# Recommend some books for me! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 30, 2010, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-books-for-me/541266 "2010-05-30T04:45:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![LavenderBlue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e95f7d/32.png) [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2010, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-books-for-me/541266/1 "2010-05-30T04:45:12Z")
I fill out online surveys. I have about $110 in Amazon gift certificates saved up as from doing so. Any book recommendations to spend the money? I like historical fiction, biography, history, good accessible classics that don’t constantly send you to the dictionary (love Edith Wharton!), science fiction, cooking and contemporary non-fiction. Some of my favorite authors include Bill Bryson, Phillipa Gregory, Michael Chabon, Martha Beck, Connie Willis, Anna Quindlen, Jennifer Weiner and Anthony Bourdain. Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![KRC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/45deac/32.png) [@KRC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KRC)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2010, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-books-for-me/541266/2 "2010-05-30T06:51:57Z")
Are you saying when you mention biographies that you like real biographies or made up ones? I’ve got books about people ranging from Johnny Rotten to Peggy Guggenhiem to Stalin to the Baader Meinhof Group so I could make a few recomendations in that department. You could try _Art Lover_ by Anton Gill or _Koba the Dread_ by Martin Amis if that’s up your alley. ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2010, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-books-for-me/541266/3 "2010-05-30T12:08:39Z")
I like really most of the authors you list (my dog is actually named after one!) so I think we have similar taste. If you like Bourdain and the general topic of food & chefs, try Michael Ruhlman’s “Chef” series, starting with [The Making of a Chef](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0805061738/$%7B0%7D). Really interesting, but without Bourdain’s vitriol. I also have been enjoying [Edward Rutherfurd’s New York.](http://www.amazon.com/New-York-Novel-Edward-Rutherfurd/dp/0385521383/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275221229&sr=1-1) History, social commentary, etc. I’m not much of a fan of Rutherfurd in general (couldn’t get through Sarum), but I like this one. And just curious - how do you get Amazon gift certificates from surveys? I need some of those! ---
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2010, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-books-for-me/541266/4 "2010-05-30T12:17:31Z")
I totally recommend Christine McCulloughs" Masters of Rome" series, which is about the political machinations, actual fighting and family interplay of the elite of Republican Rome. It is incredibly accurate, interesting and exciting, and she has a very real feel for the period. Patrick O’Briens Aubery/Maturin epic sea stories set in the Napoleonic Wars are truly excellent. You might find the style a little difficult to get into at first but once in you’re hooked. Also as a complete change of pace Terry Pratchetts Discworld books, a comedic sword and sorcery series that are also bloody good reads and seriously habit forming. ---
**Author:** ![LavenderBlue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e95f7d/32.png) [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2010, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-books-for-me/541266/5 "2010-05-30T14:31:45Z")
> [@KRC](#): > > Are you saying when you mention biographies that you like real biographies or made up ones? I’ve got books about people ranging from Johnny Rotten to Peggy Guggenhiem to Stalin to the Baader Meinhof Group so I could make a few recomendations in that department. You could try _Art Lover_ by Anton Gill or _Koba the Dread_ by Martin Amis if that’s up your alley. Either is fine. Anything on Peggy Guggenhiem sounds intriging. I’ve seen her museum in Venice. I was reading \*Just Desserts: The Unauthorized Biography of Martha Stewart \* by Jerry Oppenhiemer a few weeks ago. Highly amusing. > [@Athena](#): > > I like really most of the authors you list (my dog is actually named after one!) so I think we have similar taste. > > If you like Bourdain and the general topic of food & chefs, try Michael Ruhlman’s “Chef” series, starting with [The Making of a Chef](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0805061738/$%7B0%7D). Really interesting, but without Bourdain’s vitriol. > > I also have been enjoying [Edward Rutherfurd’s New