Hey there! Well, I'm in college, I've read lots of books out there. LOTS. And so I'm looking for some unusual novels, short stories, epics, poems, anything that reads well and is interesting.
I love Fiction. Historic Fiction and Fantasy are two of my favorites but I'll read anything I can get my hands on. So I'm wondering if anyones got any suggestions?
The basics are mostly down. Harry Potter, some Shakespeare, Dan Brown, James Clavells, and lots of Aesop. Robin Hood was pretty good too. But anyways, I'm looking for awesome stories, old or new. Big or small, I'm not picky. Just something good and different!
Thanks!
2007-09-04 05:35:54 · 20 answers · asked by Jess 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
"Memory and Dreams" by Charles De Lint.
2007-09-04 05:42:24 · answer #1 · answered by lunatic 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Note: Most of what I suggest won't be literature that your professors will be proud of you for reading.
Fantasy: Noble Dead Saga by Barb and J.C. Hendee
Historic: Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. Also, Walking Wolf: A Weird Western by Nancy A. Collins is a good read.
Other: "The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin. I suggested her because she really wrote some great early feminist literature, and I know many college graduates who have never heard of her.
Of course, I'm sure you've checked out Brett Easton Ellis. I don't think you can finish college without getting curious and at least slogging through American Psycho.
Have you tried Urban Fantasy? Kim Harrison, Rachel Vincent, Kelley Armstong, and Charlaine Harris are fun to read. Laurell K. Hamilton also writes in the genre and is very popular. Many fans have dropped off because of the profusion of erotic content in her books, but she does have some good story lines.
2007-09-04 14:04:27 · answer #2 · answered by Flower Girl 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try _Skin_ by Ted Dekker. Also, check out his book, co-written with Frank Peretti, called _House_.
Warning: These are Christian authors, but I have deliberately directed you to their least overt stories. There isn't going to be a salvation scene our a huge "message" in these. There's some biblical parallels going on, but you don't need Bible knowledge to enjoy the stories.
Why did I make sure to provide the warning? Well, I just don't want you to order another book of his and say, "Hey, this is Christian!" and think I'm trying to deceive you. I pretty much read exclusively Christian books, so I don't have any other options. Sorry.
~Stephanie~
2007-09-04 14:32:43 · answer #3 · answered by pneumasender 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1. the Faery Queene by Spencer-- an epic poem from the enlightenment discussing virtue.
2. Tristram Shandy by Sterne-- a novel, the weirdest an most wonderfully playful novel EVER.
3. Titus groan trilogy by Peake, the best fantasy ever written.
2007-09-04 12:43:40 · answer #4 · answered by Phadria 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers (it's non-fiction, but it reads like fiction)
Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman (hilarous apocolyptic fiction)
House of Leaves by Mark Z Danielewski (your mind will never be so blown)
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke (it is just so good)
Medea by Euripides (the best thing to come out ancient Greece since democracy)
Enjoy!
2007-09-04 13:59:19 · answer #5 · answered by Beth N 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Those aren't my personal favorite genres but I would suggest any books by Ann Rinaldi or Brian Jacques. Probably below your reading level but still great books. Also, Flags of our Fathers while not fiction is an amazing book. As is The Things that They Carried. Hope this helps!
2007-09-04 12:41:28 · answer #6 · answered by mama_chickadee 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have answered this question so many times, I decided to dedicate a web site to answer this question. Here it is:
http://www.life-after-harry-potter.com
Included is a list of only the best sorcery fantasy books, grade reading level, a short review of each book, and a "reader's choice" list of favorite books.
You can ignore the reading level. All of these are great books, regardless of age (I'm 45). If you've read all of these, you might find something worthwhile here:
http://www.awardannals.com/wiki/Honor_roll:Genres
The books are ranked according to the number of awards they have won, and so rankings are slanted toward newer books. Nevertheless, you are not likely to find any losers at the top of these lists.
I hope this helps.
Jim, http://www.jimpettis.com/wheel/
2007-09-04 14:53:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Very different: the novels of Charles Williams. This is not the mystery writer of that name, but the Oxford scholar who died in 1944 or 1945. They aren't available new, but you can get the Eerdmans paperbacks from Abebooks. Titles, in the order I would recommend, are: "Descent into Hell," "All Hallows Eve," "War in Heaven," "Many Dimensions," "Greater Trumps," "Place of the Lion," and "Shadows of Ecstacy." The books are not a series, and the order represents excellence rather than chronology.
2007-09-04 13:20:18 · answer #8 · answered by anobium625 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try The Heart Shaped Box by Joe Hill. Its a ghost story with a punch. Scared the hell out of me. Joe Hill is Joe Hill King son of Stephen King.
2007-09-04 13:08:33 · answer #9 · answered by Oz 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Enders Game by Orsen Scott Card
2007-09-04 12:44:43 · answer #10 · answered by wraith227 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson is very good. It's not fiction, it's his experience hiking the Appalachian Trail.
2007-09-04 13:18:11 · answer #11 · answered by Tricia R 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