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05/12/2008 04:04:21 PM · #1 |
| Unlike my father I'm not a well read person, I think he is almost up to 3,000 books and I might be at 30 (including schhol). Its taken 18 months and have just finished the Harry Potter series. Anybody have suggestions for my future bedtime reading? |
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05/12/2008 04:10:10 PM · #2 |
"Non-Fiction":1984 by George Orwell.
"Fiction": The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne
ETA: I just reread you post - maybe 1984 is not such a good choice for bedtime reading, as it is apt to cause nightmares.
Message edited by author 2008-05-12 16:11:38. |
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05/12/2008 04:11:48 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by Ecce Signum:
Unlike my father I'm not a well read person, I think he is almost up to 3,000 books and I might be at 30 (including schhol). Its taken 18 months and have just finished the Harry Potter series. Anybody have suggestions for my future bedtime reading? |
Something worthwhile? :)
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05/12/2008 04:13:39 PM · #4 |
Have you ever tried the Ender series? It is a pretty good light reading, at least Ender's Game and Ender's Shadow are. The other ones are geared a little differently. I first read those books in high school and regularly pick them up off my shelf to reread them. Here is a LINKto the wiki site! I hope you at least give Ender's Game a shot, it's phenomenal!
Evan |
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05/12/2008 04:15:56 PM · #5 |
Oh and going off of GeneralE's suggestion, a book that is a little bit more indepth and analytical, but my favorite book of all time, is a dystopia book by Aldous Huxley, called "A Brave New World." It's my favorite book of ALL TIME! :)
Hope I could help
Evan
PS Let us know what you decide to pick up next! |
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05/12/2008 04:16:00 PM · #6 |
| I havn't read it, but a friend assures me that Eragon is a really great read (he warned me not to be put off by the film which is mainly aimed at children, as apparently the book is very different). Personally I love 'The Pianist' (though its not really bedtime reading) and 'Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World' by Murakami. |
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05/12/2008 04:18:37 PM · #7 |
You could always use the 100 best books as a start point.
I read Brave New World as a consequence of this list and enjoyed it.
For light relief I would recommend the multitude of Terry Pratchet books.
Message edited by author 2008-05-12 16:23:12.
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05/12/2008 04:22:04 PM · #8 |
I'd highly recommend anything by Terry Pratchett, if you're looking for something entertaining. Since he's written many many books with different themes, you'll probably want to check the recommended reading order first :)
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05/12/2008 04:29:40 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by Manic:
I'd highly recommend anything by Terry Pratchett, if you're looking for something entertaining. Since he's written many many books with different themes, you'll probably want to check the recommended reading order first :) |
As an avid Pratchett fan, I second Manic's suggestion. Start at the beginning of the Discworld series and work through them. You will love the typical British humour and the characters' development through the series.
Another suggestion is the His Dark Material trilogy by Philip Pullman. Recently released on film as The Golden Compass. |
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05/12/2008 04:32:59 PM · #10 |
If you're not a reader, I would guess you are looking for a book that is plot driven and not overly challenging. How about an adventure tale aimed at adults? One of my favorite "ripping yarns" is Kahawa by Donald E. Westlake (a departure from his usual comic stuff). If you are into fantasy, you might try reading The Hobbit, which, like the Harry Potters, is considered a children's book but is very engaging for adults. I also loved the futuristic This Perfect Day by Ira Levin (but good luck finding it in print).
Edit: Not to knock  GeneralE's suggestion, but I read Verne's Mysterious Island last year and I thought it was pretty dry stuff. I much prefer the old movie version with Joan Greenwood battling a giant chicken. ;-)
Message edited by author 2008-05-12 16:36:13. |
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05/12/2008 04:42:05 PM · #11 |
Hmm...I would recommend...a good book perhaps?
/end ridiculous animosity towards Harry Potter
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05/12/2008 04:44:06 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by SteveJ:
Another suggestion is the His Dark Material trilogy by Philip Pullman. Recently released on film as The Golden Compass. |
This trilogy is a fantastic read, but please don't waste two hours of your life with the movie (or if you have seen it already, don't let it put you off the books).
Also by the same guy is the Sally Lockhart quadrilogy (also made into movies with Billie Piper taking the lead).
These are more of a match to the Harry Potter books in terms of writing style, with His Dark materials more like Lord Of The Rings.
I would suggest all 7 of these Pullman books to you.
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05/12/2008 04:48:40 PM · #13 |
J.R.R. Tolkien: "The Lord of the Rings"
Jerry Spinelli: "Maniac McGee"
Lois Lowry: "The Giver"
Ray Bradbury: "Something Wicked This Way Comes" (or a collection of his short stories)
And just about everything on this list: Newbery Award winners |
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05/12/2008 04:55:18 PM · #14 |
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05/12/2008 04:58:09 PM · #15 |
His Dark Materials starting with The Golden Compass. I found it be quite dark (no pun intended) especially later in the trilogy. Easy to read but it gives you a lot of things to think about.
