Recommend a book to me.

[Fiery]

I'm looking for new things to read, and it seems like I've read everything I'd ever be interested. Realizing that this can't possibly be the case, I've come to enlist the help of the quiet, bookworm sub-group of AF.

I'm not looking for a list of books, and I'm not looking for a quick reply; if you can adhere to my two very simple requests, please reply and help me out with any suggestion you can. Please explain to me why you enjoyed the book, and what kind of influence it's had over you. Add any little quirks or details contained in said book to help with your description.

Thanks, everyone.

[Atara Inferno]

Hello, Fieeery <333
Well, you might like 'Kensuke's Kingdom' by Michael Morpugo.
The story is about a boy, his dog and his parents went to travel around the world and they stopped to Australia to see their grandparents. The boy is also names Michael. He and his dog were sleeping on the boat and it drifted away to some unknown island. He though nobody lives in there, until he meets Kensuke, the only Japanese survivor who was missing long time since the war in Nagawsaki (sp, it's somewhere in Japan) alone in the island with animals to look after.
Meh, I could go on forever but it'll be like I'm telling you the story. Anyways, this story is really good, emotional, touching and it sounded as if it happened in real life. And if you get to the part that said, 'Killer Man Has Come', you'll be in tears, like me. It's really really sad

[tenshi_kaitou_kirei]

Hello, Fieeery <333
Well, you might like 'Kensuke's Kingdom' by Michael Morpugo.
The story is about a boy, his dog and his parents went to travel around the world and they stopped to Australia to see their grandparents. The boy is also names Michael. He and his dog were sleeping on the boat and it drifted away to some unknown island. He though nobody lives in there, until he meets Kensuke, the only Japanese survivor who was missing long time since the war in Nagawsaki (sp, it's somewhere in Japan) alone in the island with animals to look after.
Meh, I could go on forever but it'll be like I'm telling you the story. Anyways, this story is really good, emotional, touching and it sounded as if it happened in real life. And if you get to the part that said, 'Killer Man Has Come', you'll be in tears, like me. It's really really sad

I started that one for a book report but when he got to the island it turned into a boring man-against-nature thing, i didnt like it...

[Eris]

As the forum's official Nietzsche junkie I'll have to recommend Nietzsche (never saw that one coming, did you?)

It is by no means easy to wrap your head around his texts. They're translated from 19th century German, and additionally some of his texts (especially Zarathustra) aspire to be poetry as well.

And his philosophies can also be a bit hard to swallow, since he was an outspoken adversary of religion and morality.

Thus spake Zarathustra
The Antichrist

[Alice Lost]

What kind of books do you read? I know you probably have different interest as myself but hopefully I can think of a book suggestion.


Alakina Paysinger

[SGI]

I very highly reccomend the Tales of the Otori series by Lein Hearn.

The series is very influential for me as it is the series of books that got me into reading right after I left High School. Since in High School you're forced to read often awful books it injected the joy back into reading for me.

The series tells the two stories of Takeo and Kaede, two very different young people in a fantasy version of Japan. The writing style is so beautifully written, almost like water flowing down the stream. It is very light yet somehow amazingly effective.

The three books of the original trilogy are 'Across the Nightingale Floor', 'Grass for His Pillow' and 'Brilliance of the Moon'. Very recently the fourth book, which serves as the conclusion for the series, 'The Harsh Cry of the Heron' came out. And is probally the absolute best story of the series.

[royal_ken]

It's quite a popular book so you may have already read it, but "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes is a good book. It's written in a diary form and it's about a man with a very low IQ who decides to go through surgery to become smart. You can see how he develops as a person as you read through the end. It's quite hard to read what he's writing in the beginning because of the spelling and grammar mistakes hehe

[Kitanoru]

Well, if it manga that you are looking for maybe look at some of CLAMP's series.
Such as Tsubasa Chronicles, and Chobits for examples.

[Fabala]

"Mirror Mirror" by Gregory Maguire (of "Wicked" fame)

The first thing that captured my attention about Maguire is his writing style. His writing is artful, direct, and sometimes heartbreakingly beautiful. Thus far I think "Mirror Mirror" is the finest example of this. His objective is not the setting, or the characters, I felt, but the words themselves.

The story is of a retelling of Snow White, but unlike any I have ever come across. There is no singing and dancing, no tender-hearted dwarves. There is a little, wide-eyed girl and her father who fall into the clutches of Lucrezia and Cesare Borgia is the worst possible way. Madness abounds, innocence is lost, and the world always seems to grow darker.

It's difficult for me to express just how touched I was by this book. Usually my favorite works are favorites due to strong characters. That was not the case here. Sometimes I felt like each character was placed in a greater symbolic statement, not always easily perceived.

