[marasshi]

I finished this book a long time ago but I highly recommend The Young Lions by Irwin Shaw. It tells the story of three soldiers fighting in World War II - one from the German army, Christian Diestl, and two Americans, Noah Ackerman and Michael Whitacre. The novel follows the three men as they find themselves getting more and more entangled with the war. Michael and Noah meet when they are assigned to the same platoon and end up befriending each other. Meanwhile, Christian, a ski instructor from the mountains of Austria, starts out as a soldier who truly believes that the war is for the greater good but slowly turns into the monster that he despises.

Shaw's characters are beautifully written and hauntingly real. It was as if every one of them really did exist, and Shaw was just there to capture them in writing.

If you like reading WWII novels, this is something you should not miss.

(I should probably add that this book is out of print, but I found it in my local library so it should be in yours, too.)

[ljphantom]

^ Sounds really interesting, marasshi. Well, I love wartime stories. And a character who works for the greater good but ends up turning into someone he/she worked against initially? All the more better and complex and frustrating to read! Do you happen to know, or anybody else, a good, realistically-written and/or fascinating WWI novel? I haven't seen much of those around...

[winteryskys]

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold (they are also making a movie)
brought me to tears
the main character is up in heaven [a different kind of heaven]
trying to do everything in her power to show her family who killed her
but she can do nothing but watch from above
she can't move on because moving on meant forgetting and she doesn't want to, at least not yet
through her eyes we see what life is like and what happens to the people she left behind
her family and friends and especially her killer

I loveed this book! It was so sad T_T I think I cried. I feel like re-reading it lol.


I just finsihed the book thief; it was good. It was so sad reading about the jews and how they got treated.
I really felt sorry for liesel, what a hard life she had.
I wonder if she and max got married.
Oh yea! I loved the book Max did for Liesel; the Word Shaker. It was so touching.

[vanggirlie]

has anyone read Mercedes Lackey books that takes place in the Five Hundred Kingdoms? right now there are four books loosely based on four different fairy tales. each book can usually be read alone except the first book probably explains the Five Hundred Kingdoms the best.

The Fairy Godmother (book 1) based on cinderella
One Good Knight (book 2) based (loosely) on snow white...i think
Fortune's Fool (book 3) based (very loosely) on mermaid...i think
The Snow Queen (book 4) based on snow queen

i've read the first two books and loved them equally but i haven't read the the two recent one's. i like the fact that she puts a twist on fairy tales...and i love fairy tales. they are a light and entertaining read.

neways anyone read Fortune's Fool and The Snow Queen. i was thinking about buying it but not sure.

[xiam9]

I haven't read that many books unless you count all those sweet valleys.
The most recent book(s) I've read is the Twilight Saga.
I loved it and hated it at the same time.

All this vampire hype got me all curious so I picked up my brother's Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice.
I'm not even halfway with the Interview with the Vampire but so far it's been really good.
The way they she explained the lifestyle of a vampire made Meyer seem like fanfic writer.
Rice described drinking blood as a beautiful, enticing experience, whereas Meyer made it seem very superficial.
But like I said though, I like Twilight and I recommend it to all those looking for perfect romance.
Sorry, I know this isn't a twilight thread, but I can't help it.

Other books I've read aside from all those teen fiction are Angels and Demons and Davinchi Code by Dan Brown.
I know they're a bit overrated but since I haven't really read anything aside from those within the category of teen and romance, I definitely enjoyed his books.

About Harry Potter (I'm surprised no one's mentioned it, but there are already threads dedicated to this book). I finally got around finishing this series. I think it was decent, but never got around to it because it was too "black and white" for me. I read them when I see them when I get a chance. The last book was a shocker for me. I had to think, "is this really a kids book?" Does anyone else feel that J.K Rowling was on a killing spree because she wanted to end the last book with a bang? And that the epilogue seemed too tacky? but other than that I enjoyed it. It was my favourite of the series. It wasn't so "black and white" after all. Betrayal, darkness, gray zone. confusion. I liked how Harry and his friends were being pessimistic, and that Dumbledore wasn't such a perfect person.

I think Harry Potter was meant to be a children's book at the beginning but since it took almost a decade for all 7 books to be released, naturally loyal potter fans grew and matured as the series progressed.
Anyway, the Harry Potter series is by far the best I've read. Rowling is a genius writer.

I really need to read more books!
A thousand splendid suns sounds like a good book to start off my reading habit.

