# Book recommendation thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 15, 2009, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-recommendation-thread/485890 "2009-02-15T00:52:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2009, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-recommendation-thread/485890/1 "2009-02-15T00:52:36Z")
Some intersting books I’ve read lately- Daryl Gregory’s _Pandemonium_ (a [B&N Book Club](http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/bn/board/message?board.id=fsf&thread.id=5961&view=by_date_ascending&page=1) book of the month). It’s techincally fantasy, but it’s one of those books that sort of transcends genre. It’s about a guy in an alternative America where so-called demons have been posessing people since the 1950’s. I can’t say much more than that without ruining the plot, but suffice to say the narrator learns a horrible truth and has to make some gut-wrenching choices. (That sounds so flat and cliche, I know, but to be more specific would spoil the plot). It’s an amazing book, especially for a debut novel. [_Butcher Bird_](http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Butcher-Bird/Richard-Kadrey/e/9781597800860/?itm=1), by Richard Kadrey. I’m not sure how to describe this one. Part fantasy, part surreal. A man nearly gets eaten by a demon, then goes on a magical mission to Hell with a princess from another world. The coolest Lucifer you’ll ever read about. Just take my word for it- it’s good. ---
**Author:** ![Key\_Lime\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/48db29/32.png) [@Key\_Lime\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Key_Lime_Guy)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2009, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-recommendation-thread/485890/2 "2009-02-15T03:15:27Z")
[nonfiction alert] I recently re-read _The Death and Life of Great American Cities_ by Jane Jacobs and now I’m fully convinced it is the best book ever, period. [/nonfiction alert] (second place would go to _Einstein’s Dreams_ by Alan Lightman) ---
**Author:** ![jali](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecae2f/32.png) [@jali](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jali)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2009, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-recommendation-thread/485890/3 "2009-02-15T04:13:57Z")
A coworker brought in a book for me to read the other day that falls outside of my regular comfort zones of Sci Fi and Mystery. I just finished _Marley and Me_ and I recommend it as a really good quick read. John Grogan is a wonderfully descritive writer and despite my reluctance, I really enjoyed it. ---
**Author:** ![jali](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecae2f/32.png) [@jali](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jali)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2009, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-recommendation-thread/485890/4 "2009-02-15T04:15:26Z")
> [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](#): > > Some intersting books I’ve read lately- > > Daryl Gregory’s _Pandemonium_ (a [B&N Book Club](http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/bn/board/message?board.id=fsf&thread.id=5961&view=by_date_ascending&page=1) book of the month). It’s techincally fantasy, but it’s one of those books that sort of transcends genre. It’s about a guy in an alternative America where so-called demons have been posessing people since the 1950’s. I can’t say much more than that without ruining the plot, but suffice to say the narrator learns a horrible truth and has to make some gut-wrenching choices. (That sounds so flat and cliche, I know, but to be more specific would spoil the plot). It’s an amazing book, especially for a debut novel. > > [_Butcher Bird_](http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Butcher-Bird/Richard-Kadrey/e/9781597800860/?itm=1), by Richard Kadrey. I’m not sure how to describe this one. Part fantasy, part surreal. A man nearly gets eaten by a demon, then goes on a magical mission to Hell with a princess from another world. The coolest Lucifer you’ll ever read about. Just take my word for it- it’s good. Thanks for the two recommendations. They sound interesting- I’ll give them a shot. Great first post!