Generally I go for Non-Fiction:
a) US History 16th-19th centuries (Allan Eckert is my favorite).
b) Biographies and stories of Explorers and Archaeologists (US, Europe and Middle East).
c) Biographies and stories about "big wigs" such as Hitler, Stalin, Genghis Khan, Alexander the Great, Constantine, Early Roman Emperors, The Inquisition period, et al.. . I could go on and on...

Recently, though, I've gotten back into reading fiction. I need some recommendations.

More about what I like:

Stephen King: Long ago I loved him but did not read anything by him for many years. I just finished the "Tower" series, and his latest "Under the Dome". They were pretty good, but I was too often bored by his going on and on about what the characters were thinking...

Michael Crichton: Now I'm reading Michael Crichton's "State of Fear". I love his mix of science and fiction. Generally, though, I don't like "Science Fiction".

Robert Ludlum, et al: I like spy/espionage stuff that brings historical and other real informaton/techniques into the story.

Clive Cussler: Similar to Robert Ludlum. (Note: John Grisham, in my opinion, is over-rated. I've read 3-4 of his books and don't want to try him again).

Arthur C. Clarke: A true scientist who wrote awesome fiction that brings science and potential future science into his novels.

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Based on the above, can any of you give me some suggestions for other Authors/Books that you think I would enjoy?

Thanks!

PS: Cool website is Similar Authors... but I've not found anything there that turns me on yet.

Though it tends a little towards science fiction I have lately been enjoying the novels of Robert sawyer: Amazon.com: Robert J. Sawyer: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle
I've read about 5 of them so far and really enjoyed it.
I'm currently into a post-apocalyptic phase right now, there are some neat novels about that.

Thanks, NK. I'll check him out at my local stores. I'm happy to have 2 Half Priced Books stores near me.

What's your review of Under the Dome? It's on my list.

Did I hear my doorbell ringing?

Have you read Crichton's Timeline? From Wikipedia, "It tells the story of historians who travel to the Middle Ages to save a friend of theirs who already traveled back in time before them. The book follows in Crichton's long history of combining technical details and action in his books, addressing quantum physics and time travel."

I don't care for science fiction or fantasy, but totally enjoyed Piers Anthony's series "Incarnations of Immortality." The first book, On a Pale Horse, is the best, but all are good. Again from Wikipedia, "The book focuses on Zane, a photographer about to commit suicide, but who instead kills Death and must assume his office." It's clever and funny and features very human characters caught up in and struggling with something bigger than themselves.

You might like Diana Gabaldon's "Outlander" series. From Wikipedia, "Claire is mysteriously transported to the 1700's while on holiday in Scotland. In the past she meets and is forced to marry a young highlander named James Fraser. Their life together woven through time is the basis for her bestselling and acclaimed Outlander series." I certainly learned a lot about England and Scotland during the time of Charles I.

Have you checked with reader's advisory at your local public library? There are print and electronic resources that can pinpoint for you various authors and titles in whatever type of historical fiction you might want to try. And don't forget the non-fiction titles that read like fiction, i.e. The Perfect Storm (Sebastian Junger) and In the Land of White Death: An Epic Story of Survival in the Siberian Arctic (Valerian Albanov).

P.S. Unless I KNOW a certain title is a keeper, I will read it first as a library book and then decide if I want to buy it for my personal library. Most books I read do not make the cut.

I hope this thread continues, I'm adding books to my Amazon Wish List because of it. Thanks Rick and WG.

Generally speaking, I did like Under the Dome... but was bummed that the climax and end of the story all came in the last few pages of the book.

Seems to me like maybe he got bored with the story so ended it quick (and kind of silly).

... unlike The Stand, which is my favorite of his. I loved the book and the movie too.

I'll be happy to give you my copy of Under the Dome if you'll PM me your address.

I'll pay for up to $5 of the shipping. I'm thinking that it should not be much more than that using USPS Flat Rate Shipping.

If any of you think that you might like what I like, I HIGHLY recommend Allan Eckert... especially A Sorrow in our Heart, The Life of Tecumseh" and The Frontiersmen.

He is my all time favorite and hero of authors.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

Did I hear my doorbell ringing?

Have you read Crichton's Timeline? From Wikipedia, "It tells the story of historians who travel to the Middle Ages to save a friend of theirs who already traveled back in time before them. The book follows in Crichton's long history of combining technical details and action in his books, addressing quantum physics and time travel."

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Yes, I read Timeline and loved it. If you have not yet read his earlier work Andromeda Strain, you should. The movie was pretty good too.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

I don't care for science fiction or fantasy, but totally enjoyed Piers Anthony's series "Incarnations of Immortality." The first book, On a Pale Horse, is the best, but all are good. Again from Wikipedia, "The book focuses on Zane, a photographer about to commit suicide, but who instead kills Death and must assume his office." It's clever and funny and features very human characters caught up in and struggling with something bigger than themselves.

You might like Diana Gabaldon's "Outlander" series. From Wikipedia, "Claire is mysteriously transported to the 1700's while on holiday in Scotland. In the past she meets and is forced to marry a young highlander named James Fraser. Their life together woven through time is the basis for her bestselling and acclaimed Outlander series." I certainly learned a lot about England and Scotland during the time of Charles I.