[BishieAddict]

^ I enjoyed reading the "buffy the vampire slayer" books.. but mind you, I was a Buff Fanatic. Some of those books are interesting.

has anyone read Mercedes Lackey books that takes place in the Five Hundred Kingdoms? right now there are four books loosely based on four different fairy tales. each book can usually be read alone except the first book probably explains the Five Hundred Kingdoms the best.

The Fairy Godmother (book 1) based on cinderella
One Good Knight (book 2) based (loosely) on snow white...i think
Fortune's Fool (book 3) based (very loosely) on mermaid...i think
The Snow Queen (book 4) based on snow queen

i've read the first two books and loved them equally but i haven't read the the two recent one's. i like the fact that she puts a twist on fairy tales...and i love fairy tales. they are a light and entertaining read.

neways anyone read Fortune's Fool and The Snow Queen. i was thinking about buying it but not sure.

I read Snow Queen. It was boring. It's one of those books where the characters go on a long journey. I wouldn't buy it. I enjoyed the first one, everything else was "blah" to me. You might like "Ella Enchanted". I thought it was a neat book when I read it (haha years ago, before the movie )
I really enjoyed reading the unhandsome prince by John Moore. It was just hilarious!

[sbq]

Bourjois: I just read The Angels Trilogy by Lurlene McDaniel. It was so beautiful. I was crying so much through the book. But the ending for me was annoying. I wish we could learn more into the main character's future.

Melonbar92 Book Thief is one of my favourites. I love Death. I really felt for the characters.

Standing Ovation I wouldn't stop crying when I read the book thief. It was just amazing. I liked the Kite Runner but I preferred the ATSS. Atonement wasn't my cup of tea, I found in places that it droned on. Twilight has too much hype which sadly I don't think it lives up to...so I'm over it. The hype has put me off. I don't have an opinion to it anymore, the fans are the most extreme fans I've ever come across for a book, movie star etc. They actually scare me. I'm currently reading Helen of Troy by Margaret George. The Pure Land by Alan Spence is I think the sctual story of Madame Butterfly. It's really nice since that story has always intrigued me.

Vanggirlie I'm going to look into Mercedes Lackey, twists on fairy tales are always a interesting read.

I'm currently ready Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead and the Morganville Vampire series by Rachel Caine. Both are very different from the normal vampire stories. Vampire Academy has quite a few typos but nevertheless is a good read so far. It's dark...just the way I like my stories.

[splendidlure]

I'm completely indulgeed in "Angels & Demons" right now. It's been SUCH a long time that I've been addicted to a book. It doesn't happen often for me. Maybe, I'm just really picky or something. I can also agree with the people saying it's better than "The Da Vinci Code". Never finished "The Da Vinci Code". I can only remember Robert Langdon and Jacques Saunière from the book. Where as, "Angels & Demons" is so suspenseful and so many twists at the end. I hope the movie doesn't let me down. I'm close to finishing the book in a week. Yipee!

Haha. I bought the last book of Harry Potter(read the others from the library) and never finished it. Lmao. I should stop buying books and only reading a little bit of it.

[inyeon.]

Haha, I only like child books ._. for some reason, those seem more interesting to me. They always have a big imagination and have humor I like xD Such as Harry Potter and Series of Unfortunate events. ^^ Classic books.

As for the other books I have read:

Twilight: corny and cheesy. Bella is stupid and should be slapped. the end.

The Joy Luck Club: This book is seriously well written, but I can't stand how its so depressing. I like it because its a book that people can kind of relate to, especially if you're asian american, but overall the book made me feel uncomfortable.

Dreamland: again, made me feel very uncomfortable. the whole vibe and mood made my whole mood go down.

Bound: I really liked this book. I think its one of the few books I finished in a day. The mood wasnt exactly bright, but it was kind of chilling...? Great book. Its depressing a bit, but I liked it.


overall, im just not really a book person. ;_; I cannot stand teen books (those ones with stupid girls who are stupid. D: ) or stories with complicated plots...

I like books from the kids section in the book store :x i like my youth. lol.

[mwtk]

As for the other books I have read:

Twilight: corny and cheesy. Bella is stupid and should be slapped. the end.

I agree that the Twilight book is cheesy especially the love lines and the over kill on repeated words by SMeyer. I'm excited for the movie because of the cast. I really wanted to slap Bella in Eclipse because she was so needy and weak and a bad example for girls. I liked her character in Twilight and New Moon but after that SMeyer killed the character.

