i know this is a very standard topic. but i'm too lazy to use the search button. i'm looking to do some reading this summer, what would you recommend?

WELL. What about.................

LoTR! GAGAGAGHHAH

<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0395925037/netphoorgsmas-20">Mein Kampf</a>

i just started reading more Timothy Findley. he's still definitely one of my favourite authors.

Originally posted by phaedrus
i just started reading more Timothy Findley. he's still definitely one of my favourite authors.

i've only read headhunter....which other ones would you recommend?

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1594480001/netphoorgsmas-20">the kite runner</a>

I have to read it for summer reading so let's read it together

sailor moon erotic fanfiction

<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0451211243/netphoorgsmas-20">the dark tower series</a>

^ and that

I just read 5 and 6 from the Dark Tower series, and number 7 is on hold at the library. Great books. I'm currently reading The Time Traveller's Wife.

books 5-7 kinda had a rushed feeling as opposed to the first four . . . but i guess i'd rather him crank em out rather than taking risk of him never being able to finish his story

i dont really read books. i was fronting.

reading is awesome dude. you should take a few from my collection

no thanks dude but can you buy me some beer? ^_!

where randall is, beer is

Originally posted by sarasvati
i know this is a very standard topic. but i'm too lazy to use the search button. i'm looking to do some reading this summer, what would you recommend?

remember to order your books through the <A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=netphoorgsmas-20">Netphoria Amazon link</a>.

^ lol

heh.

anyway. more suggestions!

<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0446676500/netphoorgsmas-20">The Autobiography of Martin Luther King (edited by Clayborne Carson)</a>

Song of the Bird by Anthony De Mello

No one ever listens to me but this book is fan-fuggin-tastic.

Originally posted by alexthestampede
the dark tower series

I'm actually currently reading the talisman by king and straub. it's been pretty good so far but my interest has kinda dropped since I got to the part where the kid had to put his trip across the country on hold in order to get a job and buy food. so I'm not very far into it, but I'm wondering if the dark tower series would be better. I think they're supposed to be somewhat similar anyway, right? 7 books sounds like quite a commitment tho...

I've also just started to read catch 22 by heller. I'd recommend this over the talisman. the writing is quite good and comical.

hard-boiled wonderland and the end of the world.

the illusionless man.

the last book I really enjoyed was <A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0385333498/netphoorgsmas-20">Sirens of Titan</a> by vonnegut. it's good if your looking for a funny and somewhat philosophical read...

Non fiction:

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0393315703/netphoorgsmas-20">The Blind Watchmaker</a> by Richard Dawkins — this is about evolution and peripheral issues (e.g. genetics, atheism, etc.). Fascinating stuff if you can handle it.

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0618485392/netphoorgsmas-20">A Devil's Chaplain</a> by Richard Dawkins — selected short pieces.

<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0385319460/netphoorgsmas-20">Fermat's Last Theorem</a> by Simon Singh — this is a book about mathematics and (ahem) "the world's greatest mathematical puzzle". Singh's prose isn't always the greatest but he's still very easy to read.

Fiction:

<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1582342156/netphoorgsmas-20">All Families Are Psychotic</a> by Douglas Coupland — short and affecting.

<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0312423209/netphoorgsmas-20">Mason & Dixon</a> by Thomas Pynchon — this one's a bit weird, but if you can get into the psuedo-Dickensian style it's pretty entertaining.

Eh, try some Dostoyevsky if you can put up with some heavy-handed Christian themes. His characterisations are second to none. <A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0553211757/netphoorgsmas-20">Crime & Punishment</a> has a cop-out ending but it's otherwise brilliant.

<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0345391802/netphoorgsmas-20">Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy</a> series by Douglas Adams. Humour is dated in places (mainly due to overexposure) but it's far more entertaining than the film.

Steven Erikson's <A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0765310015/netphoorgsmas-20">Malazan Book of the Fallen</a> series is a brilliant feat of imagination, and wonderfully written. If you like fantasy, that is. Other fantasy authors definitely worth investigating: Robin Hobb, George R.R. Martin, Stephen Donaldson. Avoid like the plague, regardless of what anyone tells you: Robert Jordan, David Eddings, David Gemmell, Terry Brooks, Sara Douglas. I can't remember who wrote those books about cave people (I think the first book in the series is called <A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0553250426/netphoorgsmas-20">Clan of the Cave Bear</a>) but avoid those, too.

Finally, Dan Brown's <A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0385513755/netphoorgsmas-20">The Da Vinci Code</a> is probably the worst book I've read in the last five years. Stay away from that shitstorm at all costs.

