Book advice.

[Uuaww]

I haven't read a book in over a year, and haven't read a book that was non-fiction in maybe 6 years. I would like to change that, but don't have a clue where to start.

Background: I am 23, male, live on an island. I enjoy food, World War II, zombies.

I have no interest in fantasy books like Harry Potter or anything by Dan Brown, not my style. Minor interest in Twilight and do not want to read anything involving islands.

 

[puffkin]

Read The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I don't even know how to describe it, but it is great. My DH doesn't read, and I made him read this and he liked it. I am picking up the sequel today at the library Catching Fire, so can't recommend that yet since I haven't read it yet. We are both looking forward to it though!

 

[paintnolish]

Did you read World War Z yet? It sounds right up your alley! Check it out! Zombies attack humans!

 

[Inigo]

I haven't read a book in over a year, and haven't read a book that was non-fiction in maybe 6 years. I would like to change that, but don't have a clue where to start.

Background: I am 23, male, live on an island. I enjoy food, World War II, zombies.

I have no interest in fantasy books like Harry Potter or anything by Dan Brown, not my style. Minor interest in Twilight and do not want to read anything involving islands.

It doesn't have zombies, but it does have World War II: The World War series by Harry Turtledove.

The Germans are ahead in WW II when the Race lands from outer space. The Race has been in cold sleep on the trip from their distant planet, and when they left Home, earth was in the middle ages. Because change comes slowly to the Race, they don't expect the Earth to be much different than it was when they left Hoime, and thought it would be an easy planet to conquer. The different countries of Earth unite to fight the alien forces.

It's an interesting read if you're into history and sci fi. There isn't a fantasy set to it...it seems plausible if an advanced alien race were to land on earth.

 

[Sandy321]

A non fiction book enjoyed by my sons -


Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything (P.S.) by Steven D. Levitt, Stephen J. Dubn

a very inspiring book -
The Last Lecture | Randy Pausch
(his last lecture is on you tube - but its also a book!)

go with what interests you - Mountain Climbing? (my husband has read many books on Mt Ranier, Mt Everest, etc - inspiring stories on survival...) Sports? ( Biographies, history of teams) Religions? History? (I just read a review about President Grant, he was popular in his time, and all but forgotten now - fascinating books on Presidents...)

You say you live on an island - do you have access to a library? The librarians are a wonderful source to get you started...

Have Fun!

 

[Praying Colonel]

Good thread on non-fiction recommendations here.

 

[NMAmy]

Another vote for World War Z! It sounds like it's right up your alley.

You also might enjoy Fatherland by Robert Harris. It features a murder mystery in an alternate history where Germany won WWII.

 

[Sgt Mickey]

http://www.amazon.com/Reader-Bernhard-Schlink/dp/0753801728/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258465131&sr=8-5The Reader

 

[dawson5]

have you ever read Stephen Ambrose? He has a lot of WWII books and came highly recommended to my DS14 (the history nut).

What about the Zombie Survival Guide?

 

[Sgt Mickey]

he is a good one. I love Band of Brothers.

 

[clarabelle]

I mentioned these on the non-fiction thread and I will mention them again:

Sarah Vowell -Assassination Vacation -not for the conservative but funny, and quirky with lots of history thrown in

Dan Krakauer Either "Into Thin Air" (everest climb that goes wrong) or
"Under the Banner of Heaven" (extremest Morminism and a murder in that community)

Also for fiction "The Book Thief" although technically a young adult book -it felt pretty grown up to me. About a German Girl during WWII

 

[Uuaww]

Thanks for the tips! I have read everything by Ambrose and everything non-fiction World War 2, loved Band of Brothers. Wouldn't mind a bit of love in my stories and I am trying to stay away from anything depressing at the moment.

 

[RitaE]

My 19yo son really enjoys the "alternate history" novels by Harry Turtledove. Not really my thing but he loves them. Lots of WWII stuff there.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ssc_...rds=harry+turtledove&sprefix=harry+turtledove

 

[monkeybug]

Christopher Moore!! (if you are OK with a little vulgarity)
Funny, funny, funny! Vampires in You Suck and Dirty Job,a demon in Lamb and Practical Demon Keeping, and element of mystery and romance in every one! You will have to watch out for those pesky Islands...they are in a few.
Lamb, You Suck, Dirty Job, Practical Demon Keeping, and Fool are all Island free though.
These books are so hilarious it makes me snort out loud, and there is a very definite love story in each!!!
I also just finished the book Dog On It by Spencer Quinn. It's a book about a private eye and his dog, as told from the dogs perspective. It also has a subtle undercurrent of romance. Sounds lame, but it's really good, very witty, and nice clean writing. It's gotten great reviews, and now after finishing it, I think he definitely earned them. It's kinda' manly. I could see my husband reading it.

 

[Sgt Mickey]

Thanks for the tips! I have read everything by Ambrose and everything non-fiction World War 2, loved Band of Brothers. Wouldn't mind a bit of love in my stories and I am trying to stay away from anything depressing at the moment.

The reader or did you watch the movie? I watched the movie and then read the book.

 

[Uuaww]

book twice, then the miniseries about 10 times, book a third time.

 

[minniebeth]

The series of books written by Vince Flynn...very fast, easy, hard to put down books about counter-terrorism. The main character, Mitch Rapp, is kind of like a Jack Bauer from the show 24.

 

[Crankyshank]

I highly recommend books by SM Stirling, specifically Conquistador and these trilogies (they are related)
Dies the Fire
1. Dies the Fire
2. The Protector's War
3. A Meeting at Corvallis
Change
1. The Sunrise Lands
2. The Scourge of God
3. The Sword of the Lady

Also Ken Follett has some good WWII fiction supposedly (I'm not a fan of the genre). And James Rollins' books are good suspense thrillers (start with Sandstorm).

Oh and ditto the Christopher Moore books. He's excellent. And if you like those, check out Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett

 

[NMAmy]

Wouldn't mind a bit of love in my stories and I am trying to stay away from anything depressing at the moment.

Okay, then even though it's set on an island, I'll recommend The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society about the Nazi occupation of the Guernsey Islands in WWII. Although it does have some sad parts, it's a very uplifting story and has some laugh out loud moments.

 

[Uuaww]

Okay, then even though it's set on an island, I'll recommend The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society about the Nazi occupation of the Guernsey Islands in WWII. Although it does have some sad parts, it's a very uplifting story and has some laugh out loud moments.

I'm pretty adament about the no island rule... I think that is the number one rule on my list and trumps all other rules.

I am pretty sure I am going to pick up a book called Breathers. It is a zombie love story. Still looking for suggestions! I would like to stay away from adventure, espionage, war etc. I feel I should branch out.