Are you a reader? Books that is.

Hi Jim,

A good young Aussie author who writes some good fast paced fiction is Matthew Reilly. His first book I think was titled Ice Station and it is very good.

Have a good one.

Matthew Rilley, Clive Cussler, James Paterson, are all good easy reading action books there are plenty more others will suggest ......len

Surely you have already heard of him, but Tom Cole would have to be my favourite. Absolutely love his books. He is an absolute legend.

Reading is such an individual thing. I read voraciously but quickly tire of anything that I don't have an interest in.
Historical epics are a no no for me. I prefer Australian novels, history, exploration or crime.
If you want something to read without much effort on a train, plane or in the bush then these three aren't bad, especially if you
don't normally read much.

Easy Australian crime books

Hi Jim,

I read a lot & enjoy a good Aussie book.

Someone in a forum recommended a book called Hell West & Crooked by Tom Cole. Its a great read.
I have finished it so I will give it to you when I pick up my drawers.

Happy camping
Daryl

I read too much.

Often two or three books at the same time.

Not sure what you like, but Matthew Rielly is pretty good for fast fast action.

Used to like the almamacs from the Australian for something factual.

Or read Stephen Gould for factual strange science, who is now dead but used to write for newspapers in New York. Biologist by training I think.
Or our own Dr Carl.

For something a bit heavier, to slow you down, try Thomas Harding, or Tolstoy. Usually takes me about a month to read War & Peace, at just over a 1000 pages.

Or something more local, try Len Beadell. Just got given his collection of six books for a Christmas read.

Usually keep away from fiction, but the seven books of the Harry Potter series are pretty good, when I can pinch them off my son.
Only got through the first 5 so far.

G'day Jim

Of late I have taken to reading a lot of Australian history. Busy with Australia, A Social and Political History. Very interesting but heavy going.

I was very fortunate recently when a kind person gave me two volumes of the prosework of Henry Lawson. A fascinating insight in the years bewteen the two world wars in Australia. Also read this year the 4 volumes of Winston Churchills History of the English Speaking Peoples

I read a lot about early Australian Explorers and plan my outback treks around some of their exploits.


Cheers

Nelson de Mille (US), David Baldacci (US), Vince Flynn (US), are good Thriller writers.
From OZ: Ion Iddriess for true stories of the early 20th century outback , Lennie Lower's "Here's Luck" for a great humorous story from the '20s, Tom Cole's been mentioned and both books are rippers, Mary Durack for Oz history.

If you would like tales of the Australian bush (mainly Qld) then go to Central Queenslan University Press there is a good selection available on line. I have Battlers of the Barkly by Alf Chambers and a couple by Marie Mahood. They are excellent reading. I actually purchased these from some tourist info centres on my travels - keep your eyes out.

PeterD

I will give a book to match the author. If you like these than "chase the author". I have very eclectic taste:-)

Nelson Demille, Gold Coast. (some of the driest humor ever)
James Clavell, Shogun. (stratagy)
Peter F Hamilton, The Reality Dysfunction. (science fiction)
Bill Bryson, a short history of nearly everything. (perspective)
J R R Tolken, The Hobbit. (timeless)
James A Michener, Space. (talk about well researched)
Dava Sobel, Longitude. (fascinating story)
Lance Armstrong, It's not about the bike. (determination)
Harper Lee, To kill a Mocking-bird. (still relevant.

Where do you stop....... Sorry, I suspect you will see a few birthdays through with these. Enjoy!

Too busy to read novels these days and seldom read biographies but read Peter Cosgrove's which was great. Liked Kokoda byPeter FitzSimons a year back. 18 Hours by Sandra Lee. The SAS in Afghanistan. Soundls like all military, but the leadership study was interesting in all. I left text books behiind in 2000. I have a few other histories about though too, Australian ones.

Andy Mcnab & Chris Ryan

Jim,
If you da vinci code you will more than likely like all his books.

