Lisa

I read books about: I prefer fiction to nonfiction. But I will read anything that intrigues me. I believe that books are a treasure, providing endless riches of knowledge, inspiration, and imagination - Nutrition for the mind and soul.

Favorite authors: Lewis Carroll, Michael Crichton, Aesop, Shakespeare, Stephen King, Sue Henry, Thoreau, Erica Jong, Lisa Alther, John Grogan, Dean Koontz, Patricia Cornwell, Shel Silverstein, Dr. Seuss, and Don Miguel Ruiz

Alice in Wonderland
by Lewis Carroll(Charles Lutwidge Dodgson)

Carroll's true brilliance was in his ability to skillfully weave philosophy and his keen insights of human nature into a flamboyant story that is beloved by people of all ages; from Victorian era readers, to every generation since. He not only brought this cacophony of motley, delightful characters to life, he gave them a soul.

Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog
by John Grogan

Grogan's slick, smooth style of writing is a pleasure to read. Marley & Me is laugh out loud funny. It will touch your heart.

Anything by Michael Crichton

I dig the way the man's mind worked.

Ben

I read books about: sci-fi, fantasy, theatre books & plays

Favorite authors: Storm Constantine, John Gardener, John Paul Sartre

Long Way Round : Chasing Shadows Across the World
by Ewan McGregor &Charley Boorman

Good buddy-travel writing

Wraeththu : The Enchantments of Flesh and Spirit: The Bewitchments of Love and Hate: The Fulfilments of Fate and Desire
by Storm Constantine

Awesome post-apocalyptic gender-bender sci-fi fantasy!

Grendel
by John Gardener

A first person train of thought, with a monster's mind...

Josh

I read books about: Mystery, Horror, Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Art

Favorite authors: Terry Goodkind, Stephen King, HP Lovecraft, Terry Pratchett, Douglas Adams, and JRR Tolkien

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
by Douglas Adams

It's hilarious.

Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit
by JRR Tolkien

Great story with memorable characters.

The Gun Slinger
by Stephen King

Fun read.

Cheryl

I read books about: Memoirs, essays on society and politics, literature of the 20th century, pop culture musings, semi-autographical romps through the counter-culture & dirty Beatnik poetry.

Favorite authors: Noam Chomsky, Hunter Thompson, J. D. Salinger, Kurt Vonnegut, David Sedaris

The Heart is a Lonely Hunter
by Carson McCullers

The first thing that struck me about this novel was how progressive it seemed based on the social climate in which it was written and how young the author was. There is a haunting beauty in the longing of the characters.

Kitchen Confidential
by Anthony Bourdain

Never in my life have I wanted to be a chef. I can't follow a recipy to save my life, and the idea of preparing people's food for a living scares me. Yet, I read these pieces of Bourdain's culinary career, the misadventures and triumphs, and it makes me want to be a snarky cook living on the fringes of society.

Women
by Charles Bukowski

I love the way he writes, I've always been a fan of his poetry, and I love the interactions he has with the multitude of women in his life, but I'm not exactly sure why this book is so alluring to me. Perhaps it's because, somewhere inside of me, my Id is drinking scotch and betting on horses all day.

Toby

What I like: history -- pre-Columbian America, Greek & Roman

Favorite authors: Michael Grant, Michael Coe, Stephen Saylor, Robert van Gulik, Orson Scott Card, Ian Banks

Wasp Factory - Literature
by Ian Banks

A dark disturbing look at a bizarre Scottish family.

Roman Blood - Historical Fiction
by Stephen Saylor

A captivating glimpse into (what would seem) an historically accurate Rome.

Bangkok 8 - Mystery
by John Burdett

Not your standard mystery series. Eastern policework is represented very differently from what we've come to expect in the West!

Tristan

What I like: science fiction

Favorite authors: Robert Howard, Jack Vance, H. P. Lovecraft

Stolen Child - Literature
by Keith Donohue

The premise is entirely unique, believable, and inspiring.

Planet of Adventure - Sci-Fi / Fantasy
by Jack Vance

Much more sophisticated than its title. Un-put-downable.

