Can you suggest me any book?

[PartigianoJohnny]

Hi I'm an italian student.
I have been trying to improve my english vocabulary since I finished the high-school by listening to the radio and watching movies in english... but now I would like to continue my "work" by reading some books so as I will be able to write in addiction to speak.
Can you suggest me any books? (if they're interesting it's better )
thanks

[Anglika]

What are you interested in? What kind of books do you read in Italian?

[PartigianoJohnny]

I'm interested in almost everything :)
Just as an example a friend of mine wanted to learn italian so I gave her a book "simple" by a side but also well written...
I'd like to read the classics directly in the original language but I don't know if I'm able to at this moment...
In the end I don't know if I'm helpful to you by saying that I like everything that's well written.

PS
just don't suggest me jane austen... I beg you! I hate her! maybe for english people her works are masterpieces but I cannot absolutely agree

[Anglika]

You say you like anything - but I am not sure this is quite the case. Do you prefer your books to have lots of action, lots of talk, or lots of fact? Are you interested in reading mysteries? Science fiction? Or is your prime interest the quality and technique of writing?

For good story-telling: Somerset Maugham, Ernest Hemingway, Graham Greene, Ian Rankin, John Steinbeck, Stephen King, M.R. James.

For fine writing: Virginia Woolf, James Joyce, J.L. Carr.

See what other people think.

[PartigianoJohnny]

it's true what you said... but it's very hard for me to choose one favourite kind of stories... even looking at my bookshelf it's hard to figure out an answer, I don't know neither how to classify Bulgakov's Master and Margarita!?!
However thanks! I think I will start with hemingway... a nobel prize should be a good choice!
bye