York.](http://www.amazon.com/New-York-Novel-Edward-Rutherfurd/dp/0385521383/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275221229&sr=1-1) History, social commentary, etc. I’m not much of a fan of Rutherfurd in general (couldn’t get through Sarum), but I like this one. > > And just curious - how do you get Amazon gift certificates from surveys? I need some of those! Oh. Ruhl. I’ve seen him on television. I’d probably like reading his work. Here’s a list of legitimate online paying surveys: > **[Paid Surveys for Money Online Guide + Real Survey Sites Review](https://mysurvey123.com/)** > > MySurvey123 provides real paid surveys sites reviews, surveys for money guide and tips on how to make extra cash taking online surveys! Sign up for as many as you can. I did a few years ago and now I get multiple invites every single day of the year. Some pay cash. Others pay from a list of prizes you can choose from. > [@Lust4Life](#): > > I totally recommend Christine McCulloughs" Masters of Rome" series, which is about the political machinations, actual fighting and family interplay of the elite of Republican Rome. > It is incredibly accurate, interesting and exciting, and she has a very real feel for the period. > Patrick O’Briens Aubery/Maturin epic sea stories set in the Napoleonic Wars are truly excellent. > You might find the style a little difficult to get into at first but once in you’re hooked. > Also as a complete change of pace Terry Pratchetts Discworld books, a comedic sword and sorcery series that are also bloody good reads and seriously habit forming. The series on Rome sounds great. My husband’s a huge fan of Terry Pratchett and we have all his books in the house. For some reason I’ve never read any. ---
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2010, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-books-for-me/541266/6 "2010-05-30T14:54:06Z")
> [@LavenderBlue](#): > > Either is fine. Anything on Peggy Guggenhiem sounds intriging. I’ve seen her museum in Venice. I was reading \*Just Desserts: The Unauthorized Biography of Martha Stewart \* by Jerry Oppenhiemer a few weeks ago. Highly amusing. > > Oh. Ruhl. I’ve seen him on television. I’d probably like reading his work. > > Here’s a list of legitimate online paying surveys: > > [http://mysurvey123.com/](http://mysurvey123.com/) > > Sign up for as many as you can. I did a few years ago and now I get multiple invites every single day of the year. Some pay cash. Others pay from a list of prizes you can choose from. > > The series on Rome sounds great. My husband’s a huge fan of Terry Pratchett and we have all his books in the house. For some reason I’ve never read any. You are seriously in for a treat, I kid you not. I envy you. ---
**Author:** ![Busy\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d78d45/32.png) [@Busy\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Busy_Scissors)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2010, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-books-for-me/541266/7 "2010-05-30T20:27:50Z")
Ever read China Mieville? Best SF / fantasy author I’ve read in recent years. I just noticed he has a new one out - Kraken. Not read it yet myself. Connie Willis has a new novel out as well, if you’ve not read it yet. ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2010, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-books-for-me/541266/8 "2010-05-30T20:40:13Z")
Jack Kelly’s [Gunpowder: Alchemy, Bombards, And Pyrotechnics: The History Of The Explosive That Changed The World](http://www.amazon.com/Gunpowder-Alchemy-Bombards-Pyrotechnics-Explosive/dp/0465037186) is a grand favorite of mine, and for a good price. Homer Hickam (the author of October Sky/Rocket Boys) has a wonderful if not unflawed novel, [Back to the Moon](http://www.amazon.com/Back-Moon-Novel-Homer-Hickam/dp/0440235383/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275251633&sr=1-3) which I love dearly, and has intriguing themes. The biggest problem for some readers—which may make it bittersweet at least, and cringingly horrifying at worst—is that the plot centers around “borrowing” a space shuttle (that’s not much of a spoiler). The book was published in 2000. He used the name (and the relevant specifications) of a real orbiter. You can guess where this is headed, right? :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Arrendajo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Arrendajo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrendajo)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2010, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-books-for-me/541266/9 "2010-05-30T20:48:04Z")
Historical fiction: All the Tea in China by Kyril Bonfiglioni Nonficiton: The Daily Coyote by Shreve Stockton The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer The Fortune Cookie Chronicles by Jennifer 8. Lee ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2010, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-books-for-me/541266/10 "2010-05-30T21:30:55Z")
