I know this is off the topic of lifting but I just finished “Choke” by Chuck Palahniuk (you know the guy who wrote “fight Club”)and it was fucking amazing.This guy has got to be one of the greatest writers of our time.I was just wondering what you folks like to read. BTW there are a couple of books written by Chuck Palahniuk “Suvivor” and “Ivisible monsters”.
Excellent topic. I’ve read all of Palahniuk’s work except “Choke” (alas, I’m too poor to afford hardbacks.) His books always leave me thinking and not just entertained.
Suggested reading for all:
“Travels” by Michael Crichton. Great non-fiction book by the popular thriller writer.
“The Fountainhead” by Ayn Rand. Forget Mentzer and Objectivism for a minute. It’s simply a cool read about one man going against society and doing his own thing. Very T-man stuff. TC and John Berardi have commented positively on the book themselves.
The Sprawl Trilogy (starting with the book “Neuromancer”, then “Count Zero”, then “Mona Lisa Overdrive”) by William Gibson. This is the guy who coined the term cyberspace. Great sci-fi.
Another sci-fi guy I really like is Neal Stephenson. Start with his book “Snow Crash”. This is not robots and spaceships science fiction, but a whole new generation of work (started by Gibson) often called cyberpunk. Cool stuff.
“The Great and Secret Show” by Clive Barker was a real mindfucker. Took me three reads to absorb it all. For a gay guy, Barker can write a great hetero sex scene.
I’ve just started reading some Brett Easton Ellis, author of “American Psycho”. Pretty interesting. I like any writer who breaks all the literary “rules” and still puts out best sellers.
(And people think lifters only read food labels!)
the bible, its the greatest work of FICTION ever.
Het…you do seem to like fiction. After all, you’ve obviously studied HIT. 
As far as books, when I have the time and am not reading scientific or training texts, I enjoy any Philip Roth, Nelson Demille and a few others. There was a book that I read a few months back called Swimming Sweet something (I am sorry, I forgot the last word of the title), but if you can figure it out- it is a sensual read.
Chris, sounds like our reading tastes are very similar. I’v read (and enjoyed) all the books you listed except for The Fountainhead. Guess I’ll have to break down and try it now… Anyway, here are some more along (mostly) the same lines:
Anything by Iain (M.) Banks. Great, absolutely fantastic writer. The optional "M" is because he uses his middle initial for his science fiction stuff, but I have yet to read anything of his that wasn't flat-out fabulous.
In Conquest Born, by C.S. Friedman. Probably the best SF book I’ve ever read. I’ve re-read it several times and always get something new out of it. Really a first-class work.
River God, by Wilbur Smith. A South African writer, Smith has an absolute lock on adventure yarns. His protagonists are T-Men all (except for the eunuchs). Good bloody fun in ancient Egypt.
And just to balance things out, "The Lexus and the Olive Tree", by Thomas Friedman. If you think globalization doesn't affect you, or if you don't understand how it happens, read this book and learn something. Entertainingly written, and simply packed with good info. Friedman knows every powerful person in the world, it seems.
I read Survivor first. Took tow days. Did Fight Club that weekend, then ran off to buy Invisible Monsters. Took care of Choke the day it came out. This guy’s books are awsome. Other books I liked, Great and Secret show was good, but I read that years ago. I have the sequel in hardcover but never read it. I liked the sequel to Primal Fear, but don’t remember the name for some reason, and I never finished the third in the trilogy. Oh, and Body for Life. Kidding. Sacrament by Barker was good. I don’t read enough. Mostly Training materials from the IART. Palahnuik needs to hurry with “Lullabye”. Chris, spring for the hardcover on Choke. Its worth it. You’ll love it. I’d have to say that Invisible Monsters had the most twists to it. Other than that, thank God for DVD, because I think Fight Club may have been the first time that I liked a movie more than the book. The story was better in the film.
Doug K my man Nelson Demille rocks! but I like his earlier stuff better especially “Word of Honour”, I’ve read a couple by a Andre’ Brink that were good. Also like Scott Turow. A great book is “The Power of One” by Bryce Courtney, as usual miles better than the film in fact a different story completely, man that pisses me off. I’ve given up going to see movies of books I liked because I end up so disappointed.
Human Action by ludwig von Mises. It is a clear and meaningful argument for liberty.
Hey Chris I am willing to send u my copy of “Choke” for lets a testosterone shirt and a copy of the latest paper issue of t-mag.If your interested e-mail me at.I am telling u this book was just fucking amazing.By the way masturbation was a big part of this book .See also:flogging the dog. See also the five knuckle shuffle.
