All of this talk about books the last few weeks, what books do you recommend to the forum? To keep it simple, let’s go with 1 fiction, and 1 non-fiction. I very much enjoyed the “Deep Survival” book Tom D. suggested (non-fiction). I also just got done with “The Dante Club” which was excellent (fiction).
I just re-read Catch 22 for the third time and it was brilliant.
The Gashlycrumb Tinies by Edward Gorey for fiction (I hope)
Some of it is actually online here:
http://www.wishville.co.uk/gorey/
Touching the Void by Joe Simpson for non-fiction
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Shake Hands with the Devil by Romeo Dallaire. Daillaire is the Canadian general that headed up the UN mission in Rwanda when the massacre tool place. The experience drove him to attempt suicide. This book is shocking in its portrayal of what one human being can do to another.
This should keep you busy.
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=270248;search_string=books;#270248
Damn. One book fiction one non? just one?
Non-fiction: “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey.
Fiction: “Oh, The Places You’ll Go” By Dr. Seuss.
Keeping it to only one each is a daunting task.
I have one that’s sort of both…
Einstein’s Dreams, by Alan Lightman
Fiction: “Oh, The Places You’ll Go” By Dr. Seuss.
Keeping it to only one each is a daunting task.
“Blink” by Malcolm Gladwell is an eye-opener.
Over the years I have managed to collect a few Gorey first editions…
Yeah, I’ve recently gotten into it. There’s a strong underground collector’s pool with him. If you’re interested, there’s a signed first edition of “the Doubtful Stranger” on Ebay right now.
My next is “The Recently Deflowered Girl”
so far, his stuff is still cheap enough to pick up without too much stress. ;^) I don;t think I’ve paid more than $150-175US for a first ed. hardcover…
I was almost brought up on Gorey books. A dubious benefit of having a freak for a father :^)
I don’t know where you are located, but if you ever make it out to Boston or Cape Cod, MA his old house is now a museum of his works. It’s pretty cool to check out.
The Curious Couch and The Doubtful Stranger are two of my favorites :^)
non-fiction: “The Last American Man” - Tom D for whatever reason, I think you’d dig this book.
Fiction: man I could list a hundred and would probably be made fun of for all of them…so just read the non-fiction book
It’s not as underground as you think / hope …
http://www.goreyography.com/west/west.htm
I have all the Amphigorey anthologies plus a bunch of single editions (a couple firsts, but only more recent work) as well as “Ascending Peculiarity: Edward Gorey on Edward Gorey,”“The Strange Case of Edward Gorey,” “The World of Edward Gorey,” and (a great find) “Instant Lives & More,” by Howard Moss which consists of fictional biographies of Emily Dickinson, the Bronte Sisters and more, illustrated by EG.
I also have a first edition of “The Razor’s Edge” which I trashpicked.
a prayer for owen meany by john irving.
Most of the John Irving books are good reads. World according to Garp and Owen Meany are of the few books I can open at any page and start reading.
My favorite book is probably The Sun Also Rises by Hemingway although I liked all of his books a lot aside from Death in the Afternoon which just didn’t relate to me at all. I love Cannery Row and Winter of our Discontent by Steinbeck and they are quick reads.
I don’t read much non-fiction, I get enough of it everyday. I guess I liked the Lance books and into the wild by Krauker (sp).
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Fiction - Sophie’s Choice, William Styron
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Nonfiction - Under the Banner of Heaven, Jon Krakauer
I have to give nods as well to Jane Eyre (Bronte), which actually is probably my favorite read of all time. I’m such a girl. 
also…
gold coast by nelson demille.
“The Walking Drum” by Lois L’Amour - Fiction
**The Killer Angels - **MICHAEL SHAARA - Non Fiction
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Non-fiction - Power vs Force Dr.David Hawkins
Fiction - gotta love To Kill a Mockingbird still, although in my older days I go back to Patriot Games over and over
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