as for welsh, i found it difficult to read because its phonetically written. my ex-fiance read a lot of his books very easily because he was dyslexic and found it fine... i never settled to it but its not really my thing anyway.... i'm a huge fan of the brontes, and i love historical fiction, like elizabeth chadwick, nora lofts, bernard cornwell. im having a viking moment now.

See, this is where I disagree.

Seriously, you need to give Irine Welsh a go, if you haven't already, because you will notice the difference straight away. Junk is a total rip off from any one of Welsh's excellent novels, only it lacks the style and charm.

Going back to Junk at twenty ruined my fond memories of it too. I should have just left it on the shelf. I'd still recommend it to any teenagers, as I think it's good for them to read supposedly gritty stuff that doesn't paint anything rosy, but once you reach an age where you want a bit more from your reading other than shocks, it doesn't really work.


Also, another recommendation; Junky by William S Burroughs is a far superior drug related book to any other I've read - and semi autobiographical.

look at me by jennifer egan

nights at the circus by angela carter.

oh yes i agree about the burroughs, although i prefer queer, i have fond memories of reading that when i lived with a very strange burroughs obsessed man a couple of years ago.
i think the reason why we disagree on junk is probably because these sort of gritty novels arent really my thing, i just happened to like the book, probably more for the way it was written with each chapter by a different character than for the story itself. i tend to enjoy books that paint a vivid picture of a life unlike my own, whatever that life may be because something removed from yourself is always interesting... but i didnt go back to it for the content as i prefer to sort of 'escape' through reading so to speak... i like jane austen a lot, and the medieval fiction i mentioned. having said that, i have ecstacy i think its called by welsh, although i havent read it yet, i picked it up from a second hand shop when i went it for a job and came out with this and marquis de sade

a dirty job by christopher moore

Dune by Frank Herbert.

The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury.

my sister's keeper by jodi picoult.

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When the glitter fades in the morning, turn away and you will find my empty eyes....your beauty blinds.

oooh i love angela carter! wise children is a great read too.

That book made me do big snotty sobs on the tube.

The Magic Toyshop by Angela Carter too
& she has a book of short stories The Bloody Chamber...

the handmaids tale by margaret atwood
if you are a woman it will make you think twice about putting all your money in the bank.
body of glass (he, she and it in the US) by marge piercy
fantastic book, could rave forever about it but would rather you read the book than this post.

I agree. I like Marabou stork nightmares. I read it on holiday last year and it took me a little longer than i usually take but its written funny thats all. You will see what I mean if you read it. But its good.

roald dahl's my uncle oswald. i swear i almost died laughing so many times. best roald dahl's stuff ever.

Lost Souls or any Poppy Z Brite book to get your hornyness on.
What We Do Is Secret to feel Punk Rawk
and maybe a little
Dorian Grey to psych you out.

"lucky jim" by kingsley Amis

added to my wishlist!

anything by Christopher Moore.

he's so damn hilarious. you will actually LOL, for real. not just in your head. but out loud

Hurrah! I wanna know everything you thought once you've read it.

Did you see my Confessions Of A Chatroom Freak thread? It is, without doubt, the funniest book I have ever read in my life.

A prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving.
about a little (very little, primordial dwarf size) boy who kills his best friends mum with a baseball by accident and all other sorts of amazing things.
Mister God this is Anna by Fynn.
about a six year old girl and her friendship with a 19 year old boy called Fynn. The best book I have ever read. ever.
The kite runner by Khaled Hosseini
about two best friends gorwing up in Afghanistan.


and also anything by Anne Tyler, she is a great writer.

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Now honies play me close like butter played toast