[internisus]

Fiction I read tends to be either recognized as classic or otherwise, for lack of a better word, philosophical in nature. Stuff like Nausea or Lucky Wander Boy, for instance. It's been years since I've gone in for a thriller or a suspense or a mystery or a fantasy. In fact, all I can really remember of this set are The Relic by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child and Dragons of Autumn Twilight by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman (as well as the two other books that followed it). I particularly remember enjoying The Relic. I don't really know if it's considered a good read or not, but I had a good time with it.

I'm just looking for some fiction recommendations that aren't Marukami or Borges, you know? Fantasy, sci-fi, horror, mystery, whatever. Bruce Coville for grown-ups, maybe. I know you're a diverse and experience bunch. Post about whatever books you might be embarrassed to bring up in the real lit thread.

Maybe I should try Harry Potter. =(

[Aaron]

No, don't submit. Harry Potter is shit.

I've heard good things about the Ice & Fire fantasy series, though I haven't read it myself. Too grim. If you want mystery, head for Agatha Christie. Sci-fi there's always Asimov. The Foundation series is as close to classic stuff as the genre gets really. More modern there's Ender's Game. There's also magazines like Fantasy & Science Fiction, but the stories tend to be hit or miss.

[internisus]

By Ice & Fire do you mean Song of Ice and Fire? Because it seems like someone is always recommending that series.

[slipstream]

read infinite jest by dave foster wallace
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[Mr. Apol]

just read whatever the fuck you want god

why would it even matter what other people think of what you read

basically die
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[Mr. Apol]

oh and i had fun with murakami's last book
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[internisus]

[wpham]

For somewhat "lighter" fiction, I picked up The Russian Debutante's Handbook by Gary Shteyngart based on a recommendation from a professor and it was extremely enjoyable. Lots of Jewish self-deprecating humor, poking fun at self-labeled expat bohemians, that kind of thing.
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last.fm

[DJ]

Hey. HEY. Intern. Listen. Seriously.

You deeply want the Kane Trilogy, you're just not aware of it yet.

Now you are.

They are a trilogy of books by Karl E. Wagner (i.e. this guy), and are fucking awesome.

Get:

Bloodstone ('75)
Dark Crusade ('76)
Darkness Weaves ('78, good luck finding it)

There are a couple anthology works that have all three bound in hardcover; these are actually cheaper and easier to find than the individual softcovers. Difference is they're on shitty paper. Who cares? You can still read them just fine, and you save $30 and a lot of headache. Get them.

This guy is the blackest of black sheep for awesome fantasy stories, and is referenced in fiction literature the same way mainstream musicians reference early Velvet Underground.

It's amazing stuff. Changed my perception of fantasy literature entirely.

Thank me later.
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[BotageL]

[elvis.shrugged]

I just picked up Heinlein's The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. It's pretty good so far! Libertarian revolution on a lunar penal colony, sentient computers, etc. It's written in a weird style (sort of clipped, like it's missing certain parts of speech), but you should be able to get used to it.

Otherwise I recommend Murakami. Lots.
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last.fm
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[boojiboy7]

[another god]

I really liked reading the Emperor series by Conn Igulden. It's interesting historical fiction about the life of Julius Caesar. It's like Harry Potter for well educated private school boys. I suggest Death of Kings (book 2) because it's pretty exciting, but Gates of Rome (book 1) is a good starting point, too.

If you want something that's less fiction and more just interesting stuff to read: Sex Drugs & Cocoa Puffs by Chuck Klosterman is pretty popular; Robert Greene's books 48 Laws of Power (The Prince for us paupers), Art of Seduction, and 33 Strategies of War (rappers love this book); Tucker Max is pretty fucking awesome for light reading; and Please Kill Me by Leggs McNeil and Gillian McCain is the best book suggested by anyone in this entire thread. I really, really can't stress how fun of a read Please Kill Me is. I will even link you to the Amazon page right here.

