I’ve gotten a couple requests for book recommendations so here it is but just for the record, I’m not too picky about books (the only genre I don’t prefer reading is romance, but I’ll read anything else) so I don’t usually dislike books unless they are really really horrible. I will only recommend about 3-5 books/series at a time and try to cover a range of different genres that I like.
The Lord of the Rings trilogy
1. Fellowship of the Ring
2. The Two Towers
3. Return of the King
Author: J.R.R. Tolkien
Genre: Epic-Fantasy
These are classics and they are always the first books I recommend when someone asks for good books to read because they are my favorite. If you love fantasy and haven’t read Tolkien, WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN? If you’re not into fantasy, then start now! Also, if you like hot elves played by Orlando Bloom, then read the book for more of Legolas’ sexy travels (you just gotta picture him in your head). Oh, I can’t forget The Hobbit if you want a lighter read by Tolkien.
The Lives of the Mayfair Witches trilogy
1. The Witching Hour
2. Lasher
3. Taltos
Author: Anne Rice
Genre: Horror
Or are these my favorite books? This and LOTR are both so different from each other and each have their own charm that I can’t decide between the two!! It starts out a little too slow but it’s worth the read. What I loved about The Witching Hour is how far back Anne Rice goes with the Mayfair family history and how she really seduces the reader into the story with a very rich and intense history and amazing attention for detail. Her descriptions creates extremely vivid imagery in your head, some of it so powerful that it’s almost as if the story was real and you could see/feel/hear/taste/smell everything that is going on. I think this book took me longer to read than most because I made sure I read each and every word… sometimes even twice because I was so into it (and I’ve reread the book 4 times since). Lasher and Taltos wasn’t as strong as the first book, but once you start, you gotta finish the journey.
I was reading some of the reviews and was surprised when some people didn’t like the long Mayfair family history. That was the part I loved the most… in fact, if that was what the entire book was about, I would’ve loved it even more.
Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China
Author: Jung Chang
Genre: Memoir
“The story of three generations in twentieth-century China, it is an engrossing record of Mao’s impact on China, an unusual window on the female experience in the modern world, and an inspiring tale of courage and love.” I first read this when I was 16 and have read it 3 times ever since. The book is very intense and most of all, it’s real. Recommended if you love history.
Black Order
Author: James Rollins
Genre: Action
I actually have to reread this book because I read all of James Rollin’s books in a short period of time so they are all sort of mashed into my memory. His books are very Dan Brown-ish but better (only because everyone knows who Dan Brown is) and is filled with non-stop action, following the characters through roadblocks, destruction and mysteries that needs to be solved to save the world; it will leave you breathless.
Abundance: A Novel of Marie Antoinette
Author: Sena Jeter Naslund
Genre: Historical-Fiction
If you’re a history-freak like I am and am obsessed with beautiful 18th-century France, you’ll love this book. This historical fiction follows the life of the young Archduchess Maria Antonia of Austria to Marie Antoinette, Queen of France to her infamous journey to the guillotine in rich detail. If you watched the movie, then read the book because as we all know, movie adaptations are never as good as books.
Let me know what you think of them!
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Sihanath
December 2nd, 2008 |
I don’t like “hot elves played by Orlando Bloom”, but I do love hot scruffy princes played by Viggo Mortensen
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Sadly, I haven’t actually read the LOTD trilogy. I did love the film trilogy though, and since it comes highly recommended by you I think I’ll start it this winter break :D.
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tiff
December 2nd, 2008 |
How do you get to read so many books?
I wish I had your patience.
I have a lot of books in my bookshelf and each of them have a bookmark stuck somewhere in the middle of the pages. lol
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Katy
December 4th, 2008 |
I read when I’m not out or when I’m not working… every chance I get… in the car, at the gym, walking to the elevator at work, etc. etc. I LURVE MY BOOKS!
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J
December 2nd, 2008 |
Wild Swans and especially Abundance sound great. I tried to read over the summer and only read one book! I really need to read more. Great idea for posts!
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Katy
December 4th, 2008 |
They are good.. I think Wild Swans is a little better though because it’s deeper and makes you think (and cry). Abundance is a lighter and brighter read.
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cemel
December 3rd, 2008 |
This recommendation list is awesome. I just ordered The Witching Hour and Abundance.
