[Lammarite]

If you like Lovely Bones, you should also read Time Travellers Wife. If you liked Tipping Point and/or Blink you should read Freakonomics. If you like a really good story then the best books in the world are Magician by Raymond Feist, On The road by Jack Kerouac, the Rabbit books by John Updike, Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway or the book most favoured my serial killers, Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger.
I'm also a big fan of Iain Banks, especially the earlier stuff.

[donabel_beltran]

Originally Posted by ct1

I am reading a fantastic book at the moment called BUDDHADA by Anne Donovan. I found it on Lamma Island for only $10. I think one person has read it.

It is about a working class guy (a dad hence the Da) from Glasgow who discovers Buddhism. It's about the affects his discovery has on his family and friends. It is written in Glaswegian accented English if that makes any sense e.g. "Whit is it wi these southsiders, every place has got tae stert wi a C". You get used to it really quickly.

ct1 --> Like Mark Twain's "Tom Sawyer" and "Huck Finn", huh? I like how authors do that -- change their voices. Adds a dimension to the story-telling. Any authors you know who had done that?

athena --> "By the River Piedra ..." is the first Coelho book I read. It didn't hit me as much as his other novels eventually did, though.

Anyone here who can recommend a good novel from Australia? I read a book by an award-winning Aussie author once, and it was marvelous! In one sentence, he was describing how the mechanic's shop smelled like, and I literally smelled it. Not how I THINK it smelled like, but how it really IS...

:-Dona

[donabel_beltran]

Originally Posted by Lammarite

or the book most favoured my serial killers, Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger.

Why would "Catcher in the Rye" be a favorite among serial killers? Now, I have to read it again!

:-D

[mercury_element]

Can anyone tell me where can i get "Five point something" by Chetan Bhagat.... Its not in the library and also not available in Page one.Heard its a wonderful book, good fun and humour.

Can anyone lend me the book for few days if you have it.
Thanks

[Valerie]

Originally Posted by donabel_beltran

Anyone here who can recommend a good novel from Australia? I read a book by an award-winning Aussie author once, and it was marvelous! In one sentence, he was describing how the mechanic's shop smelled like, and I literally smelled it. Not how I THINK it smelled like, but how it really IS...

:-Dona

Dona => It is not really a novel, more a travel book but I really liked it: DOWN UNDER by bill bryson.

JoAnnSZ => yeap, definitely, harry potter books, The little prince, Anne rice's books

I agree with everyone that Paulo Coelho's books are really good, especially the Alchemist - me too, i kept reading it several times a year!

Otherwise, i would recommend as well a french writer (where am i from): Marc Levy, but I guess it is more a girl book - i think is most known book is IF ONLY IT WERE TRUE 9it has been adapted into a movie recently).

[hbrand]

Ok, a couple of goodies:

Shantaram - Gregory David Roberts. You just cannot put it down... It's about an Australian guy who escapes from a prison in Victoria and lands in Mumbai. Incredible story of how he becomes the slum doctor armed with a first aid kit and slowly becomes part of the Indian mafia. It's based on Gregory's life although some parts are fictionalised. One of my all time faves.

Gweilo - Martin Booth. Beautifully written true story of an old Hong Kong set in the 50's whicle Martin is 8-11. Really interesting and evokes all sorts of emotions. I loved it.

I also just finsihed The Zahir by PC. Not as good as his others, my favourite is The Valkyries, PC goes with his wife on a 40 day trip into the desert and meets these amazing women (The Valkyries) who ride harley davidsons... very cool book with all the usual spirituality.

[JoAnnSZ]

Originally Posted by Lammarite

If you like Lovely Bones, you should also read Time Travellers Wife. If you liked Tipping Point and/or Blink you should read Freakonomics. If you like a really good story then the best books in the world are Magician by Raymond Feist, On The road by Jack Kerouac, the Rabbit books by John Updike, Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway or the book most favoured my serial killers, Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger.
I'm also a big fan of Iain Banks, especially the earlier stuff.

Thanks, Lammarite! Nice suggestions for books. I already have The Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey Niffeneger. I just have not read it yet. I already read JD Salinger's Catcher in the Rye. It is definitely good!

Hello Valerie! Right on! Those books are really among my fave books! I have tons of books now yet those are the books I kept re-reading again and again.

For kids' books, I like "Guess How Much I Love You", "The Velveteen Rabbit", "The Missing Piece" and "Charlie & the Chocolate Factory". .

[Lammarite]

Originally Posted by donabel_beltran

Why would "Catcher in the Rye" be a favorite among serial killers? Now, I have to read it again!

:-D

It has been discovered in the breast pocket of several famous murderers, including the man who shot John Lennon. Not sure why but i guess there are some theories as to why.

[donabel_beltran]

Originally Posted by Lammarite

It has been discovered in the breast pocket of several famous murderers, including the man who shot John Lennon. Not sure why but i guess there are some theories as to why.

Theory #1 -- Because the dialogues are simple, so it's easy enough to read while on a stake-out?

Valerie -- I have read another book by Bill Bryson, a "Short History of Nearly Everything". And I would say that it's THE Science textbook I should have read when I was much younger. Science explained in layman's terms. But it's not a novel either, so what are we talking about???

For those who want something about Math, though, look for "Five Equations That Changed the World".

:-D

[ct1]

Originally Posted by donabel_beltran

Anyone here who can recommend a good novel from Australia? I read a book by an award-winning Aussie author once, and it was marvelous! In one sentence, he was describing how the mechanic's shop smelled like, and I literally smelled it. Not how I THINK it smelled like, but how it really IS...

Why not try some of the books by Judy Nunn.

'Territory' was the best one by her. Also 'Heritage', 'Kal' and 'Under the Southern Cross'. I have read some of her others but not as good. 'Pacific' is good but not about Aus. These are fantastic fiction book that give you a history of these places in Australia. Amazing characters and stories. Very easy and enjoyable reading.

www.judynunn.com