Originally posted by Jonny5


I'm actually currently reading the talisman by king and straub. it's been pretty good so far but my interest has kinda dropped since I got to the part where the kid had to put his trip across the country on hold in order to get a job and buy food. so I'm not very far into it, but I'm wondering if the dark tower series would be better. I think they're supposed to be somewhat similar anyway, right? 7 books sounds like quite a commitment tho...

I've also just started to read catch 22 by heller. I'd recommend this over the talisman. the writing is quite good and comical.

<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0345441036/netphoorgsmas-20">Black House</a> (the sequel to the talisman) is virtually a part of the dark tower series. here's some other King novels that tie into the dark tower series (off the top of my head):

-<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0451184963/netphoorgsmas-20">insomnia</a>
-<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0671024248/netphoorgsmas-20">Hearts in Atlantis</a>
-<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0671039741/netphoorgsmas-20">Salem's Lot</a>

...there's probably more that reference to the DT series, but all these books listed play a pivotal role in the saga

Originally posted by Lucky Day Spa
Non fiction:

The Blind Watchmaker by Richard Dawkins — this is about evolution and peripheral issues (e.g. genetics, atheism, etc.). Fascinating stuff if you can handle it.

A Devil's Chaplain by Richard Dawkins — selected short pieces.

Fermat's Last Theorem by Simon Singh — this is a book about mathematics and (ahem) "the world's greatest mathematical puzzle". Singh's prose isn't always the greatest but he's still very easy to read.

Fiction:

All Families Are Psychotic by Douglas Coupland — short and affecting.

Mason & Dixon by Thomas Pynchon — this one's a bit weird, but if you can get into the psuedo-Dickensian style it's pretty entertaining.

Eh, try some Dostoyevsky if you can put up with some heavy-handed Christian themes. His characterisations are second to none. Crime & Punishment has a cop-out ending but it's otherwise brilliant.

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series by Douglas Adams. Humour is dated in places (mainly due to overexposure) but it's far more entertaining than the film.

Steven Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen series is a brilliant feat of imagination, and wonderfully written. If you like fantasy, that is. Other fantasy authors definitely worth investigating: Robin Hobb, George R.R. Martin, Stephen Donaldson. Avoid like the plague, regardless of what anyone tells you: Robert Jordan, David Eddings, David Gemmell, Terry Brooks, Sara Douglas. I can't remember who wrote those books about cave people (I think the first book in the series is called Clan of the Cave Bear) but avoid those, too.

Finally, Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code is probably the worst book I've read in the last five years. Stay away from that shitstorm at all costs.

welcome to gen chat, my man.

why don't you learn something:

<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0684818868/netphoorgsmas-20">Lies My Teacher Told Me : Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong</a> - James Loewen

<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060083824/netphoorgsmas-20">Don't Know Much About History: Everything You Need To Know About American History But Never Learned</a> - Kenneth C. Davis

Since <A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0385513755/netphoorgsmas-20">The Da Vinci Code</a> was mentioned, I'd like to add my thoughts about it. Despite reading like a young adults' novel and a couple of obvious historical blunders, I was quite facinated by the contrarian ideas and theories it presented about christianity. I'd say its worth a quick read...borrow it, it's not worth spending money on...

<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0140249265/netphoorgsmas-20">Jane Urquhart - Away</a>

I was talking to someone about this book last night and i remember how much I loved it. I don't know if you'd like it though, ******... http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/0771086504/qid=1119246093/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_3_1/702-8838687-2588814 <- review.

Originally posted by Lucky Day Spa
Robin Hobb

Especially '<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/055357339X/netphoorgsmas-20">The Farseer Trilogy</a>'. Brilliant. Never made it through the 'Live ships' though.

Avoid Anne McCaffrey, unless you want to read the Fantasy version of days of our lives. Its the same fucking story every time, only the generations change.

Originally posted by Randall SandeII


Black House

I loved <A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0345441036/netphoorgsmas-20">Black House</a>. It just got so weird! Abballah doon! Gorg!

<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0553349481/netphoorgsmas-20">Tom Robbins - Another Roadside Attraction</a>.

do NOT judge this book by its cover. what a fucking fantastic read.

Originally posted by virago
Especially 'The Farseer Trilogy'. Brilliant. Never made it through the 'Live ships' though.
<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0553575635/netphoorgsmas-20">The Liveship Traders</a> is absolutely worth finishing. Probably my favourite of her three trilogies (<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0553582445/netphoorgsmas-20">The Tawny Man</a> is her third, and is again about Fitz). All three trilogies all tie in together. I love her books — probably the most well-rounded and believable characters I've read in fantasy. Amazingly human stuff.

