Underappreciated books

[Drunkbot]

I was speaking with others in regards to our reading habits, and was astonished that while all of them claimed to enjoy the horror genre (to which I am at best an occasional fan), none of them had ever heard of The Monk, which is essentially the original horror novel.

What books do you think deserve more attention than they receive, fiction, or non?

 

[Drunkbot]

After looking over House of Leaves, that definitely appears to be something I should include in my reading habits at some point. Likely after rereading the Cryptonomicon and my current history book.

On that note, all history books that are not text books need more attention. All fiction pales in comparison to the astonishing tales present in history.

 

[Queen Michael]

All fiction pales in comparison to the astonishing tales present in history.

Except for when said fiction involves dinosaurs fighting Batman.

On topic, anything by Julio Cortázar.

 

[Spade Lead]

After looking over House of Leaves, that definitely appears to be something I should include in my reading habits at some point. Likely after rereading the Cryptonomicon and my current history book.

On that note, all history books that are not text books need more attention. All fiction pales in comparison to the astonishing tales present in history.

I will see your History and raise you:

<url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Turtledove>Alternate History

 

[FalloutJack]

House Of Leaves?

No one has read it in my social group.

Pretty stupid social group.

I've read a number of books like that one AND that one in particular, however they are not books which I have learned to appreciate.

I would prefer His Master's Voice.

 

[Vandenberg1]

H.P.Lovecraft... How many of you actuallyyy read it instead of just looking at fanfiction stuff?

 

[Drunkbot]

I have read lots of Lovecraft. Maybe all?

I have a hard time agreeing that Lovecraft does not get enough attention when he and his body of work are so well known, and "Lovecraftian" gets used as an adjective to describe a work or an author.

That said, many would rather give up on Lovecraft instead of keeping a reference book handy for the big/archaic words.

 

[Oliman43]

Don't know if people have heard of it, but anything by Ken MacLeod is very good, while nobody I know seems to think so.

 

[SammiYin]

None of my friends have read Lord of the rings.
Or even SEEN the films for that matter. They suck

 

[snowpuppy]

The isles of glory, loved that series.

 

[theamazingbean]

House of Leaves is an overwrought piece of shit and a perfect example of why grad students should not be allowed to write books. There is an okay story somewhere in there, but it's lost as Danielewski tries to make a point about a ridiculousness of academic writing.

As far as other under-appreciated writing, the classics don't receive enough attention from many very literate nerds, as well as history. I'm glad fantasy and sci-fi are moving out of the literature ghetto, but it takes a perverse form of anti-intellectualism to read nothing but those two.

 

[Novijen]

Bartimaeus Trilogy needs some love. I've yet to see another reader.

 

[Moonlight Butterfly]

H.P.Lovecraft... How many of you actuallyyy read it instead of just looking at fanfiction stuff?

I'd say that's true, the guy was an awesome writer it's a shame he didn't get more recognition while he was alive. He's also seems to be one of the biggest inspirations for computer games. I'd say you seeling yourself short as a gamer if you don't read at least one book. I can recommend Shadow over Innsmouth.

My own suggestion;
The Magician series by Raymond E. Feist

My friend put me onto it and I really enjoyed it.

 

[Valkyrie101]

Bartimaeus Trilogy needs some love. I've yet to see another reader.

I remember reading that when I was younger. It kicked ass. Actually, I feel like re-reading it.

 

[rabidmidget]

I don't think I have met anyone who has read catch-22, which is a shame considering it's probably the wittiest book I've ever read.

 

[Poisoni]

Bartimaeus Trilogy needs some love. I've yet to see another reader.

I must have read those like 7 times each. Just so good.

 

[Vandenberg1]

Read Stephen Kings "IT"... It damn creeped me out (maybe because I thought of Tim Curry?).. its far grotesque but extremely good...(except for ending) One of the best books I ever read period. Insidious actually creeped me out a few times... I love horror sTUFF SINCE I was two

 

[Jamboxdotcom]

I don't think I have met anyone who has read catch-22, which is a shame considering it's probably the wittiest book I've ever read.

Really? Where do you live, Illiterateville? No offense to the people where you live, but really?
*edit* I see that you live in Australia. Weird. I've never thought of Australians as being uneducated. Maybe it's just a cultural thing? Catch-22 is pretty important here in Amurka. I doubt you could fire a shotgun into a crowd of college students without hitting 3 people who have read it.

OT: Obligatory ASoIaF plug. Yes, it's wildly popular. However, it should be much, much more popular.