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Messages: Interesting offbeat books to read
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Unusual books - wonderfully strange stories with animal 'heroes'

All these are written from the standpoint of the creatures involved and are all very good and unusual reads.

The London Pigeon Wars - Patrick Neate (about a pigeon revolution)

Firmin - Tom Savage (about a self-educated rat in a bookshop)

The Roaches Have No King - Daniel Evan Weiss (about a self-educated cockroach in a an apartment)

Penny Waugh
13 years ago
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some interesting finds in my inventory

James Finn Garner : Politically Correct Bedtime Stories: Modern Tales for Our Life [002542730X] Times

Seon; Lewis, Gogo Manley : Fun Phantoms: Tales of Ghostly Entertainment
this book's cover is illustrated by Edward Gorey.

berlingot
11 years ago
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Offbeat and excellent non-fiction

Hanne Blank : Virgin: The Untouched History

"Virgin: The Untouched History" by Hanne Blank is a fascinating look at how virginity is determined, why it is important in many cultures and how these things have changed.

Kerry
13 years ago
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(13 years ago)Indeed she is! This book is amazing, very well researched. The Kindle edition is currently $8.77, well worth spending the money if you have a kindle. It's even worth the $12.95 for the paperback. :)
Kerry
(13 years ago)It was recommended to me by a friend of the author. I am also a fan of the author's blog. http://www.hanneblank.com/blog/
Kerry
Interesting offbeat books to read

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach
This isn't for everyone, but after long admiring Ms. Roach's contributions to Reader's Digest, I read this book. Although the subject matter is unusual and might well be distasteful to many, she handles it with dignity and, if you can believe, much good humor. If you've ever been curious about all things dead, this is the book for you. Consider it the ultimate recycling idea. Chances are you'll never attend another wake without thinking about the stories in this book.

LMR
13 years ago
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(13 years ago)The Descent. It defies description. I think I've bought 3 copies so far, just can't seem to stop myself from saying 'just read it.' Then I never get my copy back. LOL
Jo
Interesting offbeat books to read

Journal: The Short Life and Mysterious Death of Amy Zoe Mason by Joyce and Kristine Atkinson was quite unusual. I stayed up until 4am to finish this one! Easily read in one sitting. Simply forgo reading the back cover or any detailed reviews/critiques before you begin. A unique premise, creatively executed, that might have been even more enticing had the authors not included the disclaimer on the copyright page that it was fiction.

LMR
13 years ago
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Odd but Interesting Science Fiction

Altered Carbon (Takeshi Kovacs Novels) and Boneshaker (Cherie Priest) - Any other favorites?

Jenatsch
13 years ago
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(13 years ago)Anything by Sheri S. Tepper: I especially liked Singer from the Sea and the three Mavin Manyshaped novels, but Six Moon Dance and The Gate to Women's Country are also interesting.
M
(13 years ago)Octavia E Butler writes some fun stuff: "Xenogenesis" series is probably her best, SF-wise, though I enjoyed "From Seed to Harvest" as well. :3
Whitney
(13 years ago)Most anything by Steve Aylett. His Beerlight books are like Robert Rankin writing William Gibson in the style of Micky Spillane. If you like Jeff Noon I'd suggest the RIM series by Alexander Besher.
Jonathan
(13 years ago)I loved Cat's Cradle!
Jenatsch
(13 years ago)A few "Odd but Interesting" titles to start: "Vurt" by Jeff Noon "The Door Into Ocean" by Joan Slonczewski "Cat's Cradle" by Kurt Vonnegut "Maul" by Tricia Sullivan
Psybre
verse novels

Autobiography of Red by Anne Carson (in Greek mythology, Heracles kills the monster Geryon in order to steal his cattle; in Carson's re-imagining, he "just" steals Geryon's heart)

The Monkey's Mask by Dorothy Porter (a noir murder mystery set in Sydney, complete with a butch female detective and slippery femme fatale)

M
13 years ago
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This popped into my head

As soon as I read the forum title, I remembered this book.
"You Shall Know Our Velocity" by Dave Eggars
Totally offbeat, very amusing, and highly entertaining read all round.

scramble
13 years ago
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(13 years ago)Here's one: Chronicle of a Blood Merchant by Yu Hua Definitely not the norm. Great read though.
Annie
two great reads

1. A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby-
it's about these four people that meet on a building rooftop because they are all planning on committing suicide. You think it would be all sad and deep, but I laughed more at this book than just about any other. The characters are amazing.

2. Saving Fish From Drowning by Amy Tan-
it is a book about a lady who plans a trip to Burma with her friends and then is killed and she watches them go on the trip. Great read.

Brittany
13 years ago
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(13 years ago)I've also read Tales of a Female Nomad, you're right about it being a really great memoir.
Brittany
Where's the Head?

I just read one that's definitely ooffbeat.

Vinnie's Head by Marc Lecard, ISBN: 031237867X

Not my usual genre, but I really enjoyed it.

Alan Dellamore
13 years ago
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Interesting Offbeat Books

Liberty's Excess by Lidia Yuknavitch
A Sign of My Own by Aimee Bender

I'd say Paluhniuk or Ishiguro, but I think they're relatively well known.

celesi
13 years ago
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