Books? Boy I wish I had more time to read books. But, now that I'm going to start school next week, I'll probably have a big list of textbooks.
However, I have read COC and some pamphlets plus tons of stuff on the 'Net. I tired of it VERY quickly. Plus, I don't know if you've experienced this, Simon, but starting a site about the JW experience had me up to my ears in JW info and storied in about a month. I have ISoCF but have never finished it because.. well because I'm not searching for Christian Freedom.
I have recently discovered Anne Rice (this year) as well, and I've enjoyed myself. Her books are very hit and miss, but keep going, because when she hits, she hits it out of the park (simon: borrow them when Angharad is done with them). My fave so far is Queen of the Damned, which hollywood is presently goring as we speak. Actually I hope it is good. Iw/aV was actually a very book adapation. Compared to most. That's because Anne Rice wrote it, I believe. I actually liked her movie ending better in a way. I think she must have thought after publishing the book, "Hey, you know what I should have had happen?" and then she was fortunate enough to get to make a movie.
Anyway, I like Stephen King and Anne Rice. I also do like Ann Rule, but I think I'm over my true crime phase.. have been for years. I just need an injection every now and then. I'm a recovering true-crime-aholic.
I've finally started branching out (within the last few years) into other sorts of fiction and non-fiction. I've started reading best sellers (not romance or anything like that, however. I tried but I couldn't get through it) as well as critically acclaimed things, and I admit, I do choose some books based on how much I like the cover :I.
I LOVE Jane Hamilton and recommend her to everyone. I ventured out into the non-horror genre with Oprah. Her recommendations are also hit and miss. I have a critical mind when it comes to books, but I always (with the exception of that romance novel) finish it anyway. Even if the book is lame, I enjoy it to an extent. But, for instance, I did not enjoy _The Deep End of the Ocean_ (wonderfully written, but I could not empathize with the mother; I hated her) or _She's Come Undone_ (I just thought it was generally stupid--a cheap imitation of a current writing style). I loved Angela's Ashes and Tis, as well as Memoirs of a Geisha. I've also been reading some classics that I haven't read since high school. Mainly short ones so I can fit them into an evening after the kids go to bed and before I do, like all of JD Salinger's books and Lord of the Flies and such.
I have a few books I want to read before thursday, but it doesn't look like it's going to happen :(.