Please recommend very engrossing novels.

BookCat · 03-01-2010, 09:54 PM

One of my cats died recently

so I'm trying to "hide" in books. I have loads on my ereader and am currently reading "Restoration" by Rose Tremain (can't remember where I got this

) which so far just seems the story of a very selfish guy who jumps in and out of the beds of different women.

I like historical novels, romances with a twist - not the Mills and Boon variety- Dragonwyck by Anya Seton is a good example. Anything which really pulls you in from the first page and is reasonably easy to read (my concentration isn't great due to grief) and has characters I can really care about.

Public Domain and Creative Commons preferred cos the cat, bless her, cost a fortune in vets bills and I'm broke.

lilac_jive · 03-01-2010, 10:07 PM

I'm sorry to hear that.

My first thought is the Dresden series by Jim Butcher. A total of 12 books (well, 11 now, 12 comes out in April), and they're engrossing. It was all I could do not to read the entire series in two weeks (only lasted two months). First is Storm Front.

Or if you like romances with a twist, you could try the paranormal series "Fever" by Karen Marie Moning. You'll spend all of your time screaming for her head when you finish, the last book isn't due out until December and the last has a major cliffhanger. Oh wait, I don't think that made you want to read that series...but it's really good (first is "Dreamfever")

lilac_jive · 03-01-2010, 10:10 PM

Oh, missed the part about cheap/freeness. Hrmm, what have I read recently that would fall under that? I'm reading the Sherlock Holmes omnibus, which I got on here, which is of course awesome.

cmdahler · 03-01-2010, 10:21 PM

Sorry to hear about your cat. If you like classics, The Count of Monte Cristo is just about one of the best books out there. You can find it right here on MR. For me, it's one of those rare can't-put-it-down books. It'll keep you going for quite a while, too - long book.

If you do get a little money to buy a book, another page-turner novel set in historical times is Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. Didn't care for the sequel that much (World Without End), but Pillars draws you in from the start.

BookCat · 03-01-2010, 10:58 PM

Thanks cmdahler and lilac. Have downloaded the Count of Monte Cristo; I have Sherlock in HB. I've a feeling that Dumas may require more concentration than I have at the mo.

Please keep suggestions coming.

ficbot · 03-01-2010, 11:09 PM

Wuthering Heights! Very sweeping atmosphere, passion and adventure. A great book.

lene1949 · 03-01-2010, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BookCat

One of my cats died recently

so I'm trying to "hide" in books. I have loads on my ereader and am currently reading "Restoration" by Rose Tremain (can't remember where I got this

) which so far just seems the story of a very selfish guy who jumps in and out of the beds of different women.

I like historical novels, romances with a twist - not the Mills and Boon variety- Dragonwyck by Anya Seton is a good example. Anything which really pulls you in from the first page and is reasonably easy to read (my concentration isn't great due to grief) and has characters I can really care about.

Public Domain and Creative Commons preferred cos the cat, bless her, cost a fortune in vets bills and I'm broke.

I am so sorry to hear about your loss...

I think you might like to read a historical novel from New Zealand by Shayne Parkinson... It's very easy to read, and draws you in straight away... Sentence of Marriage is the first book in a series of 3.. and is free..

cearbhallain · 03-01-2010, 11:48 PM

Excuse my newness to the forum and allow me to recommend my favorite Bronte novel:
Anne Bronte's Tenant of Wildfell Hall is available as a free ebook in many formats at Manybooks.net

They also have The Decameron, which is 100 short stories, some of which are hilarious and/or absolutely filthy. I read them when I was homesick and lonely.

BookCat · 03-01-2010, 11:54 PM

Thank you lene, have downloaded Sentence of Marriage, it has some great reviews. Shame the rest in the series aren't also free.

Ficbot, I have an old HB copy of "Wuthering Heights" which I've worn out with reading. I agree that it's a great book, no film has done it justice. The first time I read it I was shocked that Cathy dies half way through: in the Olivier film she dies at the end.

ficbot · 03-02-2010, 12:15 AM

Bookcat, I forgot to express my condolences; sorry for your loss.

