Top 5 books - ... and storytime?

[supafrey]

In no particular order, list your 5 favourite or most memorable books. (Yes I know list threads are now trendy on thp). Then, pick one and relate a brief paragraph on why that book was important to you, what stage in your life you first discovered that book, or why you think that book could make an impact in others' lives, etc. There's no rules.


Animal Farm
1984
The Watchmen
The Giver
Understanding Comics

Although all of these books were important to me, Animal Farm probably has the distinct honour of shaping me in to the person I am today. As a bright-eyed ~7 year old I was an avid reader but the vast majority of my reading was lighter, fluffier fare; American classics like Mark Twain, some Dickens, I loved Aesop and the Grimm brothers, Sherlock Holmes, cheesy horror books and Goosebumps... and then I found Animal Farm.

Even at that age I (thankfully) understood that writers used metaphors and parables to get messages across about the "real world". I knew a tiny bit about my Soviet roots and the connections with how the Farm was run blew my mind; It was rich, thoughtful, accessible, and complex in a way my childish brain had never imagined possible. I learned about power, manipulation, control, obedience, sloth, fear, hope and despair through an analogy that just happened to use all of my barnyard friends in the starkest of ways. When Snowball was demonized something clicked in my head and I've been smarter, more mature, and perceptive ever since. That book changed me.

Anyone else got a story?

[jimmer]

Nice idea supa, but I was wondering if everyone could add a few lines about what their book is about as well.

I never went to school when I was growing up, so I've never read many books. The only books I seem to read now-a-days are about poker!

If everyone wrote a few lines about their books as well, I would personally be more tempted to buy one to read. I think it would do me good.

thanks

[supafrey]

Sorry, that's a good idea.

Animal Farm is about a farm from the perspective of all of the different animals. It's a story about communism - each of the different animals gives to the farm in their assigned roles and the system seems fair and balanced as these guys start to move away from anything reminding them of their former human masters. Eventually, the pigs decide that some sort of leadership is necessary and power struggles arise as each species tries to wrestle with the ideas of equality, fairness, patriotism, ignorance, power, etc. When one of the pigs is labeled a traitor, the fun begins.

[KingOHearts]

Nice idea supa.

A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
The Body by Stephen King (technically a novella)
A River Runs Through It by Norman Maclean
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
The Stand by Stephen King

A Prayer for Owen Meany is classic Irving. It focuses on the tragedies and comedies and absurdities of life, weaving in quite a bit of odd religious counterpoints and lots of humorous, tragic, and just plain weird interpersonal and sexual situations. In the end a very touching book about the life long friends we make (if we are lucky) and the unlikely heroes that can arise.

The Body was the story that the film Stand by Me was based on. All about childhood friendships and the social fabric of small town America in the 60s.

A River Runs Through It is a true story about a fly fishing family living in rural Montana around the turn of the century (1900). The story of a family and its triumph and tragedies; the most notable thing about it for me is the beautiful writing style. The movie is fantastic too.

All 3 of the above books make me think about my friends from my childhood, where we all went, how we got there, who didn't make it, and why all the separate but inexorably linked events happen in our lives the way they do.

You better all have read Lord of the Flies. 'nuff said.

The Stand - a huge novel of good versus evil and human nature when the world falls apart.

[exit music]

Cool idea. These are going to be listed chronologically, from appearance in my life. I read a ton of books as a kid, but I'm going to start the list from High School onward. You can google search the plot summary if you don't know the book.

1. Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger
2. To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
3. On the Road, by Jack Kerouac
4. The Game, by Neil Strauss
5. The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald

I was a typical angsty teen in high school, and Catcher in the Rye caught me completely off guard. I was expecting a slow "old timey" book, but after one page I was hooked. I could relate to everything in the book. From Holden's attitude to school, girls, friends, parents, siblings, teachers - everything - I never used to be able to cope with all the retarded drama associated with high-schoolers, the pointlessness of it all, and the Catcher in the Rye might have saved me from that cliff in the end.

To Kill a Mockingbird is a classic that teaches people about equality and the naievity of children, and the ignorance of adults. Once I finally understood this book, I became a more humbled man.

On the Road. I love you Jack Kerouac. This book continues to dominate my brain. I feel Kerouac's manic depression - going crazy with kicks, and then being destitute by the sadness of life - and I learned that anything can be solved by turning your back to your past.

