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I figure books are just as essentially distracting as anything else, so…
I consider myself a sporadically voracious reader. Meaning, every once in a while I read a lot of books all in a row, occasionally several at a time. So right now, I’m looking for some book suggestions. Not just any books though… I have some loose criteria.
I’m not looking for Dr Seuss books or anything that simple. I want books with some substance to them, some actual meaning and figurative weight.
The books can be fiction, non-fiction, sci-fi, philosophical, dramatic, whatever. If you’re familiar with authors like Neal Stephenson (he wrote books like Cryptonomicon and Snow Crash, both fantastic) or Dan Simmons (author of the Hyperion Cantos, Ilium and Olympos, etc), you might have an idea of books that interest me. I’ve been reading a few of the Top 20 Geek Novels, but I’m also looking for some more… eclectic… reading. I had picked up The Communist Manifesto by Marx a while ago, but never actually got time to read it. I read the Da Vinci Code a few weeks ago (only took two days). You get the idea.So… let me have it. Interesting, absorbing books that I can read and enjoy. Suggestions?
Hi Tigerblade, I’d like to recommend you read a couple books by my favorite author, Dean Koontz. You can find a list of some of his more current books here. His newest book is called The Husband and is a thriller about an ordinary man in a normal suburban neighborhood who suddenly gets a call on his cell phone saying his wife has been kidnapped and has to come up with 2 million dollars to get her back safely. Koontz writes spellbinding thrillers and I’d recommend you read some of his older books like Lightning, or Whispers because those are the ones that really hooked me on this author. He’s gotten a little gentler in recent years, so give one of his older books a try too. Happy reading.
I like Koontz. Heh, I have to say that I really loved “From the Corner of His Eye” “Intensity” “Sole Survivor” “Dark Rivers of the Heart” and of course I have to agree with you with “Whispers” Great ones.
Personally, I like books with some spin on life. Some introspection, something there that I can draw from and get a new kind of view on life in general from. Something that rips your heart out and steps on it, all the while making you feel…just good. Some great books with just amazing -meaning- to them.
I dig Tom Robbins, Chuck Palahniuk and Paulo Cuelho. Some of the ones that I recommend are:
Robbins:
-Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates (I really love this book just because it has some great concepts on people and their problems as well as internal conflicts and people’s own personal hypocrisis just in their personalities. And it has some great characters)
-Still Life with WoodpeckerPalahniuk
-Invisible Monsters (His best work. Let’s just leave it at that.)
-Haunted (My personal Favorite, though VERY gory and intense, not for the first time reader unless you’re me, heh. And has an interesting writing style as well as an underlaying theme about society in general and the way people are.)
-Survivor (AMAZING. Not a whole lot to draw on, but some great lines and ideas and fun.)
(Eh, I wouldn’t bother with Fight Club. They were VERY true to the book in the movie, so really it’s like watching the flick…but without Pitt’s and Norton’s Chemestry and it takes longer)Cuelho:
-The Alchemist (Simple but amazing. A concept that I will always remember and hold to.)
-Veronika Decides to Die (Predictable Ending, but I ADORE this book. Quick read and every sentance is underline worthy. I really really highly recommend this one)
-Eleven Minutes (Eh, Tom…I’d sway away from this one I think…just a thought, but it is good. I had a hard time reading some of it just for personal matters and I think it may be the same.)Oh and The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky was good too. The writing style is refreshing, it has some striking points, some great perspective and introspection, inspiring, though predictable (at least to me).
My friend gave me The Perks, all marked up and full of other people’s writing. When he gave me this book, he told me that he’d let me have it if I promised to pass it on to someone I knew would appreciate it. “It’s just something that should never be in one place for too long. It should travel” he told me. I’m still waiting to find someone to give it to, or send it to. But he’s right. It’s just something that should be read and passed along.
Those are my picks. And they’re steadily always growing *wink* Addy keeps my book list rather strenuous. Apparently my next assignment once I’m done with the three I’m reading now (yes, I like to read in multipuls *shrug* I’m finishing Still Life with Woodpecker, Invisible Monsters, Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates, and Eleven Minutes right now) will be a Kurt Vonnegut, Specifically his Autobiography “Man Without a Country”. Promises to be amazing.
