i want to read something interesting, really bored with the same old. The more weird the better and i quite like non fiction but if you know any good fiction books with that extra edge to them id really appreciate to know! thanks!
2007-02-13 07:23:48 · 16 answers · asked by janeysmithster 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
I read American Psycho when I was a lot younger, way before the movie and was deeply affected.
But I believe reading 9 1/2 Weeks (again, before the movie) at 12 shaped my sexuality.
2007-02-13 07:28:02 · answer #1 · answered by kimpetuous 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't say "changed my life" but I got a wonderful jolt from it:
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde.
Not only Wilde an entertaining and incredibly witty writer, he is vastly intelligent and has created a collaboration of outrageous characters who have fairly radical outlooks on life.
Amongst others it explores the themes of corruption, influence and youth centered around the lifes of Lord Henry, Dorian and Basil.
Basil who is a celebrated current artist, meets Dorian Gray the most beautiful, innocence creature ever beheld. He asks the boy to stand for a painting and using his fascination and utter adoration of the young Dorian paints his portrait.
Lord Henry, Basil's friend, persuades the painter to introduce the two. Lord Henry (my personal favourite) is utterly immoral but in a completely charming manner, he speaks constantly in epigrams and paradoxes and is v. amusing, but has questionable motives when he takes on Dorian as a "project" corrupting the boy with his views on life and the social scale.
Clever, funny, and tragic - this book is really brilliant.
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For something lighter:
Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman
A book written for teens, about a society where Black (Crosses)people are superior and Whites (Noughts) are inferior. In the time setting, equality is being laid down in law but there is still much racism very much like the reverse 1960's America and England (? - ugh my history is terrible).
Sephy, a black girl and Callum, a white boy are friends and it follows their friendship which blossoms into a Romeo and Juliet romance.
It's a great deal more complicated but it's beautiful, insightful and deeply moving.
Not just for teenagers but for adults too, the subject is touching and painfully realistic. 10/10 defs, (the sequels personally were a mistake)
hope those help - an Eng Lit student.
2007-02-13 07:45:56 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
'Round the Bend' by Nevil Shute. It is fiction but written in the style of an autobiography- with a twist.
It's the most influential book I have ever read simply because it places the spiritual in the real world, within the context of 1950s aviation.
I'd recommend it, but beware it doesn't truly get going until half way through (but is a nice easy read).
2007-02-13 21:39:42 · answer #3 · answered by David 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I just finished this book for my college history class called "Where the birds never sing" and it was wonderful. The story follows a young soldier from the time to being drafted for WWII, to England to France and eventually to freeing a concentration camp. Its not at a historical boring novel. Its a great true story, reads just like any other story fictional novel.
2007-02-13 07:28:13 · answer #4 · answered by Mags 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For fiction I'd say Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie or The Lottery by Shirley Jackson.
For non-fiction try Jerry Manders' Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television or if your into ecology try Our Angry Earth By Asimov and Pohl.
2007-02-13 07:29:52 · answer #5 · answered by ottomated420 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A good fiction book I just finished and the read kept me turning the pages was Angelhair by Joseph Noga. This is a new book by a new author so if you want more info you can get it with a websearch. The story is a good psychological thriller. So maybe give it a read and enjoy.
2007-02-14 03:59:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
i found doing English Alevel gave me a great insight to books.
I love Harper Lee's 'To kill a mocking Bird'. All about a white man who defends a black man accused of a raping a white girl (didnt tho) in alabama early 1920's (i think). Great storyline and so close to what real life is.
Also love George Orwells '1984', although it was written in 1948, he almosts see's into the future. Describes life in all its brutality and control by a heirarchical society and super power.
Running with scissors is so good. Very strange, very funny, will keep you reading til the end. Psychiatrist who lets his patients live with him, but he's not at all sane himself!
so many good books around, just have a look.
2007-02-13 07:33:35 · answer #7 · answered by Bef 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chinua Achebe: Things Fall Apart
2016-05-24 06:03:02 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Devil on the cross by Kenyan writer and theorist Ngugi wa Thing'o. It is the first oral -aura novel. he invents an entirely different form of literature and he wrote the entire novel on toilet paper while he was in prison. He went to prison for writing a play called "I'll marry when I want" which concerns the double oppression of east African women. It's definitely unlike anything you've ever read before. Interesting and will knock you out of your boredom.
2007-02-13 07:30:52 · answer #9 · answered by slinda 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the most interesting/influential book i've ever read was
"Behind the Paint" by Violent J
The story of Violent J himself, with a few sidestories. it's showed me that you can do anything you want, but you have to work hard for it. and that in this world, we're not alone. everyone has the same issues. i recommend this book with the highest recommendation.
2007-02-13 07:34:13 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