Reading! Options

[Saffy]

Not sure if there's a topic on reading already, but I'll make the assumption that there isn't.

How often do you read? What was the last book you read? Any great suggestions?

I've gotten into reading recently which is quite new to me. I used to really hate it because no books really interested me. I found most of what was around was fantasy which I simply did not care for. However, I've always been into writing and felt it was a necessity that I start reading - if not just to pick up on new skills. So I decided to pick up The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy which I had purchased about two years ago and never finished. For the past three days I've done at least an hour of reading every night, and have just finished reading the book. Quite an accomplishment for me so now I'm on a bit of a high.

I intend to read the read the next book in the series, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe. I will likely go pick it up the next time I visit Chapters.

Your turn. Go!

[ClassicTyler]

These are two that I just ordered.
(IMG:http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51+Y6bFcQwL.jpg)
"Amidst the chaos of World War II, two Japanese soldiers hear of Zephyrus, an utterly captivating woman rumored to exist on an island in the South Pacific. The tales of this bold enchantress seducing men to their dooms are both chilling and fascinating. Over twenty years pass, and Zephyrus resurfaces in Japan, seemingly unchanged, to wield her mysterious power over men once more.

The one man immune to Zephyrus' charms is simple drunkard, Gohonmatsu Seki, son of one of the wartime soldiers. Employed to spy on Zephyrus, what will Gohonmatsu uncover about her ultimate plot to create international discord and consume the world of men? What brought this woman to conspire for decades against patriarchal society-against an entire gender-and can anything be done to stop her plans? "
And apparently this story is like TinTin on acid. :3

(IMG:http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31hyYzMgQpL._SS500_.jpg)
"Long considered as one of Osamu Tezuka’s most political narratives, Ayako is also considered to be one of his most challenging as it defies the conventions of his manga by utilizing a completely original cast and relying solely on historical drama to drive the plot. Ayako, pulls no punches, and does not allow for gimmicks as science-fiction or fantasy may. Instead Tezuka weaves together a tale which its core simply focuses on a single family, a family that could be considered a metaphor for a rapidly developing superpower.

Overflowing with imagery of the cold war seen through Japan’s eyes, Ayako is firmly set in realism taking inspiration from a number of historical events that occurred over the American occupation and the cultural-revolution which soon followed. Believed to be Tezuka’s answer to the gekiga (dramatic comics) movement of the 60’s, Ayako should be considered one of the better early examples of a seinen (young adult) narrative to be published.

Initially set in the aftermath of World War II, Ayako focuses its attention on the Tenge clan, a once powerful family of landowners living in a rural community in northern Japan. From the moment readers are introduced to the extended family, it is apparent that the war and American occupation have begun to erode the fabric that binds them all together. The increasing influence of political, economic and social change begins to tear into the many Tenge siblings, while a strange marriage agreement creates resentment between the eldest son and his sire. And when the family seems to have completely fallen apart, they decide to turn their collective rage on what they believe to be the source of their troubles—the newest member of the Tenge family, the youngest sister Ayako. "

I love Tezuka's works because they're awesome to read. And he was such a wide author. Someone who can make family entertainment like Astro Boy then go on to write things like these along with MW and Ode to Kirihito. Amazing. <3