So i've got an incredibly boring 5th period class where we don't do anything in. Now normally this would be fine, but since we aren't allowed to DO anything (no drawing/MP3/internet) reading seems to be my only option. Plus, i've always wanted to start reading more, but didn't know where to start.
Anyways, what are some good pick-up-and-read books out there that have a gripping beginning and such? Chances are, if the beginning is solid enough, i'll read through the entire book.
Breakfast of Champions, Slaughterhouse Five, Cat's Cradle and Slapstick (all by Kurt Vonnegut) are excellent reads. His writing style is simple and extremely punchy, his books are quick reads, and he is incredible at satire.
Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World, by Haruki Murakami
Good Omens, by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman (or anything else by either of these authors)
Son of the Circus, by John Irving, if you have the attention span for a longer book (and the stomach for some weird shit).
Me Talk Pretty One Day, by David Sedaris - short, funny stories.
The Historian, by Elizabeth Kostova is a fun, Da Vinci Code-esque book.
Why not try some collected short story type stuff? JG Ballard, Philip K. Dick (I think Dick did some short stories), Michael Marshal Smith (He did one book of short stories, most of which will make you want to vomit or weep), that sort of thing. Short, punchy stories that grab you immediately and are mostly short enough to read in an hour but are more fulfilling and thought provoking than your typical Readers Digest fare.
Breakfast of Champions, Slaughterhouse Five, Cat's Cradle and Slapstick (all by Kurt Vonnegut) are excellent reads. His writing style is simple and extremely punchy, his books are quick reads, and he is incredible at satire.
Also, God Bless You, Dr. Kevorkian. It's on the short side, but has an amazing premise and is really a great read. You should be able to knock it down in 2-3 days if not less, but I fully recommend it. I'm on a huge Vonnegut binge right now.
Most stuff by Isaac Asimov is short but very engaging. A lot of his books are short story collections or you could try his Foundation series, which is marvelous.
The Hitchhiker's Guide books, if you haven't read them already.
YES!
And, The Gunslinger by Stephen King. Be warned though, there are 6 books that follow this one that make a series. I thought they were reallllllly good though.
Philip K. Dick (I think Dick did some short stories)...
Dick did a lot of short stories, and they're almost consistently great. They're just all the mindfucks of his longer works, condensed. I would suggest them; in fact, I would suggest any short story author, as I'm just a fan of the genre.
Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke. It's only about 200 pages, and is an amazing book. Do NOT read anything about it online. No plot synopsis, nothing. It's like the Green Mile, you want to go in knowing nothing about it to enjoy it the most.
The last book I read was that Splinter Cell adaptation, and only because my uncle gave it to me. It was a surprisingly good story to boot, but maybe that's not the general concensus.
Also, I appreciate the assload of replies, but some of them aren't exactly pick-up-and-read types. I'm pretty sure i'm going to get bored reading the LOTR trilogy and the Princess Bride (even though I loved the movies). On a side note, the Hitchhikers movie wasn't great in my book, but if the book suffered a terrible book-to-film adaptation, i'll give it a second look.
The last book I read was that Splinter Cell adaptation, and only because my uncle gave it to me. It was a surprisingly good story to boot, but maybe that's not the general concensus.
Also, I appreciate the assload of replies, but some of them aren't exactly pick-up-and-read types. I'm pretty sure i'm going to get bored reading the LOTR trilogy and the Princess Bride (even though I loved the movies). On a side note, the Hitchhikers movie wasn't great in my book, but if the book suffered a terrible book-to-film adaptation, i'll give it a second look.
Thanks for all your help.
On Hitchhiker's: The movie wasn't nearly as good as the book. Trust me, the book's fine.
One of my favorite quick-read books is The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, by Mark Haddon.
Seconded. This book is amusing, telling, depressing, and other adjectives all rolled into a neat little red package with a siloutte of an upside down dog on the cover. I liked it.
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Concerning Ms. Atwood by Al Purdy. Not really a book, but seems to fit in. And a good read.
Im also reading American Gods by Neil Gaiman right now and it is quite the awesome read.
House of Leaves is pretty good if you like a mind-fuck of a story.
If you like science fiction just about anything by Larry Niven is good.
I like most of Orson Scott Card's stuff, the Alvin Maker series especially (though thats more fantasy).
Not sure what kinda stuff you like to read, but thats all fantasy/sci fi stuff, which is about all I read. Hope that helps ya!
Jordan of Elienor, Human Shaman
Also-
The Princess Bride
Lord of the Rings
you know... all the obvious stuff...
Good Omens, by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman (or anything else by either of these authors)
Son of the Circus, by John Irving, if you have the attention span for a longer book (and the stomach for some weird shit).
Me Talk Pretty One Day, by David Sedaris - short, funny stories.
The Historian, by Elizabeth Kostova is a fun, Da Vinci Code-esque book.
Also, God Bless You, Dr. Kevorkian. It's on the short side, but has an amazing premise and is really a great read. You should be able to knock it down in 2-3 days if not less, but I fully recommend it. I'm on a huge Vonnegut binge right now.
-Thinatos
YES!
And, The Gunslinger by Stephen King. Be warned though, there are 6 books that follow this one that make a series. I thought they were reallllllly good though.
Of course, that won't stop me from recommending Perdido Street Station by China Mieville, but then I'll recommend that book to just about anyone...
-Ancient Dwarfish Proverb
Also, I appreciate the assload of replies, but some of them aren't exactly pick-up-and-read types. I'm pretty sure i'm going to get bored reading the LOTR trilogy and the Princess Bride (even though I loved the movies). On a side note, the Hitchhikers movie wasn't great in my book, but if the book suffered a terrible book-to-film adaptation, i'll give it a second look.
Thanks for all your help.
both collections of excellent short stories
Hitchhikers; No movie could ever come close]
also seconding Pratchett and Arthur C. Clarcke
On Hitchhiker's: The movie wasn't nearly as good as the book. Trust me, the book's fine.
Seconded. This book is amusing, telling, depressing, and other adjectives all rolled into a neat little red package with a siloutte of an upside down dog on the cover. I liked it.
If you want a short story collection, try Stephen King's Everything's Eventual