Maguire said he felt influenced by September 11th in his writing for this book. He was about to begin in 2001 right before it happened. For a while afterwards, he felt he could not write at all. Finally, he produced these lines:

"I am a girl who did no wrong.
I walked this side of Jesus when I could.
I kept an angel in my apron pocket.
I do not think it did me any good."

The tone set there is the one that coarsed through the book...a sense of hopelessness that makes your heart bleed for the fate of the characters.

I don't know what sort of books you like to read, but I suggest this book each and every time someone asks for recommendations. In one way or another, it has haunted almost everyone who has read it.

[Daenerys]

Those are comics, not books. They are entirely not the same thing.

I suggest picking up xEvasionx, this book completely changed my life.

[Alice Lost]

Those are comics, not books. They are entirely not the same thing.

com·ic [kómmik]
adj
1. funny: capable of inducing amusement, smiles or laughter
2. theater relating to comedy: relating to, characteristic of, or appearing in comedy
a great comic routine


n (plural com·ics)
1. performing arts comedian: a comedian or comedienne
worked as a nightclub comic

2. U.K. Australia New Zealand publishing Same as comic book


or com·ics, npl
comic strip section: the part of a newspaper that consists of comic strips


[Late 16th century. Via Latin < Greek kōmikos < kōmos "revel"]
Encarta ® World English Dictionary © & (P) 1998-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Victa!


Alakina Paysinger

[Kishiro]

Fierce, look in to the books by Orson Scot Card, that are apart of the Ender's Game series. They are seriously some of the best books I've ever read in my life. If I have to send my collection to you, I shall. The books make you think, and even laugh to yourself a little bit. They are science fiction books yes, but with undertones that more point to current situations, and even possible future ones. Keep in mind that the first book "Ender's Game" was published in 1985, but even today, it is very realistically futuristic.

[Yamanaka_Ino]

Fiery, I recommend the Redwall series by Brian Jacques. It's about an abbey, and in every book there's fights, riddles and adventures. Set in the middle ages, I think it's a good series for action and puzzle people. Fantasy, animals.

[Sagat]

1984 by Orwell if you haven't already read it.

Shaking Hands with the Devil isnt that bad if you are interested in real world events

[Grim Scythe]

Fierce, look in to the books by Orson Scot Card, that are apart of the Ender's Game series. They are seriously some of the best books I've ever read in my life. If I have to send my collection to you, I shall. The books make you think, and even laugh to yourself a little bit. They are science fiction books yes, but with undertones that more point to current situations, and even possible future ones. Keep in mind that the first book "Ender's Game" was published in 1985, but even today, it is very realistically futuristic.

i agree with him he has put in anything i wouldve and more for a recommendation if that helps give you my opinion

and i recommend Eragon and Eldest
both i liked very much
even though the first starts slowly to build the story a bit it worked out beautifully
its more of a coming to age story
and from a perspective different than mine so i didn't always agree with the choices
this i think helped emerse me in the story more than anything else
(im not sure if the third is out yet, still looking)

[Manhattan_Project_2000]

Right now, I'm reading Freakonomics. It's a fairly down to earth book about how common knowledge is the devil. For example, he does a good job explaining how the 40&#37; drop in crime in the 90's is in part due to the legalization of abortions. And how the money a candidate receives in political campaigns does almost nothing to the election results. And states that if you have kids, a gun in the house, and a swimming pool, your child is 100 times more likely to drown in the pool then shoot himself. Good stuff.

[MasterLuna]

I suggest the book series His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman. The trilogy is awesome and very suspenseful. I loved the first one so much it got me addicted. I literally couldn't put it down because it was as addicting as the Harry Potter series.

[Janus Silverlock]

I suggest the book series His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman. The trilogy is awesome and very suspenseful. I loved the first one so much it got me addicted. I literally couldn't put it down because it was as addicting as the Harry Potter series.

EEEEE!!! I LOVE YOU!

That is exactly what I was going to suggest! Those are my favorite books in the world, I'm just reading them the whole way through again for like, the 4th or 5th time! XD I love them sooo much! ^_____^

[Takashi MoonBlade Wielder]

Books? Hah, what are these books you speak of?

[Bittersweet]

I really like the book series Warriors and the sequel to that Warriors: The New Prophecy. It's about cats that live in the wild and hunt, and do all kinds of stuff, have problems of their own, and the battle the rival clans of cats in the forest.

[sasunarubishoujo]

I recomend The Lost Years of Melin epic by T.A. Barron: it's about Merlin when he was young and his journey on how he became wizard. There's also the sequel series called The Great Tree of Avalon which i sugest(sp?) afterwords.

I also recomend the books by David Clement Davies, The Sight and The Firebringer (and no they are not seqels or a series but i do want to say that you should read The Firebringer first because it refers back it in The Sight) The Firebringer's about Rannoch a red deer and how he is supposed to save the Lera(animals) from a force that could destoy them all. He uses a special power within him to defeat an army and save everyone. The Sight is pretty much the same except with wolves and its a lot sadder and i personally like it better. ^^

[Fiery]

In order from newest to oldest:

Sanctuary: Thanks for your recommendation. As I like cats, I'll look into this. =)

Takashi MoonBlade Wielder: I don't appreciate your disregard of my requests. Please take your easy +1 and come back to my thread when you have information for me.

