Books You Can't Shut Up About

[alantig]

Shawn posted this in another thread but left it for me to start this thread.

I saw a post online that said something like "What book did you read before you were 20 and haven't stopped talking about since"? It seems like we all have one.

We've got a pretty literate crowd here. Yes, there are exceptions, but let's be honest - do you really think they're reading this? More likely they're having someone read it to them, and if you're the person reading that to them, just tell them this is boring stuff about technical specs and they promised to get you ice cream after you read one more thread.

So, what book is it? Look at it this way - it'll take you less time to post about it than you would have spent traveling to Log Canoe Circle right about now, and we all know you have that time free.

 

[Alan Manning]

James Herbert. The Rats Trilogy. Read It a few times since must read It again.
If you like that sort of thing give It a go. You won't be able to put It down.!!!

 

[Bill SAS 513]

Just started reading Neil Peart's Ghost Rider; Travels on the Healing Road...for the 3rd time...Crap.
Geddy's BBBoB...but mostly cuz its full of pictures!!!
Years ago...Stephen King stuff...

Oh, and recently … Baltimore City's Book of Underground Construction Standards!!!
Yay, me!!!!!

 

[alantig]

For me, the singular book that applies is The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy, and I'm including all six books of the trilogy.

I still remember discovering this. I saw a thing in the paper (remember newspapers?) that said there was something on the local PBS station called The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy. I'm a space geek, so I flipped it on to check it out. Turns out it wasn't a show in the line of Cosmos. There was a shootout in a computer room, and one of the cops said, "I don't go around gratuitously shooting people and then brag about it in seedy Space Rangers' bars. I go around gratuitously shooting people and then I agonize about it afterwards to my girlfriend." I knew then that this was for me. I didn't know it was a book until shortly afterwards, and I snatched up the first book in what ultimately became a six-book trilogy. Douglas Adams was a great storyteller and writer, and I ate up every word of the first book, The Restaurant At The End Of The Universe, and Life, The Universe And Everything, and when they came around later, So Long, And Thanks For All The Fish and Mostly Harmless. Years later, The Salmon Of Doubt joined the list. Much like Monty Python's "Life Of Brian", this started of as a joke quote about what was next, but because of insistent fan questions, it ultimately became reality.

There's rarely a day that goes by that I don't quote from this book or something Douglas Adams said about it. I have no idea how many times I've read it, how many copies I've bought for people. I have two compiled volumes of the first four and first five signed by Mr. Adams. I got to attend a speech he did here, and I got those signed at that time. I have the radio versions, the TV series, the movie. There's pretty much nothing I don't love about this book and the different forms it's taken. I still try to celebrate towel day - a hoopy frood always knows where his towel is after all.

I still read about two dozen books a year. Big Stephen King fan, I love Christopher Moore (seriously, if you like bizarrely funny stuff, check this guy out), and lots of other stuff.

 

[jfb]

Brian Lumley's Necroscope Series.

William Gibson's Neuromancer.

 

[Tone-y]

I love a sci-fi or fantasy book. I could say anything by Brandon Sanderson, Jim butcher, Peter Hamilton. I'll pretty much buy anything they do, plus a few other people

 

[jfb]

I love a sci-fi or fantasy book. I could say anything by Brandon Sanderson, Jim butcher, Peter Hamilton. I'll pretty much buy anything they do, plus a few other people

Sanderson came through my area for "Way of the Kings" book one. I managed to get my copy signed. Cool stuff.

 

[GADonis]

For me, the singular book that applies is The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy, and I'm including all six books of the trilogy.

I still remember discovering this. I saw a thing in the paper (remember newspapers?) that said there was something on the local PBS station called The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy. I'm a space geek, so I flipped it on to check it out. Turns out it wasn't a show in the line of Cosmos. There was a shootout in a computer room, and one of the cops said, "I don't go around gratuitously shooting people and then brag about it in seedy Space Rangers' bars. I go around gratuitously shooting people and then I agonize about it afterwards to my girlfriend." I knew then that this was for me. I didn't know it was a book until shortly afterwards, and I snatched up the first book in what ultimately became a six-book trilogy. Douglas Adams was a great storyteller and writer, and I ate up every word of the first book, The Restaurant At The End Of The Universe, and Life, The Universe And Everything, and when they came around later, So Long, And Thanks For All The Fish and Mostly Harmless. Years later, The Salmon Of Doubt joined the list. Much like Monty Python's "Life Of Brian", this started of as a joke quote about what was next, but because of insistent fan questions, it ultimately became reality.

There's rarely a day that goes by that I don't quote from this book or something Douglas Adams said about it. I have no idea how many times I've read it, how many copies I've bought for people. I have two compiled volumes of the first four and first five signed by Mr. Adams. I got to attend a speech he did here, and I got those signed at that time. I have the radio versions, the TV series, the movie. There's pretty much nothing I don't love about this book and the different forms it's taken. I still try to celebrate towel day - a hoopy frood always knows where his towel is after all.

I still read about two dozen books a year. Big Stephen King fan, I love Christopher Moore (seriously, if you like bizarrely funny stuff, check this guy out), and lots of other stuff.

Have you read any of the Discworld books by Terry Pratchet? A lot like Hitchhiker but in a fantasy setting.

 

[GADonis]

The book that mostly got me hooked on reading was The Hobbit. Followed of course by Lord of the Rings. Usually if someone asks for a recommendation I go with either Elric or Corum books by Michael Moorcock. Or just about anything by Elmore Leonard.

I just finished Men at Arms by Terry Pratchett. Very funny book.

