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Books I'd Want While Stranded on a Deserted Island - a list by TwinMom
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Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff ... - Google Book Search
2 people recommended this item
Description
This is without a doubt one of the funniest books I have ever read. The premise of the novel is that Jesus Christ has a heretofore unknown best friend named Biff, who is pretty much the most sacrilegious, blasphemous person ever. The interplay between the budding Messiah and his best friend is hilarious. Oddly enough, though many religious zealots may disagree, the novel itself doesn't make a mockery of religion. One of Biff's (seemingly few) endearing qualities is that he loves his best friend Jesus unconditionally. Hilarious, hilarious book. I've enjoyed every single one of Moore's books but this one is his best by far. (via The Strand)
Updated May 19, 2008
A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole
2 people recommended this item
Description
I laughed out loud so much while reading this book that the people around me thought I was insane. Ludicrous, irreverent, well-written, imaginative, descriptive and hilarious pretty much sums it up. The main character Ignatius J. Reilly is not your average fictional character, which is a blessing in itself. He is able to justify every one of his rude and selfish tendencies with flawed yet humorous logic. He regularly watches movies only to scream "What is this filmed abortion" at the screen and drops gems like "Canned food is a perversion." I love this book. (via The Strand)
Updated May 20, 2008
Wicked The Life And Times Of The Wicked Witch Of The West By Gregory Maguire
3 people recommended this item
Description
Rich, detailed, though-provoking and a reminder that not everything is always as it seems. I loved how allegorical the book was, the power struggle emulates many instances in history, namely the battle between King John and the Pope. Elphie was a great character, complex and yet by the end you were pulling for her to somehow alter the ending of the much beloved "Wizard of Oz" (which now I watch and think "Dorothy, you skank.") My favorite of Maguire's books.
Updated May 20, 2008
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
6 people recommended this item
Description
One of the best books I've ever read, The Alchemist is a story of a shepherd who leaves everything behind to travel the world. It's a literary reminder that the possibilities in our lives are endless if we just take the plunge and follow our dreams. Normally I would have thought this kind of book was a bit corny ("inspirational" "evocative" blah blah) but I recommend everyone read The Alchemist. (via The Strand)
Updated May 20, 2008
Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
First to recommend
Description
My favorite book of all time. This is one the rare instances in literary and cinematic history where the movie does do the book justice. However, though there are a few exceptions, I almost always prefer the book to the movie and it's no different with this epic story. Gone with the Wind spans the Civil War era from the Antebellum through Reconstruction, from the perspective of the legendary Scarlett O' Hara and the Confederate South. Many people believe it's a love story, which it is, but above that it is a story of survival, strength, courage, loyalty and faith. Should be required reading in all schools. (via The Strand)
Updated May 20, 2008
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer : Hardcover
14 people recommended this item
Description
Amazon says this is the "book of the decade" and though I haven't read every book written in this decade, I agree this is the closest of the ones I have read. I'm not enamored of vampires, don't follow the Gothic culture and don't get hot and bothered over literary vampire porn masquerading as contemporary romance novels. But this is an amazing book. Well-written and every scene is perfect. Though Meyer's central character Bella is a tad off (you never quite get what it is about her that makes the vampire Edward fall in love with her), it all still somehow fits. I'm a writer and so I have the unfortunate habit of critiquing books as I read them, automatically figuring out how I would have phrased things differently. I was absolutely immersed in this book. A complete pleasure. (via The Strand)
Updated May 20, 2008
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The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
First to recommend
Description
The greatest work of fantasy fiction of all time. Though like Gone with the Wind the adaptation of LOTR to film was phenomenal, reading Tolkien's actual words is an experience of itself. Had Peter Jackson created the entire trilogy as it was written, it would probably be 80 hours of footage. The only way to capture the entire Lord of the Rings story is to read it. (via The Strand)
Updated May 21, 2008
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell: A Novel - Susanna Clarke
2 people recommended this item
Description
This book has often been described as a "Harry Potter for adults" but it's really not. About the only thing they have in common is that they are both set in England (though Clarke's novel is set in the 19th century) and both include magic. Though the book is long and a bit slow in some sections (I skimmed over a few parts which is why I would want it with me on a deserted island) its brilliance lies in the way it interweaves magic with history. The setting is a world not in which magic doesn't exist, but rather a world where it was once pervasive and now dying out-- until the first two practical magicians in several centuries appear. Though not a fantasy novel in the Piers Anthony sense, it is both a fantasy and historical work. (via The Strand)
Updated May 21, 2008
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New Moon by Stephenie Meyer : Hardcover
10 people recommended this item
Description
As I said in my review of Twilight, I'm not one of those goth-obsessed people that devour (heh) every novel dedicated to vampires. That being said, the Twilight series is phenomenal. Inevitably, whenever the discussion turns to Stephanie Meyer's novels a comparison to Anne Rice comes up. No. The similarity between their novels is that they have vampires as central characters and have done research on vampire lore. New Moon is a good sequel to Twilight. Though some people complain that the book doesn't have enough of Meyer's vampire family (the Cullens), the book sets the stage for what will happen later in the series. Also, the books are not called "The Cullen Series." Ultimately, regardless of how vapor she seems to be at times, the book's main character is Bella. 4 snaps up in Z formation. (via The Strand)
Updated May 24, 2008
Harry Potter Boxset Books 1-7
8 people recommended this item
Description
This is a great gift for anyone who any or all of the following:
a) Loves to read
b) Has never read Harry Potter or only has the paperback versions
c) Has no pretensions regarding their reading list
I read probably 10-15 books each week (long commute and a minimal requirement for sleep) spanning almost every genre of fiction and non-fiction. Harry Potter is what I recommend to everyone who doesn't prefer to read but wants to start. The series is imaginative, funny, smart and yet readable. Parents all over the world should be sending JK Rowling thank you cards -- her Harry Potter series made reading cool.
Updated Jun 30, 2008
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