____twoism

...get inside your head?? Not philosophy nor psychological books, but preferably fiction that has a provocative narrative, perhaps with recurring characters or just some atmosphere about it. Would like a good provocative read if you've come across any. I guess 1984 was like that, same can be said about Brave New World. although I was younger when I read it, His Dark Materials got me thinking a LOT after completing it. How bout you?

You CANNOT go wrong with Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series. Start with book 1: Wizard's First Rule.

STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND.
SPEAKER FOR THE DEAD.
and ISHMAEL.
all are mind benders. and all changed the way i think about a lot of things. not to mention just really great books. ishmael is much more of a philosphy text than a story, but its still a story.

don juan and tales of power by carlos castaneda

747Music wrote:You CANNOT go wrong with Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series. Start with book 1: Wizard's First Rule.

Seconded.. The first dance with death is fucking brilliant. Wizard's First Rule is still one of my favorites and always will be.

Blood of the fold is up there too.

Animal Farm is a great metaphor for communism if you like the other Orwell stuff usuals. I rather enjoy things from H.G. Wells, but...it isn't thought provoking in that way...its just cool to see how well he predicted things in the future. Great foresight from both authors.

Try looking up books you had in mind (1984 or Brave New World for ex.) at Amazon. Often you can find lists made by other people of similar books.

Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad has been one of my favourite books since I read in in high school..not sure what else to recommend, here's some ideas:
-Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
-A Clockwork Orange
-Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (this book has been inside my head since I read it)
-Contact by Carl Sagan

House of Leaves. It'll unsettle your brain.

Not reading this book is just CRAZY.

Anthing by Bret Easton Ellis. 'Less than Zero' is a chilling debut (a quick read) while 'Rules of Attraction' is humor of the blackest kind. 'American Psycho' was his masterpiece, and 'Glamorama' is in excess, the most intense rollercoaster of violence, terrorism and celebrity satire you'll find.

gravity's rainbow

michael herr's "dispatches"

Kafka - The Trial ; blow you away ;]

And I second the call for Conrad's Heart of Darkness (above).

Also, and i'm not joking here, but it's coming up for winter period... read Dickens's A Christmas Carol! Seriously.. it's an awesome & refreshing read.

Or if you want somethin' else that blew me away on first read, try J.G. Ballard's The Unlimited Dream Company. Have fun! I'm reading Iain Sinclair's 'London Orbital' at the moment, bit mammoth but it's totally sweet so far.

-Snuf

Stephen King's - Just After Sunset

I love some of the short stories in here, especially Mute. Awesome story

Phasen wrote:Animal Farm is a great metaphor for communism if you like the other Orwell stuff usuals. I rather enjoy things from H.G. Wells, but...it isn't thought provoking in that way...its just cool to see how well he predicted things in the future. Great foresight from both authors.

I love orwell. Animal Farm and 1984 were awesome!

Thanks everyone, I'll duly make a note! Catch 22 got me thinking a lot and the style of writing is just pretty fucked up.

I read heart of darkness a couple of years ago now, and although enjoyable it didn't make me think a lot... perhaps now I'm older I'll try again. Thanks a lot

saurus wrote:Thanks everyone, I'll duly make a note! Catch 22 got me thinking a lot and the style of writing is just pretty fucked up.

Catch 22 is superb, it's an exhausting read due to the writing style but it makes the book what it is and really helps you relate to the story more. Brave New World was great too, had to study it for GCSE but really enjoyed it. An incredible vision at the time it was written.

Can't really make any suggestions I'm afraid though, nothing springs to mind right now.

s7409651 wrote:Anthing by Bret Easton Ellis. 'Less than Zero' is a chilling debut (a quick read) while 'Rules of Attraction' is humor of the blackest kind. 'American Psycho' was his masterpiece, and 'Glamorama' is in excess, the most intense rollercoaster of violence, terrorism and celebrity satire you'll find.

Absolutely! I honestly have never had more fun reading a book than I have reading Glamorama.

oh wait Mailer's Harlot's Ghost was excellent. read that.

Ballard is always good too. Maybe Cocaine Nights or Super-Cannes.

Since someone mentioned Stephen King, I have to say THE DARK TOWER. And, my favourite short story collection of his, Night Shift. The stories in there have stayed with me for years, and many have been made into films (though not many of said films are that amazing). Skeleton Crew is another good short story comp of his, as is Nightmares & Dreamscapes.

Cormac McCarthy - The Road
Franz Kafka - The Castle
Chuck Palahniuk - Survivor