Agree with Chris on The Fountainhead'.Even better is Rand's ultimate fiction work,Atlas Shrugged’.Most of Rand’s novels feature heroes of high-principles facing what appears to be insurmountable opposition,and refusing to back down-true T-man stuff.
Another great book I’d recommend,especially for anyone into cycling(bikes,not roids)is It's Not About The Bike',by Lance Armstrong.Forget the Anthony Robbins-type pep-talk books,if you want real inspiration,Lance's book contains plenty of it.One of the most promising riders on the pro-cycling scene,Lance was diagnosed with testicular cancer-THEN lung cancer,and just when things looked as though they couldn't get worse,Doctors found he had brain cancer!After the whole ordeal Lance's doc admitted he gave Armstrong's chances of survival as somewhere between slim and bugger-all.Despite all this ,Lance not only kicked the cancer's ass,but went on to win the gruelling Tour-de-France...two years-in-a-row!I couldn't put the book down the whole time.Once again,T-men will identify with Lance's ballsy attitude and stubborn refusal to give in.<P> Also Shane’ by Jack Schaefer,a good old western,where the good guy rides into town,sees the town bullies running amok,kicks their butts(permanently) and rides on out again-great stuff,has that therapeutic quality that all great good-guys-conquer-type books give.
Being 18, my exposure to literature has for the most part, been restricted to the school mandated curriculum. However, I was fortunate enough to have discoved Robert Ludlum at a young age, and infact have just finished reading one of his latest best sellers, “The Prometheus Deception.”
I for one am astounded by his mesmerizing plot twists and vivid depictions. If you any of you enjoy “hardcore”, “testosterone” filled suspense thrillers, I implore you to read any of his numerous #1 sellers. Start with the “Bourne” series and you’ll certainly be hooked. He has a new series called “covert one” and the first book is absolutely amazing!!! Enjoy!
It’s a deal, waterboy. I’ve sent you an e-mail.
“The only ones for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but those who burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exloding like spiders across the stars…” ON THE ROAD by Jack Keruoac. Dean’s is the only way to live.
Being an english lit student I do a lot of reading, and have read a pretty wide range of fiction, although I’m hardly well-read. I’d say that Underworld and Libra by Don DeLillo are excellent modern works, and his latest, The Body Artist is very good as well, being quite a departure from his previous works, which have generally been themed as American Epics. Jack Kerouac and Kurt Vonnegut’s works have inspired and entertained me, as well as books by Russel Smith; he’s a Canadian author - check out Noise and Young Men. I could go on, but won’t. Oh, also, Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Thomas Pynchon.
Non-fiction: Bravo Two Zero by Andy McNab as for fiction both Remote Control and Crisis 4 by Andy McNab are excellent books. If you’re into action, suspense and all out tuff as nails survival, you can’t go wrong with Andy McNab…If you’ve never read Bravo Two Zero, please do, it’s an awsome story!! Your T levels will increase by reading Andy McNab.
I dont get to read too much, but the books that I can’t stop reading are the Dark Tower series by Stephen King. Everyone should check 'em out if they haven’t already. I havent read any of Chuck Palahniuk’s stuff yet, but I just may now. - PJ
Tom McNabb wrote two excellent books: Flanagan’s Run and the Fast Men, which deal with “athletics” and American culture. Flanagan’s Runs is about a foot race across the USA back in the 30’s [based on a real event] while The Fast Men is about sprinters.
If you're into science fiction [Chris you paying attention?] the Stephen Donaldson's "GAP Series" is brilliant wiht one of the best anti-heroes in recent science fiction. And no, it is not about a clothing chain.
Pat Conroy [who wrote the very scary Prince of Tides also wrote two wonderful books, The Great Santini and The Lords of Discipline.
The Great Santini is a teenager’s recounbting of life under a career military father while The Lords of Discipline is about the integration of the first black into a southern military academy [this was made into an OK film].
that’ll do for the moment.
great topic!! rubberman, whats up?! i thought i was the only other weight-lifter/lit major on the board. i definitely have to agree with you on vonnegut–his stuff is great! what books have you read?? i also agree with marquez, although i am only about halfway through ‘100 years.’ on top of that, my two favorite authors are both rather underappreciated: kafka and o henry. i also like mann, beckett, and joyce (well…i like the joyce that i can understand 
peace
I recently read “Quo Vadis?” It’s a love story set during Nero’s reign as emporer of Rome. Believe me, it’s not a typical wishy washy love story. The hero, Vinicius, is a Roman tribune (high ranking military officer) who falls in love with a Christian woman. This novel is great on many levels - it accurately describes Rome, early Christianity; and causes you to ask yourself, “Do I have the courage of a Roman?” “Or an early Christian?”