 Pyramids
by Terry Pratchett
Paperback, 352 pages
Published by Harper
Publication Date: July, 2001
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Many science
fiction fans probably knew about Terry Pratchett's Discworld series,
but I bought this one in complete innocence. This is an irreverent
and skewed view of the universe, and it's tons of fun. It will
undoubtedly get you reading more of Pratchett. Click
Here for more information or to order Pyramids. |
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Life-Changing
Books
These are definitely NOT self-help books, but
books that just might change your perspective on things forever. |
 Fierce
Invalids Home From Hot Climates
by Tom Robbins
Paperback, 415 pages
Price: $11.16
Published by Bantam
Publication date: May, 2001 |
This might be a
very personal reaction, but this book stopped me in my tracks. The
main character, Switters, is a a prototypical everyman, in a
pervert/Superman kind of way. It's pretty impossible to describe, so
the best advice would be to just follow the link where you can read
excerpts from the book, then buy it. Click
Here for more information or to order Fierce Invalids. |
 Ishmael
by Daniel Quinn
Paperback, 263 pages
Price: $12.76
Published by Bantam
Publication date: July, 1995 |
Are you a taker
or a leaver? If you think you know the answer, think again. This
book just might rock your world. It's a parable with a talking
gorilla as the central character, a description that simply doesn't do it justice. But if you would like some insight into the
plight of humanity from the perspective of Mother Nature, read this
book. (You can read an excerp by following the link.) Click
Here for more information or to order Ishmael. |
Others
Stranger
in a Strange Land
by Aldous Huxley
The
Fountainhead
by Ayn Rand
The Metamorphosis
by Franz Kafka
Johnny Got His Gun
by Dalton Trumbo
A Canticle for Leibowitz
by Walter M. Miller
Nine Stories
by J.D. Salinger
The
Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge
by Carlos Castenada
Siddhartha
by Herman Hesse |
These books are
like Beatles records. We really don't have to say much about them,
many people have read them, so here's a list. You can click the book
name to find out more if you don't already know. |
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Escapist Books
These books will take you somewhere else for
awhile. You might notice that we like mysteries. |
 Angels
& Demons
by Dan Brown
Price: $7.99
Paperback, 608 pages
Published by Pocket Star
Publication date: June 2001 |
All of
Dan Brown's books qualify as top-notch escapist reading. (The DaVinci
Code, Deception Point, Digital Fortress) They all combine (almost) all
the essentials: intrigue, conspiracy theory, science fiction, action,
adventure, historical context, good -vs- evil, and a healthy dose of
over-the-top absurd fun. All that's really missing is sex. But hey,
you can get a hit of that just about anywhere these days. We liked
this one even better than the DaVinci Code. The incredible research
and attention to detail makes Dan Brown's books stand apart - but
don't worry - this is still fiction!
Click
Here for more information or to order Angels & Demons. |
 Small
Vices
by Robert B. Parker
Price: $7.99
Paperback, 338 pages
Published by Berkeley
Publication Date: March 1998 |
This
is a good one, but we read everything by Robert B. Parker. If you
like a good, hard-punchin', feet-on-the-desk private eye story,
Parker is the best there is. The main character, Spenser, is a
version of the prototypical Raymond Chandler-style character, cast
as a more sensitive 20th century one-woman-man. Remember the TV
series Spenser for Hire? Yep - the same guy, with a great Hawk
character played by Avery Brooks (Capt. Sisko on Star Trek DS9).
There are 27 books in the Spenser series. Click
Here for more information or to order Small Vices. |
 The
Deader the Better
by G.M. Ford
Price: 6.50
Paperback, 352 pages
Published by: Avon
Publication Date: Jan 2001 |
Here's
another author we buy and read without hesitation. G.M. Ford (an
obvious pseudonym that gives you a clue about his sense of humor)
writes Seattle-based mysteries, but you don't have to be a
Seattleite to appreciate them. Private eye Leo Waterman employs a
ragtag band of homeless characters ("people nobody
notices") to assist in surveillance. Great reading, and great
fun. You'll want the entire Leo Waterman series. Click
Here for more information or to order The Deader the Better. |
 The
Ganja Coast
by Paul Mann
Price: varies
Paperback
Publication Date: Jan 1996 |
Paul
Mann wrote three detective novels based in India, featuring
detective George Sansi. We love all three of these books. They are
good well-written mysteries, but the real treat is Mann's vision of
India. He is a master of description, and creates a world that draws
you in with all the complexities and contradictions that define the
underlying culture. A completely original view of India, for those
of us who don't live there. Great reading. Unfortunately, he wrote
only three Sansi novels, and they appear to be out of print. But you
can follow the link to buy used copies. Click
Here for more information or to order The Ganja Coast. |
Others
The
Hobbit/Lord of the Rings
by J.R.R. Tolkien
The
Foundation Trilogy
by Isaac Asimov
I,
Robot
by Isaac Asimov
Watership
Down
by Richard Adams
Dune
by Frank Herbert |
These
books are like Beatles records. We really don't have to say much
about them, many people have read them, so here's a list. You can
click the book name to find out more if you don't already
know. |
|
Mark's
Books |
 Microsoft
Excel Version 2003 Inside Out
by Craig Stinson, Mark Dodge
Paperback
Price: $31.49
Published by Microsoft Press
Publication date: May, 2001 |
Hey, you know
your way around a spreadsheet—so now dig into Excel 2003 and really
put your data to work! This supremely organized reference packs
hundreds of time-saving solutions, troubleshooting tips, and handy
workarounds in concise, fast answer format.
Click
Here for more information or to order
Microsoft Excel Inside
Out. |
Microsoft Excel Version 2002 Inside Out
Running Microsoft Excel 2000
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