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Messages: Recommendations Wanted
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Looking for suggestions (criteria inside)
I am in need of reading suggestions. I am looking for books that fit some/most of these criteria: 1. similar to William Kent Krueger or Ken Follet 2. prefer male writers 3. enjoy fictional historical 4. war stories Have recently enjoyed "In Harm's Way" by Doug Stanton, "Tatiana and Alexander," "The Ambassador's Daughter" and "Oceans Apart." Any help is very much appreciated. Thanks in advance!
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LyndseyBelle
11 years ago 7 comments
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Strong Latina subjects for teen girls?
I've found a bunch of great books for African American Teens in the Bluford series. I'm looking for something similar for Latinas. I'd like them to be strong female protagonists, rather than standard romance novels, but I don't have any idea what authors to look for, or if there are any similar series' or books out there. Thanks.
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Robin
12 years ago 4 comments
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suggestions for 80'ish avid reader
My mother in law is homebound and an avid reader. she has read everything in our local library. I've run out of ideas. She's recently read Macomber, Woodsmall, Beverly Lewis, Jane Peart, shelley shepard gray, Michael Phillips. She's read others. Obviously doesn't like paranormal which is my love (lol), need ideas for not neccessarily Amish, just light love interest and even mystery. so many books are more graphic than she likes. any authors i can try now? Thanks! Tina
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TweedieB
10 years ago 2 comments
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(10 years ago) | I agree with the previous commentator on the Lillian Jackson Braun books about the cats. I would also suggest the following:
1 - the Elm Creek Quilts series by Jennifer Chiaverini
(good for even non-quilters)
2 - any of the Amish series' by Wanda Brunstetter
(Brides of Lancaster County, Kentucky Brothers, The Discovery,
Brides of Webster County, etc...)
3 - Beth Wiseman's books
4 - Cindy Woodsmall's books
5 - Suzanne Woods Fisher's Amish books
6 - Shelley Shepard Gray's Amish books
7 - Samantha Jillian Bayarr's Amish books
8 - Emma Miller's Amish books
9 - Beverly Lewis' Amish books
10 - Linda Byler's Amish books
11 - Mindy Starns Clark's Amish books
12 - Ruth Price's Amish books
13 - Patricia David's Amish books
14 - Amy Clipston's Amish books
15 - Charlotte Hubbard's Amish books
16 - Marie Bostwick's books
And many of these can be found in large print, if that is a concern. Good luck! - LyndseyBelle | (10 years ago) | There's a series by Lillian Jackson Braun, its called The Cat Who... A lot of older readers and those who just want a light, very easy going mystery series tend to like it. It centers around a middle-aged journalist and his crime-detecting Siamese cats. - Liz |
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Horror or Thriller Survival
To place a little background to this, I recently enjoyed the Japanese Visual Novels, 999 and Virtues Last Reward. The basic idea is that a bunch of people who are otherwise unconnected are all kidnapped and forced to play a game for their survival. Disobeying the rules is punishable by death. This survival horror is what I am looking for in a book, however I am of course looking for a book. I like the idea of not knowing who you can trust and when the killed could be one of them but they have no idea, so paranoia runs high. It could also have a dwindling cast because they are dying by not solving the mystery first. This idea is similar to Agatha Christi's "And then there were none." I am curious whether there are any other books in the area and if you might be able to suggest some. Thank you very much for taking the time to read this.
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Margaret Elizabeth
10 years ago 2 comments
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(10 years ago) | And of course The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins and Battle Royale by Koushun Takami. After you read the books, you can watch the movies. - LyndseyBelle | (10 years ago) | Hi!
I happened to have something of the kind in my inventory. This is the book: Pamela Oldfield : The Butterfly Box
Basically, the whole family is eliminated one by one. You can check it out first, no obbligation to mooch it, of course!
