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No, that makes a lot of sense. Fantasy novels have become pathetic excuses for long, rambling novels in long, rambling, never-ending series. Robert Jordan died of old age before he could complete his saga! No book, no series should be so long that a writer dies of old age before completion. One...

Many years ago I read Fahrenheit 451, didn't particularly like it. Reading it almost back to back with 1984 made me think what a poor man's version it was. But the idea of the Book-Men always stayed with me. I wish I could remember entire books in my head. Lately I've been thinking of...

I don't remember having any need to relate to characters. I can't explain why I like a certain character, but it has nothing to do with wanting to spend leisure time with him. Most of the characters I like indeed I wouldn't want to be friends with.

Sir Arthur and Chesterton had different styles. I believe Sherlock Holmes will satisfy those who wish well-constructed mysteries. What I found captivating in the 'Father Brown' stories was the worldplay and the use of paradox. I think Chesterton wrote better than Sir Arthur, although that may no...

Always buy. I like having the books in my house for as long as I want and to know they're within my grasp whenever I fancy reading them again.

My favorite writer, Jorge Luis Borges, once created two lists of personal favorites, The Library of Babel & A personal Library. I believe he was the most erudite and well-read man of the 20th century, who read all the Great Classics. So I admire him even more for picking sadly unknown authors...

I'm working at the Palace of Dreams, interpreting the thousands of dreams that come from all parts of the Otoman empire.

Who wrote this one?

How is The Remains of the Day not a great story, beautifully told?

Thanks for the recommendations so far. Doesn't James Patterson write thrillers? And what other books by Sparks could you recommend, besides The Notebook?

You should read Norman MacLean's A River Runs Through It, his story-like memoir about his brother's death.

You might enjoy Patricia Highsmith's Ripley series about a sophisticated sociopath. I also recommend the turn of the century French series Fantomas, for a really merciless villain who indulges in all sorts of viciou crimes. And then there's always The Songs of Maldoror.

I consider this a false dichotomy. Most good writers like to tell superb stories. Only an awkward few, like James Joyce or Samuel Beckett, have written plotless, characterless novels.

Alan Moore always writes intellectually satisfying novels. From Hell is my favorite from him.

I love the second part of the novel, in which Death becomes a woman to get near a musician to understand why she's unable to kill him. I think it's one of Saramago's most successful love stories. Now don't tell me you didn't squeal in delight when you read the last sentence :flowers: The...

I have two more titles to recommend: Alfred Kubin's The Other Side, in which an artist visits a man-made nightmare world. Roberto Arlt's The Seven Madmen: now this isn't really a dystopia, but it's about a bunch of lunatics attempting to build one. Isn't that even better?

Isn't Dostoevsky so beloved because, even though he's intellectually dense, at the end of the day he wrote really exciting stories about murderers, gamblers and terrorists?

It's 1937 and I'm Lisbon trying to run a newspaper without upsetting the fascist regime in charge.

The last novel I read, Antonio Tabucchi's Pereira Declares, struck home with me because it talked about a fascist period in my country.

Hi, I was wondering if anyone could recommend me some novels by Sparks or by writers who have themes and a style similar to his. I'm looking for emotionally-charged novels, which may deal with romantic relationships, and that are so good they make you cry. I'm at complete loss in this type of...