I Need Something To Read

[Seil]

Like the title says - I'm looking for some reading material. Now, bear in mind, I'm picky about everything. Everything includes books, foods, clothing, whatever. The point is made.

I stopped reading Hemmingway's The Sun Also Rises because i felt that the dialogue was too stiff (I'm a fan of Tarantino dialogue and Smith dialogue - ie. casual stuff) but I flat out loved Milan Kunderas' The Lighter Side Of Being. Right now, I'm reading stories from the Vinyl Cafe - which, if you aren't Canadian, you might not have heard of. (But it's f*king great.)

Now, someone recommended me A Fine Balance. So that's prob'ly gonna go first. Anyone have something for the second?

[Kim]

Kafka on the Shore. Everything's a metaphor, half of it doesn't make sense, and it is fantastic.

[Gregness]

If you're not snobby about only reading "classics" or whatever, John Dies at the End is pretty fantastic. It's this weird blend of horror and comedy that I've never quite seen anywhere else. While I first read it, I laughed outloud every other page or so, and I had to sleep with the lights on for two weeks. I was 20.

If you're not above Fanfic, Shinji and Warhammer 40k is pretty awesome if you're able to just turn off your brain and enjoy the insanity.

For more mainstream authors (well, for certain values of "mainstream") The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein is also pretty kickass. Then, uh, pretty much anything by michael chrichton, especially Timeline and Prey.

[Seil]

Horror? Sign me up.

That being said, I've been meaning to read John Dies At The End since whoever wrote it started writing articles on Cracked.

[Professor Smarmiarty]

Dead Iraqis: Short stories of Ellis Sharp- best book ever. You'll probably hate it but that would just ben a case of you being wrong

[Seil]

but that would just ben a case of you being wrong

I'm wong all the time anyway, why would I fight it now? I'm sure I can track down some story that'd interest me.

[McTahr]

Seconding John Dies at the End. David Wong manages to blend the genres fairly well. Definitely better than you would expect from someone who writes articles on a comedy website.

[EVILNess]

War and Peace.

Do it.

[Seil]

War and Peace.

Do it.

Isnt't "War and Peace" like...
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This big? That'll take me a solid week to get through! Longer still if the PSN is up before then.

[Sky Warrior Bob]

The Dresden books by Jim Butcher are all pretty good, admittedly they really get good by the 4-5th book (depending on your opinion, but don't worry,the books are written so you could jump in at this point & not be completely lost). I really like the audiobooks, all read by James Marsters.

Anyway, the series is about a Detective/Wizard, the mechanics for magic and monsters make the books seem plausible & there are a number of good jokes - quips.

"An errand is getting a tank of gas or picking up a carton of milk or something. It is not getting chased by flying purple pyromaniac gorillas hurling incendiary poo."

You can find the short stories Restoration of Faith & Viginette here:
http://www.jim-butcher.com/books/dresden/side-jobs

There are 13 books so far (12 case books, & a collection of most of the released short stories). However, the intention is to release 23 in total (or 25, counting the current short story collection & the one that will eventually follow).


You might be interested in the first 4 books in the Seafort saga by David Feintuch. Sort of a British navy of the 1800s, except in space. (Which works better than you'd think.). I suggest the first 4, because that story is self contained. There are additional books, but the author died before they reach a satisfactory conclusion.