Looking For Deeper Reading

[Musicman408]

I know I've had similar threads in the past, but none quite like this. I know a lot of you all are aware that I read a lot of commercial fiction (especially since I am writing in the same genre). I am currently reading Nicholas Sparks' "The Rescue" but I have got to say that I am not feeling particularly fulfilled with it.

I am a big fan of the TV show House, because the characters are so well thought of and distinct and unique. I would love to read a book that has particularly unique characters, and a very deep, complex and possibly confusing plot that moves particularly fast. Was just wondering if you all had any suggestions... Favorite authors, books, things of that nature. It would be greatly appreciated. Happy Holidays!!!

Thanks So Much,
Ethan

[Zombie]

One of my all-time favorite writers is Cormac McCarthy, but he is not for everyone, so I suggest trying his most "tame" book, The Road, before embarking on any others, though my favorites of his are Blood Meridian: Or the Evening Redness in the West, Suttree and Child of God.

Let's see...what else might you like...

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Atonement by Ian McEwan

Try anything by Gabriel Garcia Marquez - if you haven't read him before, go for one of the shorter novels to get used to his style, like Memories of My Melancholy Whores or Of Love and Other Demons, before moving on to ones like One Hundred Years of Solitude and Love in the Time of Cholera.

Also try The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende.

I am a big fan of the magical realism that Latin American writers like Marquez and Allende are so good at, and I read these books in the Spanish to make sure I get the full effect, but the English translations are just as good.

I read A LOT in all genres, so if you want more recommendations, hit me up.

[LukeA]

Originally Posted by Musicman408

I know I've had similar threads in the past, but none quite like this. I know a lot of you all are aware that I read a lot of commercial fiction (especially since I am writing in the same genre).

I Think That You Would Love James Patterson, or Janet Evanovich. Have You Heard Of Them?

[Ghost_Tracker]

Originally Posted by Musicman408

I know I've had similar threads in the past, but none quite like this. I would love to read a book that has particularly unique characters, and a very deep, complex and possibly confusing plot that moves particularly fast. Was just wondering if you all had any suggestions... Favorite authors, books, things of that nature. It would be greatly appreciated. Happy Holidays!!!

Thanks So Much,
Ethan

You know, I was just thinking - - - -
Charles Dickens would be a great place to start - he's known for having EXACTLY what you're describing here - Every single point you mentioned. I haven't yet read much of his stuff but I can tell you that he's one of the most well-regarded writers I've ever come across. I can also tell you that I have NEVER seen a professional writer talk about learning how to write, without practically SCREAMING at the top of his or her lungs, "READ CHARLES DICKENS!!!!" Dean Koontz, Stephen King, Isaac Asimov, all of them have sung his praises.

"The Christmas Stories of Charles Dickens" would be a timely place to start. I've read the first two - "A Christmas Carol" and "The Chimes" - and they're both wonderful.

"Bleak House" is known for having each one of the characteristics you describe, in spades.

[iamnotafraid]

Originally Posted by Musicman408

I am currently reading Nicholas Sparks' "The Rescue" but I have got to say that I am not feeling particularly fulfilled with it.

Thanks So Much,
Ethan

Ethan, have you read any other Spark's books? I got a copy of Message in A Bottle for my mom to read (we had already seen the movie, the Notebook too). Anway any suggestions? For "chick flicks" I thought the movies were good.

[Musicman408]

You all, thanks so much for the suggestions!!! I really appreciate it. I will most certainly have to do some research on the books and authors you all have mentioned.

I have read some James Patterson. He is good, but I think Sidney Sheldon is better, but I am wanting to read something that is less commercial.

I have read one other Nicholas Sparks book, and I think it was True Believer. It was good, but again- trying to expand upon my commercial comfort.

Thanks So Much Guys,
Ethan

[trackaghost]

Ethan, the best way to start is to make your way through the classics. It gives you a good basis, they are beautifully written and filled with deeper meaning, most people have read a few of them so you'll always have something to discuss, and of course there's a reason why they are classics.
Here are three really superb lists to help you:

http://www.penguinclassics.co.uk/sta...urpassion.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2003...atures.fiction

http://www.curious.org.uk/top-100-books.htm - This is Waterstone's list of the top 100 books of the 20th century, my friend actually worked his way through all of them! It's actually a great list - lots of older novels you should read but plenty of modern classics too. It was criticised at the time though for its lack of women authors but other than that it's pretty good.

Stuff like The Bell Jar, 1984, One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, Catcher In The Rye and A Clockwork Orange are all classic teenage reading to start with.
If you want something with a philosophical slant the novel Sophie´s World by Jostein Gaarder is a fun read and a superb introduction to philosophical thinking, or deeper meanings.

[jannieC]

Originally Posted by trackaghost

Ethan, the best way to start is to make your way through the classics. It gives you a good basis, they are beautifully written and filled with deeper meaning, most people have read a few of them so you'll always have something to discuss, and of course there's a reason why they are classics.
Here are three really superb lists to help you:

http://www.penguinclassics.co.uk/sta...urpassion.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2003...atures.fiction

http://www.curious.org.uk/top-100-books.htm - This is Waterstone's list of the top 100 books of the 20th century, my friend actually worked his way through all of them! It's actually a great list - lots of older novels you should read but plenty of modern classics too. It was criticised at the time though for its lack of women authors but other than that it's pretty good.

Stuff like The Bell Jar, 1984, One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, Catcher In The Rye and A Clockwork Orange are all classic teenage reading to start with.
If you want something with a philosophical slant the novel Sophie´s World by Jostein Gaarder is a fun read and a superb introduction to philosophical thinking, or deeper meanings.

Great suggestions.

To Kill a Mockingbird is one of my alltime favorites too; you might want to try that.

[Josh2003]

If you want confusing, go with The Sound and the Fury.

[Sahara]

1984 by George Orwell is my all-time favourite. If there's any book that will make you think, this is the one.

[rubytuesday]

I was just about to post....George Orwell! You want something that will really make you think look no further than George Orwell.

[SmileAtYou]

Originally Posted by Musicman408

I would love to read a book that has particularly unique characters, and a very deep, complex and possibly confusing plot that moves particularly fast. Was just wondering if you all had any suggestions...

You would really dig Chuck Palahniuk 's novels - - they fit this description perfectly. You might know his work because two of his novels, Fight Club and Choke have been made into movies, but I would recommend his other fabulous books. His novels are fast and easy to read, action packed, and full of psychological twists and turns. The characters are definitely quirky, and the material can be a bit graphic and shocking.

[Zombie]

Originally Posted by SmileAtYou

You would really dig Chuck Palahniuk 's novels - - they fit this description perfectly. You might know his work because two of his novels, Fight Club and Choke have been made into movies, but I would recommend his other fabulous books. His novels are fast and easy to read, action packed, and full of psychological twists and turns. The characters are definitely quirky, and the material can be a bit graphic and shocking.

Haha - yes. And don't forget Haunted, if only for the infamous story "Guts."

[macmar71]

Tess Gerritsen is very good...suspense with tones of medical examiner and serial killer stuff. Alex Kava is another one who writes good suspense.

[Musicman408]

Thanks very much you guys, for the suggestions. I will definitely take them to heart. Lately I've been kind of not interested in reading, which is really weird... The things I'm reading just haven't excited me... So I'm needing something to kickstart that excitement.