Matthew Reilly books are fun, no brainer books easy to read.

Jessica, Bryce courtanay.

Classic novels, Count of monty christoAlexandra Dumas(still my no1)
Atlas Shrugged, The fountainhead, Ayn Rand.

American history, Bury my heart at wounded knee, Dee Brown.

Christian Jacq books.

The list is indeed, endless. Nothing beats a good book though.

pillars of the earth you won't regret it!!!
Steve

I love James Patterson...as he has a few "series" of books that are very good.

he also just wrote a Fiction about a boy with Tuerette (sp) syndrome which was bloody excellent !!!

A few of my favourite books you might enjoy:

'Eagle in the Snow' by Wallace Breem - Historical fiction about a Roman army officer stationed on the Rhine at the beginning of the 5th century AD. www.amazon.com/Eagle-Snow-Wallace-Breem/dp/1590710118

'Red Army' by Ralph Peters - 80's WW3 A could have been of WW3 in Europe written entirely from the Soviet perspective. www.amazon.com/Red-Army-Ralph-Peters/dp/0671676695

'Dark Star' by Alan Furst - 1930's espionage thriller, this is an excellent book that brings this period to vivid life. www.amazon.com/Dark-Star-Novel-Alan-Furst/dp/0375759999

'Stranger in a Strange Land' by robert Heinlein - SciFi , a classic novel by one of the genres greats a novel you wont regret reading. www.amazon.com/Stranger-Strange-Land-Robert-Heinlein/dp/0441790348

If your into the heavier, thought provoking stuff....

Andy Capp
Superman
The Phantom
Spiderman

Even read....Men are from Mars, Women from Venus. Applied some of the advice given and the missus was like putty in my hands. Got a bit too girly and romantic for me so went back to the Nissan MQ Service Manual. [now thats an excellent read].

Cheers.....Lionel.

I was given the Rex Hunt biography, after reading it I've found his life has been very interesting to say the least and I enjoyed reading the book immensely.

Mainey . . .

When out & about, I like reading true adventure books. Of course the Beadell books, Kay Cottees trip, the young guy that sailed Lionheart around the world, and the like...

Jim,

I read two books a week when I am away camping. I camp by myself and read at the camp fire with an LED headlamp while my potatoes are cooking in the coals.

Three books by James Clavell I have just read again after a 20 year break :
Noble House
Taipan
Shogun
These are historic novels about China and Japan are hard to put down.

Willie

I get all my books in the form of MP3 audio from Bolinda.com
I listen to the stories great selection and price, makes driving on those long trips pleasurable.

I am reluctant to mention this book - because if you start it before you leave for camping, you will not move from the lounge chair for a week (or 4).

You have been warned.

The author is Raymond E. Feist.
The book is "Magician".

For pure fun - Bill Brysons book "Down under" is a good laugh - a Brit view of the dangers of visiting OZ.
If you have an interest in science : "Entanglement" (the greatest mystery in Physics) by Amir D. Aczel.................Keith.

Hi Jim

Peter Watt – Australian Author who’s first foray was a trilogy starting with Cry of the Curlew.

The trilogy has Australian pioneering days as the backdrop. He has written other novels that run similar themes.

Highly recommend to you, especially if you want something with a local bend….following is a link to his website.

Regards
The Landy

Peter Watt

Gday Jim
So old mate, after you have done all those suggested, you come and see me and i'll lend you a good book.
Murray

Hi Jim, as a builder an absolute must would be The finger prints of god, nothiing to do with religion but an amazing journey through history of the pyramids etc, also one I couldn't put down was Project saucer, but be aware its one of SIX, so you have to get them in sequence, it's a book of fiction based on fact, what a read, its got rape, murder, slavery, espionage, name it its there, it will make you think hmmmmm, I wonder........
best wishes,
Dave

Thanks to everyone for their repiles.

Should be enough there to keep me going for many years of camping trips.

Jim.

I know a good book.
Diesel engine maintenance 101.