His Dark Materials

The His Dark Materials series. There were lots of pieces and ideas which I carry with me (particularly the bit with the harpies and what they come to value), but the circumstances around the ultimate disposition of the subtle knife truly broke me.

Mattimeo, the third of the Redwall books by Brian Jacques. Charming, funny and surprisingly action-packed. Currently reading Northern Lights, the first of the His Dark Materials trilogy by Phillip Pullman. My first time reading it, great so far.

I think the "His Dark Materials" series by Philip Pullman had the greatest impact on me as a youngster. That series opened my mind to some really interesting ideas, and lead on to reading Milton, then taking up a general interest in philosophy. I don't think I'd be who I am now without having read those books.

Reposted from my site: (http://ben.kudria.net/post/2548785108/my-favorite-books-of-2... (http://ben.kudria.net/post/2548785108/my-favorite-books-of-2010)). Affiliate links there, for those inclined. === In 2010, every single book I read, I read on my Kindle. Buying a Kindle has been the best thing I have ever done for my reading addiction. I recently upgraded to a Kindle 3, and I wholeheartedly recommended you get one as well, even if you currently have a Kindle 2. Here are the top books I enjoyed in 2010, and you will enjoy also. - The His Dark Materials Trilogy. Start with The Golden Compass. - The City & The City by China Miéville. Quite the post-modern detective story. (Read also his novel Perdido Street Station) - Surface Detail, the new novel by Iain M. Banks, who has quickly catapulted to the very top of my “Favorite Sci-Fi Authors” list. Surface Detail may not be the best novel for a Banks-unfamiliar reader, however — you may wish to start with something like Consider Phlebas or Look To Windward.…

Snow Crash and The Diamond Age are good books, especially for just starting to read again. Ubik is my favorite PKD book followed closely by Electric Sheep. The His Dark Materials isn't really sci-fi so much as fantasy but it is quite a good read (though if you didn't have a kindle it might be embarrassing buying them from the young adult section, they are quite adult though). I think a huge thing missing from your list is the Foundation series from Asimov (I recommend going in order of publishing, start with Foundation move onto Foundation and Empire then Second Foundation and more if you are into it). My 2 cents.

If you're feeling really introspective, His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman and Demian by Hermann Hesse.

Philip Pullman's trilogy His Dark Material which kicks off with the Golden Compass is a great read. Sherlock Holmes stories are fun. The Art of Deception by Kevin Mitnick is also a good read. Pierre