Avoid Anne McCaffrey, unless you want to read the Fantasy version of days of our lives. Its the same fucking story every time, only the generations change.
Read one short story. That was enough for me. Ugh.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Lucky Day Spa
[B]
The Liveship Traders is absolutely worth finishing. Probably my favourite of her three trilogies (The Tawny Man is her third, and is again about Fitz). All three trilogies all tie in together. I love her books — probably the most well-rounded and believable characters I've read in fantasy. Amazingly human stuff.

I think its time I get back to reading more of her stuff. I found 'Royal Assasin' most heart-wrenching - I don't know, it really felt like having two lives when I read it. It felt so real .

Ah fuck, look at this mess I made. Sleeping with my eyes open

Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man. (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0679732764/netphoorgsmas-20)

i've been reading carl sagan recently. i just finished <A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0345346297/netphoorgsmas-20">the dragons of eden</a>, which was a really interesting look into the evolution of human intelligence. it was a quick read, too.

thanks for all the responses guys. i'll be sure to check some of these out.

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0571211895/netphoorgsmas-20"><i>Billy Corgan's : Blinking with Fists</i></a>

http://physics.miningco.com/od/philosophy/a/ADifferentUnive.htm

Originally posted by Lucky Day Spa

Finally, Dan Brown's <A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0385513755/netphoorgsmas-20">The Da Vinci Code</a> is probably the worst book I've read in the last five years. Stay away from that shitstorm at all costs.

I guess the reason it's so popular is because it sucks that bad.

White Noise (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0140077022/netphoorgsmas-20) by Don DeLillo. Has nothing to do with the Michael Keaton of the same name.

Perdido Street Staion (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0345459407/netphoorgsmas-20) by China Mieville. Highly imaginative fantasy steampunk.

Small Gods (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0061092177/netphoorgsmas-20) by Terry Pratchett. Funny and poigniant.

The Snow Leopard. (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0140255087/netphoorgsmas-20) by Peter Matthiessen. A Himalayan travelouge.

Originally posted by Trotskilicious
Small Gods (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0061092177/netphoorgsmas-20) by Terry Pratchett. Funny and poigniant.i recommend this as well

Originally posted by Trotskilicious
White Noise (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0140077022/netphoorgsmas-20) by Don DeLillo. Has nothing to do with the Michael Keaton of the same name.



that's what im reading right now. im a big post-modern buff but im just not digging it. but i did finally get to the airborne toxic event part and things are picking up

Originally posted by Randall SandeII


that's what im reading right now. im a big post-modern buff but im just not digging it. but i did finally get to the airborne toxic event part and things are picking up


i hope you come around to it

i love how all of the links were changed to netphoria/amazon.com links.

<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0446670251/netphoorgsmas-20">The Virgin Suicides, Jeffrey Eugenides</a>
<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0876855575/netphoorgsmas-20">Ham on Rye, Charles Bukowski</a>
or anything from Milan Kundera

I've also heard that "<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0375725601/netphoorgsmas-20">The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America</a>" by Erik Larson is really good.

Originally posted by Trotskilicious
Small Gods (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0061092177/netphoorgsmas-20) by Terry Pratchett. Funny and poigniant.


actually all discworld novels are superb. and 'only you can save the mankind' as well.

also:

A Long Way Down (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1573223026/netphoorgsmas-20) by Nick Hornby

On The Road - Jack Kerouac (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0140042598/netphoorgsmas-20)

anything by Chuck Palahniuk (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index=books&field-author-exact=Chuck%20Palahniuk/104-6038795-8315130)
His books are interesting and shouldn't take you very long to finish.

If you haven't actually ever read the book...
Alice in Wonderland (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0451527747/netphoorgsmas-20)
It's actually very funny, and not in a childish way

If you like fantasy...
The Mists of Avalon - Marion Zimmer Bradley (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0345350499/netphoorgsmas-20)

And of course..
Dune - Frank Herbert (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0441172717/netphoorgsmas-20)

Originally posted by vipbrj
On The Road - Jack Kerouac (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0140042598/netphoorgsmas-20)

i read 'billiard at half past nine' by heinrich böll last week. it was very cool and weird and touching and enlightening sort of. good good

Originally posted by Trotskilicious
I guess the reason it's so popular is because it sucks that bad.
Sarcasm?