Regards,
Dragana - Dragana |
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Something absurd/surreal or just generally strange
The problem is that whenever I get excited about a writer and search for his/her books from bookmooch, I can't find anything! It's depressing, so I'd much appreciate it if someone recommended a GOOD book that can actually be found from bookmooch. I wonder if it's possible.. I have a strange taste. And it's difficult to describe it, too :D Well, I like anything deep that doesn't hesitate to get sidetracked in peculiar observations and stream of consciousness is very much appreciated. Also, any books with great, interesting and slightly(or not so slightly) mad characters who make one laugh are always worthwhile. Anything absurd, surreal.. And I don't much care for the new, popular writers though if you think there is an exception, let me know. I like Kafka, Poe and that lot. I hope you can help me, thanks :)
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S
14 years ago 9 comments
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(11 years ago) | Try "The Wooden Sea" by Jonathan Carroll. - Judy | (12 years ago) | It's not surreal, but it's complex: Neal Stephenson's Baroque Cycle. Not sure it's available on BM, but there are three HUGE volumes, the first one of which, has actually been published in three normal sized paperbacks. I think they are "Odalisk" "King of the Vagabonds" and ummm...something else...you could check on Amazon or LibraryThing for more details. - Robin | (12 years ago) | It sounds like our taste is quite similar....The Dog Fighter is very exciting book. My all time favourite in fact. The main character is quite messed up and really keeps you wondering where it's all going. - Jan | (13 years ago) | If you're looking for strange and surreal, it's hard to go past Haruki Murakami. The novel "The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle" is probably his most famous work, but I'm a fan of his short stories as well. - Zoe | (14 years ago) | How do you fancy sci-fi?
Stranger in a strange land, by Robert A. Heinlein, should be strange enough to last a while :-) - sapho | (14 years ago) | I would suggest Lanark: A life in 4 books by Alasdair Gray, but there are none available at the moment :-( - Mosca | (14 years ago) | Andy McDermott books are usually pretty good, and odd. - Sandra | (14 years ago) | my husband loves anne rice vampire books, but we have read them all! what else should we read? - katscyril | (14 years ago) | Also, I've found that most writers I like a lot are a bit insane, so any insane writer recommendations are more that welcome(I mean, if they can write)! :) - S |
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Looking for recommendations for Humor Books?
Hi bookmoochers, I run a free lending library for English speakers in Jerusalem. We're pretty new so at the moment I'm getting books in response to reader demand, but I was looking at our humor section and it looks a little small - just 4 Snoopy books and "Playing the Moldovans at Tennis" by Tony Hawks! So I was wondering if anyone could give me recommendations for good humor books? I'm thinking more funny writing than cartoons, though that might also be useful. We've had requests for Bill Brysons, but they're really hard to find on BM and expensive to buy, so we haven't any yet. We also have one Tony Hawks book, and I'm hoping to try and get his other one, "Round Ireland with a Fridge", at some point. Other than that, I have no idea. Any suggestions for authors/books to try gratefully received! Thanks, Tzipporah
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Tzipporah
14 years ago 16 comments
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(13 years ago) | Hi Tsipporah -- that was my mom's name! I completely agree about Bill Bryson, Calvin Trillin, David Sedaris. They are all very funny and also intelligent. I would add Dave Barry, Jerry Seinfeld, David M. Bader (Haikus for Jews), and Douglas Adams.
Regards -- Judy - Judy | (13 years ago) | shopaholic series by Sophie kinsella. - mary | (13 years ago) | Stephen Leacock; Alexamder Woolcott; Cornelia Otis Skinner; Lemony Snickett; Sue Welfare - NinaBryna | (13 years ago) | Bill Bryson - Christoph | (13 years ago) | If you're still looking I'd thoroughly recommend anything by 'Alexander McCall Smith'. It's fairly gentle humour but personally I find it hilarious, particularly the 44 Scotland Street Books. - Grace Hall | (13 years ago) | Sophie Kinsella's Shopaholic series is hillarious - mary | (13 years ago) | Hi! JPod by Douglas Coupland is quite amusing :) - Ashley | (13 years ago) | Anything by Calvin Trillin, especially when he's writing about food: American Fried; Alice, Let's Eat; Third Helpings (collectively known as The Tummy Trilogy; Travels with Alice; Feeding a Yen. Or there's his novel about the New Yorker who finds the perfect parking place, Tepper Isn't Going Out. Also lots of books of funny political commentary and politically inclined poetry, which he writes as the Deadline Poet.. - Margaret H. | (13 years ago) | Thanks Cindy, I'm adding him to my wishlist, as well! - Robin | (13 years ago) | I guess this is an older question, but I'm new to this forum. Thought I'd pipe in with who I sort of consider a Canadian Bill Bryson: Will Ferguson. He has written a couple of humourous travelogues (Beyond Belfast, Hitching Rides with Buddha), though he has more than just those two. I'm not sure what/how many of his book are available here, but you could check into it. - Cindy W | (13 years ago) | Molly Ivins if you like (liberal) political humor or PJ Rourke for (conservative) political humor. Tim Allen has written a book or two. I have several Dave Barry's on my list, I think. Bill Bryson doesn't have an s on the end of his name, so you want to be sure you're spelling it right. (although that may have just been a plural. :-) )
Mark Twain is classic-look for his essays. Isaac Asimov wrote a number of Science Fiction themed "shaggy dog" stories...mostly found in his short works. Russell Baker, Oscar Wilde, .
