Hey, I'm coming to the font of all knowledge about good stuff. I need a couple good reads -- nothing heavy but I like mystery and even a bit of a thriller. I'm crazy about sci fi/fantasy. I love Janet Evanovich and Jennifer Chiaverini but can read one of their books in a good afternoon. Something longer, a bit more involved (not Dan Brown -- I don't really like his stuff). Some of my fav writers are Terry Pratchett, Dean Koontz, Robin Hobb, Tanya Huff, C.J. Cherryh... ..... ..... and dozens more.
So hit me with your best shots (sorry, I've been listening to an '80s music compliation CD for the past two days).
Mysteries: The "Rabbi" series ("Sunday the Rabbi..." etc.) by Henry Kemelman, the Nero Wolfe books by Rex Stout.
Some others I've read recently -- not mysteries but good: "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak, set during WWII in Germany. "The Blue Notebook" by James Levine. "Handle with Care" by Jodi Picoult "Broken for You" by Stephanie Kallos "Driftless" by David Rhodes
Julia > Hey, I'm coming to the font of all knowledge about good stuff. I need
If you like sci-fi/fantasy, try Mercedes Lackey or Marion Zimmer Bradley. Mercedes has several stand-alone books, but the ones that I have gravitated toward are her "Valdemar" series (including pre- founding, through periods of Valdemar history, up to where they rediscover Mage abilities - magic having been outlawed when Herald Vanyel was alive...he was known as the last herald-mage). Marion has some lovely books, from a different perspective, about Arthur and the Lady of the Lake.....the women's perspective......will try to cull out the titles, but right now, they are hidden away where the dog can't chew on them.
i see Diana Gabaldon has a new book in her series, crosses thru time, history, romance, action, back thru time again. cant recall the name of the new one. not sure if it is here yet, must check the library for it. probly have to put my name on the waiting list and takes forever, oh well. j.
"Sunny" wrote ... Hey, I'm coming to the font of all knowledge about good stuff. I need a couple good reads -- nothing heavy but I like mystery and even a bit of a thriller. I'm crazy about sci fi/fantasy. I love Janet Evanovich and Jennifer Chiaverini but can read one of their books in a good afternoon. Something longer, a bit more involved (not Dan Brown -- I don't really like his stuff). Some of my fav writers are Terry Pratchett, Dean Koontz, Robin Hobb, Tanya Huff, C.J. Cherryh... ..... ..... and dozens more.
So hit me with your best shots (sorry, I've been listening to an '80s music compliation CD for the past two days).
JD Robb "in Death" series scifi-mystery-thrillers, popcorn books for sure, but there are over twenty in the series.
The Mrs Murphey Mysteries by Rita Mae and Sneaky Pie Brown Also a longish series, these are the ones you want when you feel like snuggling down with an afghan, a cup of cocoa, and a comfortable mystery book. Her other books are also well worth a read, though you have to look at each individually to find out what they are about.
Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files, another series of books that are better than the TV series by quite a lot.
Piers Anthony's Incarnations of Immortality An eight book series that I would recommend looking up as it is rather involved to explain. Sort of Fantasy and scifi with and underlying mystery running through the whole series.
Jack Chalker's Four Lords of the Diamond, a four book series. If you like CJ Cherryh you would probably like it. OK, DH thinks I am crazy for claiming it has similarities to Cherryh, but he is a man so there you go.
Charlaine Harris, the Sookie Stackhouse books are better than the TV series, but then I am ever wont to say that. (except in cases where I figure that the series or movie can't possibly be worse than the book they started from, there are rare exceptions with lots of qualifiers) The Shakespeare books are not supernatural in the least and also quite good. I have not yet read any of her Aurora Teagarden books, but I have heard them praised.
Laurel K Hamilton, OK you might want to skip Nightseer, it kind of leaves you hanging. I am a huge fan of her other books though, both the Anita Blake and the Merry Gentry series. Being as I tend to read an entire series over again every time a new book comes out I have been able to follow the logic all along book to book. A lot of people seem to have trouble with series and characters evolving, especially in Anitaworld, and I think a lot of that is they read the books as they come out and don't reread past books.
For good fun there is the Aisling Grey series by Katie MacAlister. Mystery, magic, dragons, demons, and romance. Katie MacAlister is a hoot with any of her books, this series just happens to fit some of your favorite genres.
For mystery/thrillers often with a bit of sci-fi thrown in, I enjoy James Rollins and Douglas Preston (sometimes Preston writes with Lincoln Child). Both will keep you on the edge of your seat like Koontz does.
By James Rollins, I particularly enjoyed, "Ice Hunt" and "Deep Fathom", although none have been disappointing--except, I wouldn't recommend "Subterranean" unless you enjoy really creepy stories. It's different from his others.
As for Douglas/Child, again, I've enjoyed all of their books, however, "Thunderhead" is my favorite.
