Uncle Simon’s list of recommended original and entertaining books

Last updated: July 29, 2013

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Reading books is one of my hobbies. During the years I've came across some books that I really consider exceptional, so if you haven't read them already I would like to recommend them to you.
Before starting to think, "yeah, just another teenager who discovered the local library and blogging", I would like to mentioned that my reading's been going on for about a quorter af century and my "mileage" should be well above 2500 books by now.
I am not a shill for the publishing industry either, or trying to make few bucks off selling you book - this is an ad and BS free zone.
I am not going to say "this is a very interesting book" every time, the fact that it on my list means that this applies to all of them.
Without further due, here is the list (books are listed in somewhat chronological order, based on the time when I have "discovered" them):
There are actually two lists:

Highly recommended, somewhat "heavy" and/or VERY original books:

(These are usually well known, if somewhat older books)

"Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" by Robert Pirsig
Style: Philosophical novel Year published: 1974
A golden oldie. Don't worry about the "motorcycle maintenance" part - this ain't a shop manual ;-), it's "an Inquiry into values". Despite the title, it's not really about Zen Buddhism or motorcycles, though it starts as a story about a motorcycle trip.
Fun fact: It made it to the Guinness Book of Records, being originally rejected by most publishers than any other bestselling book.
Don't miss it, if you are into "philosophyzing".

"Ender's game" by Orson Scott Card
Style: Science-fiction Year published: 1985
This book keeps on getting bigger/longer - first it was a short story, then it became a book, then a book got updated in 1991.
Still a classic - a Hugo and Nebula awards winner.
Some people have issues with the author; I suggest that one looks past that and just enjoys his books.
This book started a whole series, consider "Ender's Shadow" as well.

"The human zoo" by Desmond Morris
Style: Sociobiology Year published: 1969
I came across this book while someone was reading it next to me on the plane. Just reading few random sentences from the middle of the book made it look for it afterwards.
If you ever wondered "why is life - human behavior - like this?", then this book may have the answer for you. If you ever wondered why people act often "crazy" from your point of view, give it a try.
It is easy to read and understand. It is something everyone needs to read at an early age, but it is never too late.

"Snowcrash" by Neal Stephenson
Style: Cyberpunk/Science-Fiction Year published: 1992
This is one of his early books and the best so far in my opinion. The style in his later books can be rather heavy and harder to read, but this one is a gem!
The books is a mix of history, linguistics, religion, computer science, politics, philosophy and action. The author seems to cover few genres at the same time, one being prognosticism.
One aspect of the book tries to answer the question "what USA might look like tomorrow"? Don't let the "cyberpunk" tag scare you!

"The raw shark texts" by Steven Hall
Style: Novel?, Science-Fiction? Hard to clasify Year published: 2007
I forgot how I came across this book, could have been a recommendation from the book section of the weekly newspaper edition.
In any case, this book just blew my mind. From the first page, I was hooked! It is odd, different, and enjoyable.

"The war nerd" by Gary Brecher
Style: Mix of history/military/humour Year published: 2008
And now time for something different! Written by a self-described "war nerd", this book is the printed version of essays published earlier online.
Very entertaining and wonderful mix of history, military topics and humour; I am not sure how close to the truth the author is, but it almost doesn't matter - this book will make you laugh and see historical event in a new light.
One of the few truly funny books in my list - the other books have their chuckle moments, but they are not humor books.

"Ready Player One" by Ernest Cline
Style: Science Fiction Year published: 2011
If you:
  a) are a geek who is into MMORPG or early computer games
  b) remember the 80s
this is the book that will take you to Nerdvana!
Full to the brim with 80s pop cultural references about TV shows, computer games and music bands; this is a very serious first book.
It is quite a groundbreaking book, period. Reminds me, for some reason of, "Snowcrash" - similar (but different!), semi post-apocalyptic, rich, version of the future.
OK, so may be the characters are a bit flat (in retrospective) and the ending is a bit too-Hollywood in style, but the virtual "quest" is quite the thrill ride.
Very easy flowing, easy-to-read style. I know it is a cliché, but it was a hard to put down.

