Read more books! Educate! Educate!

[venta]

I spend a lot of time on trains, commuting. And a lot of that time I spend reading. I have, however, come to a rather sad realisation: I can't be trusted to choose my own books.

This became unusually obvious in late summer, when I was pondering my annual ponder of what to send spindlemere for his birthday. By tradition, I always send him a book. So... what was the best book I'd read all year? Er... The Lies of Locke Lamora[*] Which would be a fabulous present, if only it weren't what he'd sent me for my previous birthday. And, er, I couldn't think of a single other thing I'd read that I felt inclined to recommend.

Most of the books I've read this year that I've really enjoyed have been presents. This isn't really surprising, because my own method of choosing books is ridiculously capricious, and tends to be based around liking the covers or finding them at eye-level on a library shelf. For years that seemed to serve me remarkably well, and I found some real gems, but I've obviously lost my touch.

Accordingly, this year my new year's resolution is to read better books. Which is where you, ladies and gentlemen of LJ, come in. Please recommend me a book which you love, and which I should read. I'd like fiction, but beyond that I'm willing to try anything. It'd be useful if it weren't something which is very out of print, but if you really think it's worth it I'll try and track it down (or turn up on your doorstep demanding to borrow a copy).

[Poll #1887610]


[*] 75% a brilliant work of genius. Loses its way badly by the end, though. Still worth a read.

Comments

[maviscruet.livejournal.com]

If you have read that - let me know and I'll recommended....... :-)

[triskellian]

Additional recommendation: trek all the way to Bath, and go to a Mr B's Reading Emporium book spa, where you'll be served tea and cake, and have a long conversation with a book seller about books you've enjoyed, and then they will bring you a huge pile of things they think you'll like. With, if my experience is typical, a surprisingly good hit rate - my poll recommendation is one I got from there.

Otherwise, there's a Locke Lamora sequel called Red Seas under Red Skies or something like that. Which I liked better than the first one.

[ceb.livejournal.com]

Tell us some things you've read and liked...

[beckyl.livejournal.com]

Ben Aaronovitch - Rivers of London

[ringbark.livejournal.com]

Please note that I am not recommending any other work by any of these authors. There is no connection between the three suggestions. All other work by Dickens, especially his other Christmas works, should be avoided as too boring or too depressing. I haven't read much else by the other two authors, though might recommend The Three Incestuous Sisters by Niffenegger (though it's actually a picture book rather than a novel) or Jakob Wywialowski and the Angels, a very short story by the same author. A copy of the latter will be in your inbox shortly.

[beckyl.livejournal.com]

Hounds of the Morrigan

[lnr]

OK, my vote is an *utter* cheat, but links to the books I've read in 2012, hopefully in a display style which includes my reviews. The Michael Marshall Smith is probably the star of the show, and is a thorough recommendation, but I'll not be surprised if you've already read it.

In terms of stuff read less recently I really rate Susanna Clarke's Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell.

[ebee.livejournal.com]

I'm having a similar problem - all my good enjoyed books are recommendations from you! I've got a book voucher for Christmas for water stones and want to get something fab but keeping hitting a problem of having read too many of the 'easily available' books in the. 3 for 2 section and am just out of options. I intend to raid this comments section!

[tigerfort.livejournal.com]

Kate Griffin's books. You start with "A Madness of Angels", and then carry on reading. The weakest is "The Neon Court", and then the next one after that is "The Minority Council", which is fantastic.

I'll probably be putting up a list of what I read this year in a day or two, as well. (Actually, I should put up the lists for 2010 and 2011, too.)

[keris.livejournal.com]

I would recommend you things, but as you well know, my taste in books is so fantastic it's come right round the other side and so most people think it's absolutely terrible :)

[snow-leopard.livejournal.com]

Let me know if you want me to send you some books down! Or can bring a stack down when I see you in March.

[beckyl.livejournal.com]

Hounds is a kids book I love, and conveniently in the 12 days of Kindle sale on Amazon for less than £1. Physical book wise, buy Rivers of London. If I have to only recommend one, then Rivers because if you like it, there's a decent chance you'll like the next two, so it's a sneaky 3-for-1 recommendation.

[undyingking.livejournal.com]

That was probably the best I came across this year for combo of well written and also fun to read.