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Jawbone54 · Jul 13, 2007, 02:16 PM

I have a free download from Audible.com that I'm trying to take advantage of, and I need a good recommendation for a book...

I've been reading way too many biographies/nonfiction books lately, and I need some junk literature. I was listening to the Windows Weekly podcast, and they kept suggesting Stephen King books. Which are your favorites? I already have Salem's Lot. It doesn't have to be a Stephen King book, either. I just want something fiction that is worth reading.

Obviously there are a lot of readers here. This could be a recommendation thread for anyone else looking for books (until the thread dies out in 5 hours or so).

Anything, anyone?

Railroader · Jul 13, 2007, 02:49 PM

Pillars of the Earth - Ken Follet

It's a fictional story about a family during the middle ages and the advances of cathedral construction during that time. Everyone I know who has read this book really enjoyed it a lot.

wallinbl · Jul 13, 2007, 03:55 PM

It's nonfiction, but check out the books on Audible by Richard Feynman. He's a physicist that was at Los Alamos and has hilarious stories. They're not really about physics - just his experiences. They're very entertaining. Plus you get to learn how dumb you are in comparison to him.

GSixZero · Jul 13, 2007, 04:54 PM

I agree. Feynman rocks.

I love the book "Surely you're joking professor Mr. Feynman!"

KeriVit · Jul 13, 2007, 05:28 PM

Jeffery Deavers "Twisted"

alligator · Jul 13, 2007, 10:10 PM

Feynman was my favorite book, and you don't need to be a science geek to enjoy it. It's very approachable for everyone!

Jawbone54 · Jul 14, 2007, 10:33 AM

Looked for Pillars of the Earth by Follet. Audible doesn't have it.

There's a lot of Feynman material, but most of them are lectures. I'm thinking about Surely you're joking, Mr. Feynman!, but I'm still leaning towards fiction.

zro · Jul 14, 2007, 10:53 AM

Foucault's Pendulum.

Jawbone54 · Jul 17, 2007, 01:19 PM

I wound up buying Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! for my uplifter and Hannibal Rising for my junk literature fix.

Hannibal Rising is good so far. The only thing that's funny is Thomas Harris, reading some parts with the appropriate accents. Hearing Harris speak like a German is just kind of...amusing.

alligator · Jul 18, 2007, 07:39 AM

Let us know how you like Feynman.

Jawbone54 · Jul 18, 2007, 09:51 AM

I definitely will. I'm trying to finish Hannibal Rising before I start Feynman, so it will be two or three days.

Dakarʒ · Jul 18, 2007, 09:54 AM

Since when can't you read two books at once, ADD boy?

I'm bracing myself for the other 5 books you're probably reading right now.

Jawbone54 · Jul 18, 2007, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ

Since when can't you read two books at once, ADD boy?

I'm bracing myself for the other 5 books you're probably reading right now.

Pistol, Pete Maravich's biography
Gems from Tozer, by A.W. Tozer.
Sex God by Rob Bell
Lisey's Story by Stephen King

I was talking about audiobooks. I only listen to the audiobooks when I'm on the move, especially when driving around.

But, hey...I've narrowed it down to four.

Dakarʒ · Jul 18, 2007, 11:58 AM

Not bad. How is Maravich's biography anyway? The excerpts I read were grueling. As in Maravich had a burdensome childhood.

Jawbone54 · Jul 18, 2007, 12:04 PM

I'm really liking it. I'm about halfway through.

His childhood had to suck. I wish he had lived long enough to speak more about how he felt during his childhood. The book has to rely on observations from everyone else. It talks about the pressure, but the author couldn't read his mind, of course, so you never REALLY know what he was thinking.

His dad worshipped him, but basically turned him into a basketball android.

I went with my wife to the doctor's office (she has nodules on her vocal chords), and she was carrying the book for me. It was raining, so I ran to the car to pull it up for her, and she left the book on the receptionist's desk. I should've noticed, but now I have to go back to the office and pick up the book if I'm going to finish it. I'll have to swing by after work.

But yeah, I think it's definitely worth the read.

Railroader · Jul 18, 2007, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by Jawbone54

Looked for Pillars of the Earth by Follet. Audible doesn't have it.

Too bad.

I recommend picking up a copy of it to read. Very good read.

Jawbone54 · Jul 18, 2007, 12:39 PM

Older book? Paperback? I used to buy only hardcovers when I could help it, but marriage kind of changed that practice. Now I opt for the cheapies.

If so I'll go buy it and put it in the queue.

Rumor · Jul 18, 2007, 12:40 PM

Tom Clancy writes some very good novels. As well as R.A. Salvatore, Terry Brooks, Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. The latter are primarily fantasy authors.

Railroader · Jul 18, 2007, 01:02 PM

Originally Posted by Jawbone54

Older book? Paperback? I used to buy only hardcovers when I could help it, but marriage kind of changed that practice. Now I opt for the cheapies.

If so I'll go buy it and put it in the queue.

Yes, it's an older book and has been in paperback for a few years. You can pick up used copies on amazon pretty cheaply.

But if you do read it, I predict you'll go out and find a Hardcover version. Almost everyone I know has done that.

Dakarʒ · Jul 18, 2007, 01:04 PM

Originally Posted by Jawbone54

But yeah, I think it's definitely worth the read.

Particularly if you love basketball. Thanks.

Jawbone54 · Jul 24, 2007, 01:24 AM

Wasn't impressed with Hannibal Rising at all.

Feynman is an awesome read thus far. Thank you guys VERY much for recommending it! I'm only about halfway so far, but I've already told a few friends that they need to read it.

Dakarʒ · 07:58 AM

I tell you, I'm absolutely struggling through Haunted by Fight Club Guy. 1/3 is poetry I don't enjoy, 1/3 is short stories, half of which I seem to have read when they were published in Playboy, and 1/3 is a disinterested story that is only further devalued by the overly segmented nature of the book.

I think I needed to get that off my chest.

JonoMarshall · Jul 24, 2007, 07:55 AM

^ Chuck Palahniuk's work is good if you're in the right mood for it. Segmented.. yes. Disinteresting.. no.

IMO: Survivor, Choke & Invisible Monsters are superior to Diary, which has more unnecessary and perhaps sexist/factoid-based elements.

Dakarʒ · Jul 24, 2007, 07:59 AM

Originally Posted by JonoMarshall

^ Chuck Palahniuk's work is good if you're in the right mood for it. Segmented.. yes. Disinteresting.. no.

IMO: Survivor, Choke & Invisible Monsters are superior to Diary, which has more unnecessary and perhaps sexist/factoid-based elements.

Jono: I am very dumb and wrote the wrong book title.

Actually, Diary is my second favorite book of his, second to Fight Club.

flyordiedays · Jul 24, 2007, 09:22 AM

I'm a pretty big Neil Gaiman fan.
American Gods is quite awesome.

Dakarʒ · Jul 24, 2007, 09:24 AM

I've often commented to friends that I've never seen a book sew up its plot as cleanly as American Gods did. I really should reread that some time.

JonoMarshall · Jul 24, 2007, 09:33 AM

Murakami's work is awesome stuff.. strong narrative, dreamy, contemplative...!??!

There's a PDF floating around of one of his first stories that presents Rat's character before he featured in later novels... good if you've just gone through a break-up! (...and cheaper than paying the gazillions it costs for a rare printed version.)