Book as a present

[Urgluf]

Hey! I don't come here often for advice. I wonder why..

For a friend of mine, just a friend. I want to buy a small birthday present. I know she reads alot and she has sent me some books by mail before. so I would like to return the favour and get her a nice interesting book. Sadly, I don't read that much and I have no clue which one I should get. I can't ask her which books she has read or likes because I want it to be a complete surprise. Also, before I give it to her, I have to read it myself obviously and it has to be in english.

She has been obsessed by everything by Jeanette Winterson lately. I'm not looking for a thriller or SF. but preferably something that involves travelling, life experience, sex whatever book that is interesting.

So anyone who can give me some advice? Appreciated.

 

[noblok]

I don't know Jeanette Winterson, but going by what wikipedia says Michel Houellebecq might interest her. Can't offer much more help, as I prefer the 19th century myself.

 

[Laddey]

Harry Potter and the philosophers knobend

 

[Urgluf]

Harry Potter and the philosophers knobend

please, stay out of this thread if you have no intentions to say something constructive. thx

 

[old.Tohtori]

Try Neil Gaiman, i always say it when asked for new stuff.

It's kind of "reality mixed with fantasy", some books heavier then others.

American Gods might be a bit heavy on the new reader, Anansi Boys is better AFTER American Gods, but i think something like Neverwhere would be an interesting read.

A gift is best if it's not something one would buy for themself, but from the same genre that they MIGHT buy.

Total shot in the dark buy that by the way, she might have read it, might not like it etc.

Also, if you DO buy it and she DOES love it, you can direct her to me

 

[Laddey]

please, stay out of this thread if you have no intentions to say something constructive. thx

My threads get hijacked all the time.


I've read two books in my life. My Name is Dave, or Dave, or Iam Dave.

About a lad in a world war, was years ago. Good book

and Young Gangsters, another good novel!

 

[Gwadien]

Well, my GF's just recently read "Twilight" and I was looking at it the otherday, supposed to be a good book, but it depends what she's into really, its one of those teenager/young adult books rather than a old boring book

 

[Urgluf]

Thanks for the suggestions so far, keep them coming

A gift is best if it's not something one would buy for themself, but from the same genre that they MIGHT buy.

Total shot in the dark buy that by the way, she might have read it, might not like it etc.

Also, if you DO buy it and she DOES love it, you can direct her to me

I agree with you, I will buy her a book, just haven't decided which one. but I will not direct her to you if I buy your suggestion. Sorry.

 

[Edmond]

Yeah, i agree with Gwadien, the Twilight books by Stephenie Meyer are a good buy, there are 4 in the series so far, and i think another is on its way. Got them for Russell for her birthday, she said they were great, although the original Twilight is a few years old now, so if she is a book worm, she might have already read it

Russell reads a lot, so she might be able to point you in the right direction, i'll tell her about this thread


*edit*

Or read some of Ezteq's blogs, she reveiws loads of books

 

[Lethul]

Gomorra is a book everyone should read imo Altho it doesn't fit the description (haven't heard of that writer).

 

[Gwadien]

i agree with Gwadien

R U Shure You want to do that?

 

[WPKenny]

My threads get hijacked all the time.


I've read two books in my life. My Name is Dave, or Dave, or Iam Dave.

About a lad in a world war, was years ago. Good book

and Young Gangsters, another good novel!

I am David?

I Am David: Anne Holm, L. W. Kingsland: Amazon.co.uk: Books

 

[Gwadien]

I always enjoyed Anthony Horritz (SP?), simply because it was easy to read, it flowed well, and there was nothing where you sidetract, it gets you into the books. but If you want to get a GOOD book, then its got to be the Jungle Book, you can't beat it, I'm sorry, if you reply saying you can, I'll simpy qoute it and say, No, Jungle Book > That.

Thanks!

 

[Shagrat]

oo oo I know a great book.

The End of Mr Y by Scarlett Thomas.

A really good read if your into books, its about life, philosophy and travel.

Its about a supposedly cursed book that a student finds in a 2nd hand bookshop. As it says on the back:

" With Mr Y under her arm, Ariel finds herself thrust into a thrilling adventure of love, sex, death and time-travel."

What more could you want from a book.

I really enjoyed it.

