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Violetta (original poster member #39749) posted at 2:22 PM on Monday, July 8th, 2013
I especially like historical fiction. Just finished up "Gone With the Wind" and am working my way through "A Prayer for Owen Meany" right now :)
(I've read the "Outlander" and "Game of Thrones" series already, as well. Though they're probably always worth a re-read!)
--
41, BS, divorced four years
“Learn your way around loneliness. Make a map of it. Sit with it, for once in your life. Welcome to the human experience.”
Teach8 ( member #36521) posted at 2:35 PM on Monday, July 8th, 2013
Pillars of the earth, world without end, fall of giants and winter of the world...all by ken follet. Loved them all.
Me: BW. Him: WH. Dday: 4/26/12. TT until 8/15/12 LTA 7 years. Trying to R
chikastuff ( member #35288) posted at 6:48 PM on Tuesday, July 9th, 2013
I usually just re-read Outlander when I'm in this sort of a mood.
Speaking of, I just read that they're finally doing an adaptation for TV! It's going to be on Starz. Diana Gabaldon has been posting updates about it on her FB page.
Me- 32
Happily engaged and moving on
gypsybird87 ( member #39193) posted at 8:05 PM on Tuesday, July 9th, 2013
Pillars of the Earth is a great recommendation, I second that. If you like a historical/fantasy blend, try the Mists Of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley. It's the King Arthur legend but from the perspective of the women. Very escapist, and LONG!
If you like Egyptian history, I cannot recommend enough "River God" by Wilbur Smith, and it's sequel "The Seventh Scroll". There are several more books that come after, but these two are the best, IMO. River God is my favorite book of all time, hands down.
I've read Outlander several times. Awesome book...I liked it more than the books that came after it. I'm currently reading the Game of Thrones series and LOVING IT.
[This message edited by gypsybird87 at 2:10 PM, July 9th (Tuesday)]
Me: Enjoying life
Him: Someone else's problem
Follow your heart, but take your brain with you. ~ Alfred Adler
Letting go of the outcome is about the most empowering thing you can do for yourself. ~ LosferWords
GabyBaby ( member #26928) posted at 8:31 PM on Tuesday, July 9th, 2013
I completely agree with every single recommendation listed above.
Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon
River God series by Wilbur Smith
Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet
Mists of Avalon by MZ Bradley
I HIGHLY recommend Kane and Abel by Jeffrey Archer (one of my all time favorites). This book is EPIC and starts off with a "bang"!!! The sequel to this book is "The Prodigal Daughter" which was also pretty good.
The Clan of the Cave Bear series by Jean Auel is also good. The first book was my favorite, though.
ETA:
I read voraciously (3-4 books per week). There are only 10-15 books/series that I reread on a regular basis and they include each of the books listed above.
[This message edited by GabyBaby at 4:13 PM, July 9th (Tuesday)]
Me - late 40s
DD(27), DS(24, PDD-NOS)
WH#2 (SorryinSac)- Killed himself (May 2015) in our home 6 days after being served divorce docs.
XWH #1 - legally married 18yrs. 12+ OW (that I know of).
I edit often for clarity/typos.
GabyBaby ( member #26928) posted at 5:21 AM on Wednesday, July 10th, 2013
The first two sentences in the book "Kane and Abel" always give me a little shiver every time I read the book. It starts the story off with a bang and the story does not let up from there.
The first two sentences:
She only stopped screaming when she died. It was then that he started to scream.
Read this book!!! 
Me - late 40s
DD(27), DS(24, PDD-NOS)
WH#2 (SorryinSac)- Killed himself (May 2015) in our home 6 days after being served divorce docs.
XWH #1 - legally married 18yrs. 12+ OW (that I know of).
I edit often for clarity/typos.
Take2 ( member #23890) posted at 5:31 AM on Wednesday, July 10th, 2013
Fantasy:
The Wheel of Time: 14 books @ 800 pgs. each. Very involved, 30 good guys, 30 bad guys.... complex! But unlike the Game of Thrones it is finished!!
The Belgarion Series was good too.
[This message edited by Take2 at 11:32 PM, July 9th (Tuesday)]
"We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us." Joseph Campbell...So, If fear was not a factor - what would you do?
stilllovingher ( member #29959) posted at 7:04 AM on Wednesday, July 10th, 2013
how bout this one...
The only difference between a butt kisser and a brown noser is depth perception.
I'm sure WAL would agree.
reclaimingmyself ( member #27011) posted at 2:51 PM on Wednesday, July 10th, 2013
Harlot's Ghost: A Novel by Norman Mailer is a very long, very involved, very good book about the CIA. While it is a fictional story, it includes a mix of real and fictional characters and settings.
gypsybird87 ( member #39193) posted at 5:44 PM on Wednesday, July 10th, 2013
Like Gaby's example, the first lines can be such a hook!! The first line of Pillars of the Earth:
"The small boys came early to the hanging."
