How about authors? I just started reading "prey" by Michael Crichton and I love his writing style! :bag:
For me the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings will never get old no matter how many times I read it, Tolkien was a genius and his other works (while not as captivating as The Lord of the Rings) are equally worth reading. I'm a philosopher at heart so I've always enjoyed reading the works of Descartes in perticular... C.S. Lewis is another favorite... why typically not works appreciated by those not of the Christian faith, if you can look past the belief system his writings hold many truths applicable to all. I might be banned for saying this... buy yes, I enjoy the Harry Potter series. While they may be orientated to a younger audience, the writing is the best that I have seen since that of Tolkien, Not since The Lord of the Rings have I found a work of literature so utterly captivating. Top notch fiction if ever I've read it. In my younger days I rather enjoyed the Redwall series by Brian Jacques. If you have a child in middle school this would be a great series to get them started with. I also found the Xanth series by Pieres Anthony to be a good read in my middleschool-highschool days, be warned if getting them for your kids though, the material of the books matures as the series progresses. The author designed the world of Xanth to age, as it were, with the audience. Later books approach the issue of sex etc.
My wife loves the Harry Potter books. She's telling me I'm going to love the next movie. I don't have much time for casual reading like fiction... but I have some good books that have helped me out, if learning is more your thing (it is mine anyway): How To Win Friends and Influence People - Dale Carnegie, 1937. Still one of the most popular books out there... and in the professional world, if that many people have the knowledge and saavy, and use it in the workplace - can you afford the competitive disadvantage to not have it? It's actually an easy, entertaining read... hardly a dry textbook, it's all stories. The Loudspeaker Design Cookbook - Vance Dickason, 1977. Reference books are great because they aren't meant to be read cover to cover. Of course, this means you really need a reason before seeking out that particular snippet... but if curiousity suddenly strikes you about how (or why) to design an Aperiodic, or bandpass subwoofer enclosure... or what is involved in crossover design since that is always said to be one of the biggest cost-drivers in commercial loudspeakers... this book is the ticket. One of the first books I got on car audio, and still probably the most referenced that I own. The Goal - Eliyahu Goldratt. Another professional book, but it's a story, actually a fictional work. But in reading this business-based improvement opportunity, you learn some valuable lessons. Highly acclaimed book. Anyways... if I had time to read for fun, I'd probably pick up the same book I've owned since I was in Junior High... Douglas Adams - the hardcover copy of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy trilogy, plus the extra goodies. That's always good for an escape, and a laugh. I like to learn, or escape... that's about it. I'm not much for drama or horror... I've got enough stress in my own life, I don't need to incorporate stress into my entertainment.
Lemme add some all time favs of mine 1) Requiem for a Dream 2) Party Monster 3) Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas 4) Clock Work Orange ( you will appreciate a lot more if u know russian) 5) A million little pieces 6)The Godfather Umm writer's block...
