(no subject)

[aprilstarchild]

QoaD, pt. 2:

I need to read more. Tell me a book to read. Something you think I really need to read.

Any genre, fiction or non-fiction; but I have a definite taste for fantasy/sci-fi, memoir/autobiography, and anything with really strongly written characters.

I am currently in the middle of:

American Gods by Neil Gaiman
Utne's Guide to Salons (I think I have the title right)

but I read fast. So, gimme some more ideas.

Comments

[sagcat.livejournal.com]

Stardust and Coraline are my two favorite Neil Gaiman books. But you'd probably really enjoy the Sandman series, too.

And I know you've heard this, but I think you should dabble in some Tom Robbins, and I'd recommend Jitterbug Perfume as his best and most "you."

I'd also strongly recommend Transmetropolitan by Warren Ellis & Derick Robinson, though frighteningly, much of that horrific "future" is already coming true, so it's getting dated. I mean, when you point out that the emperor has no clothes, it's supposed to do him in, but that doesn't happen anymore, so when Spider brings down the powerful with his pen, you kinda doubt it could happen these days. But the future described is quite fascinating regardless.

[mechalith.livejournal.com]

I don't know why I didn't think of recommending Transmet.

I like Stardust but I felt like parts of it were missing when I read it. There are bits where things are glossed over or skipped entriely and I felt a tiny bit cheated somehow. Haven't gotten to Coraline yet.

[sagcat.livejournal.com]

have you seen the original stardust that was illustrated by charles vess? It's amazing. I think his watercolors really bring the book even more alive than it is as a text-only novel.

And coraline... I don't even know what to say. It's novella length, and I devoured it as quickly as the words could come into my brain. As far as the hook of a work goes, Coraline grabbed me and fascinated me probably more than any other work by Gaiman, though Sandman and stardust seem to stick with me as more "important." I guess what I mean is that if one is to understand certain cultural references... gaiman mythology if you will... then the endless (and say, Matthew the Raven) along with Stardust (and to a lesser extent Tristran and the town of Wall) are the characters with whom you should be familiar. But Coraline is just a really damned fun book to read.