Books

[Oznogrd]

Obviously since we're all on a message board online we all know how to read so I was just curious to what are everyone's favorite books (and/or authors), what you're reading right now, and what's on your list to get to. hell even throw in some hated's

Faves:
Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger-by far my favorite book of all time, Holden Caulfield is the straight icon of teenage angst, way before the likes of Cobain and Green Day

Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams-I've yet to read the fifth in the series but the first four greatly amused me and it has become one of my favorites

The Godfather by Mario Puzo-My favorite movie is even better in book form

It/Salem's Lot/Dark Tower Series/Most of Stephen King-I hate horror flicks but i love this guy's writing. Yeah once in a while he drops a giant turd (tommyknockers i will never understand the allure of, nor for desperation/insomnia and hordes of others he wrote just to give more back story to his dark tower series) It, Salem's Lot, The first 4 of the Dark Tower series, short stories: Night Shift is amazing and novellas: different seasons has 3 stories that are amazing out of 4....but anyway I'll stop raving now

Currently/Recently Reading:
300 by Frank Miller-saw the preview for this and was intrigued and picked it up from my local library. Very short, but amazing artwork and a decent storyline make this a good quick graphic novel read

V for Vendetta-I've been a graphic novel kick lately and being obsessed with this movie to the point of a disorder, i picked up the book. While alot different tone/message than the movie (V is an anarchist moreso than righting wrongs done to him), still an excellent plot, great artwork, and fantastic subtle jokes.

Secret History (forgot who its by)-This book was about a bunch of kids at a norteastern college in greek class. I dont want to give anything away but lets say its alot more interesting than it sounds. Check it out if your bored

Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown-All i can say is after all the hype i was duly unimpressed. Nothing stellar to speak of. Interesting sure, but not remarkable by any means.

On my list:
Like I said, i've been on a graphic novel kick so i'm trying to get ahold of sin city, watchmen, and maybe some other Frank Miller or Alan Moore works...Anyone got any suggestions for me?

[Zoom]

Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger-by far my favorite book of all time, Holden Caulfield is the straight icon of teenage angst, way before the likes of Cobain and Green Day

I remember that book was mentioned in a writing class of mine. Didn't know I would hear the title again.

I like Da Vinci Code too. The writing isn't great as you have said but it's the fact that Dan Brown makes you want to keep reading. The plot twists and continuous action keeps the reader intrigued. I think it was hype and controversy which got it to sell. It's not really the best book if you are trying to learn to write from. For me, I was impressed with how I was transfixed into the read... the read itself may not have been dull but the language use wasn't that professional.

And also, I like Harry Potter novels. Sif you wouldnt like them!

[Oznogrd]

Yeah i left Harry Potter out of my list, i'm a dork, its ok I've read the first 4 countless times, the 5th 3 times and the 6th once (the 6th is my sister's so i only get to borrow it which is tough from 1100 miles away) I might as well throw Tolkien into the list while i'm at it. Long descriptions but amazing if you can get through it...

Also i forgot Hunter S...The ultimate cynic gonzo journalist, when the going gets weird, the weird turn pro

[JaoSming]

Angels and Demons

Da Vinci Code

7 Roads to Hell (WWII book, i forget it but i know i loved reading it)

and of course

[Zoom]

LOTR and Harry Potter. I'm a Star Wars fan so... the Timothy Zahn books were great!

Harry Potter... the 7th book is coming I think... can't wait to see how the story ends.

[Eugene]

I'm also a huge fan of Stephen King. Say what you will about horror novels and the fantasy/Sci-Fi genre in general, but this guy is legit.

I also like Ender's Game, first in the Ender series. The other book by Orson Scott Card I liked was Xenocide. Less accessible than Ender's Game, but nonetheless rewarding.

I'm going to throw out a title out there: Slam Dunk, a manga (Japanese graphic novel) by Takehiko Inoue. When you talk about manga and comic books as legitimate literature, this is the book you bring up--this and Inoue's other work about Miyamoto Musashi. Inoue is a genius: if Slam Dunk had been a book, it would've become a classic by now.

[Cable]

I also like Ender's Game, first in the Ender series. The other book by Orson Scott Card I liked was Xenocide. Less accessible than Ender's Game, but nonetheless rewarding.

I've read all of that series. I think it's the originality of the plot that makes them excellent, but there's definately nothing wrong with his writing either. I highly reccomend all of the series.

[bigh0rt]

I'm currently reading a fictional book that ties in with the show LOST, called Bad Twin. About 1/2 way through and enjoying it...

[Joe']

I'm currently reading "All Flowers Die" by Andrew K.Stone, I'm almost finished with it and I think that overall it's a nice book. It is a bit weird though, because I'm reading it in English (they haven't translated it in Italian or Spanish, which are the two languages I'm fluent in) and like every seven, eight pages I have to pick up my dictionary to translate some phrase/word.
I don't read that much anymore but I used to read a lot before. Other books I like are "Jack Frusciante è uscito dal gruppo" ("Jack Frusciante left the band" in English) by Enrico Brizzi, "Brida" by Paulo Coehlo and of course "The hobbit" and the "Lord of the Rings" series by JRR Tolkien.

