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Combat Chuck · 01-26-2003, 01:58 AM

Hurm...

The Things They Carried - Tim O'Neill

- Read this book for summer reading and thought it was the most profound example of the shit that war does to people. It jumps around like a flea, but that adds so much to the characters....it actually reads like a non-fiction book, but it is actually fiction.

A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius - Dave Eggers

This book is a non-fiction, so I'll add a buffer at the end. Gotta say though, it's got character, and fuck load of it. When you want social commentary mixed in with a real life story of a 22 year old man who looks after his younger brother when both their parents die, pick up this book. And the title is a masterpiece. The book is funny as hell, but also fucking depressing. It takes you around the spectrum of feelings, and it feels wonderful.

Watchmen - Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons

- Alright, this is a Graphic Novel, but I count it as a book. Cause it is a book, just with pictures.

Anyhoo, one of the best examples of the power that comics can have. This story is lauded as the best of the best in the comics world. When the government has outlawed most superheroes, either that or made them register and work for the government, a couple of people are thrown into a massive whirlwind of conspiracy when one of their old teammates is killed. Thing is, everyone hated the guy.

Not to mention, Russia's finger is on the button that's marked world annihalation, a mysterious vigilante named Rorshach (coolest character ever....guy's mask is a constantly changing Rorshach test with just dirty trenchcoat) is on the run from the authorities while trying to find the killer, the human equivalent of America's only chance at not getting nuked decides to be a hermit on Mars, and all the worlds premiere philosophers, artists, and technicians are building something strange on an abandoned island, a hero that hasn't touched his costume in years and finds that that's the reason for his impotence.....well, there are sooo many layers to this book, and when everything comes together in the end, you'll be stuck with a shocked look on your face like no other....it's seriously the best story I've ever read.

- The Discworld Series - Terry Pratchett

Terry Pratchett's work is extremely out of this world, but yet, so down to earth. This guy writes parody like no other. He's a British writer that takes insane ideas and makes them even more insane....let me give you an example.

In his book, Thief of Time, there is a monastery of Chinese Monks that are in charge of Time itself....and Time is a being. A thing with a personality.

There is a machine that they use that controls the amounts of time. Here's what it can do. They have scales that measure time. They can move time around.....such as, they can take time away from the bottom of the ocean (I mean, really....how much time do those fish with the dangly light thingies really need?) and divert it to the city, where there's 'never enough time'. However, they always have to make sure that all time streams are equal, and that at the End of Time, they always match up.....it's got some really hard concepts to grasp, but in all of it, Time finds out that she's pregnant, and otherworldly beings find that humanity needs fixing, and the only way to do that is to end it.

A bunch of freaking awesome characters (like all four horsemen of the Apocolypse are retired and now they're mad cause they're being called to ride and they don't want to) and as I said, insane ideas, and this book is just one in the 22 book series. They're all as good as this one, if not better.

Lord of the Rings Trilogy - J.R.R. Tolkien

You can't NOT have this on your list. Even if you hate fantasy, this is a definite exception to your hate. If you don't like these books, you're a moron. Really. Tolkien is an insane mutha, but man, you can't get any more creative or expansive as this genius....there's not much more I can say, except that if you haven't read the books, you need to NOW.

Catcher In The Rye - J.D. Salinger

UB, Salinger is the author of this quirky story that's so hard to classify.....it's definite social commentary, but then again, it seems to wander aimlessly....thing is, the reader doesn't care. The character of Holden Caufield is so repugnant and lovable, you just can't help but either be disgusted or riveted with his every word. Either way, there is no denying the fact that this tale of soul searching and individual growth is one of the greatest pieces of American Literature.

I also wanted to mention stuff like Of Mice and Men or The Grapes of Wrath by Steinbeck, The Shannara Trilogy by Terry Brooks (besides Tolkien, there is no better fantasy weaver), or all the crazy stuff by Bradbury (I'll get to him if we ever get into short stories.....he's got my favorite short story of all time)...there's just so much that is out there that I love.

I highly suggest that you guys check these books out if you haven't. You won't regret it.

