List your favorite books

[ally99]

This question is for all of you avid readers out there. List at least your top 5 favorite books (more if you'd like!). These can be fiction or nonfiction of any genre.

My list is comprised mostly of novels:

A Dog's Purpose - Bruce Cameron
The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins
The Book Thief - Markus Zusac
Harry Potter series - JK Rowling
Twilight - Stephanie Meyer
The Help - Kathryn Stockett
Water for Elephants - Sara Gruen

I also love listening to audio books of classic literature.

What are everyone else's favorites?

[burningscooter]

The Rum Diary - Hunter S Thompson (I hear they are making this a movie)
Deadeye Dick - Kurt Vonnegut (Anything Vonnegut really.)
Dark Elf Series- RA Salvatore

[gfloyd2002]

Too many to list, but I've been rereading George R.R. Martin's Fire & Ice series recently. (2nd time for Dances with Dragons, 3rd time for others.) So I'll count those for all five.

[reaubideux]

Hitchhikers Guide!

[Too40gawlf]

Some of my favorites that come to mind:

The Ugly American
By Eugen Burdick and William Lederer

The Human Factor
By 'Ishmael Jones'

A Fighter's Heart
By Sam Sheridan

The Main Enemy
By Milt Bearden

Under the Loving Care of the Fatherly Leader
By Bradley Martin

[kyrider]

Atlas Shrugged

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKX8C6qKuac

[Mr.E]

Don't... judge me....

Twilight sega. Better then the movies IMO.
The Host (same writer as twilight sega)
Milkweed. Great book. I don't read much and this was the first book I ever finished fully. Of course, I was a lot younger. Like 12 or 13. Lol.

There is also a book which I really wish I knew what it was called. So good that it costed me 108 in late fees at the library because I wanted to keep reading but barely had time at that time. It was something like "death: a parrady of the begining" or something. Idk. Very funny and a great read

[almost40]

Liberty and Tyranny by Mark Levin
Primetime Propoganda by Ben Shapiro
The Fight Of Our Lives by William J. Bennett and Seth Leibsohn
Climategate: A Meteorologist Exposes the Global Warming Scam by Brian Sussman
Common Sense by Thomas Paine
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig
The Art of War By Sun Tzu
and MANY others

[ally99]

Originally Posted by Mr.E

Don't... judge me....

Twilight sega. Better then the movies IMO.

Agree 100%. Same with Harry Potter (and nearly ANY book/movie combo)

Originally Posted by almost40

Common Sense by Thomas Paine

Yep, enjoyed this read too. The man made sense...common sense. That trait is way too rare these days.

[Apex]

Off the top of my head:

Harry Potter Series
Left Behind Series
Timeline - Michael Crichton
Journey Into Power - Baron Baptiste

There are a lot more, just can't think of them right now.

I also enjoy any book relating to Chinese philosophy. I always felt they have a very interesting way to look at things.

[CynicalC]

Don't read as much as I like to. Read all the lotr and related books, almost all of the wow novels except for the war of the ancients trilogy because I can't stomach Richard knack for 3 books in a row. 1984 or course, the road to science fiction, the hitchhikers guide books...

I do try to read at least on "real" book a year though. I know, quite an undertaking. Everyone should read the post American world though I'd say.

[kaiserz]

Tuesdays with Morrie
Le petit prince
Let the right one in
What dreams may come
Eragon series

[burningscooter]

Originally Posted by CynicalC

1984

I have this book in my bag. I tell myself I am going to read it but it always puts me to sleep. Its been 4 years trying now.

[Apex]

Originally Posted by burningscooter

I have this book in my bag. I tell myself I am going to read it but it always puts me to sleep. Its been 4 years trying now.

Some of the "classics" do that to me. I have just given up on them. Haha

[patw]

- +1 for Song of Ice and Fire. Great series. Reading Dance with Dragons right now.
- Anything by Iain M. Banks in the Culture series is incredible.
- Most stuff from Orson Scott Card (Enders Game) is good.
- The yearly Sci-fi/Fantasy short story anthologies are worth reading.
- Tao Te Ching - Stephen Mitchell version. Pretty good when you're ready for it.

I've read and enjoyed so many books, hard to narrow it down

[Johnnyscoots]

1) The Kite Runner
2) Born To Run
3) Hitchhiker's Guide
4) Bob Salvatore's Dark Elf Series
5) Weis and Hickman's Dragonlance Series.
6) The Toughest Man Alive (Gene Lebell)

Took honors English in HS. Did not click with Euro centric writers. Possibly because the teacher was a failed theatre actor trying to play himself up as some kind of demigod to English Lit. Keep the character roles to the stage, now teach me how to read and comprehend!!!