_Comfort Me With Apples_ by Ruth Reichl. It’s an autobiography about how she got in the food reviewing biz, and is peppered with recipes from various points in her life. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2010, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-books-for-me/541266/11 "2010-05-30T23:18:27Z")
[Flashman](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flashman) series was brought to my attention by some Doper eons ago and I wish I could remember so I could properly thank him/her/them. I love this series. Another Doper recommended: [Marcus Didius Falco](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flashman) Series . Set in Ancient Rome. Mysteries that walk you down the ancient streets. LOVE this series. ---
**Author:** ![vdgg81](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/3d9bf3/32.png) [@vdgg81](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vdgg81)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2010, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-books-for-me/541266/12 "2010-05-30T23:21:30Z")
> [@Lust4Life](#): > > I totally recommend Christine McCulloughs" Masters of Rome" series, which is about the political machinations, actual fighting and family interplay of the elite of Republican Rome. > It is incredibly accurate, interesting and exciting, and she has a very real feel for the period. > Patrick O’Briens Aubery/Maturin epic sea stories set in the Napoleonic Wars are truly excellent. > You might find the style a little difficult to get into at first but once in you’re hooked. > Also as a complete change of pace Terry Pratchetts Discworld books, a comedic sword and sorcery series that are also bloody good reads and seriously habit forming. I couldn’t agree more with this post. As far as I’m concerned Patrick O’Brian wrote great literature and the most convincing historical novels I’ve ever read. It’s like he was a sailor in one of the ships he wrote about. Pratchett is also great fun. _The Masters of Rome_ series I’m reading right now, I’m just about to finish the second book, _Fortune’s Favorites_, and I’m loving every minute. (The author’s name is Colleen McCullough.) ---
**Author:** ![LVBoPeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/858c86/32.png) [@LVBoPeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LVBoPeep)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2010, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-books-for-me/541266/13 "2010-05-30T23:21:40Z")
Ditto on the Flashman series, and by the same author, _Mr. American_ is both interesting and strangely touching. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2010, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-books-for-me/541266/14 "2010-05-30T23:43:59Z")
> [@Busy\_Scissors](#): > > Ever read China Mieville? Best SF / fantasy author I’ve read in recent years. I just noticed he has a new one out - Kraken. Not read it yet myself. > > Connie Willis has a new novel out as well, if you’ve not read it yet. Which of his should I buy first? ---
**Author:** ![Arrendajo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Arrendajo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrendajo)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2010, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-books-for-me/541266/15 "2010-05-30T23:48:22Z")
For those of you who enjoyed the Flashman series, now at an end without us ever knowing what happened during the U.S. Civil War ☹ , try All the Tea in China by Kyril Bonfiglioni. Another historical fiction I enjoyed a lot is Sea of Poppies by Amitav Ghosh. ---
**Author:** ![luv2draw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/46a35a/32.png) [@luv2draw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/luv2draw)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2010, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-books-for-me/541266/16 "2010-05-31T00:28:57Z")
> [@LavenderBlue](#): > > I fill out online surveys. I have about $110 in Amazon gift certificates saved up as from doing so. > > Any book recommendations to spend the money? I like historical fiction, biography, history, good accessible classics that don’t constantly send you to the dictionary (love Edith Wharton!), science fiction, cooking and contemporary non-fiction. Some of my favorite authors include Bill Bryson, Phillipa Gregory, Michael Chabon, Martha Beck, Connie Willis, Anna Quindlen, Jennifer Weiner and Anthony Bourdain. > > Thank you! Haven’t read it yet (it’s on my stack here) but a student in my drawing class recommended **Loving Frank**. It’s about the architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Historical fiction.