What was the last (non-Stephen King) book you loved?

[fredthe3rd]

For me it was Watership Down as recommended to me on this forum by Vose. It was a really well thought out adventure/legend. I would never have considered reading a book about rabbits but it has definitely earned a place on my list of favourite books ever.

[Lina]

For me it would be The Woman in Black by Susan Hill, really great book, as well, as the movie :smile2:

[Todash]

I LOVE Watership Down! The last non-King fiction book I read that I loved, as opposed to just liked, would have to be either Anathem by Neal Stephenson or The Story of Edgar Sawtelle (and if you look at Goodreads, you'll see that I was maybe the only person in the world to love that book). The reason I can't choose between the two is that I can't recall which one I read first. I have read some very good books that impressed me and made me think, like Blindness by José Saramago, and some that I just purely enjoyed, like the Jim Butcher series The Dresden Files, but in both of those cases, and some others, it stops short of love.

I love nearly everything Neil Gaiman has written.

[kingricefan]

I, too, loved Edgar Sawtelle (love that name- think about what it implies)!! One of the best debut novels to come along in quite a while. Another wonderful debut novel I read that has left a lasting impression on me was 'The Sisters From Hardscrabble Bay' by Beverly Jensen. Finished it a couple of weeks ago and I'm still wishing it hadn't ended. Alas, this book was published posthumously so I guess this will be the one and only book from this great author.

[not_nadine]

I also loved Watership Down. Richard Adams also wrote a wonderful book "Traveller"

Traveller (http://www.stephenking.com/wiki/Traveller_(horse)), the favourite horse of retired Civil War general Robert E. Lee, relates the story of his life and experiences to his feline friend. His narrative, meant to begin early spring of 1866, follows the events of the war as seen through his eyes, from the time he was bought by General Lee in 1862, until Lee's death in 1870.

[Berry1980]

Lost Memory of Skin by Russell Banks. Left me with quite a few chills and pondering about our treatment of criminals and our justice system in general.

[91rewoT]

I loved Water for Elephants - wonderful book! Can't wait to go up to Baraboo (an hour away) this summer and go to the circus world museum. I've never liked circuses, I think it's cruel to keep animals that way, and well, there's the clowns....BUT this book....it's just sooooo good!

[smooth operator]

I LOVE the Sookie Stackhouse books by Charlaine Harris. They are so much fun to read - something is always happening. And. in many ways, I want to be Sookie Stackhouse. I also read the first 4 books of The Songs of Fire and Ice. I enjoyed them tremendously. One thing though, you have to really commit yourself - the paperbacks are over 1000 pages each. But they are filled with great characters and action. My favorite characters are Arya and Tyrion. And, of course, I have read the fabulous Harry Potter series - a few times.

[guido tkp]

'dunster' by john mortimer...reading JM is kinda like watching one of those great bill forsythe movies from back in the '80's

and i'm in the middle of a reread of george macdonald frasers wonderful 'mr american'

[GNTLGNT]

...the latest in the Odd Thomas series by Koontz...

[crystalglimmer]

Caleb Carr - The Alienist. I so loved it, I went on to The Angel of Darkness. I sincerely wish I had loved that as well, I haven't much read Carr since. But wow - if you want a bit of an oh wow - try it...The Alienist. I guess I'd best get back to Koontz cause I really do like him - I'd like him more if the tide didn't tug me toward Saul. I know it shouldn't, but it does.

[Samantha_]

The Help by Kathryn Stockett.

[kingricefan]

Caleb Carr - The Alienist. I so loved it, I went on to The Angel of Darkness. I sincerely wish I had loved that as well, I haven't much read Carr since. But wow - if you want a bit of an oh wow - try it...The Alienist. I guess I'd best get back to Koontz cause I really do like him - I'd like him more if the tide didn't tug me toward Saul. I know it shouldn't, but it does.

Loved The Alienist!! It was a refreshing bolt of lightning out of the blue! But, I didn't care much for his second book (didn't finish it) and haven't read him since.

[E.Freemantle]

Well, I'd have to recommend, in the Richard Adam's anthology; "Shardik". Which i found in 2005 in a rare book store(as a British First Mass Hardcover Edition). Those who know" The Dark Tower IV", well; can guess what it is about. Obviously most of you know; if not ;you'll be pleasantly surprised. It is a great sort of "Clan of the Cave Bear" (But Not), enough said. My favorite for 2012 was "The Twelve" an unedited readers copy I won, in a contest at MEGATON.com. This book, most of you now, is Justin Cronin's part 2 of "The Passage" Trilogy. What a huge panoramic novel of epic proportions. It is beautifully written and well populated with fascinating, endearing, and evil/grotesque characters. It was perfect stuff to read through the apocalyptic hurricane Sandy nightmare.

[E.Freemantle]

Well, I'd have to recommend, in the Richard Adam's anthology; "Shardik". Which i found in 2005 in a rare book store(as a British First Mass Hardcover Edition). Those who know" The Dark Tower IV", well; can guess what it is about. Obviously most of you know; if not ;you'll be pleasantly surprised. It is a great sort of "Clan of the Cave Bear" (But Not), enough said. My favorite for 2012 was "The Twelve" an unedited readers copy I won, in a contest at MEGATON.com. This book, most of you now, is Justin Cronin's part 2 of "The Passage" Trilogy. What a huge panoramic novel of epic proportions. It is beautifully written and well populated with fascinating, endearing, and evil/grotesque characters. It was perfect stuff to read through the apocalyptic hurricane Sandy nightmare.


I apologize, I meant to reference Richard Adams' novel "Shardik" in regard to "The Dark Tower III". I know it will make more sense to you all now. It seems to have impressed Mr. King very much, and I can't be too careful on here; everyone knows their stuff too well. While I am here I might as well add Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child's "Pendergast" novel installment "Cold Vengeance". I cannot get enough of those fast-moving peculiar novels of theirs. Also, if you want something non-fiction that will grab you by the throat and scare you silly; I highly recommend Richard Preston's smallpox analysis in "The Demon In The Freezer" and his fictional novel "The Cobra Event". This man goes into Level 4 bio-containment -often- and, "The Cobra Event" novel actually affected Homeland Security Policy during the Clinton Administration. It was required reading at The Pentagon for bioweapon plausibility studies. If you didn't know, Douglas Preston and Richard Preston are very talented brothers. Thanks for all of your great recommendations.

[TheInterloper]

A dance with dragons by George R R Martin

[Christiane17]

Le secret de Dieu ( God's secret ) by David Emton, a french author. Surprising novel about a secret hidden beneath the Jerusalem lamentation big wall. I was just stunned.

[Shoesalesman]

Forever Odd - Dean Koontz

[AchtungBaby]

Hmmm.... Probably The Priest's Graveyard by Ted Dekker. That was one thrill-ride!

[sarge73]

Gone Missing By Linda Castillo, Amish murder mystery series.

[ClaireB76]

For me it was Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill 😊

[Jojo87]

...the latest in the Odd Thomas series by Koontz...

I've read all three Odd Thomas series by Koontz I just loved them all. Was funny a little scary
and great. Then to mention that Lee Child is good one as well. I loved Jack Reacher series.

[carrie's younger brother]

Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides. Perhaps the best contemporary American novel.

[CCRider529]

Sam's Letters To Jennifer by James Patterson. Never in my life had reading a book make me cry, but this one sure did. I gave it to my daughter to read, and I saw her with the tissues also!
I also love the Odd Thomas series. ;-D