Novel suggestions

As a way of change, I am thinking to read a novel next. What do you suggest as a good novel? I appreciate if you give a one line or two lines maximum as a description to know if I would like it or not. Thanks

The Trick Is To Keep Breathing - Janice Galloway

Newly-widowed young woman struggles to cope as her mental health falls apart.

Complicity - Iain Banks

Serial killer on the loose and our intrepid journo is on the case. If only he could get over his addictions to hard drugs, casual hook-ups with a married old flame, and nagging feeling that he is a lot more connected to the case than he may realise.

I'm a Diane Chamberlain and Jodi Picoult fan - I have all their books. My collection is my pride and joy!

You could give my favorite novel a try. It's "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes. It's a book, set in the 60's, about a mentally disabled man named Charlie Gordon who is picked to undergo a revolutionary new medical procedure involving transplanting stem cells into the brain as a means to improve mental capability. The book follows his adventures, via journal entries he writes, as he increases in mental ability, eventually becoming a super genius. His best friend throughout the book is a lab mouse named Algernon, whom he meets at the lab where his procedure is preformed.

I won't spoil the ending, but grab a box of tissues. The book tends to be very heavy on the emotions, being that it deals with heavy subject matter.

I'm a big fan of mystery novels - especially police procedurals. A great author to start with is Peter Robinson and his Inspector Banks series. Scandinavian police procedurals are a wonderful genre of their own. You've probably heard of Stieg Larrson's "Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" series.

Be sure to let us all know what book you have in fact decided to go with. Thx

Try Complicity. You'll enjoy it I think.

"The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy"

Totally funny, easy to read, and a book you can put down for month then pick up again without any problem

The Master Apprentice - available for free in the 'creative corner' section of this forum.

It has been described as The Karate Kid meets The Chronicles of Narnia.

"Catch 21" by Joe Heller

A comedic/tragic look at war and our conception of self worth. The movie, starring Alan Arkin, is an unusually fine representation of the book.

I would recommend all 5 books of the Hitchhiker's Trilogy. You would also do well to find the original Radio Scripts.

Dave.

That would be Catch 22.

Dave.

Thanks all for the suggestions.

I haven't decided yet. I might want to take a quick tour inside each novel to decide. I am also considering other options outside the suggestions.

But what I am looking for, I guess, is a story with a little drama and twists, and with some lessons and wisdom to take.

I suppose if you choose a book mentioned here then you could say there has been COMPLICITY between you and the people posting suggestions here.

Good luck with your choice.

OK, thanks.

Right Dave....must have been the Casino environment of the moment...

The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks

Francis is 17 year old and lives with his strange and backwards father. The father hides Francis because for some reason he must be kept a secret. You learn to know Francis' secrets and at the end Francis will learn his own secret.

(A warning, this book is "disturbing".)

The Secret History - Donna Tartt

Richard enters college and starts to hang out with some quite strange students. He lies and says he comes from a fine family to blend in with the group he feels is above him. After a while, they start to tell him some of their secrets.

(A warning, this book is "disturbing".)

The Brothers Lionheart - Astrid Lindgren

Little Rusky is sick with cough (TB?) and overhears a conversation. He asks his older brother the sweet, strong and always caring Jonathan if it is true he will die. Jonathan says it is, but says when Rusky dies, he will enter this other world Nangijala, the land of the campfires and storytelling days. The brothers reunite in Nangijala under emotional circumstances, but soon the reality of something wrong in this beautiful world must be told.

(This is a children's book but very suitable for adults.)

Tom's Midnight Garden - Philippa Pearce

Tom is sent to his uncle and aunt. At night he sneaks out into a garden that has a girl, Hatty. They play together. Despite Tom coming out every night, Hatty says he rarely comes, and seems to be aging. The garden is not the same as in the day, it is from another time.

(A children's book.)

Thanks for the suggestions. Could you please define "disturbing" in the above quote?

There are some very odd happenings, also Francis has despite his young age, harmed some other people.

Are there killings and blood? I don't think I would like something like that.

Get a job?

I am sorry?

Probably avoid the first two on my list. Not that they are extremely gory.

The Old Man and The Sea - Hemingway
A true classic.

Thanks. Some description if you will?

Catch 22 By Joseph Heller