What's next?

[carrieb]

After tackling the Lord of the Rings trilogy (finally), I'm looking for something equally intellegent yet enjoyable...I'm not usually a fan of the fantasy-type books, but I really enjoy good storytelling, so I went with the trilogy.
A couple people have mentioned the DaVinci code, so I thought I'd see if anyone could give me an opinion one way or the other, but any other suggestions would be welcome.
Some of my all time faves (just for reference):
Exodus/Redemption (Uris)
Power of One (Courtnay)
The Outsiders (Hinton)...a junior high throwback, but still great!
The Thornbirds (McColluagh)
Basically, anything that's intelligent and interesting...I can't stand the Danielle Steel kind of girlie books...

[itzslinky7]

Hi Carrie,

I haven't seen you in a while. I've read the DaVinci Code and the book before it called Angels and Demons. They both deal with religious symbology and secret societies. They're both what I'd call good beach reads. Not too taxing on the brain and a bit far-fetched, but a bit suspenseful and enjoyable.

Selena

[carrieb]

hey selena! thanks for the info...I was sort of assuming that DaVinci code was more of a "beach read" I'll put that off until summer.
i think i may just re-read some old favorites that I haven't looked at in a while...

[Smilla]

Hi Carrie -

I just read The Day After Tomorrow, by Allan Folsom. The first paragraph totally grabbed me and I couldn't put it down! DaVinci Code was great, too. Both are pretty much the same genre.

Let me know what you decide to pick up!

Fran

[dano416]

Hey, Carrie.

Glad you overcame the genre aversion and read Tolkien....they're beautiful books. If you're looking for less genre but weirdness and magic, Umberto Eco's "Foucault's Pendulum" is always good. Of course, you have to get over the fifty-page discursions on the history of the Templars, etc, but, well, it's still worth the read.

In the vein of smart, lovely books, some recommendations culled from my bookshelves:

--"As She Climbed Across The Table", Jonathan Lethem
--"Sinai Tapestry", Edward Whittemore
--"Little, Big", John Crowley
--"Slam" (or "Glimpses", or "Say Goodbye"), Lewis Shiner
--"Lucky Jim", Kingsley Amis
--"Daniel Martin", John Fowles
--"Declare", Tim Powers
--"Zeitgeist", Bruce Sterling
--"The Artist of the Missing", Paul LaFarge
--"Fool On The Hill" (or "Sewer, Gas & Electric", or "Set This House In Order"), Matt Ruff

Happy reading!

--Dan

[Colleen]

The DaVinci Code is an easy read and is thought provoking regarding the role of women in religion, etc. but I wouldn't say it is great literature ... and the ending is totally implausible ... read it to escape!!


If you read the LOTR, you should try The Hobbit (and Jackson may make a movie out of it).

My favorite book this year was Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress.

Snow Falling on Cedars (sort of about the internment of the Japanese in US during WWII), Charlotte Gray (a war "romance" about a Brit who goes into wartime France during WWII and the horrors of events, etc.) and the Abyssians (about Ethiopia -- actually a very good read) are all books that guys might like.