Anyone read any good books lately?!

[whoop whoop]

Hi, I also love natural science books but tend to watch the pro grammes on TV (rather than the books, I do have a few coffee table types none of Chat Raymo though, I'll check him out) but have to admit the TV shows get you down a bit especially when they are filming some poor wounded creature being hunted, then I switch off.

Have read all 'Pirot' series love him but not much else of AC's - our book shops are mainly second hand and rely on the person behind the desk to recommend things in your 'genre' but often I find they get it wrong and end up with something I wouldn't read if you paid me lol I suppose I could always go to the library (if there are any left) you can cross reference there. I hate to admit it but South Africans generally are not great readers and therefore it is difficult to get new books but then there is always Amazon

if you have enough bucks. Glad you like my baby!!!

Have a great day

I love books that mash up nature/science and an almost prose/poetry approach.

From that perspective, I can't recommend Chet Raymo highly enough. Hes very tuned into the minutia, the esoteric details that make beautiful connections (much more eloquently than Burke, Sagan or Attenborough.) His degree's in physics, astronomy (by large) is his cup of tea, he's an anamist/pantheist, and he does a really beautiful job being gracious for contributions of multiple cultures, arts and sciences.

3 of his more popular bks are:

365 Starry Nights--a planetarium in a book. A day-by-day account of what you can see in the stars and in nature for any given day of the year.

The Soul of the Night--The natural next book if you like 365--assumes you already know the 365 content and builds from it. An absolute gem of a book & must-have for science/astronomy/natural science lovers.

Walking Zero has a different momentum, as Raymo walks the Prime Meridian and revisits the places of historical and scientific significance that are usually only a mile of two either way of the course of the meridian. You get details f on science and history in his books that you won't find elsewhere in such a neat, tidy packet. He does a bang-up job here w/ anthropology/geology/technological evolution and paleontology) and always leaves you wanting more.

Unmatchable

But for the same delicate,minutia specific to birds, The Birdwatcher's Handbook is worth the read if, for no other reason, the essays on all manner of species and aspects of birding is a deliciously guilty read : )

However...coming from a mystery-loving/detective/bordering on horor-type book background that you do, it's been a few yrs since I worked in books, but there is (or was, at least was) this kind of mystery-lovers authors cross-reference, i.e. "if you like Sherlock Holmes, you might like Agatha Christie" based on very specific qualities of what you lie or dislike most, so just when you think you've run out of an author, you can skip sub-genres. If you have a local intensely mystery/horror bookshop, ask them to find you a copy. It tends to be more accurate than algorithmic book referral sites.

I'll keep thinking of books, meanwhile, rest up and enjoy that little peep (they grow up so fast!)

Take Care!

 

[whoop whoop]

The flu we had, turned out to be Swine Flu, H1 N1 or something, whatever it was, was awful and extremely contagious, anyway all the vile potiions worked even with a compromised immune system at the mo. DH still a bit off but gettinng better passed all my books over to him.

Must admit I enjoyed the SAS book apart from the graphic bits when they are in 'lying up positions scoping out the enemy', wouldn;t mind having one on hand if i was in a sticky situation, they definitey know what they are doing. lol

In between hoping out of bed and feeding chooks, manged to get through all the David Morell they were all really exciting .Colin Falconer was good too must see if i can get ome more of his. I don't know why they don't make movies of some of these older stories they would make great movies, instead of books like 50 shades which possibly is the last book on earth I would recommend when feeling under thhe weather, or infact at anytime

Oh well back to bed lol

 

[N F C]

@whoop whoop , that sounds like some nasty stuff you guys have had. Hope you're feeling better every day!

 

[whoop whoop]

@NorthFLChick thanks so much feeling much better now DH still down but getting better every day. I know you have recommended some books but I can't find any of them and they all sound good. Do you have any other ideas for me,? I have kinda used up the book shop this end and running a low on bucks this month so need some ideas.

 

[N F C]

Hi @whoop whoop , glad to hear you're feeling better.

A few days ago DH had to update his driver's license and there was a thrift store next door. I walked in and the first thing I saw were 2 hard bound books by one of my all-time favorite authors. Maeve Binchy. I got "Scarlet Feather" and "Quentin's" for a dollar each and 3 paperbacks for another dollar. Five books for $3 is a good deal!

Anything by Maeve Binchy is good. I got one of Steve Martini, he's usually good. The other two, I'm not familiar with so will have to see.

I'll have to put some thinking into favorite authors and see what I can come up with for you.

 

[whoop whoop]

Hi @NorthFLChick isn't great when you get a bargin - yeah for once got an author you have read got Maeve B Tara Road, she is good Never read Steve Martini but have seen him also in the book shop so will see tomorrow if I can get one. I know I keep harping on how backward we are with books but it's true unless you have lots of bucks to buy new. Anyway got to go to UK in August parentals not doing so good, so will take lots of suitcases and stock up.

 

[N F C]

Hi @NorthFLChick isn't great when you get a bargin - yeah for once got an author you have read got Maeve B Tara Road, she is good Never read Steve Martini but have seen him also in the book shop so will see tomorrow if I can get one. I know I keep harping on how backward we are with books but it's true unless you have lots of bucks to buy new. Anyway got to go to UK in August parentals not doing so good, so will take lots of suitcases and stock up.

I haven't bought a book new for a very long time. Me, the person that used to belong to 3 book clubs. They cost so much new any more. I get a kick out of finding a good one in nice condition at a great price.

Oh oh, Tara Road...that was a really good story!

Sorry to hear your parents aren't doing well. That's always worrisome.

I'm still planning on looking at my stuff for author names, so be back later!

 

[iluvmybabiez]

I recently bought a few books on Nikola Tesla.

I've been reading The Case for Christ right now along with Behold A Pale Horse. Both are great books BTW.

 

[whoop whoop]

I seriously wish Tesla lived now in South Africa we could seriously do with his AC here and some of his whacky but doable ideas, Ive got light bulbs so wont need Eddison . As for Religious books I will politely ignoe them, He must have been the geekiest geek out there would have ike to meet

him

 

[N F C]

Ok, @whoop whoop , I've been wracking my brain trying to remember some of the authors I've enjoyed the most in the past. Hard for me to remember the names, I just remember stories, ha. But here's what I can recall:

For mysteries/thrillers:
Jonathan Kellerman (Alex Delaware stories)
Patricia Cornwell (although she gets a bit gruesome for me sometimes)
Michael Connelly (love his)
David Baldacci
Harlan Coben (one of my all time favorites)
James Patterson
Greg Iles
Robert Crais (love his Elvis Cole stories)

Feel good books:
Jan Karon (heartwarming stories similar to Maeve Binchy)
Fanny Flagg (funny, southern stories)

I like a lot of the classics too:
John Steinbeck
Charles Dickens
Pearl Buck
Charlotte Bronte
Emily Bronte

I just know I'm leaving a ton of others off, but that's all I can come up with now. Hope you find something here that appeals to you!