Creepy yet intriguing! I couldn't put it down.
Me: Enjoying life
Him: Someone else's problem
Follow your heart, but take your brain with you. ~ Alfred Adler
Letting go of the outcome is about the most empowering thing you can do for yourself. ~ LosferWords
FaithFool ( member #20150) posted at 12:02 AM on Thursday, July 11th, 2013
Kane and Abel was awesome! Read it ages ago.
Gone With The Wind is one of the greats.
I like John Steinbeck when I'm in the mood for a good journey read.
DDay: June 15, 2008
Mistakenly married Mr. Superfreak
20 years of OWs, WTF?
Divorced Dec 26, 2011
"Life is a shipwreck, but we must not forget
to sing in the lifeboats". -- Voltaire
Tripletrouble ( member #39169) posted at 12:11 AM on Thursday, July 11th, 2013
Pillars is awesome, as are most of Follett's books. Lots of historical fiction by him that will draw you in and teach you something at the same time.
40 somethings - me BW after 20 years
D Day April 2013
Divorced November 2013
Happily remarried 2018
Time is a great healer but a terrible beautician.
Nature_Girl ( member #32554) posted at 9:37 AM on Thursday, July 11th, 2013
So something like Doctor Zhivago or War & Peace is out of the question? They're amazing. And long. War & P I couldn't finish, I kept getting lost. I should try it again.
Me = BS
Him = EX-d out (abusive troglodyte NPD SA)
3 tween-aged kids
Together 20 years
D-Day: Memorial Weekend 2011
2013 - DIVORCED!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJgjyDFfJuU
abbycadabby ( member #27428) posted at 1:57 PM on Thursday, July 11th, 2013
This is all I can think of off the top of my head- I need to consult my Goodreads shelves! Outlander would be my first recommendation (my favorite) but you've already read these. The ones below are from various genres. Have you read any of the following?
Anna Karenina by Tolstoy
The Passage by Justin Cronin (has a sequel called The Twelve which I have yet to read)
The Bronze Horseman (series) by Paullina Simon
I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb
Harry Potter Series by Rowling
[This message edited by abbycadabby at 7:57 AM, July 11th (Thursday)]
Threnody ( member #1558) posted at 2:21 PM on Thursday, July 11th, 2013
If you like historical fiction and you like cheering while you read then flipping the page and ending up in a sobbing heap, you'll love Dorothy Dunnett.
Her "House of Niccolo" series was written second, but precedes the "Lymond Chronicles" in time. Niccolo is (IIRC) late 1400s, Lymond is late 1500s. They're wonderful, wonderful books.
You might also enjoy Neal Stephenson's "Baroque Cycle" series. It mostly takes place in London in 1714, the Age of Enlightenment. Very fun. Geeky. Adorable. I love-hated most of the characters. 
“If you don't like my opinion of you, you can always improve.” ~ Ashleigh Brilliant
"Great love requires determination." ~ tryingtwo
"Don't try to win over the haters, you're not the jackass whisperer." ~ Brene Brown
tushnurse ( member #21101) posted at 6:29 PM on Thursday, July 11th, 2013
Um - If you like those thousand pagers, I strongly recommend Les Miserables by Victor Hugo.
I read the unabriged version about 15 years ago, and have reread an abridged version a few years ago. It is a fabulous book, and sooooo much more to it than the musical or movie.
Me: FBSHim: FWSKids: 23 & 27 Married for 32 years now, was 16 at the time.D-Day Sept 26 2008R'd in about 2 years. Old Vet now.
tushnurse ( member #21101) posted at 6:30 PM on Thursday, July 11th, 2013
Other shorter historical fiction that I enjoyed, was the Hangman's daughter books.
Me: FBSHim: FWSKids: 23 & 27 Married for 32 years now, was 16 at the time.D-Day Sept 26 2008R'd in about 2 years. Old Vet now.
damaged71 ( member #36004) posted at 8:28 PM on Thursday, July 11th, 2013
I didn't know there was this much emotional pain in the universe!
Me 42
Her 44
D-day 5.18.12
Currently in R
Alex CR ( member #27968) posted at 12:48 AM on Friday, July 12th, 2013
1Q84 by Haruki Murakami....not really historical but fascinating.
Five Smooth Stones by Anne Fairbaim - beautifully written classic fiction re civil rights era.
Unbroken by Hillebrand - not long but a well written story about a remarkable man during WWII.
BS Me 63
WS Him 64
Married 35
Together 41
DD 11/16/09
I can dwell in the negative or seek the positive...one road is lonely...the other teeming with life.
teach5 ( member #18445) posted at 1:06 AM on Friday, July 12th, 2013
The Power of One is my all time favorite
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