I'll have to throw in my usual recommendation for <b><a href='http://www.maxbarry.com/jennifergovernment/' target='_blank'>Jennifer Government</a></b> by <b><a href='http://www.maxbarry.com' target='_blank'>Max Barry</a></b>. It's my absolute favourite book.
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Welcome to paradise! The world is run by American corporations (except for a few deluded holdouts like the French); taxes are illegal; employees take the last names of the companies they work for; the Police and the NRA are publicly-traded security firms; and the U.S. government only investigates crimes it can bill for.
Hack Nike is a Merchandising Officer who discovers an all-new way to sell sneakers. Buy Mitsui is a stockbroker with a death-wish. Billy NRA is finding out that life in a private army isn't all snappy uniforms and code names. And Jennifer Government, a legendary agent with a barcode tattoo, is the consumer watchdog from hell.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
It's a damn funny when it needs to be, and damn great the entire time. If you want, the first chapter can be read <b><a href='http://www.maxbarry.com/jennifergovernment/preview.html' target='_blank'>here</a></b>.
[EDIT:] Here's the <b><a href='http://www.amazon.de/exec/obidos/ASIN/3453869478/theofficimaxxbar/028-8854249-5901365' target='_blank'>German edition</a></b> of the book if you want that, though nothing can beat reading it in its native language.
She also might like Red Dragon and the Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris. Later on, she can move on to Hannibal. Great books, Lecter rules.
please, I beg you, no davinci code. It's a horrible book with a very artificial method of getting you to read more. Worse, pretty much all its data is wrong, and known to be wrong by every proper scholar out there.
Hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy
edit: My sister and I liked each other most of the time while we lived together, we had a short stint where that wasn't the case. And of course we argued over things, but we generally liked each other very much. Now that's she's married and living 4:30 hours away, we enjoy each other's company even more.
<!--QuoteBegin-Gwahir+Oct 24 2004, 03:34 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Gwahir @ Oct 24 2004, 03:34 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> please, I beg you, no davinci code. It's a horrible book with a very artificial method of getting you to read more. Worse, pretty much all its data is wrong, and known to be wrong by every proper scholar out there.
Hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy
edit: My sister and I liked each other most of the time while we lived together, we had a short stint where that wasn't the case. And of course we argued over things, but we generally liked each other very much. Now that's she's married and living 4:30 hours away, we enjoy each other's company even more. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> 2nd to the Hitchhiker's Guide.
I'd also recommend Mother Night. Probably my 2nd favorite Vonnegut book, with Sirens of Titan being the 1st, but Sirens is a bit too sci-fi (and long).
Hitchhiker's Guide. Funny. More scifi than fantasy. Short. I burning through that series at a rate of 1-2 books/week, with Mostly Harmless taking me two weeks and Resturant At The End of the Universe taking me a day.
I'd recommend Ken Follet books, they are fiction novels centered on what could be real-life stories. I think a good part of his books are World War II spy novels, the most popular one, 'Eye of the Needle' (Ken Follet - 'Die Nadel' in German).
You might want to start off with that one, another good one of his works that I can think of right now (because I just recently read it) is 'Jackdaws', although I have not yet found a German version of it.
hmmm 16 year old male american liked hitchhikers guide to the galaxy... but i suppose thats a weeee lil bit sci fi ish.... its basically the only book ive read in like forever though... that or upchuck and the rotten willy...
Good points: It's only 164 pages long beautiful story Not too much fantasy (as in no trolls or demons or dragons, but there is a spiritual sense, especially in the later part.) A bit emotional at times (about dreams and their "transforming power" and always listening to your heart) There are spiritual parts, but it is handed to you on a silver platter, it's not difficult to get where it's going, but at the same time has so many different levels that it is interesting on.
Bad Points: Might be a tiny touch too spiritual, but only after you are completely hooked in at the end.
Try the "Wallender" series from henning mankell a swedish author. It's about a swedish police officer that gets in all kind of crazy action. It is very direct and without all the complicated things. Really worth it (I'm reading it myself right now). There are 8 books out.
Wallenders Erster Fall Hunde von Riga Der Mann der Lächelte Die weiße Löwin Die falsche Fährte Mittsommermond Mörder ohne Gesicht Die Brandmauer
They're originaly in swedish but very good translated into german.
It has nothing to do with sci-fi by the way <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.natural-selection.org/forums/html//emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
<!--QuoteBegin-coil+Oct 25 2004, 04:02 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (coil @ Oct 25 2004, 04:02 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Jasper Fforde: -The Eyre Affair -Lost in a Good Book <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> Hell yes!
Janet Evanovich has written ten books to date, each book has it's number in the title, starting with "One for the money" to "Ten big ones". I've never read one but my gf seems to devour them like mad. Flippant humour, action-packed plot, general sillyness, definately aimed at the farer sex.
LikuI, am the Somberlain.Join Date: 2003-01-10Member: 12128Members
<i>Of Mice and Men</i> by John Steinbeck, short but good. Like, maybe 150 pages or so? I don't know if there's a German translation, because it uses a lot of 1930's slang and whatnot.