"Fatherland" by Robert Harris
Style: Detective story / alternative history / thriller Year published: 1992
I can't believe that I forgot to mention this books until now!
"Fatherland" is one of my all-time favorite books. Part "detective story", part "noir", part "alternative history", part "political thriller", it has great story and tempo.
It is set up in an alternative history in which Nazi Germany has won the World War II (not a spoler, it is clear from the first pages of the book).
For anyone who enjoys the above-mentioned genres, it is a great recommendation.

"Altered Carbon" by Richard Morgan
Style: Sci-Fi / Mistery / noir Year published: 2002
According to Wikipedia the genre is "hardboiled cyberpunk", but what do they know? To me it is a combinaion of SciFi, military SciFi and mistery, noir-ish style.
The main character - Takeshi Kovacs - is one of the most hard boiled fictional characters, outside the fantasy genre. Seriously, when it comes to ballsy heroes, only two come immediately to my mind - him and Parker.
It's hard to believe it, but this gem is Richard Morgan's first novel. To quote Victoria Strauss, the book has "an intricate (but always plausible) plot, a powerful noir atmosphere, and enough explosive action to satisfy the most die-hard thriller fan".
It is also a rather large book (as far as this genre goes) and one that can be read many times over.
I highly recomment tryng at least once!

"A Very Private Gentleman" by Martin Booth
Style: Thriller / Mistery Year published: 1990
It took me a while to properly "position" this book between my two categories. On one hand, this book is definitely not a "heavy" read, on the other, it is somewhat more substantial than then books that usually end up in my "second" category. At the end of the day, I've decided to put it in my "top" category, it is that good.
I am afraid though, that most people started on the wrong foot with this gem. Originally titled "A very private gentleman", this book was republished as "The American" after the disastres Clooney movie that butchered it. The book is hundred times better than the movie.
Some people call it "brilliant", "complex" and "well crafted", for me it was an unexpected surprise and a pleasure. The style is somewhat old-fashion - reminds me of the time when authors took their time to present a story. The story builds rather slow, but deliberate, with a lot of details and side notes on different topics, adding color to the hero's character. Someone might call those details "insightful", if he or she agrees with them.
The locations are "exotic" (mostly Italy), at least for the North American readers.
Minor spoiler: this is a leisurely tale of a semi-retired gunsmith who provides weapons for assassins, seemingly happily making a life for himself in a Italian village, when ... - I said "minor" ;-)
Some people may not like the slow pace; for me it adds richness; and in the era of "quick-and-dirty" books written for a quick money, it is a rare find.
For the obligatory comparison; it remind me a little of some of the best from Fredrick Forsyth, though with much less violence and action and a lot more "smelling the roses" moments.
Overall - very highly recommended!

"Dilbert and the Way of the Weasel" by Scott Adams
Style: Life lessons / Humor / Satire Year published: 2002
First, I have to confess that I am a fan of the author, Mr. Adams. Most people are aware of him because of the Dilbert strip, but he is also quite prolific at writing full length books.
Second, let me cut to the chase - if you should read only 10 books in your life, this book should be one of them.
Now, it this sounds a bit too strong, let me tell you a little secret: most people overlook the Dilbert series of books because they think they are "humor", just "funny". Even the mighty Wikipeadia gets it kind of wrong, listing the book's genre as "satire".
The fact is that book's style is indeed funny and well written, but being funny and being right are not mutually exclusive. Funny helps with the sales, especially when you are trying to say something that it hard to hear.
I mean, how many people have heard or are fond of "hell - this is the others"?
To quote Wikipedia (so I am getting lazy): "The chief premise of the book is that everyday actions of humanity are neither consistently honest nor criminal, but rather weasel."
And this is something very important to learn in life.
I personally find this book very humble. While Mr. Adams style may come a bit like smirking some times, and the "Dilbert principle" has a bit of "us vs. them" mentality, the reason this book is listed here, is because he acknowledges that everyone is a "weasel" at times, including him.
So I recommend everyone who is trying to figure out why people around them are behaving in a puzzling manner, especially in business settings, to give it a try.
Part of the official title says "A Guide to Outwitting Your Boss, Your Coworkers, and the Other Pants-Wearing Ferrets in Your Life" - you should read it as "a guide to understanding ...".

