I usually read these 'chick-lit' novels, books that are easy to read and enjoyable. Last book was The Time Traveller's Wife which I really enjoyed but I'd like to start reading books that will educate me, teach me new things and improve my vocabulary!

Can anyone suggest anything? I need something interesting and easy-ish to read but don't mind if it's fiction or non-fiction, about science or history etc.

harry potter, it's a winner everytime :thumbsup:

the count of monte cristo, i know, i can't believe i read it either! :lol:

Have a go at Gabriel Garcia Marquez - '100 years of solitude' i started reading it and really got into it, found it completley different to any book i've ever read...however i got really busy with uni and put it down about 3 months ago and haven't picked it up since, so i'm probably going to have to start again because you have to keep up with the story and try and follow it. But it is a bit of reading challenge if your used to easy reading.

the count of monte cristo:

Or, should that not float your boat, I recommend the modern retelling by Stephen Fry: "The Stars' Tennis Balls".

Plenty of big words to bump up your lexicon, but a page-turner that you can enjoy without a struggle. Not the most critically praised of his novels, but for some reason the one I've re-read the most.

Funny, emotional and engaging, it's essentially a tale of revenge. You won't be able to put it down.

Read the Dan brown books there great

The Dan Brown books are ok to read, I find the plots all too similar personally.

I've just about finished reading Empress Orchid - that makes for a light but informative read.

If you want a positive, light hearted read that will always improve your outlook on life, I reccomend 'Yes Man' by Danny Wallace.

It isn't a self help book but it's full of life-affirming stories and made me laugh out loud.

Wilf

Life of Pi by Jann Martel or The Shipping News by Annie Proulx. Both beautifully written and meet your requirements.

Enjoy.

If you want a positive, light hearted read that will always improve your outlook on life, I reccomend 'Yes Man' by Danny Wallace.

It isn't a self help book but it's full of life-affirming stories and made me laugh out loud.

Wilf

I quite enjoyed 'Join Me' by Danny Wallace. I thought this book was great!
I also enjoyed reading the Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy, but it may be a bit too surreal if you are a chick-lit fan.
Bridget Jones Diary is excellent. I recommend reading both books.

I recently finished Geek Love which is a good read though requires a strong stomach in places. I would also strongly recoment The Invisibles - I know it's a comic book / graphic novel but it's an amazing read! Oh and in the same vein the Illuminatus trillogy. And if you can ignore the weak endings Snow Crash and Diamond Age are both very good :)

If you want something challenging which isn't boring, something like The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood or Beloved by Toni Morrisson are both intellectually stimulating and have gripping plots.

Have a look at what's on the A level English Literature syllabus. Those two I mentioned are both books I know people have done for A level. I'd guess A level books are often chosen for their 'wow' factor (to keep the students interested) linked with a certain standard of writing, vocabulary etc.

Three books I've re-read recently and loved:-

The Selfish Gene, by Richard Dawkins, argues the point which holds that evolution is best viewed as acting on genes, and that selection at the level of organisms or populations almost never overrides selection on genes. Brilliant book by one of my favourite scientists ever.

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintainance, by Robert Pirsig, is so amazingly complex I would struggle to summarise it here, but you are really getting three books in one- a road trip with the author and his son, an enquiry into the nature of Quality, and a story about a man chasing a ghost from his past.
I've read this about seven times, and after the third time I started making notes in the margins to try and keep up, and even now I still find something new from it.

How to Think Straight about Psychology, by Keith Stanovich, was a recommended text for my first year Psychology course and tries to teach the necessary thinking skills needed to study psychology. Despite that, I think it's something everyone should be made to read, so we can learn to evaluate and analyse things like pseudo-science (Boots selling magnetic bracelets and then claiming they can heal pain, for instance).

Well, that's my two cents anyway.

Ooh! I just thought of another... have you read 'The Adventure of English' by Melvyn Bragg? It's a wonderful and fascinating account of the history of the English language - really interesting and compelling. Jeremy Paxman wrote a similarly themed book which I think was called 'The English' and Bill Bryson wrote one called 'Mother Tongue', both of which I enjoyed very much too.:)

I've just finished Londonstani by Gautam Malkani. Absolutely brilliant book, with a twist in it that I completely didn't see coming (although, tbh, I often don't) I was a bit irritated with the writing style at first but once I got into it I've loved it.

I usually read these 'chick-lit' novels, books that are easy to read and enjoyable. Last book was The Time Traveller's Wife which I really enjoyed but I'd like to start reading books that will educate me, teach me new things and improve my vocabulary!

Can anyone suggest anything? I need something interesting and easy-ish to read but don't mind if it's fiction or non-fiction, about science or history etc.

Read some George Orwell 1984 or animal farm

but if you want to stick to chick books i just finnished p.s. I Love You (sorry cant remember the author) but i loved it i cryed and laughed !!!

and i salute you for reading that book i have had it for over a year and just cant get into it ???

now iam reading the da vinci code !! i wont go the pics till i have

1984 - George Orwell....It'll change your life! Nah thats goin a bit far, but its one of the best

rmc123 & KerryW if you like chicklit you should read 'can you keep a secret?' by Sophie Kinsella, i really enjoyed it, made me laugh out loud on the bus a few times :blush:

Can't beat a bit of Ian Rankin, my good lady has just surprised me with his latest "The Complaints". I'ts coming on to tv soon! Gonna spoil the plot for you by letting on from the book . mu ha ha ha ha (only jokin) ;):hihi:

Or, should that not float your boat, I recommend the modern retelling by Stephen Fry: "The Stars' Tennis Balls".

Plenty of big words to bump up your lexicon, but a page-turner that you can enjoy without a struggle. Not the most critically praised of his novels, but for some reason the one I've re-read the most.

Funny, emotional and engaging, it's essentially a tale of revenge. You won't be able to put it down.

I'll second that reccomendation, tis a good book:thumbsup:

I've just bought all Karin Slaughter books on e-bay. I love her books. I am now in my element - love reading

reading good

hmmmm

:nod:

Anything from Mark Billingham.......he is a fantastic thriller writer