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This or That - Relying on your advice...

C

Concetta

New Member
Since the book I am reading right now is ridiculously boring (finishing it for a discussion group), I am determined that the next book I read will be great. I am relying on you, the experts, for advice. I went to the library yesterday and picked up some books by authors I have learned about on this forum and have not read yet.

Neil Gaiman:
Neverwhere OR Anansi Boys OR Good Omens

Sebastian Faulks:
Birdsong OR Charlotte Gray

Margaret Atwood:
Oryx and Crake OR The Blind Assassin

OR whatever...

I need a GUARANTEED good read...

So add your two cents (or pounds or whatever...)
 
I loved Anansi Boys..couldn't get into Oryx and Crake at all. I know lots of people love it, and all power to them, but it left me shaking my head.
 
Concetta said:
Neil Gaiman:
Neverwhere OR Anansi Boys OR Good Omens
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I'd say read them in the following order:
1. Neverwhere
2. Good Omens
3. American Gods
4. Anansi Boys

Anansi Boys is a sequel to American Gods, and while it does stand on its own, you'll probably get more out of it if you've read AG - which is also better than AB.
 
The Barrytown Trilogy by Roddy Doyle is great for a funny read. The Van and The Snapper are my favorites of the three.. I thought Anansi Boys was better than American Gods..funny how milage varies!
For a great historical fiction read, try Rise to Rebellion by Jeff Shaara.
 
Thanks for the suggestions, everyone - its nice to know you all care ;) :D

Stewart said:
Of course, it depends on your definition of 'good read'.
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I knew that someone was going to ask me this extremely relevant question...

I like books that are:
  • Long-ish (I love series, when a good book ends I miss it)
  • More about the characters than the setting or the plot (does that even make sense???)
  • Interesting, strange, well-developed characters
  • Not depressing / hopeless

Some examples of recent reads that I liked:
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell - Long, great characterers, so much going on, loved the style of writing, the way she lingered

Middlesex - long-ish, strange and interesting characters, loved the epic-ness of it - the story throughout generations of the characters' lives (although I didn't like the "neat" ending)

The Crimson Petal and the White - long, great characters, the best first page in a novel ever
 
Of the ones you've listed I've read Birdsong and Anansi Boys and enjoyed both of them. If I had to choose just one it generally it would be Birdsong. This is longish moves around in time and has some interesting central characters. However ifyou're a big sci-fi, fantasy, alternative reality reader I'd go for Anansi Boys which is also very funny in palces.
 
Thanks everyone...

Phlebas said:
Of the ones you've listed I've read Birdsong and Anansi Boys and enjoyed both of them. If I had to choose just one it generally it would be Birdsong. This is longish moves around in time and has some interesting central characters. However ifyou're a big sci-fi, fantasy, alternative reality reader I'd go for Anansi Boys which is also very funny in palces.
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I don't normally go for sci-fi, fantasy books, but I have to say that I really enjoyes Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell so I am now open to that.

eyez0nme; said:
The Girl Next Door
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I found a few books by that name, which do you mean?

abecedarian said:
The Barrytown Trilogy by Roddy Doyle is great for a funny read. The Van and The Snapper are my favorites of the three.. I thought Anansi Boys was better than American Gods..funny how milage varies!
For a great historical fiction read, try Rise to Rebellion by Jeff Shaara.
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ABCD, you are the second person to recommend that Trilogy to me, perhaps I will check it out. I do like historical fiction, and will take a look at Rise..., too.

Stewart, I've read Owen Meany and loved it - Cider House Rules sits on my shelf to be read. Yates and Ishiguro are also on "my list" - although I was leaning towards Never Let Me Go or When We Were Orphans.

Beer Good and ions, thanks, too...
 
Stewart said:
Have you considered A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth?
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Yes. In fact, I had picked it up after having read Beneath a Marble Sky (John Shors) back in May and put it back down because I decided to read The Crimson Petal and the White.

Thanks, Stewart, I had forgetten about that book.
 
As an aside, are you aware of The Apple: New Crimson Petal Stories which came out this month? It's a small hardback with seven short stories based around characters from the novel before and after it was set.
 
Stewart said:
As an aside, are you aware of The Apple: New Crimson Petal Stories which came out this month? It's a small hardback with seven short stories based around characters from the novel before and after it was set.
Click to expand...

Yes - I saw that somewhere (maybe in another post of yours). I am not a fan of the short story but am considering this because I did absolutly fall in love with those characters and would love to visit with them again.
 
Stewart said:
Well, unless you really really need to: don't. :)
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Caught the review this morning - off the list already...

Ended up reading "Neverwhere" (Gaiman) and loved it. Right now I am reading David Sedaris' "Naked" because "my sister made me" - its entertaining - the jury is still out...
 
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