Tim Cahill is trying to become the next Bill Bryson. I don't think he's as funny, but he does well, so some people must like him.
James Thurber is an icon of American Humor, and one of my favorites.
More currently, Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart both have several books out. David Sedaris is a kind of sharp, painful humor.
Also, a lot of "humor" books are more readily classified as "cartoon" books...like the cartoon collections from the New Yorker, or by specific artists like Wiley, Gahan Wilson, Doonesbury, Berke Breathed.
Good Luck and happy hunting! - Robin | (13 years ago) | Dave Barry books are hilarious! Also, Erma Bombeck (now deceased) wrote a number of vlery humerous books about home life and raising kids. I find Margaret Maron's mystery series about Judge Deborah Knott in North Carolina humerous, altho being from the US South may be the reason. They are good mysteries, tho. ("Bootlegger's Daughter" is the first in the series.) A new American novel, "Stay" by Allie Larkin is very funny, as the main character, drunk after seeing the love of her life marry her best friend, orders a dog on the internet to be her "new best friend" and receives a huge black dog in two days - Joe. - Cheryl Fox | (13 years ago) | I would recommend Douglas Adams, there seem to be a few about... - Mosca | (13 years ago) | John Kennedy Toole wrote A Confederacy of Dunces. Check it out. - RichC | (14 years ago) | Thanks both of you, I'll check those out! - Tzipporah | (14 years ago) | I find Elinor Lipman & Robert Crais funny. - Gail |
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Looking for fantasy....
im looking for something simmilar to Jim Butchers Codex alera or Chronicles of King Rolens kin from R.C. Daniells most of the books that i can buy in my book store have female leads or are about thiefs. i have read quite a few of those and am having troubles finding books with male main characters particulary warriors or barbarians. something like Conan :) . I loved the chronicles and cant wait for next book to come out. I also read around 15 books about drizzt from salvatore. i dont like books set in modern times. any idea is most welcome :D
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Whitebeast
12 years ago 1 comment
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(11 years ago) | you could try The Dragonlance Chronicles by Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman (first book is Dragons of Autumn Twilight) or The Belgariad series by David Eddings (first book is Pawn of Prophecy) both series have multiple characters - becca |
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Books on Gaza/Israel/Middle East Conflict
I see this forum hasn't been updated in a while but I'm hoping that someone checks it from time to time! I'm looking for book recommendations on the Middle East conflict, specifically Gaza and Israel although I'm sure a wider perspective would be helpful as well. I have read a lot of fiction based on the issues but they were primarily from a Christian-Zionist viewpoint and I'm sure that isn't the whole story. My niece would also appreciate books about the same thing but for a much younger audience: her children are 9 and 6. Thanks so much!
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Jen
12 years ago 4 comments
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(12 years ago) | The series of Omar Yussef books by Matt Beynon Rees take place in that area. They're fiction, mysteries though the murder solving probably takes the backseat to daily life and troubles.
