List your top 10 favorite books

[flo]

Started to have a go at The Devil's Elixir by Hoffman - I see it's supposedly influenced by Lewis's The Monk. Which I read many many years ago, or rather Antonin Artaud's adaptation of it. But we'll see how that goes!
Hogg's novel is definitely a very different beast. I certainly wouldn't call it brilliantly bonkers as its topics are deadly serious and it's quite a chilling tale. But there's humour in it too, and it feels ahead of its time in its techniques/narration.

My copy of American Gods is off on holidays in Majorca!

[MarmFi]

Ah, cool, hope you like it. Knew it was inspired by The Monk, which I've had recommended to me before, but haven't got round to reading yet.

Will definitely give that Hogg novel a go. About to start The Power, by Naomi Alderman, which I've heard very good things about.

[flo]

Enjoying it so far (just started vol 2), very different to Hogg's novel indeed, although I can see why this came into your mind from my description and our protagonists do have some things in common. Some of it seems oddly familiar, but I struggle to pinpoint what it reminds me of (unless I read it many years ago and forgot - but unlikely). You must like Wilkie Collins too? I'd put them both in a "Classics that are that a lot of fun to read" category.
I re-read both the Moonstone and Woman in White last year, and I wish I could recommend Armadale too, because it features the best female villain but it's let down by the two main male protagonists.

[MarmFi]

I have never actually read any Collins, and perhaps shamefully, had to Google what he'd written (and no, still hadn't read any, though knew of several). Another to go on the list!

Glad you're enjoying the Devil's Elixirs. Will definitely read the Hogg novel soon; am really interested now in what it's like.

[books]

Number one for me is The Rules of Chaos by Stephen Vizinczey, at least this is my favourite of his books. Political criticism, philosophy, life advice, how events connect in life, very entertaining. I feel Vizinczey's writing adjusts to how deep you want to take your thinking in each paragraph. There's a nice video of the author explaining how the book came about on youtube