There are different reasons I read different types of books. One is educational (like computer manuals or how to books), another is pure entertainment (any book I have never read before) and still another is the Joy of listening to a Storyteller. I enjoy each for it's own but there is a special short list of books I read and re-read over the years because I can never seem to get enough of the story.

One of my favorite authors, S.K., wrote a book as Richard Bachman when he was still young. I believe it should be in the short list of classics like Fahrenheit 451, 1984, Of Mice and Men etc. That book is The Long Walk. I would put it in the classic category because of the simple parable like way it wraps Life into a contest, then disassembles the contestants. It also is cleaver in the way it leaves much to the reader's imagination when indirectly related to the core story. In my humble opinion, the mark of a good storyteller.

If anyone would like to discuss it, or hear more, let me know. I just re-read this for the nTH time yesterday, and have it fresh in my head. It is one of those simple stories that I pick up every year or so even though I know how it will end. Getting lost in the middle is the mark of any good book and this one does not disappoint.

Mark

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--Thomas Alva Edison
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."
--Benjamin Franklin
"A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes."
--Hugh Downs

I've read and reread "The Bachman Books" over the past few years. I believe King's short stories are his best work; I feel he spends too much time on the details in his novels.

I don't remember all 4 of the classic Bachman books, but "The Long Walk" and "The Running Man" are my favorites. "Road Work" (or whatever it's title is) is very slow but the ending is worth it.

Could you give a brief synopsis of "The Long Walk"? It's been so long since I last read it that I don't remember the details. I do remember being confused about the ending: was the kid dying or going crazy? However, the character presentation was very well done and how the story was structured was great.

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Common Sense v2.0-Striving to make the world a little bit smarter.

Another author I'd highly recommend is Richard Matheson. He's done great horror, SF, fantasy... Some of his accomplishments:
Made into movies
Hell House (movie: Legend of Hell House)
Bid Time Return (movie: Somewhere in time)
Shrinking Man (movie:Incredible Shrinking Man)
What Dreams May Come (movie: same)
Duel (Spielberg's 1st movie)
Terminal Man (movie: same, Omega Man)
some of the best original Twilight Zone episodes.

Many of his short stories I've read and he has a heck of an imagination -- well worth searching out Shock I/II/III and Shock Wave.

King is also a favorite. I just wish they'd get the movies right. Only Dead Zone seemed to be somewhat untampered with. When they finally get to Bag of Bones, I hope the screenplay writer and director LOVE the story and do it right, not like Dreamcatcher -- what a waste of film from a good book!

I've also just gotten into Dean Koontz -- Some great stories there, too.
Odd Thomas
Fear Nothing
Sieze the Night (sequel to Fear -- and better)
By the Light of the Moon (fantastic!)

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Cow: You're a lawyer too?
Mooseblood (mosquito): Ma'am, I was already a bloodsucking parasite. All I needed was a briefcase!

I love reading R.K. Narayan novels.
The Guide and Malgudi Days are his best.

His writing was famous for its vivid portrayal of daily life in India.

Paramesh.

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Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow.
Don't walk behind me, I may not lead.
Just walk beside me and be my friend.