The Book Recommendation Thread

~~Sansa Stark~~ · 10-18-2012, 01:25 AM

Wow The Blind Assassin sucks? Go read Twilight, maybe?

FETCHER. · 10-18-2012, 06:18 AM

Not going to lie, I don't think I got further than 3 pages into the blind assassin before I gave it up.

LoathsomePete · 10-18-2012, 12:05 PM

Does anyone have any recommendations for a fantasy novel but with more of a Feudal Japan influence than Medieval Europe? I just watched Princess Mononoke the other week and have been craving something fantastical, but without the generic Western fantasy tropes.

katsy · 10-18-2012, 04:37 PM

[QUOTE=ThePhanastasio;1241476]You really think The Blind Assassin sucks? That kind of hurts my heart. That's one of my absolute favorite books I've ever read. The only problem I have with Margaret Atwood could also be considered a tremendous compliment to her: I sometimes find myself distracted by her prose, by her writing as a whole, and certain passages really hit and resonate with me. As such, I find myself re-reading them over and over again, unable to move on with the book because I'm just so overcome with how well something has been worded. I don't know why or how; I think she just writes in the exact way I wish I was able to write, and it really hits me.

I may have to give it another go, since others feel so strongly about it. I read it after completing two Joyce Carol Oates novels, and well she's a tough act to follow.

katsy · 10-18-2012, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hermione

Wow The Blind Assassin sucks? Go read Twilight, maybe?

The Blind Assassin: Yes,the writing is brilliant, don't get me wrong. It just didn't move me. I couldn't get going in it.

Lisnaholic · 01-28-2013, 12:26 PM

If you`re still interested in distopias, Vanilla, the book called We, written by Yevgeny Zamyatin in 1921, is something of a forgotten classic. Unfortunately, I remember it as being a rather dry read. Also, some of Yevgeny`s ideas were later used more dramatically in George Orwell`s 1984 - so if you`ve already read that, the impact of We is furthur reduced.

I feel more comfortable recommending A Scanner Darkly by Philip K. Dick, which has been mentioned a couple of times on MB, and is endorsed by plenty of people :-

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr dave

Hmm... when I read ASD it struck me as an exploration into the psychosis that induces drug abuse. Either way, brilliant author and a fantastic read.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yac

Scanner darkly! I read it 7 times so far, I'm sure I'll read it at least 7 times more. If you haven't seen it, check out the movie version - it has great cast, great acting, amazing visuals and apart from just a couple of scenes, follows the book closely.
Yac.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfred

Finally reading A Scanner Darkly after years of adoring the film. It's pretty similar to the film, just more expansive, as books usually are.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

One of my favorite books! I hope you like it.

Plankton · 01-28-2013, 12:50 PM

Always been a big fan of Heinlein. The Door Into Summer was probably the last one I've read of his. Haven't read anything other than instruction manuals in a long time.

**Scarlett O'Hara** · 01-28-2013, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lisnaholic

If you`re still interested in distopias, Vanilla, the book called We, written by Yevgeny Zamyatin in 1921, is something of a forgotten classic. Unfortunately, I remember it as being a rather dry read. Also, some of Yevgeny`s ideas were later used more dramatically in George Orwell`s 1984 - so if you`ve already read that, the impact of We is furthur reduced.

I feel more comfortable recommending A Scanner Darkly by Philip K. Dick, which has been mentioned a couple of times on MB, and is endorsed by plenty of people :-

Why thank you kind Sir, I will certainly add them to my list of books I'm going to read! I am obsessed with this genre!

The Batlord · 01-29-2013, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plankton

Always been a big fan of Heinlein. The Door Into Summer was probably the last one I've read of his. Haven't read anything other than instruction manuals in a long time.

I've only read a little of Heinlein, but loved what I've read so far. I was so young and dumb that I actually thought that the political messages in Starship Troopers were a great idea when I was like ten. More recently I read Stranger In a Strange Land which was amazing. Makes you wonder just what kind of a weird dude Heinlein was.

Plankton · 01-29-2013, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Batlord

I've only read a little of Heinlein, but loved what I've read so far. I was so young and dumb that I actually thought that the political messages in Starship Troopers were a great idea when I was like ten. More recently I read Stranger In a Strange Land which was amazing. Makes you wonder just what kind of a weird dude Heinlein was.

Oh yeah, Stranger In A Strange Land is probably my all-time favorite by Heinlein, and Methusalah's Children is a close second.

10-18-2012, 12:05 PM	#33 (permalink)
LoathsomePete Cardboard Box Realtor Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hobb's End Posts: 7,648	Does anyone have any recommendations for a fantasy novel but with more of a Feudal Japan influence than Medieval Europe? I just watched Princess Mononoke the other week and have been craving something fantastical, but without the generic Western fantasy tropes. __________________ Last.FM 101 Albums That May Not Change Your Life, But I Really Like And You Might Too

01-28-2013, 12:50 PM	#37 (permalink)
Plankton Just Keep Swimming... Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: See signature... Posts: 7,765	Always been a big fan of Heinlein. The Door Into Summer was probably the last one I've read of his. Haven't read anything other than instruction manuals in a long time. __________________ See location...

10-18-2012, 01:25 AM	#31 (permalink)
~~Sansa Stark~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: The Eyrie, Vale of Arryn, Westeros Posts: 3,234	Wow The Blind Assassin sucks? Go read Twilight, maybe?

10-18-2012, 04:37 PM	#34 (permalink)
katsy Music Addict Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 286	[QUOTE=ThePhanastasio;1241476]You really think The Blind Assassin sucks? That kind of hurts my heart. That's one of my absolute favorite books I've ever read. The only problem I have with Margaret Atwood could also be considered a tremendous compliment to her: I sometimes find myself distracted by her prose, by her writing as a whole, and certain passages really hit and resonate with me. As such, I find myself re-reading them over and over again, unable to move on with the book because I'm just so overcome with how well something has been worded. I don't know why or how; I think she just writes in the exact way I wish I was able to write, and it really hits me. I may have to give it another go, since others feel so strongly about it. I read it after completing two Joyce Carol Oates novels, and well she's a tough act to follow.