I started the first few pages of Da Vinci code. Intro was excellent but I didn't keep up with the reading.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by slcook54

 

I am about to finish "confessions of a mask" by Yukio Mishima. It's the story of a homosexual youth in postwar japan, not written like a thriller or anything but it has a lot of contemporary significance and raises a lot of cultural issues. I recommend "the sound of waves" by mishima as well, it's a sort of Japanese Romeo and Juliet epic.

I've never read any of ayn rand, but there's enough polarity of opinion concerning her work to make me intrigued. I'd like to hear more opinions on her material.

The ender's game series is fantastic, I prefer the first like most here. I actually wrote a research paper on the psychology of orson scott card, and came to the conclusion that the story is a result of his mormon upbringing and being forced to complete a mission for the church. as a result, he resented adult influence and control, and i think anyone who has read it can see what i mean.

My favourite books of all time are Brave New World, 1984, and "We" by A. Huxley, G. Orwell, and Y. Zamyatin respectively. all are of the dystopian genre, and i think they hold great significance to the modern realizations of technology, government, and Society.

Quick2K

 

Like I said after reading one of her books I wasn't impressed but I am willing to give her another shot, I think Atlas Shrugged is the way to go.

I agree 100%, these books truly opened my eyes and got me thinking, although I DID NOT enjoy "We". I also like Farenheit 451, but IMO is at lower level then the others.

 

Somehow I never read 1984 in school. I'll have to check that one out. If you enjoy the dystopian thing, you should read The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood.

 

My aunt gave me a book a while back "The Deptford Trilogy" and I just started reading it, it's pretty cool.

 

I don't know if it has been mentioned already, but I just finished The DaVinci Code and I must say that it was one of the best books I've ever read. No wonder its still number 1 best-seller after all these months.

 

What's it about? Anything I should read before reading it to better understand it?

- Jose

 

Ayn Rand. What can I say? Atlas Shrugged has a more accessible plot so, yeah, if you can only eat one...

I found the personal drama of Roark in The Fountainhead to be at least as dramatic. Wasn't there a movie made? That would have increased its popularity versus A.S..

Had I read her at an earlier age her philosophy might have altered my life. As it is I just nodded and said, "ain't that the truth!" The people who gather to perpetuate her philosophy remind me of Trekkies, just too out there. To me she's a lot like Nietzsche, great ideas from a writer whose life I wouldn't want to emulate.