<p>It’s been quite some time since I’ve read a good book - without being prompted to do so by the teacher (Harry Potter doesn’t count ). The excuses I’ve offered have mostly centered around me not having enough free time. Increasingly, I find myself having too much time on my hands. Instead of slaving on SAT-prep books, I decided it was time for me to start reading again.</p>
<p>But I don’t quite know where to start :(</p>
<p>The last book I read was Scorpia (by Anthony Horowitz). I enjoyed it immensely but not as much as the earlier books (Point Blanc et all). I’m quite passionate about politics and after a friends’ recommendation decided to read Empire (by Orson Scott Card) but was abhorred by the amount of bias evident throughout.</p>
<p>I guess I like thrillers but am willing to venture out into new genres. Any suggestions? :)</p>
<p>A good read with lots of political history is All the PResident;s Men, about Nixon and the Watergate burglary. How a whole administration came tumbling down…
And it’s exciting how these two young journalists (Woodward and Bernstein), not much older than yourself, broke into the case that changed history!</p>
<p>Does anyone know a readable version of Dr. Martin Luther King’s life? He was influenced by Gandhi when he went to college and began reading his ideas of nonviolence. Then he applied these ideas to the struggle for rights among African Americans. I am also always inspired to read his old sermons and letters, such as the Letter from the Birmingham Jail. Nobody could write and speak like he could, and when you read those speeches, made for everyone to understand, you can really get goosebumps!</p>
<p>I recently tried something new, and read The Shining by Stephen King. Definitely thrilled me, if that is what you are looking for? Another series I found to like are Boris Akunin’s books, which are translated from Russian. It’s like a detective series set in Russia before the rise of Lenin.</p>
<p>I would recommend Ender’s Game (which is a relatively easy read) and its sequels (which have two branches–the “near sequels”, which include Ender’s Shadow, Shadow of the Hegemon, etc. and are VERY political, and the “far sequels”, which include Speaker for the Dead and Xenocide, and are somewhat political but much more philosophical.). I haven’t read “Empire”, but the situation in Ender’s Game is far enough removed from current politics that I didn’t see much bias. The near sequels are much more politically focused, the far sequels are more dense reads but very much worth it.</p>
<p>Because of a book group, I’m currently reading “Birds Without Wings,” by Louis d’Bernieres. He wrote Corelli’s Mandolin, which was made into a movie, but “Birds” is much better. It combines a lively story with the history of modern Turkey and the decline of the Ottoman Empire starting early in the 20th century. Essential to understanding the problems in that region today, it’s a learning book but also enjoyable and a fairly fast read. Let us know what you choose and how you like it!</p>
<p>could anybody suggest books for me to get my boyfriend for christmas?</p>
<p>he recently was reading the curious incident of the dog in the night time and somebody suggested the speed of dark… but I haven’t gotten it yet. he however did just read a spot of bother (by the same author) and didn’t like it nearly as much. prior to that he read the five people you meet in heaven and said it was “alright, not as good as I thought it would be”</p>
<p>he also loved the perks of being a wallflower, and he has the following david sedaris books: naked, me talk pretty one day, and holidays on ice. I’m definitely going to get him dress your family in corderoy and denim… and i saw he has another book called children playing before a statue of hercules… does anyone know if that one is any good? </p>
<p>if anyone has any suggestions they can make based on the following let me know… the only book I’ve bought so far is the DC comic encyclopedia! :)</p>
<p>fendergirl, everyone I know who is a fan of David Sedaris also enjoys Augusten Burroughs’ books. “Possible Side Effects” and “Running With Scissors” are my favorites of his.</p>
<p>thanks. I would like to get him a couple of books - maybe one book per author for a couple of different authors so he can try them out. I can always get more of the author if it goes well. That’s what I did with Sedaris last year at christmas. </p>
<p>he kind of reads a lot - almost every night before bed and at work during lunch break - so he goes through books quite frequently. I got him three books last year for christmas and they were finished within a month. Obviously, I’m not going to get him 36 books to last through the year, but i was thinking maybe 4 or 5. I guess we’ll see what I come up with.</p>
<p>Are there any other suggestions? They would be much appreciated.</p>
). The excuses I’ve offered have mostly centered around me not having enough free time. Increasingly, I find myself having too much time on my hands. Instead of slaving on SAT-prep books, I decided it was time for me to start reading again.</p>