Readers, give me a hand!!

[grainofrice24]

So I know there is already a thread about "What are you reading right now", but I wanted to post a different thread because for me, the answer to that question is "nothing".

See, I was out shopping and I saw a book section, and I figure "Reading, that might distract/help with the whole loneliness thing" so I wandered in there. Also, there were a lot of ladies in there (I was the only guy in there at the time ) However, once I got in there I realized why. All the books in there had hunky chiseled cowboys staring off into the opposite direction of the sunset or something with some corny name like "Untainted desire".

Now I know that these are not the section that connoisseurs of literary genius shop (the book section at walmart) but I was serious about getting back into a book after sticking with textbooks for so long. I'm not a reader nor a book fan nor know any famous authors beyond Sun Tsu (as I tend to NOT like fiction), but tend to gravitate towards topics like war/politics (The art of War, Home Fronts, The Corporation etc.) as well as (auto)Biographies.

Basically I'm a guy who doesn't read for pleasure, wants to give it a try, but doesn't know where to start because I'm a book noob...any recommendations?!?!

 

[Badjedidude]

If you're interested in war/politics, but also want fiction, then you should check out some fictional history:

Stephen R. Lawhead has written several good books, such as his crusades trilogy: The Iron Lance, The Black Rood, and The Mystic Rose. He has others that are good as well.

I'm currently reading a book called Raptor by Gary Jennings. He also has a good one called Aztec.

There are a lot more; too many to name, but those are some good starters. These books are generally over 400 pages in length, though, so if you're a light reader then they may not be for you. They do use creative license to a large degree (since they're fiction), but they are still interesting because a lot of the general details about the dress, architecture, weapons, politics, and situations of history are shown quite well in these novels.

 

[Brian]

If you're wanting to get in to fiction, I would start with some classics.

First I would start with George Orwell's 1984, that's kind of political. Then I would read Moby Dick; don't get an abridged version, either.

If you want to try some sci-fi, I really enjoyed Alistair Reynolds' Pushing Ice. If you want to try some GOOD fantasy (not the second-rate bubblegum crap some authors spew out), I would start with either Tolkien's The Hobbit or Patrick Rothfuss' The Name of the Wind; the latter is the first in a new series and the second book isn't out yet. But if you like either of those two books you would have a direction to go with the next in either series (The Hobbit, obviously, leads to Lord of the Rings).

George RR Martin is excellent fantasy, but might be a bit much for someone dipping their toes in the pool.


Coming back to non fiction, have you read Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl? I just bought that and will be starting it soon.

 

[Badjedidude]

If you want to try some sci-fi, I really enjoyed Alistair Reynolds' Pushing Ice.

Damn good book. I also liked Reynolds' trilogy, Revelation Space, Redemption Ark, and Absolution Gap.

If you want CLASSIC sci-fi, try The Boat of a Million Years, by Poul Anderson. Every page of that book is worth gold to me.

 

[Brian]

I thought about trying Revelation Space and the subsequent works. When I come back to wanting some sci-fi I probably will. My last science fiction read was the first book in the Honor Harrington series, but I can't conclude if I enjoyed it or not. I prefer more detail and colorful narrative than the book provided. I'll probably try the next book when I run out of everything else

I've always meant to read some of the more classical science fiction works. I might try your suggestion since you strike me as an astute scholar, good sir.

 

[Badjedidude]

I've always meant to read some of the more classical science fiction works. I might try your suggestion since you strike me as an astute scholar, good sir.

Heh.. I dunno about MY qualifications, but... it is a good book. I had to read it about 3 times to fully begin to appreciate it, but that's what I look for in the older classic literature. If a book can't give me more than a single read-through, then honestly, it's not worth my time. Personally, I think that the greatest books can be reread and reread and you'll always be able to find something new in it. That's why I like The Boat of a Million Years.

People tell me that the Bible works the same way, but to be honest I could never get through all of the begats and the weird books like Lamentations or Habakkuk. lol

 

[SophiaGrace]

The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane

Also, consider reading War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

Catch-22 is about war as well but i didnt like it very much...

 

[SofiasMami]

Hi-
Two books I've recently read-

The Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein (non-fiction about world politics and economics)
Say You're One of Them by Uwem Akpan (fictional short stories about children's experiences in Africa)
I'm reading The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan now.

I also enjoy reading books by Isabel Allende and Wally Lamb.

Get a library card! Chicks hang out there too and it's a good way to check out books without committing.

-Teresa

 

[Minus]

Now I know that these are not the section that connoisseurs of literary genius shop (the book section at walmart)...

They may be pretty much alike and i have a hard time finding anything to read there. The great majority of what i have seen on there shelves was romance or religion, though I have sound some military/war history there.

 

[grainofrice24]

Hi-

The Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein (non-fiction about world politics and economics)

Get a library card! Chicks hang out there too and it's a good way to check out books without committing.

-Teresa

OOOO, The Shock Doctrine sounds like my kind of read based on the synopsis on Naomi Klein's site. Also I have a library card...but I lost it ...perhaps it's time to get a new one.

Thanks for the recommendations everyone!!