The Game - ooooh Neil Strauss. I read this book when I was still in a relationship, but having recently been forced single by my whoore ex-girlfriend, I've been enjoying the lessons learned from reading this book. I don't use all the lame pick up lines, but I learned about confidence, persistence, and value, and you can trust me when I say, it works.

Last but not least, the most perfectly written book I've ever read: The Great Gatsby. I'm still in the after-glow of this book. It gave me intense brain orgasms. Every single sentence is constructed beautifully, and the story it weaves is spectacular and telling. Gatsby and Nick and Daisy - oh my! - such strange characters!

[Kemics]

In no particular order

1) Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts - a semi-Autobiographical story of an escaped Australian convict who ends up in India. I cant really describe how brilliant this book is.

2) Shogun by James Clavel - epic narrative set in edo era Japan.

3) Lord of the Rings - Nuff said.

4) Dead Famous by Ben Elton- about a murder in the big brother house, one of the wittiest books i've read.

5) Straw Dogs by John Gray - A very short book but took my months to read it simply because it's so brilliant, after reading every page you have pause for a while to adjust your entire perception of reality and understanding. If i could recommend one book it would be this.

Honorable mentions to the Art of War, Book of Five Rings and Guy Debord's book on Spectacle.

[Muck]

The Very Hungry Caterpillar – A terrifyingly illustration of compounding greed aimed toward an ever more corporately denominated world.

Mein Kampf – A feel good story that doesn’t take itself too seriously. The guy who played Stiffer has already signed on for the movie.

Chunky Asses! (Issue 81) – It just touched me deeply, as did I later.

War and Peace – I’ve never actually read it but my Tivo auto tapped “The Top 100 Booksâ€

[kompis]

u read "the tiger that came to tea" muck? i think it would right up your alley.

1) Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts - a semi-Autobiographical story of an escaped Australian convict who ends up in India. I cant really describe how brilliant this book is.

this sounds like cool book i think i will buy it for 50p from amazon + £3 p&p, needed some toilet room literature for a while now

[Muck]

u read "the tiger that came to tea" muck? i think it would right up your alley.

I’ve heard of it, Time said [i]“it throws a challenging spotlight on racial prejudiceâ€

[gumbie]

The Very Hungry Caterpillar – A terrifyingly illustration of compounding greed aimed toward an ever more corporately denominated world.

I read this once a week. It exemplifies how effort and suffering can be needed to achieve a goal.

[khaosanroad]

No particular order.

1. The Beach
2. The Time Traveler's Wife
3. Ender's Game
4. Ender's Shadow
5. LOTR


1. screw the movie, the book is great. Many late 20's and early 30's will relate with the main character. A search for something different, something genuine, and far you will go to have it.

2. Sounds like a chick book but actually very good. A man with a genetic disorder that causes him to spontaneously travel time. He has no control over when and where, but it usually occurs within proximity of an event or person that has emotional impact on him.

3. A very good sci-fi about genius children trained for a war against an alien species. The book is actually pretty deep and appears on many military reading lists.

4. Same as #3 but from the point of view of a different child. A homeless adandoned child that had to survive the streets until his unnatural genius was discovered.

5. duh.

[zinn0]

5. LOTR


5. duh.

What's LOTR precious?

[Kemics]

bumpity bump, how did everyone get on with their homework?

Kompis, did you get round to reading shantaram?

I've just finished reading 'The Game' by Neil Strauss, less of "how to" and more of a really compelling narrative, well concluded and well written. By all accounts one of the best books ive read this year, read it in a couple of days, really couldnt put it down. 9/10

[HalfSugar]

I've just finished reading 'The Game' by Neil Strauss, less of "how to" and more of a really compelling narrative, well concluded and well written. By all accounts one of the best books ive read this year, read it in a couple of days, really couldnt put it down. 9/10

I also picked up a copy of this and I have nearly finished it (I read slooooooooooooow). It's pretty good, although it's dragging towards the end I have to say!

Next up is To Kill A Mockingbird which was also recommended by Exit Music and after that I'm actually going to read Ben Mezrich's 4th book (he wrote the book that the film 21 is based on and I have his first three which are all great).

[Kemics]

The very end of the book for me was the best bit, picks up pace and drama for a good ending that ties everything up quite neatly. I dont want to hype it up, but the ending changed my mind from thinking its a good book to a brilliant one