Have you read a book which made you read it more than once or left you impressed?

Question

I'd like to know the title and why. Thanks

Answer 1

Everything by Janet Evanovich and the Belgariad and Mallorean series by David Eddings. I read a variety of genres and get through about 5 books a week, but these books give me a huge amount of enjoyment; they're vivid and in some parts laugh out loud. They're not meaningful or educational but they're great fun, hugely involving and offer an escape from boring, everyday life. They make me happy.

Oh, and I completely forgot about Bill Bryson and his travel books - I still reread The Lost Continent every few years, and am surprised how valid remains 20 years after writing. And again, he makes me laugh!

Answer 2

Dhalgren by Sam Delaney

(warning - it has graphic sex)

A science fiction novel that turned science fiction on its head. Delaney is from the sixties sci-fi school and wrote a whopping 800-page surreal novel that left everyone either scratching their heads or reeling at one of the greatest reads ever.

The book starts where it ends (a la Finnegans Wake). In other words, go to the last page, read the last sentence, then go to the beginning of the book, which is a continuation of that sentence.

It takes place in a world where nothing is as it seems and anything can happen at any time. A drifter who doesn't even know his own name arrives in a city that has recently had a catastrophic event that has left buildings burning and most of the population has fled. We never find out what happened but it's probably related to race riots.

The book is - as I mentioned - very surreal and if you're looking for Harry Potter this is NOT the book for you. But if you want something that will challenge and dazzle you with literary pyrotechnics I haven't seen since James Joyce, I'd highly recommend checking it out.

This is a book that almost demands to be read twice, the second time through you get a lot more out of it.

FP

Answer 3

House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende. This is the only book that has ever made me cry at the end and one of the only books of which I remember the first line (Barrabas came to us by sea). It is a family saga but set in an almost other wordly existence (it is set in a South American country - the author is Chilean) and it is exquisite. As the book progresses it becomes more menacing, in line with the politics of the country. I loved it & reread it every so often. It really does lift the soul.
The only book that's ever come close is "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck. Similar in that they are both the intertwined life stories of many characters from the same family, but less ethereal in the telling of the tale.
If Steinbeck is the solid wordsmith, hurling out description & pathos then Allende is the more fluid, an artisan. Both hugely enjoyable - sorry about the crap descriptions - I blame the red wine.....

Answer 4

Lord of the Flies- William Golding

Mr Golding had human behavioural patterns down to a tee. I recognise the characters in the book in people I know personally.
Just such an honest book.

And Choke and Fight Club, both by Chuck Palahnuik. Both are REALLY clever books that just keep you so engrossed in them you don't want to put them down and have great twists at the end that you're just not expecting. Fight Club is better as book then it is as a film- after being spoilt by the book I was disappointed with the movie.

I'm currently reading 'To the Edge of the Sky' by Anhua Gao and it's already leaving an impression on me. It's the true story of woman who was born into a prestigious political family in communist China, but after being orphaned at 12 endured horrendous ill-treatment by those around her including her husband and her own siblings. It's really quite sad.

So many others that I just love as well- Animal Farm, To Kill a Mockingbird, I know why the caged bird sings...

Good question by the way-got me going.

Answer 5

"If I live to be 100" by Neenah Ellis

It's a biography, a reporter goes around the country and interviews 17 people that are 100 or older (including a married couple who are both 100 and married for EIGHTY years ).

At first she asks the typical questions "What's the meaning of life?", "What would you do different?", that sort of thing. Then she got more creative with her questions, and later learned to just listen, let them talk. Each person was intriguing. The things they experience, their views, and believe it or not ~ plans for the future.

The interviews were done in 2000, so while reading about each person, I knew that they've probably passed by now. That was sad, because reading the book "and getting to know them" made me want to wish them 100 more years of life.

The one thing that was mentioned more than once was how lonely they feel, how not many people stop to talk, they feel invisible, and want so bad to just talk. And when someone shows them the least little bit of attention, even if it's a "hello" as you walk by, it makes their day. There was a quick update on each person at the end. Two are still with us.

Answer 6

Yeah loads of different books but the one that I have read the most is, ' We need to talk about Kevin'. It is about this kid who goes of the rails and ends up doing a school shoot out. The book is the letters that the Mother writes to her now estranged husband about where they went wrong and what they could of done differently. There is a massive twist at the end. It is pure brilliant. I am now reading her second book, which is turning out to be just as good and gripping. I suggest you give it a bash, if you like that sort of thing. It is not morbid or depressing and show the dynamics when kids enter the family. It more psychological. If you do buy it I hope you like it, and if you have kids it is really poignant

Answer 7

There are so many books I reread (I'm a fairly avid rereader) but one of the most oustanding ones is Don't Die Before You're Dead, by Yevgeny Yevtushenko. I've always been interested in Russia, and his language is just so beautiful, and the characters so compelling, that it has just stayed with me.

I think that Alan Garner's work is another thing that is well worth rereading. His style is so sparse and elegant that it definitely pays off to read it several times, I find I get more out of the books with each reread. I particularly enjoy The Owl Service and Red Shift.

Answer 8

Yes The Three Musketeers by Alexander Dumas. I only started to read it as I was awake late one night and thought it would send me to sleep as I have never read a book from that era nor genre before. I don't think I slept properly again for weeks! I stayed up all night reading! It is superbly written, witty, full of detail and history (based on tru events-something else I never thought I would read!) The characters had depth and intrigue they were complex but accessible. The story, although known to me, was exciting to read and I couldn't wait to turn the pages to find out what happened next! It takes a little dedication to read but is well worth it. I am very pleased that I picked it up that night and have read it every year for the past 5 years! Superb reading! I highly recommend you giving it a try!

Answer 9

I think most of the intricate plotted mystery stories always need to be read at least one and a half times. There is always some marvelous twist in the plot toward the end that makes you want to go back and see if you should have realized that was coming.

The series about the lady medical examiner (Maura Isles) and her friend the tough lady detective are typical. Their plot just demands it in almost any on the best seller list.

Answer 10

I have read ALAS BABYLON , by Pat Frank, at least 6 times over the past 10 years. It was written about Florida after a nuclear war and since I live in Florida, I can relate to it. It just grabs you from the first chapter and sucks you thru the story. I like it so much that I have had it covered in suede, so it will last.