I read the first "The Bethlehem Murders", it was written from a Palestinian-side viewpoint but not particularly with an axe to grind IMO, except against general human stupidity, fanatism and the consequences of war. - Aude | (12 years ago) | No worries! If you do go ahead and read it, stick with it as the writing can be a bit 'dry' to begin with, but once he gets going, it's worth it. - Judith | (12 years ago) | Thank you so much, Judith, for taking the time to answer! I will be checking that one out for sure! - Jen | (12 years ago) | Not purely confined to Israel and Palestine, but Robert Fisk's 'The Great War for Civilisation: the Conquest of the Middle East', despite being a weighty tome, is fantastic - informative and a real eye-opener. I really can't recommend it enough. - Judith |
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Mystery / Thillers / Forensics
Need to find new Authors to read. I enjoy Lee Child, Michael Connelly, Patricia Cornwell, Jonathan Kellerman, James Patterson, Carl Hiaasen, Tim Dorsey. Any recommendations for other Authors I might enjoy???
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Stella
13 years ago 6 comments
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(12 years ago) | Jo Nesbo is a good bet. - ladodson | (13 years ago) | You might like the series by Randy Wayne White about Doc Ford. The first in the series is called "Sanibel Flats". - Judy | (13 years ago) | The Finn Scott series by David Hosp
Last Words by Mariah Stewart
My copies of these went back into BM circulation recently and will probably be surfacing again fairly soon. - jacquie | (13 years ago) | Since you like Carl Hiaasen, you might enjoy Thomas Perry. Start with Metzger's Dog or The Butcher's Boy (which has a sequel). Then, if you like those, try his Jane Whitefield series, starting with Vanishing Act. When I was reading the first Lee Child book, it made me think of John D. MacDonald's Travis McGee books - they're oldies but still good. - Margaret H. | (13 years ago) | You might want to try Kathy Reichs or John Sanford. - becca | (13 years ago) | Thank You so much!!! I will give them a try. - Stella |
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Spy Thrillers
I am looking for something new or unusual in a spy thriller for my brother in law. Any thoughts? thanks!
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Cara
14 years ago 3 comments
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(13 years ago) | I see that I misspelled Manning Coles. His main character, Tommy Hambledon, has a sense of humor, and started his career during World War i (!) in Drink to Yesterday.. A substitute teacher in sixth grade read us part of one of them (Alias Uncle Hugo) and I was hooked. Len Deighton is also good, as is Desmond Bagley (his are more thrillers than spy novels). Michael Gilbert's books with Mr. Calder and Mr. Behrens are great - not enough of them! He might also like Gavin Lyall. Hmm - all the ones I like seem to be British authors and older books.
Some of the more recent ones I've tried (Dan Brown comes to mind) made me so annoyed at the badly drawn charactres and ridiculous situations that I gave up reading them after a couple of chapters. There's someone named David Gibbins whose first book (Atlantis) was so unintentionally funny that i did read the whole thing - sort of like the old Doc Savage pulps only three times as thick, and with equally absurd technology. I think I'd better stop now before I dis someone's favorite writer. - Margaret H. | (13 years ago) | Thanks Margaret, I'll try those authors. - Cara | (13 years ago) | Can you give an idea of which authors he's read and liked? I haven't read many recent spy thrillers, but there are a lot of older ones who I still re-read, like Simon Harvester, John Welcome, and Mannng Coles. - Margaret H. |
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Shogun for kids?
My nephew is 13, but has a "college level" reading rating. He's been reading Manga about a young Samurai. I'd like to expose him to actual books, and gently direct him to more standard works (although I'm not saying he should give up he Manga, just widen his sources.) I talked to him about James Clavell's Shogun, and he's going to get it from the library but I think it might be a bit too adult for him. does anybody have any similar suggestions for a more teenaged/YA audience about that period in Japan? Thanks. Robin
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Robin
13 years ago 2 comments
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(13 years ago) | Thanks Margaret! - Robin | (13 years ago) | I'd highly recommend Lian Hearn's Across the Nightingale Floor. It's first in a trilogy of what turned out to be, I think, five. It has some elements of 'real' historical Japan, and some slightly fantastical and imagined ones, and lots of action. - Margaret H. |
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fantasy
I'm always looking for some good fantasy novels to read. Anyone have any suggestions? I like all types, though I'm more partial to sword and sorcery and epic fantasy over urban fantasy.
