book recommendations

D

Duff_Man

Guest
Readers,

I'm flying out to NYC Thursday and was hoping to knock out a book while on the flight. Though I'm not an extensive reader, books written by Ben Mezrich (Rigged, Bringing Down the House) have never dissapointed me. If there's a recent book that mixes in suspense, wit, and clever dialogue, it would certainly grab my attention.

Thanks for any help.
 
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao is more a rich narrative than a thriller, but it's definitely witty with clever dialogue.
 
Thanks fellas, keep them coming.
hookem.gif
 
I really don't think I can recommend The Kite Runner enough. I had wanted to read it for a while but finally got to it earlier this year and it was the first book in a long time I actually hated putting it down. I read it in pretty much 2 readings.

It was probably a top 5 book I've read.
 
There will be several recommendations for Lone Survivor, great read.

Devil In The White CIty
Under The Banner of Heaven
Charlie Wilsons War
In Harms Way - About USS Indianapolis
 
robert caro's 3 lbj books have been described to me as boring, but i'm finding "path to power" anything but.

the first section has a hilarious bit about the then southwest texas teachers college that would make any ut grad chuckle with smug condescension.
 
'Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer' - Warren St. John.

Author follows Bama FB for a season in a RV. His takes on fandom will be understood and appreciated by any UT fan.
 
The book in CBT's sig, "Rose Bowl Dreams", is a good read.

Not the genre you were asking for, but still good nonetheless.
 
Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer is a fun read; I really enjoyed the part where he tried to strike up a conversation with the cute 'bama chick, saying something about the seats being good, and she replied "I don't give a damn about the seats, I just hope alabama kcks some ***!!"

The Cato books on LBJ are great, thought probably not ideal for a light read on a plane. Lots of interesting stuff about Texas politcs back in the day. When you get to "Means of Ascent", 2nd in the series, don't get discouraged during the first part (it is a little boring), but most of it is about his 1948 Senate election which is uterly fascinating; I could not put it down. If you think politics is a shady business today, you will be stunned by what it was like back then. LBJ stealing votes by the tens of thousands, paying off county bosses to produce mexican votes, armed Texas Rangers trying to seize ballot boxes, etc.
 
Willful Blindness
A Memoir of the Jihad
by Andrew C. McCarthy

McCarthy was a top Fed prosecutor - in '95 he led the seditious conspiracy prosecution against Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman (the blind sheik) and 11 other jihadists for conducting a war of terrorism vs. the US including the World Trade Center Bombing in 1993.

After I started reading it, I couldn't put the book down.
 
This should keep you busy for a while...
"The Ultimate Longhorn Reading List

Members of the Academy of Distinguished Teachers recommend 89 books you must read before you die (Better Get Started)"
The Link
 
Might be too late, but I just finished The Road by Cormac McCarthy...fantastic.
I'd read No Country before, and I've now started Blood Meridian, and realize I'm going to have to pick up his whole catalog.

The other book I'd recommend (which also doesn't fit your category, but I can't recommend it enough) is "The Wind-up Bird Chronicle" by Haruki Murakami. I've read almost all of his stuff too, but that's the most entertaining.
 
I read "I hope they serve beer in Hell" the last time I flew. It is just a bunch of funny Fu*k stories by an ex Frat boy finance guy, but entertaining while flying. Very Austin 360.
 
Give, Shadow of the Wind, a try...loved this book and actually started trying to learn to read in Spanish to read the author's next. This one is in English...

Not sure it's in print anymore but I've seen copies in Borders and at Amazon. The author's name is Carlo Ruiz Zafon and he really knows how to spin a tell.

I would also second the motion on Kite Runner...

hookem.gif
Danno
 
Since I didn't have time to run by the bookstore, I borrowed my roomate's copy of The Broker by John Grisham. I'm sure a lot of you have read it already. Though goverment conspiracy books are not my preferred choice, this book is very tough to put down. I've only read the first 100 pages, and I'm loving every minute of it.
 
I am going to suggest something a bit off the beaten path.
Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya.

A high school ELA teacher turned me on to this several years ago. It is starting to be a part of some high school reading lists. It is set in New Mexico in the 40s. The narrator, a high school student, starts to question some of the important truths of life. This is very short and readable but is one of the best books that I have read in years.
 
The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors by James D. Hornfischer

James lives in Tarrytown in Austin. It describes the largest sea battle in history. One where our destroyers had to face many Japanese battleships while protecting our carriers.
 
The Road - Cormac McCarthy
Charlie Wilson's War - George Crile
The Prize - Daniel Yergin
Lonesome Dove - Larry McMurtry
Rise and Fall of the Great Powers -Paul Kennedy


On that Texas Exes book list, they have listed Vanity Fair - Wm. Thackerey. Most boring book I ever read three times. Long story why I read it three times but believe me, very, very boring.

And they didn't have Lonesome Dove listed. I usually love book lists but that one addition and the one oversight ......


rant.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Weekly Prediction Contest

* Predict HORNS-AGGIES *
Sat, Nov 30 • 6:30 PM on ABC

Recent Threads

Prediction Results Threads

2024 Schedules

Back
Top