Books for my 'Must Read' list?

[ZombieGenesis]

As a writer I've recently decided that I haven't read enough books. So I'm putting together a list of books to chop my way through, and would like to hear any suggestions on what the learned people of 'The Escapist' forum would consider a must-read.

So far my shopping list for tomorrow consists of;
Atlas Shrugged
Lolita
The Golden Man
1984
Necromicon

Bearing in mind I have read SOME works (like Pride and Prejudice, Dorian Gray, LoTR...)

 

[OptimisticPessimist]

Anything by Terry Goodkind. Then again I'm kind of a Sword of Truth fanboy, so take that with a pinch of salt.

 

[adakias]

V. Thomas Pynchon.
A little tricky and a little long winded, but totally worth it.

House of Leaves. Mark Z. Danielewski.
One of my personal favorites. You've probably already read it/heard of it... but I'm suggesting it anyways. It'll drive you insane, though... so...

You Can't Go Home Again. Thomas Wolfe.
Okay, this actually is my favorite book... like, ever. It's sad and wonderful.

They're all kind of long, though... but House of Leaves goes by quickest. ^.^

 

[Saxm13]

Fire Bringer by David Clement Davies or something, can't really remember the name.

Anyway its an epic book. Think Bambi + Return of the King. xD


Also look up The Giver if you missed that in elementary school. Still an excellent read!

 

[Tasachan]

1984 is awesome, I just got around to reading it earlier this year. Love it.

My other suggestion was LOTR, but you said you've read that. How about the Hobbit?

I also enjoyed the Dark Elf Trilogy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dark_Elf_Trilogy), and I OWN the rest of the series, but haven't read them yet.

Edit: STAY AWAY FROM ANGELA'S ASHES (no one has mentioned it, but I'm warning you just in case). Dear God, I hated that book. I chose it for a book project thinking "Wow, that sounds cool! maybe its about a girl that suffered in a fire or something." Nope. Just... bahhhh. Such a horrible book.

 

[ZombieGenesis]

"You Can't Go Home Again. Thomas Wolfe."

Oh god, no, no! Don't make me read that again, I'll break down in tears...
One of only two books that have made me genuinly sad, the second being 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?'

Loving the suggestions guys, please keep them up, I intend to waste a lot of money.

 

[Kirkby]

H.P Lovecrafts' short stories! Old but good as every if u ask me

If you want something a little easier on the brain id suggest the amulet of samarkand yes its technically a kids book but the stories clever, original premise and the characters are interesting, what more could you want?

 

[Tipsy Giant]

The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom

Amazing book about closure

 

[Jamboxdotcom]

"A Canticle for Leibowitz" is fantastic, assuming you haven't already read it back in school.

also, anything by Vonnegut. it's both entertaining and mind-expanding.

 

[ZombieGenesis]

"The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom"


Fantastic, that WAS on my old 'to read' list but I never got around to it. Thanks for reminding me.

 

[dalek sec]

"Fulgrim" from the Horus Heresy series. I fucking love that story everytime I read it.

 

[Dylan Voyda]

The lost fleet series.
Great Sci-fi that deals heavilly in the concept of myth and hero worship.
Plus the Marla Mason Series. The language is hard to get past though.

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

Only Forward - Michael Marshall Smith
Flow My Tears The Policeman Said - Philip K Dick

 

[Boxinatorizore]

Red Fish Blue Fish
Dr. Seuss

It's along read but trust me it's worth it.
You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll smile, you'll jump, etc.

 

[TimeLord]

All 7 Artemis Fowl books.

Specifically the "Arctic Incident" and the "Eternity Code".

I have all of them on my iPhone and have read all 7 about 6 or 7 time fully. They are brilliant.

 

[ZombieGenesis]

All 7 Artemis Fowl books.

Specifically the "Arctic Incident" and the "Eternity Code".

I have all of them on my iPhone and have read all 7 about 6 or 7 time fully. They are brilliant.

In my youth I did happen to read quite a few of those. I believe I read the first... four? Let me think. The first one, Artic Incident, Eternity Code... and another one I don't really remember very well. I thought they were pretty excellent at the time.

 

[Lilani]

All 7 Artemis Fowl books.

Specifically the "Arctic Incident" and the "Eternity Code".

I have all of them on my iPhone and have read all 7 about 6 or 7 time fully. They are brilliant.

I second this. All seven of those books managed to blow my mind at one point or another. Just when you think you've got it figured out...it all flips upside-down. I did find the most recent book a bit underwhelming, however. But I think that was just because it was more obviously left open for a sequel than the others (a sequel which had better come out soon. Very soon).

Anyhow, my recommendation is The Hobbit. It's the gentle introduction to the World of Tolkien that wears the title of one of the greatest fantasy epics of all time--and for good reason. It's thrilling, fun, funny, surprising, and very entertainingly written. Reading Tolkien's writing is like reading the transcript of a master storyteller sitting by a campfire reciting the story he's been practicing for ages. It's a must-read, in my opinion.

Then after that dip into LotR if you're more interested, however I found the Hobbit to be much more entertaining. It just...moves so much faster, to me anyway. The Hobbit begins as a whirlwind of events and never lets up.

 

[TheSentinel]

John Dies at the End.

You need some kind of relief after the crushing depression of 1984's plot and Atlas Shrugged 87 page speeches.

 

[mcpop9]

Ultimate Hitch Hikers Guide To The Galaxy
5 novels in one if your looking for a good laugh but some WTF? moments in it.
also Enders Game. Great book loved it and the rest of the series

 

[ZombieGenesis]

Ohh Enders Game, I'll have to look into that one.
Despite the whole controversy around the authors pledge against gay marriage and whatnot.

Also, A Clockwork Orange? Worth reading or will I be as traumatised by it as it sounds?