Recommend a book

[Crash_Dark]

I was going to start a 'name your favourite three books' thread, but couldn't narrow my choices down enough and guessed others might struggle too, so I started this instead.

Recommend a book (new or old) that you've enjoyed. Say a little about it (maybe a synopsis, but don't spoil the plot for others, if it's that kind of book), and why you like it so much.

Go on, you know you want to.

[Byakhiam]

I will recommend "Being and Nothingness" by Jean-Paul Sartre. It's a book about philosophy, precisely existentialism. While it's a complexly written giant for a book, reading and understanding it will be certainly an improvement for yourself. Self-improvement in a book. :)

[Crash_Dark]

I will recommend "Being and Nothingness" by Jean-Paul Sartre. It's a book about philosophy, precisely existentialism. While it's a complexly written giant for a book, reading and understanding it will be certainly an improvement for yourself. Self-improvement in a book. :)

That sounds interesting, thanks.

If you'd like to read another book about philosophy itself (possibly one that's a little more accessible), try 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance' by Robert M.Persig. It's about what philosophy is (in the author's opinion, of course).

[LadyofShalott]

One of my favourite books ever is "Notes from the Underground" by Dostoevsky.
It's about being human basically, being an individual - very bitter and dark. I read it in my teens the first time and it really touched me.

Another is "The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath - a girl breaking down while she's supposed to be leading a privileged and perfect life. I would recommend it especially to girls, but I'm sure it would make interesting reading for men too.

[Alexander]

I will recommend "Spot's Windy Day".

Spot's Windy Day follows his adventures when the weather causes lots of problems for Spot during a visit to the park.

[Crash_Dark]

I will recommend "Spot's Windy Day".

Spot's Windy Day follows his adventures when the weather causes lots of problems for Spot during a visit to the park.

I tried the Spot books, but I found the underlying concepts very hard going. This one, for instance. Is the wind a metaphor for the turbulent currents and happenings in life which buffet us, shape us, and blow our footballs into the lake?

Maybe you could recommend something a bit more accessible and understandable by us mere mortals the next time?

(P.S. Did you read 'Spot and the Dark, Dark Cupboard'? I'm still mentally scarred...)

[star-gazer]

I will recommend "Spot's Windy Day".

Spot's Windy Day follows his adventures when the weather causes lots of problems for Spot during a visit to the park.

nah! what you doing reading that tot!?!

everyone knows that the whole spot books went really downhill after he lost his big red ball!

try the books about that ball-theyre beyond exciting!

[star-gazer]

lol-didnt see crash darks comments on spot books when i posted!

im reallly impressed with the spot the dog collective forming here!

well alexander and crash dark (and anyone else interested!)

-we could start a book club and focus on a different spot the dog book everymonth!

-first months book "spot and friends find a kipper sandwich"

- 2nd months book "spot learns to fly"

-still open for suggestions on the 3rd book!

[Crash_Dark]

Hehehe book 3 could be 'Spot Doesn't Remember This Big Red Ball' ;)


lol-didnt see crash darks comments on spot books when i posted!

im reallly impressed with the spot the dog collective forming here!

well alexander and crash dark (and anyone else interested!)

-we could start a book club and focus on a different spot the dog book everymonth!

-first months book "spot and friends find a kipper sandwich"

- 2nd months book "spot learns to fly"

-still open for suggestions on the 3rd book!

[Alexander]

Spot losing his big red ball was a real heart-warming coming-of-age drama wasn't it? The ball was a great symbol for Spot's lost youth and innocence and it was amazingly written using a variety of verbs and tenses.

Of course who could forget the unforgettable "Spot Bakes A Cake"? A drug addled frenzy that made 'Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas' look like 'The Belles Of St Trinians'.

http://www.eurocosm.com/Application/images/cornish-blue-kitchen-ware/cornish-blue-pottery-8.jpg

[Crash_Dark]

Spot losing his big red ball was a real heart-warming coming-of-age drama wasn't it? The ball was a great symbol for Spot's lost youth and innocence and it was amazingly written using a variety of verbs and tenses.

