[2010] What are you reading?

I finished The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and enjoyed it quite a bit. If you like charming ensemble British movies (which I do), this book is right up your alley. It's told entirely in the form of letters, which violates one of the main laws of writing: show don't tell. However, it works because the story does slowly evolve through the charming letters the characters write. The first 40 pages were a bit slow, but once I got reading, I polished this book off in a couple of sittings. I would definitely recommend it.

I'm reading Kane and Abel by Jeffery Archer next. Archer is one of my dad's favorite authors, and he says this is the best novel he's ever read. Seeing how I just got him to read my favorite novel, Shadow of the Wind, I thought I'd return the favor.

 

Thanks. I love to read and enjoy discussing what I've read and what others have read. I pretty much read anything and don't confine myself to any generes. I've been steered some amazing novels through these threads, and I'm all to happy to return the favor.

Some on your list aren't war book, per se. It's bloody difficult to write anything set historically during the 20th century and not have it bump up against some war. Shadow of the Wind, for instance, is not a war book. Memories of the WWII hang over it, but it's not set during the actual event.

A great book I suggested in your Life of Pi thread is Water for Elephants. It's set during the Great Depression and is based around a traveling circus. That was an engrossing read.

If you're looking for inspiring, you need to read Greg Mortensen (Three Cups of Tea; Stones into Schools). It's the true story of an American who decided to build school ns poor, rural Pakistani villages in the first book. He expands his operation to Afghanistan in the second. These books take place in some war-torn parts of the world, but Mortensen's story is incredibly inspirational. While they are non-fiction books, they are powerful novels that hook you in and make you want to see how they turn out.

I really need to get around to reading The Unbearable Lightness of Being. It's been in my collection for over a year now. Unfortunately I collect books faster than I can read them...

 

I finished up Kane and Abel over the Labor Day Weekend. This was my first Jeffery Archer novel, and I was pretty impressed. The book was written 30 years ago, and Archer recently updated it by rewriting a number of parts to celebrate the anniversary of his most popular novel.

It's the story of two men born on the same day on opposite sides of the world. William Kane was born into a millionaire banking family in Boston and handed every opportunity to thrive. Abel Rosnovski was born in a forest to a woman who died in labor. He was adopted by a poor family and rose to great heights despite having numerous hardships thrown at him.

The story at first alternates between the two boys. Their stories take wildly different trajectories, but they have similarities (losing a family member, first kiss, etc.). Eventually Abel winds up in the US, and both men see their careers skyrocket. A number of times during the book, their paths cross although the significance is lost on them. Despite helping one another, the two become bitter rivals determined to bring each other down.

This was a pretty epic story, chronicling two men over 60+ years and was well-paced and well-crafted. I stayed up too late quite a few nights so I could see how this story wrapped up. Even a few days later, I still find myself thinking about a few of the plot points. I probably wouldn't put this on my short lists of best books I've read, but it's damn close.

A few co-workers raved about The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins. I went to a Barnes and Noble over the weekend, and they had a massive display to pimp the series now that the final is released. It seemed liked serendipity, so I picked up the lot. About 70 pages in, and I'm hooked.

 

I've heard good things about Daniel Suarez and his two books (Daemon and Freedom). It's gotten a few nods in this thread, and is supposed to be a cover-to-cover thriller of top notch quality. I've got Daemon and will probably be reading it after I finish up The Hunger Games.