Book Meme!

[bloodyrosemccoy]

I'm also bored.  So, from jill_calico:

Recommend five books for me to read. It does not matter what genre or reading level; I could honestly stand to broaden my horizons. I will make an honest and reasonable effort to read everything on your list, unless I have already read it. I hope you would do the same for my list, but there won't be a test, so I can't make you. XD Try not to fall into the habit of reccing those books EVERYONE reads (Harry Potter, His Dark Materials, etc.)

 

This probably means you will have to make a trip to the library. If your library does not have a book, you may have to actually speak to a librarian. You will be surprised at what these people will do for you. They may direct you to another library in your area, or have the book shipped in from another library in the state, or they may actually purchase the book for their collection. I know, it's crazy! This may be a good time to get a library card, if you do not already have one. Books! FOR FREE. I don't know how else to convince you!

 

Here, I’ll go first.

 

1. The Belgariad, by David Eddings. This is actually a massive five-book fantasy epic that is followed by another even more massive five-book fantasy epic, The Mallorean, and two epilogue books, Belgarath the Sorcerer and Polgara the Sorceress. It’s a bit intimidating, but once you get into the series (which takes about a book) you start to realize this is a damn fine romp through the world of fantasy, with characters who know they are archetypes and just have to put up with it. The plot is secondary to the characters and the hilarious dialogue. And I promise that if you do not fangirl Silk very soon after you meet him, something is wrong with you. This series also wins for Best Author Insert Ever, in the form of David Eddings playing The Purpose Of The Universe.

 

2. Tales from Jabba’s Palace, edited by Kevin J. Anderson. Back before the Star Wars EU jumped the shark, a few anthologies were published that treated the universe the way I wanted it treated—these stories are pure sandbox play. Each of a number of science fiction authors takes one of the the many supporting characters you see throughout Jabba’s palace (in the theatrical version of RotJ) and gives you their life and narrative. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy the Star Wars universe. And my other favorite, Tales from the Mos Eisley Cantina, is the same.

 

3. Our Mutual Friend, by Charles Dickens. Yeah, I’m all up in the fancy literary shit now, bitch. But damn, this giant tome has everything—it may be Literature, but it’s a rollicking tale. Hypocritical rich people! Creepy stalkers! Mysterious fortunes and mistaken identities! Hilarious names! Murder! It even manages one really awesome female character (amongst some obnoxious cardboard cutout ones): Jenny Wren, the Dolls’ Dressmaker. If you don’t fall in love with her, you’re made of stone. STONE.

 

4. The Circle of Magic series by Tamora Pierce. I haven’t read her most famous series, sadly, but the world in this one is wonderfully built.  I must admire her craft there. Even her system of magic is consistent. Also, the characters are some of the best I’ve come across in any fantasy.  It’s a tale of four orphan children who wind up fostered in a temple, where they learn to use their unusual styles of magic.  The magic manifests itself through craftsmanship, which lends a really interesting sense of realism to it as they go about becoming artisans, and since they all come from very different backgrounds you get a full sense of their world.  Pierce’s writing also starts to fill the gaping holes in other fantasy worlds: racial diversity, complex gender politics, sexuality (in a later series as the kids grow up), and class issues all get a much better treatment than your typical Dragonlancey fantasy shit.

 

… Now I need to read her other stuff.

 

5. A Little Princess, by Frances Hodgson Burnett.  This book is … this book is the greatest fairy tale I have ever read.  It’s not a heavy read by any means, but it is warm and lovely and the prose is beautifully done.  Some may think it’s saccharine, and I don’t deny there are a few things in there that upset modern sensibilities, but by damn you cannot convince me this isn’t one of the best books ever.  Oh, and for the full effect make sure you get the version with the full-color Tasha Tudor illustrations.*

 

(The runners-up: Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi, A Girl Named Disaster by Nancy Farmer, All I See Is Part Of Me by Chara M. Curtis (picture book), and Letters from the Earth by Mark Twain.  Just read ’em. You’ll thank me later.)

 

 

*And also make sure that for god’s sake you do not watch the movie they made in the ’90s, because it fails miserably.  It is the second-worst movie adaptation of a children’s book ever made, after Ella Enchanted.**

 

**And that book only fails to be on the list because everyone’s read it. 

Comments

[queenlyzard.livejournal.com]

I've never read King either, but I do plan to give "Dark Tower" a try, because I've heard they're more sci-fi than horror and amazingly creative for such a popular author.

Also, Mercedes Lackey does much with the non-straight relationships! (Even if all her relationships are a tad bit on the epic and sappy side).