England. Dick Francis was a jockey of the Queen Mother so he comes by his material honestly.

Answer 5

Try Washington Irving's "The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon" (also called "The Sketchbook") and "A History of New-York from the Beginning of the World to the End of the Dutch Dynasty" (also known as "The Knickerbocker Tales" for Irvings pen name of Diedrich Knickerbocker under which he wrote this book, Geoffrey Crayon was the pen name under which he wrote "The Sketchbook), or The complete works of Edgar Allen Poe.

Answer 6

Agatha Christie books are perfect. As are Sherlock Holmes. Some of Christies might go up to 300 pgs, but they're all really good!!! I espiacally recomend Ten Little Indians if you havn't read it. Another good one is The Ruby In the Smoke by Phillip Pullman. Good luck readin!

Answer 7

The Moonstone By Wilkie Collins
Agatha Christie Books
Stillwatch by Mary Higgins Clark(one of her early ones. In fact most of her early fiction is very good.)
The Name of the Rose By Umberto Eco

Answer 8

The' Kitchen Boy 'by Robert Alexander about the Czar 's family in Russia. Even though we know the history, it is suspenseful. Also by the same author, Rasputin's Daughter is very good. In fact read that one first. I did it in two days.

Answer 9

I'm confident you would enjoy "The Alienist" by Caleb Carr - search for a serial killer in 1896 New York City. It is one of my favorite books - thriller mystery - before phorensic science - very interesting - great descriptive of early NYC!

http://www.amazon.com/Alienist-Novel-Caleb-Carr/dp/0812976142/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/103-5824773-0225446?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182818081&sr=8-2

Answer 10

A personal favorite of mine is Animal Farm by George Orwell.