Book Recommendations

[Numbers]

Anybody care to recommend some good books to read, preferably fantasy? I'm all out of stuff to read, and I'm looking for a new series to pick up.

[Ebondale]

Ender's Game.

[Numbers]

Read Ender's a long time ago. Reread the first one a few times, too.

What's that series with that Drizzdt fellow? I've never read it. Good books? And how many of them are there? I generally don't like series that go on forever.

[Gan]

Anything by: (Fantasy)

David Eddings
the belgariad series
the malloreon series
the ellinium series
the tamuli series
the redemption of althalus


Raymond Feist
Fairie Tale (single book, great read)
the riftwar saga
the serpentwar saga


Terry Brooks
Shannara series (13 books total to date)
magical kingdom of landover series (5 books)
the world and the void trilogy (3 books)

Stephen R. Donaldson
chronicles of thomas convenant
2nd chronicles of thomas covenant
final chronicles of thomas covenant


George R. R. Martin
Fevre Dream (vampire story)
A song of ice and fire series (4 of 6 are out, last 2 are forthcoming)

To name a few.
I also picked up Eragon and Eldest by Christopher Paolini and its suprisingly good for a first time author.

Edit: Expounded a little on the list.

Robert Asprin
Myth Adventures (great humor)

Roger Zelazny
Amber Series

Elizabeth Hayden
Rhapsody series

Michael Moorecock
Eternal Champion series
specifically Elric of Melborne and the 2 demon swords (mournblade/stormbringer)

Modesitt
Order/Chaos series

I read Jordan and Goodkind. Both decided to lose the focus of the plot when trying to extend the series over so long a period of time with the same bloody characters. Boredom ensued, so I've quit the series.

Piers Anthony and the Xanth series was good until it too became repetitive.



[Edited on 1-10-2006 by Ganalon]

[radamanthys]

Ahh, The Riftwar Saga, by Raymond Feist. Magician: Apprentice is the first book in that there series. It's a right good one, that.

Enjoying the Wheel of Time at the moment, but I'm quite sure Jordan is starting to drag it a bit.

some of the kids books are good, as well. Hell, The Hobbit was originally a children's book. Black Cauldron, High King... etc. Can't remember anything else about them, but it's a relatively short and fun series to read.

Ender's Game was quite good.

And Eragon was enjoyable, too. Gotta pick up the second book when it comes out in paperback. I think it's called eldest.

[Mistomeer]

Don't read fantasy.
Irving is good. Klosterman is fun reading.

[Sylvan Dreams]

R A Salvatore is the author of the Drizzt books

[Praefection]

The first six (I think) Drizzt books are really good and then I personally think they start going downhill. I'd recommend them though since I enjoyed them quite a bit.


The author escapes me right now but he did A Game of Thrones and I believe there are three books in the series right now and it's excellent.

[Drew2]

I don't know about you, but I personally enjoy REAL fantasy books. The ones that have magic and fights and stuff all over the place. Not the boring shit that drags on and has like stupid sword clashing battles like LOTR. I want stuff to EXPLDOE.

That said, I did enjoy Wheel of Time (up until the last like 2 most recent books). LOTS of good magical and artifact-ish stuff in there.

Haven't read them for a long time, but there were like 3 or so books by Tamora Pierce that I really liked. The Immortals series, I think it was called.

The Xanth series by Antony Pierce is always awesome to read. You've probably read it though.

I have a book called The Dragonlance Chronicles that's pretty awesome. It's a compilation of 3 of the books I think... that's where Tazelhoff (sp?) and them come from. Based on D&D shit. Again, very common, and you may have read them.

That's all I can think of right now.

[Edited on 1-10-2006 by Tayre]

[Tsa`ah]

I think Jordan has surpassed the acceptable amount of literary foreplay at this point, but I still look forward to the series lasting more than a few more books.

I'd suggest Angus Wells, despite the poor choice in pen names (I hope it's a pen name). The stories don't suck you at page 1, but once they get going, they're hard to put down.

God Wars is probably the best of his series right now. Kingdoms and the Exile's series aren't bad either.

As always, read only 1 book by Piers Anthony ... the rest are the same story with slightly altered settings and horrid names.

