The Best Read of the 06-07 Season

[4qtrs]

As we all know there is a lot of time spent on planes, trains, cars, waiting for pools, waiting for DE's, etc. Just as a fun thread list the books you enjoyed the most from last season.

[Capt. Slo-mo]

"The Terror" by Dan Simmons. It's a fictionalized account of an actual, but ill-fated, 1800's English expedition to the Arctic to try and find the Northwest Passage. Chilly reading for anyone who gets cold easily!!

[Capt. Slo-mo]

Wow...nobody else read a book?

I also liked:

"The Kite Runner"

and

"American Gods" by Neil Gaiman. Not as thrilled with "Anansi Boys", also by Gaiman.

[4qtrs]

Nope, guess it is just you and me. I haven't read Gaiman yet, but my son is a huge fan.

What made me think of this thread is I am reading a book Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon which was recommend to me at a NAC. It is a fabulous read. Quick pace, excellent travel book.

[sleepyweasle]

I read a lot. A LOT. And very quickly. Consequently I can never remember when I've read which book. My secret pleasures are cheerful murder mysteries and historical fiction, especially Elizabethan English stuff (Phillipa Gregory - a guilty pleasure yet really poorly written!). I throw in the occasional literary work as it seems to be the right thing to do (and of course it is usually wonderful).

The only book I distinctly remember reading during a fencing-related event was "The Things They Carried" which my daughter had finished (required school reading) and thrown at me during the Montreal Jr World Cup. I stayed up all night reading it and weeping (the book was sad - my kid did fine at the event!). A truly harrowing, yet worthy read.

I think I read "The Time Traveller's Wife" during a NAC or on a plane somewhere - also an excellent book. I've been on so many planes and read so many books - I just don't remember which and when!

I am currently reading "Water for Elephants" - pretty good so far...I'll let you know how it was when I'm finished.

[4qtrs]

I have both the Traveler and Water in my bookself waiting for me to get to them. I love finding out about new authors! I will check out the others.

[4qtrs]

"American Gods" by Neil Gaiman. Not as thrilled with "Anansi Boys", also by Gaiman.

If you like Gaiman, you might want to check this guy out, China Mieville. He wrote Perdido Street Station and others. His is into the 'steam punk' stuff but a bit like Neal Stephenson.

[Schiavona]

Malzan Empire series, by Stephen Erikson. Fantasy. Starting with "Gardens of the Moon". Very complex. Erikson is/was/was trained as an anthropologist and it shows. The second in the series is a tale to break your heart.

[Phincer]

I must admit to not getting a lot of reading done on the road or at tournaments. I stock up on Sudoku and NYT crossword puzzles (just because they're hard) to keep me busy between pools and DEs, and then when summer comes, read until my eyes fall out.

This summer- 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' (grab a box of kleenex), 'Harry Potter' of course, The 'Good Guy' (Koontz is a light afternoon snack), an Elizabeth Peters book, and now I'm working on 'A Suitable Boy'. I've read a few more books but can't remember them now.

[4qtrs]

This summer- 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' (grab a box of kleenex)

They should strap two boxes to his books! I hear is its better than KRunner. Hard to believe. I am trying to wait for the paperback.

[oiuyt]

Cloud of Sparrows by Takashi Matsuoka.

-B

[Capt. Slo-mo]

Malazan Empire series, by Stephen Erikson. Fantasy. Starting with "Gardens of the Moon".

Very complex, but what great non-linear story-telling. It was cool to find he'd made an entire novel (#4, I think) from the backstory of a very minor character from the first book.

Best of all, his books are BIG. Which means, even as a disturbingly fast reader, it takes me a while to plow through his offerings.

[Phincer]

They should strap two boxes to his books! I hear is its better than KRunner. Hard to believe. I am trying to wait for the paperback.

I know! I couldn't believe that this book was better than Kite Runner! Another thing about this one-just clear a weekend to read it-once you start, you simply cannot put it down! You'll cry, cheer, be surprised-oh, this one is just the best book I've read in ages.

If you're going to the Dallas NAC I can lend you my book and then get it back from you at the next NAC. I'm sure the waiting list is miles long at the library!

[sleepyweasle]

... 'Harry Potter' of course, The 'Good Guy' (Koontz is a light afternoon snack), an Elizabeth Peters book, ...

HP goes without saying (although technically came out AFTER summer nat's so not sure if it qualifies for this year!) but I adore Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody series! Not only did her books help me make it through horrific food poisoning during the Atlanta summer Nats. but I am trying to convince la famille to book our college grad/high school grad/25th wedding anniversary major vacation next summer in Egypt! A cruise down the Nile with an excursion to Valley of the Kings and Luxor - Heaven!!!

[foildad]

I saw the thread title and was going to post Kite Runner. Then read all the posts and see everyone beat me to it. I loved that book.

[4qtrs]

You know what amazes me is how many people have been touched by Kite Runner. His writing is so compelling.

[sleepyweasle]

OK - y'all convinced me - I'm reading "The Alchemist" now but next book - definitely "THE KITE RUNNER".

BTW - "Water for Elephants"... enjoyable - but I'm not sure I understand all the fuss.

[4qtrs]

Sleepy, I think you will enjoy the story. It has a feel of story telling that is not common in western books. It is more of a verbal type story. So, please tell me (or Us) what you think of the book when you finish.

[4qtrs]

If you're going to the Dallas NAC I can lend you my book and then get it back from you at the next NAC. I'm sure the waiting list is miles long at the library!

Thanks! If I haven't read it by Nov I'll PM you.

[sleepyweasle]

Finally finished "The Alchemist" (I was VERY distracted by the US OPEN - if only Rafa's knees could have held up! )- a very pleasant parable although the "there's no place like home" ending was a mild spoiler.

Now on to the Kite Runner (when I can get to the bookstore to get a copy).