Favorite Author/Book? [Archive]

Harlock

01-21-2006, 11:28 AM

Haven't seen this question asked. So who still reads? I guess my favorite author was Robert A. Heinlein, With Louis Lamour an extremely close second. My favorite book is 'Stranger in a Strange Land', By Heinlein and Lamour's 'Hondo', after that.

Mark
I grock that. Those are two excellent books. And Hondo is a great movie too! My favorite author has to be J.R.R. Tolkein. My favortie book is a kid's book actually, The Hobbit. I read it at least once a year, usually during the summer. It brings back such vivid memories of my elementary school days and always sort of rejuvinates me. I guess I have been reading it every year since I was in the fourth grade... I'm 32 now, so that's quite a lot of Bilbo, Gandalf, Smaug and Thorin romping through my imagination throught the years!

I would place Stranger in a Strange Land high on my list as well. Top 5 definitely. Lord of the Rings, The Black Company and some of the Harry potter books are up there as well... Umm, and the Douglas Adams stuff... okay, so I read a lot. :P

patoloco

01-21-2006, 5:46 PM

Although I have never been a book worm, I've really enjoyed Paulo Cohelo's books, especialy "The Alchemist". I don't know if those books have been translated to English (Probably they have). A lot of people says Cohelo is a easy author, and his books are good for a light reading only, but I've found them quite inspirational and amusing.

Also, I've been reading the Harry Potter's series, and those are some nice entertaining stories. JK Rowling has been doing a nice work on them.

Roan Art

01-21-2006, 6:26 PM

Heinlein (Cat Who Walks Through Walls, Stranger in a Strange Land)
Orson Scott Card (Enders)
Tolkein ('nuff said)
Dostoyevski (the Idiot)
Tolstoy (Anna Karenina)
Kathleen Winsor (Forever Amber)
Anne McCaffrey (All of them)
Larry Niven/Jerry Pournelle (Lucifer's Hammer)
Jack L. Chalker (Soul Riders series)
Orwell
Asimov

Geez, I have boxes and boxes of books in the basement that I haven't read for years.

Roan

flyingfish

01-21-2006, 6:36 PM

Tad Williams Otherland + Memory and Sorrow series :cool:
Michelle West Uncrowned King series
Anne McCaffrey (all)
Robin Hobb Ship of Magic

I also like Larry Niven and Dan Simmons. I read a ton of Sci-Fi and Fantasy. :read:

aquariumfishguy

01-21-2006, 8:30 PM

The book, "A million little pieces" is really good, it makes you wonder.

Although, now - some of the content is being questioned on its authenticity... oh well, still a good book, even if parts happen to be made up! :read:

dwayne

01-21-2006, 8:55 PM

Stephen King, all time fave author... fave books of his the Dark Tower series, The Stand and Insomnia. Also like Dan Brown (DaVinci Code), Patricia Cornwell ("mindless" crime novels) and Jackie Collins (trashy vacation/plane read novels)

Which reminds me I really need to start reading more... I used to be a HUGE bookworm, but since I had my son, not so much!!

sublime1184

01-21-2006, 9:07 PM

Stephen King, all time fave author...

I agree w\king being my fav as well, but my favorite book is Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler.

Leopardess

01-21-2006, 9:48 PM

I could never pick a favorite (I'm an english teacher-in-the-making)...

I will say that I just (a few days ago) read "Watership Down" at the urging of my mother. I adored that book. It was so well written....and that's hard to do when you consider the entire book is from the prospective of Berkshire rabbits in the wild. I really suggest it. Great for kids (older kids, it's over 450 pages and can be rather sad) and adults alike.

I also just finished Diane Ackerman's "A Natural History of the Senses." I can't describe it, really. The book covers all of the senses, and discusses little known facts and makes you aware of how they work and how magnificent they really are. It's written quite poetically, too. It was fantastic.

Other books I like:
Catcher in the Rye
The things they carried - really great book
Crime and Punishment
Anything by Poe or Shakespeare
Beloved (great book)
Anything by Stephen King (he's probably the author whose works I've read the most of)
The Grapes of Wrath
Mists of Avalon
Madame Bovary
Vanity Fair
Huck Finn

I need to stop.

Roan Art

01-21-2006, 9:58 PM

Hannys_Papa

01-21-2006, 10:30 PM

... but my favorite book is Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler.

:eek:

IceH2O

01-21-2006, 10:54 PM

So thats what books are for. I thought they were just something to fill up the bookcase shelves. They would look bare without them.

I don't read and I'm not a religous nut but the best book ever put out is the Bible written by God.

