- NEW!
by anonymous on August 13th, 2006
I would personally recommend to a random person such as myself and perhaps you:
Join Me- Danny Wallace- The story of a man who accidentally started his own cult
The Yes Man- Danny Wallace- The story of the same man saying yes to absolutly evry question he was asked
Are You Dave Gorman?- Dave Gorman- The story of two men, a lot of booze and time to waste, and a hell of a load of Dave Gormans!
Googlewhack Adventure- Dave Gorman- One man, another stupid bet and googlewhacks!
These guys are my heros, because they devote so much time and effort into randomness, and their dedication is amazing! They are best friends, and it always seems to start with them getting bored, drinking and having a bet! Its always a laugh!
by Mr. McClister on July 27th, 2006
Blowing my Cover-Lindsay Moran
The Gunslinger-Stephen King
Wrinlke in Time- Madielline L'engel
Post Secret-Frank Warren
The Alaphabet of Manliness-MADDOX
The Da Vinci Code-Dan Brown
To Kill a Mockingbird-Harper Lee
Of Mice and Men-John Steinbeck
The Heroes-Charles Kingsley
Gilgamesh
by Over and Out on August 24th, 2011
How to Succeed in School
by Rita Book
by Stronghart on August 12th, 2007
Although I agree with Pathfinder on cormac McCarthy, I would add still another author to the list.
Paul Auster: New York Trilogy, Leviathan, In the country of Last Things, Art of Hunger, Moon Palace, Music of Chance--and many others.
Pathfinder left our McCarthy's famous, All the Pretty Horses.
Don't forget Milan Kundera.
Now you have a good starting list for contemporary novelists.
by Darryl61 on July 23rd, 2006
The dictionary. Every time I open it, I learn something new.
by PrivateGomerSpooner on August 24th, 2011
Proctology For Beginners written by Dr. Ben Dover.
by Catsrock- Member of LOCLAB on December 4th, 2008
I just read the Time traveler's wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Amazing. Really brilliant.
by Done. never again. on December 4th, 2008
Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs.
by king of ellipses on August 18th, 2008
I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb
I hope nobody says The Bible...lame answer.
by .....----- on August 4th, 2007
Perfume history of a murderer by Patrick Suskind
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
The picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert
Crime and punishment by Fedor Dostoievski
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
by sleidman on June 6th, 2007
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, it's an easy read yet incredibly well written.
by Darkling on August 10th, 2006
I'm a total sci-fi/fantasy addict. I typically try to find a good author and then end up reading everything they've written. As such, my list will start out with authors because listing all their good books would take way too long! Some of my favorites are:
Robert Asprin - His fantasy humor Myth series is a classic. I haven't been too impressed with the latest releases in it but how can you beat a bumbling magician that can barely whip up some sparks and smoke that ends up with a reputation as the most powerful and feared wizard in all the dimensions.
Anne Bishop - I somehow missed her Black Jewels trilogy when it first came out. Someone recommended it on their Amazon list so I gave it a try. The first book was a little slow to start with but picked up speed like a roller coaster. A very dark world with a lot of suffering (not for younger readers), some glimmers of hope, and a love story at the core. I found the behavior of the characters a little odd in the third book but that might just be me.
Jim Butcher - I love his Harry Dresden series. I guess the best description is 'wizard noir.' Fun to read with an empathetic main character. He recently started a new series, Codex Alera, that is a good sword and magic type of fantasy with an interesting spin on the magic part.
Rachel Caine - Her Weather Warden series really takes a new tract when it comes to mystical powers and djinn. These are so action packed and such a fast read, I practically get whiplash. Not a series to start if you have a project due or need to get to bed on time.
C.S. Friedman - Her Coldfire trilogy is a classic 'humanity struggling against being squished' tale. It's been a long time since I read it so I forgot most of the story. Definitely time for a re-read! She also wrote one of my favorite science fiction computer geek novels. This Alien Shore is based in enough technological reality that it didn't wrench me out of the book with glaring factual errors. It follows the mysterious Jamisia through a dangerous world of technology and a guild that controls all space travel and will do anything to keep their monopoly.
Laurell K. Hamilton - I debated whether I should include her on this list or not. Her Anita Blake series started out as a fantastic supernatural whodunit. Vampires, werewolves, zombies, and some great character development. It could be a little racy at times but not egregiously so. Sadly, the series devolved into hollow characters and flimsy plots that were just a vehicle for porn. I wouldn't say I'm a prude and if you like where the series went, more power to you. I just miss the vibrant stories of the first eight books. I am only recommending these books up to, and including Obsidian Butterfly. Read beyond at your own risk. Her Meredith Gentry series gets the same explicit content, flimsy plot warning.