 

[kiliarien]

As you said you wanted something slightly different, I'd suggest this for a bit of life experience;

Touching My Father's Soul - Norgay Tensing

It's hard work living up to your dad who conquered everest!

Amazon.com: Touching My Father's Soul: A Sherpa's Journey to the Top of Everest: Jamling Tenzing Norgay: Books

If you want something that is themed as Winterson's books but in a less risky manner (i.e. it won't be deemed too crazy) but continues with the ideas of struggle I'd suggest:

Paulo Coelho - The Witch of Potobello Road

The Witch of Portobello: Amazon.co.uk: Paulo Coelho: Books

 

[nath]

I don't know Jeanette Winterson, but going by what wikipedia says Michel Houellebecq might interest her.

Yes, get Atomised if you want to get her an interesting philosophical book about the nature of humanity.





And you want her to kill herself shortly afterwards.

 

[Urgluf]

Whoa, I'm surprised by the many good replies! Alot better community than the other forum I visit, that's for sure!

I will look into all the suggestions.. but keep them coming

 

[russell]

All of the recommendations sound really good.

I would recommend the Twilight books that Ed gave me. They took over my life for a couple of weeks and I became obsessed by them -very sexy, very action packed -on the edge of your seat stuff, they transport you to a different world -small town America, Italy
Also Iain Banks for strange and thrilling tales

 

[Laddey]

I am David?

I Am David: Anne Holm, L. W. Kingsland: Amazon.co.uk: Books

That's the one, awesome!

 

[Ezteq]

check out your PM matey i stuck some in a message because ... theyre secret books.


and omg@ twilight lol everyone is obsessed with those books we have had soo many people after them since the film came out its like harry potter all over again.

 

[Shagrat]

I bloody hated em, rubbish.

Then again the Harry Potter books werent exactly well written and they sold cagillions so


Vellum and Ink are another good pair of books, by er, Hal Duncan I thinks the right name. Weird, but good.

 

[Raven]

I recently read "once" by James Herbert. Very good book

Once: Amazon.co.uk: James Herbert: Books

I have also recently read "48" by the same auther which while short was a good read

'48: James Herbert: Amazon.co.uk: Books

 

[Urgluf]

Wow, I'm really impressed by you guys. Thanks alot!

also, ezteq, I wrote you back

 

[gohan]

I bloody hated em, rubbish.

Then again the Harry Potter books werent exactly well written and they sold cagillions so


Vellum and Ink are another good pair of books, by er, Hal Duncan I thinks the right name. Weird, but good.

i hate that "Harry potter wasn't well written" shit,
if a book is interesting, and makes you laugh and makes you want to keep reading then its done its job, and is therefore well written



just cos it doesnt read like an 18th centuary dikens novel doesnt mean its not well written


imo lord of the rings isnt well written, it's too long winded not particuly relaxing to read and therefore fails..... lord of the rings is the only time in my life ever that i can say the movie is better than the book, i's usually always the other way round


on topic, i LOVE colin bateman, his books are all based in N.Ireland and thier excellent, got sex drugs and violence, tonnes of wit and actaully makes you laugh out loud

 

[old.Tohtori]

Actually gohan it's the other way around; a book can be good, even if not well written

 

[Bugz]

I'd say the literary value of a book is based somewhat on the audience it aspires to appeal to and just how well it achieves it.

Since HP appeals to a wide audience BUT also does it successfully, it has some literary quality to it.

 

[yaruar]

For someone who likes Winterson, i'd think maybe
Jeffrey Eugenides - Middlesex would be up their street, albeit easier to read
Virginia Woolfe - Orlando: A Biography
Haruki Murakami - Kafka on the Shore
might be up their street.
All interesting reads.

 

[yaruar]

I'd say the literary value of a book is based somewhat on the audience it aspires to appeal to and just how well it achieves it.

Since HP appeals to a wide audience BUT also does it successfully, it has some literary quality to it.

Dear christ, that would make Jackie Collins and Jeffery Archer Literary Geniuses

 

[Raven]

Well they are, their books appeal to a great deal of people. Just because there isn't some pretentious theme behind them doesn't mean they aren't good.

Disclaimer. I am not saying that they are good

 

[Lethul]

Catch-22 is the best book, altho a bit troublesome to read at times. But the laughs it can deliver I have had problems continue reading at times cause I've been stuck laughing