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Favorite books
There is a thread about what are you currently reading (http://www.mi6community.com/index.php?p=/discussion/1614/what-are-you-reading/p1) and another one about how much do you read (http://www.mi6community.com/index.php?p=/discussion/301/how-much-do-you-read/p1).
But what about your favorite books of all time? Those readings that really made an impact or impressed you like nothing before? It's not an objective judgement of the best literary pieces but of your personal favorites.
Mine are the following:
- Foucault's Pendolum by Umberto Eco. I love big and complex novels and this is a great post-modern story (or better still, stories) that shows deep erudiction but an even bigger parody of the culture. I've read it two times (one in Spanish and the second in Italian) and I could easily revisit it another time.
- If on a winter's night a traveler by Italo Calvino. This is profound, unexpected and magical. I don't have words for this little in size but great masterpiece.
- You Only Live Twice by Ian Fleming. For me it was mind-blowing. The Fleming I didn't expected with an also unexpected James Bond. The conversations with Dikko and Tanaka are marvellous. The atmosphere is almost surreal. And the ending so intense that I'll never forget when I once read it.
- Fictions by Jorge Luis Borges. Written in an almost perfect language and style, this is a collection of short stories that each one develops an amazing fictional idea.
- Passion, Craft, and Method in Comparative Politics by Gerardo L. Munck and Richard Snyder. Being a Political Scientist, this is my favorite book on my field. Fifteen interviews with the most important scholars that show both the scientific and human side of the enterprise.
But what about your favorite books of all time? Those readings that really made an impact or impressed you like nothing before? It's not an objective judgement of the best literary pieces but of your personal favorites.
Mine are the following:
- Foucault's Pendolum by Umberto Eco. I love big and complex novels and this is a great post-modern story (or better still, stories) that shows deep erudiction but an even bigger parody of the culture. I've read it two times (one in Spanish and the second in Italian) and I could easily revisit it another time.
- If on a winter's night a traveler by Italo Calvino. This is profound, unexpected and magical. I don't have words for this little in size but great masterpiece.
- You Only Live Twice by Ian Fleming. For me it was mind-blowing. The Fleming I didn't expected with an also unexpected James Bond. The conversations with Dikko and Tanaka are marvellous. The atmosphere is almost surreal. And the ending so intense that I'll never forget when I once read it.
- Fictions by Jorge Luis Borges. Written in an almost perfect language and style, this is a collection of short stories that each one develops an amazing fictional idea.
- Passion, Craft, and Method in Comparative Politics by Gerardo L. Munck and Richard Snyder. Being a Political Scientist, this is my favorite book on my field. Fifteen interviews with the most important scholars that show both the scientific and human side of the enterprise.
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I will post a few of my all-time favorite books.
- Casino Royale by Ian Fleming It is the quintessential spy thriller, though arguably not Fleming’s best. It’s one of the best for sure but some of the later novels I think are better written still. That said, the way the story unfolds, the way Bond becomes known to us, it’s a blast. It’s every Bond fan’s ultimate experience IMO.
- The Foundation Series by Isaac Asimov Truly one of the most epic collections of books in the whole history of science fiction. Comprising no less than 11 novels, the Robot novels included, this is the pinnacle of hard sci-fi. To face the demise of a future society, to experience the so-called future history, and to enjoy amidst all that the brilliant mind of Asimov, it to reach out and feel what the universe will look like 20 000 years from now.
In this ‘genre’ of books, I would also send out the warmest of compliments to Clarke’s “2001” and “Rama” series.
- Bram Stoker’s Dracula Though many enjoy the movies better than the book, mostly due to its older style of writings and concepts, I cannot but praise the work that went into this book and its lasting legacy. I choose this book for this thread, but Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and a lot of Poe, Lovecraft and Welles should be mentioned too.
Angela's Ashes - memoir by Frank McCourt. Not a cheery tale, by any means, and although I have Irish ancestry (therefore I have a natural interest), I was afraid at first the depressing parts would keep me down, be something I wouldn't to read all the way through - but I was sold by the third page, totally due to Mr. McCourt's lyrical, lovely writing. So well written. He writes like he is talking with you, but his words feel like sips of cool, clear water. It just feels effortless, and is so touching and yet not sentimental at the same time. It's hard to describe: I usually tell someone something like: "Here's a devastating, grim true story about an impoverished Irish childhood and growing up destitute with an alcoholic father, the family making it to New York to only live in more poverty. Yeah, I know. Read it anyway: the writing is like a song and the final ending is worth the journey."
Little Women - Louisa M. Alcott. Why yes, I am serious. It is beautifully written, touching, and thought-provoking. Four girls growing up in New England, U.S.A. during the Civil War. I read it again last year and it had been decades since I had read it. I remember saying to a friend, "I had forgotten how simply beautiful the writing really is."
A Study in Scarlet - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The one that started it all. Holmes and Watson meet. London fog, hansom cabs, murder, mystery, everything steeped in incredible atmosphere with a unique brilliant protagonist; this story changed the mystery/crime novel genre forever. (Check out our thread, A Study in Sherlock for my full review). I have enjoyed reading Holmes stories all my life (since jr high school, anyway). This is a good one, for sure.
I do have a few more to recommend, but it is so late here. I'm going to go crash. I'll probably add about 3 more tomorrow.
Stephen King - Salems lot
When I read this one as a teen it scared the living daylights out of me as it is such an original take on vampires. Having bought a great Hardback edition that contains all stories concerning Salems' Lot and rereading it it still gave me goosebumps and proved once again how well Mr King writes about the common man and his fears. One of the great books about Vampires.