Recomended, easier to read books

(These are usually less known books. Statistically speaking, most of them are from the mistery/noir/supernatural genres.)

"American gods" by Neil Gaiman
Style: Fantasy Year published: 2001
This is a book that probably belongs to the first list, after all it is a a Hugo and Nebula award-winning novel. It is even a "harder" to read book. The reason I am putting in the "secondary" list is because I find it a bit "fat" and harder/slow to read at moments. (Yes, I do take points off for style.)
Getting this book was a lucky mistake - I mistook the author for William Gibson (the author of "Neuromancer"), but I am glad I did. The beginning was really gripping.
If you like fantasy/mythology, there is a great idea waiting for you inside the pages! Even though the title somewhat spoils the surprise, there a lot more going on.

"The Somnambulist" by Jonathan Barnes
Style: Supernatural mistery, Sherlock Homles meets the time traveller and magic Year published: 2007
I've came across this book while waiting for an interview. I wasn't able to finish it then, so I've looked it up online. One of the reviews I saw briefly called the book "cheeky", then I didn't understand why or how in a first place one can call a book "cheeky". After I've finished it, I got an idea. The book very entertaining and a pleasure to read; the style is mimicking the older British writing style (I guess that's why they call it "Victorian mistery"), but the author doesn't bother explaning some of the misteries mentioned inside. May be he is planning to write a series.
Oh, well, still heck of a read.

The Felix Gomez books by Mario Acevedo
Style: Supernatural mistery/action, the vampire version of detective story
I came across one of the Felix Gomez misteries while randomly looking for books in my library. There are at leat 4 of already in print.
They read like something that Dashiell Hammett would write, if he was into supernatural ans sci-fi - and this is a compliment.
Very easy to read, it seems that the author is having fun. He is even adding a good mix of sci-fi to the "old" vampire genre - vampires meet alians. Good news is that if you like one of them, there is more of them to enjoy.

"Love is a racket" by John Ridley
Style: Noir Year published: 1998
Another one of my lucky hunches, getting books from the discount bin.
OK, so this is rather "noir" and not so "easy" to read book. It's not the style that is heavy though, it's the topic - the main hero here is rather down on his luck. Despite its grim subject matter, there are many great and funny one-liners.
If are in the mood for an old-style, 40's noir novel, give this one a chance.

"Sandman Slim" by Richard Kadrey
Style: Supernatural mistery/action, your above-average avenger from Hell ;-) Year published: 2009
This yet another one of my library sale burgain finds and I am starting to see a pattern here - supernatural is in fashion. I guess we have 'Arry Potter to thank to that.
But don't worry, this ain't no teenager or new-age waste of pulp. It is heavy on the action and it is surprisingly easy to read. There are not even sex acts described - good, old fashioned clean fun.
Something that Raymond Chandler would write, if he was into supernatural and heavy action - coming from me, this is a compliment!

"The Manual of Detection" by Jedediah Berry
Style: Classic/surreal mistery Year published: 2009
Another one of my "borrowed on impulse", but ultimately lucky find from my friendly local library.
The edition that I've read had few spoilers on the back cover, I guess the publisher wanted to make sure that people actually read this book, and it certainly worked for me. Nonetheless, there were enough intrique inside to keep me reading.
The general mood is quite surreal - the story is placed somewhat in the past, though the author is not describing a real location.
I would describe the style as a mix of SciFi and classic detective story, if it were about a real time and place, I would expect the author to be describing the life in large Western European or American city in the beginning of the 20th cenntury. The style is very, well, "stylish" and easy to read.
There are memes/ideas in the book that sound familiar, yet when you think you know what is coming next, you get surprised. Very "pleasant" surprise for me. The only "beef" I have with it is that I expected somewhat bigger "pop" at the end, given the very promissing beginning.
I haven't checked if the author has written other books, but the characters definetely "deserve" a sequel.

