03-01-2010, 08:54 PM | #1 |
C L J
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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. |
03-01-2010, 09:07 PM | #2 |
Grand Sorcerer
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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") |
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03-01-2010, 09:10 PM | #3 |
Grand Sorcerer
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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.
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03-01-2010, 09:21 PM | #4 |
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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, 09:58 PM | #5 |
C L J
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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. |
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03-01-2010, 10:09 PM | #6 |
Wizard
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Wuthering Heights! Very sweeping atmosphere, passion and adventure. A great book.
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03-01-2010, 10:12 PM | #7 | |
Wizard
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Quote:
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.. |
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03-01-2010, 10:48 PM | #8 |
Groupie
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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, 10:54 PM | #9 |
C L J
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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. |
03-01-2010, 11:15 PM | #10 |
Wizard
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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, 12:39 AM | #11 |
No wire hangers, ever!
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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, 12:57 AM | #12 | |
Wizard
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Quote:
P.S. I have no affiliation with the writer - just loved the books.. |
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03-02-2010, 01:05 AM | #13 |
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Sorry about your loss, best wishes to you. You might try Boomerang by our very own Alan Hutchinson. Inexpensive and fun to read.
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03-02-2010, 02:46 AM | #14 |
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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 03:17 AM. |
03-02-2010, 03:04 AM | #15 |
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You could try the first Outlander book by Diana Gabaldon.
sorry for your loss. |
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