Good reads?

[hope_24]

I wonder if I could ask some advice of my wonderfully intelligent, witty, and diverse f-list? I have recently been given about one hundred pounds' worth of book vouchers (as a bonus for some work I did). However, I have - of late - been stumped on what I should read next and feel a bit directionless. Can anyone recommend any good reads

Comments

[sander123]

Perhaps you should be a bit more specific about the books you love and the ones you hate? Or genres, themes...

There are no contemporary writers you like to read? Do you mean with "moder stuff" strange style and POV-antics and general weirdness :) or the writing-period?

[mary_j_59]

I agree with everyone else so far - it would be helpful to know what you have liked, what you didn't, and why.

For fantasies to read instead of Harry Potter, for example, my sister and I have a long list (I think she might say "in addition to" however!)

Almost anything by Ursula LeGuin. Her last two books were excellent, as was "The Other Wind".
The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness, by Michelle Paver
the Farsala Trilogy, by Hilari Bell
An odd, brilliant little book by a husband and wife team, called "The Gift Moves"
"The Dream Merchant," by Isabelle Hovig
"Darkhenge" (among other books) by Catherine Fisher
"Tam Lin" by Pamela Dean, and "Cold Tom" by Sally Prue
"The New Policeman," among others, by Kate Thompson
Almost anything by Nancy Farmer
And, last but not least, Megan Whalen Turner's trilogy, beginning with "The Thief". I am still mystified that these were published as children's books.

Of course, you might not particularly like fantasy, so these might not be at all what you're looking for! Hope it helps-

The Farsala Trilogy

[hope_24]

Hi, there :) Thanks for the links, I'll go and take a look at those now.

[hope_24]

*Holds hands up* Ok, my original post was not really informative enough :)

Favourite books - Jane Eyre, Villette, Bleak House, North and South, Vanity Fair, Persuasion, Cousine Bette.

I enjoyed LOTR - but not the Hobbit. The Silmarillion was baffling.

The only twentieth century stuff I can think of off-hand that I like is Muriel Spark stuff, Raymond Chandler stuff and Catch 22. I liked Brideshead Revisited too - but not any other Waugh.

I *hate* modernist stuff. Oddly enough, I think it shows its age much more than Victorian literature - which is still very accessible.

Terry Pratchett annoys me irrationally from afar. I don't know why.

Is any of that helpful?

[hope_24]

I've not, actually. I had a look at it on Amazon and it looks pretty good. It gets added to the list to buy! Thanks :)

[hope_24]

Those are really interesting suggestions! I've had a look at some reviews of the Ivan Doig one - it sounds really atmospheric. It's not available right now on Amazon, but I think I'll keep and eye open to see when it becomes available. The Burnt Thigh one sounds good too, and is available. I'll be getting that.

I can't stand Twain either :)

Sci-fi is a love or hate thing for me. I liked Deep Space Nine so the space station thing sounds intriguing.

Thank-you :)

[hope_24]

I'm exactly the same about sci-fi. If it's too science heavy, I find it never catches my interest. On the other hand, if it's all just character stufy - then why bother making it sci-fi at all?