Or, perhaps more accurately, a great many words all bound up together. Here is a brief summary of some of my favorite books (and if you know me, then you know that I can never decide on just one favorite anything).
Cryptonomicon, by Neal Stephenson. Quite possibly one of the most entertaining, intelligent and fulfilling books I have ever read. If you find engineering (or just science), computers, or world war II interesting then you will love this book (btw, its fiction in case you were wondering). Stephenson has one of the most unique styles of writing that I have experienced; I have actually had to put the book down I was laughing so hard. The way that he gets you into the heads of his main characters is truly incomparable.
Snow Crash, also by Neal Stephenson. This book is more cyberpunk with a touch of linguistics. Great fun, the future that Stephenson imagines is pretty hilarious.
A Song of Ice and Fire, by George RR Martin. This is actually the name of a series of books (the individual titles being A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, and soon, A Feast for Crows). These fantasy novels has the most intriguing world and cast of characters I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Every chapter is written from the point of view of a particular character, giving you the opportunity to view events from both “good” and “bad” characters. It’s really pretty incredible how I found myself feeling pity for people who were supposed to be “bad”, and how much disdain I felt for a character who was supposedly good. While they are personal favorites, I must warn you: the books are quite long, and Martin holds nothing (or perhaps, nobody) sacred.
Books ive read this summer:
A Brave New World, and Fahernheit 451. Classics that I felt had gone unread for too long. While they weren’t the most exciting books in the world, there can be no doubt that they are very intelligent novels. If I were still in high school I wouldn’t hesitate to choose one of these to write a paper on. It was actually pretty impressive how accurate some of the predictions of the future have proven to be. One thing that I found pretty interesting was an interview with Ray Bradbury at the end of Fahrenheit. He made the comment that Moulin Rouge (a movie that I actually like a great deal) was an ideal example of the type of movie that is “bad” in the sense that it bombards you with stimuli to the extent that one doesn’t ever really get the chance to process and, above all, Think.
Good Omens. An amusing novel by Terry Pratchett (along with some other guy) about the antichrist. If you are looking for the opportunity to take religion a little less seriously then this might be a book for you. I enjoyed the novel but wouldn’t rank it up with my favorites. Thanks to Chris (Grier) for recommending this to me.
Angels and Demons. I decided that it was about time I read the precursor to the Da’Vinci Code (and conveniently, my brother brought it on vacation!). I think I may in fact have liked it more than DaVinci. It was fun, and I think most people I know who have read it have really enjoyed it.
The Eyre Affaire. This book is great if you love books. Literary allusions abound (im sure I missed toooons). It’s sorta a mystery that takes place in some sort of futuristic England where everyone is a fanatic of good literature. Fun, intelligent, and interesting, it was a relaxing and pleasing read (and there are even some sequals, but I dunno how those are). Thanks to Diana for lending me this one!
Also re-read the george rr martin books in anticipation of A Feast for Crows this fall!
Next on my plate:
1984 (read this a loooong time ago and dont remember much…)
Harry Potter 6
