Recommended starting books

[spiketheblody]

They can be English authors, Russian ones, doesn't matter, basic, well-known. Why?
Well, I've always wanted to read but I function with systems and despite reading books here and there, literally devouring what I like, I don't read much. So I decided I should brush up on my general reading. So I request authors and books that fit into the beginner/general/basic spectrum.
Thank you very much.

[Pompey Bum]

They can be English authors, Russian ones, doesn't matter, basic, well-known. Why?
Well, I've always wanted to read but I function with systems and despite reading books here and there, literally devouring what I like, I don't read much. So I decided I should brush up on my general reading. So I request authors and books that fit into the beginner/general/basic spectrum.
Thank you very much.

Welcome Spike. Here's a thread that may help you. It was started last year by someone asking more or less the same thing. A friend had given him the mind numbingly stupid advice of starting with Joyce and Burroughs, which he didn't like and couldn't get through. Site members gave him many much better recommendations. Looking there would probably be the best place for you to start.

http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?80769-Finding-the-right-literature-for-me

That assumes, of course, that you are interested in reading classic literature. Another approach would be to read current "literary fiction." One way to do that is to follow the Man Booker Prize, a yearly literary award for English-language novels. Booker produces a "long list" of nominees, a "short list" of finalists, and a winner, almost any of which can be counted on to be devourable. Past lists going back to the 1970s are available online. Here are the nominees and winner for 2014:

http://www.themanbookerprize.com/man-booker-prize-2014

Hope that's helpful, and welcome again to the site. :)

[Lykren]

double post

[Lykren]

It would also be helpful if you let us know what kind of reading material you're looking for. Fiction? Nonfiction? Either?

Also, what sort of emotional experience are you looking for? Tragic but beautiful? Humorous? Exciting? Light and easy, or maybe something requiring a little more focus, but that might stay with you for a while?

EDIT: I see you mentioned Russian authors. If you're not put off by length, Anna Karenina is the epitome of a well-written, tightly constructed classic novel. Chekhov's later short novels are also remarkable; I haven't yet read his short stories, but I feel certain they are just as good.

[Bill 42]

Here's another thread that was started by someone wanting to start reading classics: Help with my classics reading list? (http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?79749-Help-with-my-classics-reading-list). There's a lot of good advice in that thread as well.

[kev67]

Watership Down by Douglas Adams.

[Whifflingpin]

er - Richard Adams, but anything by Douglas Adams would be good too.

[kev67]

Richard Adams is who I meant. Douglas Adams is good too, especially the first book of the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy series.