Author Topic: Recommended Books?  (Read 179492 times)

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Re: Recommended Books?
« Reply #60 on: October 24, 2008, 02:08:12 PM »

Offline Chris

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I was wondering if anyone here had read "The Historian" by Elizabeth Kostova.  I was tempted to grab a copy but have heard some mixed reviews about it so I held off.

I read that last year, and loved it.  It took me a little while to warm up to it, because it is a little unconventional (the story is basically told through long letters, and it is easy to lose track of who is telling the story), but once you get into it, it is a great book.  I would highly recommend it.

Re: Recommended Books?
« Reply #61 on: October 24, 2008, 02:13:41 PM »

Offline Redz

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I was wondering if anyone here had read "The Historian" by Elizabeth Kostova.  I was tempted to grab a copy but have heard some mixed reviews about it so I held off.

I read that last year, and loved it.  It took me a little while to warm up to it, because it is a little unconventional (the story is basically told through long letters, and it is easy to lose track of who is telling the story), but once you get into it, it is a great book.  I would highly recommend it.

It was not your typical Dracula story.  Not as much action as you might expect.  There's a lot more about the pursuit of Dracula and, as the name might indicate, the history of Dracula (Vlad Tepps).  It was an interesting story, but if you are looking for an action adventure you can eliminate 95% of the book. 

He definitely was a creepy Dracula though once the author, ahem, "sunk her teeth" into him.

I liked the book a lot.  My wife did care for it.
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Re: Recommended Books?
« Reply #62 on: October 24, 2008, 02:31:08 PM »

Offline Chris

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I was wondering if anyone here had read "The Historian" by Elizabeth Kostova.  I was tempted to grab a copy but have heard some mixed reviews about it so I held off.

I read that last year, and loved it.  It took me a little while to warm up to it, because it is a little unconventional (the story is basically told through long letters, and it is easy to lose track of who is telling the story), but once you get into it, it is a great book.  I would highly recommend it.

It was not your typical Dracula story.  Not as much action as you might expect.  There's a lot more about the pursuit of Dracula and, as the name might indicate, the history of Dracula (Vlad Tepps).  It was an interesting story, but if you are looking for an action adventure you can eliminate 95% of the book. 

He definitely was a creepy Dracula though once the author, ahem, "sunk her teeth" into him.

I liked the book a lot.  My wife did care for it.

I am a sucker for a novel when they really get into the history.  I suppose I could just read non-fiction, but novels like this make it a whole lot more interesting.

Re: Recommended Books?
« Reply #63 on: October 24, 2008, 02:35:31 PM »

Offline Redz

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I was wondering if anyone here had read "The Historian" by Elizabeth Kostova.  I was tempted to grab a copy but have heard some mixed reviews about it so I held off.

I read that last year, and loved it.  It took me a little while to warm up to it, because it is a little unconventional (the story is basically told through long letters, and it is easy to lose track of who is telling the story), but once you get into it, it is a great book.  I would highly recommend it.

It was not your typical Dracula story.  Not as much action as you might expect.  There's a lot more about the pursuit of Dracula and, as the name might indicate, the history of Dracula (Vlad Tepps).  It was an interesting story, but if you are looking for an action adventure you can eliminate 95% of the book. 

He definitely was a creepy Dracula though once the author, ahem, "sunk her teeth" into him.

I liked the book a lot.  My wife did care for it.

I am a sucker for a novel when they really get into the history.  I suppose I could just read non-fiction, but novels like this make it a whole lot more interesting.

Chris: read some Bernard Cornwell stuff then.  Hugely entertaining.  He plugs some great characters into history and mixes and matches fact and fiction amazingly (and he explains which is which at the end of each book if you hadn't caught on).  His Saxon Chronicles are my favorite.  Uhtred is BADASS!
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Re: Recommended Books?
« Reply #64 on: October 24, 2008, 04:56:22 PM »

Offline Scott

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Thanks for your thoughts Chris and Redz.  You helped sway me and I just grabbed a copy.  From what I gathered reading the reviews, it seemed as though it was a book you either love or hate. 