On a happier note, I discovered Audrey Niffenegger's The time traveler's wife. It is so well written, I was confused at times when Henry is traveling back and forth. Clare is such an amazing character because she is devoted to Henry. She puts up with his time traveling, being worried and alone whenever Henry is gone. The ending is bittersweet but it's fitting and it's good to know that they will meet again. I highly recommend this book, I already read it 3x already

[FooFooRuk]

i read twilight only up to TWO books and it is surely overrated. i don't know why...sure books are unrealistic at times but that book became very LAME and cheesy. edward no longer is hot for liking someone like bella. i recommend meg cabot's the mediator over that any dayyyy
soompi fanfics beats it with flying colors =/ (reminds me of soompi fanfics)

[mwtk]

i read twilight only up to TWO books and it is surely overrated. i don't know why...sure books are unrealistic at times but that book became very LAME and cheesy. edward no longer is hot for liking someone like bella. i recommend meg cabot's the mediator over that any dayyyy
soompi fanfics beats it with flying colors =/ (reminds me of soompi fanfics)

IA, love is blind :-P
Bella's character is too perfect to the point it's fake (yeah it's a story but can't we have some realistic character traits?) and she didn't deserve Edward's love.

[vanggirlie]

i agree on Twilight books. i read the first two but barely made it thru the second one. i'm stuck on the third one but i just dont' want to continue it no more. bella was ok in the first one but after that she's quite annoying. she was slightly annoying in the first one but she was new to me so it was ok. edward and bella's relationship is not really that exciting to me.

oh i have heard about The Time Traveler's Wife. i've heard that it's really good. i may give it a try.

[sbq]

i recommend meg cabot's the mediator over that any dayyyy
soompi fanfics beats it with flying colors =/ (reminds me of soompi fanfics)

I love the Mediator series. Suze is such a independant woman and Jesse is a perfect gentlemen but thankfully both characters have flaws making them more realistic. I wish meg would write another mediator book but the last one was fine for me.

I'm starting to read some Jodi Picoult books, loving them.

[ilovestarbucks]

i agree on Twilight books. i read the first two but barely made it thru the second one. i'm stuck on the third one but i just dont' want to continue it no more. bella was ok in the first one but after that she's quite annoying. she was slightly annoying in the first one but she was new to me so it was ok. edward and bella's relationship is not really that exciting to me.

agreed. im on the part where they're trying to get tanya's family to join them in the fight and right when i read the part where irina didn't want to help because she was into laurent and she'll only help if she gets to revenge him by killing the wolves i just stopped reading. it's so lame. she could at least think of something else! it's just like victoria who wanted to revenge james but has she even made a move yet? nope. it's getting irritating. meyer is not creative at all. she needs to move on with the point already and stop trying to extend everything in order to make it into four books -.- i dont even know why i read the first two in the first place, i guess i thought it'd be a great book since everyone else seems to like it but i realize that her writing isn't all that great either. even so, i still wanna see how the movie's gonna be like


on the other hand, i do love A Thousand Splendid Suns i can't believe mariam had sex with rasheed. gross much? okay maybe im being a little immature but she's 15! and i didn't expect jalil to send her off to marry an old guy just because he can't take the responsibility of having an affair with a house maid and having an illegitimate child. i really thought he'd come back for her but eh, guess not. it's getting me mad but i want to read more and more! is anyone else reading this book?

[PrincessBoa]

Ah- The Twilight series was pretty overrated. I thought the first book was mediocre, while the rest of the books were just..a whole bunch of repeated mushy lines and unrealistic people mushed together into one. To be truthful, I couldn't stand Stephanie Meyer's writing from New Moon onward till Breaking Dawn.

I recently finished The Other Boleyn Girl, and let's just say it's been a long time since I've picked up a historical fiction book and read it. I thoroughly enjoyed Phillipia's writing, how she unraveled the events nicely. The only one I really pity in this book was Queen Katherine and possibly Anne Boleyn and I forgot the main girl's name..but her first husband. I only wish his part in the story could have been extended a bit more, I wanted to see how his relationship with Mary would have gone. William Stratfod was an interesting choice to pair with Mary though, I'm glad Mary got to live a happy ending. I seriously hate Henry *insert number here*. LOL.

