I need to read an AMAZING book ASAPN.

Wait, that's by Peter Carey, and yes, I'll get it, but who were you going to suggest orignally?

damn you, you fiend!

I'm glad you get in to some Australian stuff though

did you read the one where i mentioned both Luke Davies and Helen Garner. both wonderful writers.

No, I missed it sorry. I'll scroll back. Thanks!

oh oh oh i'm getting excited now!

uhh, Tim Winton's short story collection The Turning rocks my socks off. especially the story "Big World".

and, and, and, Karen Hitchcock's debut short story collection Little White Slips. she's from Newcastle (where i'm from) and it's a beautiful collection. i can imagine the female gender will love adappreciate her more than the males. much like Hempel. but her style isn't like Hempels. i'm not sure f you'll be able to get it though. i've looked on amazon and abe, with no such luck.

i may have to send you a copy.

this is her, being interviewed by me (not really, but he's pretty hairy, so...)

right now im reading FLIGHT by sherman alexie. its a speedy little book. easy read, you would probably read it in a day. but theres something smooth about it, even if it is written in the plainest of words.

Stuart Neville. I forgot it was also, and I think more popularly called Ghosts of Belfast.

“Not only one of the finest thriller debuts of the last ten years, but also one of the best Irish novels, in any genre, of recent times.”—John Connolly

I tried to read Ender's Game a long time ago, and just couldn't do it. I didn't care for it. I think you're either a Golden Compass Person or an Ender's Game Person. I am whole heartedly a Golden Compass Person.

Should I try again?

Yes. And if you didn't like Ender's Game, you still might really enjoy the rest of the series. It's more action oriented while the others are more about ideas and what it means to be human, to be a part of society, one's place in it, what religion means, everything. I love those books, truly.

hmm. I think I got up until the point where he's just beginning to be trained at the school or something. I didn't understand all of the technology, and I just sort of gave up. I didn't like that he killed another kid either, for some reason. I was like, in 5th or 6th grade.

That's when i first read it. I've read it probably four times since.

Though, truly, i think i liked it the first time through because i was a megalomaniac when i was younger. The character of Ender is a great one. I'd give it another try and then read Speaker for the Dead. If you don't like Speaker, well, there's no point in reading anymore. But if you don't like Speaker, there also might be something wrong with you. It's fantastic.

ok, we'll see. thanks for trying to get me to like it. I think the most intimately i've ever been intellectually shaped is by books. I mean, when I meet with someone, and we can talk and talk about golden compass or harry potter or any of the books that truly changed me, it's a deep connection. really, I wouldn't be who I am today without what i've read. that's why i want to understand and love ender's game, but I am sad i did not when I was younger. Maybe that's why people are different. different reading patterns.

All this talk of Ender's Game has caused me to read a few of the wikipedia pages about it and i'm probably going to reread the series again this summer.

And, man, i know what you mean with books changing your life. And these books really did. It opened up the entire world to me and it's a big part of who i am, Ender is. It's even what made me want to write. Man, so much to say about these books. Speaker for the Dead is actually the first book to ever make me cry and the next time i read a book that could do that to me was Crime and Punishment, which is the ultimate book in my mind. But, yeah, i loves me some Ender.

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

I am very surprised no one has said anything about "House of Leaves" by Mark Z. Danielewski. I love Chuckie P. And I've been searching around for anything that is similar to his style. I must say, I read "HoL" once, and it's never been out of my head. Not only is the stor(y/ies) amazing and how it makes you ponder and literally drop your grades, become unfocused at work, and your friends question you whether you're alright or not, but the structure of the novel is...hmmm...what would be the best way to put it. [censor]ed up! You literally read the book upside-down. You literally read one word a page. You (no joke) literally read the book through a mirror. It's a maze (because, ironically, the story takes place in one with some parts).

My suggestion is "House of Leaves" by Mark Z. Danielewski. Without a doubt.

My guess is everybody assumed Mirka has already read it, which I'm sure she has.

I'm totes gonna buy me up some Ender now.

I love t when you're passionate about something, eddy. It gets me heaps excited about whatever it is you're talking about.

i had previous assumptions you had read LEDFEATHER, but then most people i approach havent. even some of the velvet faithfuls. weird. anyway you could read that. or THE LONG TRIAL OF NOLAN DUGATTI. both are very sexy things. like i said, if you have read them: WORLD LEADER PRETEND. but im also a big fan of james baldwin. ever read james baldwin?

