Goodreads

A Darker Shade of Magic by V E Schwab. A brilliantly sharp fantasy. I really didn't want to put it down.

"Last of the Breed", by Louie L'Amour. It is not one of his westerns.

http://www.louislamour.com/novels/lastofbreed.htm

Excerpt from first chapter:
http://www.louislamour.com/firstchapt/lastofbreed1st.htm

Greg, that is one of my favorite books! I've read it at least 4 times and I just bought the e-book for $1.99 and am going to read it again.

Anything by Michael Connelly is excellent. My favorite is The Poet.

Spongebob and Patrick.......classic!
any book by Hermann Hesse is a good place to start.

I met Louie L'Amour, in 1978. I have a framed autograph from him. He was very gracious. I once had ALL of his books, including his poetry.

Early Tom Clancy, and early Clive Cussler. Last book by Cussler I read was Sahara, and there was a movie (same title) made from it also.

To mention just one: 'Sometimes a Great Notion' by Ken Kesey. It took me 40 pages or so to get used to Kesey's style (he sometimes changes first person perspective, so when he says 'I did such-and-such' you're not immediately aware of who 'I' is). But it's well worth the effort. An overlooked classic, in my opinion.

I've been reading the first book in the Kramer and Zondi series of police novels set in Apartheid period South Africa. It is a good police detective novel and also illustrates the evils of the Apartheid period well.

Drew,
I just bought my umpteenth copy of "Siddhartha" last month...

Marlene, Siddhartha is a fun book to read and I think it represents the spirit of the Buda.
itz been at least a dozen years since I've read it. may be time for a re-read:)

The Cold Smile by Earl Underwood a former Hialeah Florida Homicide Detective, former co-worker and personal friend of mine. I highly recommend this book if you like mystery detective stories, I could not put the book down once I started reading it. The story setting is in Miami, Florida.



http://www.amazon.com/Smile-Detective-Storm-Mystery-Volume/dp/1496093488

Stranger in a Strange Land by RA Heinlein
Siddhartha - Herman Hesse
The Hobbit/Lord of the Rings - Tolkien
Lord of Light - Roger Zelazny

Anne McCaffrey, CJ Cherryh, and so many more

I too, have a couple of 'goodreads' in the hopper: One a thriller by Brad Thor - 'Code of Conduct' - the other a sequel to 'The Scientist as Rebel,' by Freeman Dyson - 'Dreams of Earth and Sky.'

The latter title is a book about, "...the spirit of joyful dreaming," a direction in which Dyson thinks science should go.

Essentially, Dyson is looking to, "...break down the barriers that separate science from other sources of human wisdom."

I say, it's about time; I think Sam Harris may be on the same track, if not leading the pack.

Now, how about breaking down the barriers that separate the arts from other sources of wisdom, such as science...why not?

Apparently, I'm not the only reader whose list of 'goodreads' has much in common with Roy Erickson's favorites...great minds think alike.

"I grok that!"

In the past couple years, I've been into historical fiction novels and television series.

I finished all eight "Outlander" books and now working my way through the second book of "Poldark". "Outlander" is a better read than the latter.

I dropped "Poldark" to read Pedro Martinez's memoir. He was recently inducted into Baseball's Hall of Fame and had his number retired by the Red Sox this past July. In the history of the Red Sox, only nine numbers have been retired. Out of the nine, one is Jackie Robinson whose number has been retired by all teams.

One of my favorite reads from years gone by:

"The Cosgrove Report" A historical thriller and a new and entirely plausible solution to that still unanswered question: Why was Abraham Lincoln murdered?

Janice. You've obviously enjoyed reading Diana Gabaldon's 'Outlander Series,' but I wonder if you, or anyone else here, have experienced the Starz Network's, 'Outlander' serialization.

This is, IMHO, one of the finest television productions currently in existence, second only to 'Game of Thrones.' The set pieces were filmed seasonally on location; the costume design is authentic (1946 and 1743 eras); the casting is spot-on and the entire experience is hauntingly enthralling.

I recommend acquiring the series on Bluray, the first half of season one being currently available, the second in the fall.

This is a must-see series (but it's definitely not for the faint-of-heart ;-)

Patrick,

Yes, I've been watching the Starz "Outlander" series as well. Well casted series and extremely graphic, but the books were as well.

I've also been into "TURN" Washington Spies. I was please to read they have been picked up for a third season. I have the book as well but haven't had the chance to pick it up.

Another goodread for all you Florida lovers is;
A Land Remembered
Novel by Patrick D. Smith

Funny you should mention the Outlander series on Starz, Patrick, because I've been fearing withdrawal, as I am on the very last episode, yikes!! So well done and completely addictive.

I am currently reading Four Seasons in Rome by Anthony Doerr (the author of All the Light We Cannot See, which I have not read yet). I wanted to get a feel of what Rome would be like to visit. His writing is sublime.

