Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Books

Hi all,

I've been reading quite some books recently due to problem on my TV (wasn't working ). Reading is one of my favorite but realize that I don't read too much anymore cause I spent most of the time on TV - you know - soon as back home - TV is on and on and on

I read two Harry Potter book already (his third and fourth one) plus three novels since last week so I pressume my read ability is still there. Now I have to find other book and when I go to the book store yesterday - I have some difficulties to choose.

Books is very expensive here, especially foreign language books so I need some suggestion - if you can let me know the best book you ever read, I may want to know so while it's expensive I know that I choose the good one

Sinta

Hi Sinta!
I love books and I read a lot. Somehow I seem to prefer books written by fairly contemporary authors, usually north americans - and almost always female ones.
I just read again one of my favourites: Donna Tartt "The Secret History"
It is extremely well written, intelligent and also with quite a lot of suspence. I believe it's in my top 5 list

Being a science fiction fan I have two other books that I love. Those are not written by usual science fiction authors, but the stories are quite different from the norm anyway. They are: Margaret Atwood "The handmaid's tale" and Marge Piercy "He, she and it".

I also enjoy Amy Tan, Toni Morrison, Fay Weldon and Alice Hoffman.
...and I have a secret love for every line written by the fantastic danish author Karen Blixen (you might remember her story from the (mellow) movie picture "Out of Africa" with Meryl Streep & Robert Redford).

I have many other books that I love, but this list is quite representative for me, I believe.

hugs,
Jade

By the way, I forgot: take a look at these URL's. They are addresses to Internet Libraries, where you can download books for free and read them online or print them out.

http://www.ipl.org/div/books/
http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/eng-on.html
http://digital.library.upenn.edu/books/


However, it's usually mostly non-copyrighted books (old books ) in those sites.
So check out your local library for the more recent books I recommended in my previous post!

bye again,
Jade

Hi Sinta,

I never used to read until I came across a series of books by Jean. M. Auel. She writes the earth childrens series. Her first one which was made into a movie and in no way did it justice was 'The clan of the cave bear', then 'Valley of the horses' 'The mammoth hunters' was her third and the fourth is 'Plains of passage' and her latest in the series is 'The shelters of stone' I am very impatiently waiting for her next book.

I love the series but you must read the first to be able to follow the journey through the main character 'Ayla' ..... ohhhh just thinking about these books is making me want to pick them up and start reading again. It's set in the Cave man times and is sooooo good. If your into prehistoric reading then these will quench your thirst on the subject. Sorry to go on but I think they are wonderful! If you are interested in reading them but can't get hold of them let me know and maybe we can work something out as I may be able to find some copies to send to you!

Sal

Ohh to sit down all comfy and warm with a hot chocolate and read a good book...no wait a great book is ...ummmm.... a fantasy of mine at the moment as with three young kids who has the time!!

I'm a Librarian, so you would think that I have some great advice on this subject. But, unfortunately, I don't have much time to read anymore. I do like the classics, but that may not be what you are looking for. As Jade said, there are web sites where you can read books online, but also like she said, most are older. I don't know if you have access to a good library, but that is definitely where you should look, if you can.

As far as my favorite books, I love "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers. It isn't really a classic, but it was written, I think, in the 40s. The town in the book is so much like my hometown. But it is a very depressing work, so don't look for too much happiness to come after reading it. That's another problem with me suggesting literature, I usually like stories that are on the sad side. I'm about to start writing a novel myself, but unfortunately, it is also going to be sad. Maybe when I finish it, you'll be able to read it, if I can get it published.

Johnny

Hi Sinta,

I love reading. Here are some of my favorites off the top of my head.

The Diana Gabaldon series. Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager and Drums of Autumn. They are a time travel stories set in Scotland at the ancient stone circle. Very interesting and hard to put down. Another recent one I read was the World according to Pye.??? Can't remember if that is the correct title or who the aurthor was.
A few other good ones are Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden. Snow Falling on Cedars but David Guterson. Too bad you don't live closer and I could just lend you all my books. I have also read all the Harry Potter series except for the latest one. I have also read the series that Sally was talking about and enjoyed them as well. Good luck in finding a good read Sinta.

Deborah

i have a few favorites. the talisman, by peter straub and stephen king is terrific, also the reincarnation of peter proud, if you can find it. you should also look into a series, called the chronicles of amber. its an amazing series, however, the author, my all time favorite, roger zalazny, has passed away, and the series is finished.

Hi Debbie,
Well, we do live (relatively) close, and we have exactly the same taste in books! We won't be doing any exchanges tho, cause I've read all those! (and loved 'em)
Laurie

Hi Sinta!

I'm a reader too. I'd rather read than just about anything I can think of (except maybe travel to exotic locations). I'm in the middle of Bee Season by Myla Goldberg right now and just finished Blessings by Anna Quindlen. I do some long distance driving occasionally (I'm in Denver with one son in Ohio and the other in L.A.) so I listen to books on tape and followed Harry Potter that way but the best series on tape that I've listened to are the Series of Unfortunate Events written by Lemony Snicket. Tim Curry does most of the tapes and his voices are wonderful ! The books are supposed to be written for kids but the humor is pretty dry and I laugh so hard at some of the scenes it's all I can do to drive... . They are fun to read as well. I'm planning on reading The Peloponnesian War by Donald Kagan when I finish Bee Season. Later - McMom

Hi Sally

I read that series as well except for the last. I didn't get it yet. I am trying to wait until just before I have my hips done so I will have something good to read. So your input please is it worthy of the others in the series???

Take care
Valerie