Some other reccomends (non-aussie)

Javier Marias - either A Heart So White or Tomorrow In the Battle Think on Me

Alberto Moravia - Contempt (so far superior to the film I don't even know where to start)

Russell Hoban - The Medusa Frequency

also have you read any Gene Wolfe? The book of the new sun series is pretty damn impressive.

Whenever I'm in that sort of mood. And I haven't gotten a recommendation from you, Mirka, my go-to person for good literature is Paul Auster. His writing is just perfect imagery. So yeah - I recommend just about anything by him.

Wanna book you can't put down read Hater. It wont be the best book ever or life changing. But I was drawn in and Never being to England before David Moody put me right there with him. Loved every second of it and I would defently say its fast paced. But still not the best book ever. I dont know trying to help.

Sorry, I somehow missed this! I read 'The Magus' about 10 years ago, and I liked it, but I should reread it because it seems to have gone over my head based on your description.

It was definitely overshadowed by 'The Collector' which is still haunting me.

Thanks, I enjoyed this interview very much and am keen to read the book. I used keen to sound Aussie.
Maybe you should send it to me...

One of my favorite books of all time!

Who, whoa...Kit!?

Thanks for the suggestions, you gave me a lot to check out!

I've read HOUSE OF LEAVES, thanks!

Pete, I like Auster a lot, I love a few of his books. 'Invisible' was one of my favorite reads last year.

Chuck, I haven't gotten around to 'Ledfeather' yet, but I have read 'The Long Trial..'.

Oooooooooooo, read Ledfeather!

ohh, okay, I will, since you're echoing this suggestion so enthusiastically. Thanks!

yep, i'm back! you're welcome! this thread has given me some stuff to check out too

Thanks for the suggestions, I love checking back for more books!

I just ordered:
The Turning: Stories - Tim Winton
Contempt - Alberto Moravia
Tomorrow in the Battle Think On Me - Javier Marias

Non fiction: I also ordered 'The Sociopath Next Door' (Thanks. Pete!)and 'Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain' which is a textbook, but hopefully has all the information I'm craving to know about our brains!

I didn't even realize - but reading The Sociopath Next Door right after reading Columbine is perfect. There's that one chapter in Columbine where he talks about it a little. And Sociopath really expands on it nicely.

ahhhhh! you got it! i'm so excited. friggin hell, i hope you love it. the first story is a favourite of mine. but really, the whole collection is lovely.

be sure to tell me what you think. i'm still waiting to tlk about F&Z wth you!

Columbine was so good! Thanks again for the suggestion. I'm feeling kind of lost now that I've finished the book. I keep reading more wiki stuff about it as I told you!

I know, that's why I ordered it! If you love Franny and Zooey, then I'm going to work through your suggestions one by one. I tried to find the 'Little White Slips' by Karen Hitchcock but it's not available here. I added it to my bookmooch wishlist which is an international book swapping site.

I've meant to send you a PM about Franny and Zooey, but my life kind of spun out of control in April and I'm only now catching up! (All I've had time to do is work, read and sleep)

I know, that's why I ordered it! If you love Franny and Zooey, then I'm going to work through your suggestions one by one. I tried to find the 'Little White Slips' by Karen Hitchcock but it's not available here. I added it to my bookmooch wishlist which is an international book swapping site.

I've meant to send you a PM about Franny and Zooey, but my life kind of spun out of control in April and I'm only now catching up! (All I've had time to do is work, read and sleep)

i'm hearing you. i've been flat out of late. but i have a break from uni for the next month now, so i'll be bale to get some things done I want to do: read more, write more, do some stuff here i have been meaning to do.

you can't get Little White Slips? hmm, that's a shame. i can send it to you. i have to get some other shit done first, but i am keen to send out a few goodies bags soon, so you can be one of them. like tim tams much?

and as for franny & zooey: well, yes, i liked it. i fuckign adored it. it was beautiful. i just bought Raise the High beam... and For Esme... yesterday, and can't wait to read them.

