Recommended Books Pt.3
The Pillars of the Earth
Author: Ken Follett
Genre: Historical-Fiction
I can’t believe I waited so long to start reading this book! It’s been screaming at me from the shelves at the bookstore for years but I was always hesitant to buy it because I was never interested in Medieval England (no thanks to Social Studies class in high school). That’s another reminder for me to KEEP AN OPEN-MIND AT ALL TIMES. I almost missed something this great.
A spellbinding epic tale of ambition, anarchy, and absolute power set against the sprawling medieval canvas of twelfth-century England, this is Ken Follett’s historical masterpiece.
I think I read this entire book in one sitting, much to Boyfriend’s dismay. It reminded me of a Korean drama… you just can’t get away from it without feeling horribly deprived. Some may say this book is overrated and full of flaws but I loved it. The Pillars of the Earth revolves around the building of a great cathedral and presents a combination of feelings; it was complex, heart-wrenching, sad, intense, happy and overwhelming all in one and full of characters you just fall in love with. It totally transports you back into history. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
On the Beach
Author: Nevil Shute
Genre: Post-Apocalyptic
Can you imagine knowing that your inevitable death is literally creeping it’s way to your doorstep? Can you imagine knowing that you are going to be one of the very last survivors of human civilization? Can you imagine trying to carry out your daily lives as if everything is normal until the very end?
They are the last generation, the innocent victims of an accidental war, living out their last days, making do with what they have, hoping for a miracle. As the deadly rain moves ever closer, the world as we know it winds toward an inevitable end…
This book is a quick and simple read but it will shock you, sadden you and change your perspective on humanity.
Madame Chiang Kai-shek: China’s Eternal First Lady
Author: Laura Tyson Li
Genre: Biography
I love reading stories of women with power (fiction and non-fictional)… from queens who ruled their own country, wives of powerful men to the extraordinary working class women who made a mark in history and paved the way for others, for centuries to come.
“The Dragon Lady” and her two sisters were raised in one of China’s most powerful families and became three of the of the most significant and influential political figures of the early 20th century. Her oldest sister, Soong Ai-ling, “the one who loved money” married the richest man and finance minister of China. Her second sister, Soong Ching-ling: “the one who loved China” was married to Sun Yat-sen, the “Father of Modern China.” And herself, Mayling Soong: “the one who loved power” married the Nationalist leader Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek and became his adviser, interpreter, and propagandist. Each played a role in alternating the course of Chinese history.
An international crusader who continued speaking out against Communism well into her nineties, Mayling sparred with Churchill and Roosevelt and impressed Westerners and Chinese alike with her acumen, charm, and glamour.
Imagine a family background like that. How can you NOT be intrigued? This is Mayling’s story.
The Blessing Stone
Author: Barbara Wood
Genre: Historical Fiction
The Blessing Stone is one of those books that leaves you in awe. I found this book in a used bookstore five years ago and have read it about 6 times since. Barbara Wood paints an amazing story of a blue meteorite that fell on earth 3 millions years ago to illustrate the history of the civilizations that came in contact with the stone—from the first homo sapiens that walked this earth to the modern-day 20th century. It begins when a girl stumbles upon it on the African plains 100,000 years ago and thus the legend of the stone begins as it goes to ancient Israel, to Imperial Rome, to medieval England, to the colonial Caribbean and finally the American West. This is an enticing and warm story of human spirit and survival.
Wizard’s First Rule
Author: Terry Goodkind
Genre: Fantasy
This is the first book in The Sword of Truth series; the epic tale of a woodsman named Richard Cypher who finds out who he really is and the destiny he must fulfill to save the world from evil with the help of a beautiful but mysterious woman who appears in his life out of nowhere.
I started reading these books a couple years ago, the same time I started watching 24, and if you watched 24, you’ll know how intense the show is but this book is 200x more intense than the show!! I actually whipped out these books to read instead of watching 24 with Boyfriend because it was that good. The writing style is a little repetitive and annoying (be warned!) but there is basically non-stop action in the book so it’s impossible to put down. You just HAVE to know what happens next. I finished all 11 of the books in about 2.5 months (somebody tell me to get a life). Recommended if you like being in suspense but not recommended if you are super anal about writing styles (I’m not a good writer myself so I can put up with somewhat bad writing as long as it’s not Twilight-related).
KATY:
atalante (1)
chanel (1)
jen (1)
Kathy (1)
magalaya (1)
Wow…these all sound really good!!! You read so many books…I’m amazed!! Are you a speed reader
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Katy
June 4th, 2009 |
I actually haven’t read much books recently… those are ones I read a while back.