Robin Hobb - She has three trilogies that take place in the same world. Start with the Farseer Trilogy (follow assassin's apprentice Fitz through a life full of intrigue), then Liveship Traders (high seas adventures. Different characters but the final trilogy won't be as meaningful if you skip this one), and then Tawny Man (I don't think this was as strong as the others but you have to read it to see how it ends!). This is storytelling on an epic scale.
Tanya Huff - She's a very prolific writer with five different series and several stand alone novels (not a dud in the bunch in my opinion). Her stuff may not be for younger readers if parents object to same sex couples. I only say this because some people offend easily when it comes to any type of homosexuality. She presents it realistically and without flinching or being self-conscious. Nothing too graphic as I recall. That said, her two vampire series are eminently readable. The newest one is a spin off of the first and offers in interesting look into TV show production. The Four Quarters quartet is bardic high fantasy. The Keeper series is amusing and has a crabby old cat in it. Good enough for me :) The Valor series is light science fiction. If you like space stories but aren't into some of the heavy hitters, this is for you.
Larry Niven - I love his Ringworld series. I read it when I was 12 or 13 so I should probably give it another go as I'm sure I'll have a completely different perspective now. This is a superlative example of science fiction writing. I would classify the Ringworld itself among the list of interesting characters. Ahh, such flights of engineering fancy.
J.K. Rowling - If you haven't heard about Harry Potter by now, it's time to crawl out of your bunker and give it a try. It's just as enjoyable a read for adults and one could even argue that the latest books are a little too grim for younger children.
Now, for the single recommendations. I'm not saying the other things these authors have written are bad, I either didn't consider them 'best of' list worthy or haven't read them.
Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett - Hilarious. I don't recommend reading this in public because people won't sit next to someone who's cackling madly. Who knew the antichrist and the end of the world would be so entertaining. If you have no sense of humor when it comes to religion, you may just want to avoid this one.
Headcrash by Bruce Bethke - my absolute favorite computer geek novel of all time. He went a little psycho writing the ending but if you ignore the last 10 pages of the book, it's perfect.
Snow Crash by Neil Stephenson - Greatly imaginative cyberpunk novel. I love the way he portrays the virtual world the Internet has become.
Tailchaser's Song by Tad Williams - Every cat lover should read this book. Told from the feline point of view as Tailchaser tries to rescue his friend Hushpad. Reminiscent of Watership Down.
If this is too much fiction for you and you want something that will make you think, try Hyperspace by Michio Kaku. I've been working on this one for a while. I read a page or so and then have to take a break to chew on it. He has great descriptions of complex theories. Since we're only used to three spatial dimensions, trying to imagine what the fourth spatial dimension would be like is tough. His description was about as clear as anyone could get :)
There were so many others that I left out but I had to draw the line somewhere. Happy reading!
by lady fuschia on July 27th, 2006
I can give you some of my personal favorites, though I don't know if they'll appeal to everyone:
Frankenstein - Mary Shelley (My favorite book ever- there's so many levels you can read it on adventure/ horror story, cautionary tale, religious allegory..)
Valley of the Dolls- Jaqueline Susann (a real girly read, but with a dark side)
Rebecca- Daphne Du Maurier (The most haunting book I've ever read- and I can reda it again and again)
Through a Glass Darkly- Sheridan Le Fanu (Mainly because it contains "Carmilla" which I think is the ultimate vampire story- one of the main inspirations for Bram Stoker's "Dracula" which I'd also recommend)
The Magic Toyshop - Angela Carter (One of my favorite writers anyway, she can do no wrong- but this is probably her best. Really beautiful modern fairy tale)
A Series of Unfortunate Events- Lemony Snickett (The whole series, these books are so much fun! Make a change from usual sacharrine children's fare)
His Dark Materials Trilogy - Phillip Pullman (would recommend for children or adults- blew my mind!)
