Suggest a book for me, please!

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Richard A Kray
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Suggest a book for me, please!

Post by Richard A Kray » December 31st, 2009, 7:42 am

Okay, so I'm going through a rough patch in my own work, and I need some inspiration. Unfortunately, I have no idea what to buy to get me back in my "Wow, I love this! I love writing! I love writing like this!" mind-set. So, could you guys please help me out with suggesting some books for me to get? I will appreciate it, and send whoever recommends a book that turns out to be "magic" for me a signed copy of my books when they come out. (That's right, I'm desperate enough to start giving stuff away.)

Thanks.

Criteria:
I write funny paranormal YA stuff, but the reading does not necessarily have to be YA.
My favorite authors of this sort of thing (and those I've read a nauseating amount of, so don't recommend them) are:
Christopher Moore
Catherine Jinks
A. Lee Martinez
Terry Pratchett
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- Richard A. Kray
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casnow
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Re: Suggest a book for me, please!

Post by casnow » December 31st, 2009, 7:53 am

if you can stand reading about south Florida, I would recommend Carl Hiaasen - he's funny. I especially liked his book Native Tongue - it's an oldie but a goodie... I like most of his books - he's like Chris Moore, but instead of calling on the supernatural he normally sticks to funny, but human antagonists (no lusty lizards or super-stupid angels).

Richard A Kray
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Re: Suggest a book for me, please!

Post by Richard A Kray » December 31st, 2009, 8:29 am

casnow wrote:if you can stand reading about south Florida, I would recommend Carl Hiaasen - he's funny. I especially liked his book Native Tongue - it's an oldie but a goodie... I like most of his books - he's like Chris Moore, but instead of calling on the supernatural he normally sticks to funny, but human antagonists (no lusty lizards or super-stupid angels).

Thanks. I've actually read Skinny Dip and enjoyed it. For this, though, I need the paranormal in there. (Lust lizards would be fine, but there are way too many YA angel books around. None of those, unless the angel is extremely stupid like Mr. Moore's or maybe something else funny. No angels falling in love with the buxom young female protagonist, please.) I know, I know, I'm picky. But I need "that magical book" right now.
- Richard A. Kray
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Mira
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Re: Suggest a book for me, please!

Post by Mira » December 31st, 2009, 11:42 am

Okay, these are not fantastic, but they do have voice and can be funny. They're not paranormal, either, but they are fantasy.

I really enjoyed Jonathan Stroud's Bartimous series in terms of Bartimous' voice. Well done I thought. I had some issues with the books otherwise. Note: I'm misspelling Bartimous.

I recently picked up Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series. The voice gets stronger through the books, and I thought there were some funny moments.

Neil Gaiman can have his lighter moments, but I'm sure you've picked him up.

Another suggestion - go to Amazon and look up the books you like. Then look at what recommendations they pull up and browse. You might find some good authors that way.

Oh, another suggestion. Re-read your favorites. Can't go wrong with Pratchett. Going Postal always inspires me, I think it's his best to date. You don't always need something new. Sometimes an old favorite can speak to you even more than a new one.

Good luck Richard! Don't worry - it will come to you. I have faith. :)

Richard A Kray
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Re: Suggest a book for me, please!

Post by Richard A Kray » December 31st, 2009, 12:55 pm

Mira wrote:Okay, these are not fantastic, but they do have voice and can be funny. They're not paranormal, either, but they are fantasy.

I really enjoyed Jonathan Stroud's Bartimous series in terms of Bartimous' voice. Well done I thought. I had some issues with the books otherwise. Note: I'm misspelling Bartimous.

I recently picked up Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series. The voice gets stronger through the books, and I thought there were some funny moments.

Neil Gaiman can have his lighter moments, but I'm sure you've picked him up.

Another suggestion - go to Amazon and look up the books you like. Then look at what recommendations they pull up and browse. You might find some good authors that way.

Oh, another suggestion. Re-read your favorites. Can't go wrong with Pratchett. Going Postal always inspires me, I think it's his best to date. You don't always need something new. Sometimes an old favorite can speak to you even more than a new one.

