I need a good book to read.

BerthaDee

[Finger Monkey]

I am in desperate need of an engrossing novel. I would like a big fat book, historical fiction, preferably. The last engrossing book I read was Shogun, and that was last spring.

I am also a sci-fi geek, any really good series recommendations would be appreciated. And fantasy too. Yes, I am that big of a geek.

Thanks for any help you can give, I have been reading periodicals, mostly politics and science, and I need some fiction. I know that you, intelligent FReepers that you are (excuse me while I clean off my nose), will recommend many a good book to me, BerthaDee, newbie.

[Finger Monkey]

Since I am a newbie, I have no idea if this is acceptable. Please let me know if it's not (like I have to ask).

By the way, how many licks does it take to get rid of the "newbie" title? Not that I am trying to grow up to quickly, just curious.

[patton]

"The Princes of Ireland, The Dublin Saga"

Edward Rutherfurd

[Finger Monkey]

Wow, you are quick. Thanks, I'm putting on a list.

[The Spirit Of Allegiance]

Welcome to FR.

Try "The Red President," by Martin Short. A thriller of a "Manchurian Candidate" type novel that predicted a lot of Kerry's moves to grab the Oval Office in last year's election.....

Or, in another genre, The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis, if you're really brave....

[Servant of the 9]

Here is a first class huge Sci-Fi Historical novel.

Cryptonomicon

It is really stunning in it's intricacy. Sort of a combination of "War and Peace" by Tolstoy and "The Name of The Rose" by Umberto Eco.
There is a 'Prequel' trilogy to it out now in hardback "The Baroque Cycle"

So9

[dion]

Gosh, where to start... I read a lot, more into fantasy than science fiction, but I do read some that are highly recommended by friends.

I really enjoyed The Reality Dysfunction series by Peter F. Hamilton and The Summer Queen and The Snow Queen by Joan Vinge, but those are older books, I haven't read any newer ones. Also, Leo Frankowski writes an enjoyable and interesting series about time travel.

If you want any fantasy recommendations, let me know and I can give you a whole list of good authors.

Dion :)

[Finger Monkey]

Thanks, I put "Red" on the list. I read Screwtape in college, I still have it, maybe I'll hunt it down too.

[kdot]

If you liked Shogun, why not continue with the series. Taipan and Noble House are terrific. Then, if you like James Clavel, read King Rat. They are all great.

[Finger Monkey]

Thank you so much, I will put it on my list. Unfortunately I am in the country on dial-up, so trying to get Amazon (I loooooove Amazon) to come up with all the graphics is rather slow, but I'm trying to add all of the recommendations to my shopping cart.

Do you shop on Amazon? What do you think about this Prime shipping thing? I know it would probably be a cost savings to me (I'm a book whore), but it renews automatically unless you cancel.

[GailA]

Sci fantasy series by Marion Zimmer Bradley about the planet of Darkover and psi powers of Ann McCaffery's Dragon Riders of Pern for starters. Or you could look at the Clan of the Cave Bear series..very detailed and enthralling.

[Finger Monkey]

Thanks, I have Taipan and started to read it, but I was so much still into Shogun, that I think I have to wait a couple of years before continuing with the series. I hated the end of Shogun, I felt cheated. Great book, though, one of my all-time favorites.

[Technocrat]

1632.

[Servant of the 9]

Do you shop on Amazon? What do you think about this Prime shipping thing? I know it would probably be a cost savings to me (I'm a book whore), but it renews automatically unless you cancel.

I shop Amazon and like it, but I don't sign up for anything anywhere.

SO9

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

Apropos nothing, consider, "I, Claudius" and Robert Graves translation of "Lives of the 12 Ceasars".

PD James' "The Maul and the Pear Tree", is a non-fiction crime classic. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0446679216/qid=1111344589/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-4866473-5205717?v=glance&s=books

R.V.Jones' classic, "The Wizard War" is a must read, sort of real-life science fiction.

[Finger Monkey]

Thanks, I have read on of Marion Zimmer Bradley's books, I cant remember which one though. I liked it very much. I will check out more of her work, I know she writes big fatties.

I loved the Dragon Riders, and I would very much like to get involved with another series with much the same feel. I, too, enjoyed the Cave Bear series a lot, I recommend it to people who don't read much, I think it's enthralling enough to get them started reading on a regular basis.

[Finger Monkey]

Very wise. Oh, ancient one.

[Finger Monkey]

Thanks. I have read a great deal of Colleen McCullough's stuff re: Ceasar, et al. Very intense. I will add your recommendations to my Amazon shopping cart, thank you very much.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

"historical fiction"

I found that whole "Kent Family" series by John Jakes totally engrossing. It may not be "high-brow" enough for you, but I liked it, and am considering reading them all over again.

http://www.johnjakes.com/kentchronicles.htm

[Finger Monkey]

Thank you. I just (finally) bought The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged, but I haven't managed to get into them yet. Loved the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I am surprised I haven't read Starship Troopers, I love Heinlein. I will be printing your list for future reference.

I, too, love, love, love Mark Twain and Poe. Oh, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Thank you very much.