Lack of action will not bother me and it doesn't hurt that I enjoy history.  I am actually somewhat fascinated about Vlad Tepes, he is a really interesting historical figure to say the least.  One thing I want to do while I am here in Europe is go see Bran Castle (aka Dracula's Castle).     

Re: Recommended Books?
« Reply #65 on: October 24, 2008, 04:58:12 PM »

Offline Redz

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Thanks for your thoughts Chris and Redz.  You helped sway me and I just grabbed a copy.  From what I gathered reading the reviews, it seemed as though it was a book you either love or hate. 

Lack of action will not bother me and it doesn't hurt that I enjoy history.  I am actually somewhat fascinated about Vlad Tepes, he is a really interesting historical figure to say the least.  One thing I want to do while I am here in Europe is go see Bran Castle (aka Dracula's Castle).     

Wow.  Be sure to let us know what that's like.

Enjoy the book and the trip.
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Re: Recommended Books?
« Reply #66 on: October 24, 2008, 05:01:37 PM »

Offline Edgar

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magic the gathering
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Re: Recommended Books?
« Reply #67 on: October 24, 2008, 05:17:27 PM »

Offline Scott

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Thanks for your thoughts Chris and Redz.  You helped sway me and I just grabbed a copy.  From what I gathered reading the reviews, it seemed as though it was a book you either love or hate. 

Lack of action will not bother me and it doesn't hurt that I enjoy history.  I am actually somewhat fascinated about Vlad Tepes, he is a really interesting historical figure to say the least.  One thing I want to do while I am here in Europe is go see Bran Castle (aka Dracula's Castle).     

Wow.  Be sure to let us know what that's like.

Enjoy the book and the trip.

Will do.  I'll be sure to take plenty of pictures.

Re: Recommended Books?
« Reply #68 on: October 24, 2008, 06:15:54 PM »

Offline dark_lord

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i recommend obama's "audicity of hope".  good read and will help in your decision making for the upcoming election.

Re: Recommended Books?
« Reply #69 on: October 24, 2008, 06:19:45 PM »

Offline KCattheStripe

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Henry V- William Shakespeare
Long Days Journey Into Night- Eugene O'Neil

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The Things They Carried- Tim O'Brien

Re: Recommended Books?
« Reply #70 on: November 20, 2008, 06:21:55 PM »

Offline Gomesfan

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Fear Nothing  by Dean Koontz is a pretty cool book, it's a little different then his other books. I have read it twice.

Also the Count of Monte Cristo is always good , it got me into reading and I have read it a few times over the years.
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Re: Recommended Books?
« Reply #71 on: November 20, 2008, 06:27:20 PM »

Offline nickagneta

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For those into really well thought out science fiction try The Night's Dawn Trilogy by Peter F. Hamilton. Three long books sometimes broken up into six medium size ones The Reality Dysfunction, The Neutronium Alchemist and The Naked God. I wasn't crazy about the ending but for 5 and 1/2 books it was some of the greatest science fiction I ever read.


Re: Recommended Books?
« Reply #72 on: November 20, 2008, 07:36:57 PM »

Offline Mean Gerald Green

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Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer - One of my favorite books.

Tell No One by Harlen Coben - A fantastic mystery novel if you're looking for a fun read.

Re: Recommended Books?
« Reply #73 on: November 20, 2008, 07:55:43 PM »

Offline Steve Weinman

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Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer - One of my favorite books.

Tell No One by Harlen Coben - A fantastic mystery novel if you're looking for a fun read.

My favorite novelist, far, far and away.  I'm a long-time Grisham lover, but he is number two (with Brad Meltzer hovering as a third) these days - the wit of Coben's narration and his unbelievable ability to tie everything together in his endings never cease to amaze me.

MGG, have you read any of his other work?  While each of his novels is top-of-the-line, I'd recommend any of the books in his Myron Bolitar series in particular - just fantastic reading, and 'Win' might be my favorite literary character.

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Re: Recommended Books?
« Reply #74 on: November 20, 2008, 08:02:39 PM »

Online hwangjini_1

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ok, what the heck. i have no idea if this book has been mentioned since i dont have time to review the entire danged thead...hey, the celtics are almost on tv!

watership down.
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