I've hardly read in the past three years and direly want to read something. The problem is that I don't know what the hell to read.

All I mainly used to read was speculative fiction; speculative fiction is what I know best. However, I want to start reading "real" literature in addition to speculative fiction, but instead of reading the clichés that always appear on top 50 lists (To Kill A Mockingbird, 1984, etc.), I want to check out hidden, or semi-hidden gems. Don't get me wrong: I think classics like To Kill A Mockingbird or 1984 may be good reads (I haven't read them yet), but I honestly would rather check out lesser-known works that "deserve" more attention. I have always preferred to focus my attention on the hardly-known than on the extremely well-known.

I'll look through your posts and compile a list of books to pick out at the library and (possibly) buy from Amazon or Ebay.

replyin'...

not a hidden gem, but anything by Haruki Murakami is brilliant...loved Wind-Up Bird Chronicle and Norwegian Wood especially.

120 days of sodom, marquis de sade
street of crocodiles, bruno schulz
v., thomas pynchon