Well I’ve read many books. If you’re into weird stories you should check out some of H.P. Lovecraft’s stories. The descriptions he uses just make you visualize things perfectly.
Another book that I liked that comes to mind is Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman. I wasn’t expecting much from this book but as soon as I read the first few pages I wanted to keep on reading.
Ditto on the Lovecraft stories. He has a few collections if you just want to get a taste of his writings. Weird and a bit disturbing, but fun anyway.
My favorite book of late, is Orson Scott Card’s Ender’s Game. A description from a fan site “Ender’s Game is a science fiction novel that tells the story of Andrew Wiggin (nicknamed Ender by his sister, Valentine.) The story takes place on Earth in the future. Earth has been attacked twice by an alien species called Buggers, nearly destroying the human race. Mankind begins training young geniuses to become soldiers and commanders to fight in Earth’s defence if the Buggers should ever attack again. Ender is extremely intelligent, and at the age of six years old, he goes to Battle School to be trained. Ender quickly rises to the top in Battle School and begins training in order to command Earth’s fleet.”
There is a twist at the end; I highly recommend this book for a quick read. There are others in the series, but none comes close to the appeal and fun of Ender’s Game.
Oh – and 1984 by George Orwell is a must-read! Sad to say I didn’t read it in high school or college, but am now. Uncanny similarities to current situations.
I see you’ve already read it; but if anyone else hasn’t, do pick it up!
Oh – and 1984 by George Orwell is a must-read! Sad to say I didn’t read it in high school or college, but am now. Uncanny similarities to current situations.
I see you’ve already read it; but if anyone else hasn’t, do pick it up!
Ahhh yes, the summer reading list. Glad you started this post, Tom. I’ve got a pile of books on my night stand, just waiting to be opened.
Some of my favorite authors include:
James Patterson
Mary Higgins Clark (you should check out her books, they are mystery)
Dean Koontz (he is amazing)
V. C. Andrews (more along the lines for women, but good nonetheless)I’ve recently read City of Bones by Michael Connelly. Good book, something quick to read.
If you are ever stuck for a book to read, I usually put a “Currently reading” in my BBB user profile, just for fun.
Happy reading!
I completely agree, beat. 1984 is marvellous. Though it does get prettys low toward the mid-ending. It drags some. I actually put it down for 4 months to read a bunch of Chuck and Tom and Paulo then came back to it again.
As far as anti-utopian, I’ve always loved the Giver as well *shrug* It’s middle school level, but really, I fell in love with it. It’s one of those books that if someone gave that to me as a gift…I would simple melt. So endearing.
*reminds herself to check Rae’s Profile for books more often, heheh*
What’s your favorite Koontz book, Rae?
If you’re interested in historical fiction, I recomend anything by Bernard Cromwell. He’s written ancient novels, like Stonehenge, a medieval series (The Holy Grail Quest: Archer’s Tale, Vagabond, Heretic), a series involving fighting Napoleon (The Richard Sharpe Series: a 15+ book series about a British general), and a Civil War series (the Nathaniel Starbuck Series: Rebel, Copperhead, Battle Flag, The Bloody Ground)
And if you’re into really long historical fiction . . . James Michener is your author. He usually starts with the formation of the world and brings it up to present time. I’ve read several that are about the “area in turmoil” right now, and they give sort of an inside view to how these conflicts began, where they’ve been, and where they are now. Makes one a little more sympathetic and understanding.
RabidKitten wrote:As far as anti-utopian, I’ve always loved the Giver as well *shrug* It’s middle school level, but really, I fell in love with it. It’s one of those books that if someone gave that to me as a gift…I would simple melt. So endearing.Absolutely! I think I actually read it in 6th grade for the first time, but I really love it. You can read it in a day, I think probably less than 150 pages??
RabidKitten wrote:*reminds herself to check Rae’s Profile for books more often, heheh*What’s your favorite Koontz book, Rae?
