EWB's Favourite Books

[Skummy]

EWB's Favourite Books

Voted for by the public of EWB, I present you with EWB's Favourite 32 Books. Why 32? Because I ended the list at anything receiving 10 points. Anyway, without any further ado, I shall present you with the first batch:

32:

Fear & Loathing In Las Vegas

Bringing up the rear is Hunter S. Thompson's most famous work, his self-proclaimed "failed experiment in Gonzo journalism", the twisted story of counter-culture, depravity, the death of the 1960s ideals, and the American dream.

31:

The Hobbit

Next up, the introduction to JRR Tolkein's Middle Earth, and the first fantasy novel to make the list. Although often overshadowed by the later Lord Of The Rings trilogy, The Hobbit shouldn't be overlooked as an incredibly deep fantasy epic in it's own right.

30:

Dracula

Almost certainly the most famous story in the list so far, who doesn't have at least a passing familiarity with Bram Stoker's classic; the archetypal vampire story, in which he laid the foundation for generations of horror stories to come, while simultaneously exposing a dark side to the seemingly reserved Victorian sexuality.

Next up, books 29-25 feature a story of misplaced identity and the Apocalypse, a moving tale of mental illness and personal struggle, a tale of mystery, a depraved classic of social commentary, and a book that has more than a little in common with one of the above.

[NobBe Nobbs]

If the depraved social commentary isn't Brave New World, I will do very little!

[Rashid]

Only book that I voted for that I can see make the list is The Stand.

Well, here's hoping.

And I tried to read The Hobbit once, but I don't like Tolkein's writing. Aw well.

[figos]

I enjoyed "The Hobbit", but I find the "LOTR" books boring as hell.

[ChrisSteeleAteMyHamster]

Did Hardboiled Wonderland get more than ten then?

[TGC]

I know half my votes didn't get more than ten I am sure, but so far this list works. Saddens me knowing that Dracula could have been higher had I not altered my votes for books that nobody else mentioned.

[Guest Ringo Masterson]

I like Fear and Loathing but the other two weren't really to my taste. Especially the Hobbit. It was painful >_>

[TGC]

The Hobbit was so painful I never finished it and never read any of the other LOTR books.

[Guest Ringo Masterson]

It was just so tedious and going in circles. I had to read LOTR for school when I was young, but god, it was just hurting me.

[apsham]

The Hobbit was a far superior book to the LOTR books and I regret now not voting for it. Urgh.

[Hutch2004]

I've read The Hobbit, and enjoyed it, however, I wouldn't put it on my lists. I tried reading The Lord of the Rings, but halfway through the Two Towers, I threw it away. I could be doing with that bilge, with the most pompous flowery language. It drove me crazy. God knows how I got through Fellowship without going insane.

[ChrisSteeleAteMyHamster]

They're all good books, highly enjoyable and thrilling, but there are better books out there...

[Guest Ringo Masterson]

You mean Murakami don't you?

[MalaCloudy Black]

I'm ready for the rest of the liiiiist

[Scruffy The Janitor]

Jah Bless Dracula making the list. It's a book thats so great, and so bad at the same time.

[MalaCloudy Black]

I liked Dracula.. but at the same time I kind of guess I get where you're coming from, it was a bit of a difficult read due to the style of writing but that's to be expected, really.

[Laice07]

Dracula was a painful read, I hated the style. I do like Frankenstein though. Although some of you didn't like the Hobbit, I loved it, and had a fun time reading it. I do know where your coming from with the LOTR trilogy.

[Scruffy The Janitor]

I liked Dracula.. but at the same time I kind of guess I get where you're coming from, it was a bit of a difficult read due to the style of writing but that's to be expected, really.

[Skummy]

Sadly, if only for myself and CSAMH, no Murasami has made the list.

Also, I agree with most of what has been said about Tolkein. I read The Hobbit and LOTR in primary school, and there was nothing there that has made me want to go back and read them again since. It's admirable that he created such a deep and complex world, but in the process he lost what I felt was the most important aspect of fantasy writing, in that there's so little to relate to, so little to draw contrast with our own world. A good fantasy novel should cast new light on things we take for granted, or criticise aspects of our own world, but Tolkein and his myriad imitators simply lose that in getting too caught up in a world of their own creation. While Narnia is chock-full of Biblical connotations, for example, Tolkein has nothing of the sort. I'm sure that kind of thing appeals to some people, but not me. I'd take Gaiman or Pratchett over Tolkein any day.

But no one can deny the importance of Tolkein, for good or for bad, in shaping fantasy writing ever since, so The Hobbit certainly deserves a place. Dracula, in my opinion, for all its faults, is in many places the epitome of horror writing.

And, although it's not my favourite of his books, and I didn't vote it for myself, I would have liked Fear & Loathing In Las Vegas to make it a little higher. It's the only Hunter book that made the list, though, and I'm glad he got at least some recognition.

Next batch up tomorrow afternoon at some point.

[ChrisSteeleAteMyHamster]

Pah. This list now officially shows lack of class, breeding and education.

Until Brave New World shows up anyways.