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Original poster

Good book for dh

32 replies

marymoocow · 10/09/2008 14:37

Dh wants to read a book, but has no idea what to go for. Anyone with any good suggestions, as he has never really read a great deal before.
Just realised I've made him sound like a complete idiot, but hopefully someone will understand what I mean

Thanks

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Anotherbook · 12/09/2008 22:06

Dh a non reader despite his grandad having owned a bookshop has begun to read more under my persuasion :

He likes historical battles/stories :

Bernard Cornwell : Sharpe (as others have mentioned) and the other various series Alfred the Great, King Arthur, The Grail Quest - middle ages, American civil war,

Simon Scarrow : Roman and Wellington/Napoleon series of books

Conn Iggulden : Romans again and Ghengis Khan

Allan Mallinson : Wellingon time again

Patrick O'Brian : Master and Commander etc. - watch the film- seafaring series beginning of 19thC

One thing getting them from the library alot of these books are in a series and Dh won't read them out of order so this can be a bit difficult unless you order the 1st one in.

worley · 12/09/2008 14:40

the first book i managed to get dp to read was the vampire chronicles by anne rice, he actually enjoyed them, but doesnt read anything else (apart from the grand theft auto manuals )

Original poster
marymoocow · 12/09/2008 14:31

There seems to be some great books out there. I might wander down to the library and pick a handful and see what he fancies. Hopefully he will stumble on something.
Thanks for all your help. Will let you know how he gets on.
(He has read some Terry Pratchett before which i have just remembered)

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squeaver · 11/09/2008 21:06

I was looking at mu book shelves and thinking about your dh today mary and I think you should have him try Nick Hornby.

arthursmum · 10/09/2008 17:09

My DH would definitely class himself in the 'slow readers' group but he raced through the 'new' James Bond, Devil May Care, on holiday this year.

cornflakegirl · 10/09/2008 16:30

Tom Holt is fab.
Also Terry Pratchett. Have never managed to get DH to read either.

Flamesparrow · 10/09/2008 16:28

Tom Holt is bloody weird humour

slayerette · 10/09/2008 16:26

Another vote for Sharpe - set during the Peninsula War, follows a rifleman through the battles, etc. If he enjoys them, you can make him buy you the dvds starring the gorgeous Sean Bean

Ben Elton writes very funny, off-beat stuff - if you've ever seen X-Factor, read Chart Throb - it's a fantastic send-up.

Bill Bryson writes absolutely wonderful non-fiction based on his perception of places he lives in/visits - very easy and very funny.

DH is into sci-fi/fantasy - loves authors like Neil Gaiman and David Gemmell.

procrastinatingparent · 10/09/2008 16:18

I adore reading them (and DH now asks for one when he is bored of his worthy reading) but I don't think I would call Lee Child challenging. They are complete page-turners though if you want something gripping.

Another vote for Robert Harris.

MaryAnnSingleton · 10/09/2008 16:07

yes, dh big Brookmyre fan..also Jake Arnott

FiveGoMadInDorset · 10/09/2008 16:06

Agent Zigazg

BitOfFun · 10/09/2008 16:06

Christopher Brookmyre is brilliant, if he fancies a fast-paced comic thriller which is clever but not too heavy. I love all of them!

MuffinMclay · 10/09/2008 16:04

Jasper Fforde? My dh loves them and finds them funny (not my cup of tea).

MaryAnnSingleton · 10/09/2008 15:49

Patrick O'Brian for seafaring stuff !
Nevil Shute

SummerLightning · 10/09/2008 15:45

What about something by Robert Harris, Enigma, Pompeii, etc?
Historical, and gripping, quite easy to read?

cornflakegirl · 10/09/2008 15:43

(DH and I both really liked Penguins Stopped Play even though neither of us are particularly bothered about cricket.)

cornflakegirl · 10/09/2008 15:42

My DH also reads very little. Books he has read and enjoyed include the His Dark Materials trilogy, The Curious Incident... and Penguins Stopped Play. He is currently reading A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian.

SummerLightning · 10/09/2008 15:39

Not read any Lee Child keep meaning to. Just assumed they weren't challenging from a) the fact that DH reads them b) the fact that he reads them in about 2hrs flat! I have heard they are "the intelligent man's airport thriller" though so I was assuming they are not trash like some of the crap he reads
I also like Mark Haddon, and Nick Hornby, Nick hornby in particular quite blokey?

FiveGoMadInDorset · 10/09/2008 15:18

My DH is currently working through teh Sharpe series also Flashman are good,

David Baldcci - thrillers

If he likes cricket can highly reccommend Penguins Stopped play

MaryAnnSingleton · 10/09/2008 15:16

Biog of John Peel

MaryAnnSingleton · 10/09/2008 15:15

Yes, A Spot of Bother very good !
How about John O'Farrell ? Nick Hornby ? Tim Lott ?
Loved Toast too
How about Peter Ackroyd if he likes historical kind of stuff

snowleopard · 10/09/2008 15:15

If he likes music or has ever been in a band, he might like The Ossians by Doug Johnstone, which I've just read. I thought it was an easy read, not great literature, but page-turning.

cocolepew · 10/09/2008 15:13

What about a biography?

And what do you mean Lee Child etc aren't 'challenging'?!

MascaraOHara · 10/09/2008 15:11

I can't recommend highly enough "A SPOT OF BOTHER" by Mark Haddon

It is so underrated.

I've also read Mark Haddon's "The Curious Incident of the dog in the night-time" which is also fantastic

Kind of black comedy but you can relate to every bit of "A spot of bother"

the curious incident (I think is his first novel) and is written through the eyes of a 15yo lad with Aspergers

Both good

Original poster
marymoocow · 10/09/2008 14:48

He likes the historical documentaries (god he sounds boring , and the discovery type programmes.
He has a weird sense of humour, so not sure what type of comedy to go for really.
Think it will be a case of just dipping in until he hits on something.

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