Here's the gist:
I want to explore book genres I'm not familiar with. And since you guys are sure to know more than me about them, I'd love to have your suggestions.
Give a gal a hand?
My goal is to read at least three books in each of these genres in 2010:
Science Fiction
Mystery
Romance
Western
Gothic
What books are your must-reads in these categories? They can be for adults or children, set in any time period, with any publication date. Bonus points for any book that covers two genres, especially if you think it does equal justice to both. For instance, I'll start things off with a book Dwayne's been recommending to me for years: The Gunslinger (western and sci-fi).
ETA: Did I mention I plan to donate the books I read to a library? I do. If I choose one of your books, I'll send it to the library of your choice!
[image via LA Times Festival of Books (2008)]
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Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Reading Challenge: I Need Your Help!
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11 ate pie:
I can't help in the romance, Western or Mystery categories, although I've always wanted to read the mystery books that the show Bones is based off of, but here are some picks for the others:
For Science Fiction, one of my favorite books was called : California Voodoo Game by Larry Niven. It might be out of print now, but it's a book about virtual games in the future. A really fun read. Another book takes a sci-fi premise and makes it into fantasy. It's called Caverns of Socrates by Dennis McKiernan.
For Gothic, the only book I can recommend is Drawing Blood by Poppy Z. Brite. It's a really messed up book but pretty pulpy and fun.
As a sci fi writer, I'm all in support of you reading more of it! (And I hope mine goes on your list...although I've got to sell it first...)
Ok, for Science Fiction I'd recommend going with something by Isaac Asimov. His Foundation series is excellent (Foundation, Foundation & Empire, Second Foundation, Foundation's Edge, Foundation & Earth) though you may end up reading all five of them (though they are short).
In the romance category I'd strongly recommend anything by Samantha Graves, CJ Barry, or Lani Diane Rich ;)
Can't say as I've ever read any Westerns or Gothic and most of the mystery I've read are classics like Nancy Drew or Agatha Christie.
I may just steal this idea to get recommendations for my own reading challenge next year, though mine will probably be non-fiction as opposed to fiction.
Shaun - Larry Niven: seen him on the shelves a lot, but never read him. And Poppy Brite's name is so intriguing, you kind of have to check her out. Thanks!
Beth - Yours will be on my list as soon as you post the publish date. :) It's exciting to see that happening for so many online acquaintances. Awesome, truly.
Jenn - It's so fun to plan this more adventurous reading - I feel I've been REALLY remiss. Not a single Asimov have I read. (Boo.) I did read SG's Out of Time and Lani's Wish You Were Here. I'll be interested to see what she brings out as Lucy March. :)
MUST MUST MUST read "The House of the Scorpion" by Nancy Farmer. Sci fi with a touch of mystery. It was a rec from a teaching conference. Found it at a book fair, read it to my class (even though it's way above their level), and it's phenomenal. We're obsessed. It's all about clones, set somewhat in the future, in a area of land created along the Mexico/U.S. border.
Good one, Faith! My nephews recommended it a while back, so we picked it up at Half-Price. Dave said it was good - I haven't gotten to start it yet.
Love how this challenge is shaping up!
For Western I might suggest Wallace Stegner or Edward Abbey.
Oh, sorry--"Down the River" perhaps, by Abbey, or "Angle of Repose" by Stegner.
Thanks, Carrie! I'd considered Angle of Repose before; probably time to pick it up, eh?
If you want a western with a truly kick-ass 14-year-old girl narrator: True Grit by Charles Portis.
Quirky, fun Science Fiction: Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, of course.
I had no idea true grit was narrated by a 14-year-old girl. Way more intriguing now. Thanks, Josephine!
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