So I know that I am not a part of the group, but after browsing your website I must say that I quite wish I could interest some of my friends in something similar…
Anyways I thought that I might recommend several books for your group to go along with my bourbon recommendations. I tend to read quite a bit with little constraint to specific genres, but these some that have “stuck” with me.
1) The Beach by Alex Garland: I am sure that a lot of people are put off by the horrific movie adaptation, but this authors first novel is one of the most engaging books I have come across. I first read it about 3 months before the movie was released (ie; 1999ish) and was simply blown away at the authors ability to draw you into his creation. I tend to go back to this one ever few years and it never fails to impress.
2) Revelation Space Series by Alastair Reynolds: For the sci-fi lover this series is a work of art. The first book (aptly named Revelation Space) has an abnormally long and slow start. I was almost ready to chuck it and then something fantastic happened; I figured out that the first 200-300 pages were all just “setting the scene” for something epic (and I am a fan of all things epic!). The best quality of this author is his ability to develop a story from 3, 4 or 5 different characters/times and bring them together seamlessly. Each of his novels in the series outdo the previous and left me wanting more.
***Pushing Ice by the same author is worth mentioning; while it has no relation to the series it is easily as good as any one of them.
3) “Y”, the Last Man by Brian K. Vaughn: Yes, this is a Graphic Novel (10, actually). But I also think it is one of the great works of fiction written in the last 5 years. Fantastic from start to finish, you quickly forget that you are (gulp) reading a comic book…
Curt,
I live in Fresno, CA. And with my friends the best I could hope for is beer and sports or the market…right now I am the only one that enjoys bourbon,scotch or rum.
I think they’d surprise you, Griff. I have found a hunger for literature, decent conversation, erudite discourse and liquor ramblings in the most surprising places. Give it a shot…you never know.
So I know that I am not a part of the group, but after browsing your website I must say that I quite wish I could interest some of my friends in something similar…
Anyways I thought that I might recommend several books for your group to go along with my bourbon recommendations. I tend to read quite a bit with little constraint to specific genres, but these some that have “stuck” with me.
1) The Beach by Alex Garland: I am sure that a lot of people are put off by the horrific movie adaptation, but this authors first novel is one of the most engaging books I have come across. I first read it about 3 months before the movie was released (ie; 1999ish) and was simply blown away at the authors ability to draw you into his creation. I tend to go back to this one ever few years and it never fails to impress.
2) Revelation Space Series by Alastair Reynolds: For the sci-fi lover this series is a work of art. The first book (aptly named Revelation Space) has an abnormally long and slow start. I was almost ready to chuck it and then something fantastic happened; I figured out that the first 200-300 pages were all just “setting the scene” for something epic (and I am a fan of all things epic!). The best quality of this author is his ability to develop a story from 3, 4 or 5 different characters/times and bring them together seamlessly. Each of his novels in the series outdo the previous and left me wanting more.
***Pushing Ice by the same author is worth mentioning; while it has no relation to the series it is easily as good as any one of them.
3) “Y”, the Last Man by Brian K. Vaughn: Yes, this is a Graphic Novel (10, actually). But I also think it is one of the great works of fiction written in the last 5 years. Fantastic from start to finish, you quickly forget that you are (gulp) reading a comic book…
Throw the offer out to them. Y’never know what will happen. A couple in this crew were not big readers before, but this has been enlightening for all.
Where ’bouts are you, Griff?
Curt,
I live in Fresno, CA. And with my friends the best I could hope for is beer and sports or the market…right now I am the only one that enjoys bourbon,scotch or rum.
I think they’d surprise you, Griff. I have found a hunger for literature, decent conversation, erudite discourse and liquor ramblings in the most surprising places. Give it a shot…you never know.
I read “The Beach”, was not too impressed. “Y” was excellent as you say. Revelation Space is now intriguing me enough to go look for it.