Personal Development for Smart People^TM Forums

anusha · 03-02-2011, 04:34 AM

I'm reading George Mikes's 'how to be an alien'.. I find english humour quite hilarious and the accent very sexy!

I'm in the mood to shop for some awesome books..

added to my cart are :-
1.catcher in the rye
2.1984 by george orwell
3.the great gatsby

please do add some to the list

NoJobRob · 03-02-2011, 05:14 AM

I'm not much into fiction these days but Ordinary People was a good book. I think they made it into a movie too with Donald Sutherland. Most of the books I read are finance related or about ancient civilizations. I'm a Rome-a-phile.

cacheborn · 03-02-2011, 05:18 AM

Some of my favorites

Humor
Yes Minister, Yes Prime Minister
Catch 22 (This is a must read)

Others
Millenium Trilogy - Stieg Larsson
Animal Farm - George Orwell

Tanja · 03-02-2011, 09:08 AM

For English (British) humour I'd recommend:

Nick Hornby
David Lodge
John O'Farrell

anusha · 03-02-2011, 12:42 PM

have any of you read a portrait of the artist as a young man, by James Joyce?

Cheese96 · 03-02-2011, 05:29 PM

Pillars Of the Earth - Ken Follett

The Fountainhead - Ayn Rand

JoePike · 03-02-2011, 06:36 PM

If you're into thrillers, this one is really really good - RUN by Blake Crouch

Amazon.com: Run eBook: Blake Crouch: Books

Only available as an e-book for the Kindle (or can be bought on B&N website for the Nook, etc.), but can also be read on a computer, or smart phone, etc. if you download the free Kindle/Nook apps.

Highly recommended.

CallMeBaka · 03-04-2011, 04:00 PM

If your interested in the kind of modern clasic type stuff then i recomend Empire of the Sun by J G Ballard.

anusha · 03-05-2011, 10:00 AM

wow thank you guys!!

supertom · 03-05-2011, 10:25 AM

A great one is "book of the new sun" by gene wolfe. Its literally different everytime you read it.

For me its on par with harry potter and lord of the rings.

AlmostGodess · 03-05-2011, 10:58 AM

I love books. This is why it is difficult to choose only some of them as recommendations

Well, Par Lagerkvist wrote some deeply spiritual novels. Very intriguing writer. No similarities between his books.

Recently I read Singing in the Grass by Doris Lessing and I have to say this book kind of influenced the way I perceive marriage.

Try to read anything by a big Russian writer. If you say yes to this adventure, start with The Master and Margarita by Bulgakov. It is a novel and a metaphor and an extremely well written and funny work about the Soviet Union. I could not get enough of it

Tanja · 03-05-2011, 11:23 AM

I'm with AG about the Russians

I also like Iljf and Petrov

Amazon.com: The Twelve Chairs (European Classics) (9780810114845): Ilya Ilf, Evgeny Petrov: Books

Now, I'm inspired to re-read it again..

cacheborn · 03-07-2011, 05:32 AM

I am thinking of going for the biggest russian writer, Tolstoy.

Not sure when it will be possible though.

EDIT : Joke for Seinfeld fans : I hope to read one day, War - What Is It Good For.

AlmostGodess · 03-07-2011, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cacheborn

I am thinking of going for the biggest russian writer, Tolstoy.

Not sure when it will be possible though.

EDIT : Joke for Seinfeld fans : I hope to read one day, War - What Is It Good For.

I hope you are not starting with War and Peace though, it's huge!

Dostoevsky is another option to any Russian classic and to any classic in general. A genius writer!

Criseyde · 03-07-2011, 10:04 PM

Here is my list of must-reads:

The Mists of Avalon, Marion Zimmer Bradley
Wicked, Gregory Maguire
The Winter of Artifice, Anaïs Nin
The Bell Jar, Sylvia Plath
Native Son, Richard Wright
Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë (not a romance novel)
The Poisonwood Bible, Barbara Kingsolver
American Gods, Neil Gaiman
The Bone Doll's Twin, Lynn Flewelling
The Golden Compass, Philip Pullman
Harry Potter!!! obviously.
Far from the Madding Crowd, Thomas Hardy
The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde
A Wizard of Earthsea, Ursula K. Le Guin
The Once and Future King, T.H. White
A Room of One's Own, Virginia Woolf (warning: this is an essay)

Okay, that's all I have. For now.

cacheborn · 03-08-2011, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlmostGodess

I hope you are not starting with War and Peace though, it's huge!

Dostoevsky is another option to any Russian classic and to any classic in general. A genius writer!

It is on my list. Or else Anna Karenina. Did Tolstoy write anything below 500 pages?

I have not read Dostoevsky either. Maybe Notes from the Underground?

Tanja · 03-08-2011, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cacheborn

I have not read Dostoevsky either. Maybe Notes from the Underground?

I'd rather start with Dostoevsky than Tolstoy. I just like him more

Your choice, or maybe The Idiot, or Crime and punishment?

Andrew Brunelle · 03-09-2011, 12:14 AM

If you like good fiction, I recommend an author that I have come to know and love, Nick Hornby. The man is an excellent writer, and has razor sharp humor peppered throughout the novels he's written.