It's basically a trashy thriller with some religious conspiracy theories layered over it to make it a little different. The prose is awful, the characters are wooden and the themes are simultaneously halfbaked and overindulged. It's popular because it's quick-paced and, well, it appeals to the lowest common denominator, for the same reason action movies like "XXX" make a lot of money.

Popularity != quality.

Originally posted by Lucky Day Spa

Sarcasm?

It's basically a trashy thriller with some religious conspiracy theories layered over it to make it a little different. The prose is awful, the characters are wooden and the themes are simultaneously halfbaked and overindulged. It's popular because it's quick-paced and, well, it appeals to the lowest common denominator, for the same reason action movies like "XXX" make a lot of money.

Popularity != quality.

I agree with you. I hate that book. And it doesn't help that a lot (not all) of the people I know that have read that book take it as fact... or think reading the book bestowed on them some awesome knowledge of christianity or something.

Originally posted by Lucky Day Spa


Popularity != quality.

No. Shit.

Originally posted by vipbrj


I agree with you. I hate that book. And it doesn't help that a lot (not all) of the people I know that have read that book take it as fact... or think reading the book bestowed on them some awesome knowledge of christianity or something.

Chuck Palahinuk is so alternative.

Originally posted by Trotskilicious
No. Shit.
Just making sure. What was the point of your post? I appear to have missed it. :confused:

Originally posted by mistle
i read 'billiard at half past nine' by heinrich böll last week. it was very cool and weird and touching and enlightening sort of. good good

hey i guess i read that one in school once. is it about that architect's family?
where the son bombed his father's building, and the grandson is now going to build it up again?

Originally posted by Trotskilicious


Chuck Palahinuk is so alternative.

Not really... the guy that recommended him to me was the least alternative guy I know; he was a redneck.

Ishmael, Story of B, and My Ishmael by Daniel Quinn.

Originally posted by the antipop


hey i guess i read that one in school once. is it about that architect's family?
where the son bombed his father's building, and the grandson is now going to build it up again?

that's the one. i actually the thought while reading it that it's exactly the kind of books your schools would be ruining to thousands of kids

The Fall (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0679720227/qid=1119382884/sr=8-6/ref=pd_csp_6/102-5128570-9288937?v=glance&s=books&n=507846) - Albert Camus

One of the most affecting reads I've had in some time.

Originally posted by Egadsman
The Fall (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0679720227/qid=1119382884/sr=8-6/ref=pd_csp_6/102-5128570-9288937?v=glance&s=books&n=507846) - Albert Camus

One of the most affecting reads I've had in some time.

i like the rebel

Originally posted by mistle


that's the one. i actually the thought while reading it that it's exactly the kind of books your schools would be ruining to thousands of kids

you didn't understand me:
"i read it in school" =/= "i had to read it in school".
but your right, that kind of books is our teachers' favourite.
heinrich böll is maybe too good, tho, and as we all know - german teacher don't let their pupils read good books :/

oh, like that. that's good. it's so hard to enjoy something when you have to all schoolishly tear it apart and analyze it and so on. like poems. i can enjoy poetry, but fuck i hated it so much in classes

Originally posted by Egadsman
The Fall (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0679720227/qid=1119382884/sr=8-6/ref=pd_csp_6/102-5128570-9288937?v=glance&s=books&n=507846) - Albert Camus

One of the most affecting reads I've had in some time.


I loved this book, but I've only read it in English. I've bought the original in French a few months ago...I should give it a try.

Originally posted by spring



I loved this book, but I've only read it in English. I've bought the original in French a few months ago...I should give it a try.

hey i read the original too and just recently bought a copy in French also.
i decided i would try to learn French by reading "La chute" and just using babelfish to help me translate certain words but i haven't really accomplished much yet. i was intimidated one sentence into attempting it. =/

Originally posted by spa ced


hey i read the original too and just recently bought a copy in French also.
i decided i would try to learn French by reading "La chute" and just using babelfish to help me translate certain words but i haven't really accomplished much yet. i was intimidated one sentence into attempting it. =/


yeah...i can recommend you easier things to read in French than Camus. I'll try to think about something that won't be too hard to find though. I don't know how many French bookstores you have over there. I can think of Annie Ernaux and Alina Reyes as authors, but I'll get back to you with book titles.

Hmm... maybe 'Passion simple' (by A.E.) and 'Au corset qui tue' (by Reyes)

Originally posted by Lucky Day Spa

Just making sure. What was the point of your post? I appear to have missed it. :confused:

Figures.

youth in revolt by c.d. payne