I'm a TV and comic book addict, but I'm a little tired of all the cop/doc/lawyer shows on TV and all the superhero comics. I'm thinking I'd really like some good slice of life books since that genre seems to get neglected in other mediums. I don't read many novels, so I'd like some recommendations.

To give you some idea what I like, the best book I read in school was Catcher in the Rye. I've read some of Salinger's other stuff and didn't like it that much. I like Chuck Palahniuk's writing style more than any other author I've read, but I'm usually pretty disappointed with his endings and some of his plots and characters can be lacking. I've heard Brett Easton Ellis is similar to Palahniuk, but I love Palahniuk's efficient use of words and it sounds like Ellis can get overly wordy. I really liked Leaving Las Vegas, but that guy died before he wrote anything else, right? I really enjoyed The Stand and was interested in seeking out some of King's other stuff, but it sounds like I may have already read his best book.

So thanks, any help would be appreciated.

"Clockers" by Richard Price. Jaw-droppingly good.

And if you liked "The Stand", I recommend Robert R. McCammon's "Swan Song". It's been many years since I've read it, but I recall it was utterly engrossing. I can remember standing at the stove stirring with one hand and holding the book with the other!

I'd agree with that.


Most people I know who liked The Stand also liked King's book The Dead Zone.

Also, check out the Rabbit series by John Updike if you want slice of life. But know this... it's nothing like King, or Ellis, or any graphic novel. It is slice of life.

If you like Palahniuk, try Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh.

I'd recommend King's IT as well.

Another for Swan Song. I'm reading it again for the 2nd or 3rd time and completely enjoying it.

If you're trying to develop a habit of reading novels, I might reconsider the longer Stephen King books. Sure, they're great and easy reads, etc, but you might want to taste some shorter novels for the simple fact so many pages can be daunting. If you do read a king and since you like comics, you might want to read a Dark Tower book or two.

I'd recommend SLAUHTERHOUSE FIVE by Kurt Vonnegut.

Or perhaps some nonfiction, like RUNNING WITH SCISSORS by Augusten Burroughs

If you enjoyed King, I suggest Dolores Claiborne. I'd consider it one of King's best works: it's not the "typical horror" style of his, and it's quite short and packs a punch. It's a great character story and very well written.

For excellent "slice of life" (albeit for lowlifes and ordinary joes), check out any non-western work of fiction by Elmore Leonard. The books are short, quick reads that hook you early, and the dialogue is about as real as you can get. Here are some titles to check out:

Unknown Man #89 (hard to find, but worth it)
The Switch
Bandits
Freaky Deaky
Killshot
Pronto
Riding the Rap
Out of Sight
Cuba Libre
Pagan Babies
Tishomingo Blues