What's the Name of That Book??? discussion

I am having the hardest time finding books to read.
I am not really a big fan of romance. The whole lovy dovy looking into eyes is just not my cup of tea... Now that dose not mean that I don't like a little cruising or flirting just not a fan when it takes over the book.
I have mostly been reading teen books but oh man what is up with them... there is no way I would let my teen read the. All the messing about and everyone is a vampire, speaks to the dead or is the last person on earth. Nothing is creative it is all just the same book over and over.. I am getting board.
I do not like messing about
I don't like any foul language
I am a HUGE! prude and I know it and I am ok with that. :)
I have never finished an adult book... I have never even gotten past the first 3 chapters before something led me to put it down.
I am open to read books written for any age, I am just looking for a good story.
You can look at my page to see what I have rated books if you like but these are a few of the books I have read in the last year that I really loves and would like to read more books with the same appeal.
I would also love to read something totally different from anything I have read... and I would like to actually read some adult books.

Variant
Beauty Shop for Rent: . . . fully equipped, inquire within
Blindsided
I Have a Bad Feeling about This
Entwined
June Bug

I have a few series that have new books out I might just pick up one of those but I am really in the mood for something completely new.

Thanks guys for taking the time to read this and to help me yet again


Jess

Have you ever read any books by Joan Bauer? Joan Bauer Hope Was Here, Rules of the Road.

Jess wrote: "I am having the hardest time finding books to read...You can look at my page to see what I have rated books if you like..."

Hi Jess!
I went to look at the other books you have rated, but you have your profile set to private, so I can't see your past ratings.

I was looking to see what genres you like - would you be interested in historical fiction? science fiction? fantasy? mystery? memoirs/biographies?

Have you considered the Artemis Fowl series? It is children's/YA fantasy and I loved the books. Not romance but it is a fun series.

Try The Wheel of Time if you like epic fantasy. Nothing to be a prude about in that at all.

Andre Norton writes books that you would probably like. Even her adult have no "adult" situations. She wrote for a VERY long time--had her first book published in 1936 or so, and her last was published 3 months before her death in 2007. She wrote it all--sci fi, fantasy, historicals, non-fiction, children's, YA, adult . . .

Jess wrote: "I have never finished an adult book... I have never even gotten past the first 3 chapters before something led me to put it down. "

Why? I think we need to explore this further. Are you in high school? If yes, are you required to read any of the classics of literature? What are some "adult" books you have not been able to finish - are they mass market fiction or literary fiction? Are you putting these books down because they are too difficult, or because they are "dirty" - have sexual themes, or sexual language, or swearing, or for some other reason?

Yes, it would be helpful to be able to see your shelves and to know your age. Also what genre you prefer modern day, scifi, fantasy, mystery...?

I'm not really sure what topics you want to read, but Joyce Stranger wrote a lot of adult fiction equally suitable for teenagers. She wrote a lot of books about animals. I read A walk in the dark in my teens.
On this page search the phrase "Book lists" and perhaps there's something that may interest you. Or check what I've read at the top.
I'm mainly into children's/young adult fiction, and occasionally read an autobiography. A couple recent books I really enjoyed were by Brian Selznick: Wonderstruck, and The invention of Hugo Cabret (this was made into a movie called Hugo, which is fantastic!). Mostly though I read a lot of older books.

sorry everyone for some reason I am not getting notifications when someone answers on this post... Maybe I need to click on something that I forgot to click on? I usually get notifications when people post on stuff I ask.. I actually just came looking for this post because I thought it was odd that no one had any ideas for me, from past experience I know that you always have a lot of ideas... Give me some time to catch up and I will try to answer all of the questions... oh and thanks for the help as always everyone.

LauraW wrote: "Have you ever read any books by Joan Bauer? Joan Bauer Hope Was Here, Rules of the Road."

No I have not read anything by this author thank you for the suggestion I am making a list from the suggestions you all are giving me in this thread so I will most defiantly add this thank you so much.

Carolyn wrote: "Jess wrote: "I am having the hardest time finding books to read...You can look at my page to see what I have rated books if you like..."

Hi Jess!
I went to look at the other books you have rated, ..."


Opps sorry forgot about that. I don't have any genres listed so I guess that would not have helped anyway.
I read a bit of everything really, I don't stick to one thing. Mostly I just go by if the description on the book flap draws my interest. So other than romances ( that I have never really cared for) most everything else I like. For me it is all about the individual story I don't get caught up much in what genre it fits.

Kelly wrote: "Have you considered the Artemis Fowl series? It is children's/YA fantasy and I loved the books. Not romance but it is a fun series."

I have not read these thank you for the suggestion onto my list they go.

Kat wrote: "Try The Wheel of Time if you like epic fantasy. Nothing to be a prude about in that at all."

Thank you I am adding this one also I cant wait until I have a min to look at all of these, I am exited to have some direction for a bit.