Haven't really read any other books in awhile. Oh, I absolutely loved Angels and Demons when I first read it 2 years ago! I can't wait for the movie even though it may not be as goodas the book.

-PrincessBoa

[lil_missblueangel]

Atonement, Daughter of Fortune, Survival in Auschwitz, The Count of Monte Cristo, Free Food for Millionaires, Shopaholic series..
Some great books I've read recently.

Redeeming Love, a Christian novel that brought me to tears..

Pride and Prejudice
A classic

Planning on reading Birdsong next. I'm a sucker for WWII novels.





Twilight
A horrible book I read because of the hype. Let's just say, I was cringing throughout the entire book, and no plans to read the rest of the series. Can't believe it's getting compared to genius J.K. Rowling.

yep!!! i second to that!!! Twilight is a very dull book... coz if you read few romantic teen vampire stories before reading twilight... it gets to be sooo.... uhm.... predictiale.....(peace!)
and the potter books well.... it was kinda crazy and stuff like that which make you want to read more.....




>>> i know sheldon's books are a bit old..... wwell if you havent touached one of his book... i kinda recommend doomsday conspiracy....its a bit fascinating and its a bit well rounded... it has action(of course) a bit of romance and drama....

[marasshi]

on the other hand, i do love A Thousand Splendid Suns i can't believe mariam had sex with rasheed. gross much? okay maybe im being a little immature but she's 15! and i didn't expect jalil to send her off to marry an old guy just because he can't take the responsibility of having an affair with a house maid and having an illegitimate child. i really thought he'd come back for her but eh, guess not. it's getting me mad but i want to read more and more! is anyone else reading this book?

If Mariam didn't do what she did, Rasheed would have divorced her, or worse, killed her. It might be shocking for you that someone so young as her is married to a much older man, but in Afghanistan (at least during Mariam's childhood), that is perfectly all right.

I recently finished The Other Boleyn Girl, and let's just say it's been a long time since I've picked up a historical fiction book and read it. I thoroughly enjoyed Phillipia's writing, how she unraveled the events nicely. The only one I really pity in this book was Queen Katherine and possibly Anne Boleyn and I forgot the main girl's name..but her first husband. I only wish his part in the story could have been extended a bit more, I wanted to see how his relationship with Mary would have gone. William Stratfod was an interesting choice to pair with Mary though, I'm glad Mary got to live a happy ending. I seriously hate Henry *insert number here*. LOL.

-PrincessBoa

I researched about Mary Boleyn after reading The Other Boleyn Girl, and I thought it was interesting that Philippa Gregory wrote about Henry VIII fathering Mary's children when no proof exists for this sort of claim. (On her Wikipedia page, it says both Henry and Catherine were Carey's children.) Anyway, I also liked George's character; I imagined him looking a lot like Jonathan Rhys Myers. Heehee.

[KuYA II]

-Shopaholic Series
Really good series, but the first book of it wasn't really that interesting. I noticed that her stories become much more interesting as she releases the series. My favorite is the 4th book "Shopaholic and Baby" because it was really hilarious and seriously i couldn't take my eyes off the book to the point i finished it less than a day =). I also like "Can you keep a secret?" and "Undomesticated Goddess" i think thats what its called. But I lean towards more to "CYKAS?"

-The Time Traveler's Wife
Its really sad that i only read half of the book and so far i'm really enjoying it a lot. I borrowed it in the library and had to return it since i got a huge fine. Anyways, with me busy with school, i didn't have time to finish it. I will indeed continue once i'm done with this semester because it is indeed a great love/adventure story =).

-Gossip Girl
I read the first book and i think its pretty bad. I couldn't finish the first chapter so i ended up not finishing the book.

-Twilight Series
I really like the series, but the 2nd and 4th book, to me was really bad. The 2nd book was just really repetitive with Bella's emotions to the point that I had to stop reading and go back to it when I have free time. In the 4th book, it left quite a bit questions unanswered and it seems like the author was just "rushing" to finish it. Edward is indeed overrated or just the fact that the author keeps explaining how "perfect" he is. There were other times that whenever i read the book, i would skim to it because its seems as if i'm reading the same description over and over again. Even though there were "faults" in this book, i really like the 1st and 3rd a lot and i guess thats what made me still like the series.

[onetwothuy]

The Twilight Series.
I am almost ashamed to say that I've read all four books, and liked them at one point.

I think I'm going to read A Thousand Splendid Suns, since the majority of the people here like it. (: