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Saturday, October 10, 2009

Weekly Geeks 2009.39: Recommendations


So, I'm trying to get a Weekly Geeks post done earlier in the week this time! And for this week's assignment, it makes sense to get it done a bit earlier anyway.

The question of the week is to think about recommendations. Where and how we get them. And to ask for some and to give some. How's that for simplifying?

Of course, I get much (most?) of the things I want to read from reading all the wonderful book blogs out there. And a little from magazines. And a little from Goodreads. And a little from friends and F2F book groups. And maybe a little from all the lists that are made (100 best whatever books), and awards given (Printz for example), and that type of thing. Or, just keeping up with all the favorite authors can keep you busy for a long long time. Or catching up even.

I try to read lots of different genres, and am not too scared of going out of my comfort zone. Some stuff I won't read though, but usually, I'll read anything. So, I'm trying to think of what to ask for the first part of the assignment.

I'm looking for books that have it all. I want romance. I want intrigue. I want to learn something. I want strong character relationships. I want striking prose. I want sword fights, and mistaken identities, and cool settings. I want good bad guys, and conflicted good guys. So, tell me,what books can you suggest that have it all?? :)

The second part is to give some recommendations.

If you're looking for some easy to read, exciting, page turning type books to get you through the readathon in a couple of weeks, I recommend:

The Maze Runner by James Dashner, which I just finished, and wow.

The Hunger Games and Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins, if you haven't read them yet, now is your chance!

Love Among the Walnuts by Jean Ferris: cute fun book I read a long time ago

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett: quite gripping

Between a Rock and a Hard Place by Aron Ralston, remember the guy that cut off his own arm to escape being stuck by a rock. Yeah, it was an very engaging book.

Sunshine by Robin McKinley: like vampires? Read this.

The Old Willis Place by Mary Downing Hahn: perfect for Halloween

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch: wonderful little book.

I don't know about you, but for me, that was fun! I look forward to your recommendations, and will write a wrap up post later this week about them all.
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10 comments:

  1. AnonymousOctober 10, 2009 at 9:38 PM

    Sadly, the only one on your list that I've read is "Sunshine". That was a good story. Another great vampire mystery that totally lives up to all your requirements is "Those Who Hunt the Night" by Barbara Hambly and its sequel "Travelling With the Dead".

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  2. KailanaOctober 11, 2009 at 3:51 AM

    Your recommendations look like my TBR pile...

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  3. pussrebootsOctober 11, 2009 at 12:45 PM

    I recommend The Thirteenth Tale because it has everything on your list (except for sword fights).

    My full list is here.

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  4. Julie (ASmAcc)October 11, 2009 at 8:27 PM

    The Riftwar Saga by Raymond E, Feist. Got it all. First one is Magician: Apprentice.

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  5. Anastasia @ Here There Be BooksOctober 11, 2009 at 11:01 PM

    omg! I think I have the perfect book for you! It's called Freedom & Necessity, and it's got pretty much everything you want except maybe good bad guys. It's got sword fights! Romance! Intrigue! Excellent writing! Other things that deserve exclamation marks!

    Here's my review if you wanna check it out: http://birdbrainbb.net/2009/10/03/review-freedom-necessity-by-steven-brust-and-emma-bull/

    :D

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  6. Chantele SedgwickOctober 12, 2009 at 9:24 AM

    I have a lot of those books in my TBR pile!:) I'll have to think of some good books I have read lately... I am excited to read The Maze Runner now!

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  7. gautami tripathyOctober 12, 2009 at 10:50 AM

    I can recommend a few good writers of romance. Diana Palmer, Brenda Joyce are my personal favourites. Recently I discovered Betina Krahn (Just Say Yes)..historical romance but very good interpersonal relationship. Some people like Nora Roberts but I don't. And then there are Sandra Brown and Luanne Rice.

    I do read romances once in a while.

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  8. gautami tripathyOctober 12, 2009 at 10:52 AM

    Here is my WG post:

    Weekly Geeks: Recommendations

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  9. melydiaOctober 12, 2009 at 11:59 AM

    I recommend The Eight by Katherine Neville. I think it has everything except swordfights (though heck, there might be some of those in there too).

    --melydia
    fellow Weekly Geek
    http://melydia.zoiks.org

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  10. MelanieOctober 17, 2009 at 10:17 PM

    while i hate to get you started on a series that hasn't been finished yet, the Song of Ice and Fire series by George RR Martin has about everything you've listed. The first is A Game of Thrones.

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