01-26-2003, 01:58 AM	#19 (permalink)
Combat Chuck Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 2,063 Internets: 10	Hurm... The Things They Carried - Tim O'Neill - Read this book for summer reading and thought it was the most profound example of the shit that war does to people. It jumps around like a flea, but that adds so much to the characters....it actually reads like a non-fiction book, but it is actually fiction. A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius - Dave Eggers This book is a non-fiction, so I'll add a buffer at the end. Gotta say though, it's got character, and fuck load of it. When you want social commentary mixed in with a real life story of a 22 year old man who looks after his younger brother when both their parents die, pick up this book. And the title is a masterpiece. The book is funny as hell, but also fucking depressing. It takes you around the spectrum of feelings, and it feels wonderful. Watchmen - Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons - Alright, this is a Graphic Novel, but I count it as a book. Cause it is a book, just with pictures. Anyhoo, one of the best examples of the power that comics can have. This story is lauded as the best of the best in the comics world. When the government has outlawed most superheroes, either that or made them register and work for the government, a couple of people are thrown into a massive whirlwind of conspiracy when one of their old teammates is killed. Thing is, everyone hated the guy. Not to mention, Russia's finger is on the button that's marked world annihalation, a mysterious vigilante named Rorshach (coolest character ever....guy's mask is a constantly changing Rorshach test with just dirty trenchcoat) is on the run from the authorities while trying to find the killer, the human equivalent of America's only chance at not getting nuked decides to be a hermit on Mars, and all the worlds premiere philosophers, artists, and technicians are building something strange on an abandoned island, a hero that hasn't touched his costume in years and finds that that's the reason for his impotence.....well, there are sooo many layers to this book, and when everything comes together in the end, you'll be stuck with a shocked look on your face like no other....it's seriously the best story I've ever read. - The Discworld Series - Terry Pratchett Terry Pratchett's work is extremely out of this world, but yet, so down to earth. This guy writes parody like no other. He's a British writer that takes insane ideas and makes them even more insane....let me give you an example. In his book, Thief of Time, there is a monastery of Chinese Monks that are in charge of Time itself....and Time is a being. A thing with a personality. There is a machine that they use that controls the amounts of time. Here's what it can do. They have scales that measure time. They can move time around.....such as, they can take time away from the bottom of the ocean (I mean, really....how much time do those fish with the dangly light thingies really need?) and divert it to the city, where there's 'never enough time'. However, they always have to make sure that all time streams are equal, and that at the End of Time, they always match up.....it's got some really hard concepts to grasp, but in all of it, Time finds out that she's pregnant, and otherworldly beings find that humanity needs fixing, and the only way to do that is to end it. A bunch of freaking awesome characters (like all four horsemen of the Apocolypse are retired and now they're mad cause they're being called to ride and they don't want to) and as I said, insane ideas, and this book is just one in the 22 book series. They're all as good as this one, if not better. Lord of the Rings Trilogy - J.R.R. Tolkien You can't NOT have this on your list. Even if you hate fantasy, this is a definite exception to your hate. If you don't like these books, you're a moron. Really. Tolkien is an insane mutha, but man, you can't get any more creative or expansive as this genius....there's not much more I can say, except that if you haven't read the books, you need to NOW. Catcher In The Rye - J.D. Salinger UB, Salinger is the author of this quirky story that's so hard to classify.....it's definite social commentary, but then again, it seems to wander aimlessly....thing is, the reader doesn't care. The character of Holden Caufield is so repugnant and lovable, you just can't help but either be disgusted or riveted with his every word. Either way, there is no denying the fact that this tale of soul searching and individual growth is one of the greatest pieces of American Literature. I also wanted to mention stuff like Of Mice and Men or The Grapes of Wrath by Steinbeck, The Shannara Trilogy by Terry Brooks (besides Tolkien, there is no better fantasy weaver), or all the crazy stuff by Bradbury (I'll get to him if we ever get into short stories.....he's got my favorite short story of all time)...there's just so much that is out there that I love. I highly suggest that you guys check these books out if you haven't. You won't regret it.