Uncle Simon’s list of recommended original and entertaining books
Last updated: Sept 6, 2010
Reading books is one of my hobbies. During the years I've came across some books that I really consider exceptional, so if you haven't read them already I would like to recommend them to you.
Before starting to think, "yeah, just another teenager who discovered the local library and blogging", I would like to mentioned that my reading's been going on for about a quorter af century and my "mileage" should be well above 2500 books by now.
I am not a shill for the publishing industry either, or trying to make few bucks off selling you book - this is and ad and BS free zone.
I am not going to say "this is a very interesting book" every time, the fact that it on my list means that this applies to all of them.
Without further due, here is the list (books are listed in somewhat chronological order, based on the time when I have "discovered" them):
There are actually two lists:
Highly recommended, somewhat "heavy" and/or VERY original books:
(These are usually well known, if somewhat older books)
"Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" by Robert Pirsig
| Style: Philosophical novel | Year published: 1974 |
A golden oldie. Don't worry about the "motorcycle maintenance" part - this ain't a shop manual ;-), it's "an Inquiry into values".
Despite the title, it's not really about Zen Buddhism or motorcycles, though it starts as a story about a motorcycle trip.
Fun fact: It made it to the Guinness Book of Records, being originally rejected by most publishers than any other bestselling book.
Don't miss it, if you are into "philosophyzing".
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"Ender's game" by Orson Scott Card
| Style: Science-fiction | Year published: 1985 |
This book keeps on getting bigger/longer - first it was a short story, then it became a book, then a book got updated in 1991.
Still a classic - a Hugo and Nebula awards winner.
Some people have issues with the author; I suggest that one looks past that and just enjoys his books.
This book started a whole series, consider "Ender's Shadow" as well.
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"The human zoo" by Desmond Morris
| Style: Sociobiology | Year published: 1969 |
I came across this book while someone was reading it next to me on the plane. Just reading few random sentences from the middle of the book made it look for it afterwards.
If you ever wondered "why is life - human behavior - like this?", then this book may have the answer for you. If you ever wondered why people act often "crazy" from your point of view, give it a try.
It is easy to read and understand. It is something everyone needs to read at an early age, but it is never too late.
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| "Snowcrash" by Neal Stephenson |
| Style: Cyberpunk/Science-Fiction | Year published: 1992 |
This is one of his early books and the best so far in my opinion. The style in his later books can be rather heavy and harder to read, but this one is a gem!
The books is a mix of history, linguistics, religion, computer science, politics, philosophy and action. The author seems to cover few genres at the same time, one being prognosticism.
One aspect of the book tries to answer the question "what USA might look like tomorrow"? Don't let the "cyberpunk" tag scare you!
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| "The raw shark texts" by Steven Hall |
| Style: Novel?, Science-Fiction? Hard to clasify | Year published: 2007 |
I forgot how I came across this book, could have been a recommendation from the book section of the weekly newspaper edition.
In any case, this book just blew my mind. From the first page, I was hooked! It is odd, different, and enjoyable.
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| "The war nerd" by Gary Brecher |
| Style: Mix of history/military/humour | Year published: 2008 |
And now time for something different! Written by a self-described "war nerd", this book is the printed version of essays published earlier online.
Very entertaining and wonderful mix of history, military topics and humour; I am not sure how close to the truth the author is, but it almost doesn't matter - this book will make you laugh and see historical event in a new light.
One of the few truly funny books in my list - the other books have their chuckle moments, but they are not humor books.
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Recomended, easier to read books
(These are usually less known books. Statistically speaking, most of them are from the mistery/noir/supernatural genres.)
| "American gods" by Neil Gaiman |
| Style: Fantasy | Year published: 2001 |
This is a book that probably belongs to the first list, after all it is a a Hugo and Nebula award-winning novel. It is even a "harder" to read book.
The reason I am putting in the "secondary" list is because I find it a bit "fat" and harder/slow to read at moments. (Yes, I do take points off for style.)
Getting this book was a lucky mistake - I mistook the author for William Gibson (the author of "Neuromancer"), but I am glad I did. The beginning was really gripping.
If you like fantasy/mythology, there is a great idea waiting for you inside the pages! Even though the title somewhat spoils the surprise, there a lot more going on.
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| "The Somnambulist" by Jonathan Barnes |
| Style: Supernatural mistery, Sherlock Homles meets the time traveller and magic | Year published: 2007 |
I've came across this book while waiting for an interview. I wasn't able to finish it then, so I've looked it up online.
One of the reviews I saw briefly called the book "cheeky", then I didn't understand why or how in a first place one can call a book "cheeky".
After I've finished it, I got an idea. The book very entertaining and a pleasure to read; the style is mimicking the older British writing style
(I guess that's why they call it "Victorian mistery"), but the author doesn't bother explaning some of the misteries mentioned inside. May be he is planning to write a series.
Oh, well, still heck of a read.
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| The Felix Gomez books by Mario Acevedo |
| Style: Supernatural mistery/action, the vampire version of detective story |
I came across one of the Felix Gomez misteries while randomly looking for books in my library. There are at leat 4 of already in print.
They read like something that Dashiell Hammett would write, if he was into supernatural ans sci-fi - and this is a compliment.
Very easy to read, it seems that the author is having fun.
He is even adding a good mix of sci-fi to the "old" vampire genre - vampires meet alians. Good news is that if you like one of them, there is more of them to enjoy.
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| "Love is a racket" by John Ridley |
| Style: Noir | Year published: 1998 |
Another one of my lucky hunches, getting books from the discount bin.
OK, so this is rather "noir" and not so "easy" to read book. It's not the style that is heavy though, it's the topic - the main hero here is rather down on his luck.
Despite its grim subject matter, there are many great and funny one-liners.
If are in the mood for an old-style, 40's noir novel, give this one a chance.
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| "Sandman Slim" by Richard Kadrey |
| Style: Supernatural mistery/action, your above-average avenger from Hell ;-) | Year published: 2009 |
This yet another one of my library sale burgain finds and I am starting to see a pattern here - supernatural is in fashion. I guess we have 'Arry Potter to thank to that.
But don't worry, this ain't no teenager or new-age waste of pulp. It is heavy on the action and it is surprisingly easy to read. There are not even sex acts described - good, old fashioned clean fun.
Something that Raymond Chandler would write, if he was into supernatural and heavy action - coming from me, this is a compliment!
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| "The Manual of Detection" by Jedediah Berry |
| Style: Classic/surreal mistery | Year published: 2009 |
Another one of my "borrowed on impulse", but ultimately lucky find from my friendly local library.
The edition that I've read had few spoilers on the back cover, I guess the publisher wanted to make sure that people
actually read this book, and it certainly worked for me. Nonetheless, there were enough intrique inside to keep me reading.
The general mood is quite surreal - the story is placed somewhat in the past, though the author is not describing a real location.
I would describe the style as a mix of SciFi and classic detective story, if it were about a real time and place, I would expect the author to be describing the life in large Western European or American city in the beginning of the 20th cenntury.
The style is very, well, "stylish" and easy to read.
There are memes/ideas in the book that sound familiar, yet when you think you know what is coming next, you get surprised.
Very "pleasant" surprise for me. The only "beef" I have with it is that I expected somewhat bigger "pop" at the end, given the very promissing beginning.
I haven't checked if the author has written other books, but the characters definetely "deserve" a sequel.
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My name is actually Simeon, but since most native English speakers can't pronounce it properly, I am going to simplify.
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