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Tanya
14 years ago 7 comments
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(13 years ago) | I would like to recommend Jim Butcher's Codex Alera series.Though I was bored with the first one, the 2nd one was more interesting and after reading the 3rd one I was hooked.
Here's the link to an excerpt of the 3rd book from the author's website
http://www.jim-butcher.com/books/alera/cursors/cursors-fury-chapter-1
I would also like to recommend
Covenants - Lorna Freeman
Princes of the golden cage-Nathalie Mallet
Joust series -Mercedes Lackey
The magi of cyador,The scion of cyador,The white order-L.E. Modesitt
The curse of Chalion- Lois McMaster Bujold - gluestick | (14 years ago) | Some more fantasy I've enjoyed :
• The "Gentlemen Bastards" series by Scott Lynch that begins with "The Lies of Locke Lamora" and "Red Seas under Red Skies" with a third installment "Republic of Thieves" to be released in 2011. Maybe best keep clear if you can't bear waiting for a sequel though, as they look like they may come quite apart. - Aude | (14 years ago) | I second the suggestion for Robin Hobb's Assassin's Apprentice (or the complete trilogy). - Byenia | (14 years ago) | Thanks to Aude as well. All recommendations help. I think I'm going to have to spend more time at the book store, so I know what I want to read. :) - Tanya | (14 years ago) | Thanks for this list. I've read some of these, but a lot of them, I haven't. Also, books for younger readers doesn't bother me at all. I like fantasy for all ages. :) - Tanya | (14 years ago) | Some classics and more recent works I enjoyed :
Robin Hobb : Royal Assassin (long series)
Ursula Le Guin : Earthsea first trilogy
Fritz Leiber : the books of Lankhmar
George R.R. Martin : Game of thrones (long series)
Jack Vance : Lyonesse trilogy
Janny Wurts : War of Light & Shadow (long series) - Aude | (14 years ago) | Do you know if they have a text only version of that page (or even a version without pictures of the book covers)? I have dial up, which makes it very hard for me to access a lot of recommendation pages.
I've read quite a bit of fantasy; I'm pretty much looking for stuff that others have read and liked. - Tanya |
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Mario Varga Llosa - "best" books?
Hi I would like to read one or two of Mario Vargas Llosa's books. Which ones would generally be considered his "best"/most popular? Any recommendations will be much appreciated. Oh, I'll be reading the English translations. Many thanks, Errol
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Errol
13 years ago no comments
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Science Reading for Pre-Teens
My son is 11 and has a strong interest in science. He'd like to read books that are not textbooks. Most of what I find that is any good is written for adults. When a book claims to be for a kid, it tends to be pretty dull. Ideally, I am looking for books that dig deeply into a topic that can grab a kid's imagination. Any leads?
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RichC
13 years ago 14 comments
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(13 years ago) | Thanks! - RichC | (13 years ago) | If he's interested in fiction as well as nonfiction, "George's Secret Key to the Universe", co-written by Stephen Hawking, is meant to be a really enjoyable introduction to physics for kids. I've heard a lot of good things about it. - Zoe | (13 years ago) | Thanks, Jacquie. I am going to look for some Jenny Green books at my library. - RichC | (13 years ago) | I have "Breakthroughs in Science", a slim paperback that's very clearly written: Jenny Green : Breakthroughs in Science: Pp:Breakthroughs in Science (Pelican Guided Reading [0582433568] Writing) - jacquie | (13 years ago) | OK, Grace. Probably best not to send it then. Thanks, anyway. - RichC | (13 years ago) | I do indeed have a copy of 'How to Fossilise Your Hamster' but flicking through it it's clear that it is aimed at adults, as some of the experiments involve alcohol! There are a lot of other interesting experiments that you could do with him though, so if you're still interested I'd be happy to list it for you. No problem if not! - Grace Hall | (13 years ago) | Thanks, I just located the Arkady Leokum books at my library! - RichC | (13 years ago) | Most of my young science education was on the vintage All About and The Real Book About series--animals, submarines, volcanos... Very dated by now, but a good foundation in how we got to where we are in science and technology.
