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Post by Kree on Aug 17, 2012 19:08:03 GMT -5
I was just wondering what everyone's other favorite books are? Like, maybe a top 5 list (excluding Good Omens). I'll start 1. The Book Theif, Markus Zusak. (If you haven't read it, please do. It has a pleasantly unique narrative style, and its perspective of WWII Germany is refreshing. I also read Zusak's I Am the Messenger, but I didn't find it as compelling. He's a great writer, though. I think I'm due for a reread on this one as well). 2. And then there were None, Agatha Christie (Pretty much the best and most ideal Murder Mystery I have ever read. If you've never read a Christie novel before, this one is a great place to start. Prepare to be mind blown). 3. Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, David Sedaris (A series of creative non-fiction essays. David Sedaris is hilarious and everyone should check out this video of him reading on the Letterman show: www.funnyordie.com/videos/3d6ae25c3c/david-sedaris-on-letterman-from-davidlettermanfan Sedaris is my comedy icon, for real) 4. East of Eden, John Steinbeck (I never really liked Steinbeck until this novel. It also contains one of my very favorite literary villains of all time. Catherine is worth the read, trust me.) 5. Kane and Abel, Jeffrey Archer (I never expected to like this, because I'm not big on economics or politics, but this book is phenomenal, and I'm so glad my mom recommended it to me.) I skipped stuff like the Harry Potter series, because that is just pretty much beyond listing, haha. Bonus! My two favorite books designed with children in mind (although everyone should read them) are 1. Rebecca's World, Terry Nation( This book is out of print and *really* hard to find for less than $100, but if you somehow manage to get your mitts on it, it is totally worth it. It's brilliant, and it pretty much made my childhood.) 2. Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher, Bruce Coville (I owe this book my love of reading, so it deserves top spots.) And my favorite graphic novel! Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi (really brilliant and emotional. Everyone go read this now!)
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Post by aliceapproved on Aug 17, 2012 19:16:50 GMT -5
Oh, man, I don't think I could ever decide on a top five book list, but I will bring up one of my personal favorites: Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne JonesI have a feeling that almost everyone here has seen the Hayao Miyazaki film, but how many people knew that it was his first film based off a book? As much as I love the movie, I love book more (I love them both for different reasons) and plan to reread it again, actually (maybe after Good Omens XD). It goes deeper into the characters than the film could, like Calcifer is more involved, Howl is more of a selfish jerk with a soft spot than a mysterious pretty boy and Markl (Michael in the book) is actually an adorable teen. If you've seen the movie or not, I highly recommend this book.
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lacrypte
Full Member
I had time, but I did not know it.
Posts: 118
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Post by lacrypte on Aug 17, 2012 19:28:30 GMT -5
Oh gosh I have not read any of those books, I really need to. Let's see.
The Broker, John Grisham: Normally I really don't read sort of modern set novels, however this one pulled my interest just enough. For this one really caught my eye. It was really fun for me just for the fact this man is constantly running for his life, for he was set up to be assassinated and he has to save himself.
The Godfather, Mario Puzo: Everyone knows the movie, but I really REALLY love the book. It goes so much more in depth with each character. The movie itself is legend, the book is marvelous. I can't really say where to find it. Since it's such a popular movie series you should be able to find it just about anywhere. I happened to get one of the original printings from Good Will.
The Giver, Lois Lowry: This was a book I had to read for a club a long time ago. This book always sticks with me because of how it just...twists your mind. It really makes you think about all the memories you have and sometimes we don't realize that to a society that hasn't experienced it, that it's really terrifying.
Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury: I had to read this one last year. I really, just. Normally I hate books people make me read, but I ended up really liking this one and it's going to be my all time favorite. If you haven't read it, go read it. Since we're all book lovers you'll cringe at some of the scenes but it's a great story.
Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck: Another book I had to read this year. While it's short and it's about normal life, it's rather..damn sad.
Angels and Demons/ The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown: I've never seen either movies, actually. I really like these two books. It makes my mind think. The endings of each book end in a way that makes me double take.
Oh Howl's Moving Castle is so good ahh ;v ;
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Post by Kree on Aug 17, 2012 19:32:00 GMT -5
Ahh The Giver ahhh. I've read that book so many times, it's fantastic! (As is Fahrenheit 451, but it's been about 10 years since I've read it, haha, I'm so old.
And one of my friends LOVES Howl's Moving Castle. I've been thinking about giving it a read, thanks for reminding me!
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Post by manderspuppy on Aug 17, 2012 19:32:29 GMT -5
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Post by aliceapproved on Aug 17, 2012 19:34:29 GMT -5
Oh, man, I haven't read The Giver in so long, but I still remember how much the concept blew my mind. I think I read it later in middle school. And no problem. I think you'll enjoy reading Howl's Moving Castle. It has more emotional depth compared to the movie, plus, it remains humorous, too.
