Historical Fictionistas discussion

I'm Linda & have been w/GR for a year. I really need help w/recommendations for an elderly man- because I don't read mystery. He lives in an old log cabin, no electricity & no running water. I am giving him a Christmas. He loves to read mystery books, westerns, any war mystery. OR any great book, even if it's not a mystery. and especially true mystery. Please any recommendations? NO series, as I'm afraid he may get the series reading order mixed up. stand-alone only. Thank you!

James Patterson has some stand alone mystery books.

It's not a mystery, but Lonesome Dove is a great western and a Pulitzer Prize winner to boot! If he hasn't read it, I think he might really enjoy it.

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry

Another great non mystery choice is Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand

The Alienist by Caleb Carr is an historical mystery set in New York City in the late nineteenth century. Another good historical mystery is The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco.

Hope these help. This is so kind of you to do for him. I hope both you and he have a joyous Christmas season and a very Happy New Year!

I will second the vote for The Alienist. I enjoyed that book tremendously. As for The Name of the Rose, it might not work for someone living without electricity or running water, unless he is extremely intellectual.

I've never read Lonesome Dove, and I am about to start on Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption, but they have both been highly praised, so they would also be good choices, I think.

If he hasn't read the greats, get him the complete Sherlock Holmes or some of Agatha Christie's works.

The King's Deception by Steve Berry

George Washington's Secret Six: The Spy Ring That Saved the American Revolution by Brian Kilmeade

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

I second all of Kathleen's suggestions except The Alienist only because I've never heard of it. But Gone Girl is getting crazy good reviews from everyone it seems. Its a mystery of sorts with a completely surprising ending no one saw coming. Plus its quite large so it'll keep him busy for a while :)

Praise to you for sharing the Christmas Spirit! You'll have made that man's year :) that's awesome!

I suggest Thirteen hours by Deon Meyer. It is a real page turner and a thriller mystery tale by South Arica's award winning crime writer. Have a great Christmas.

My mom goes to the used book store and gets 10-20 books at a time for my grandpa. Lots of western and mysteries in paperback that are $2 or less usually. You can always try that!

You can go to the library and borrow books for him.
That way you can get a variety without spending money and if he doesn't like a book he can just go on to the next one without feeling like he's wasted your money.
He will be able to have more from which to pick and choose.
It's hard to judge another persons attention level or interests, so the library borrowing would give him many more choices.

I went on Amazon and got him a list of recommended books. 14 books used. With a lot of people saying they were good, I felt I couldn't pick out bad ones. I'll also get him a battery power, "super light" & get him tons of batteries for it. and a case of drinking water!I think that's all I can afford now.