They don't write 'em like that any more, unfortunately. The few new good ones tend to cost a fortune. If you want to find good ones for something approaching an affordable price you'll probably have to spend years hitting used book stores, rummage sales, and estate sales. And of course the library. Decade by decade kids' non-fiction books have not only become increasingly dull but increasingly dim. You can often get better science in the newspaper! You might want to widen your search to books published outside the U.S.; for example Britain used to have a good reputation for intelligent kids' books.
Two other books I especially liked were:
"Still More Tell Me Why" by Arkady Leokum. (Presumably his other similar books are of similar quality.) I have continued to find it useful as a quick source of information. Unsurprisingly, it's out of print. This book has a one to two page overview of hundreds of topics, for example: What makes some diamonds more valuable? Why does the moon shine? Why do snakes have scales? What is an electric eel?
I was eleven when I read the Reader's Digest condensed version of "Lucy: The Beginnings of Humankind" by Donald Johanson & Maitland Edey. The arrangement of the text makes it remarkably readable. It IS used as a textbook, but it reads like a novel. It's about the discovery of the Australopithecine fossils and the work to figure out where they belong in the fossil record over a period which saw some quantum leaps in technology. When I reread the full book as an adult I was pleasantly surprised to discover it is also about the history of anthropology and how rapidly scientific study has changed from little better than relic hunting to a genuine multidisciplinary interest in the history of the Earth. - Leela4 | (13 years ago) | That would be great! Thanks. - RichC | (13 years ago) | I may have a copy of 'How to fossilize your hamster' at home. I'm away at the moment but could check when I get back in a few days if you're interested? - Grace Hall | (13 years ago) | Thanks, Jacquie. I will check these out. - RichC | (13 years ago) | - Usborne Science series
- 'Science for every kid' series
- The Science Chef: 100 Fun Food Experiments and Recipes for Kids - ISBN 047131045X
- How to Fossilize Your Hamster: And Other Amazing Experiments for the Armchair Scientist - ISBN 0805087702 - jacquie | (13 years ago) | Thanks, Cara. I will check those out. - RichC | (13 years ago) | The Horrible Science series (Nick Arnold is one of the authors) is very popular with pre-teens. - Cara |
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(13 years ago) | Thanks for all the suggestions I will definately try and get hold of some. - janet101 | (13 years ago) | You've probably already read Donna Tartt's "The Secret History"...if not, I'd highly recommend it. It's perhaps the classic cerebral psychological crime novel. - Zoe | (13 years ago) | @Cheryl "I can list forensic series (forensic pathologists, forensic archaeologists, medical examiners, etc) if anyone is interested."
Yes, please do! - jacquie | (13 years ago) | Thanks I'll give them a go. - janet101 | (13 years ago) | I led a mystery/suspense book group at my library for about 5 years and choosing books for that (and myself, of course!) was a delight. Here are some of my favorite mystery/suspense writers: Deborah Crombie (Duncan & Gemma eries), Margaret Maron, Sally Wright, Val McDermid, Susan Hill (Simon Serrailier series),Simon Brett,Peter Robinson, John Harvey, John Hart,Lee Child (Jack Reacher series),James Sallis,Tom Cain,Randy Wayne White (Doc Ford series),Kate Atkinson,Cora Harrison (wonderful early Ireland female judge series),Susan Willig Albert (China Bayles series, Sarah Rayne,Abigail Padgett,Ann Salter, Mary Anna Evans, Glynn Alam,Beverly Connor (two fantastic series),William Tapply (now deceased but love both his series)... I could go on and on. I can list forensic series (forensic pathologists,forensic archaeologists, medical examiners, etc) if anyone is interested. - Cheryl Fox | (14 years ago) | The sinner came out in 2007 in UK. So yeah I guess so. Since Henning Mankell they are publishing more translations. Thanks for the tip I've just been onto the love reading site, good stuff. - janet101 | (14 years ago) | I absolutely love P.D James her writing is really top notch. I find the earlier stuff is the absolute best. I also loved The Sinner by Petra Hammesfahr, I'm trying to get hold of a translation of her other book The Lie but have had no luck.
I've got a Liz Jensen book but haven't got to reading it yet.
Books I didn't like were the R. D. Wingfield, Reginald Hill, Lynda La Plante and Susan Hill but her earlier non-crime books are good. - janet101 |
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