It has love,hate,revenge,sex,death,life pretty much covers everything. Its one of the most action packed books ever put out.

Hannys_Papa

01-21-2006, 11:02 PM

.... is the Bible written by God...

Thats news to me ;)

daveedka

01-21-2006, 11:19 PM

I will say that I just (a few days ago) read "Watership Down" at the urging of my mother. I adored that book. It was so well written....and that's hard to do when you consider the entire book is from the prospective of Berkshire rabbits in the wild. I really suggest it. Great for kids (older kids, it's over 450 pages and can be rather sad) and adults alike.

I'll third that, the animated movie was decent, but the book is spectacular.

My all time favorite has to be "East of Eden" by John stienbeck. Stienbeck is a bit dark, but he had a very deep understanding of human nature, and could capture it well in his writing. I have never read anything he wrote that dissapointed me.

I love to read and since we were without a TV a good portion of my childhood, I read a lot. I used to get in trouble in school for sneaking books to read during class instead of paying attention to the teacher.

Any Star Wars book (I've read over 20, but don't even know anymore how many are in print)
All of Tolkiens stuff is phenominal
I Like Louis Lamour
Edgar Allen Poe's short stories are pretty entertaining.

I Didn't particularly like Stephen King, I agree he is a great Author, but he took my mind to places I didn't want it to go.

And BTW. God did not Write the Bilble, he Orchestrated the story Line. His phophets, Apostles and desciples wrote the Bible. There were multiple Authors. And I do Personally believe it is among the greatest Books ever written.
Dave

IceH2O

01-21-2006, 11:26 PM

Okay if you want to get technical about it.

Think of it as a bossman dictating a letter through his secretary. Who wrote the letter, the bossman or secretary?

wesleydnunder

01-22-2006, 7:43 AM

Just remembered another. 'Watchers', by Dean Koontz. They butchered the movie but I loved the book. It's about a dog.

Mark

sublime1184

01-22-2006, 7:52 AM

... but my favorite book is Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler.

:eek:

What? That's your fav too? :D That's actually a very great read. Highly intellectual and a great mind at work...too bad he lost his marbles though. Don't tell me lack of comprehension of that choice is why you are surprised ;)

dwayne

01-22-2006, 9:45 AM

I thought of a few more that I have read at least 5 times... all Lit class reading first time around :D 1984, Animal Farm, The Great Gatsby, & the Scarlet Letter.

nursie

01-22-2006, 10:58 AM

Charles Dickens...The Tale of Two Cities.
Edgar Allen Poe...anything and everything.
George Orwell...Animal Farm, 1984
Tom Clancey..John Ryan/Mr Clark books
Piers Anthony...Xanth series
Tolkien...Hobbit and trilogy
Alistar McClean....anything
J.K Rowling...Harry Potter series
Steinbeck...Grapes of Wrath
M*A*S*H series..there were a couple authors, Hooker did the most, and Butterworth, I think..
Spider Robinson....the stuff relating to Callahans Crosstime saloon is a riot!I've not read anything else by him.
Douglas Adams..Hitchhikers Guide series
Glen Cook...there are 2...the one I like writes the series about Garrett, the private investigater in TunFAire...Sweet Silver Blues is the first book.
Betty Neels...if you have heard of her, and have any books you want to unload..I'm trying to get copies of all of them . I think she has about 134 out there.

People who's stuff I find to scarey to read:
H.P. Lovecraft...
Stephen King

dwayne

01-22-2006, 11:18 AM

Any Star Wars book (I've read over 20, but don't even know anymore how many are in print)

. . .

I Didn't particularly like Stephen King, I agree he is a great Author, but he took my mind to places I didn't want it to go.

Dave

My husband has at least 100 star wars books!! They are most definately still in print, though I'm not sure how new any of them are... he goes in spurts getting them either from amazon.com or from barnes and noble!

May I ask where Stephen King took your mind to? I find him very thought provoking and deep - not kerouac deep - but a deep that I can follow...

Penfan66

01-22-2006, 3:24 PM

Anything by John Steinbeck. He is the greatest American author, IMHO.

East Of Eden
Grapes Of Wrath
Tortilla Flats
Winter Of Our Discontent
In Dubious Battle
Cannery Row

All of these stories amazed me by the way Steinbeck could reach out to the reader and the vivid picture I could paint in my mind.

Absolutely Amazing!

Slappy*McFish

01-22-2006, 4:05 PM

I very rarely read fiction anymore but I've always enjoyed Clive Barker's books.
'Imajica' has to be my favorite by far. 'The Damnation Game' comes in second.