And if she likes Horror, maybe anything Steven King would suite her needs.
<!--QuoteBegin-Necrotic+Oct 24 2004, 05:28 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Necrotic @ Oct 24 2004, 05:28 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I'm surpised its taken 3 pages to suggest Stephen King.
Try getting her to read Nightmares and Dreamscapes its an interesting compilation of his short stories. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> Heh, I was going to say the same thing. NightShift and SkeletonCrew are A+ aswell Pet Cemetery is a great one also.
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> How about "The Chryssalids", from Stanislaw Lem (I think!)? A post-apocalyptic scene.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I think you mean John Wyndam (if you're talking about the same book I think you are)
Personally I would recommend "The Day of the Triffids" and "The Midwich Cuckoos" (also by John Wyndam), or "Animal Farm" (but that might be a bit too strange)
As for other stuff, I would probably suggest things by John Grisham ("The Firm" would be a good examply), but they tend to be filled with a lot of somewhat dry legal information. May not be the best thing to get started on, but you never know.
I've been enjoying Chuck Palahniuk's work lately (he wrote Fight Club). Those that I've read so far have all been on the shorter side (I'd guess an average of about 300 pages). I've been through Fight Club, Survivor, Choke, and Lullaby. If you enjoyed the movie Fight Club, I find that his style is consistent in a sense. I'm not sure I'd recommend Choke, I'd say it deals with a bit more adult content, but you'd know your sister's maturity level better than I. Survivor would probably be the best to start off with, but I've enjoyed all of them.
well first off, I no read and I is turning out ok, rite?
no really, I'm one of the most well-spoken people I know and I don't really read recreationally...
some of the few books that HAVE held my attention long enough to finish them have been the Hannibal books... really intense, intelligent and suspenseful without really having dull moments...
<!--QuoteBegin-Dubbilex+Oct 24 2004, 09:51 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Dubbilex @ Oct 24 2004, 09:51 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Perhaps some Tolkein? Or is that too in-thine-face?
Obviously anything by Tolkein is literary gold (for readers and nonreaders alike). <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> Could try The Hobbit, the version i read for school wasn't too long, and it was the only book i actually read that year. Well, about halfway that is...
Well from a person who doesn’t like to read, never has, and is female – I will give you my input on what worked and what didn’t.
<b>BAD</b>: Hitch Hikers Guide (yuck, just yuck) The moon is a harsh Mistress (couldn’t bear it, made it to like page 10 and quit) LOTR (tried twice, keep quitting when I get to Tom Bombadil)
<b>Good</b> The Hobbit Tuesdays with Morrie, Mitch Albom A child called it Dave Pelzer …cripes, in about 5 years, those are the only books I started and finished. Don’t know if there are german translations on them, sry.
Suggestions for easing her into reading. Suggest smaller books that are also an easy read. Stick with ‘classics’ – so at least if she is reading it she can discuss it with other people.
... My sister, 23 years old, but not a native English speaker, tried Lord of The Rings and Harry Potter.
The result wasn't pretty. She didn't know which words were made up by the authors and which were 'real' English words. Dictionary couldn't help much. She gave up both books quite early.
tankefuglOne Script To Rule Them All...Trondheim, NorwayJoin Date: 2002-11-14Member: 8641Members, Retired Developer, NS1 Playtester, Constellation, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
Hm, Anne Rice's vampire chronicles?
Also, don't be afraid to introduce her to graphic novels (ie. Sandman) or comics (Lenore)?
I suggest <a href='http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0385335482/qid=1098691847/sr=8-4/ref=pd_csp_4/104-0424504-5279920?v=glance&s=books&n=507846' target='_blank'>Shopaholic</a> for female comedic light reading. Suggestion by my sister.
Comments
Also, its a little cheesy, but see if she might like any of the Halo books.
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Welcome to paradise! The world is run by American corporations (except for a few deluded holdouts like the French); taxes are illegal; employees take the last names of the companies they work for; the Police and the NRA are publicly-traded security firms; and the U.S. government only investigates crimes it can bill for.
Hack Nike is a Merchandising Officer who discovers an all-new way to sell sneakers. Buy Mitsui is a stockbroker with a death-wish. Billy NRA is finding out that life in a private army isn't all snappy uniforms and code names. And Jennifer Government, a legendary agent with a barcode tattoo, is the consumer watchdog from hell.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
It's a damn funny when it needs to be, and damn great the entire time. If you want, the first chapter can be read <b><a href='http://www.maxbarry.com/jennifergovernment/preview.html' target='_blank'>here</a></b>.
[EDIT:] Here's the <b><a href='http://www.amazon.de/exec/obidos/ASIN/3453869478/theofficimaxxbar/028-8854249-5901365' target='_blank'>German edition</a></b> of the book if you want that, though nothing can beat reading it in its native language.
She also might like Red Dragon and the Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris. Later on, she can move on to Hannibal. Great books, Lecter rules.
Hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy
edit: My sister and I liked each other most of the time while we lived together, we had a short stint where that wasn't the case. And of course we argued over things, but we generally liked each other very much. Now that's she's married and living 4:30 hours away, we enjoy each other's company even more.
Hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy
edit: My sister and I liked each other most of the time while we lived together, we had a short stint where that wasn't the case. And of course we argued over things, but we generally liked each other very much. Now that's she's married and living 4:30 hours away, we enjoy each other's company even more. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
2nd to the Hitchhiker's Guide.
I'd also recommend Mother Night. Probably my 2nd favorite Vonnegut book, with Sirens of Titan being the 1st, but Sirens is a bit too sci-fi (and long).
Hitchhiker's Guide. Funny. More scifi than fantasy. Short. I burning through that series at a rate of 1-2 books/week, with Mostly Harmless taking me two weeks and Resturant At The End of the Universe taking me a day.
The Zombie Survival Guide is good too. :P
You might want to start off with that one, another good one of his works that I can think of right now (because I just recently read it) is 'Jackdaws', although I have not yet found a German version of it.
Good points:
It's only 164 pages long
beautiful story
Not too much fantasy (as in no trolls or demons or dragons, but there is a spiritual sense, especially in the later part.)
A bit emotional at times (about dreams and their "transforming power" and always listening to your heart)
There are spiritual parts, but it is handed to you on a silver platter, it's not difficult to get where it's going, but at the same time has so many different levels that it is interesting on.
Bad Points:
Might be a tiny touch too spiritual, but only after you are completely hooked in at the end.
Wallenders Erster Fall
Hunde von Riga
Der Mann der Lächelte
Die weiße Löwin
Die falsche Fährte
Mittsommermond
Mörder ohne Gesicht
Die Brandmauer
They're originaly in swedish but very good translated into german.
It has nothing to do with sci-fi by the way <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.natural-selection.org/forums/html//emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
<a href='http://www.zsolnay.at/mankell/special/wall.htm' target='_blank'>http://www.zsolnay.at/mankell/special/wall.htm</a>
-The Eyre Affair
-Lost in a Good Book <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Hell yes!
Janet Evanovich has written ten books to date, each book has it's number in the title, starting with "One for the money" to "Ten big ones". I've never read one but my gf seems to devour them like mad. Flippant humour, action-packed plot, general sillyness, definately aimed at the farer sex.
--Scythe--
And if she likes Horror, maybe anything Steven King would suite her needs.
Try getting her to read Nightmares and Dreamscapes its an interesting compilation of his short stories.
Try getting her to read Nightmares and Dreamscapes its an interesting compilation of his short stories. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Heh, I was going to say the same thing.
NightShift and SkeletonCrew are A+ aswell
Pet Cemetery is a great one also.
I think you mean John Wyndam (if you're talking about the same book I think you are)
Personally I would recommend "The Day of the Triffids" and "The Midwich Cuckoos" (also by John Wyndam), or "Animal Farm" (but that might be a bit too strange)
As for other stuff, I would probably suggest things by John Grisham ("The Firm" would be a good examply), but they tend to be filled with a lot of somewhat dry legal information. May not be the best thing to get started on, but you never know.
no really, I'm one of the most well-spoken people I know and I don't really read recreationally...
some of the few books that HAVE held my attention long enough to finish them have been the Hannibal books... really intense, intelligent and suspenseful without really having dull moments...
Obviously anything by Tolkein is literary gold (for readers and nonreaders alike).
Obviously anything by Tolkein is literary gold (for readers and nonreaders alike). <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Could try The Hobbit, the version i read for school wasn't too long, and it was the only book i actually read that year. Well, about halfway that is...
<b>BAD</b>:
Hitch Hikers Guide (yuck, just yuck)
The moon is a harsh Mistress (couldn’t bear it, made it to like page 10 and quit)
LOTR (tried twice, keep quitting when I get to Tom Bombadil)
<b>Good</b>
The Hobbit
Tuesdays with Morrie, Mitch Albom
A child called it Dave Pelzer
…cripes, in about 5 years, those are the only books I started and finished. Don’t know if there are german translations on them, sry.
Suggestions for easing her into reading. Suggest smaller books that are also an easy read. Stick with ‘classics’ – so at least if she is reading it she can discuss it with other people.
It's a fiction book about a 10 year old and his bond between his two hunting dogs.
I read it in the fourth grade (but I had a high school reading level at the time), and I still think its one of the best books I've ever read.
It's an extremely emotional book though, and quite depressing. It made me cry, and its the only book ever to do so. (or anything, for that matter)
It's alot better than the sci-fi stuff that's been posted here. Nerds. (except for Ender's Game)
Hitchhiker's Guide... Bad?
*dies*
Hitch Hikers Guide (yuck, just yuck)
LOTR (tried twice, keep quitting when I get to Tom Bombadil) <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Die...
Just...
Die.
--Scythe--
My sister, 23 years old, but not a native English speaker, tried Lord of The Rings and Harry Potter.
The result wasn't pretty. She didn't know which words were made up by the authors and which were 'real' English words. Dictionary couldn't help much. She gave up both books quite early.
Also, don't be afraid to introduce her to graphic novels (ie. Sandman) or comics (Lenore)?