How Novel

[grieck]

We've a thread for music recommendations, a sub forum for video games, why not something literary as well?

I say we use this thread as talking about and recommending our favorite writers and works. Be it poetry, novels, short stories, autobiographies even, so long as it is the written word here is the place to talk of it! And yes, I'm actually a little proud of the stupid Pun Title.

[Wonkyth]

What little pleasurable reading I have the time and inclination to do these days is usually spent reading A Song of Ice and Fire, which is pretty decent so far. I used to be a heavy reader, growing up two minutes walk from the local library and all. I didn't learn to read 'til I was about nine, so I wasted less time on 'lesser' books!
Not much time for a solid reading session these days, or at least I find myself in the mood for it less... :/

[Birdorf]

I've only just read The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe, I should have read it years ago, great book.
Also, great thread title.

[Sparkle]

Best Book I've Ever Read:

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

It was so powerful and I related to it so much.
Truly a must read for teens and young adults who are still trying to figure out who they are and what they want from life.

[supermariousa]

I recently was asigned to read some books for school so I choose the Johnny Dixon Mystery books, At first I thought: Aw I bet these will suck!!! But instead I really like em.

[grieck]

For recommendations, of course I suggest you all read some Gaiman, be it a novel (go for American Gods or The Graveyard Book) to his short story collections (Fragile Things would be a good choice).

In the mood for a good read that'll leave you a bit depressed by the end I suggest Tom Rachman's The Imperfectionists. It's about a failing international English-language newspaper in Rome, and the lives of those who work there as it crumbles around them.

As for books that have affected me personally, there are few, takes a moment of thought to really decide which have. House of Leaves and the works of H. P. Lovecraft left an impression on my thoughts of how horror should be. The former really makes your own mind the enemy, with little in way of explanation going a long way (I quality I learned first to truly appreciate in the Series of Unfortunate Events). The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy "trilogy" was key in developing my current sense of humor. Shakespeare's Julius Caesar I had loved since I read in high school, but only recently have I reflected on it enough to take meaning. The betrayal of a good man by a loyal friend, all to prevent a assumed tyranny. Sure there's all about the asshole power-hungry Conspirators, and all after Caesar's death, but what strikes me is Brutus. He who loved Caesar more than any other, willing to kill in the name of greater good, though with great personal struggle. I see myself in him, to be honest. Perhaps Brutus was wrong in his choice, but his motives were pure, and in the end their actions did lead to the reign of Octavian, of Caesar Augustus and the Pax Romana, what some would call the greatest period of Rome's history.

One other lesson I've taken from Caesar, ever since I first read it. "Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely." Caesar died a hero, but had he lived, inevitably he would've become a villain with all his power (I totally didn't intend that to go all Dark Knight). Speaking of power and politics, one last thing comes to mind that I've taken from books: an inherent mistrust of government. Orwell's Animal Farm and 1984 leaving that impression upon me.

EDIT: accidentally wrote TRUST of government. WHOOOOOOOPS.

[Wonkyth]

I've spent a lot of time reading random fantasy, because most of the other books at the library completely failed to sell themselves to me. What can I say, I'm a sucker for something which displays a hint of interest to come. -_-
But enough about Blurbs/covers/reviews all sucking.
I used to have a theory that I was a trend-setter for certain fantasy. I'd read a book, and then exactly three months later I'd see it on all the 'hot rad' lists.
This happened four or five times, at least. Certainly, I can remember it happening with the Rangers Apprentice books(pity word Apprentice has become a bit old. Very promising author, I thought) and The Ill-made Mute! ^__^

As far as Gaiman goes, I generally prefer his stuff for younger readers.
Like, I read a fair few of his proper novelic stuff, and definitely enjoyed it, but it just never seemed to have the charm of The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish or The Wolves in the Walls. I quite liked his collaboration with Terry Pratchett, Good Omens, as their different writing styles mixed together into a wonderfully eyebrow-raiser.
Terry Pratchett is certainly an author whom I follow avidly. I'm fast approaching the terrible state of having no more of his books to read, especially with him having Alzheimer's! D:
Orson Scott Card's books, Ender's Game and Ender's Shadow particularly, I love. Having got Ender's Game as an audio-book(VERY high-quality, as overseen by Card himself, and even with a cameo! ^__^) when I was younger, it is probably one of my most read(read: listened-to) books, with 78 full runs through so far! It serves as much inspiration, and has an INCREDIBLY useful library of tropes to draw upon when explaining ideas.
Recently, I've been getting back into Jasper Fforde[sic] and his completely original and wacky take on writing.
Also, much of the reading I've done in the past two weeks has been less for pleasure, and more as a form of study. I want to do more than just make games. I want to make games that leave an impact(obligatoryplug), as all good books do. It is possible(see plug), and I figure where better to start than what left it's mark on me!
Anyway, I have to sleep some, now...
Laters!

* Wonkyth goes to read Eye to Eye, by Catherine Jinks.

[Mvskoke]

Best Book I've Ever Read:

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

It was so powerful and I related to it so much.
Truly a must read for teens and young adults who are still trying to figure out who they are and what they want from life.

I almost read this because we have to read a "banned" book for english but I couldnt find it so Im reading 1984 instead

[Kirby]

I'm reading "A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius" by Dave Eggers. It's a funny, sad book, and it'll definitely make you think. I'll try to not spoil too much, just go pick it up!