Honestly Sam, I’ve only read one of them! I read “The Funhouse” last summer. The first one I read, and it was kinda creepy. Mid-80’s I’d say. I read that one book and got hooked on him! Unfortunately, cash is kinda tight lately so I’ve just been borrowing books from friends and relatives, none of wich are Dean Koontz. I guess you can’t really call me a fan. I’m a phony! 🙁
Sometime this weekend I’ll have to go to the public library and get a card!
Thank you all for your suggestions, and please do keep them coming. so far i particularly liked this:
RabidKitten wrote:Personally, I like books with some spin on life. Some introspection, something there that I can draw from and get a new kind of view on life in general from.that’s exactly what i’m looking for. so far from reading the suggestions, i think i need to check out Koontz, “The Alchemist,” “Ender’s Game,” etc.
A friend of mine suggested I read “The Count of Monte Cristo” as well, seeing as I mentioned I’m looking for some good books to get some “culture” from, heh. Meaning classic books, I guess.
So thank you, and keep suggesting!
I almost forgot to mention this book. It is called “Push” by Sapphire. If you are looking for a book that is twisted and nauseating, this is the book for you.
“Push” is about a young black girl who gets raped by her parents. She ends up having two babies by her father, goes to an alternative education insitution, and learns to live with AIDS. :sick:
The book is like a train wreck…it makes you sick to your stomache, but at the same time you can’t put it down.
How’s that for a spin on life?
gossipingrae wrote:Absolutely! I think I actually read it in 6th grade for the first time, but I really love it. You can read it in a day, I think probably less than 150 pages??Oh for sure. But then again, The Alchemist is also another one of those amazing books that you could probably read in a day as well. I love the charm of the alchemist too because its paperback is on recycled paper so the pages are all rough and uneven *wink*
I read The Giver first in the 7th grade for class as well *nod nod* But it really is something you can read over and over again.
gossipingrae wrote:Honestly Sam, I’ve only read one of them! I read “The Funhouse” last summer. The first one I read, and it was kinda creepy. Mid-80’s I’d say. I read that one book and got hooked on him! Unfortunately, cash is kinda tight lately so I’ve just been borrowing books from friends and relatives, none of wich are Dean Koontz. I guess you can’t really call me a fan. I’m a phony! 🙁Sometime this weekend I’ll have to go to the public library and get a card!
oooh! *squeels* I read the funhouse, and to be honest, it is a great one, I’ll never look at a carnival the same way again, phew! But really, he has some great other things out tha I think you’d love. I’d definately suggest looking at some of the ones I listed when you get your card *wink* They’re amazing. You’re in for one heck of a ride honey! *giggle*
Naw, no phony, just a newbie *cackles* And Push sounds…intense. OH! That’s another one! If you liked Push and Funhouse, I think you’d really like Koontz’s “Intensity”. It was the first I read and really an absolute rush.
I’m glad that you liked my little blurb there about meaning, Tom. Really, the Koontz books are great stories, but I’ve never concidered them particularly inspirational or able to turn my world a bit on the axis. But they really are just marvellously entertaining.
Tom Robbins , Cuelho and Chuck are the main three that I’ve found have really turned things on their ear for me. Greatly entertaining and amazing (especially things like veronika decides to die which a lot of it was taken from Cuelho’s own experiences from being committed to a ward three times), just like koontz, but koontz is mostly just a horror/suspense novelist.
If you enjoy the Alchemist, I definately suggest taking Veronika Decides to Die as well as Chuck’s Survivor and Invisible Monsters.
*yawn, stretch* I’ll see what other gems I can find as well. Lately I’ve been scraping for material, unfortunately. *sighs*
Girls – I’m in need of book suggestions for 5-6th graders. I’m counseling at a camp for a week and like to have a book-on-tape for the girls to listen to as they drift off to sleep. 😀 My kids are boys, and the kids I work with are little, so I’m looking for some suggestions from you all. What books did you really like when you were 11 or 12? They’ve got to be “clean”, but aside from that, anything goes.
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