And if you've got a bit of a dark side, I suggest Chuck Palahuniuk, who at one time was my favorite author, although he's fallen off with his last few books, but still read his early stuff if you really want a good read with some darkness thrown in.

cacheborn · 03-09-2011, 03:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tanja

I'd rather start with Dostoevsky than Tolstoy. I just like him more

Your choice, or maybe The Idiot, or Crime and punishment?

Maybe Idiot or Notes from the underground. crime and Punishment is too nihilistic for me right now.

Criseyde · 03-09-2011, 04:33 AM

If we're doing ____ and _____, how about Pride and Prejudice?

supertom · 03-09-2011, 05:00 AM

Penguin classics collections

check out the price imagine accidentally buying that.

Amazon.com: The Penguin Classics Library Complete Collection: More than 1000 of the Greatest Classics (9780147503077): Various: Books

James81 · 03-09-2011, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supertom

Penguin classics collections

check out the price imagine accentually buying that.

Amazon.com: The Penguin Classics Library Complete Collection: More than 1000 of the Greatest Classics (9780147503077): Various: Books

Yeah, especially considering that they are public domain and can be gotten for free online.

AlmostGodess · 03-09-2011, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cacheborn

It is on my list. Or else Anna Karenina. Did Tolstoy write anything below 500 pages?

I have not read Dostoevsky either. Maybe Notes from the Underground?

Notes from the Underground is his shortest novel, but just as intense as the long ones.

Gosh, this makes me want reading him again!

AlmostGodess · 03-09-2011, 12:34 PM

I love reading books in their original language. If you have access to a few languages, focus on authors who wrote in languages you can read and then move to translations

lookcloser · 03-09-2011, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cacheborn

EDIT : Joke for Seinfeld fans : I hope to read one day, War - What Is It Good For.

Haha! I remember that. I believed him too for a bit.

Criseyde · 03-09-2011, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James81

Yeah, especially considering that they are public domain and can be gotten for free online.

Oh, but Penguin is a great company! Their books are always well glossed and they keep books in print that no other publisher does. I'll drop $15 for a Penguin edition over trying to read something online any day. I have learned from the collapse of Borders -- we who want books must support them...

/litgeek

JoePike · 03-10-2011, 04:43 PM

Just read this newly released short e-book story by J.A. Konrath and Ann Voss Peterson. Awesome with some killer twists!

Wild Night is Calling.

Amazon.com: Wild Night Is Calling eBook: J.A. Konrath, Ann Voss Peterson, Jack Kilborn: Kindle Store

cacheborn · 03-11-2011, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lookcloser

Haha! I remember that. I believed him too for a bit.

So did Elaine, but not Testikov!

AlmostGodess · 03-11-2011, 12:36 PM

I would like to also recommend this history book. It is not a novel and, unless you are a historian, it is difficult to read at once. However, it tells the story of how the world has been rebuilt after the WWII and it is truly inspiring. Instead of focusing on the war, like most of the books on this subject do, it focuses on the peace-making process and on moving on.

Postwar: A History of Europe Since 1945: Amazon.co.uk: Tony Judt: Books

Mounds · 03-11-2011, 02:37 PM

Anything from the Goosebumps series

03-02-2011, 04:34 AM	#1 (permalink)
anusha Retired Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: bangalore, India. Posts: 844	books, books and more books! I'm reading George Mikes's 'how to be an alien'.. I find english humour quite hilarious and the accent very sexy! I'm in the mood to shop for some awesome books.. added to my cart are :- 1.catcher in the rye 2.1984 by george orwell 3.the great gatsby please do add some to the list

03-02-2011, 06:36 PM	#7 (permalink)
JoePike Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 499	Great thriller e-book If you're into thrillers, this one is really really good - RUN by Blake Crouch Amazon.com: Run eBook: Blake Crouch: Books Only available as an e-book for the Kindle (or can be bought on B&N website for the Nook, etc.), but can also be read on a computer, or smart phone, etc. if you download the free Kindle/Nook apps. Highly recommended.

03-07-2011, 05:32 AM	#13 (permalink)
cacheborn Family Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 6,439	I am thinking of going for the biggest russian writer, Tolstoy. Not sure when it will be possible though. EDIT : Joke for Seinfeld fans : I hope to read one day, War - What Is It Good For. Last edited by cacheborn; 03-07-2011 at 06:11 AM.

03-09-2011, 05:00 AM	#21 (permalink)
supertom Banned Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Homeless Posts: 3,548	Penguin classics collections check out the price imagine accidentally buying that. Amazon.com: The Penguin Classics Library Complete Collection: More than 1000 of the Greatest Classics (9780147503077): Various: Books Last edited by supertom; 03-09-2011 at 05:06 AM.

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03-02-2011, 05:14 AM	#2 (permalink)
NoJobRob Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Hawaii Posts: 629	I'm not much into fiction these days but Ordinary People was a good book. I think they made it into a movie too with Donald Sutherland. Most of the books I read are finance related or about ancient civilizations. I'm a Rome-a-phile.