The Secret History- Donna Tartt (real good thriller- read it in 24 hours cos I couldn't put it down)
The Beach- Alex Garland (The book is about three hundred times better than the film)
Brighton Rock - Grahame Greene (wonderful writer, really interesting book, explores the problem of Catholic guilt)
Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons (Very, very funny- you'll like it if you like things like Hamish Macbeth on the TV)
Lolita- Vladimir Nabokov (More notorious than widely read, more moral than most people expect)
Bitch- Elizabeth Wurtzel (my kind of feminism - good for anyone who wants a job, the vote, the right to choose and Chanel lipstick)
New Hopes for a Changing World - Bertrand Russel (An example of why you don't need to be religious to be a good person)
Perfume- Patrick Suskind (You'll need a strong stomach as its very gory at times, but its a wonderful tale of murder in 18th century France)
Anyway- I'm getting carried away now...
by misha1227 on August 24th, 2011
a brief history of time by stephen hawking is a relaxing read
by Trident on August 24th, 2011
I sure can!
by Anonymous on November 21st, 2009
The Taking by Dean Koontz
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Face by Dean Koontz
-
Those are some of my absolute favorites and all are great books. Anything by Dean Koontz is great. He is kind of like Stephen King but with less scary and more action.
by Lady Alathia of Vulcan on December 4th, 2008
Got a particular genre in mind? ^_^
A recent read of mine that I really enjoyed was titled: "The Murder of Regilla". It was a study of a domestic abuse/murder trial surrounding the death of a Roman woman married to a Greek man, around 170 AD.
by Squirrel Face on August 18th, 2008
The Five People you Meet in Heaven.
by pathfinder on August 11th, 2007
Most people have left good book & author lists.
Here's an author I didn't see who may be the finest serious writer in the US today.
Cormac McCarthy -- "Blood Meridian", "The Road", many others.
Here's a book that I am reading right now that seems as though it is going to be a good, serious novel:
Kalookie Nights, Howard Jacobson
by hijklmno on August 4th, 2007
Some suggestions that haven't been suggested in the other answers:
Georges Perec
Italo Calvino
Milan Kundera
Gunter Grass
Jorges Luis Borges
Julio Cortazar
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Christopher Isherwood
Bruce Chatwin
Beowulf
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
George Mackay Brown
Alasdair Gray
by WABOO on August 24th, 2011
How to Cook Chicken.
by Pintapride on August 24th, 2011
The Bible for Muslims,
The New Testament for Jews,
The Quran for Athiests,
by Schroeder on December 4th, 2008
Robert Heinlein's Stanger in a Strange Land
Neil Giaman's Neverwhere
John Irving's The World According to Garp
Ernert Hemmingway's For Whom the Bell Tolls
I know; I'm a broken record.
jez, do kids even know what the broken records thing means anymore?
"Me cajo en le leche!"
by uncacal on December 4th, 2008
The Secret of Santa Vittoria by Robert Crichton
by Anonymous on December 4th, 2008
"The Highly Sensitive Person, How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You"
by jimmypaddy on December 4th, 2008
have a nice day - mick foley (autobiography)
by knotcrafter@yahoo.com on August 18th, 2008
Two equally come to mind: "The Prophet" by Kahlil Gibran and "The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus" by John R. Cross. Both have timeless messages and are easy reads.
by Serendipity Sal on August 18th, 2008
Every woman should read books by SARK -
Succulent Wild Woman ... Eating Mangoes Naked ... Live a Juicy Life ... etc.
Her books are vibrant and inspiring.
by iNSOMNiACK on August 18th, 2008
The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King.
-Its all part of the plan
by MaineMoody on August 11th, 2007
Cormac McCarthy is one of the greatest authors writing today. I agree. In addition to Blood Meridian and The Road, you can read Outer Dark, Child of God, No Country for Old Men. He writes flowing, poetic sentences. His subject is life and death.
by Ender is back.. And slightly confused. on August 4th, 2007
Orson Scott Card
Frank Herbert
Michael Crichton
Ray Bradbury
Isaac Asimov
Richard Feynman
JK Rowling
Bertrand Russell
Franz Kafka
Fyodor Dostoevsky
by unknown on August 4th, 2007
Jane Austin
Agatha Christie
Dean Koontz
Stephen King
Robin Cook, early works
Michael Crichton
William Shakespeare
Anne Rice, any of her early work
J.R.R. Tolkien
C.S. Lewis
Jules Verne
Edgar Rice Burroughs
H.G. Wells
Lawrence Sanders
Charles Dickens
Emily, Anne, and Charlotte Bronte
Nathaniel Hawthorn
Edith Wharton, "The Age of Innocence"
Harper Lee, "To Kill a Mockingbird"
by Tom on August 4th, 2007
Some of my favourite classics (which everyone should read in their life time, really) include:
'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee
'Catcher in the Rye' by J.D Salinger
'Catch 22' by Joseph Heller
'1984' and 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell
For more modern authors, Terry Pratchett is my personal favourite although you have to be quite interested in fantasy novels and understand English humour to enjoy his books.
