OT: good books

[RoadRaven]

Yes... another vote for Philip Pullmans writing - my daughter has his books and I have borrowed them from her.

Another series about teenagers that is completely readable from an adult perspective is the "Tomorrow" series (by John Marsden)... it begins with "Tomrrow when the War Began" which is about an invasion of Australia and the ability of a group of friends to survive. Very well written.

I've always enjoyed Wilbur Smith novels as light and fun reading though "The Sun Bird" and "The Seventh Scroll" offer something a little different.

For humour - Douglas Adams "Hitchhiker's Guide" series are def worth a read - nothing like the movie or the series... ans also Ben Elton has some excellent satire and observations on humans.

For a slice of reality and critique down in an amusing and/or insightful way... my son is really enjoying Michael Moores books and I am about to begin on those (Farenheit 9/11, waiting for Columbine etc)

For something alternative (spirituality, feminism and awareness of the rhythms of our world) my fave books are;
"Celebrating the Southern Seasons" by Juliet Batten
"Embracing the Witch and the Goddess - Feminist ritual Makers in New Zealand" by Kathryn Rountree
"Book of Shadows" by Phyllis Curott
"Paganism - an introduction to Earth Centred Religions" by Joyce and River Higgenbotham

Also... Clare Francis is a brilliant murder-mystery writer... only a few books but extremely well-crafted... they wrap you right in and hold you close til the end.


<EDIT>
Oh! Just adding in two more books, both classics of their kind and timeless
"Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" by Hunter S Thompson - avoid the movie like you would leprosy and read the book

"Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintainance" by Robert M Pirsig... a trip by a father and son on motorbikes across America with much reflection on life, quantum physics and quality... well worth perservering with!

Have fun... lots of great suggestions in this thread!