what books...

would you recommend for a college student who is trying to get back into reading?

when i was younger i read constantly, but as you know life tends to allow for the drifting away from such hobbies so at 20 years old, im finally beginning to delve back into the world of literature.

i like any genre, but im looking for something that will capture my attention and not let me put the book down, while at the same time challenging my reading skills. im looking for something exceptionally well written.

thanks ;)

Why not start with an American classic? The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane.

The Great Gatsby

Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami.

I like to read things that I can relate to, because if I can't relate, then I don't get the joke, don't empathize with tragic protagonists, don't care when characters die or survive, etc.

So, what interests do you have?

Somerset Maugham for desert.

I would recommend The Picture Of Dorian Gray

The Count of Monte Cristo- The Great Gatsby- Orlando- Pride and Prejudice- The Kite Runner- 1984

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Originally Posted by LuggageFan

I like to read things that I can relate to, because if I can't relate, then I don't get the joke, don't empathize with tragic protagonists, don't care when characters die or survive, etc.

So, what interests do you have?

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May I ask: what do you mean by "relate" in your sentence?

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Originally Posted by Seasider

Why not start with an American classic? The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane.

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Don't you think it is a bit boring? (I've never recommended to anybody!)

thanks for the suggestions everybody

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LuggageFan

I like to read things that I can relate to, because if I can't relate, then I don't get the joke, don't empathize with tragic protagonists, don't care when characters die or survive, etc.

So, what interests do you have?

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hmmm, that's a hard question to answer. many things interest me, but that doesn't necessarily mean that i know anything about them.
do you mean in regard to genre like fantasy/mystery or just general interests such as music or philosophy?

New York Trilogy by Paul Auster
The Alienist by Caleb Carr
Junky by William S. Burroughs

Start with Nabokov or Murakami.

@ Honest. No I don't think Stephen Crane's book is boring...if I did I wouldn't have recommended it. It is unflinching in its description of The American Civil War. And it is psychologically subtle...the young man displays the very human emotions of fear and panic which lead him to desert the field. But eventually he becomes ashamed of his actions and goes back to the battle and redeems his sense of honour. But is it not jingoistic, nor does it glorify war. He is propelled by a sense of love and duty to his comrades and the cause.

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Originally Posted by Honest

May I ask: what do you mean by "relate" in your sentence?

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Well, I have to be able to put myself in place of the protagonist in order to understand his/her feelings or the dilemmas they are facing. For example, Catcher in the Rye - I felt nothing for the boy in the story as he was from an affluent New York family, lived on the Upper East Side, and was narcissistic and spoiled (totally not my background at all). Thus, I didn't care about him or his life. So it was a complete bore for me. On the other hand, something like the science fiction classic House On The Borderland was about an Irish peasant from the early part of the 20th Century, and the weird science-fiction-y events that happen to him. Also, not my background at all, but Hodgson did an outstanding job of making him seem sympathetic and like someone you may have grown up with. I realize I'm not making the most articulate argument, but hopefully, you get the general idea.

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Originally Posted by casualreader

do you mean in regard to genre like fantasy/mystery or just general interests such as music or philosophy?

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I guess generally. For example, I like hiking and deserts and mountains; therefore, I generally find that I enjoy reading fiction which is set in deserts, mountains and the great outdoors. I also like traveling, so I enjoy reading about people and families in non-Western cultures.