Continental Drift is a good book I just read. Nothing to do with cars though.
All Corvettes are Red is another good book. Even if you're not into Corvettes it's a fascinating insight into the design and manufacturing process at GM.
Its pretty trashy, but I'm currently reading Tom Clancy's (Disclaimer: And no-name Ghost Writer) 2nd to last book, "Threat Vector". I've had it for a day and am over 300 pages in. Spoiler: Primary thesis is that the most important parts of the next major war will be cyber-warfare. Especially interesting in view of the recent Target card hack.
I've read the first 4 books in the "Game of Thrones" series and am half way through the 5th. I like slipping away into the distant past sometimes. I like the way RR Martin writes. The characters are very interesting. I've watched the HBO series through season 3 but the books add much more detail, especially into the perspective of the characters and their innermost thoughts, fears, and experiences that can't be shown on screen.
WilberM3 wrote: I cant get enough of Lee Child's Jack Reacher books.
These are quite good. Gotta go find another.
Michael Crichton is always a good read, (Jurassic Park, Sphere, Prey, Next, etc.)
I've recently started reading James Rollins, and it's a similarly cool blend of plausible science/technology and pure fiction.
Well, logged onto Amazon and it actually showed ZAMM as a "featured recommendation" due to my previous choices. Also On the Road from Jack Kerouac. . . was only $4.00.
Must be all my Hunter S. Thompson and Albert Pike. . .
If I could make a reccomendation I'd say Steve Berry's Cotton Malone Series. . . especially if you lake Dan Brown. Simular topics, but Steve Berry's books have a tighter connection to history.
Flynlow wrote: Michael Crichton is always a good read, (Jurassic Park, Sphere, Prey, Next, etc.)
I will second this. Crichton is the reason I became a book nerd in the first place. When he writes a book, he basically becomes an expert on the topic first.
Everything I know about quantum physics (admittedly not much) I learned by reading Timeline.
The Andromeda Strain is excellent, but "The Lost World" is my favorite.
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/off-topic-discussion/recommended-car-books/32317/page1/
Past thread on the subject
Another vote for "Go like Hell."
Tom Clancy's older stuff is good, and much better than his newer stuff, and just avoid anything that he co-authored.
Smokey Yunik's autobiography was hilarious, but probably 99% BS. Still worth it.
I enjoy Vince Flynn's (RIP) books despite being extremely formualic. If you have read one you have read them all.
Enzo Ferrari's autobiography was very interesting. He wrote about his (legitimate) relationships with friends/drivers. He wrote it in the late 60's, so a lot of new information since then, but worth a read I think.
"The count of monte cristo" is probably my favorite novel ever.
I'll throw anything by Dick Francis in there. Very formulaic but it stays interesting. Challenger by Micke Thompson is pretty awesome in a pat myself on the back sort of way and I'll second third and fourth Unfair Advatage.
The Long Road to Paris
"Spies, sex, and secret technology from WWII comprise this fast-paced thriller. The twists and turns of the plot involve a dangerous liaison between the car's driver and his secretive navigator and an inventor who hides the nature of the radical technology. While competing in the first around-the-world auto race in 100 years, this unsuspecting team must evade serious threats from both China and Russia as the impact from the technology is so revolutionary that oil-exporting countries want every trace of it destroyed and countries lacking adequate energy resources want to steal it."
Not knowing your tastes, here is a list off the top of my head, covering lots of styles and subjects.
Dense philosophical nonfiction - pilgrim at tinker creek
Historical nonfiction - devil in the white city
Great book, depressing - Sophie's choice
Great book, uplifting - east of Eden
Adventure, animals - watership down (this is seriously a great adventure novel, and everyone I have loaned it to seems to love it)
Adventure, teens - Kavalier and Clay
Nonfiction essays - for the time being (Dillard)
Manga - nausicaa
Collection - best American (nonfiction, fiction, essays, comics, any year)
I bought 'Shopcraft as Soul Craft', just got it yesterday (along with 'Go Like Hell'). Started 'Shopcraft', damn if it doesn't echo the same things I have been saying for years.
Curmudgeon wrote: I bought 'Shopcraft as Soul Craft', just got it yesterday (along with 'Go Like Hell'). Started 'Shopcraft', damn if it doesn't echo the same things I have been saying for years.
Amazing book. I love the part about the "Bettie Crocker Cruiser"
Haven't gotten there yet. I just started the chapter where he talks about the 'layer of bureacracy between owner and tradesman' which just happens to be my job.
I forget the name, but I once got a book simply because it had a sniper rifle on the cover and was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it. There was only one scene with a sniper, but plenty of other action. I then once checked a book out of the library that the librarian said was great and had all sorts of good reviews on it. The book sucked. Hard. ALWAYS judge a book by its cover.
I personally like this book as well:
See? The rule works. It has a rotary engine on the cover, which means grinning and happiness until suddenly the joy ends unexpectedly, and you need to buy something else. The book, the history, and the lifespan of an actual rotary engine are all linked together so well.
I found this one enjoyable. It's about an astronaut stranded on Mars and has a lot of science for a science fiction book. I'd like to read more of this guy's stuff but it doesn't look like he's written anymore.
I haven't read any Stephen King in awhile and thought I'd try one of his newer books. So far it's pretty good.
I really liked 11/22/63, very well written. One of my favorite Stephen king books. Also liked the girl who loved Tom Gordon.
The destorerman series by talor anderson, alt world wwii book up to in the series now.
The 1632 seiries by eric flint, not sure hom many book are out for it. But very well will keep you reading if you looking at how to screw the nobles of the 30 years war with a bunch of hillbilly from the year 2000.
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