I know that this community is based around writing but as Stephen King says, 'if you don't have the time to read, you don't have the time to write. Simple as that.'
I love reading and I was wondering whether anyone had read any good books recently that they would recommend?
Do you tend to stick to the same genre of book or do you read a mixture of everything?
Laura
My favourirte contemporary author is Michael Morpurgo. I have six other favourite authors listed below. They are all award-winning authors. Learn-from-the-best is my motto.
Malorie Blackman, Sharon Creech, Anne Fine, Joanne Harris, Eva Ibbotson and Geraldine McCaughrean.
My favourite traditional authors are: Jane Austen, The Brontes and Thomas Hardy.
Other traditional authors I like are: Charles Dickens, Henry James and Joseph Conrad.
Raleigh: 'Great writers are readers of great literature'.
I hope that helps.
I was recommended this by an acquantance.
It's Grotesque by Natsuo Kirino. I know it isn't everyones cup of tea, but you do find yourself inadvertently reading for hours!
But there are loads of books out there I would recommend, like
Lord of the Flies - William Golding
Othello - William Shakespeare
War of the Worlds - H.G. Wells
Most classics!
Interesting... I have also just started on "Dear Fatty".
I don't tend to read so much when I am actively writing - except when I have to wait at the doctor's or hospital - having a book is a magic way of getting in fast... No book and I will be there all day. It isn't just a matter of passing the time.
Anyway - one thing I find now is that whatever I read I am looking asmuch at the structure, technique etc as reading the story. If a plot isn't grabbing my attention this tends to mean that I won't get very far with a book.
How do you define a "good book"? Even if one is looking at it professionaly the concept is surely subjective... Isn't it?
There are also issues of genre, style, date and lots more.
If anyone wants to gain images of the interwar years I would recommend Neville Shute and E M Remarque as starters. (Shute spans the 2nd War - Remarque does but less so).
If you want a laugh Tom Sharpe may hurt your sides - or not - humour is very subjective and individual.
Let us know how you get on please.
David