I’ve seen threads about visual novels, but what about novel novels? You know, good old books. I figured I’d make a place to talk about books! First and foremost, I think it’s important we set up some ground rules when discussing the loveliness of the written word.
Rule One: No fanfiction, no visual novels, no games, no movies, or other non-books in the book thread. By book I mean published stuff, not the movies/plays/video game adaptations created from the books. You can reference them in comparison to the original works, but I really want this to be an area primarily praising the original works. This is also a place for work that has already been written. If you are writing a book, visit the Literary Bar thread instead.
Rule Two: Please no bashing on any books. I think I can safely say that most of us agree that Twilight isn’t the best book out there. But by no means does that mean we should talk about how horrible it is. Someone out there might actually like it, and I want them to be able to express their love without being completely shut down by another person’s opinions. This said, if you have an opinion on a book, positive or negative, please voice it! Just, be respectful, ok? General forum rules apply here too.
I was gonna have a snazzy rule three here, but I couldn’t think of one.
Anyway, without further ado, here’s some of my favorite books in no particular order.
Elephants on Acid: And Other Bizarre Experiments
I know. You probably read the title and thought to yourself, “Man, this U4ea person is nuts! What kind of a book is this?” Well, it’s kinda exactly what it says it is. It’s a book about all of the bizarre, twisted psychological experiments conducted by the United States. One of these tests includes giving an elephant, named Tusko, LSD. Everything in this book is nonfiction and historical, which will either add to your amazement, or your horror.
The Book of General Ignorance
This is a book that makes you realize that the only thing you know for certain is the fact that you know nothing. Think of it a little bit like a book version of Mythbusters. It serves to correct several misunderstandings that are perceived as “common knowledge”, and how knowledge can be warped by those around us. For example, many Americans are taught at a young age that Christopher Columbus is the person who founded their country (I know I was), but this is false.
Go Set a Watchman
The sequel, and simultaneously the first draft of the infamous novel To Kill a Mockingbird. If you’ve read To Kill a Mockingbird, you will really appreciate this one, but I think it’s able to stand on its own too. It’s about a 26 year old woman named Jean Louise who has come home to Alabama from New York. Jean Louise sees how her former maid, Calpurnia is treated based on her race and gender. Like To Kill a Mockingbird, this novel tackles issues of racism and sexism in the pre/post Civil War USA, while expanding on the idea of finding one’s own moral compass.
The Catcher in the Rye
An infamous, and polarizing novel. This one discusses a teenager named Holden Caulfield, who is suspended from his school. The story is told from the perspective of Holden, who is a cynical, impolite, and sees everyone as being “phony”. Holden’s search for authenticity leads him down a path of depression, and the only thing that saves him is his innocent, younger sister named Phoebe. Holden then realizes that he doesn’t want to become an adult, since adulthood means that he will lose his own innocence and become inauthentic like the adults in his life.
So, what kind of books do you like, Rokkenjima? Are there specific genres you love? Is there a book you know that has a special place in your heart?
I truly believe books can take us into worlds that allow us to truly become in touch with ourselves.
And so… I made a thread to celebrate that.