Good luck Richard! Don't worry - it will come to you. I have faith. :)
Thanks, Mira!

I've been re-reading forever, now. Every book on my shelf has been re-read now. (I really need to get out and get books more, but the new baby prevents that. I broke down and got an infant carrier yesterday, so I was at Barnes and Noble with him strapped to my chest.) I picked up the first three Cirque Du Freak books, but they're aimed a little younger than I'd like at the moment. Anyone know where I can get a free pdf of The Screwtape Letters, or how about....

I'm starting a new thread.
- Richard A. Kray
http://braineatersanonymous.blogspot.com
(Go follow it. No, seriously, you won't be disappointed.)
(No... seriously.)

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Bryan Russell/Ink
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Re: Suggest a book for me, please!

Post by Bryan Russell/Ink » December 31st, 2009, 1:08 pm

The Screwtape Letters are great. Just sayin'.
The Alchemy of Writing at www.alchemyofwriting.blogspot.com

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CharleeVale
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Re: Suggest a book for me, please!

Post by CharleeVale » December 31st, 2009, 3:06 pm

Paper Towns by John Green - He has a great sense of humor and ways of thinking about things that would never occur to me. I'm always really inspired by him. (Also 'looking for Alaska', but that is more serious)

The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare - great Urban fantasy series! Really cool descriptions and locations. I always wish I could write something that cool. (hopefully I will)

I really hope these help!

CV

trini
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Re: Suggest a book for me, please!

Post by trini » December 31st, 2009, 4:49 pm

I am with Mira, Neil Gaiman would be my recommendation if you haven't gone there already. The Graveyard Book is extraordinary and there is plenty more in his catalogue to love.
"It was a dark and stormy nightmare..."

WIP: Graphic Novel...sex, death and rock and roll.

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eringayles
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Re: Suggest a book for me, please!

Post by eringayles » March 3rd, 2010, 5:59 pm

Richard A Kray wrote:Okay, so I'm going through a rough patch in my own work, and I need some inspiration. Unfortunately, I have no idea what to buy to get me back in my "Wow, I love this! I love writing! I love writing like this!" mind-set. So, could you guys please help me out with suggesting some books for me to get? I will appreciate it, and send whoever recommends a book that turns out to be "magic" for me a signed copy of my books when they come out. (That's right, I'm desperate enough to start giving stuff away.)

Thanks.

Criteria:
I write funny paranormal YA stuff, but the reading does not necessarily have to be YA.
My favorite authors of this sort of thing (and those I've read a nauseating amount of, so don't recommend them) are:
Christopher Moore
Catherine Jinks
A. Lee Martinez
Terry Pratchett
Douglas Adams
Try Holly Black, Tamora Pierce, Jami Lee Simner, Melissa Marr, Stieg Larsson, Robin Wasserman. There are loads more, but these are my favourites in Ya para and fantasy.

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Holly
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Re: Suggest a book for me, please!

Post by Holly » March 4th, 2010, 6:01 pm

How about Jim Butcher's Dresden Files series? He wrote a million of them, they're funny, the main character is a wizard in Chicago, and the books have loads of magic and magical creatures. They're not YA, but they're easy to read, plus they're in every library (so you don't have to buy them).

Sommer Leigh
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Re: Suggest a book for me, please!

Post by Sommer Leigh » April 2nd, 2010, 11:39 pm

Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files is paranormal, hysterical, but not YA. I love them and having met Jim Butcher in person, HE is hysterical too. Many of his stories can be creepy, though he handles the deep and the scary with a light touch, keeping sarcasm and wit always at the forefront. His writing is accessible, easy to read, and yet filled to the brim with complex ideas and thorough mythology. He has a new book in the series coming out very soon.

My very favorite, of all time, reread whenever I need a break from my own writing, is Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta. It has all the great stuff of storytelling and characters that never leave me. I recommend it to anyone who asks for a book idea hoping it moves them in the same way it has moved me.
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