Need to read...

[Gigadave]

Can anybody recommend any good books? I usually read stuff like Bear Vs Shark, Discworld, American Psycho and by authors like Hunter S. Thompson or Aldous Huxley (I've even dabbled in Homer and John Milton) but would like something new and exciting to read. You all sound like a smart bunch of people so I'm sure you'll be able to help!!

[andy hughes]

Try 'Christine' or 'Salem's Lot' by Stephen King, any of Clive James' autobiography trilogy, any of Clive Barker's 'Books Of Blood' short stories, plenty more if you need them, but there's a few ideas to be going on with. Hope you like them.

[froggequene]

'An Instance of Fingerpost' by Iain Pears is one I always recommend and if you really want to scare yourself, read 'Fast Food Nation' by Eric Schlosser. I also recommend Giles Milton, especially 'The Riddle and the Knight', any one I know who's read would love to follow the travel route in it.

[sft42]

Hey andy i thought looking at your answer that i had already answered this question....though i'd say "The Stand" is King's best book. other than those you could try any of the following authors Terry Pratchett, Irvine Welsh, Bill Bryson, PJ O'Rourke, Nick Hornby, Colin Bateman, or Iain Banks......Good Luck.

[andy hughes]

I think we have noth answered sft42, but not at Gigadave's request, so here's hoping he has some ideas to follow up on.

[xyzzyplugh]

For me, 'Christine' by King was great but 'The Talisman' [co written with Straub] is the best Stephen King novel. Try 'Lord of the Rings' maybe. Or the Ford Prefect stuff - I forget his name... 'thanks for the fish, that dude, 42 Teatray.. bloke.

[froggequene]

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy and The Long, Dark Teatime of the Soul, are these the titles you're grasping for Xyzzyplugh?

[spookylad]

Clive Barker's 'Weaveworld', Philip Pullman's Dark Materials Trilogy (Northern Lights, Subtle Knife, Amber Spyglass), Michael Moorcock's 'Mother London', 'Pedro Paramo' by Juan Rulfo, 'Stone Junction' (can't remember the author's name!). I think they should all appeal.

[Quizmonster]

From Homer to Milton to Pratchett sounds like a pretty catholic range! If you click http://www.infoplease.com/ipea/A0776722.html a link will take you to the Random House list of the 100 best novels of the 20th century. Obviously, any such thing is subjective, but I don't think you'd go very far wrong with any selection made from that list. Many of the 'old' novels on the list will doubtless be 'new' to you and age has nothing to do with how 'exciting' they are.

[woodpam]

I'll second Ian Banks and Colin Bateman, but do read All Families are Psychotic by Douglas Coupland. It was funny enough to make me cry with laughter and has a great imaginative and inventive plot. If you like it, work through his others starting with Miss Wyoming. Looking at your preferences, have a go at the Golden Compass Trilogy by Philip Pulman, starting with Northern Lights. Its brilliant, well written sstuff with characters you'll care about.

[Pickle]

Have you tried Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett's 'Good Omens', these 2 authors compliment each other really well. Also, if you want something different, try any of the 'Sandman' graphic novels by Neil Gaiman. He has a unique style and the reality he takes you into is both disturbing and rewarding. I agree about Robert Rankin, Ian Banks and Douglas Copeland as well. One more author with amazing ideas is Michael Marshall Smith. I'd describe him as a cross between Aldous Huxley and Robert Rankin (ish).

[Cathy]

If you like Terry Pratchett you might enjoy The Eyre Affair and Lost in a Good Book by Jasper Fforde. I've also read An Instance of Fingerpost on froggequene's recommendation and it's really good.

[Andromeda]

Erm, if you fancy science fiction, read Lois McMaster Bujold for excellent space opera. The Honor Harrington Series by David Weber is good, as is the March series by the same. Love lots of books, so there is just something to get you going. http://www.baen.com do a lot of good sci-fi, and you can read some of the books and a lot more excerpts from books online.

Andy

[MrPooHead]

Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto Eco. Woo woo, what a mind boggler.

[druiaghtagh]

As well as 'The Stand' by S King, try 'The Tommy knockers'