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05/12/2008 05:05:18 PM · #16 |
If you like the whole fantasy side of things then check out Magician by Raymond Feist - if you like that you will then get sucked into about a 4 generation epic of sequels etc. If not then at least you tried - but Magician is a benchmark i set most (fantasy) books by - i couldnt put the thing down.
If you dont mind getting educated at the same time about British history (and arent averse to a rather cynical view of religion) i would recommend any of the early history novels by Bernard Cornwell (talking about the Grail Quest series and the Warlord Chronicles) - same guy who wrote Sharpe (you must have seen the Televised version of the books with Sean Bean as Sharpe...) Basically a mix of fictional characters with factual historical setting (so some characters are real and personalities documented etc and almost all of the events are factually correct - amazing how he managed to put it all together). The Warlord Chronicles definitely have an air of mysticism and magic around them (they are about King Arthur so that is to be expected).
Both of the above are a bit more adult orientated than Harry Potter, but yes Terry Pratchett is probably the author i would recommend to anyone who likes "kids style" books with something for the adults :) |
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05/12/2008 05:14:01 PM · #17 |
Originally posted by inshaala:
If you like the whole fantasy side of things then check out Magician by Raymond Feist - if you like that you will then get sucked into about a 4 generation epic of sequels etc. If not then at least you tried - but Magician is a benchmark i set most (fantasy) books by - i couldnt put the thing down.
Both of the above are a bit more adult orientated than Harry Potter, but yes Terry Pratchett is probably the author i would recommend to anyone who likes "kids style" books with something for the adults :) |
Pratchett? Kids Style!! How very dare you! I wrote to Terry about ten years ago, I was writing a fantasy novel and jokingly suggested he was stealing my ideas:)
Of course, he wrote back explaining about his Time Machine, and the fact that he could move backwards and forwards in time to 'borrow' ideas. I put the letter somewhere safe, and of course, he has used his Time Machine to come and remove it!! |
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05/12/2008 05:14:51 PM · #18 |
| I'd put in another vote for the Pullman books. Also, The Earthsea series by Ursula Le Guin, starting with The Wizard of Earthsea |
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05/12/2008 05:17:28 PM · #19 |
Originally posted by Pug-H:
I'd put in another vote for the Pullman books. Also, The Earthsea series by Ursula Le Guin, starting with The Wizard of Earthsea |
I read those years ago, great books! Also Alan Garner books are supposed to be for young adults, or people like me! I love a well written novel, regardless of the age range it is aimed at. |
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05/12/2008 05:19:42 PM · #20 |
I, like your father have quite a few Titles behind me, Judging from your like of the Potter world, my first 2 authors are similar in entertainment and writing styles. The last suggestion is only because it’s just plane fun to read them.
Terry brooks
Anne McCaffrey Especially the dragonriders of Pern series.
Piers Anthony The Xanth series is just plane fun. |
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05/12/2008 05:26:12 PM · #21 |
Terry Brooks - Shannara Series
R.A. Salvator - Icewindale Trilogy
Jenkin's & LaHaye - Left Behind Series
Message edited by author 2008-05-12 17:26:27. |
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05/12/2008 05:28:08 PM · #22 |
I have a slight dyslexia problem, but have learned to deal with it. I didn't get into novel reading big time until I started traveling a lot. A good book is a great way to kill time on a 10 hour flight.
I've read all 4 Dan Brown books (the Di Vinci Code author). All very good reads IMO. His books are easy to follow, have twists and turns, and generally keep you interested.
The Bourne Trilogy by Robert Ludlum is very good. Very different from the movies.
Lie Down with Lions by Ken Follet is excellent.
For a lighter read, all the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy books are very funny.
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05/12/2008 05:28:35 PM · #23 |
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05/12/2008 05:31:21 PM · #24 |
I like Lanndon's idea actually, go with Stephen King if you want something that can be easy (I.E. his short stories collections) or something longer like "The Stand (over 1 K pages! UFtas).
Evan |
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05/12/2008 05:34:03 PM · #25 |
Definitely Terry Brooks. Shannara might be too much at first, if you're not used to "digging in" and understanding the history of things. Start with the Magic Kingdom For Sale; Sold series by Terry Brooks. If you go with Shannara, you will be starting in the middle of the tale, as the first book..."The Sword of Shannara" (by far the easiest of his books and the beginning of his writing), is now a linking book. He has tied his Word and Void series with the Shannara series and the final linking book has not been published yet. All very complicated.
I also recommend the Eragon books. "Eragon" and "Eldist" are published the third, "Brsinger" is set to hit the stands in August. These are more in-depth than Harry Potter. More for young adults vs. kids, but sits nicely in the niche and is good training for more adult sci fi/fantasy.
Go whole hog...and do Tolkein as well. "Hobbit" then "The Lord of the Rings" series. If you then get hooked, keep reading his other books. They get a little heavy, but are enjoyable. |
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