08-08-2008, 10:13 PM
And also why. And these aren't the literaturish sort of books, they're more the fun ones, and honestly most of them are intended for those somewhat smaller than I, so if you have younglings kicking about...
Terry Pratchett, the complete works of: because he is hilarious and awesome in almost every conceivable way. And the exception to the kid friendly thing, except for his kid books which are equally great.
Septimus Heap (the series): this is an incredible series cleverly disgusted as a Harry Potter cash-in. It follows a seventh son of a seventh son, Septimus Heap, but nothing turns out the way you expect it. I adore this book because the perspective jumps about in such a wild and wonderful fashion. One scene will be told from the perspective of the protagonist, the next from that of a random bystander, the next from the perspective of an enchanted door. And when you hear from the enchanted door, expect to hear its history, its biggest pet peeves and its future plans, and expect to encounter it again later in the book in some minor but relevant context, for example slamming shut in the face of the bad guy to buy the protagonist precious time.
The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles: this is a kiddy book, kind of. But it's all about imagination and stuff like that, and has a bird that communicates in shouted sayings which it usually means literally ("GET TO THE POINT!")
Then there's the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory books (the sequel is called The Great Glass Elevator and everyone should definitely read it.)
I shall add others as I think of them.
Terry Pratchett, the complete works of: because he is hilarious and awesome in almost every conceivable way. And the exception to the kid friendly thing, except for his kid books which are equally great.
Septimus Heap (the series): this is an incredible series cleverly disgusted as a Harry Potter cash-in. It follows a seventh son of a seventh son, Septimus Heap, but nothing turns out the way you expect it. I adore this book because the perspective jumps about in such a wild and wonderful fashion. One scene will be told from the perspective of the protagonist, the next from that of a random bystander, the next from the perspective of an enchanted door. And when you hear from the enchanted door, expect to hear its history, its biggest pet peeves and its future plans, and expect to encounter it again later in the book in some minor but relevant context, for example slamming shut in the face of the bad guy to buy the protagonist precious time.
The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles: this is a kiddy book, kind of. But it's all about imagination and stuff like that, and has a bird that communicates in shouted sayings which it usually means literally ("GET TO THE POINT!")
Then there's the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory books (the sequel is called The Great Glass Elevator and everyone should definitely read it.)
I shall add others as I think of them.