'Swan Song' by Robert McCammon is another favorite of mine.

flyingfish

01-22-2006, 8:37 PM

I'd forgotten about East of Eden, that was a really good read. I love to read the Bible every day too, but I kinda thought that was not a discussion for this board.

:OT: I do find it interesting that Hitler became who he did because he couldn't get into art school. His life proves that intelligent people can make stupid decisions the same as stupid people. (intelligence and wisdom are very different animals) ;)

Larissa

01-22-2006, 9:23 PM

Well, I don't really have anything new to contribute, so many of my faves are all ready listed.

Poe, Stephen King, Piers Anthony (Xanth books as well, I love the puns), Anne Rice, the Bible, anything pertaining to horror, fantasy, history, and true crime.

I could go on and on because I will read anything that I can get my hands on, really. When I was a kid I would read the encyclopedias and dictionary for fun. :eek:

Oh, and anything having to do with King Arthur or the Celts, etc.

Harlock

01-22-2006, 9:36 PM

Anything by John Steinbeck. He is the greatest American author, IMHO
Oh, this could be a fun separate debate thread. Personally, I know in my heart of hearts that Lila Boffins is the greatest American author. My second choice would have to be Hemmingway though. Sure, he wrote like a drunk (I mean, he was) but hey, his work is just on another level. I am talking novelists here. If I had to go with Poetry, Carl Sandburg is by far the greatest American Poet to have ever lived. Obviously, all art is subjective. =)

Chill

01-22-2006, 10:24 PM

Many good ones already mentioned Heinlein, Anthony, Barker

Some of my favorites not yet mentioned:
Dr Seuss
Frank Miller
Elmore Leonard
Andrew Vachss
Brothers Grimm

Had to pick a favorite it would be Vachss.

conbrio

01-22-2006, 10:40 PM

"HitchHikers Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas Adams

and

"Ender's Game" Orson Scott Card

Debra Mark

01-22-2006, 10:52 PM

definitely Robert Ludlum....:cool:

josephish

01-22-2006, 10:57 PM

The Bible ( HIStory) and JRR Tolkien(The Quenta Silmarillion) I could read and talk about those books all day

nursie

01-23-2006, 12:19 AM

I could go on and on because I will read anything that I can get my hands on, really. When I was a kid I would read the encyclopedias and dictionary for fun. :eek:
My husband and his brothers did this. They are awesome at trivial pursuit...I'll bet you are too!

Larissa

01-23-2006, 12:35 AM

My husband and his brothers did this. They are awesome at trivial pursuit...I'll bet you are too!

Yep. And my husband is always threatening to put me on Jeopardy. :joke:

Another one I forgot to mention is Shel Silverstien. I loved his poetry as a kid.

Debisbooked

01-23-2006, 12:47 AM

"HitchHikers Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas Adams

What a great book! I haven't laughed out loud like that in years. BTW, I recommend the unabridged tape/CD for anyone who takes long trips, especially through places like downtown Chicago. It's such a fun book to listen too that you don't even realize you have been crawling in slow moving traffic for hours.
:D

daveedka

01-23-2006, 12:51 AM

My second choice would have to be Hemmingway though. Sure, he wrote like a drunk (I mean, he was) but hey, his work is just on another level.

I'm mildly suprised to see this Harlock. I have always considered Hemingway the single most overatted author ever. Everything of his that I was forced to read reminded me of the newspaper. a lot of bad news, with no real substance. To each thier own I guess, but I have never willingly subjected myself Hemingway after the first time.

May I ask where Stephen King took your mind to? I find him very thought provoking and deep - not kerouac deep - but a deep that I can follow

Lets just say that Stephen King Seems to grip my mind and plant some pretty dark thoughts. This is a sign of a good author, but did not leave me with comfortable feelings. I can explore murder, Revenge, torture and all types of evil ideas when I'm in a Stephen King Mindset. I Firmly believe that the first tep to doing something is thinking about it, and continually thinking about even the most terrible things will eventually lead to action. I don't need to visit those places in my mind, and do not think it is healthy to do so. I've only read "The Tommyknockers" and "Thinner" I've seen both versions of "The Shining" , I have also Seen "The Langoleers" and "Silver Bullet" (Quite possibly the best halloween movie ever) Most Horrer stories and Films Lack intellect and so they can be discounted as cheap entertainment. Stephen King does not lack intellect in any way shape or form, and horror combined with deep thought and intellect is not fun for me.
Dave

xauz

01-23-2006, 12:56 AM

Shel Silverstien
Dean Koontz
Raymond Fiest
Tolkien
anyone that writes Star Wars books
Frank Herbert's "Dune"
Micheal Crichton
J.K. Rowling

Harlock

01-23-2006, 8:40 AM

I'm mildly suprised to see this Harlock. I have always considered Hemingway the single most overatted author ever. Everything of his that I was forced to read reminded me of the newspaper. a lot of bad news, with no real substance. To each thier own I guess, but I have never willingly subjected myself Hemingway after the first time.

