# What book should I get out of the library today? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 30, 2003, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-book-should-i-get-out-of-the-library-today/185349 "2003-06-30T14:42:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cowgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@cowgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cowgirl)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2003, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-book-should-i-get-out-of-the-library-today/185349/1 "2003-06-30T14:42:24Z")
I just finished “The Pilot’s Wife” on recommendation from a friend. Not so great. Previous book was “Cannery Row” by Steinbeck, didn’t enjoy it, and before that was “The Autobiography of Malcolm X”, fantastic. Usually I don’t like things written before 1950 (hence the stab at Steinbeck, which was recommended to me as something I might like which was written before then). Authors I love and have read everything they’ve written: Kurt Vonnegut John Irving Milan Kundera Margaret Atwood Authors I love but don’t know which book to read next: Toni Morrison Austin Clarke Arhundati Roy Michael Ondaatje Looking for a novel or an autobiography by someone radical, not one that’s recently been released (remember, I’m going to the library, so no Harry Potter, also no “English Patient” as they never have it and I’m too lazy to get on a waiting list - I guess I’m not (heh, heh) patient enough! … sorry), and something with interesting women in it. I’d love any recommendations, whether from the above list or not. Trying to expand my horizons, ya know. Heading to the library at 4:30 EST but suggestions for future library trips are also welcome ! ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2003, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-book-should-i-get-out-of-the-library-today/185349/2 "2003-06-30T14:57:12Z")
well, I was gonna suggest A Prayer for Owen Meany, but I guess that’s been done. Soooooo, “Lancelot” or “The Second Coming” by Walker Percy. (BTW, TSC is only peripherally about that subject- it is NOT a Left Behind type thingy _L_) ---
**Author:** ![burundi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3ec8ea/32.png) [@burundi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burundi)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2003, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-book-should-i-get-out-of-the-library-today/185349/3 "2003-06-30T15:10:55Z")
_Carter Beats the Devil_ by Glen David Gold is a great read. It’s a mystery set in the early 20th century U.S., and the main character based on a real stage magician, Carter the Great. Not only does it have an intriguing plot, Gold throws in all these fascinating tidbits about vaudeville and the golden age of stage magicians. Plus, the book has a couple of very interesting female characters. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. _The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay_ by Michael Chabon is another book I recommend wholeheartedly. It’s the story of two cousins who launch their own comic book in the 1940s. Sounds simple, but Chabon is a very engaging writer, and the book encompasses so much more–Jewish folk tales, artistic life in 1940s New York, World War Two, and so on and so forth. It also features Rosa Saks, another great female character. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2003, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-book-should-i-get-out-of-the-library-today/185349/4 "2003-06-30T15:16:18Z")
Oscar and Lucinda, by Peter Carey. ---
**Author:** ![Merlot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3e96dc/32.png) [@Merlot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merlot)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2003, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-book-should-i-get-out-of-the-library-today/185349/5 "2003-06-30T15:21:31Z")
The Feast of Love by Charles Baxter. ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2003, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-book-should-i-get-out-of-the-library-today/185349/6 "2003-06-30T15:22:58Z")
Try _Border Crossing_ by Pat Barker. She is best known for her incredible World War One trilogy _Regeneration, The Eye in the Door & The Ghost Road_, which are marvelous, unsentimental and unforgettable. _Border Crossing_ has a contemporary setting and is about the relationship between a newly released juvenile murderer (now in his twenties) and a psychologist who he is obsessed with. Could I gush any more? She’s probably my favorite living author. ---
**Author:** ![cowgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@cowgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cowgirl)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2003, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-book-should-i-get-out-of-the-library-today/185349/7 "2003-06-30T15:34:59Z")
Thanks guys !! > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sattua \* > \*\*Oscar and Lucinda, by Peter Carey. \*\* Fantastic. Gripping. Amazing. This was one of those books that I was very sad to finish because then, it was over, and I couldn’t read it any more. I read something else of his which wasn’t nearly as good. The exact same thing happened with Sophie’s Choice by William Styron. ---
**Author:** ![Gail](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Gail](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gail)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2003, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-book-should-i-get-out-of-the-library-today/185349/8 "2003-06-30T17:10:40Z")
I’ve been into mysteries lately…I’ve been reading books by Randy Wayne White…about a marine biologist sleuth who lives in Florida…Also Alexander McCall Smith’s series set in Africa…No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency…That was really good; it gave you a real feel for what it’s like to live there. My book group read “The Feast of Love” and I can second the recommendation. Also we just read “The Secret Life of Bees” by Sue Monk Kidd (?) That was really good although at the beginning I wondered if it was ever going to stop being depressing. (It did.) I also really enjoyed reading “The Dress Lodger” but I think that is not for everybody…It is very gritty and realistic…about England in the year 1831. Anyway the author’s name is Sheri Holman. ---
