Book recommendations?

[smearyllama]

So, for a school project for this quarter, I need to read a book outside my normal genres.
While I could just cheat and read Game of Thrones, since I rarely read fantasy, I figure I should challenge myself.
I normally read sci-fi and some fantasy, with a bit of realistic/ historic fiction (True Grit).

I'm wondering if I should try reading a romance novel, or try what my peers are reading.

What do you recommend?
I'm willing to try anything.

 

[The Heavy Metal Nerd]

The First Law trilogy. Think A Song of Ice and Fire (the book series that new HBO series 'A Game of Thrones' is based off of'), only with more intensely concentrated awesomeness and less pointless filler.

 

[Super Toast]

John Dies At The End.

 

[Valagetti]

Dexter books are alright. If you like the series, you'll like the books too.

 

[Delta437]

Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson is a great read if your into sci fi and stuff like that. Its kinda like the matrix or that one futurama episode where they go into the internet.

 

[Mosesj]

Spanking shakesphere

It's a good book about a high school student called 'shakesphere shapiro'

 

[noxymoron19]

Read Fight Club the book. It rivals the movie. Check it out

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

East of Eden, Tortilla Flats, The Grapes of Wrath, or pretty much anything else written by John Steinbeck. I usually can't stand general fiction, but Steinbeck is one of my favorite authors; the three I listed are my three favorite Steinbeck novels, in order. Tortilla Flats may be the best option of the three, since it's fairly humorous, and unlike the other two, not thick enough to bludgeon an orc to death with. It's the story of King Arthur's knights retold as the escapades of a bunch of homeless Hispanic winos in early 20th century California. It's a great read, and nowhere near as racist as I just made it sound.

 

[tigermilk]

Spanking shakesphere

It's a good book about a high school student called 'shakesphere shapiro'

Or something by Shakespeare, on the basis there is such a wealth of books written about him/his work research would be very easy if you are expected/given the option of researching the text you will be reading.

My personal favourite novels (I presume it is fiction) are 1984 (Orwell) The Outsider/Stranger*(Camus) or Nausea (Sartre). 1984 is by a very long stretch my favourite novel.


*It has been published under both titles when translated from French to English.

 

[lady man lady]

Lamb, by Christopher Moore. best book ever.

 

[Arsen]

Read Lovecraft. The man surpassed Poe in terms of being the quintessential horror author. Science, old mythology, cosmic horror, folklore, fantasy, and just plain old fashioned madness all rolled into one.

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

Read Lovecraft. The man surpassed Poe in terms of being the quintessential horror author. Science, old mythology, cosmic horror, folklore, fantasy, and just plain old fashioned madness all rolled into one.

Listen to this guy. Also, be aware that there are two main categories that Lovecraft's work fall into; the Dream Cycle, and the Cthulu Mythos. While both are technically within the same universe, they focus on different aspects of it; the Cthulu Mythos stories are cosmic horror in which ancient horrors beyond human comprehension reach our world, while Dream Cycle stories are more dark fantasy, in which people explore the world of dreams. The quintessential Cthulu Mythos story is The Call of Cthulu, while the most famous Dream Cycle story is The Dreamquest of Unknown Kadath. I personally prefer the dream cycle stories, and Dreamquest is my favorite Lovecraft story.

 

[Kuranesno7]

If you want to challange yourself, I suggest:
a) the works of William Gibson, since I have read some of his stories three times and continue to find new and interesting bits,
b) A Clockwork orange by Anthony Burgess, a book narrated in Cockney/Russian by a fifteen year old psychopath
c)any literary works from the beat generation (i.e. Naked Lunch, On the road, etc.),
d) anything by Thomas Pynchon, the patron saint of post-modern literature
e) Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, a story, in so many ways, about the death of the American dream with the backdrop of 70's era Vegas.
f) The Aeneid or the Odyssey if you wanna get classical and like gratuitous murder.

 

[Dr. wonderful]

Read Peeps.

It's about vampires fighting Parasites. It's pretty smart but unless you have a hugh hard-on for Dawrin crap then It's not your cup of tea.

Hey, what about the genres you like to read?

 

[brunothepig]

So, for a school project for this quarter, I need to read a book outside my normal genres.
While I could just cheat and read Game of Thrones, since I rarely read fantasy, I figure I should challenge myself.
I normally read sci-fi and some fantasy, with a bit of realistic/ historic fiction (True Grit).

I'm wondering if I should try reading a romance novel, or try what my peers are reading.

What do you recommend?
I'm willing to try anything.

Try some Thriller?
Dean Koontz is my favourite, he has a vast collection of books to choose from. I'd recommend The Good Guy as probably my favourite, maybe Phantoms or The Husband. Check second hand book stores, though I have yet to encounter a library without some of his books.
For straight up, uncomplicated Action, try Matthew Reilly. Ice Station is the best one to read, since Contest and Hover Car Racer are Sci-Fi, and Temple is Fantasy-ish.

 

[artanis_neravar]

Lamb, by Christopher Moore. best book ever.

Seconded, Lamb was an awesome book and I highly recommend it

 

[Toaster Hunter]

Read Casino Royale, by Ian Fleming, the first James Bond novel. Its pretty short, and very easy to read. Plus, its about James friken Bond.

 

[Chrmike]

How about the Artemis Fowl Series? It's a semi-fantasy novel series, filled with interesting, if not likeable characters, an fun, yet engaging plot, and an approachable writing style. As far as I'm concerned, it's better than that boring tripe known as Harry Potter. (Flame Shield Up)

 

[brunothepig]

So, for a school project for this quarter, I need to read a book outside my normal genres.
While I could just cheat and read Game of Thrones, since I rarely read fantasy, I figure I should challenge myself.
I normally read sci-fi and some fantasy, with a bit of realistic/ historic fiction (True Grit).

I'm wondering if I should try reading a romance novel, or try what my peers are reading.

What do you recommend?
I'm willing to try anything.

If this is a re-post, I apologise. My post isn't there, I refreshed a few times... Weird, anyway.
Thriller, Dean Koontz, massive amount of books, check libraries or second hand book stores. Recommendations are The Good Guy, The Husband or Strangers if you love a slow build-up.
For straight, uncomplicated fun Action, Matthew Reilly. Recommendations are Ice Station... That's about it. Area 7 and Scarecrow are sequels, Hover Car Racer and Contest are Sci-Fi, Temple and Seven Ancient Wonders/Six Sacred Stones/Five Greatest Warriors are Sci-Fi as well I guess. Ok, all of his books except the Scarecrow ones are Sci-Fi, to some degree... Huh. Anyway, there you go. They're pretty much the only authors on my shelf that aren't fantasy.