I just hope they won’t take me too long to read later >.<
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Glow
December 3rd, 2008 |
Katy,
I read these books in my teens so forgive me if my memory makes me seem like a prat when refering to your literary items! Lasher scared me stiff, I lost many nights of sleep in fear of his arrival. At the time my family consisted of a few generations of 13 girls!! YIKES!! Have you read Anne Rice’s Memnoch?? Man alive that book is firmly implanted in my head. I loved LOTR too. I inherited some rare 1950’s HB versions and I treasure them.
These days I have been attracted to books involving protagonists who are beyond the realms of “normal mainstream society” interesting characters with an edge. Am I making sense? I read Geek Love recently (not for everyone) but I loved it for its inside out and twisted view on beauty. Its main character is an albino hunch backed dwarf called Olympia – I couldn’t resist!
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Katy
December 4th, 2008 |
I lost track of most of the Anne Rice books I read because she has soo many books out! Memnoch sounds familiar but I’m not sure if I read it yet. I think I have that book hidden somewhere in the back of my bookshelf somewhere. Since you mentioned it, I’ll definitely have to dig it out and read it!
Ooh I have a great book for you to read… I’ll post it on my next recommendations list next week though.
What genres do you usually read? Do you like fantasy?
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Glow
December 5th, 2008 |
Ohh I can’t wait for a new reccomendation. I am currently reading The Master and Margarita.
Genres?? Hmmm I don’t tend to stick to just one. I go more for Characters – If there is a character that jumps out at me then THATS MY BOOK. I like writers who blur genres.
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Kristan
December 3rd, 2008 |
I haven’t read any of these, but Wild Swans really interests me. I’ve recently gone through a lot of Amy Tan, and I’ve started “Chinese in America” by Iris Chang, so this sort of fits in.
Granted right now I’m reading “Unaccustomed Earth” by Jhumpa Lahiri, and “The World According to Garp” and “Elegy for Sam Emerson” are next up on my list… Gah, so much to read!
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Katy
December 4th, 2008 |
I love Amy Tan! I’ve read The Bonesetter’s Daughter so many times and I cried every single time.
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Jackie
December 3rd, 2008 |
Back in the day (nearly 10 years ago, eesh) I was obsessed with LOTR and hot elves played by Orlando Bloom. I tried reading the books, but they were too much for my feeble middle school brain to handle. I think I made it to the first chapter of the third book, and I hadn’t retained anything from the earlier books. Needless to say, I gave up reading LOTR. But, I am determined to read the entire trilogy (And re-read the Hobbit) before I die!
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Katy
December 4th, 2008 |
I tried reading the books early on in high school too but I couldn’t get into it because I wasn’t use to the writing style. I read it a couple of years later though and really enjoyed it… so much that I read all 3 books twice in a row (back to back).
You need to try rereading it now, I’m sure you’ll like it!!
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Destiny
December 3rd, 2008 |
Thanks for sharing the books! I’m going to hit Chapters today and pick up a copy of “Abundance”. I am a history-freak lover as well!! I love fictional history storyline. When I was younger, I read another version called “The Dark Tower” and it was sooo good, but unfortunately, I cannot find anymore.
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Katy
December 4th, 2008 |
OMG I think I remember that book! Is it about Marie Therese Charlotte (her daughter) and her life locked up during the revolution? I read that in elementary school because it was always on the classroom’s bookshelf and it was one of my favorites! Thanks for reminding me.. I’m gonna go look for it now.
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Katrina
December 3rd, 2008 |
I wish I love to read I try but I never finish it. I just read when it’s mandatory (english class), although i did read TLOR.
i am interested in the Anne Rice’s “The Lives of the Mayair Witches”
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emcee
December 3rd, 2008 |
Definitely agree with The Lord of the Rings! It’s one of those series where you gotta at least try to read them.
And I’ve read Abundance before
I bought it this summer and I liked it a lot. I really like Tracy Chevalier’s books for historical fiction, if you’re looking for new books to read!
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Katy
December 4th, 2008 |
I haven’t heard of her, but I’ll keep her in mind next time I’m looking for books to read!
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Malin
December 3rd, 2008 |
Thanks for sharing! I need to find new books to read!