I scanned my bookmarks for things I marked 'favourite' and here are some more suggestions:

Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin
Dark Places by Gillian Flynn
The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards
The Stolen Child by Keith Donohue
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
1984 by George Orwell

SimonSays · 03-02-2010, 01:39 AM

I am so sorry to hear that you recently lost your cat ((HUGS)) Losing a beloved fur baby is never easy

How about The Good Mother:
Recently divorced, Anna Dunlap has two passionate attachments: her daughter, four-year-old Molly, and her lover, Leo, the man who makes her feel beautiful -- and sexual -- for the first time. Swept away by happiness and passion, Anna feels she has everything she's ever wanted.

Then come the shocking charges that would threaten her new love, her new "family" ... that force her to prove she is a good mother

lene1949 · 03-02-2010, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BookCat

Thank you lene, have downloaded Sentence of Marriage, it has some great reviews. Shame the rest in the series aren't also free.

The other books in the series are only $1.99 each... It's very good value, and they're each as good as the first one...

P.S. I have no affiliation with the writer - just loved the books..

Billjr13 · 03-02-2010, 02:05 AM

Sorry about your loss, best wishes to you. You might try Boomerang by our very own Alan Hutchinson. Inexpensive and fun to read.

Shayne Parkinson · 03-02-2010, 03:46 AM

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss, BookCat. Our two "boys" lived to be 16 and 18. They were a huge part of our lives, and we still miss them.

I see that Lene has been kind enough to recommend my Sentence of Marriage, and that you've downloaded it. I do hope it brings you some welcome distraction.

Matches Malone · 03-02-2010, 04:04 AM

You could try the first Outlander book by Diana Gabaldon.
sorry for your loss.

03-01-2010, 09:54 PM	#1
BookCat C L J Posts: 2,911 Karma: 21115458 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Birmingham UK Device: Sony e-reader 505, Kindle PW2, Kindle PW3, Kobo Libra2	Please recommend very engrossing novels. One of my cats died recently so I'm trying to "hide" in books. I have loads on my ereader and am currently reading "Restoration" by Rose Tremain (can't remember where I got this ) which so far just seems the story of a very selfish guy who jumps in and out of the beds of different women. I like historical novels, romances with a twist - not the Mills and Boon variety- Dragonwyck by Anya Seton is a good example. Anything which really pulls you in from the first page and is reasonably easy to read (my concentration isn't great due to grief) and has characters I can really care about. Public Domain and Creative Commons preferred cos the cat, bless her, cost a fortune in vets bills and I'm broke.

03-02-2010, 03:46 AM	#14
Shayne Parkinson Author Posts: 1,532 Karma: 5447804 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: New Zealand Device: Samsung Galaxy Tab	I'm so sorry to hear about your loss, BookCat. Our two "boys" lived to be 16 and 18. They were a huge part of our lives, and we still miss them. I see that Lene has been kind enough to recommend my Sentence of Marriage, and that you've downloaded it. I do hope it brings you some welcome distraction. Last edited by Shayne Parkinson; 03-02-2010 at 04:17 AM.

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03-01-2010, 10:07 PM	#2
lilac_jive Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,870 Karma: 27376 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Device: PRS-505	I'm sorry to hear that. My first thought is the Dresden series by Jim Butcher. A total of 12 books (well, 11 now, 12 comes out in April), and they're engrossing. It was all I could do not to read the entire series in two weeks (only lasted two months). First is Storm Front. Or if you like romances with a twist, you could try the paranormal series "Fever" by Karen Marie Moning. You'll spend all of your time screaming for her head when you finish, the last book isn't due out until December and the last has a major cliffhanger. Oh wait, I don't think that made you want to read that series...but it's really good (first is "Dreamfever")

03-01-2010, 10:10 PM	#3
lilac_jive Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,870 Karma: 27376 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Device: PRS-505	Oh, missed the part about cheap/freeness. Hrmm, what have I read recently that would fall under that? I'm reading the Sherlock Holmes omnibus, which I got on here, which is of course awesome.

