The Next Best Book Club discussion

Im really interested in John Irving books... I have heard a lot of good things about them. I was just wondering if anyone has any suggestions for which of his books to read first??

The first John Irving book I ever read was The World According to Garp. My favorite--and I haven't read all his books--is A Prayer for Owen Meany. His style is very dense and sometimes bizarre, but he's well worth reading.

My favorite is also a Prayer for Owen Meany, which was the first book of his I read. A close second (so far) is The Cider House Rules. I would probably recommend starting with Cider House because I think it's just a tad more accessible. Last Night in Twisted River was also great. I did enjoy Garp, but not as much as the three mentioned above.

Aweso thanks. He just has so many books and they all sound interesting abd I don't know where to star. You've both been very helpful!

I loved A Prayer for Owen Meany. I'd start there.
The Cider Hoyse Rules is excellent as well. I enjoyed A Widow for One Year. A Son of the Circus is probably for "fans" only as it is a very convoluted story. I like all his novels, but I'm a big fan of his writing.

Another suggestion that you choose A Prayer for Owen Meany. It's my favorite Irving so far.

THe only Irving I've read so far is Last Night in Twisted River. And I really liked it. I do own about 5 of his other novels, just havent read them yet.

I've read A Prayer for Owen Meany, The World According to Garp and The Hotel New Hampshire. They are all very entertaining and well-written, but maybe Prayer for O. M. is the most touching story.

A Widow for One Year is awesome and my favorite Irving for sure. I highly recommend it!

Kimberly wrote: "A Widow for One Year is awesome and my favorite Irving for sure. I highly recommend it!"

I got that one waiting for me on my shelf. I've seen the movie adaption - which I've heard only covers a small part of the book - and I really liked it! I'm just waiting to forget more details from the movie before I read the book :-)