Kite runner was only the first book I could read in 1 sitting...the second being Born to Run. Don't read too much other than magazines because I can't sit still long enough to read a book other than KR and BTR.

Johnny

[Apex]

Originally Posted by Johnnyscoots

2) Born To Run

I have this book but have not had the chance to read it yet. I constantly hear about how good it is...hope it holds up to the hype!

[CThunder-blue]

Any books by Angus Wells and David Gemmell. Both, sadly, have passed away and I've read all their books at least 3 times. Currently reading Richard Lee Byers- Year of the Rogue Dragons trilogy. He's a becoming another favorite author of mine, but has some weird fascination with necromancer/undead novels.

Authors I would stay away from:
Tanya Huff- She's got a sick incest fantasy. I read thru half her book before I couldn't stomach it any longer. Most of her books also revolve around it.
Brent Weeks- His books lack any real climax and his endings blow.
Andy Remic- I read Kell's Legend. Great idea, but terrible writing. He uses the word "slammed" in every action sequence. Seriously, swords don't slam into things unless they're blunt. His vocabulary is terrible and uses curse words throughout his book. Any respected fantasy author worth anything can write a great book that doesn't use a single curse word.

[CynicalC]

Originally Posted by CThunder-blue

Andy Remic- I read Kell's Legend. Great idea, but terrible writing. He uses the word "slammed" in every action sequence.

That's why I can't read Knaak. He's got a dragon fetish and on at least every other page in any of his books are the words macabre or leviathan.

[gfloyd2002]

Originally Posted by Mr.E

Don't... judge me....Twilight sega.

Don't worry, Eric. We won't judge here. Hey, on related topic, I just saw something you might want for your birthday.

[Honko]

A very truncated list:

Sarah's Key
By Tatiana de Rosnay

The Kite Runner
By Khaled Hosseini

The Last Lecture
By Randy Pausch

The Tipping Point
By Malcolm Gladwell

Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and my favorite book series of all time: anything in the Redwall series

[Apex]

I'm looking for stuff to download to my Nook. Something that is a good read. I have a few religious books I am going to read, as well as Hunger Games. I am currently reading Walden by Henry David Thoreau. Interesting read.

Oh, and Jiggles, I will not be reading 50 Shades of Grey, just letting you know that now.

[Jiggles]

Nothing gets me hot n bothered like READING

[mariorivera830]

I'm a big fan of Dean Koontz. His style of writing really appeals to my imagination. He's kind of a poor man's Stephen King in some people's eyes. I think some of his books are very well developed as far as characters and setting. I would definately try to find one of his paperbacks on the cheap prior to buying it for the nook though.

the twilight books are well written too.....

[broilmebk]

Originally Posted by Apex

I'm looking for stuff to download to my Nook. Something that is a good read. I have a few religious books I am going to read, as well as Hunger Games. I am currently reading Walden by Henry David Thoreau. Interesting read.

Oh, and Jiggles, I will not be reading 50 Shades of Grey, just letting you know that now.

Hahahah. 50 shades of grey was the first book that popped into my head cause that's all I've been hearing about these days.
What kind of books are you in to? I started out reading a bunch of john grisham books, but then got into fantasy like the game of thrones. My favorite one so far has to be the king killer chronicle (can't wait for the last book to come out)
Seal team six was an interesting read too.

Originally Posted by mariorivera830

I'm a big fan of Dean Koontz. His style of writing really appeals to my imagination. He's kind of a poor man's Stephen King in some people's eyes. I think some of his books are very well developed as far as characters and setting. I would definately try to find one of his paperbacks on the cheap prior to buying it for the nook though.

the twilight books are well written too.....

I thought that last part was your sig so I skipped over it at first

[Apex]

Originally Posted by broilmebk

What kind of books are you in to?

Well it really depends on how well the story is written and how well I can feel like I am a part of the story.

Timeline by Michael Crichton
Harry Potter series
Started a bit of the Hunger Games, seems like a good read
The Hunt for Red October
A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by Phillip Keller
Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain

Those are some examples. Honestly, it is one of those things where I just have to read the first page or two. If I am not drawn in within the first two pages, I am not going to like it. I have tried giving books a try, even though I don't like the first couple of pages, and even after a few chapters I am still not liking it.

