The books came out before the game, in fact the official English translation of The Last Wish came out at the same time as The Witcher in 2007.

I'm not far enough into the book to comment on the political intrigue, however there's quite a bit of it in the games so it's safe to assume it will show up in the books.

People can hate on Joyce all they want, but Pynchon is actually fantastic. Worth enduring, I wouldn't say that for Ulysses.
I'm still reading Flannery O'Connor's complete stories and Tony Benn's letters (UK political figure)

I dont doubt it. But if you actually made it through Gravity and understood and enjoyed it, I doff my cap to you. I got to maybe page 50 and realized I had absolutely no idea what was going on.

I was tactical with my Pynchon and read Gravity's Rainbow a bit down the line. By the time I started it I was more used to his style. I still had to take some notes.
I still haven't made it through David Foster Wallace's Infinite Jest but maybe one day.

You see I know what's been happening with Ulysses so far, but it's taxing a lot of the time. I think James has the right idea, I've read Dubliners and so I understand how mundane the topics of his stories are (which I appreciate), but I bet if I went for A Portrait of the Artist first I'd have a better grasp on the stream of consciousness element.

Also, I just can't read Wallace because he sounds like a horrible uninspired douche from what I read about him. I totally probably shouldn't hold that against him though because Joyce was a pretty big douche but he does have to big an effect on literature to deny.

Infinite Jest has been on my shelf for 2 years, still working myself up for it. I know a guy that tattooed the last sentence of the book on his arm he loved it so much. I hear more raves about it than negatives.

Paulo Coelho's Manual of the Warrior of Light.

I had my doubts about this book, I mean just read the title, haha, but this is the same guy who wrote the truly brilliant The Alchemist so I put them aside, alas the book is every bit as pretentious as the title suggests. :(

in the past month i've read two AMAZING books about hitchhiking

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Under The Skin by Michel Faber

i won't even start to explain my love for the book Under the Skin.....it is nothing at like the movie....but covers the same basic plot and very much covers the basic feeling and questions....what is empathy? what is body image? and what does it mean to be human?

i really don't want to get much into it...because i seriously what all of you to read this book....and then someone please pm me....i need to talk with anyone about this material :)

as you know i LOVED the movie....the book....well of course it's better....but i'm glad i read it after seeing the film....and you can see the film and have almost zero spoilers for the book....which is great cause the book is a real nail biter

the author very slyly changes the readers perception several times throughout the book and tackles social subjects in a very interesting way

please read this book....you will not regret it

and then i finished today

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Carsick: John Waters Hitchhikes Across America by John Waters

talk about a huge switch :)

basically it's a gonzo novel about John Waters at age 66 hitchhiking from Baltimore to San Fransisco

this book is really three novellas.....The Best That Could Happen, The Worst That Could Happen, The Real Thing

all three are hilarious and...well two have heart wrenching parts

again i don't wnat to get much into it....cause i really hope those of you who would read this do....and soon

but i will say it's a quick roller coaster of a book that includes but is not limited to....anal sex with aliens, giving a hand job while in a demolition derby, a run in with Paula Baniszewski (she was the daughter of Gertrude Baniszewski and back in the 60s she...along with her mother, siblings, uncle and several boys from their neighborhood tortured and killed a 16 year old girl name Sylvia Likens), a serial killer who only kills cult movie directors, and an absolutely tear jerker of a chapter for Edith Massey

and then we get to The Real Thing.....which as entertaining and really shows that there are true and wonderful people still out there

i will say this i hitchhiked from Baltimore to Minneapolis.....and had a much harder time than he did.....must be nice to be a celebrity....even if it is the Pope of Filth :)

^I'm gonna look for those. Especially Carsick, I love John Waters.

it is sooooo good man....you'll love it

and he was kind enough to list all the songs he talks about at the end of the book.....download them all know from youtube to create what should be a very interesting playlist :)