"Neverwhere" and "The Graveyard Book" by Neil Gaiman
Style: Fantasy Year published: 1996/2008
These are relatively short fantasy novels and by some coincidence, I read them shortly one after the other. One can call them "modern fairy tales", in the best tradition of the Grim brothers' stories.
I find certain similarities in the story plots - the "babe in the woods" type plot; with scary and mysterious killers after the main hero(s), but they are easy to read and hard to put down, once you start reading them.
Someone described them as "entertaining, but not overly memorable", and this is the worst that can be said; they still better than the average fantasy pulp out there, IMHO.

"Mindbridge" by Joe Haldeman
Style: Science-fiction Year published: 1976
This novel was actually written in 1976, but I've discovered it only recently. Relatively short - only about 200 pages, it now available as an e-book.
Among the vampires related fantasy new wave that is drowning the fantasy and science-fiction genre, it was quite refreshing to read a classic-style science fiction novel.
The style, at moments, reminded me of some of the best works of the Strugatsky brothers. (Or is it the other way around, since this is a relatively old book?! Either way, it gets a recommendation from me.)

"The wild parrots of Telegraph hill" by Mark Bittner
Style: Non-fiction Year published: 2004
This is quite an amazing story. I actually saw the documentary first and then I found and read the book. There are two storylines happening in parallel - one is the story of the wild parrots, and the other is the author’s.
The parrots’ story worths a Shakespearean treatment - there are as much love, drama, plot twists and depth as any of his plays. As the subtitle of the book says, it is “a love story... with wings”. If you can ignore the fact that it is about birds and concentrate on the characters interplay, it is fascinating.
This book was one of the reasons I became interested in parrots, but one does not have to be a bird lover to appreciate the story.
The author’s storyline is one inspiring story of personal growth and finding happiness.
Overall, this book is a gem and I highly recommend it.

"If It Was Easy, They'd Call the Whole Damn Thing a Honeymoon: Living with and Loving the TV-Addicted, Sex-Obsessed, Not-So-Handy Man You Married" by Jenna McCarthy
Style: Non-fiction Year published: 2011
Here is a rare occasion when I am going to recommend not only a non-fiction book, but one from the “self-help” section.
I came across this book at my local library and it seeming had it all - “honeymoon”, “TV” and “sex-obsessed” in the title, pair of nice legs on the cover and a blond, attractive author on the back. Now, if I am done fitting in the “sex-obsessed husband” bit, let me get back to the review.
This book has a lot going for it - liberal use of expletives (really, women don’t use them often enough), important topic, pretty decent sense of humor (many hilarious, LOL lines) and a lot of real life examples.
With a title like this, I was hoping it would contain some useful advice about loving TV-addicted husbands (I am one them), but for some reason my wife is not buying it ;-)
The real reason this book made it here, is the fact that it is a honest, down-to-earth discussion of the marital life. None of that feminist “women are better” agenda; the way I understood it, it basically says “men and women are different, each has their own faults and strengths and this is OK”.
I suggest you give it a try; there are much worse books in either the “self help” or the “humor” sections of your local library/bookstore, believe me, I know.

"The Road to Gandolfo" by Robert Ludlum
Style: Humor/action Year published: 1975
I am afraid, I have to repeat myself – "I can't believe that I forgot to mention this books until now!". "The Road to Gandolfo" is one of my favorites.
Robert Ludlum was the master of thriller-conspiracy-spy genre in the 70s and the 80s. For the younger readers, he also wrote the Bourne trilogy that was the base of the recently popular movies with Matt Damon.
This book is pure comic genius though. It is a different genre than most of Ludlum’s books and it was published under a pseudonym, for very same reason I suppose – not to delude his typical style.
I am trying to avoid using superlatives as “hilarious” and "wickedly funny", so I won’t set expectations too high – after all, people have different tastes, but I expect it will make you chuckle more than once.
Some people might describe it as a parody of the genre. I highly recommended to anyone looking for a combination of humour and fast-paced action.

My name is actually Simeon, but since most native English speakers can't pronounce it properly, I am going to simplify.