The Savage Tales of Solomon Kane - Sci-Fi / Fantasy
by Robert Howard

The hero remains unsuperstitious even when confronted with many supernatural apparitions and terrors.

Kevin

What I like: Literary Fiction, Short Stories and the like

Favorite authors: Haruki Murakami, Jonathan Safran Foer, George Saunders, Dave Eggers, Anton Chekhov, David Means, Robert Olen Butler, and Charles D'ambrosio

Dance, Dance, Dance
by Haruki Murakami

Strange, dark things happen in the Dolphin Hotel. An incredible Japanese Author.

The Fountainhead
by Ayn Rand

A brilliant architect fights against mediocrity. An incredible book, even if you don't buy into her philosophy.

Civil War Land in Bad Decline
by George Sanders

The story of a Civil War themed amusement park gone wrong and more!

Caleb

What I like: theology, sci-fi, fantasy, Christianity, philosophy & thrillers

Favorite authors: Stephen R. Donaldson, C. S. Lewis, Frank Herbert, Frank Peretti, Philip Yancy, Tolkien, Ted Dekker

Lord Foul's Bane (1st in the Thomas Covenant Chronicles)
by Stephen R. Donaldson

Comparable to, if not better than, Lord of the Rings. It draws the reader deep into its world and doesn't let go.

Screwtape Letters - General Christianity
by C. S. Lewis

An amazing tale from the perspective of the devil, written by a Christian... Need I say more?

People of the Lie
by Scott M. Peck

A book that deals with the discovery of evil, the questions of what truly is evil, and if there is any hope of healing it.

Angela

What I like: fiction about food, mysteries about books or authors, chick-lit, memoirs about food..

Favorite authors: Ruth Reichl, Jhumpa Lahiri, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, Jodi Picoult, Jennifer Weiner

Julie & Julia - About Food
by Julie Powell

Smooth blend of memoir and foodie-lit, complete with Julia Child history & recipes.

Pomegranate Soup - Literature
by Marsha Mehran

I loved the story of three Iranian sisters and their journey to rural Ireland to open the Babylon Cafe. A novel with scrumptious recipes!

There's a (Slight) Chance I Might Be Going to Hell: A Novel of Sewer Pipes, Pageant Queens, and Big Trouble - Literature
by Laurie Notaro

Hilarious, laugh-out-loud, head-shaking moments of "been there, done that" from the Queen of The Idiot Girls' Action-Adventure Club.

Jeremiah

What I like: sci-fi & fantasy

Favorite authors: L. E. Modesitt Jr., Orson Scott Card, George R. R. Martin, Jim Butcher, Robert Jordan, Trudi Canavan, Sara Douglass, Jennifer Fallon, Tracy Hickman & Margaret Weiss.

Ender's Game - Sci-Fi / Fantasy
by Orson Scott Card

Epic space sci-fi, little kids killing aliens. Awesome!

Priestess of the White - Sci-Fi / Fantasy
by Trudi Canavan

Battles between gods and their followers.

Game of Thrones - Sci-Fi / Fantasy
by George R. R. Martin

Super epic fantasy, twisted lies and deceit: a game for a kingdom. Wow!

Brian

What I like: coming of age novels, poetry, books about food, gay non-fiction

Favorite authors: Frank O'Hara, Bill Bryson, Gideon Defoe, Jim Grimsley, Ray Bradbury, David Sedaris, Billy Collins

Winkie - Literature
by Clifford Chase

This somewhat absurd story of a come-to-life teddy bear suspected of terrorism is beautifully written and heartbreaking.

Dandelion Wine - Sci-Fi / Fantasy
by Ray Bradbury

Bradbury's classic is the quintessential book about summer.

The Four Agreements - Metaphysics
by Don Miguel Ruiz

Ruiz lays out simple rules to live by that can have a huge impact on your happiness and relationships.

Andre

What I like: I read books that interest me. I don't care about subject or genre.

Favorite authors: Louis L'Amour, Rex Stout, James Byron Huggins, Rumiko Takahashi

Unoriginal Sinner and the Ice Cream God - Literature
by John R. Powers

A unique coming of age tale.