Of course who could forget the unforgettable "Spot Bakes A Cake"? A drug addled frenzy that made 'Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas' look like 'The Belles Of St Trinians'.

http://www.eurocosm.com/Application/images/cornish-blue-kitchen-ware/cornish-blue-pottery-8.jpg

Remember, you can turn your back on a person, but never turn your back on a drug....especially when it's waving a cake-covered hand-whisk in your eye...

[Chaotic]

someone mention cake?

*holds out a plate hopefully*

[Crash_Dark]

someone mention cake?

*holds out a plate hopefully*

This is Spot's 'special' cake ;)

[Silversurfer]

This is Spot's 'special' cake ;)
Mmmmm Can I have some to feed my dog, it will maybe carm him down a bit
:)

[Crash_Dark]

Mmmmm Can I have some to feed my dog, it will maybe carm him down a bit
:)

Ah, the old 'it's for my dog' ploy? ;)

Once Spot's eaten some of his cake, he'll probably be mellow enough to risk asking for some. Up until then, he's dangerous to be around.....haven't you read 'Spot and the Disembowelling, Throat-Ripping Gore-Fest'? :D

[Dr_absinthe]

Another thread revival here...

I suggest Will Self (The Qunatity Theory Of Insanity). Well worth a read!

[Antagonist]

Just finished Bill Bryson's "Short history of nearly everything". A pretty good in-depth yet highly readable scientific tome by the travel writer. Definitely recommended by anyone who is interested in the world past the end of their own noses.

Just started "Love all of the people" a collection of Bill hicks' diaries, interviews and snippets of his genious. (I apologise to those who were waiting for me to reply to phone calls and emails whilst I was busy reading Bryson... I'm going into hiding for a little longer!)

[fad]

Is this a 'recommend a book' thread or a 'show off my wanky pretensions' thread?? Dosty Evsky, Slime and Punishment blah de blah. I've got a Spot book..it's called 'Spot the pretentious git'.
I've got another one too, it's called 'Spot the dog goes round Fad's house and gets shagged savagely up his little doggy arse....and fails to feel a thing.'
Look, what I'm struggling to say is, has it got dragons in it?? Well? Has it???? And if the answer is 'No', why bother mentioning it, eh? EH? Hardly call itself a 'book' if there are no dragons. Get a grip kids. It's almost as if Lord of the Rings, the return of the King never happened!!!
....oh, and Luke Reinhart's Diceman...it's about Dice!!!

[Antagonist]

shut up Fad. Books are good.
:P

[PapaLazarou]

Well I have an anti-recommendation:

Elizabeth Moon 'Hunting Party'

I just wanted some trashy sci-fi to read at lunctimes but this is spectacularly inane. No plot worthy of the name and dreadful characterisation - which would be fine if it had some action to keep things moving but ye gods it is turgid.

Also it fails the fad test. There are no dragons.

[Jesusbuiltmyhotrod]

Hell it's been a while since i've been on here........

so check out Chris Kuzneski "sign of the cross"and for a few gizzily moments Tess Gerritsens "the surgeon and also the apprentice"(alan sugar it's not):D

[Antagonist]

just a quick heads-up to say that this is an awesome book. A great story which manages to sneak in all manner of philosophical and scientific thought when you're least expecting it. One of the story threads really got to me too... there is all manner of bad behaviour in there!

so... who else has been reading, eh?

[Dr_absinthe]

Mmm, Thinks... is a fantastic book, glad you enjoyed it!

I have also just finished a book by David Lodge, How Far Can You Go? It's a comical yet sometimes harrowing account of growing up with Catholicism and how it affects people throughout their lives. As with all Of David Lodge's books, it is fantastically written and has a unique blend of fact and fiction. Highly enjoyable!

I've just started The Bonfire Of The Vanities by Tom Wolfe and am rereading Therapy by David Lodge. I love both of these books, I really should try reading something new though!