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The rating is just like the movie rating system
Trainspotting, Good omens, Ender series, Harry Potter 1-5, Sword of Shannara series, Wake up! sir!, Sword of Truth series, Bold Stroke Series, Lightning, Star Wars 7-9, Lord of the Ring Series, Incarnations of Immortality series, Rose Madder, Jumper, Dark Matter, When the Wind Blows, Memoirs of a Geisha, Dark Elf Triolgy, FightClub/Diary/Lullaby
Trainspotting - Written by Irvine Welsh in 1996, and a movie which starred Ewan McGregor. The story is told by his character (Rent-Boy) and other members of his group. It’s about their dealings with drugs and their attempt to “fend off adulthood, and trying to escape a world filled with AIDS, death and national despair”. It is written in Edinburgh dialect, which I found a little hard to understand sometimes, but I think that it made the characters more real for me. I was grossed out, horrified, amused and sad when I read this book. It’s a pretty dark book overall, but a fantastic read. 344 pages, R rating
Good Omens - Written by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett in 1990, it is a story about an English Angel named Aziraphale, who owns a bookstore, and his best friend Crowley, a demon, and their attempt to stop Armageddon. It’s an extremely funny book. I can’t explain all that happens because the whole thing is just too crazy. Here are a couple quotes to give you an idea just how crazy:
Ender Series- Includes Ender’s Game, Speaker for the Dead, Xenocide, and the “spin-offs” Ender’s Shadow, and Shadow of the Hegemon. They are written by Orson Scott Card. I’ve heard rumors of an Ender movie, and am crossing my fingers. The first book takes place when Andrew Wiggin (Ender) is a child and how, because of his brilliance, he is selected to go to Battle School, a school in space where they prepare kids to fight a race of beings called Buggers. They are organized into armies, and train by fighting other armies in a very cool place called the Battle Room. It is the “physical manifestation” of the war that goes on in Enders head. Words can’t describe how cool this book is. The second book takes place when Ender is an adult, and is even cooler than the first. Ender’s Shadow is about Bean, one of Enders friends, I liked it, but not as much as the original series. They range from 220-500 pages, PG-13 rating
Harry Potter 1-5- This series by J.K Rowling includes Sorcerer’s Stone, Chamber of Secrets, Prisoner of Azkaban, Goblet of Fire, and Order of the Phoenix. JK Rowling has created a fantastic world full of magic and adventure. The central character is of course Harry Potter, a boy who lives with his cruel Aunt, Uncle, and Cousin, because his parents died in a car crash. On his 11th birthday a man named Hagrid shows up and reveals that he is in fact, a wizard, and that his parents died because a powerful evil wizard named Voldemort murdered them. At first I didn’t want to give into the whole “Potter Craze”, but after finishing the first, I was plunged right into the thick of it. I love these books. After the first one they only get better. I would have to say that this is my favorite series now. Not just for kids. ~__^ They Range from 300-700+ pages, PG rating (which I give because some of the reading is getting more advanced)
The Sword of Shannara - One of the first series I picked up and remains my favorite to this day. They are written by Terry Brooks and the series includes The Elfstones of Shannara, The Wishsong of Shannara, The Scions of Shannara, The Druid of Shannara, The Elf Queen of Shannara, The Talismans of Shannara, First King of Shannara. The First King of Shannara takes place before the others. Each book tells the story of a generation of the Shannara family, and their quest to fight the evil that is overtaking their world. Talismans of Shanara is the last book, and my favorite. They range from 300-800+ pages, PG-13 rating
Wake Up! Sir!- This is a hilarious book by Jonathan Ames about a guy named Alain Blair, an eccentric writer, who decides to go on a roadtrip with his butler. The book jacket sold me, but the first chapter sucked me in further. The whole first part is about how Alan's whole routine is centered around avoiding his uncles routine. The trip that they go on has Alan and his butler right in the middle of various sordid affairs. You just have to read it for yourself to find out what they are. 334 and a R rating for this one because of sex and drug use.
Sword of Truth- My dad told me not to read this series when I first saw it when I was.. I think 16. He said it was too graphic and violent for me to read. So naturally I read it anyway. The first book, Wizard's first Rule, is pretty graphic. Especially toward the end when the main caracter is captured by a "Mord Sith". Mord Sith are a group of women who use a magic instrument called an Agiel, and torture people. It was prety dark, but I loved it. The main character fights with his friend Kahlan, and a powerful wizard named Zedd. The first four books of the series are really good, but the last few got a bit tedious. ^__^ 500+ pages and by Terry Goodkind. NC-17 Rating
Bold Stroke Series- This series includes Bold Stroke and Sly Pass. There will eventually be a third one entitled Ace in the Hole. These stories written by Barry Shannon are about the escapades of St. Jones, A PI who has close ties with the drug world. This book is entirely about: Sex, Drugs, and Flying. I liked them. ~__^ The story is riddled with the amusing and sage precepts that the Organization St. Jones founded are based on. Chase scenes, humor, and gunfights make them an exciting read. About 280 pages, NC- 17 rating
Lightning- Written in 1988, and in my opinion, one of Dean Koontz's best novels. The life of Laura Shane is filled with peril, but whenever the danger is greatest, a mysterious "Guardian Angel" appears to protect her. Her life continues that way untill one night, her Guardian shows up on her doorstep wounded, pursued by a group of fanatical hitmen. An exciting and cool read. 354 pages, R rating