FZ was incredible. breathtaking. i need to talk about it so i can come to terms with it. if you get me. something about it really hit me. it was so real, and so beautiful. and the prose was stunning. although it's a tiny thing of a book, it took me a couple of weeks to read--which is unusual because i am a rapid reader anyway--because it consumed me. and i needed to take breaks and think about it and then comeback to it. and i re-read lines, and paragraphs over and over. ugh. it's the first time a book has done that to me in such a hardcore way in a long time.

Matt we had a Book Club discussion for it.

You don't have to post in there - since nobody will probably check it, but read what's in there. Maybe you'll see something you find interesting.

i'm hearing you. i've been flat out of late. but i have a break from uni for the next month now, so i'll be bale to get some things done I want to do: read more, write more, do some stuff here i have been meaning to do.

you can't get Little White Slips? hmm, that's a shame. i can send it to you. i have to get some other shit done first, but i am keen to send out a few goodies bags soon, so you can be one of them. like tim tams much?

and as for franny & zooey: well, yes, i liked it. i fuckign adored it. it was beautiful. i just bought Raise the High beam... and For Esme... yesterday, and can't wait to read them.

FZ was incredible. breathtaking. i need to talk about it so i can come to terms with it. if you get me. something about it really hit me. it was so real, and so beautiful. and the prose was stunning. although it's a tiny thing of a book, it took me a couple of weeks to read--which is unusual because i am a rapid reader anyway--because it consumed me. and i needed to take breaks and think about it and then comeback to it. and i re-read lines, and paragraphs over and over. ugh. it's the first time a book has done that to me in such a hardcore way in a long time.

Every sentence counts ion that book. Every bit of dialogue is perfect, and he captures the feel of family so well. I love the mother's robe with the extra pockets. And the tangerine. And the END and everything leading up to it!

I love Seymour, that book is crazy good too.

Also check out this thread. If you're a Baer fan you'll enjoy his post: http://chuckpalahniuk.net/forum/1000029/a-small-glass-of-ginger-ale-a-sm...

friggin' hell! thanks for the link.

and yeah, you're right about the family. they're just perfect. and even though no one should be able to relate to them, you do relate to them. it's odd. and i love that the book is so heavily dialogue, but the dialogue is perfect. and love the emphasis on certain syllables. ahh, pefect.

Awesome, I'll be interested to know what you think of them! The Marias is pretty intense.

Hey Matt, your praise for Franny and Zoe has me interested. I've actually been meaning to read that for a long time. But do you think I should revisit Catcher and the Rye before reading it? It's been like eight years since I read it. F&Z is kind of a sequel, is it not?

I don't think it's a sequel at all... At least I don't remember it that way.

It's not a sequel. You don't have to read 'Catcher' again. 'Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters and Seymour: An Introduction' is kind of a sequel to 'Franny and Zooey', but you can read either one first.

Thanks so much, I haven't read anything by him, and I'm very excited!

I took a peek at the Gene Wolfe sun books too, they look interesting but I'm not in the right mood now.

yeah, those are definitely a bit of a commitment. The Fifth Head of Cerberus is interesting, too.

just go straight to F&Z. it's been a while since i read Catcher, but from what i remember, it was a bit 'meh'. this on the other hand is brilliant. seriosuly, do yourself a favour and read it. it's stunning.

mirka, you should still read WORLD LEADER PRETEND by james frost.

Chuck, I'm sorry to report that I got the book and started it and think it's utterly horrible. The way he writes makes me want to throw it!:

"..and landed in the soft snow, soft snow that although it was soft still twisted his leg in such a way that it still, to this day, points upward with his knee inverted, inverted the wrong way."

"...is one of the things that have gone bust in Xerxe's personal bear market, one of the things that he has lost. Although he feels there is no saving what has been lost, he will go visit her, go visit her on this, their mutual birthday."

Aghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

are they really quotes?

that's awful. the first one is appauling.

Ouch, those are some horrible quotes

The whole book is written in that repetitive style*, and yes those are direct quotes.

*Maybe the whole book, I couldn't read more than 20 pages.

Mirka, I can't help but notice you haven't read my recommendations. As a result, I will now be castrating myself.

I love One Hundred Years of Solitude as much as you do, maybe more! But, I have ordered the Bester book from a book swap site and sometimes those take a month to arrive.

So is Mount Zion safe??