New reader, unable find what I like.

[Hekau]

Hey, so I started reading books in English about a year ago in the summer before my last year of high school, and I still haven't found what I like. Granted, I haven't read many books yet but I don't know what to order next and kind of need help with the direction of where to probe.

 

I started off by reading the Black Magician trilogy by Trudi Canavan, but magic is really not my thing.

Followed that by something completely different and read six Richard Dawkins' books. My brain broke down with The Extended Phenotype so I picked up something easier: Atheist Universe by David Mills and God is not Great by Christopher Hitchens. Finally had enough of 'atheism buffing' books mainly because I got tired of 'bullying' religious folks which was my stimulation.

Gave the Bible a shot. It was too boring for me and I gave up in about a month. Ended up just marking 'bad' parts with the aid of Google. My intention was to read it cover to cover not the wide spread parts. Although I failed at that, the relief of giving up was rather great.

Listened to Mein Kampf once, read it, and listened to it once more. His propaganda is more interesting to me than the propaganda against him, and if anything, I'd just reread that one again.

Art of War by Sun Tzu, meh, not as empowering as I'd imagined, hehe.

Shakespeare's Sonnets - I love that English but I need something bigger than poetry.

 

Currently reading Neuromancer by William Gibson. Science fiction doesn't sit with me well either.

 

Obtained and not read yet:

-Inferno by Dante with notes and commentary. Figured it will boost my English.

-Red Dragon by Thomas Harris because it was familiar. To be completely honest, not looking forward to reading it.

-1984 by George Orwell, a musician I enjoy recommended it and late Christopher Hitchens.

-Battle Royale, the newer novel by Koushun Takami. Thanks to Hunger Games which, like LOTR and HP, I am reluctant to touch.

 

Seriously need help. This has turned from finding a good book to read to a quest of finding what I enjoy. May it be that I'm awaiting too much from mere books? Saying that English makes me feel tingly would be an exaggeration but I really really like it, and plan to eventually be able to feel and use it like Neo did with Matrix (Not sure how serious that was.. but I did type it, meh..).

 

Help.

[Delilah]

LOL! I've read so much I have trouble finding what I do like! I hate science fiction too. I like historical mysteries I guess with some romance thrown in. But what use is that to you! The Bible start with the New Testament. I'm going to start one called "In the Woods" by Tana French; you might want to check it out. I can tell you that I liked the new Sherlock Holmes book called "The House of Silk" by Anthony Horowitz."

Edited June 15, 2012 by Delilah

[bree]

Hello Hekau,

 

Welcome to the forum!

 

What kind of books do you like reading in your native language?

And what are you looking for when you read a book? Something to make you smile, something life-altering, a light read, or something else altogether?

Also, what made you choose the books you did? Did someone who knows you recommend them to you, assuming that you'd like them? Do did you just randomly pick them up?

 

I know that loads of questions - but I thought if you could think through them, you may be able to find a book which you enjoy.

 

Also I'd suggest that you borrow books off a library to read instead of buying them - that way you get a whole lot of choices and won't end up have paid for a book you didn't like much.

 

I'm sure you'll soon find what you're looking for!

[Hekau]

Thank you for responding.

I will say that I do not enjoy love and adventure stories too much. And I have never enjoyed reading books in Estonian; enjoyable English more important than the plot. At least so far.

My local library only has a handful of books in English, and they're all some old romantic novels or something, most likely donated by some old lady. Also, something in my brain demands that I own every book I read. So those are two reasons why I order.

I mostly order books that are different because I want to try new things until I find what I really enjoy reading. I liked reading Dawkins' work so I bought several of his books, but everything else so far is really one of each kind.

I just need something different from what I've read so far, a new type of reading. That's my main issue, I don't know what I want but when I'll stumble upon it I will know.

 

If I'll enjoy Dante's Inferno, there are two more books in his Divine Comedy. Besides that.. something real? Oh, here's a thought: Can anyone suggest me something about psychology. I've had several run-ins with school psychologist, I'd like to have a glimpse into that old sow's world. What kind of murdering broken terrorist does that paranoid wench think I am.. (Not some psychological mumbo jumbo like Red Dragon, but something proper like Mask of Sanity by Hervey Cleckley.)

 

Already feel like a needy baby on a new forum. -.-

[vodkafan]

Hi Hekau. If you liked Dawkins how about Bill Bryson? Different enough to be stimulating but similar enough to be a safe bet.You certainly seem like a serious reader, the way you tackled the Bible, making notes etc. I haven't read much popular psychology but I know Frankie has and some others on here too, they will be able to give you some pointers there.

It seems like you need some lighter reads like novels but you say scifi, fantasy, romance and adventure are out...hmmm. Maybe one of the English classics like Jane Eyre? Or possibly a true life war memoir , I can recommend A Helmet for my Pillow or even better The Forgotten Soldier by Guy Sajer.

Another true life book I recommend to everybody is Black Like Me.