Ann aka Iftcan wrote: "Andre Norton writes books that you would probably like. Even her adult have no "adult" situations. She wrote for a VERY long time--had her first book published in 1936 or so, and her ..."

Wow that sounds like my kind of author thank you so much for the suggestion.

Mystery:
What is Mine
A Study in Scarlet
Fantasy:
The Canterville Ghost
Humor:
I Am America
Classics:
The Picture of Dorian Gray
Horror:
The Shining
Carrie

Jess, make sure that the box for "email me when people reply" at the bottom of the thread is checked.

Lobstergirl wrote: "Jess wrote: "I have never finished an adult book... I have never even gotten past the first 3 chapters before something led me to put it down. "

Why? I think we need to explore this further. Ar..."

Ok lets see No I am not in High School that was some time ago but I get that a lot so I am not surprised you asked. All the required books in High School we read as a class and I don't remember any of them really.

The reason I don't finish is:
Sexual content
Language
Story line to complicated. ( I read to relax and unwind I don't like taking notes when I am reading)
Could not get into the story just uninteresting to me


These are the books that I could remember and added to my did not finish list:
Riding in Cars with Boys: Confessions of a Bad Girl Who Makes Good
Whistling Past the Graveyard
The Casual Vacancy
The Devil Wears Prada
Prince Caspian

Those are all the ones that I can remember. All except for Whistling Past the Graveyard & Prince Caspian I stopped because of bag language or other adult situations.
Whistling past the grave yard the story just never went anywhere.
And Prince Caspian just did not hole my attention at the time.

Yes I know I am picky, but I figure I am reading for me so I can be as picky as I want right? :)

bookel wrote: "I'm not really sure what topics you want to read, but Joyce Stranger wrote a lot of adult fiction equally suitable for teenagers. She wrote a lot of books about animals. I read A walk in the dark i..."

Thank you for the sugjestions, I have added them all to my list to look up.

It is funny that you mention older books I was just thinking yesterday when I was looking at books that it would be nice to dive into some good 1950's soda shop story. :) How/where do you find your older books? And when you are looking for a book to read are you searching on good reads? if so what do you use to find the older books?

I don't read adult fiction apart from Joyce Stranger and a rare few others (Star Trek books seem to be put in adult fiction in public libraries for instance, though they were in the high school library too). Read what you want, what interests you. I don't care what others think. I never stopped reading children's/young adult fiction, in fact am catching up on those I never had access to and discovering some I hadn't known about, and any recent books that interest. If you find a topic of interest, look on worldcat.org for more. Secondhand books are easily found via bookfinder.com or openlibrary.org (free to borrow/read ebooks which are just scans of actual books from the looks of it) or browse your public library or thrift shops.

I hope I answered everyone's questions, I really do appreciate everyone's input and suggestions. Reading is my outlet it helps me unwind and de-stress. But lately it has been a pain thanks for helping me change that.

Lizette wrote: "Mystery:
What is Mine
A Study in Scarlet
Fantasy:
The Canterville Ghost
Humor:
I Am America
Classics:
The Picture of Dorian Gray
H..."

Thank you that is quite the list

I just answered a few of your questions without seeing your post first and also look on my librarything profile linked above for other suggestions. I use bookfinder abebooks ebay and charity/thrift/secondhand bookshops to find them.
Worldcat.org is useful to look up subjects since they're library listings. Book search forums are good places to hear about interesting books. Some library websites have book lists on certain topics. Amazon and librarything have lists. Goodreads does too but I've not used it to find books.

Lobstergirl wrote: "Jess, make sure that the box for "email me when people reply" at the bottom of the thread is checked."

Thank you it was not checked that must have been the problem. Is that something that I can do when I wright the post or can it only be done after I post?

bookel wrote: "I don't read adult fiction apart from Joyce Stranger and a rare few others (Star Trek books seem to be put in adult fiction in public libraries for instance, though they were in the high school lib..."

Thank you for your kind words. I am always in the thrift shops and never stop by the books... silly me. That will change now thanks for the suggestion.

You can check that box at the time that you are writing a post. Then click "post" and your checkmark gets saved.

Watership Down
All Creatures Great and Small

Lobstergirl wrote: "Watership Down"

I dunno, Kehaar is kind of foul-mouthed, err beaked.

Another thing: for every book you really enjoyed, go to the Goodreads book page and on the right is "Readers also enjoyed." These are (usually) very similar books to that book.

I would also love to read something totally different from anything I have read... and I would like to actually read some adult books.

I think that's great by the way that you want to expand your reading horizons.

And Then There Were None
Murder on the Orient Express

Two good, classic murder mysteries.

Lobstergirl wrote:
All Creatures Great and Small"

There is a BBC show by the same name looks like it might be baced on this book. I quite enjoyed the show. Thank you for the suggestion.

Scott wrote: "Lobstergirl wrote: "Watership Down"

I dunno, Kehaar is kind of foul-mouthed, err beaked."