On order: Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher, a bio of Edward S. Curtis, the photographer of American Indians.

 

Right up my alley, 'A Land Remembered' was winner of the Florida Historical Society's Tebeau Prize as the Most Outstanding Florida Historical Novel.

I've lived in Palm Beach County - not too far from where Rush Limbaugh lives ;-) - since 1994 and will likely live out my days here, because I love it!

Thanks, Drew!



Patricia. If you haven't already seen the last episode of 'Outlander,' season one, brace yourself; as Janice indicated, it's quite graphic...almost unbearable.

Hauntingly so (he said, shivering convulsively).



Talk about withdrawal anxiety...we'll likely have to wait till April 16, 2016, for the premier of Season 2 (as that date is the 270th anniversary of the Battle Culloden).

Wind Sand and Stars by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. A pioneer of early aviation. He wrote "The Little Prince", and this is, in many ways, the same story as an autobiography written for adults.

Speaking of great accounts of early aviation pioneers, Gregory, I strongly, wholeheartedly recommend the audiobook CD of David McCullough's, 'The Wright Brothers,' read to us by the author himself.

There are so many.. but we were talking the other day about "The Source" by James Michener...

I remember it as my first 1000+ page book... and I also remember it being very hard to put down.

Patrick, great thread!

Not a new book but just read Dance of the Tiger by Bjorn Kurten ...although a novel, it gives a different perspective of ice age man and how the Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon might likely have lived, with a great intro by Stephen Jay Gould.

And The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy... another not new book

Here are a couple of books I wrote more than a decade ago and finally posted them on Amazon.

When I taught screenwriting at L.A. City College one of my most important suggestions was: write about what you know.

Since I grew up in a funeral home, I wrote Southern Planter, and because I worked at CBS news I wrote Murder on the Six O'Clock News.

Now I am writing Creating Art that Doesn't Sell... or something like that. ;=}

Read "Southern Planter"

Read "Murder on the Six O'Clock News"

WOW!

Thanks, Chuck! ...for those great personal contributions.

Speaking of screenwriting, I was just now reviewing Joseph Campbell's 'Monomyth' in 12 steps, in preparation for my step outline.

I'm certain that you're quite familiar with Vogler's, 'Hero's Journey,' since you taught screenwriting.

If you have any advice for me or suggested reading that you believe would help me in my 'quest,' please pass that info along here.

And, thanks again!

Hey, Edward, I've read "The Night Circus". I'm not sure if I like it or not...

Dune: The Machine Crusade is a 2003 science fiction novel by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson.
Anderson wrote several of the Star Wars Novels.
The book is the best of all the Dune serial novels after Dune.

Patrick, I was on the staff at The Writers Store for 10 years and read everything that was out there, but I can't say that any one book helped me more than the other. Each helped in some way.

I found reading screenplays to be the most beneficial.

Here's a link to their website... books section. Something may jump out and say "read me!"

https://www.writersstore.com/books/

If you have children or grandchildren, and you love reading to them as much as I do, then you'll love the wondrous strange work of William Joyce; here's another great title...The Mischievians.

Brilliantly creative!

A couple of my favorite: "Little Bee" by Chris Cleave, and "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls!

"Looking At Mindfulness
Twenty-Five Ways to Live in the Moment Through Art"

by Christophe Andre

Blue Ridge Press


Bill Tomsa

http://billtomsa.blogspot.com/

Just picked up 'The Explorers Guild: Volume One: A Passage to Shambhala,' written by Kevin Costner and Jon Baird, illustrated by Rick Ross, at Costco for $16.49 (a $29.99 retail value).

Think of it like a variation on the Raiders of the Lost Ark theme.

Last week, quickly read the new Jack Reacher novel, "Make Me", one of Lee Child's best stories. FINALLY finished "Seveneves", by Neal Stephenson. Think Stephen King and Isaac Asimov, wrote a SI-FY book, 880 pages! LOT'S of science here for those that enjoy learning while reading. Also finished the new "Jesse Stone" novel, by Robert B. Parker's writer, pretty good, but not the same.

Still waiting on Bernard Cromwell or John Sanford or a few other's to finish their novels. I'm on hold for Louise Penny's latest , "The Nature of The Beast"#2 I think. She writes like a painter!

Rich

I got "The Almond Picker" by Simonetta Agnello Hornby (translation) book from op shops

Tara, I loved "The Glass Castle," too. Just finished "The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins. Great read, suspenseful, hard to put down.

Becoming Odyssa - An chronicle of Jennifer Pharr's thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. I'd passed over this book numerous times but when I read it I found I really enjoyed it and it motivated me to start hiking again.

Currently reading 46 Days. Her husband's account of their attempt to set the overall trail record.

I have just read A Beginner's Guide To Acting English, by Shappi Khorsandi. A wonderful account of a child's family in exile and their new life in England.

Rich.

I love listening to Lee Child's, Jack Reacher stories when we're on the road; just added 'Make Me' to my list, so thanks!