Also, all of you "just read what you want" snobs are being huge douchebags. He's asking for your opinion on what you like. That's why we all came to IC/SB in the first place: to read opinions. Don't be assholes.
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interdimensional

[another god]

Oh yeah. The Game by Neil Strauss. If Vince Vaughn was writing books...
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interdimensional

[Adilegian]

For Christ's sake, Hyperion by Dan Simmons.
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[haze]

random dumb sci-fi suggestion: Rats Bats & Vats by David Freer and Eric Flint

too lazy to describe the plot so here's a review I plagiarized from Amazon:

[another god]

I never got into Science Fiction. Or fantasy. fiction? I know I want to read Tolkien, eventually, and I have a copy of Neuromancer right next to me, but... it's just so hard. The one sci fi book I did read was Starship Troopers. It made me want to enlist.
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[Baron Patsy]

You can never go wrong with Asimov or most Heinlein. Hell, most Golden Age sci-fi is good.

[Mr Mustache]

Read Philip José Farmer, everything else is crap.


I also recommend the Flashman Papers, though they are neither fantasy nor sci fi.
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The people are like wool to me

[Predator Goose]

Let's see here,

If you know a little bit about Ayn Rand then the Sword of Truth books can be a well written (that is to say, easy to read) laugh riot. Though I think I might be the only one who draws that much enjoyment from something like that.

In terms of books where you don't have to be familiar with outdated, rigid philosophies to enjoy, I really like series done by Eddings. They're enjoyable fantasy, and they don't really try to do more than tell an enjoyable story with interesting characters. They may also be the best at writing epic fantasy, because they actually end it at reasonable points. On the other hand, you really only need to read one of their series, as they're pretty much a one trick pony and recycle the basic ideas and characters in each series. I'd recommend the Belgariad if you wanted to read them.

Boy, embarassing fantasy/sci fi? That goes to Elric. God it always feels so shameful to admit that I liked those books, and I'm afraid to go back and read them again on the possibility that I'll still like them. It's pretty much an anti-hero story exploring the differences between order and chaos, good and evil, wrapped up in a Goth wrapper, complete with a 6 foot sentient black sword that eats souls and almost invariably kills the main character's friends. If I was at home I'd find a picture for you that would make me hang my head further in shame. But the author's name is Moorcock, so he gets 80's hair metal points for that.

The only off-the-beaten-path science fiction series you probably haven't already heard of that I can point to that I've read is The War Against the Chtorr. And I really can't recommend that. It can be interesting, but it can be incredibly akward/just plain wrong.

Also Ender's Game is fun, but stop there, don't peruse the other books. With the possible exceptions of the "Shadow of" series.
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I can no longer shop happily.

[CubaLibre]

[Adilegian]

[CubaLibre]

[boojiboy7]

I have been reading some of the Iain Banks Culture books, and they are pretty decent. Thanks Halo.

[Touran]

Man, Wheel of Time.

Yeah.

I'm finishing Tad Williams' Otherland - Sea of Silver Light. I've enjoyed it quite a bit.

Goose, The Sword of Truth is probably one of the funniest fantasy stories I've barely read.

I'm going to get around to reading A Song of Ice and Fire at some point.
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Man, I'm sorry.

[Corinth]

[jdoe]

[dmauro]

I read "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" 10+ years ago and recall greatly enjoying that one in particular. Harry Potter is excellent lower fiction so if you want something good to read before bed, it's almost perfect.

On the flipside, the best book I could find in an airport bookstore was a Tom Clancy novel and oh my god stay away from that stuff. You might be thinking, "I liked Rainbow Six the videogame, perhaps this novel will portray a sense of action and adventure as the videogame does" but you would be so wrong for thinking that.
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[Predator Goose]

[Corinth]

[Mr Mustache]

Read Farmer Thatbox.
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The people are like wool to me

[Corinth]

[elvis.shrugged]

OH MY GOD I can't believe I forgot to mention Philip K. Dick in this thread.

A Scanner Darkly, The Man in the High Castle and Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? are all really good, as is VALIS, which I haven't finished. He was a great author in that he wrote literature that blurred the genre line between sci-fi and general fiction. Also very philosophical.
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[Dark Age Iron Savior]

[Mr Mustache]

A Feast Unknown is an under appreciated classic of western literature.

Night of Light and Flesh are also worth a read.
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The people are like wool to me

[slipstream]

[CubaLibre]

is great!

I'm sure that's how you meant to finish that sentence
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Let's Play, starring me.

[slipstream]

no, the novel is laughable on every level
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[internisus]

Well now you are just confusing me!

[Mr Mustache]

Please Kill Me is a pretty annoying read. Richard Hell and Iggy Pop make it worthwhile, but most everything else only served to make the music I like seem questionable.

A Feast Unknown is better.
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The people are like wool to me

[another god]