Now those books where I am not sure about it after the first two pages, I'll keep going. It is a 40/20/40 chance I'll like it/think it is ok/hate it. So, if it places in the top 60%, then it was worth my time. That is why I'd go ahead and read it. haha


By the way, I am not a fan of cheesy romantic stuff, love stories, or anything about the issues involving a teenaged vampire and/or werewolf.

[Jiggles]

But jacob is so hot

[oreX]

1984 by George Orwell is one of my favorites. Been reading through the paper back version of "A Twist of the wrist II" by Keith Code. Lots of good stuff in that one.

[Jiggles]

I loved 1984

Spoiler alert

It upset me at the end that the dudes hot girl friend got chunkier

[Apex]

I put down Walden. That is a too much of a tough read, which I don't mind, for my night shift schedule. My brain has a hard time computing the linguistics of the past that are being used. The Thoreau uses more commas than there are bills and amendments in our legal system.

I moved to the Hunger Games for the time being. This book is really good so far. I feel like I can picture myself there with the characters. That is always a great thing. Some authors get lost in the story that they forget the details. The details matter, but must be balanced. You don't go overboard, but you don't skimp on them either.

[Apex]

I read over 220 pages in mere hours. Hunger Games was a really good read!

[broilmebk]

Just the first book? In my opinion they got worse going from the first book.

[Monkeytofu]

A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain is my favorite book. It's a pretty funny book that I think still has some important messages about American culture and business.

[Apex]

Originally Posted by broilmebk

Just the first book? In my opinion they got worse going from the first book.

Yeah. I'm on chapter 12 on book 2. Not as good as book 1 was at this point, but I'm giving it a chance...

Originally Posted by Monkeytofu

A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain is my favorite book. It's a pretty funny book that I think still has some important messages about American culture and business.

I'll check it out.

[EvilPooMonkey]

ooooh oooh apex i got a good one for you. plus since it is so freaking huge it would be great on a nook. Its called I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb. There are the Daywatch books by Sergri Lukyanenko( Daywatch, Nightwatch, Twilight Watch, Last Watch) and Lamb by Cristopher Moore i thought was hilarious( you would appreciate since you have an interest in its subject matter).

[Kygirl]

ditto to lamb by Christopher Moore!

Some others I'd suggest:

A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson(hilarious account of an Appalachian trail through hike attempt)

Holidays on Ice- Dave Sedaris (How can you go wrong with festive stories like "Dinah the Christmas Whore" ?)

In lieu of the thoreau try:

A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold (just beautiful)
or
The River Why by David James Duncan

Some of my personal faves:
The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
The Once and Future King by T.H. White
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Persig
any short stories by Ray Bradbury

[Kygirl]

if you like the hunger games trilogy (I agree that they decline after the first book) try some other YA fiction like the trilogy that starts with
The Maze Runner by James Dashner
The Maximum Ride books by James Patterson or even the
The Artemis Fowl books by Eoin Colfer

[Apex]

You know, I am about a quarter of the way through the 3rd Hunger Games book and I don't see the series in a decline at all. The story is drawn out a bit more, but the author does such a good job writing it, I get lost in the words and it plays like a movie in my head. I always find it funny how I give characters a face without really knowing what they look like. That face, in turn, sticks with that character throughout the series.

The face that pops in my mind for Haymitch is kind of a cross between Danny Devito and an angry pirate.

[Sonofswin]

Originally Posted by Apex

If I am not drawn in within the first two pages, I am not going to like it.

I'm the same way.

Have you read anything by Cormac McCarthy? No Country for Old Men, the Road, All the Pretty Horses. The first 2 were both better than the movies. (No country was a close call though.) Seeing as how you are in Texas, his writing may be culturally/regionally interesting. (Especially the 3 in the Horses series.)

If you like fantasy, I just finished reading the Codex Alera series by Jim Butcher. It was not bad at all. Not fantastic, but it pulled me in. Kind of like Game of Thrones, but lighter on the political side. (I just started Game, so I'm not entirely sure about that.)

If you just want some light reading, fantasy type stuff for when you are bored, any book in the Discworld series by Terry Pratchet will likely make you laugh and/or think. And, you don't have to read them in any particular order.

[Apex]

I finished the last book of the Hunger Games series. It fell into place like I thought it would. That is what I get for being tired and not staying "in" the book, I start thinking ahead. Oh well, it was still a good read. I will probably read it again in the future.