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?

[Steph]

I love to read too. My favorite genre is historical fiction. The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon is one of my top faves. I also like Francine Rivers and the Mark of the Lion series.

[Kano]

Has anybody read the series --- here I go with the bad memory ---

The first book (big one) was about a nurse in 1945 who comes back from combat and somehow gets transported to the 1700's where she meets up with a man that she falls in love with?

It's a one word title. Argh!!!

I know the book you mean -- they eat oatmeal and wear kilts. Wasn't the transport something that happened at Stonehenge some magical night? Don't remember the name, but it's definitely not Argh!!!

Karen in Boise

[massbikebabe]

Harry Potter Goblet of Fire was my favorite, and Kings book It kept me awake at night and away from sewar covers for months. Right now I am reading some indie novels my daughter gave me...not bad...I'll post more later




karen
who thinks the The Stand was Kings best book ever

[run it, ride it]

Boo, books! I hate books! Never want to see a book again! Did I mention I'm taking an English degree, and I'm already about two novels and three theorists behind starting the third week of classes?

Hiss, boo! No more books!

[Bad JuJu]

Hey run it, ride it, my degree's in English also. This semester I'm teach a cultural studies approach to Joyce's Dubliners--having a pretty good time so far and just got some pretty good first critical papers.

In spare time, when I'm not cycling (or cleaning the house or walking the dog or grading papers), I'm reading the new biography of Darwin, by David Quammen. Quammen often writes for Outside magazine, and he's just a wonderful writer, and this new bio offers some fresh insights into Darwin's development of his theories. Enormously interesting.

[mlove]

Right now I am mostly reading stuff I am assigning in my history of education class as well as Alan Bennett's play "The History Boys" and Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl.

I read mysteries when I get a chance although I am just as likely to go back to the classics--Austen, Bronte, ****ens, etc. One of my favorite authors, for those of you who like historical fiction (or very funny spy stories) is Dorothy Dunnett. I have used her House of Niccolo series several times when teaching about the 15th century. Colleen McCollough is very good on the late Roman Republic. Both authors did a huge amount of research to write their books.

I do have a small collection of books on cycling too.

[tattiefritter]

Will have to have a proper look through this thread later for some ideas for new books..

I don't get the time to read much these days but recent favourites are the Harry Potter Series (of course) and His Dark Materials, anything by Michael Connolly (the Poet) which is unusual as I don't usually like murder stories.

I went through a phase of reading mountaineering books ( I do a bit of climbing and hill walking but nothing extreme) as I find the characters fascinating. I can recommend "Touching the Void" and "The Beckoning Silence" by Joe Simpson and "The White Spider" by Heinrich Harrer, the story of the first ascents of the North Face of the Eiger, really powerful and involving.

[Python]

Read all of Patricia Cornwall's Scarpeta novels (Post Mortem etc). Also like a good historical romance to curl up with.

[Hub]

Love Harry Potter- everytime a new one comes out I have to go back to the
beginning and read all of them in sequence. # 6 was a bit of a bummer, But I trust the kids will be all right. I also love Dadid Eddings and the Belgariad and the Mallorean- great Sci Fantasy stuff- Strong women- Eddings wrote a couple follow ups and this time listed his wife as co-author.
I read the Outlander stuff- very good, love Patricia Cornwell, John Sanford and Kathy Reichs- does anyone watch Bones on TV?
Oh- one of my all time favorites in the worlkd- Rita Mae Brown- High Hearts, Six of One & Bingo are my favs.

But I really just like Books

[mtkitchn]

FBG,
Funny you mentioned The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand; I just finished that book a couple weeks ago.
Another good book I've read lately is "You're not You" by Michelle Wildgen.
I'm going to have to check out some of the books you ladies mention since I need some new reading material.

[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?