If you had to pick one or two books, which ones? I'm hoping to spark some discussion here, but who knows.

I'd go with Watership Down.

I read it in third grade, but "Lizard Music" is my pick. I understand that modern versions have been editted and altered, but the original was amazing. A kid is home alone for a week, watching TV, and suddenly sees a buncha' lizards playing music. Funny, entertaining and really spurs kids' imaginations.

The parents must've left the wrong batch of brownies.

I have to agree with Choate, Watership Down is excellent. I even enjoyed the animated film based off of it...

Also It, Fight Club, and the Dark Tower series.

"It" was pretty good, but it could've done with a hell of a lot of trimming. If there's anything bad I can say about King is he goes through the trouble of being over-detailed in his books.

I'll nominate The Shining, since it was one of the few actual books I've read, not counting autobiographies, children books, comics, and sci-fi stuff like Star Wars.

The Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison...and no, it isn't about a superhero. It's like a racism revenge kind of story.

I've actually never read the Invisible Man, though I've meant to.

I am Legend by Richard Matheson. GREAT story.

That is a fantastic story...haven't read it in a number of years. No real controversial choices so far, I'd say.

IMO, King's The Stand was probably his best book. My favorite chapter was the solo travels of Kojak the dog. If you're going to read one King book, that's the one. Ignore the TV movie version. Alot of his subsqeuent books seemed to be variances of the same theme, especially his novels with ensemble casts (his old stand-by resolution of people holding hands, sticking together and believing in what's right...also used in "It" and midway through "Dreamcatcher").

Plus, how many books have inspired an Anthrax song?!

About as many horror movies that have inspired Misfits songs.

I forgot all about that book... since my local book depository doesn't have a copy (cheap bastards), I'm going to have to plunk down my "hard-earned" couple of bucks to buy it on Amazon.

You could probably get a copy at Barnes & Noble or any book store for about $7.

Ha! Very true.

Okay, then make it "inspired a GOOD Anthrax song". (and "I am the Law" doesn't count!)

What's this I am Legend book about?

From what I gather from research and DK's testimonial, it's a major influence on George Romero's "Night of the Living Dead" movie.

"American Gods" By Neil Gaiman. Awesome Novel. I can re-read it over and over, and gain enjoyment each time. Also, "The Fountainhead" by Ayn Rand. Awesome novel, interesting philosophy and a chalenge.

It's about this plague that breaks out and starts getting everyone sick. They turn into vampires basically but the lead character is immune. Basically it's about his isolation and his dealing everyday with what's going on. It's brilliant.

....and yes, it was a big influence on George Romero making Night of the Living Dead.

For a "visual" reference, the Vincent Price movie "Last Man on Earth" is a bit more "true" to the book from the way DK describes it. I kinda commented on it last month when I said it's a really depressing movie to sit through. That doesn't mean it's bad, but very effective. This guy is all by himself, having to clean up streets of bodies that can turn into these things, and hunting down vampire/zombie creatures before they can get him after the sun sets.

Invisible Man is good stuff.

I'm a sucker for the Harry Potter franchise.

Sideways was a hilarious book.

I also really enjoyed Mick Foley's autobiographies and the Ric Flair book.

That's because "THe Last Man on Earth" is based on the book.

I know that, Choate, but it influenced other movies too. I'm just saying "it's more true to the book."

Alright, just checking. And I'd agree. Also "The Omega Man", though not to the same extent.

Yep, that's another movie based on I am Legend.........

Scrooge, good reference for The Last Man on Earth...............Price is genius in that role and the movie fucking rocks.

Yeah...Heston, not so much a genius, but it's still a good movie.

The Princess Bride by William Goldman. 100000 times funnier than the movie

I've never actually read the book. You'd recommend it, then?

I liked reading them Indian in the Cupboard books when I was in elementary school.

One of the funniest books I've ever read. I laughed out loud in Study Hall when I read it the first time. I spent the rest of the time convincing people it was actually that funny