Star Wars 7-9- These books take place after Return of the Jedi. They are written by Timothy Zahn. There is a new threat to the Alliance, in the form of Grand Admiral Thrawn, and the insane Master Jedi C'Baoth. Luke, Leia and Han, along with Lando and the gang meet Talon Karrde and Mara Jade. The Saga Continues... ^__^. They were really good. There is spying, intrigue, shootouts, and a spectacular lightsaber battle. I really liked the interplay between Luke and Mara. 400-468 pages PG rating
Lord of the Rings- I saw the movie and immidiately went out and bought the books. The whole series is so action packed and beautiful. A classic epic of courage and love. Tolkien brings to life a amazing world filled with fascinating characters. A bit long at times, but awesome nonetheless. Aragorn and Legolas are my favorite characters. 380-500 pages, PG rating
The Incarnations of Immortality Series- Five books written by Piers Anthony. Includes: On a Pale Horse, Wielding a Red Sword, Bearing an Hourglass, With a tangled Skien, Being the Green Mother. The first one is about Death, and how he learns the duties of his office. The main Antagonist is of course, The prince of evil: The Devil.**I was just in Barnes and Nobel and saw there is two more books that are in this series. I'll have to check them out.** 313-400 pages, PG rating
Rose Madder- A fantastic book by Steven King which tells the story of a lady who runs away from her abusive cop husband. She settles into a new life, and starts a relationship. Meanwhile, her husband finds out that she's gone, and tracks her down...It is a thrilling story of suspense and inner strength. I found myself silently cheering the main character on, and tensely waiting to see what was going to happen to her. The ending is exciting, bizzare, and satisfying. Written in 1996, 479 pages. R rating
Jumper- An abused young man named Davy, finds out one day that he has the ability to teleport. He makes a life for himself and gets a girlfriend, but accidentally catches the eye of the government. A cat and mouse like pursuit ensues, while in the meantime, Davy tests his abilities and searches for his mother, who left when he was just a child. And during his search, he uses his powers to stop terrorists. 345 pages, PG-13 rating
Dark Matter- The first chapter of Dark Matter involves an unknown person performing a lobotomy on a victim. 0_o Yeah. Its about a lady detective, trying to find the murderer, and one of the top suspects is a brilliant scientist, and the corporation he works for. There's a lot of science talk but it isn't too hard to understand the ending wasn't what I expected, and it was good. 375 Pages, R rating
When the Wind Blows- The first chapter of this book opens with a girl running away from a goup of guards in a compound. She reaches the compound wall, unfurls her wings, and flies over. She is injured in the process and hides out in the woods where a veternarian and her friend find her. They flee the clinic with the guards in hot pursuit. 400 pages, PG-13 rating Apparently there's a sequel as well. YAY!
Memoirs of a Geisha- This Tale by Arthur Golden tells of the life of a Geisha named Sayuri. It is a fascinating look into how a Geisha is taught, and her life thereafter. It takes place before and during the second World War. As you can tell I usually read science fiction, but since I have heard so much about this book I decided to read it. It was well worth it! It was written in 1997 and has 434 pages. PG 13 rating
Dark Elf Trilogy- The Dark Elf Trilogy by RA Salvatore was so good I knew it had to have a place on my little reccomendation page. The Series includes Homeland, Exile, and Sojurn. It is the prequel to the Icewind Dale trilogy (which I plan to pick up soon) and tells the tale of the beginnings of Drizzt Dro Urden. The Dark Elf society is based on treachery and vengance. They pay alligence to Loth, The spider queen who rules the through the Matrons of the city of Menzoborenzan. To gain her favor the houses eliminate each other and sacrifice each other. Drizzit was born into this world but detests it. He is forced to become a Drow Ranger, and eventually he uses these skills to escape.
Fight Club, and other books By Chuck Palahniuk- If you've seen the movie, then you know what a fucked up mind Chuck has. 208 pages of glorious mayhem. If you like this one, Then read Lullaby, Diary, Survivor, Invisible Monsters, and Choke also by him. I don't usually like first person stories, but he is the definite exception. please please please go read him!
Other good series inlclude the Belgariad series (5bks) and the Elenium series (3bks) by David Eddings. Theres one other series that he wrote, but I didn't really like it. The Unfortunate events Series by Lemony Snickett (10bks), The Witch Series (5bks) by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, Wrinkle in Time Series by Madeleine L'Engle (4bks). ((bks means books))
PLEASE go to popculturechaos.com to see my book reviews. I write under the name Lady J there.
I've also read: Corner of His Eye, The Bad Place, Watchers, Dark Tower 1, Knight of the Word Series, Stardust, Crime and Punishment, Dragonsong(4bks), Blacklight, Dragon's Blood, Knights of the Dark Renown, Sun Tzu: Art of War, Vertical Run, Island of the Blue Dolphin, Julie of the Wolves, Clan of the Cave Bear, Plains of Passage, My side of the Mountain, Nora Robert's Books (pretty much all), Bridjit Jones's Diary, The Phoenix Guards, The One Tree Series, Clueless, Gladiator, Deep Midnight, Mind of the Magic, Exquisite Corpse. There are so many more I can't remember all of them!
If you have any books to recommend please e-mail me!
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“The lorry blocked the road. And the corrugated iron blocked the road. And a thirty- foot high pile of fish blocked the road. It was one of the most effectively blocked roads the sergeant had ever seen.”
“What chapter are you from, then?” “REVELATIONS, CHAPTER SIX”
“The ducks in St. James's Park are so used to being fed bread by secret agents meeting clandestinely that they have developed their own Pavlovian reaction. Put a St James's Park duck in a laboratory cage and show it a picture of two men -- one usually wearing a coat with a fur collar, the other something somber with a scarf -- and it'll look up expectantly.” …Yeah, go read it. 366 Pages, PG rating
Never have I connected with a character as much as Drizzt. The trials he is put through couldn't be more harrowing or exciting. Go read them. R rating. 808 pages total.