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Post by manderspuppy on Aug 17, 2012 19:34:39 GMT -5
XD Apparently EVERYONE likes Howl's Moving Castle Book is SO SO much better than the movie... though the movie did have one good point XD
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Post by kajainthesky on Aug 17, 2012 19:38:45 GMT -5
Ohhhh, I have another book by Diana Wynne Jones at home! Liked the Howls moving Castle book too, of course.
Err, well I'm one of those people who's favorite book is the latest one I read, most of the time.
Incidentally, I just finished The perks of being a wallflower and I am completely giddy about it. Ordered it online, waiting for my own copy so I can re-read it and form an opinion that is other thing than incoherent squeeling.
I am a sucker for Pride and Prejudice, ironically since I definitely disliked it the the first chapters. But it grew on me, it really did! Even wrote it a fanfic, and honestly I never write fanfics.
Neverwhere and god if I could bold it more than once I would. First Neil Gaiman book I ever read and ooooooh do I love it.
A thousand splendid suns is a wonderful book that had me crying more than once. In contrast to it's predecessor, The Kite runner, you really get perspective on how the situation for women was/is/are there.
Die schwarzen BrĂ¼der/The black brothers is a book I loved a lot and re-read a lot as a child. I haven't read it for a couple of years now, but looking through my bookshelf, it's definitely one I have to put on my list of favorites.
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Post by Kree on Aug 17, 2012 19:41:01 GMT -5
Err, well I'm one of those people who's favorite book is the latest one I read, most of the time. This is a line from the Perks of Being a Wallflower, yes?? It's been a REALLY long time since I read that, haha.
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Post by manderspuppy on Aug 17, 2012 19:41:17 GMT -5
GOD YES NEVERWHERE!!!!! Love that one! Also love P&P though Emma is my favorite of her books.
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Post by aliceapproved on Aug 17, 2012 19:45:06 GMT -5
kajainthesky: I actually have two other books by her, by I've read one out of the two. The other one by her I read was The House of Many Ways which is actually a sequel to Howl's Moving Castle and I enjoyed it. It had a nice Howl and Sophie cameo. The second book I've only read a quarter of it and just stopped. I don't remember why, but I should probably try to finish it. I think it's Conrad's Fate or something. I just remember these women eating a lot of dessert but they have diet spells that keep them from losing their figure and I was jealous. XD
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Post by kajainthesky on Aug 17, 2012 19:48:47 GMT -5
Kree: YES IT IS that''s why incidentally because says it and fuck if it isn't true. aliceapproved: Well, the one we have, directly translated from swedish AND memory would be called "Nine lives", I think? manderspuppy: OH, I've been wanting to read Emma, so badly, but I haven't had time. I'm basically completely new to Austen books :/ AND NEVERWHERE.
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Post by aliceapproved on Aug 17, 2012 19:50:16 GMT -5
I think I remember hearing the title "Nine Lives" but I didn't get it at the book store. Is it good?
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Post by kajainthesky on Aug 17, 2012 19:51:58 GMT -5
@alice: ohhh, I remember liking it but really, it was years ago.
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Post by sepherene on Aug 17, 2012 19:52:45 GMT -5
The funny thing is I'm not a huge reader and it's a miracle my friend pushed me enough to get me to read Good Omens (and I surprised myself because I looove it). I read more non-fiction stuff on my own (It's mostly books by Carl Sagan and Richard Dawkins anyhoo).
1. Harry Potter Series because I can re-read this book series over and over and over again with no problems at all. Lupin/Moony is my favorite character though I have a soft spot for Draco.
2. Slaughterhouse Five Kurt Vonnegut I read this on my own because I looove Vonnegut and this was probably the book I read the fastest and got the deepest into above all his other books. I like Player Piano too though.
3. Will Grayson, Will Grayson John Green, David Leviathan I really loved the flow in this book between the stories of both the characters and how everything entwined so nicely ahhh though I think I prefer John Green's writing style more than David Leviathan's.
4. Anthem Ayn Rand I originally read this in high school and oh my gosh. It's intense. I actually wrote fanfics from it back in the day though I never posted them online or anything. I've been meaning to re-read it.
5. Anything by Edgar Allen Poe Don't even get me started. Though I'd have to say maybe The Tell-Tale Heart and Masque of the Red Death are my favorite stories by him. I love all his poems too and short stories. I saw that (awful) movie The Raven recently and I really appreciated all nuggets from the stories in it. (Really who casted that movie though? it was awful and all the dialogue just felt so forced damn)
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