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Pillars is one of my absolute favorites!!! So so SOOOOO good!!! Now that I think about it, though, did I actually recommend that book to you previously? I swear I recommended it recently to someone on here. Regardless, it’s an awesome read. Very graphic at times. I loved every second of it!! Pretty disturbing, I know. I just love the drama. Still, you’re right. I felt a little dissatisfied in the end. I felt as though it didn’t give enough closure. But, I think that was almost intentional. Have you picked up the “sequel” yet? World Without End? It’s not really a sequel, but it comes subsequently. It refers to characters in Pillars, but it’s a completely different story line. Much of the dramatic scenes are similar to those in Pillars, but it’s still a great story. Very depressing…just like Pillars! Anyways, you should check it out next. Happy reading!
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Katy
June 4th, 2009 |
No I haven’t read World Without End yet! I’m waiting for the smaller paperback edition of it to come out to match the first one I have. I can’t wait to read it but building up suspense is good. I have way too many books to read!
I’m usually dissatisfied with how most of the books I read end because I want to go to on and on forever… which is why I love trilogies and series so much.
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I think I’ll be buying On The Beach and The Blessing Stone from Amazon next =).
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excellent list! I want to read Madame Chiang Kai Shek
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I was seriously thinking the other day that I wanted to read another blog recommending books to read. Now that it’s summer time, there’s plenty of time to read a book or ten. Thanks for the tips. I’ll be on the look out for On the Beach during my next trip to barnes & noble.
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Katy
June 4th, 2009 |
It might be hard to find in stores because it was published so long ago… if you can’t find it, buy it online.
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I love these posts about the books you read. I get so many good suggestions from it. I don’t know how you find the time to read so many books, I’m jealous. I need to be a faster reader. Or maybe stick to reading one book at a time. Right now I have 4 books that I’m in the middle of: 1 in my purse, one in the bathroom, one on the bedside table, and one on the dining room table.
I know what you mean about the writing style in Wizard’s First Rule and the rest though. The story is so action packed, but the writing is so I dunno how to describe it. Unsophisticated? Clumsy? It reminds me of fanfiction sometimes.
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Katy
June 4th, 2009 |
“Unsophisticated” is the word but then the good thing about it is that it makes those 11 (or was it 12) books a super fast and easy read considering each book was 800 pages long!
I’m like reading 8 books at once too.
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when im on maternity leave i’ll have tons of time to read
that’ll be a great past time for me. great reccomendations
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Yay! Thank’s for putting this up
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These all sound interesting. The weirdest thing is that they are mostly books I probably would have passed up in bookstores. I’m bad when it comes to books from authors I’ve never heard of before. I’ll only read books that people recommend. Thanks!
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Katy
June 4th, 2009 |
I usually read books by recommendations too and then I end up buying all the books of that author. If I want more then I just search within the genre for similar writers. I love reading!
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I love your book recommendations!! Yayy. I finished the Mayfair Witches. It took me forever because I just couldn’t find the time but i loved it so THANK YOUU =D Other than that I can’t wait to read more of your recommended books.
Linhh
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Katy
June 4th, 2009 |
I’m glad you liked it? So you finally finished it huh? Have you read Lasher and Taltos yet? Their not as good as the first book but it’s still part of the trilogy so I had to read it. :lovestruck:
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Hey Katy,
Thank you for your support ?
Amy
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(sorry.. the question mark was supposed to be a heart <3) :blush:
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thanks so much for the book recommendations Katy! I think I’m gonna check out Pillars (been also seeing it for a while! hahaa screaming out to me! lolz), Blessing Stone and On the Beach! Would love those!
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I’ve been meaning to read Wizard’s First Rule for the longest time. I do love watching 24, so I’m super excited about this book even more now. Ahh I can’t wait for summer to start!!
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i jsut came to say “loook!!! look to the left of my comment” hahaha! somebody just signed up at gravatar :cheer: oh and i also came to say that i ate at phnom penh today and it was delicious.
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Awesome! thanks for the recommends hehe.
I bought Ken Follett’s “World Without End” like a month ago… and haven’t started yet!!! I’m excited though, I have a whole stack of books I wanna get through. It’s really amazing you can read the whole thing in ONE sitting!!!! it’s a huge ass book o.0 haha.
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Haha I finished the sword of truth series in 14 days! wah, almost a book a day…
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Katy
June 9th, 2009 |
That’s crazy! How’d you like it?
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BIG HUG TO YOU!!! XO.
You totally rock for reading Terry Goodkind’s sword of the truth series!!!
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I read Madame Chiang Kai Shek a while back, fascinating and highly recommended
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ooo i just found pillars of the earth in my mum’s book collection- I’m going to have to start reading it now! great post hun!
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Thanks for the book review! I might be adding a couple of these to my reading list.
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