Favourite Books?

[mpend]

Very random thread, but one that I thought might get people randomly talking. I was just curious to know what people's favourite books are? Is there a particular author some of you like, or a certain genre? Do you stick to a certain style or breach out? (I'm just curious! Please don't kill me!)

For me, I love Sebastian Faulks' books. He wrote the book Birdsong, which is based around the First World War, and is very nitty gritty. I also love Pursuasion by Jane Austin, Hidden Talents by Erica James (about a writer's club), and The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King, which are about a fantasy land.

Any one else?

[Brynn Reade]

Oooh what an excellent idea It'll be great to maybe get some new ideas on what to read next, time permit!

Well,I have to say, I'm the absolute Historic novels and Fantasy fan.
I grew up with Marion Zimmer Bradley and her Avalon books, then I read the Cadfael novels by Ellis Peters and I soon also discovered Tolkien for myself. I have read almost everything by him, including the Silmarillion and Sigurd and Gudrun.

Then, I love the classic Gothic Fiction novels, like Dracula and Picture of Dorian Gray.

For me, I don't think there is a certain style, but I would read a good historic novel over a contemporary lovestory any day.
What I recently discovered for myself is James Joyce, this man is simply a genius!

[mpend]

One of the reasons I put up the thread, I must confess!!!!

I have heard of the Avalon series, but never read them! I may have to change that and look them up! I have read Cadfael and wasn't overly keen on it, but I have to agree with you on Tolkien! The only book by him I haven't ready yet is Sidgurd and Gudrun because I can't seem to find it anywhere!

I haven't yet read Picture of Dorian Gray, but I have read (and loved) Dracula.

I totally agree with you, I prefer historical fiction rather than lovestories! There just seems to be so much more essance to them I've never heard of James Joyce, can I ask what genre he writes??

[Caitrin de Archer]

I need to read the Cadfael books, I feel ashamed I've watched the DVD's but not read the books. I'll get round to it though!

My favourite books are Pride & Prejudice- Austen, but I love all the Elizabeth Chadwick books, and of course Phillipa Gregory. Chadwick is a Medieval fiction author, and Gregory writes about the Tudor's mainly/ Wars of the Roses, but both are talented and if you are interested in the period then read the books! Also, the Lady Elizabeth by Alison Weir is a fabulous read, it takes you from Elizabeth Tudor being branded a bastard to her asent to the throne, I love it to bits.

Another favourite book at the moment is the Time Travellers Guide to the Middle Ages, its a non-fiction book, but the way it is written takes you on a visual journey through the Middle ages, so it reads like fiction

[mpend]

Another Austen fan!!! I have one of the Elizabeth Chadwick books but haven't actually gotten around to reading it yet! I really should, from the sounds of it!! I've read a lot of Gregory's books, although I have to admit my favourites of hers are the ones set outside the Tudor period, the 'Wideacre' series and the ones about the slavery. So well wrtten!

I shall take a look at Alison Weir, as I've never heard of her, though the surname sounds familiar! Again I haven't heard of the Time Travellers Guide to the Middle ages, so it might be worth giving that a go too!!!

Anyone else got any favourites?

[kory]

My favourite author is hands down Tolkien. I love how he created everything even his own languages. How he used his words and how he created his characters. I love his symbolism. Particularly with trees. His poems and songs. The oliphant is one of my favourite poems. Its a great use of simple words and has this unreal flow. He really created a world. I love every book, of course Lord of the Rings is by far my favourite.

I also love the Grimm stories, Hans christian andersen and Roald Dahl. The BFG is one of my favourites ever since I was a kid.

My second favourite Novel series is The Troy Game by Sara Douglas. Its a very long intense fantasy series. Which had me going through several emotions.

I also love Kristin Cashore's novels. The Graceling and Fire. They are my new obsession. I cannot wait for the new book Bitterblue.

I also love Harry Potter, Goblet of Fire is still my favourite of the books.

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

Haha, no worries, I know Cadfeal isn't everyone's piece of cake!

I really have to get more into Elizabeth Chadwick, though that one book by her I read really wasn't that muuuuch Oooh who I can also recommend on the historical part, is Bernard Cornwell!!! He writes much about the Hundred Years War and such, and he's brilliant.

James Joyce is an Irish author of the 20th century and he's famous for Ulysses, a novel that takes place on one day in Dublin, made like the Odyssey, and is said to be typically Irish. He's also wrote some short stories called Dubliners portraying typical Dublin characters. He is a bit hard to get used to, but his word experiments are brilliant.

[mpend]

Kory - I read the oliphant as part of my english lit a level, and I have to agree with you, I love it too! Another poet I love is Tennyson. I love his imagery and style. Like you I love that Tolkien made his own world - and made it believable too! - and languages. I think his Elvish language (Quenyan) is the most beautiful made up language I've ever heard. I grew up with the Grimm stories too, but they never really captured my imagination. As a child we were read (me and my siblings) Enid Blyton, and those were my childhood favourite books, which even now I remember!

I've never heard of the Troy Games - I'll have to look into that! I've not heard of the author either, so it sounds like something I should definately try out (oh the joys of public librarys!). I haven't heard of Kristin Cashore, either!! What're they about, may I ask?

I did read the Harry Potter books when they first came out as I think most kids did (though I was about 17 when they came out), but again they never really caputured my imagination. Another childhood favourite of mine was CS Lewis' Narnia Chronicles...

Yassia: I have heard of Bernard Cornwell, though I've never read his stuff!!! If you like things like that, I would definately recommend Sebastian Faulks' books - warning, his stuff gets VERY nitty-gritty realistic. One of his books ending sequence gave me nightmares! (I'm very hard hearted normally when it comes to reading!)

I will definately look up James Joyce, it feels silly I've never heard of him or of his books! Its possible someone's mentioned him in the past and I've blindsided him, but I will definately go find one of his books to read!!

[Sinnihte]

Le Portrait de Dorian Grey ; Yes, I'm a nerd and my favorite book is in French.

Le Petite Prince as well.

Then as far as books in English go, To Kill a Mockingbird, A Time to Kill, just about everything Shakespeare ever wrote, The Stand and Cell by Steven King, and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Really, I tend to love any book I come across xD