Meh, as I said, art is subjective. I think what you said "reminded you of the Newspaper" I took as really exploring and developing a character. Again, it's all subjective. The way you feel about Hemmingway, I feel about F. Scott Fitzgerald. I was forced to read The Great Gatsby in High School and vowed to never read or even watch a movie about it again. :huh:

daveedka

01-23-2006, 10:26 AM

I fully agree with the subjective part, and also the F. Scott Fitzgerald part. "The Great Gatsby" was mildly entertaining but certainly not IMO a literary classic.
Dave

OrionGirl

01-23-2006, 11:13 AM

I'm a bookworm. My sister and I swap books to reduce our spending, and we still spend $1000's a year on books--and we both visit the library regularly as well.

Most of the authors listed, I've read. Some I've enjoyed enough to read several times, some I've felt compelled to find and read everything the author has produced. To identify a favorite would require way too much effort--I'm found of sci-fi, but read everything, from classics to tehcnical manuals.

Some that are missing from the list!

Charles DeLint
Robert Aspirin
Terry Pratchett
Neil Gaiman
Greg Bear
Connie Willis
Octavia Butler
Baxter Black
John Milton
David Brin
Stephen Gould
China Mieville
Stephen Baxter

Ummm....Linking to Amazon might be quicker! :)

msouth468

01-23-2006, 11:25 AM

I've always been a lab sort of guy. Bookwork just doesn't sink in as well. About the only book I ever liked was the old "War of the Worlds" book. I don't know who wrote it but man was it good. I read a few Tom Clancy book's, they were pretty good. But, all in all I like to tinker more than read.

dwayne

01-23-2006, 12:18 PM

Lets just say that Stephen King Seems to grip my mind and plant some pretty dark thoughts. This is a sign of a good author, but did not leave me with comfortable feelings. I can explore murder, Revenge, torture and all types of evil ideas when I'm in a Stephen King Mindset. I Firmly believe that the first tep to doing something is thinking about it, and continually thinking about even the most terrible things will eventually lead to action. I don't need to visit those places in my mind, and do not think it is healthy to do so. I've only read "The Tommyknockers" and "Thinner" I've seen both versions of "The Shining" , I have also Seen "The Langoleers" and "Silver Bullet" (Quite possibly the best halloween movie ever) Most Horrer stories and Films Lack intellect and so they can be discounted as cheap entertainment. Stephen King does not lack intellect in any way shape or form, and horror combined with deep thought and intellect is not fun for me.
Dave

You should read the Dark Tower series... it would not make a good horror story, but is an amazing journey. There are 'scary' parts, but nothing that makes me scared like It did... Funny, The Tommyknockers is the only book that I haven't read of his (well that and his Red Sox tribute book :D)

I can honestly say that I've never had serious thoughts of murder or torture ever, reading SK or not... maybe I'm too closed minded or just not easily persuaded? I can't be hypnotized either... but I can see why that would make one stop reading certain genres or authors.

I learn so much coming here :) awwwww group hug.

daveedka

01-23-2006, 12:51 PM

I can honestly say that I've never had serious thoughts of murder or torture ever, reading SK or not...

I can't say that I really have either, or at least Killing or torture outside of the defense of family and self realm. I've just found that dwelling on certain thoughts tend to lead to actions. Most people including myself Lust for Power, and anything that awakens that lust I just stay away from. Hannible Lector impressed just about everyone who read the book or watched the movie, we should not be impressed with someone that evil regardless of their intellect.
So I try to divest my mind of any evil thoughts and emotions. I don't watch too many movies that aren't uplifiting in some way, and have slowly become the same way with my reading. I tend to be a more pleasant lunatic if I stay away from certain types of thoughts. I am slowly learning to avoid all things that elicit negative thought and emotion. It's far easier to steer a wide path around them than it is to try to sort them after exposure. Stienbeck is one of my favorite authors, but I don't often read his stuff becuase it tends to be very dark as well.

BTW, the tommyknockers was a fun read, and if you like Stephen King I would reccomend it.
Dave