03-01-2010, 10:21 PM	#4
cmdahler Addict Posts: 292 Karma: 24688 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: Sony PRS-505, iPad	Sorry to hear about your cat. If you like classics, The Count of Monte Cristo is just about one of the best books out there. You can find it right here on MR. For me, it's one of those rare can't-put-it-down books. It'll keep you going for quite a while, too - long book. If you do get a little money to buy a book, another page-turner novel set in historical times is Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. Didn't care for the sequel that much (World Without End), but Pillars draws you in from the start.

03-01-2010, 10:58 PM	#5
BookCat C L J Posts: 2,911 Karma: 21115458 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Birmingham UK Device: Sony e-reader 505, Kindle PW2, Kindle PW3, Kobo Libra2	Thanks cmdahler and lilac. Have downloaded the Count of Monte Cristo; I have Sherlock in HB. I've a feeling that Dumas may require more concentration than I have at the mo. Please keep suggestions coming.

03-01-2010, 11:09 PM	#6
ficbot Wizard Posts: 2,409 Karma: 4132096 Join Date: Sep 2008 Device: Kindle Paperwhite/iOS Kindle App	Wuthering Heights! Very sweeping atmosphere, passion and adventure. A great book.

03-01-2010, 11:48 PM	#8
cearbhallain Groupie Posts: 183 Karma: 1053258 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Fort Vancouver Device: nook	Excuse my newness to the forum and allow me to recommend my favorite Bronte novel: Anne Bronte's Tenant of Wildfell Hall is available as a free ebook in many formats at Manybooks.net They also have The Decameron, which is 100 short stories, some of which are hilarious and/or absolutely filthy. I read them when I was homesick and lonely.

03-01-2010, 11:54 PM	#9
BookCat C L J Posts: 2,911 Karma: 21115458 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Birmingham UK Device: Sony e-reader 505, Kindle PW2, Kindle PW3, Kobo Libra2	Thank you lene, have downloaded Sentence of Marriage, it has some great reviews. Shame the rest in the series aren't also free. Ficbot, I have an old HB copy of "Wuthering Heights" which I've worn out with reading. I agree that it's a great book, no film has done it justice. The first time I read it I was shocked that Cathy dies half way through: in the Olivier film she dies at the end.

03-02-2010, 12:15 AM	#10
ficbot Wizard Posts: 2,409 Karma: 4132096 Join Date: Sep 2008 Device: Kindle Paperwhite/iOS Kindle App	Bookcat, I forgot to express my condolences; sorry for your loss. I scanned my bookmarks for things I marked 'favourite' and here are some more suggestions: Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin Dark Places by Gillian Flynn The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards The Stolen Child by Keith Donohue The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman 1984 by George Orwell

03-02-2010, 01:39 AM	#11
SimonSays No wire hangers, ever! Posts: 183 Karma: 540 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: O-hi-o Device: Sony PRS-300	I am so sorry to hear that you recently lost your cat ((HUGS)) Losing a beloved fur baby is never easy How about The Good Mother: Recently divorced, Anna Dunlap has two passionate attachments: her daughter, four-year-old Molly, and her lover, Leo, the man who makes her feel beautiful -- and sexual -- for the first time. Swept away by happiness and passion, Anna feels she has everything she's ever wanted. Then come the shocking charges that would threaten her new love, her new "family" ... that force her to prove she is a good mother

03-02-2010, 02:05 AM	#13
Billjr13 Addict Posts: 357 Karma: 550002 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Colorado Device: Sony PRS 700 & 650	Sorry about your loss, best wishes to you. You might try Boomerang by our very own Alan Hutchinson. Inexpensive and fun to read.

03-02-2010, 04:04 AM	#15
Matches Malone Connoisseur Posts: 67 Karma: 9218 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NY, USA Device: PW2, Ipad	You could try the first Outlander book by Diana Gabaldon. sorry for your loss.