raid a library bookshelf
Jan. 21st, 2009 05:32 pmMore Books You Should Read
If you think that there's a lot of sci-fi and fantasy on this list, you're right. I tend to prefer sci-fi and fantasy.
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanah Clarke - this is a nice little book, but I really like it for the footnotes. I'm the sort of person who can't help but read the footnotes, and these are such lovely ones. There are entire stories in the footnotes.
Sorcery and Cecilia, or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot by Patricia Wrede and Caroline Stevermer - it's a Regency novel told by letters, with magic. Really, what is there not to like?
Something Wicked this Way Comes by Ray Bradbury - I prefer this to Fahrenheit 451, because I sometimes find Fahrenheit to be a bit dull and preaching. But this is a wonderful thriller, and Bradbury can write.
The Star Beast by Robert Heinlein - Heinlein is one of the great sci-fi authors, or at least, some of the time. This is one of those times. It isn't as dated as some of the other books (there aren't slide rules all over the place), and the characterizations are nice, and I hope everyone likes Lummox.
I, Robot by Isaac Asimov - while I'm on the subject of sci-fi, I have to mention Asimov (and if you've seen the movie, it doesn't count). The three laws and how they work out are fascinating (and no, I don't plan to read the Foundation series - it's just too large).
The House of Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne - I've liked Hawthorne since I first read The Scarlet Letter in high school. I'm continually fascinated by Hawthorne (I also recommend his short stories as a good place to start).
The Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling - if you haven't read these, you have lead a sad, sad life. Kipling is at his best with the Just So Stories, with his wonderful narrative voice that is just like someone telling you a story ("best beloved"), and his quirky little line illustrations, and how the stories take on the peculiar quality of fable.
The Winter of Magic's Return by Pamela Service - Merlin comes back to post-Apocalyptic Britain. Yet another reason that I'm addicted to King Arthur stories.
The Princess Bride William Golding- yes, you've seen the movie, but have you read the book? Even if Buttercup is more of a ditz, it has the Zoo of Death. You also find out which bits are cut (like the packing and unpacking of hats, and all the political commentary).
Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackerey - the real reason to read Vanity Fair (besides the fabulous writing) is because it shows so clearly what being a social schemer does to Becky Sharp.
All Hallow's Eve by Charles Williams - it is difficult to say where you ought to start with Williams, because it is so hard to find anything of his, but All Hallow's Eve is as good as any (also make sure that if you're reading Charles Williams, you're reading the right one who was an Inkling and not the one who wrote rather mediocre detective fiction).
Alphabet of Thorn by Patricia McKillip - McKillip writes such lovely fantasy, which has an almost dreamlike quality. I have no particular reason for choosing Alphabet, except that I really like it.
The Man Who Was Thursday by G.K. Chesterton - once again, you should just read all of Chesterton's novels, but start with this one. If you like the Inklings (and who doesn't?) then you should read Chesterton. Any Chesterton makes me want to set out on an Adventure.
At the Back of the North Wind by George MacDonald - this is, I think, MacDonald at his best. It is mythic and beautiful, and my favorite chapter is quite possibly the fairy tale Little Daylight. (And of course you should also read Phantastes and Lilith, but I think North Wind holds together better than either of these.)
Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie - I do hope you've already read this, but if you haven't, you should.
The Heris Serrano Trilogy by Elizabeth Moon - spaceships, foxhunting, and great-aunts. Intrigued yet?
His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik - dragons in the Napoleonic wars . . . this is brilliant because dragons are so huge that they require not merely one person, but an entire crew, and are basically intelligent, flying ships (with a captain, crew, and boarding party).
Jackaroo by Cynthia Voigt - the best way I can describe this is a sort of cross between Robin Hood and Zorro, which is really not a very good description at all.
Possibly More Books to Follow
If you think that there's a lot of sci-fi and fantasy on this list, you're right. I tend to prefer sci-fi and fantasy.
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanah Clarke - this is a nice little book, but I really like it for the footnotes. I'm the sort of person who can't help but read the footnotes, and these are such lovely ones. There are entire stories in the footnotes.
Sorcery and Cecilia, or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot by Patricia Wrede and Caroline Stevermer - it's a Regency novel told by letters, with magic. Really, what is there not to like?
Something Wicked this Way Comes by Ray Bradbury - I prefer this to Fahrenheit 451, because I sometimes find Fahrenheit to be a bit dull and preaching. But this is a wonderful thriller, and Bradbury can write.
The Star Beast by Robert Heinlein - Heinlein is one of the great sci-fi authors, or at least, some of the time. This is one of those times. It isn't as dated as some of the other books (there aren't slide rules all over the place), and the characterizations are nice, and I hope everyone likes Lummox.
I, Robot by Isaac Asimov - while I'm on the subject of sci-fi, I have to mention Asimov (and if you've seen the movie, it doesn't count). The three laws and how they work out are fascinating (and no, I don't plan to read the Foundation series - it's just too large).
The House of Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne - I've liked Hawthorne since I first read The Scarlet Letter in high school. I'm continually fascinated by Hawthorne (I also recommend his short stories as a good place to start).
The Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling - if you haven't read these, you have lead a sad, sad life. Kipling is at his best with the Just So Stories, with his wonderful narrative voice that is just like someone telling you a story ("best beloved"), and his quirky little line illustrations, and how the stories take on the peculiar quality of fable.
The Winter of Magic's Return by Pamela Service - Merlin comes back to post-Apocalyptic Britain. Yet another reason that I'm addicted to King Arthur stories.
The Princess Bride William Golding- yes, you've seen the movie, but have you read the book? Even if Buttercup is more of a ditz, it has the Zoo of Death. You also find out which bits are cut (like the packing and unpacking of hats, and all the political commentary).
Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackerey - the real reason to read Vanity Fair (besides the fabulous writing) is because it shows so clearly what being a social schemer does to Becky Sharp.
All Hallow's Eve by Charles Williams - it is difficult to say where you ought to start with Williams, because it is so hard to find anything of his, but All Hallow's Eve is as good as any (also make sure that if you're reading Charles Williams, you're reading the right one who was an Inkling and not the one who wrote rather mediocre detective fiction).
Alphabet of Thorn by Patricia McKillip - McKillip writes such lovely fantasy, which has an almost dreamlike quality. I have no particular reason for choosing Alphabet, except that I really like it.
The Man Who Was Thursday by G.K. Chesterton - once again, you should just read all of Chesterton's novels, but start with this one. If you like the Inklings (and who doesn't?) then you should read Chesterton. Any Chesterton makes me want to set out on an Adventure.
At the Back of the North Wind by George MacDonald - this is, I think, MacDonald at his best. It is mythic and beautiful, and my favorite chapter is quite possibly the fairy tale Little Daylight. (And of course you should also read Phantastes and Lilith, but I think North Wind holds together better than either of these.)
Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie - I do hope you've already read this, but if you haven't, you should.
The Heris Serrano Trilogy by Elizabeth Moon - spaceships, foxhunting, and great-aunts. Intrigued yet?
His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik - dragons in the Napoleonic wars . . . this is brilliant because dragons are so huge that they require not merely one person, but an entire crew, and are basically intelligent, flying ships (with a captain, crew, and boarding party).
Jackaroo by Cynthia Voigt - the best way I can describe this is a sort of cross between Robin Hood and Zorro, which is really not a very good description at all.
Possibly More Books to Follow