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Thanks! I'll check them out.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

Have you checked with reader's advisory at your local public library? There are print and electronic resources that can pinpoint for you various authors and titles in whatever type of historical fiction you might want to try. And don't forget the non-fiction titles that read like fiction, i.e., The Perfect Storm (Sebastian Junger) and In the Land of White Death: An Epic Story of Survival in the Siberian Arctic (Valerian Albanov).

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No, I've not checked with the reader's advisory options at my local library. Frankly, I'd rather pay a couple of bucks for a book than check it out at the library then have to remember to return it before the late charges get tacked on because I forgot to return it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

P.S. Unless I KNOW a certain title is a keeper, I will read it first as a library book and then decide if I want to buy it for my personal library. Most books I read do not make the cut.

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I'm with you. I buy books for a couple bucks, read them and then either give them away or donate them to charity and write them off :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by NeedKarma

I hope this thread continues, I'm adding books to my Amazon Wish List because of it. Thanks Rick and WG.

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I'm glad I asked. I read a book every other week, so will be sure to check back and give reviews of what I've read recently.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RickJ

No, I've not checked with the reader's advisory options at my local library.

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Be sure to do that. You don't have to check out any books, but just start making lists for future reads. Amazon has innumerable books available from used book sellers. For only a penny plus a nominal shipping fee, you can obtain some fantastic books. And Amazon has a pretty good reader's advisory search tool -- authors who write like other authors.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

Amazon has innumerable books available from used book sellers. For only a penny plus a nominal shipping fee, you can obtain some fantastic books. And Amazon has a pretty good reader's advisory search tool -- authors who write like other authors.

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Thanks for that tip. I'll check into it.

The Company, fictionalized account of the CIA from its beginning. 900 pages, it includes many actual historical characters/events and has a style that combines le Carre and Ludlum. Good used copy for a penny at Amazon plus $3.99 shipping.

Lonesome Dove. McMurtry's Pulitzer winner of fictional treatment of cattle drive Texas- Montana. Best thing of this sort I ever read. 1000 pages. Truly memorable characters.

Both of these were best-sellers, so maybe you've already read them.

I read The Company and saw the movie. I remember liking them both.

Based on the previous suggestions, I picked up 3 books yesterday:

Piers Anthony, Firefly
Diana Gabaldon, The Fiery Cross
Robert J. Sawyer, Factoring Humanity

I started Sawyer's book.

Thanks for the suggestions, all!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RickJ

I read The Company and saw the movie. I remember liking them both.

Based on the previous suggestions, I picked up 3 books yesterday:

Piers Anthony, Firefly
Diana Gabaldon, The Fiery Cross
Robert J. Sawyer, Factoring Humanity

I started Sawyer's book.

Thanks for the suggestions, all!

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Firefly is not part of the "Incarnations" series. It's as close to porn as he ever got. Start with On a Pale Horse for the excellent "Incarnations" series. Just sayin'.

You should read Gabaldon's "Outlander" series in order. Don't start with Fiery Cross; start with the first book in the series, Outlander. Just sayin' again.

Ya got to do this right, Rick.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

Firefly is not part of the "Incarnations" series. It's as close to porn as he ever got.

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<adds Firefly to list>



:)

Am I too late for the party?

Athos, I really enjoyed "The Company" also.

Rick, WG is right about reading the Outlander books in order. It will make more sense to you if you start with the first in the series. Although it has been many years since reading them, I do remember I liked them. A wee bit more bordering the romance novel genre than I normally prefer, but all in all, I enjoyed the series.

I believe I mentioned these books on an older thread, but thought I would repeat them because they are the books that have stayed with me for years. If you enjoy historical fiction, I found Gary Jenning's books, "Aztec" (about the Aztec empire before & during the Spanish invasion) and "The Journeyer" (Marco Polo's travels), riveting. I also thoroughly enjoyed Caleb Carr's "The Alienist" (about a serial killer amid the political and social backdrop of late 19th century New York City).

Of course there is always "Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett. I read it when he first published it. Oprah gave it a huge boost in sales a couple of years ago after she stumbled upon it.

Have you read any of James Michener's books? "Hawaii", "Centennial", "Alaska" & "Texas" are all wonderful historical novels.

Another one I enjoyed is Gore Vidal's "Lincoln".

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

Firefly is not part of the "Incarnations" series. It's as close to porn as he ever got. Start with On a Pale Horse for the excellent "Incarnations" series. Just sayin'.

You should read Gabaldon's "Outlander" series in order. Don't start with Fiery Cross; start with the first book in the series, Outlander. Just sayin' again.

Ya gotta do this right, Rick.

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Frankly, I did not know that Fiery Cross was a part of the Outlander series. I was looking specifically for the Outlander series but did not see any, so just grabbed Fiery Cross thinking it was a "stand alone" book.

I guess I did not read it's cover (or back) close enough.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RickJ

Frankly, I did not know that Fiery Cross was a part of the Outlander series. I was looking specifically for the Outlander series but did not see any, so just grabbed Fiery Cross thinking it was a "stand alone" book.

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Whether it's a paperback or a hardcover, it should give a list of series titles on the left-hand page before the title page. Seems like I may have to drive over there and do your book shopping for you. Stop "grabbing" books.