Oh? It's been awhile...

Lobstergirl wrote: "Scott wrote: "Lobstergirl wrote: "Watership Down"

I dunno, Kehaar is kind of foul-mouthed, err beaked."

Oh? It's been awhile..."

Eh he just tells people to piss off. Not sure if that is over the OP's threshold or not. :D

Jess wrote: "Lobstergirl wrote:
All Creatures Great and Small"

There is a BBC show by the same name looks like it might be baced on this book. I quite enjoyed the show. Thank you for the sugge..."

Yes, the TV series is based on Herriot's books.

Rebecca

I think anything by Daphne du Maurier is going to be pretty clean.

You might want to back to the classics: Pride and Prejudice, Little Women, A Room with a View, The Count of Monte Cristo.

If you like science fiction/fantasy, I highly recommend anything by Sheri Tepper (Gibbon's Decline and Fall), Sharon Shinn (Archangel), Ursula Le Guin (A Wizard of Earthsea), Sylvia Louise Engdahl (This Star Shall Abide), Patricia McKillip (Riddle-Master: The Complete Trilogy).

For general fiction, maybe Anita Brookner (Hotel du Lac), P.G. Wodehouse (Right Ho, Jeeves), or Maeve Binchy (Circle of Friends).

For mysteries, I love Laurie R. King (The Beekeeper's Apprentice) and Dorothy Sayers (Strong Poison)

Scott wrote: "Lobstergirl wrote: "Watership Down"

I dunno, Kehaar is kind of foul-mouthed, err beaked."

He has his own bird-versions of cuss words, if I recall correctly. "Yaaaark!" and "bloody" I think are the strongest things you get in English. Maybe "Piss off!" :)

How about Amish Bonnet Rippers? I've heard they are very popular.

Oh, and if you like romance without the nekkidness, the gothic classics are always good -- e.g., Victoria Holt (Bride of Pendorric), Barbara Michaels (Greygallows). Or even Barbara Cartland -- you can whiz through one of those in about two hours.

Portia wrote: "How about Amish Bonnet Rippers? I've heard they are very popular."

lol is that a thing??!?

Michele wrote: "You might want to back to the classics: Pride and Prejudice, Little Women, A Room with a View, The Count of Monte Cristo.

If you like science fictio..."


thank you I have not read any of these. I have never read any of the classics actually, I have a lot to add to my reading list now thank you.

It must be, Michele. I heard it on NPR ! :-)

I'll throw a few more into the pile here

A Little Princess and The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Anne of Green Gables and the rest of the series by L.M. Montgomery

Christy by Catherine Marshall - this was a tv show also, only one or two seasons.

The Princess Bride by William Goldman

Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

Any and all Jane Austen

And if you want to try some steampunk The Court of the Air by Stephen Hunt

Michele wrote: "I'll throw a few more into the pile here

A Little Princess and The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Anne of Green Gables and the rest of ..."


Thank you for your added suggestions
I have seen almost every cinematic version or
Ann of green Gables
The little Princess
And the Secret Garden they are great story's... not sure why I never thought to read the books.
I actually own a copy of Ann of Green Gables... well I did my sister snitched it when I got married and once it is in her hands it forever belongs to her (youngest get what they want LOL ) I might have to bug her for it.
I have always wanted to see Gone with the wind... now I think I will do the book instead.

I don't know why I never thought of looking for older books. Even though I am at the library almost weekly I mostly just stick to one section I have never really explored I need to stop doing that.

Portia wrote: "How about Amish Bonnet Rippers? I've heard they are very popular."

I found this article about this type of book I was curious after your post.


http://www.csmonitor.com/Books/chapte...

I KNEW I wasn't imagining it ! :-)

Michele wrote: "I'll throw a few more into the pile here..."

Every one of these is a terrific suggestion :)

One of my favorite books is Dark River Road by Virginia Brown. Goodreads has it at 4.3 stars; I would give it 20 if I could. It's about a young man who goes back to his hometown where he was horribly teased because of his low financial status when he was in high school. He doesn't really come back for justice as the blurb says. What he really wants are answers to some of the things that happened to him and his family. He doesn't come back with guns'a'blazin or anything like that. He returns with a mature mind and a lot of emotional scars that he knows he needs to heal before he can begin his adult life. It truly is one of the most beautiful books I've ever read (I'm 54 so I've got a few under my belt). I don't recall if there was cussing but I will assume there was. If there was, it was easy to overlook because of the emotional story line.

If you usually read YA but want to try some adult books, the Alex Award is given every year to several adult books that might appeal to young adult readers. Goodreads has them cataloged here:

https://www.goodreads.com/award/show/...

http://cozy-mystery.com/

Above is a link to a site that features "cozy mysteries".
There are features there that let you search for books according to theme, location etc.

If you want to read for entertainment and to de-stress this type of book is good for that. Normally there is no gory violence or explicit "adult" themes.
I read them when I just need something calming.