Challenge my comfort zone! Books other than historical romance!

[crich70]

Diane Duane's young wizard books are good.

[Mivo]

A thriller/romance mix you might enjoy is Ken Follett's Night over Water. It's even historical.

[Grace Elliot]

You guys are awesome!
Looks like I have some (extremely enjoyable) homework to do.
I must be a true history addict because the historical books certainly fire my interest.
Off to check the recommendations out - and yes, the book club sounds a great idea.
Do keep those suggestions coming...

[elemenoP]

Some that you might like:

The Secret River by Kate Grenville
Cloudstreet by Tim Winton
American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

eP

[Merischino]

A second to Anne McCaffrey... Although I'd recommend starting with a little trilogy of hers, dragonsong, dragonsinger and dragondrums. Probably altogether a third of your average historical novel (which in my experience tend to be rather hefty tomes.)

[Grace Elliot]

Originally Posted by Merischino

A second to Anne McCaffrey... Although I'd recommend starting with a little trilogy of hers, dragonsong, dragonsinger and dragondrums. Probably altogether a third of your average historical novel (which in my experience tend to be rather hefty tomes.)

I've been thinking about investigating Anne Mc Caffrey for a while...

[Merischino]

Originally Posted by Grace Elliot

I've been thinking about investigating Anne Mc Caffrey for a while...

that little trilogy was my introduction to her nearly 30 years ago. I found it mesmerizing and truly memorable. I've reread it several times. There were later additions to that and it became a series (much later?) subset of the Pern universe of books... the dragon books which were mentioned are also great and I have nothing bad to say about them.

Another trilogy that is a return-to-it-often favorite of mine is also by Anne McCaffrey: Crystal Singer, Killashandra, and Crystal Line. All about a young woman stymied in her operatic career who goes off-world and joins a mysterious, elite organization where her vocal talents can be applied to the science of cutting crystals used for interstellar travel (among other uses) -- *if* her body can adapt successfully to a planetary organism. The character development and uniqueness of the kinds of challenges she faces are exceptionally well done. This trilogy does not take place in the same "universe" as the Pern books. (no dragons)

[Grace Elliot]

Originally Posted by Merischino

that little trilogy was my introduction to her nearly 30 years ago. I found it mesmerizing and truly memorable. I've reread it several times. There were later additions to that and it became a series (much later?) subset of the Pern universe of books... the dragon books which were mentioned are also great and I have nothing bad to say about them.

Another trilogy that is a return-to-it-often favorite of mine is also by Anne McCaffrey: Crystal Singer, Killashandra, and Crystal Line. All about a young woman stymied in her operatic career who goes off-world and joins a mysterious, elite organization where her vocal talents can be applied to the science of cutting crystals used for interstellar travel (among other uses) -- *if* her body can adapt successfully to a planetary organism. The character development and uniqueness of the kinds of challenges she faces are exceptionally well done. This trilogy does not take place in the same "universe" as the Pern books. (no dragons)

Isn't it wonderful when you discover an author whose work you can really immerse yourself in and know their are plenty more books to read...
This is the sort of thing I'm looking for.
G x

[cromag]

If you have not yet read it, I strongly suggest Flowers for Algernon.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flowers_for_Algernon

[LovesMacs]

Originally Posted by Merischino

Another trilogy that is a return-to-it-often favorite of mine is also by Anne McCaffrey: Crystal Singer, Killashandra, and Crystal Line. All about a young woman stymied in her operatic career who goes off-world and joins a mysterious, elite organization where her vocal talents can be applied to the science of cutting crystals used for interstellar travel (among other uses) -- *if* her body can adapt successfully to a planetary organism. The character development and uniqueness of the kinds of challenges she faces are exceptionally well done. This trilogy does not take place in the same "universe" as the Pern books. (no dragons)

I second the recommendation for the Crystal Singer trilogy. I can't give a particular reason as it has been many years since I read it but I remember liking it a lot.

[AlbertaCowboy]

To keep in the history theme:

Bernard Cornwell, especially his "Sharpe" series,
Louis L'Amour's "Sackett" series, (especially the first four which are set in the late 1500's to early 1600's), as well as his "The Walking Drum"
Stephen R. Lawhead's "The Celtic Crusades Trilogy"
Robert Harris' "Pompeii"

[Katsunami]

Originally Posted by Grace Elliot

Hi there,
My ideal book is one that's well written with believable characters and an absorbing plot.

James Clavell - Shogun, if you have not yet read it.

It's historical (at least, based on history), some romance, but not a romance novel.

Eiji Yoshikawa - Musashi (not available as an e-book)

Same...

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by Katsunami

Eiji Yoshikawa - Musashi (not available as an e-book)

It is in the US, I own a copy. Much easier than hauling the hardcover around.

[Katsunami]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

It is in the US, I own a copy. Much easier than hauling the hardcover around.

Where did you get that?

There is a (quite good, but certainly not perfect) pirated version floating around the 'net...

BTW, both books are quite hefty, indeed; around a thousand pages in hardback.

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by Katsunami

Where did you get that?

http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebo...he-samurai-era