I’ve only read the Lord of the Rings trilogy on your list. The rest are new to me
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Linhh
December 3rd, 2008 |
thanks for posting this!! i’m waiting for finals and school to be over to start reading. aahhh so many, it’ll take me months!
xoxo-
linhh
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Scott
December 3rd, 2008 |
I’m kind of on a Chuck Palahniuk kick these days — been taken a break from my “classics” phase to try to catch up with some modern stuff. Ever read anything from him? He’s probably best known as the author of “Fight Club.” I just recently read “Invisible Monsters” and absolutely loved it.
As for Marie Antoinette, I rather liked “Marie Antoinette: The Last Queen of France.” I think it is technically a biography, but it reads like a novel. It was rather good.
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Katy
December 4th, 2008 |
Chuck Palahniuk is on my “to-read” list.. so many people recommended him to me but I haven’t gotten to him yet. Any particular books by him you recommend?
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Scott
December 5th, 2008 |
“Invisible Monsters” is probably my all-around favorite. It’s one of a handful of modern novels I have really taken a liking to.
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becca
December 3rd, 2008 |
hmm i might read that memoir.. i really didn’t enjoy the hobbit :/ but i didn’t mind the lotr movies. mmm orlando bloom
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Katy
December 4th, 2008 |
HOW CAN YOU NOT LIKE THE HOBBIT!!
Lol jk! What didn’t you like about it? Maybe you’re not really into fantasy?
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anne
December 3rd, 2008 |
aww u did my request!! im gonna grab all of them LOL..
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angie519
December 3rd, 2008 |
I need to read that Anne Rice series! Remind me! I just bought the Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire series by Charlaine Harris. I wish I remembered to buy Anne Rice >.<
I read Wild Swans for a paper I did in my minor. It is a great read.
James Rollin is a better Dan Brown?! I’m excited to read his book too!
Keep adding recommended books! I’m going to make a list of books that everyone recommends I read
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catherine
December 3rd, 2008 |
I’m a big fan of James Rollins, too. Right now, I’m in the middle of Amazonia, then Sandstorm is next.
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misosweet
December 4th, 2008 |
I bought Wild Swans when I visited the famous Powell bookstore in Portland, but never got around to finishing it because I lost interest. I’ve always been meaning to finishing it though so maybe I should start it up again.
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Felisa
December 5th, 2008 |
I haven’t read the LOTR books yet!
Thanks for the suggestions though… I’ve been making a list of books to read over winter break and I’ll definitely consider these books
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Diana
December 5th, 2008 |
I love when people blog about their favorite books! Great post.
I read Anne Rice when I was in my teens, she’s such a descriptive writer, I definitely think of her when I think of New Orleans. And I read LOTR when I was about 20 since all the movies were coming out at the time. I don’t know if I would have liked it as much if I hadn’t already watched the first two movies before reading the LONG trilogy.
I agree with Glow! Memnoch is one of Anne’s best books…it was probably the last one I read and the one I remember the most.
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Katy
December 6th, 2008 |
Thanks!
I agree, Tolkien’s books are a harder read than your average books and I think watching the movie first really helps visualize what is going on in the book. I tend to scan through some parts of books and I might’ve done that in LOTR if I haven’t seen the movies before I read it since it’s so wordy and descriptive.
I liked the book A LOT more than the movie afterwards because there was so much they had to leave out and of course, it was a lot more descriptive. The only thing I didn’t like about the books is that I didn’t actually get to see Orlando Bloom! Hehehehe.
Hmmm now I definitely have to read Memnoch!
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Rachel
December 7th, 2008 |
I absolutely LOVED Tolkien’s LOTR…I’ve only read upto part of the second book though. This is totally making me think I need to start reading them again. The Marie Antoinette book and the Wild Swans book both sound really good, I might have to check them out.
Also, totally different, I didn’t know Twilight was being released as a film! Am I right in remembering that this was a part of the set of books by Meyer that you didn’t like?
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Juanita
January 5th, 2009 |
How about Dark Tower series? I was beyond obsessed for 3 months til I finished them all. Koontz and victorian english authors phase for a couple of years. I’m lurking through your lists to see what jumps out, like the blog so far.
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Recommended Books Pt.2 - twentyfourcarat.net
January 7th, 2009 |
[...] a setting similar to Wild Swans that I recommended in a previous entry, Mao’s Last Dancer is an auto-biography written by Li Cuxin about his journey from a boy living [...]