Stray sounds pretty on the money -- I think it might be "Anthem" as well.
As for other Ayn Rand books that you might like, I really enjoyed
The Fountainhead. I'm not sure what you're into, Dave, but a few suggestions that I have go as follows:
For some really awesome classic lit:
Edgar Huntly: Or, Memoirs of a Sleepwalker by Charles Brockden Brown. I really enjoyed the shit out of this book. Just because it was written in 1799 doesn't mean that it doesn't have its share of violence or action -- in fact, Brown was pretty well known for his ability to bring about some pretty cool fight scenes and some rather harrowing descriptions of violence. There are some nifty plot-twists too that might make it interesting. The book revolves around one man's journey to discover the clues behind a friend's murder, and he ends up delving much deeper into the situation than he thinks.
1919, by John Dos Passos. Personally, I love Dos Passos -- he's an author whose penchant for writing in a modernist mindset doesn't actually make me want to punch myself in the dick. This book is the first of a three-book trilogy (The U.S.A. Trilogy) following the lives of several different characters trying to make their living in the United States. It deals with a lot of socialist issues and focuses heavily on the economical situations of the characters.
Brave New World and
Island by Aldous Huxley. You may have already read these, but they're always worth reading -- they deal with a similar theme as "Anthem," describing the struggle of one character in particular against a dystopian society in which he had been inadvertently thrust.
Fantasy and Science Fiction:
The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher span ten books (starting with
Storm Front, Fool Moon, and Grave Peril) chronicling the adventures of Chicago-based wizard and private investigator Harry Dresden. If you want some pulpy, fun action involving magic, supernatural creatures, and a lot of witty one-liners, this is a great series to pick up! Just don't expect amazing literature.
The Coldfire Trilolgy, by C.S. Friedman. This series of books starts with
Black Sun Rising, goes on to
When True Night Falls, and then
Crown of Shadows. These are a pretty philosophical journey into a post-apocalyptic human society that fled from Earth to a living, breathing plane. It follows the theme of a lot of post-apocalyptic stories, in that technology has been set back hundreds of years, and ushers in a pretty good setting for sword and sorcery. The material is heavy, violent, and thought-provoking, and introduces a rather bloodthirsty anti-hero that you can't quite get enough of. The system of magic by which the world is bound is pretty fascinating, too. I can't say enough about these books.
World War Z by Max Brooks. If I taught a modern literature class, this book would no doubt be included in some of the reading. If you don't think a book about a world-wide zombie invasion can be educational, brilliantly written, and frighteningly realistic, think again. Max Brooks touches upon so many modern world issues, alludes to so many universal problems, and does so with painstaking accuracy. This book is truly representative of the time in which it was written -- a great book to study modern historical implications! The Zombie Wars are just a great setting to produce such a strong and chilling commentary upon. I
heavily suggest this.
Historical and Bibliographical and Whatever Else!
John Adams by David McCullough is a pretty thick biography that follows the life of the second American president. Pretty basic biographical stuff, but it read better than most biographies, and also has a companion piece,
1776, which follows the battles of George Washington during the first year of the Revolutionary War.
The Federalist Papers are always great to read to get inspired (or intimidated) by the awe-inspiring complexity of government. I suggest
Liberty's Blueprints by Michael Meyerson as a companion piece. It can really help launch you through some of the deeper meanings hidden in the essays.
Good reading, Dave! I hope something in there sparks your interest!