Totto-Chan - Japanese History
by Kuroyanagi, Tetsuko

It's a pretty uplifting story set during a tragic time.

Hitching Rides With Buddha - Travel
by Will Ferguson

It was interesting.

Nicole

What I like: Young adult, manga, and any non-fiction that catches my eye.

Favorite authors: Rumiko Takahashi, Meg Cabot, Rex Stout, Sophie Kinsella

Totto-chan
by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi

Great memoir of a happy childhood in pre-WWII Japan.

Bonk
by Mary Roach

Fascinating look into the history of sex research. Filled with interesting facts and hilarious footnotes.

Socrates in Love
by Kyoichi Katayama

Touching story of young love under tragic circumstances. I couldn't put it down.

Steve R.

What I like: Horror, cinema, modern architecture & design.

Favorite authors: Matheson, Lovecraft, early King, Shirley Jackson, Thomas Harris

Hell House - Horror
by Richard Matheson

Oppressive atmosphere, downright scary, cool architecture

Shadow Out of Time (corrected text) - Horror
by H. P. Lovecraft

Professor receiving panicked letters from a colleague alone in the woods--mysterious creatures surrounding the house... all of a sudden "everything's okay."--Yikes!

Concrete at Home - Home Improvement
by Fu-Tung Cheng

Hey, even if you're not gonna do it, you are going to be inspired. If you are interested you need this book.

Sean V.

What I like: music, history, literature, science, art

Favorite authors: Borges, de Nerval, Bowles, Peter Lamborn Wilson, Melville, Kafka, Montaigne

Improvisation : Its Nature and Practice in Music - Music History
by Derek Bailey

One of the only books on improvisation, a grossly under-represented subject. Written by the legendary Bailey.

The Haunted Screen : Expressionism in the German Cinema and the Influence of Max Reinhardt - Film History
by Lotte Eisner

Eisner actually knew most of the individuals involved in one of the first and most influential film styles/eras.

Classical Music : The Listener's Companion (Third Ear) - Music Guides
by Alexander Morin

The best one volume intro that I know of. Exhaustively comprehensive.

Isaac

What I like: maritime history, Jewish philosophy and novels about ships and/or Jews.

Favorite authors: Melville, Bellow, Roth, Babel, Tolstoy, Tobias & Geoffrey Wolff, Singer

White-Jacket - Literature
by Herman Melville

Meville's second-best novel, this book uses a tyrannical sea captain (again) to show how government impedes the search for truth.

Collected Stories - Literature
by Isaac Babel

Babel is one of the all-time greats in the short story department. Of particular interest is the "Red Cavalry" cycle, about a Jewish journalist riding with a Cossack brigade during the Russian revolution.

Two Years Before the Mast - Sailing Narratives
by Richard Henry Dana

This book is to sailing narratives what "Ace of Spades" is to rock & roll songs.

Greg

What I like: Music, Music History, and Christianity

Favorite authors: C.S. Lewis, Brian Welch, and Donald Miller

Save Me From Myself
by Brian Welch

The inspiring story of former Korn quitarist Brian Welch. His struggle with drug addiction and his journey to find God.

Out of the Silent Planet
by C.S. Lewis

A sci-fi book filled with adventure but more importantly containing lots of wisdom and hidden messages about Christianity.

Blue Like Jazz
by Donald Miller

Donald Miller gives non-religious thoughts about Christianity and tells personal stories about his own really spiritual life. Best "Christian" book I have ever read.

Kenneth

What I like: Science Fiction and History

Favorite authors: Alastair Reynolds, Peter F. Hamilton, and S.M. Sterling

Revelation Space
by Alastair Reynolds

A great author and a great series of books.

Dark Tower
by Stephen King

This whole series is an amazing combination of Stephen King's writing skills and ideas. Roland of Gilead is a classic anti-hero.

Ringworld
by Larry Niven

A very well known author and book. Helped to birth the new era of "space opera" science fiction novels, including humanoid feline races like the Kzinti.