[Null17]

Not really reading anything at the moment. But I am continously reading a comic book series called Fables and its spin-offs.

Last book I read was Edge's biography Adam Copeland on Edge. Recent read comic books/graphic novels are: Watchmen, Death: The High Cost of Living, Death: The Time of Your Life and The Day I Swapped My Dad for a Goldfish.

By recently, I mean the last few months

[Oznogrd]

How was watchmen null? I've heard mixed things. Also, they're making a movie based on it

[Null17]

Loved it. Takes on a more serious and philosophical approach to superheroes. It kinda gets heavy and confusing at times though.

[nzspurs]

I'll be reading this one...

http://eurweb.com/story/eur29035.cfm

[Laxation]

Everything by Matthew Riley is great He writes action novels based on military stuff pretty much, the best one is Ice Station.

[Matt]

i got a mini library cranking at home. Fav author is probably John Grisham.

Best book i've read in the last 6 months is by Frederick Forsyth - The Afghan.

[Jugs]

I don't have the mental capacity or patience to read books anymore. The last book I read completely was some stupid book called Dusk. It was so stupid and shitty, it put me off books. In the past 18 months, I have not read any 3 of the books required to read for school (The Hobbit by Tolkien and two stupid books from Australian authors).

I'm not calling books stupid, I'm calling stupid books stupid. Although The Hobbit is genius, I don't like it. Next semester I have to read Romeo and Juliet or Looking for Alibrandi, or both. I loved the Alibrandi movie so it'll probably end up being the first book i've read completely in a long time.

[benji]

There are really too many books one could consider a "favorite" to list...

Currently reading:
"Happy Days Were Here Again" - William F. Buckley
"The Heritage Guide To The Constitution"
"Presidental Leadership" - James Taranto
"Twentieth Century Europe: Politics, Society, Culture" - Spencer DiScala

With his death, need to read a ton of Friedman's suff. So much to read...need to read Berman's "Terror and Liberalism" again.

Staying away from fiction (unless you count Woodward's books) anymore...not sure why. Did read all of Batman: Hush in a sitting a few months back. Because they're short reads probably, preferring things to take in and ponder over the weeks.

[ixcuincle]

Just finished this :



http://www.amazon.com/Franchise-Buildin ... 0688095739

Story of how the 1988-89 Detroit Pistons won the championship.

[cyanide]

I'm having a nice little library of typography and graphic design books.

It's a little sad to know that I'm most excited about getting a $50 gift certificate to Amazon.ca this Christmas.

[---]

hey cyanide, I'm interested in Graphic Design if Architecture doesn't turn out for me. Are you studying it at the moment and are you planning on using it as acareer (and if so doing what exactly)? Thanks.

[cyanide]

I'm actually graduating with a BDes degree this coming April, and I'm very passionate with graphic design, so yes, it is my career. I'm probably going to start my own business as soon as I graduate.

[Silas]

My favorites are:

Catch-22 - Joseph Heller
Slaughterhouse 5 - Kurt Vonnegut
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams

I'm currently reading:

Gulliver's Travels - Jonathon Swift (Its alright. The "old style english" isn't that bad and some parts of it are sorta funny)

And sometimes I read The Salmon of Doubt - Douglas Adams. (Its his last book and is great to read for like 5-20 minutes at a time)

[Dro]

Anything by Dan Brown gets me hooked...Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons, Deception Point, Digital Fortress...I hope he writes some more stuff because I can't get enough.

[Axel]

I used to read all the time, but I dont have the time for it anymore. I like pretty much anything by John Grisham, or anything law related. One of my all time favorites is Absolute Power by David Baldacci. Solar Flare by Larry Burkett is another. The Redwall/Ender's Game series used to entertain me, but I outgrew those books by high school.

Here's my list of faves though.

Solar Flare
Absolute Power
A Child Called "It" (so sad)
Harry Potter I - VI
The Oath by Frank Peretti
Goodnight Mr Tom

and mannyyyyy others that I cant think of off the top of my head. Back in middle school it was rare if I didnt read 1 - 2 300 page plus books per week. This thread has me inspired to read Angels and Demons which has been sitting in the trunk of my car for 6 months.

[Riot]

I don't read many books but the ones I have read I've enjoyed a lot. Here are a few I can remember:

Just Another Soldier by Jason Hartley
My War by Colby Buzzell
Chasing Ghosts by Paul Rieckhoff (spell?)
Winning Everyday (Lou Holtz biography)

I want to read 33 Strategies of War by Robert Greene. That looks like it would be an interesting book to read.