Slightly embarrassing, which book for a newbie reader?

[T16OLE]

I have read plenty of books as part of my previous studies in university and post grad qualifications, however, embarrassingly, I haven`t ever read an entire book for pleasure.

So what would PH recommend.

I quiet enjoy crime, thrillers, action & adventure things, but am open to any suggestions.

[DoctorX]

T16OLE said:

I have read plenty of books as part of my previous studies in university and post grad qualifications, however, embarrassingly, I haven`t ever read an entire book for pleasure.

So what would PH recommend.

I quiet enjoy crime, thrillers, action & adventure things, but am open to any suggestions.

Lee Child, Jack Reacher then....

[Crafty_]

What about the early Tom Clancy stuff ? Patriot Games, Hunt for Red October etc.. there are about a dozen books in all, should keep you busy

Also look up the original Bourne books by Rodbert Ludlum, be aware that later books are written by some other bloke called Eric Van Lustbader, avoid those ones.

[drab]

the best crime/action books I've read are
capote: in cold blood
carcaterra: sleepers; gangster
chandler: the long goodbye (or anything)
mcllvanney: laidlaw
not really a crime book but anything by primo levi is pretty unputdownable.

If you're not used to reading for pleasure you could try short stories. Not many read them anymore but it's an interesting format and there's been some great writers. poe, chekhov, flannery o'connor, palahniuk, fitzgerald all have great little crime stories

[Odie]

hitch hikers guide to the galaxy

[RichB]

Currently reading Swedish crime books:

In particular the Kurt Wallander novels by Henning Mankell, very well written and great plots.
- Sidetracked
- Firewall etc.

Also the Jo Nesbo - Harry Hole books, the early ones are better
- Redbreast
- Nemesis
- Snowman ... all very good and quite gory if you like that!

I could go on but thought I'd chuck them in as ideas of you like something different.

[richarda0109]

Some light adventure stuff to get started

John Buchan - Thiry Nine Steps, Greenmantle - John Hannay series
or
H Rider Haggard - She, King Solomans Mines - Alain Quartermain series

Rgds
Richard

[LordGrover]

As you've not read any, maybe something a little more out of your comfort zone like Terry Pratchett?

[S10GTA]

Harry Potter isn't a bad place to start IMHO

[s1rallyemark]

Yes Man - Danny Wallace is a good starter

[pidsy]

Get some Andy Mcnab in you!

You'll be rolling around your front room trying to "double tap" anything that moves in no time!

(start from the beginning though, the books are separate stories but there are some common themes that you wont understand if you jump straight in at the latest release)

[Timbo_Mint]

Robert B Parker has written a few collections of crime thrillers...

Jesse Stone novels (TV adaptations can be seen on C5 on Saturdays at the moment)

or with a bit more humour

Spenser Novels

Quite easy reads, that don't need to be read in order but should you like them there's plenty to read.

[BenM77]

Robert Crais writes good detective books with good, easy story lines. Elvis Cole is the main character and the books are enjoyable and light reading.

Clive Cussler, his early books like 'Pacific Vortex' And 'Raise the Titanic' are good, fun adventure books with plenty of action. I wouldn't read much of his books after 1990 though IMO.

Harry Harrison, His 'Stainless Steel Rat' series are fun sci-fi books and easy to read.

I really recommend hitting the library and trying some of these, you won't be disappointed

[Eric Mc]

Just William - still funny after all these years.

[MKnight702]

Another vote for Pratchett, but go for the later stuff especially the Guards books. Personally I find the earlier books whilst good are not as side splitting as the later stuff.

Also good call on Harry Potter.

For slightly less fantasy orientated Tom Clancy is excellent as suggested, or even Dan Brown for something a little lighter.

[Trophybloo]

Yet another Pratchett vote but for Crime plus humour you cant beat Christopher Brookmeyer

[S10GTA]

s1rallyemark said:

Yes Man - Danny Wallace is a good starter

[SO27]

PG Wodehouse, if you remember Jeeves and Wooster.

[al1991]

T16OLE said:

I have read plenty of books as part of my previous studies in university and post grad qualifications, however, embarrassingly, I haven`t ever read an entire book for pleasure.

So what would PH recommend.

I quiet enjoy crime, thrillers, action & adventure things, but am open to any suggestions.

For detective crime novels Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett, Agatha Christie, Edgar Allan Poe, Georges Simenon and Janwillem Van de Wetering spring to mind.

[anonymous-user]

Day Of The Jackal. I love this!