What books are you reading?

[Thorngrub]

Or absolutely any novel by Italo Calvino. Might I suggest The Baron In The Trees -?

[Thorngrub]

Or you could start with the French decadents, and read the godfather of surreality's Le Chants De Maldoror, by the notorious "Count Lautremont", whose real name was Isidore Ducasse. The novel, also known simply as "Maldoror", is considered to be the first "anti-novel", and will invariably have an effect on the unsuspecting reader. ^*

(By the way, if you read past the first page or so, the book will surely devour your soul as water does sugar. You have been duly warned;)


*The Alexis Lykiard translation is the gold-standard

[Thorngrub]

If you're looking to escape:

Read The Neverending Story, it is a one-of-a-kind, genuinely enchanting and moving fable for modern times. A classic if there ever was one.

If you wish to confront your condition:

Read Momo, also by Michael Ende, and this book, in my opinion, is mandatory reading for every human being alive.

Good luck finding a copy.
(might have to settle for the Library...)

[Thorngrub]

Otherwise, do yourself a favor and try picking up one of these puppies:

DEMONS, by John Shirley
THE VIEW FROM HELL, by John Shirley
WETBONES, by John Shirley
A SONG CALLED YOUTH trilogy, by John Shirley:
~Eclipse
~Eclipse Penumbra
~Eclipse Corona:

www.darkecho.com/JohnShirley/trilogy.html

*check out that link*, It provides author's blurbs about this important, groundbreaking cyberpunk trilogy penned 20 years ago as a cautionary tale warning precisely what has in fact begun to transpire in world events. Refreshingly descriptive, intense, amusing, entertaining, with a rock'n'roll hero who still dons a leather jacket & uses amps in a "near-future" (*koff*/NOW/*koff*) where "mini-mono" is all the rage and private interest groups vie for power in cahoots with goverment and corporations, and an underground called the "New Resistance" rises up to try and fight back. Our hero "Rickenharp" is forced to join the NR in a growing war between the dissenters and the fundamentalists who would otherwise impose their fascist dystopia on an unsuspecting world...

*To find out about what the Trilogy is about, be sure to click on each individual book's LINK at the bottom of that page*

[Rit]

wow.. good suggestions, Thorn.

i've actually read Invisible Cities by Calvino. T'was good, but mildly cerebral.

[Thorngrub]

That was the very first Calvino I ever read. Yes, it was good . . . but he's well worth looking further into.

[luke]

I've been meaning to get around to Shirley's Demons for some time now...

Currently reading The Great Gatsby for about the tenth time in my life. Best book ever.

[poseidon]

Am 1/2 way through:



Supposed to be the first of 4 novels. Next installment sometime in late '07. Will give me time to re-read the first two "Chronicles Of Thomas Covenant." My first read was 20 years ago.

Gosh time flys...

[poseidon]

This sequel to "Odd Thomas" is a real let down. "Odd Thomas" is one of Koontz's better novels in my opinion and this sequel reeks of a make-a-quick-buck out of a good thing scheme. I am very disappointed in the story. Just plain bad. Took real perseverance to get through it to the end. Very disappointed. Lacks heart.

[Thorngrub]

That's too bad. A book that lacks heart is dead in the water.

[Paul]

[rockkid]

Surprises every day. I never figured you for a Gatsby guy luke.

[luke]

Fitzgerald was my role model growing up. That guy's awesome. Prolly my favorite along with Bret Easton Ellis and, yeah, SK.

[Ayinger]

"Gatsby" has brings both a charm and a sinister feel of those days....those in 'society' treated each other so proper (to the face) but the dark side of being human was just underneath.

[Rit]

pcook said:

Sweet Jesus. That book was a ripping good read, as i recall. Tell me what you think of it as you get through it, PCook.