 

[Tone-y]

Sanderson came through my area for "Way of the Kings" book one. I managed to get my copy signed. Cool stuff.

I'm in the UK, so not the same opportunities to get books signed. I have pre-ordered a signed copy of the next way of kings book though

 

[GADonis]

For the last couple of years a lot of my reading has been taking from the Hugo nominee/winner list. I've enjoyed most of them, disliked a couple, and was unable to finish one of them (Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny). I started at the beginning (early 1950s) and am currently in the late 1960s. I'm not reading every single winner/nominee. But I'm trying to read as many of them as I can even if they don't really strike me as "my thing" in a belief that I may find some "hidden" gems. Which I have. I think it's time to pick another title.

 

[Tele295]

For me, the singular book that applies is The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy, and I'm including all six books of the trilogy.

I still remember discovering this. I saw a thing in the paper (remember newspapers?) that said there was something on the local PBS station called The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy. I'm a space geek, so I flipped it on to check it out. Turns out it wasn't a show in the line of Cosmos. There was a shootout in a computer room, and one of the cops said, "I don't go around gratuitously shooting people and then brag about it in seedy Space Rangers' bars. I go around gratuitously shooting people and then I agonize about it afterwards to my girlfriend." I knew then that this was for me. I didn't know it was a book until shortly afterwards, and I snatched up the first book in what ultimately became a six-book trilogy. Douglas Adams was a great storyteller and writer, and I ate up every word of the first book, The Restaurant At The End Of The Universe, and Life, The Universe And Everything, and when they came around later, So Long, And Thanks For All The Fish and Mostly Harmless. Years later, The Salmon Of Doubt joined the list. Much like Monty Python's "Life Of Brian", this started of as a joke quote about what was next, but because of insistent fan questions, it ultimately became reality.

There's rarely a day that goes by that I don't quote from this book or something Douglas Adams said about it. I have no idea how many times I've read it, how many copies I've bought for people. I have two compiled volumes of the first four and first five signed by Mr. Adams. I got to attend a speech he did here, and I got those signed at that time. I have the radio versions, the TV series, the movie. There's pretty much nothing I don't love about this book and the different forms it's taken. I still try to celebrate towel day - a hoopy frood always knows where his towel is after all.

I still read about two dozen books a year. Big Stephen King fan, I love Christopher Moore (seriously, if you like bizarrely funny stuff, check this guy out), and lots of other stuff.

Christopher Moore and Douglas Adams? We will get along just fine

Moore’s new book, Shakespeare for Squirrels, comes out next week!

 

[alantig]

Have you read any of the Discworld books by Terry Pratchet? A lot like Hitchhiker but in a fantasy setting.

One of my buddies recommended those to me, but I've never gotten around to them. I need to change that. I did read - and really liked Good Omens by Pratchet and Neil Gaiman. The apocalypse much like Hitchhiker.

 

[alantig]

Christopher Moore and Douglas Adams? We will get along just fine

Moore’s new book, Shakespeare for Squirrels, comes out next week!

I've had the new book on order for months. He's done some nice promotions w/bookstores since then, but I never bothered to change the order.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Before becoming a breeder, I loved reading books! I’d seriously read a novel in a day, just chain smoking and drinking Coke until it was done.... I’m so grateful for those experiences, and having had the time to do that. I’d read just about anything I could get.

I love Christopher Moore (seriously, if you like bizarrely funny stuff, check this guy out), and lots of other stuff.

Christopher Moore !

My all time favorite book is Lamb. I normally treat books like trash, but I’ve got a fancy pants leather bound and signed copy of it.

 

[pac90]

I'm not sure about the 'not stopped talking about since' handle as we change with age but have a similar path to the alans

Read my first Douglas Adams at 13, still remember laughing my head off. My kids disappointingly didn't click with it, don't think its aged well....even although the Guide is what but a smart phone.
Another UK author James Herbert fan (the Fog), and Stephen King was my favourite as youngster, Salems Lot gave me nightmares at 14, brilliant!, loved the Shining, and the 'CV prequel' the Stand

If you want a good recco for lockdown books, here are some:

Barkskins, Annie Proulx - epic, canadian american history through families & forestry

Skunk Works, Ben R Rich - any geek will love this, and its a story not well known, well told here.

Bringing it back to music, Life - Keith Richards, Waging Heavy Peace - Neil young, How Music Works - David Byrne - all of these are great, Life is the only one I have read twice though

 

[alantig]

Before becoming a breeder, I loved reading books! I’d seriously read a novel in a day, just chain smoking and drinking Coke until it was done.... I’m so grateful for those experiences, and having had the time to do that. I’d read just about anything I could get.

My all time favorite book is Lamb. I normally treat books like trash, but I’ve got a fancy pants leather bound and signed copy of it.

Kids kill reading time! Before I had kids, I read "The Stand" - the unedited version - in 4 days.

And Lamb is one of my all-time faves as well. I have a signed leather bound copy that says, "Happy Easter!"

 

[Griz]

Infinite Jest - David Foster Wallace. After the first read through I had to start over to try and figure it out.

Denis Johnson with my favorites being Already Dead, Resuscitation of a Hanged Man and Train Dreams.

Music Bio Books
--Dark Days by Randy Blythe. Not a fan of Lamb of God music, but the story is fascinating.
--Led Zeppelin: When Giants Walked the Earth

 

[CandidPicker]

Reading about back issues of Univibes International Magazines. Yeah, there's that.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Kids kill reading time! Before I had kids, I read "The Stand" - the unedited version - in 4 days.

And Lamb is one of my all-time faves as well. I have a signed leather bound copy that says, "Happy Easter!"

Hahaha! That dude is hilarious.