J.R.R. Tolkien - the Hobbit/Lord of the Rings
I have quite a few versions of these books and they get reread every few years and I did pass my love for these tales of Tolkien to my daughters. This is fairytale in the highest form of originality for me.
Frank Herbert - Dune
This book is one of the most awesome scifi books ever written because it is about so much more than a space-opera about one boy who becomes emperor. It is about manjind and its grip on nature and viceversa, the need to believe religions and such, society and how it can be manipulated. And that is only in the first book.
Luckily Frank wrote 5 more books and left us with the mother of all cliffhangers when it comes to books. His sons effort does enlarge the Duniverse but by NO means ever has improved upon his fathers brilliance.
Leslie Charteris - The Saint closes the case/ the Avenging Saint
While I am a big fan of Leslie Charteris books these two tales for me are the true essence of Simon Templar, the person called the Saint. In here you also recognise the theft of Young done for his iconic movie character called James Bond 007.
The choice of words, the way he describes Simon and his adventures are pure English and Wodehouse class. It vastly superiour to anything the tv or movies have ever shown of the Saint.
Umberto Eco - Foucoults pendulum/ In the name of the Rose
These books awakend in me the curiosity towards Religious history and its place in our society then and now. Both books are easily the best ever written when it comes to Historical novels and I am quite sure that the influenced Dan Brown more than a little bit. Both books really drown you in mood and style if you are open to it.
John Irving - The world according to Garp
This book makes me laugh and cry every time I have read it. It is one of the few books I immediately reread after finishing it. It is the brilliant storytelling of Irving that makes this sometimes very dark book readable. It also made me a fan of this writer for the rest of my life, and it well written journey it has been. But Garp is easily the best book ever in my humble view. (Hotel New Hampshire is pretty awesome too!)
Recently read these books, written for teenagers but like Tolkein, Rowling and Philip Pulman they attract huge adult audiences. Certainly a remarkable and thought provoking series.
Joseph Heller - Catch 22
Epic, funny, tragic etc etc
Tolkein - The Hobbit
My first great love on the printed page when I was a child.
Dale Carnegie - How To Win Friends And Influence People
The only self help book you will ever need.
I read one Saint book years ago and didn't follow up. I'll try to get the two you just recommended soon.
I am adding today:
At Home - Bill Bryson's wonderfully interesting and amusing book about the history of different things that you may find in your home. So it's factually based, lots of historical tidbits, and really surprisingly holds your interest. I picked it up on a whim (I like Bryson - A Walk in The Woods is another gem - but this was different kind of book) and was very happily surprised by it.
Wellington at Waterloo - Jac Weller. A riveting account, thoroughly researched and considered by many a classic reconstruction of the battle.
... and following that with one of my favorites in a series:
Waterloo - Bernard Cornwell (a Sharpe novel). His writing has never been better, you can really sense the atmosphere, and of course it is centered around two great characters I have enjoyed for years: Richard Sharpe (whom I always and forever think of as Sean Bean; thank you, Sean!) and Patrick Harper.
The Shining I had to put a Stephen King book on here and this is what first came to mind. Not sure if I prefer this or the film though.
61 Hours Most of the Jack Reacher books are very good but this one has to be my favourite. Kept me hooked until the brilliant ending and I love the character.
Bravo Two Zero and The One That Got Away Both have been criticised for making bits up and for showing certain soldiers in negative lights but they're still brilliant, exciting books about a real true story.
I Am Legend- Richard Matheson (never done right in the movies)
Firestarter- Stephen King (movie was actually fairly close...)
Bid Time Return- Richard Matheson (the movie version Somewhere In Time didn't totally suck)
The Time Machine- H. G. Wells (the movies lost it)
Moonraker- forgot the author's name... (too awesome not to be a movie already) (the real story I mean)
Casino Royale - Ian Fleming
Bond on Bond - Roger Moore
11/22/63 - Stephen King
Psycho - Robert Bloch
A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
Forrest Gump - Winston Groom
We Interrupt This Broadcast - Joe Gardner
Something Wicked This Way Comes - Ray Bradbury
And I'll add: My favorite Ian Rankin - Resurrection Men
Really superb and I think the best of his entire set.
My favorite authors include:
Kingsley Amis
Will Self
Christopher Hitchens
Arthur Conan Doyle
F Scott Fitzgerald
Robbie Coltrane said he'd take one of his books to a desert island. As we know, Fleming much admired Chandler.
F. Scott Fitzgerald - The Great Gatsby
George Orwell - Nineteen Eighty-Four
John Gardner - The Liquidator
John Gardner - Never Send Flowers
What caught your imagination with it?
Not yet but I'm planning a monograph to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of its publication in July 2013.
Yes, I need to read more of his works again.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
A Cidade e as Serras (The City and the Mountains) by Eça de Queiroz
The Hobbit by Tolkien
Our Man in Havana by Graham Greene
Rebuilding Coventry and basically every book I ever read by Sue Townsend
I am adding my favorite find of the past year: Blackout and All Clear, time travel tales set in England during WWII, by Connie Willis. Two hefty books, but just one story between them; best to be read in order (Blackout first). Fascinating read, great characters, lovely writing!
http://www.amazon.com/Black-Butterfly-Secret-Service-Thriller/dp/0743283988/ref=la_B001H6QTFQ_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1370874752&sr=1-3
I want to! I love Mark and his writing, so I would love to, but have never seen his books in stores.
One can tell he is a Chopping fan. ;)
I had no idea.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Gatiss#Writer
This all makes sense now.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/3666235/The-world-of-Mark-Gatiss-actor-and-writer.html
"Collections I have some (fake) James Bond hardback first editions with a cover designed by Richard Chopping. Genuine first editions would cost about £50,000 but these are from an American company that does perfect facsimiles."