You might also enjoy the Repairman Jack novels by F. Paul Wilson. There are quite a few of them, and it isn't really necessary to read them in order. The very first one is called the "The Tomb".
I love sci-fi too, but tend more towards the hard sci-fi. If it's got a space ship in it, then I'm a happy camper. I can make some recommendations for this genre too, however, I'm not sure from your list if this type of sci-fi is your cup of tea.
I have to second this recommendation if you're looking for a real "cozy" type mystery. Thoroughly enjoyable, especially if you enjoy looking at events from a cat's point of view.
I'm a big fan of Diana Gabaldon also. If you like history, time travel, romance, she about covers it all with her series of books. There is a series of 5 out so far with the first one call Outlander. These are big beefy 1000 page books but she is a gifted writer and many a night I've been up till 2 or so trying to get a few more pages read. Donna
In addition to personal recommendations, try NoveList, a reader's advisory database. Go to the e-resources section of your public library's website and do a search. In addition to read-alikes ("I loved the Mitford books; do you have anything like those?" One answer: books by Phillip Gulley), NL also lists books-in-series, and all-the-books-by, for example, Tess Gerrisen or David Housewright.
Many libraries hand out "Book Page," a tabloid-style monthly magazine with reviews of new books. There's an online version at
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HTH, Nann Official Librarian of RCTQ, who is currently reading a pre-publication copy of "When Autumn Leaves," by Amy S. Foster, which will be welcomed by fans of Alice Hoffman (....'will be' because it won't be published until next month)
Brandon Sanderson is a new sci fi fantasy author that I've really enjoyed. His first book is Elantris, a 1 volume. His second is a trilogy: Mistborn, Well of Ascension, and Hero of Ages. His books are a bit violent at times, but engrossing. I've read all 4, and would gladly send them to you if you're interested. I'm having to ruthlessly sort in order to make room for my brand new Pinnacle Grace quilting frame!!
Musicmaker, who also loves EVERYTHING that Ann McAffrey has written.
I can second most of what has been mentioned. (Lately been on a re-read of the JD Robb series. ) JD Robb is a pen name of Nora Roberts and some of her other stuff is good too. (Some is simple romance stuff, but some of the series are mystery/fantasy/ etc. ) More mystery writers..... Jonathan Kellerman, and his wife, Faye Kellerman. Patricia Cornwell James Patterson Kathy Reichs (the Temperence Brennen series on which the TV show "Bones" is loosely based.) some "cozies" include a couple/three?? series by Tamara Meyers, Mary Daheim, Diane Mott Davidson, and others. I've also enjoyed a couple of the Darkwing Chonicles by Savannah Russe. (Vampires helping the cops.... interesting take on "good guy" vamps.) Of course I would be sorely remiss if I didn't mention the books by Rick Cook. (Yep, DH, I am definitely affiliated here. ) Especially the Wiz series and Mall Purchase Night. (all science fantasy full of puns.)
Can probably come up with lots more if needed. (We have lots of books, of all k> Hey, I'm coming to the font of all knowledge about good stuff. I need
Pati, it's time for me to re-read Mall Purchase Night - love that book - already read it twice! Thanks for the reminder. Haven't read the Wiz series for awhile either. I really downsized my supply of books a few months ago, keeping only the ones that I know I'll want to read again: definitely kep Rick's books and all of Anne McCaffrey's.
Donna in SW Idaho
Of course I would be sorely remiss if I didn't mention the books by Rick Cook. (Yep, DH, I am definitely affiliated here. ) Especially the Wiz series and Mall Purchase Night. (all science fantasy full of puns.)
Can probably come up with lots more if needed. (We have lots of books, of all kinds around here. )
Among my most favorite books - the Cork O'Connor suspense novels by William Kent Krueger. Each book is a stand-alone story, but you will understand the family relationships better if you read them in order. My son and I have both re-read all of the books in this series two or three times. The ninth book in the series has just been released.
Among my most favorite books - the Cork O'Connor suspense novels by William Kent Krueger. Each book is a stand-alone story, but you will understand the family relationships better if you read them in order. My son and I have both re-read all of the books in this series two or three times. The ninth book in the series has just been released.
It's been a while for me, but I like the books by Allen Steele for the following reasons:
They're mystery/sci-fi.
While reading them in the order in which he wrote them isn't necessary, (they're not serial) I recommend that one does, because they progress chronologically as humankind begins moving out into space and colonizing the solar system.
He's our age, so there's some relevance and he connects.
They're a good fun read.
I would start with "Orbital Decay" then "Clarke County, Space", then the rest, as I said, in order.
I can't quilt without music. Sometimes I've got CD's playing, sometimes local radio. Sometimes the TV. But I have often thought about getting one of those "audio books" and listen while I work. Do you ever listen to those?
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