I recently read 'The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid' by Bill Bryson. The book recounts the author's childhood in 1950's America. It's a light jovial tale that is both hilarious and fascinating. I would honestly recommend it to anyone no matter their taste in books.
by trouble54 on September 26th, 2006
The Bible
Kids - The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke, The Mr. Men series by Hargrave (?)
Historial/Romance - Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Classic - Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne
Fantasy - Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
Chick Lit - Sushi for Beginners by Marian Keyes
Thriller/Suspense - The Poet by Michael Connolly
Fiction - The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Humour - Jpod by Douglas Coupland
by anonymous on July 27th, 2006
A book called " Why men don't listen and women can't read maps " amazon: ( http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0767907639/sr=8-1/qid=1154023251/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-2550532-4102360?ie=UTF8 )
by SandraSandboxes Has a Loony Cat on August 24th, 2011
Unfortunately, I cannot read. I'm illegitimate. :(
by dazed on August 24th, 2011
The Secret Rhonda Byrne
Fel The Fear And Do It Anyway Susan Jeffers :)
by Anonymous T on November 21st, 2009
This one:
http://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/s/schopenhauer/arthur/controversy/
It's one of the shortest and most important
books one can read IMO. It can be tough to
understand for someone without the background,
but it's well worth it.
.
It talks about how people use the language to
confuse others and make them believe that their
beliefs are true. And how to defend against it.
by gradyjones on November 21st, 2009
The Unbearable Lightness of Being - Milan Kundera
Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
These are just some that come to mind that I enjoyed reading.
by acablue on November 21st, 2009
Kite Runner...just read it...you will be glad you did.
by Pirastic on November 21st, 2009
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Both of these books I really enjoyed reading.
by Anonymous on November 20th, 2009
The series that starts with the book Magician by Raymond E Feist, because they're an excellent series.
+5
by The Prophet on May 24th, 2009
The God Delusion--by Stephen Dawkins
by Skariff on April 2nd, 2009
"The Road Less Traveled" by M. Scott Peck
by Anon y mouse on December 4th, 2008
Spiritual Enlightenment: The Damnedest Thing by Jed McKenna.
by jbigie on June 28th, 2008
Douglas Adams: "Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency"
by Yeahwell... on August 13th, 2007
"From the Corner of His Eye" - Dean Koontz
"The Testament" and "Street Lawyer" by John Grisham
I'm currently reading "Richochet" by Sandra Brown
by Brian I on August 4th, 2007
If you enjoy a sweeping historical novel covering thousands of years that gives you information as well as entertainment look up James A Michener. Give a miss to 'Space' though.
Anything by Wilbur Smith gives a good read as well as an insight into the mindset of people living in Africa.
The James Herriot series of books is full of humour and a vision of British life in the immediate pre and post war years.
My absolute favourite books are the C S Forrester Hornblower novels, but you would probably have to have an understanding of the way that sailing boats work to get the most from them.
If you enjoy history the novels of Phillipa Gregory give a wonderful insight into English Mediaeval history while entertaining at the same time.
If you like science fiction then Isaac Asimov has got to be your man and for fantasy have a look at Terry Pratchett.
Iain Banks and Iain M Banks (the same author, but writing in different genres) is sometimes spell-binding and sometimes difficult to keep up with, but always beautifully written.
Oh, what the hell, just grab a book and read it.
by Babycakes Deux on August 4th, 2007
Janet Evanovich and Sue Grafton inject humor into mystery type stories - they're both GREAT. Mary Higgins Clark isn't as good a writer, but she tells GREAT stories.
by phile4evr on August 4th, 2007
Yesterday I read "The Little Prince". (By Antoine de Saint-Exupery) It's less than 90 pages so it's a quick read but it's a parabole, so you'll probably need to read it a few times to fully understand it. It's amazing!
What should an introduction include?
by Answerbag Staff on February 12th, 2010
| 1 person likes this
help me, did anyone read this book Barack Obama Dreams from my father?
by THENETWORKA on January 7th, 2012
| 1 person likes this
Does my novel seem good so far?
by Daniel. on January 2nd, 2012
| 6 people like this
What would be a terrible opening line in a book?
by elizabeth17 on January 20th, 2012
| 21 people like this
Which character flaw appeals to you the most?
by Voatana on January 2nd, 2012
| 2 people like this
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Comments
The Dave Gorman Tv prog was great! Haven't read the book though, maybe I will.
by lady fuschia on August 31st, 2006