**Author:** ![Politzania](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3ab097/32.png) [@Politzania](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Politzania)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2003, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-book-should-i-get-out-of-the-library-today/185349/9 "2003-06-30T18:53:59Z")
Recent good reads - with links to my comments: Fiction: [A Patchwork Planet](http://www.livejournal.com/community/50bookchallenge/401481.html) - Anne Tyler [Towing Jehovah](http://www.livejournal.com/community/50bookchallenge/366865.html) - James Morrow Non-Fiction [Blue Latitudes](http://www.livejournal.com/community/50bookchallenge/422973.html) Tony Horwitz A definite second on **burundi’s** suggestions, as well. ---
**Author:** ![cowgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@cowgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cowgirl)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2003, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-book-should-i-get-out-of-the-library-today/185349/10 "2003-06-30T19:04:12Z")
Funnily enough “Border Crossing” came up another time I was looking up a book recommended by a friend: “The Crossing.” Also very good. My helpful, helpful library (University of Toronto library, has 27 libraries and millions of books) has “The Dress Lodger.” The listing says: **Location: Missing** Fecking hell. ---
**Author:** ![lauramarlane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a5b964/32.png) [@lauramarlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lauramarlane)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2003, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-book-should-i-get-out-of-the-library-today/185349/11 "2003-06-30T19:16:33Z")
I highly recommend The Plague Tales and The Burning Road by Ann Benson. They’re set a little further into the future in a time where common antibiotics no longer work and the risk of plagues is great. The parallel story is set in Europe during the time of the plague and the author weaves together both stories incredibly well. I can’t wait for the third book in the series. I’m currently reading Thief of Souls by this author but am not finding it as engaging as the first two books. Another interesting and compelling book I have read a couple of times is Mendel’s Dwarf by Simon Mawer. It’s two parallel stories (I guess I must like those kinds of books) one about Gregor Mendel and the other about a geneticist who is a distant relation of Mendel’s. The geneticist also happens to be a dwarf. It’s a beautifully written story that I enjoyed tremendously. ---
**Author:** ![Greywolf73](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d9b06d/32.png) [@Greywolf73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greywolf73)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2003, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-book-should-i-get-out-of-the-library-today/185349/12 "2003-06-30T19:24:41Z")
Try The Crimson Petal and the White by Michael Faber. Defintely something different and defintely about interesting women. Sort of in the same vein as The Dress Lodger. Ummm…trying to think… Passage by Connie Willis Doomsday Book also by Connie Willis (I’m a big fan of her, can you tell?) If you are in the mood for something long and very engrossing (you won’t be able to put it down)–try The Outlander series by Diana Gabladon. If you are in the mood for a quick stay-up-til-the-wee-hours-because-you-have-to-see-what-happens kind of read, try anything (Mortal Fear, 24 Hours, Black Cross) by Greg Iles. He’s one of the best writers of suspense ever, IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2003, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-book-should-i-get-out-of-the-library-today/185349/13 "2003-06-30T20:44:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by cowgirl \* > \*\*Authors I love but don’t know which book to read next: > > Michael Ondaatje > \*\* I love these book threads, now I have a huge to-read list. Coincidentally, _Anil’s Ghost_ just came in for me **cowgirl**. If you’ve read it, did you like it? **lauramarlane** , I just put a hold on _The Plague Tales_ - sounds interesting. For a look back in time at the same subject, try _Year of Wonders_ by Geraldine Brooks. It’s a fictionalized account of the historical village of Eyam in 17th century England. The town quarantined itself for a year when it was hit with the plague. The book is a first person narration from the point of view of a young girl and was so good that I read it in two sittings. ---
**Author:** ![AchimbaProphet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2bfe46/32.png) [@AchimbaProphet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AchimbaProphet)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2003, 10:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-book-should-i-get-out-of-the-library-today/185349/14 "2003-07-01T10:15:56Z")
Amusing Ourselves To Death by Neil Postman A look at what the mass media is doing to society. ---
**Author:** ![lauramarlane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a5b964/32.png) [@lauramarlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lauramarlane)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2003, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-book-should-i-get-out-of-the-library-today/185349/15 "2003-07-01T12:39:50Z")
Thanks for the tip, **koeeoaddi**. I’ve added Year of Wonders to my own list 🙂 I love these threads, too. I’m always on the look out for new and interesting things to read. Which reminds me, The Eyre Affair and Lost in a Good Book both by Jasper Fforde, are really wonderful sci-fi/literary tales. It’s very difficult to describe them, so you may want to check out the descriptions on Amazon. His newest in the series is due out in the UK next week and I’ll be ordering it from Amazon.co.uk–it probably won’t be out in America till next year, but books seem to be cheaper in the UK so the cost of buying it and having it shipped here isn’t bad at all.