Janus and lunarkitsune14: Thank you for your interest! However, I've already read His Dark Materials, and enjoyed them very much. If you have any other recommendations along this line, I'd appreciate being informed of them. =)

Manhattan: Thanks. =) And god, does that sound like it'll make me laugh. However, don't think that I'll only pick it up for its humor. I'll probably become dismayed over the idiocy of what one could call the 'general' population. How'd you know I'd be up for that?

Sagat: 1984 is a fantastic book. Thank you for your recommendation. I'll make sure to pick up the other one you suggested. As much as I like being swept up in a good fantasy... Well, I do live here, so I guess I should read political satire/a good eye opening book. Thank you. Honestly, I'm appreciating our differences in interests.

Yamanaka: I read the Redwall series about... --Counts.-- 7 years ago. It was entertaining! Got anything else by Jacques I should read? =)

Kishiro: You sound like I'd be offended at your mention of science fiction. >3 You know I have to tease you just a little, dear. I'll make sure to look for it. Honestly, you all, I'm writing every one of these suggestions down.

Ai: I'm suprised to see you responded to this, honestly. Not because I think you don't read. Actually, I don't think I have a good reason for it. Anyway, since I'm actually very interested in what you'd consider a life changing book, I'll definitely look for it.

Reiako: Darling, I very much appreciate your depth of description. And, be assured, I read the entire thing. You're right, it sounds very moving. And when you typed "Wicked," were you referring to the author of the play? I want to think I understand that bit, but I'm not sure. Anyway, I enjoyed that one, and if it's anything like that, I'll surely give it a look. Anyone who took the time to express such interest and passion concerning a certain text deserves the respect of the recipient, and honest efforts from them to reciprocate.

Viper Soul: I'm not much a manga fan, but maybe it's time I open my mind a crack to it. Ne?

royal_ken: I've heard a lot of good things about that book. I'm not really the sentimental type, so I'm not quite sure if it'll be something that I'd be likely to read. I tried reading a teenager's equivalent to that book at some point in my life, and couldn't finish it. However, out of respect for your time and your opinion, I'll still look into it. Perhaps I'm being a bit hasty. Thank you. =)

SGI: Joy in reading? What a foreign concept! >3 If it put joy back in reading after being pounded by mind numbing material, then I'll certainly search for it. Plus, I love series. Thanks for the recommendation. =)

Alice Lost: Thank you for trying to concider my personality when making your request, but darling, you could've suggested anything you wanted. It was supposed to be a reflection of the type of person you were, and what was enjoyable and influetial to you. But, since you asked, I'll honor your questions by answering. The books that occupy living space in my room include Classical Literature, German Literature, and Fantasy Novels. I'm not much for Modern Lit, but I do give it a try if something intriguing crosses paths with me.

Dieselmannen: Darling, I think you and I could be pretty good buddies. I'm a regular German zealot, and if it was originally written in German, I've at least expressed immense interest in it. I own a copy of Zarathustra, Will to Power, other works I can't remember right this instant, and plenty of published essays concerning Nietzsche's works, life, and... peculiar habits. I even have a Nietzsche comic book type book. It's a short biography of his life. I also love Peter Bichsel, Franz Kafka, ETA Hoffmann, Hesse... and others, but now I'm getting myself worked up, and that wasn't the point. However, thank you, thank you. Hit me up for a conversation sometime, if you'd like.

Skyla: Your recommendation challenges me! It takes a lot to make me cry. So, I take your challenge, and your recommendation! >3

I meant to say (and twice, now) that I'm not a sympathetic person. I've been continually saying 'not sentimental'.

[Fabala]

Reiako: Darling, I very much appreciate your depth of description. And, be assured, I read the entire thing. You're right, it sounds very moving. And when you typed "Wicked," were you referring to the author of the play? I want to think I understand that bit, but I'm not sure. Anyway, I enjoyed that one, and if it's anything like that, I'll surely give it a look. Anyone who took the time to express such interest and passion concerning a certain text deserves the respect of the recipient, and honest efforts from them to reciprocate.

I refer to the author of the book the play was based on, Gregory Maguire ^^

[dog199200]

Well i haven't read many books and nor do I know what kind of books you like, but I suggest reading the book Eragon. Its is a dragon book and if you don't know already theres a move based off the book coming out soon. Its one of the only books other then school books that I have read and everyone who has read it likes it, so you might to. You should check it out.

[flamekid_5]

read deltora quest its my favourite book series the books arnt to long and there very interesting but best of all there is like 15 of them and i have read like 13 and they all rocked!!!