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Recommended Reading
Currently this is where I'm listing books and stories that I've read that have made an impact and that I would urge others to delve into.
In the near future I hope, with your help, to enhance this list based on other people's recommendations and reviews to make it as comprehensive as possible.
The Burning Girl - Mark Billingham
Possibly the best crime novel I have ever read, Mark Billingham's 'Burning Girl' is the fourth book in the Tom Thorne series. A gripping story, tight and wonderfully weaving plot and a host of well drawn characters, are just some of the factors that make this such a wonderfully engaging book.
I don't want to give too much away on the plot front, suffice to say that it's a little different to your average James Patterson atrocity and shows that books can be authentic, fantastical and utterly unputdownable all at the same time. The main character's frustration seeps through into the reader and the ending is one that is sure to leave a lasting impression. A must read.
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A Matter of Life and Death - Andrey Kurkov
An excellent little novel by a fantastic Russian author. A neat little premise sets off this quirky tale, as a disillusioned man decides to end his life, hiring his own hitman to make sure the job gets down. Through a series of chance encounters and misunderstandings, this novel chronicles the adventures of a working class man in harsh Russia. At times funny, heart warming, spiky and always entertaining, Kurkov has created a wonderful little book that gives great insight into Russia both as a country and as a people. A highly recommended read as are all books by this unusual but wonderful author.
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Heart Shaped Box - Joe Hill
A great example of the son surpassing the father as Joe Hill's debut feature length novel smarts of his father's earlier work, while taking Stephen King's tales into the 21st Century. Jude is a retired rock star who has a passion for collecting unusual things. One of these things happen to be a dead man's suit, brought from Ebay for a tidy price. What unfolds is a fantastically constructed ghost story, as Hill weaves together old fashioned ghost story cliches and mixes them in with a satisfyingly modern edge. Reminiscent of earlier King, in particular works like Salem's Lot and The Shining, this book is a great scare, a great read and a great ride. Roll on the next one. |
Piercing - Ryu Murakami
From the master of modern Japanese literature comes this disturbing tale of post modern Japanese life. This novel explores the dark side of the Japanese psyche, as one family man's encounter with a prostitute opens up his world to a series of perverse and disturbing adventures. A powerful insight into the underbelly of the smiling Japanese tourist, or the dogged office drone, Murakami expresses something within his characters that are instantly recognisable, even if they are disturbing and initially foreign. A great introduction to an amazing author. Check out any other of his books, as I would include them all on this list if I had the space!
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Choke - Chuck Palahniuk
A dark masterpiece, as sex and obsession collide. Palahniuk creates wonderfully grotesque characters, in this, my favourite of his novels. A strange and very different read to anything you would find on the Richard and Judy book chart, Choke is all at once powerful, cringe worthy and moving as its characters fall deeper and deeper within themselves, in a vain attempt to find out who they really are. Darkly funny and utterly engaging, if you have not read any of his other novels, I suggest you start here for a full frontal introduction.
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The Uninvited - Geling Yan
Chinese literature at its very best, The Uninvited is a political, yet almost sweet book. The main character is a factory worker who disguises himself as a newspaper food critics, dining on all the wondrous dishes that China has to offer. A great portrait of life in China, The Uninivited has wonderfully obscure characters, each of them humorous and yet sad in their own way. As with most Chinese literature, this book deals with the oppressed life of many Chinese people under a Communist rule, but does so in an entertaining and though provoking way. A highly recommended introduction to both the author and Chinese literature in general. |
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