In which I ask you to RECOMMEND A BOOK.
This time, with a small caveat:
Rec a book you do not think we’ve read. A book that’s something of an underdog — a fringe case, a book you want everyone to read but none of your friends have ever actually opened.
Also, the larger caveat applies, and I wish I didn’t have to give it, buuuuut:
Do not recommend your own book.
Because ew. Why would you do that?
Share the book-love. Don’t book-masturbate on us.
Oooh, one final caveat:
Recommend one book only, please and thank you.
Doreen Ann Queen says:
Robin Hobb’s Fool’s Quest, the second in her third trilogy about FitzChivalry Farseer and his Fool. This trilogy alternates Fitz’s narrative with that of his young daughter, Bee. Hobb creates a world just like George R. R. Martin does, with similar themes of politics, violence, incest, as well as dragons and magic, but somehow her characters are easier to track and follow (although just as many). Cannot WAIT for the finale to this tale!
August 13, 2015 — 3:05 PM
LizScanlon says:
Screw Friendship by RG Manse. Just no words how good it is and a great opener for the following books 2&3 in the series.
August 13, 2015 — 5:22 PM
Veronica Martinez says:
One book I am reading at the moment is Hyde by David Levine, based of course on Jekyll and Hyde. Hyde is trapped in Jekyll’s surgery cabinet and gives his version of the story as he awaits his predicted demise. There’s a longer history between Henry and Edward, and more of a collaborative existence.
One interesting tactic the story uses is the lack of quotation marks. Conversations that Hyde recounts use italics for his comments and regular text for the words of others. And there is the inclusion of Stevenson’s original story at the back of the book.
August 13, 2015 — 5:32 PM
Angela says:
The Sound of Building Coffins by Louis Maistros. There are fetuses that turn into fish. You guys.
August 13, 2015 — 6:27 PM
Eleanore D. Trupkiewicz says:
Fabulous book by a friend and colleague of mine is THINGS IN DITCHES by Jimmy Olsen (published 2000 by North Star Press of St. Cloud). If you like a contemporary twist on a good old-fashioned mystery novel, you’ll really enjoy this one!
August 13, 2015 — 7:31 PM
Erik says:
Frederick Exley’s “A Fan’s Notes”
I read it yearly
August 13, 2015 — 9:09 PM
TonyC says:
Shadow of the Wind, by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. Part mystery, part love-story, part gothic thriller, and one of the best books about books and the impact they can have on your lives.
August 13, 2015 — 10:07 PM
Jose says:
Best Book ever. There is something special about this book. It makes you part of the story since page one, you deeply care about all the characters. I found myself laughing out loud and then crying a few pages later. I have read it 3 times and I just think I need to read it again.
August 31, 2015 — 4:28 PM
Natasha says:
If you can find it, Father Forgive Me by Randye Lordon. It’s a really fabulous murder mystery that, in the 90s, I only found in a queer bookstore. Now it’d be everywhere.
August 14, 2015 — 12:20 AM
ranterave says:
Feed by M.T. Anderson. It’s a near apocalyptic YA novel with satirical implications about consumerism, education, environmentalism, and technology contributing to the downfall of society and the planet. Awesome read.
August 14, 2015 — 12:53 PM
Scott Dyson says:
BLIND EYE by William Malmborg. It’s a horror/thriller that pulls no punches and tells a really good story.
August 14, 2015 — 2:12 PM
Damien Garduno says:
John Dies at the End by David Wong (Editor in Chief at Cracked.com). Let me warn you, it was originally written as a blog post type of story and just kinda exploded out of control, so it’s not written with typical story patterns. Also it’s filled with a mixture of immature and dark humor. However it’s one of my favorite books and i think more people should read it.
August 15, 2015 — 11:11 AM
Vicky Hargreaves says:
I highly recommend SmartYellow by J A Christy. Its a fantastic read, gripping and insightful. I felt for Kat within the first few pages and the topic is so relevant.
August 17, 2015 — 4:32 AM
Maurice says:
Ribofunk by Paul DiFilippo. I’m uncertain why the guy didn’t get up there with the big names. The work he does is amazing and disturbing. More biopunk than cyberpunk.
August 17, 2015 — 3:48 PM
April Moore says:
One of the best books I’ve read recently was Seeking Blue by Andrew Kensley. The story was unique and the characters were complex and believable. Highly recommend it.
August 17, 2015 — 9:10 PM
Miriam Joy says:
The Dream Life Of Sukhanov by Olga Grushin. It came out a few years ago and was shortlisted for an award at the time or something, but I still very rarely meet anyone else who has read it. In fact, the only people I know who have read it are people I forced to read it, and my mum, who recommended it to me in the first place. But it’s SO GOOD.
August 20, 2015 — 6:43 PM