Does anybody read books here?

[uk elephant]

I love to read too!! Unfortunately I have now read all the books in the house and can't afford to go shopping for new books for a while, but here are some of my recommendations:

Most recently I have been introduced to the mad world of Robert Rankin. Very funny and completely insane. So far I have read "Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalyps" and "Sex, Drugs and Sausage Rolls".

For a very educational and at the same time very funny read try Bill Bryson. "A Short History of Nearly Everything" is a great introduction to the history of science and "Notes from a small island" is a great travel-book about the UK.

Another favorite author at the moment is Alexander McCall Smith, both is series about a private eye lady detective in Botswana (because I've been there and recognize some of the places) and his series about a random collection of people in Edinburgh (which is a place I now want to visit).

A long time favorite is Italo Calvino. I've read most of his books, if not all. Very thought provoking and a bit strange.

[CyclChyk]

UK Elephant - have you read "Fandom of the Operator" by Robert Rankin?? I checked him out on BN.com and I really want to read it!

"Romanitus" really looks interesting as well!

This better not cut into my biking time..................

[uk elephant]

Sorry, I haven't read that one yet. But judging by the two I have read it should be good. Completely mad, but good. BF has read most of his books and is a big fan. He is also completely mad though....but he does say they are all good.

[Bikingmomof3]

Has anyone read anything by Henning Mankell?

[RoadRaven]

Has anyone read anything by Henning Mankell?

Apparently not

Can you give us a hint about the writing? Is it worth it? Or are wondering if you should get something by this author to read?

[Bikingmomof3]

Apparently not

Can you give us a hint about the writing? Is it worth it? Or are wondering if you should get something by this author to read?

I like Mankell's books. He is a Swedish author and his series take place in Sweden. I am a huge mystery fan. He is one I recently discovered as I was looking for something different.

[pepe6599]

I'm totally in love with books by Walt Witman, poetry has always been what i love to read.

[Bklynmom]

Has anyone read anything by Henning Mankell?

I have read everything my Henning Mankell that is translated into English. I love the Kurt Wallander series and also return of the Dancing Master. If you like Mankell you should check out Maj Sjowall and Per Waloo's Martin Beck Series. There's an amazing one called the Fire Engine that Disappeared.
I also like Ian Rankin, but again have read them all. Any other quality mystery writers you can suggest?

For serious books I have recently read American Prometheus (about Robert Oppenheimer) Brilliant description of Mccarthyism leading to the cold war. I have been reading the Guns of August on and off for a moth or so too. Would love suggestions of good biographies - loved the Robert Moses book by Caro - lots of Doris Kearns-Goodwin. Would love more suggestions of biographies and history.

[Zen]

I'd like to read this one about George Washington and you might like The Devil In The White City about the 1893 Chicago's World Fair.

[Bklynmom]

Thanks. I loved the Devil in the White City! I will look for the George Washington Book.

Another one in this vein that is great is The Island at the Center of the World - you couldn't make up a character as wild as Peter Stuyvesant.

[smilingcat]

I tend to read more non-fiction.

Harvest for Hope by Jane Goodall
Legacy of Luna by Julia Butterfly Hill
Moral Politics by George Lakoff
Cookwise by Shirley Corriher (food)
On food and cooking by Harold McGee (food)
The Ceramic Spectrum Robin Hopper (pottery)
and so on.

Smilingcat

[carpaltunnel]

Has anyone mentioned World War Z by Max Brooks? I couldn't put it down, and I don't normally read horror. It was more than the usual horror story.

Also anything by Nelson DeMille - great smart-aleck characters running around solving crimes, sometimes even saving the world.

Some of Victoria Moran's books - I especialy loved Creating a Charmed Life
Sensible, Spiritual Secrets Every Busy Woman Should Know.
http://www.victoriamoran.com/books.html#book2 Wish I still had it - I loaned it to someone...

[salsabike]

Has anyone mentioned World War Z by Max Brooks? I couldn't put it down, and I don't normally read horror. It was more than the usual horror story.

World War Z was GREAT!