Just got Bernard Cornwell's, '1356' on audio CD, and...

...George R. R. Martin's, 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.'

Great reading!

Patrick, I hope you'll return to review The Explorers Guild. Sounds intriguing.

I love audio books but can't listen to them when I'm driving. Puts me right to sleep!

Lately I've been going NUTS trying to find a good fantasy series that has the charm of J.R.R. Tolkein and C.S. Lewis and the wit of Terry Pratchett. But every book I sample is so freaking LAME. They're always so dark and depressing, and the characters are glum and the worlds are no place I'd want to visit. The only book I've found so far that comes close to what I'm looking for is "Miss Peregrine's School for Peculiar Children". It's pretty good, but the characters aren't particularly likeable, unfortunately, so I don't know that I'll read the sequels. I was also reading the Temeraire series of books, which are historical re-imaginings of the Napoleonic Wars fought in part by dragons and their human captains. But that series has one more book to go and then it's finished. Anyone have any suggestions for me?

It's so frustrating. Maybe I'll start writing stories myself. Maybe other readers are looking for what I'm looking for.

JL,

I can't think of the Series name, but it's sorta like the "Stand" and in 3 books. Good and evil meet. And there are angels/guardians that are there to protect the one man that can change what will happen, if evil wins. Also, a bunch of children are saved and need to be protected, a major river and a bridge and I think it takes place finally in the Pacific Northwest.

If this sounds like what you're looking for, I'll try and do some research or maybe somebody else will come up with the author. Might have been Terry P!

Patrick,

Bernard Cromwell's one of the best writers I know,especially his battle scenes! I've read his story about the Long Bow Archer , and of course, the Uhtred/Last Kingdom is terrific,

Rich

Barnes and Noble has free ebooks on their "Free Fridays" offerings. Most are not too good, but every so often one or two comes along that just rock.

Thread of Hope by Jeff Shelby. I'm reading this one now. Downloaded a few months back. I can hardly put it down. It's as good as anything I've read by Michael Connelly. I'll be buying more of his books.

The Gray and Guilty Sea by Scott William Carter. Good old fashioned hard boiled detective story, think Philip Marlow. So good I bought the sequel, A Desperate Place for Dying. He had a third one in this series that's on my wish list.

Looking for something Sci-Fi / fantasy? A while back we saw the movie John Carter. Not a great movie but fun. I decided to try the original novels. The movie was based on Edgar Rice Burrows "A Princess of Mars". What a hoot! Good crazy fun, and to think these were written 100 years ago! Highly recommended for anyone wanting a fun, over the top, fast moving read. I've read 5 of these so far. Best part is that they are public domain and can be downloaded from from Manybooks.net.

Jack Reacher books are also in my wish list. Haven't have the chance to read one yet!

JL, have you read any of Joe Abercrombie's - his 'First Law' series and, with a little less gore, 'Shattered Sea' trilogy are excellent.

Peach Springs, a novel, by Cosette Riggs
Peach Springs, the Settling by Cosette Riggs

Also
"Am I my parent's keeper? Let's talk about it" and Same's workbook both by Cosette Riggs (sold on Amazon)

Chuck,

Have you read any John Sanford stuff, his "Prey" series? He also now has a new character from his Prey series, Virgil Flowers, who in my mind looks like a young Sam Elliot.

Also, Robert B. Parker's anything almost. Spencer, Jesse Stone, Appaloosa stuff, etc. Start with the oldest ones you can find.

A new-ish author for me is Lars Keplar, which is actually a husband/wife team, and write about Sweden and their "quirky" detective, Joona Linna, and in the vein of Stieg Larsson's novels.

And Robert Crais also now has developed a character, sorta like Jack Reacher, "Joe Pike", really good stuff,

Rich

JL, you might want to try the fantasy series The Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud. It plays around with some perspective shifts, and does so quite well. There are some side books as well. I got them as audio-books on Audible.com, and the reader for the series is quite good, also. It's an alternate world line, sort of like 1800 england where magic is the domain of the elite, so magicians are the politicians and bureaucrats. I particularly like the main protagonist, who is not human. (There is at least one additional book, beside the trilogy, in the series.)

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I'll definitely look into those. I hope I'll find what I'm looking for, because every day when I get home from work, I just want to ESCAPE into something. Sometimes I play video games, but what I really like to escape into is a book, and NOT a book with a contemporary, realistic feel, but one with an alternate world, a world I can feel comfortable and happy in, Middle-Earth and Discworld and Narnia, that kind of thing, worlds that help me detach from reality for a while. It's like a tonic. After a good dose of good escapist prose, I feel like I can deal with life again. Thanks again for all of the great suggestions.

Stroud is not JRR Tolkien. I'd categorize his writing as just above young adult, but the quality of writing is good, and suitable for escapism.

Thanks for the tip Rich. John Sanford's work looks interesting. So much to read and so little time...