03-02-2011, 05:18 AM	#3 (permalink)
cacheborn Family Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 6,439	Some of my favorites Humor Yes Minister, Yes Prime Minister Catch 22 (This is a must read) Others Millenium Trilogy - Stieg Larsson Animal Farm - George Orwell

03-02-2011, 09:08 AM	#4 (permalink)
Tanja Retired Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 6,068	For English (British) humour I'd recommend: Nick Hornby David Lodge John O'Farrell

03-02-2011, 12:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
anusha Retired Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: bangalore, India. Posts: 844	have any of you read a portrait of the artist as a young man, by James Joyce?

03-02-2011, 05:29 PM	#6 (permalink)
Cheese96 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: IN Posts: 504	Pillars Of the Earth - Ken Follett The Fountainhead - Ayn Rand

03-04-2011, 04:00 PM	#8 (permalink)
CallMeBaka Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: UK Posts: 25	If your interested in the kind of modern clasic type stuff then i recomend Empire of the Sun by J G Ballard.

03-05-2011, 10:00 AM	#9 (permalink)
anusha Retired Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: bangalore, India. Posts: 844	wow thank you guys!!

03-05-2011, 10:25 AM	#10 (permalink)
supertom Banned Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Homeless Posts: 3,548	A great one is "book of the new sun" by gene wolfe. Its literally different everytime you read it. For me its on par with harry potter and lord of the rings.

03-05-2011, 10:58 AM	#11 (permalink)
AlmostGodess Banned Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: France Posts: 6,053	I love books. This is why it is difficult to choose only some of them as recommendations Well, Par Lagerkvist wrote some deeply spiritual novels. Very intriguing writer. No similarities between his books. Recently I read Singing in the Grass by Doris Lessing and I have to say this book kind of influenced the way I perceive marriage. Try to read anything by a big Russian writer. If you say yes to this adventure, start with The Master and Margarita by Bulgakov. It is a novel and a metaphor and an extremely well written and funny work about the Soviet Union. I could not get enough of it

03-05-2011, 11:23 AM	#12 (permalink)
Tanja Retired Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 6,068	I'm with AG about the Russians I also like Iljf and Petrov Amazon.com: The Twelve Chairs (European Classics) (9780810114845): Ilya Ilf, Evgeny Petrov: Books Now, I'm inspired to re-read it again..

03-07-2011, 10:04 PM	#15 (permalink)
Criseyde Family Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 3,157	Here is my list of must-reads: The Mists of Avalon, Marion Zimmer Bradley Wicked, Gregory Maguire The Winter of Artifice, Anaïs Nin The Bell Jar, Sylvia Plath Native Son, Richard Wright Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë (not a romance novel) The Poisonwood Bible, Barbara Kingsolver American Gods, Neil Gaiman The Bone Doll's Twin, Lynn Flewelling The Golden Compass, Philip Pullman Harry Potter!!! obviously. Far from the Madding Crowd, Thomas Hardy The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde A Wizard of Earthsea, Ursula K. Le Guin The Once and Future King, T.H. White A Room of One's Own, Virginia Woolf (warning: this is an essay) Okay, that's all I have. For now.

03-09-2011, 12:14 AM	#18 (permalink)
Andrew Brunelle Family Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Home Posts: 2,578	If you like good fiction, I recommend an author that I have come to know and love, Nick Hornby. The man is an excellent writer, and has razor sharp humor peppered throughout the novels he's written. And if you've got a bit of a dark side, I suggest Chuck Palahuniuk, who at one time was my favorite author, although he's fallen off with his last few books, but still read his early stuff if you really want a good read with some darkness thrown in.

03-09-2011, 04:33 AM	#20 (permalink)
Criseyde Family Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 3,157	If we're doing ____ and _____, how about Pride and Prejudice?

03-09-2011, 12:34 PM	#24 (permalink)
AlmostGodess Banned Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: France Posts: 6,053	I love reading books in their original language. If you have access to a few languages, focus on authors who wrote in languages you can read and then move to translations

03-10-2011, 04:43 PM	#27 (permalink)
JoePike Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 499	Just read this newly released short e-book story by J.A. Konrath and Ann Voss Peterson. Awesome with some killer twists! Wild Night is Calling. Amazon.com: Wild Night Is Calling eBook: J.A. Konrath, Ann Voss Peterson, Jack Kilborn: Kindle Store

03-11-2011, 12:36 PM	#29 (permalink)
AlmostGodess Banned Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: France Posts: 6,053	I would like to also recommend this history book. It is not a novel and, unless you are a historian, it is difficult to read at once. However, it tells the story of how the world has been rebuilt after the WWII and it is truly inspiring. Instead of focusing on the war, like most of the books on this subject do, it focuses on the peace-making process and on moving on. Postwar: A History of Europe Since 1945: Amazon.co.uk: Tony Judt: Books

03-11-2011, 02:37 PM	#30 (permalink)
Mounds Family Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 3,853	Anything from the Goosebumps series

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Personal Development for Smart PeopleTM Forums

Personal Development for Smart People^TM Forums