Help With My Reading List.......

[GymLadTim]

So, I've decided to put down the celebrity gossip mags and do some serious reading.

I need some recommendations of books to help me put together a sweet little reading list that I can work my way through over the next year. I'm very open minded about what I read - classics, thrillers, romance - you name it.

Can you recommend some books for me please - especially your favourite books or books that have inspired you or changed your life.

Thanks so much

XXXXXX

[Stephen_G]

If I could throw another couple of titles in (If they haven't been mentioned, and you haven't read them), The Martian and Artemis by Andy Weir - couldn't put either of them down.

[ChillDoubt]

Forgot to mention The Tattooist of Auschwitz too, which I've just finished recently.

[Theland]

My Family And Other Animals by Gerald Durrell, and The Harbinger by Johnathon Cahn.

[Cloverjo]

The Secret History by Donna Tarth.

[Cloverjo]

Tartt

[Ellipsis]

The easiest classic to read is A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. Great opening, great ending, good story in between, and some absolutely superb writing.

[GymLadTim]

Thanks guys - I fancy a bit of Charles Dickens might try that one first!! I actually read Kindred by Octavia Butler at school but was not crazy about it tbh!!

[Tuvok]

Take a look at

https://www.lspace.org/books/index.html

For a short story try Theatre of Cruelty

https://www.lspace.org/books/toc/

I guarantee that if you start reading a Terry Pratchett book you will find yourself sniggering and laughing out loud.

[andy-hughes]

The Jack Reacher novels by Lee Child are great - in order is best but not absolutely essential.

Any Stephen King - start with Salem's Lot or Christine.

[andy-hughes]

Tuvok - // I guarantee that if you start reading a Terry Pratchett book you will find yourself sniggering and laughing out loud.//

Sadly, that's not a 'guarantee' you can offer, because humour is entirely subjective, and I find Mr Pratchett's work about as funny as root canal surgery!

[Cloverjo]

Hmmm, I know Pratchett is very clever and funny. My son used to read bits out to me. I’ve never been able to finish one of his books myself though.

[hereIam]

Well, loads for you to choose from there GLT ..

[Khandro]

The Magic Mountain Thomas Mann

[Ken4155]

For fantasy; Stephen King's 'The Dark Tower' series.
For humour; Douglas Lindsay's 'Barney Thompson' series.
For semi-historical; Bernard Cromwell's 'Saxon Stories' series.

If you choose to try any or all of these, you have to do so from book one. If you enjoy book one, i almost guarantee you will want to read the entire series.

[GymLadTim]

Thanks for all of your suggestions I will work my way through them.
XXX

[Atheist]

Try any of the Flashman books by George MacDonald Fraser. They are funny and very educational about Victorian British Empire history and culture. Not only footnotes, but enfdotes!

[Atheist]

endnotes, of course!

[shoota]

Also 'The Beastly Beatitudes of Balthazar B' (or anything else) by J.P. Donleavy. Great humour throughout.
'“Ah yes, why are men more fond of dogs than other men.” “Monsieur I think that is perhaps on this occasion out of my arrondissement to answer.”

[Tilly2]

I have just received a copy of 'The Body. A Guide For Occupants' by Bill Bryson. It is absolutely fascinating. Obviously, very factual but easy to read and presented in discrete manageable chapters.

[Patsy33]

I'm with Douglas. Anything by Tom Sharpe. Guaranteed to make you laugh.