[Adhara]

Gardens of the Moon, Steven Erikson (first of a series, 5 published so far)

A Game of Thrones, George R. R. Martin (first of a series, 4 published so far)

Assassin's Apprentice, Robin Hobb (first of a trilogy, all three and sequel trilogy published)

Sword in the Storm, David Gemmel (first of a series, all 4 published. Lots of other trilogies published too. Try 'Legend' for a standalone read.)

All superior quality fantasy in my opinion. Enjoy!

[Stunseed]

< Anything by: (Fantasy)

David Eddings
Raymond Feist
Terry Brooks
Stephen R. Donaldson
George R. R. Martin >

Ganalon's list is pretty well a great start up list. Feist with the Belgariad ( sp ), and Eddings world of Midkemia ( sp, it's been years since ) is astounding. I'll contribute to the by adding Ed Greenwood, and Mercedes Lackey.

[Axhinde]

The Darkness that Comes Before - best fantasy book I've read in a long, long while.

[Wezas]

I've only read two books in the past 5 or so years. I'd recommend them both, but only one is fiction.

Blue Nowhere by Jeffrey Deaver.


In this 21st century version of the "Gunfight at the O.K. Corral," two computer wizards engage in the kind of high-tech combat that only a hacker could love. Wyatt Gillette, a cybergenius who's never used his phenomenal talent for evil, is sitting in a California jail doing time for a few harmless computer capers when he gets a temporary reprieve--a chance to help the Computer Crimes Unit of the state police nail a cracker (a criminally inclined hacker) called Phate who's using his ingenious program, Trapdoor, to lure innocent victims to their death by infiltrating their computers.

The other book is more of a strategy/documentary book called "Word Freak"

[Sean of the Thread]

Fantasy:

The Bible

Sci-fi:
The Thrawn Triology ~Timothy Zahn SWG
Eon~ Greg Bear
Battlefield Earth wasn't bad at all despite being written by Hubbard.

Humor:
Dianetics

[Tromp]

Originally posted by Xyelin

Battlefield Earth wasn't bad at all despite being written by Hubbard.

Humor:
Dianetics

Both will burn your pupils and make you wear white button ups with tan slacks then sell all your assets and move to Clearwater to run around from class to class in order to eventually board some stupid boat where the officially brain wash you into dedicating your life to some Tom Cruise and John Trivolta.

Do not read or waste your $ unless you are under direct supervision by your financial advisor.

[Sean of the Thread]

Originally posted by Tromp

Originally posted by Xyelin

Battlefield Earth wasn't bad at all despite being written by Hubbard.

Humor:
Dianetics

Both will burn your pupils and make you wear white button ups with tan slacks then sell all your assets and move to Clearwater to run around from class to class in order to eventually board some stupid boat where the officially brain wash you into dedicating your life to some Tom Cruise and John Trivolta.

Do not read or waste your $ unless you are under direct supervision by your financial advisor.

Why do you think I live in Clearwater?


Seriously BFearth wasn't bad.

[Tromp]

I hear the Sciento's are taking over Ocala too. Is that the real reason yer moving?

Well I heard the BFearth "the movie" was so bad it caused spontaneos sharts in the movie theaters nation wide.

Cards Friday night beeyatchhh!

[nocturnix]

It's not fantasy but I just finished reading The Kite Runner.

Very good.

I'm now reading Michael Crichton's latest: State of Fear, pretty good so far.

[Sean of the Thread]

Originally posted by Tromp
I hear the Sciento's are taking over Ocala too. Is that the real reason yer moving?

Well I heard the BFearth "the movie" was so bad it caused spontaneos sharts in the movie theaters nation wide.

Cards Friday night beeyatchhh!

Are they really taking over Ocala? I hadn't heard that.. not sure the neck's would be too kind to them. Ocala is an option because my brother owns a couple bars there. FREE BEER.

[Ebondale]

Originally posted by 3704558
Read Ender's a long time ago. Reread the first one a few times, too.

What's that series with that Drizzdt fellow? I've never read it. Good books? And how many of them are there? I generally don't like series that go on forever.

That is actually several book series that follow the life of Drizzt Do'Urden (A drow ranger) and his companions.

They're excellent books. R.A. Salvatore is a very accomplished author for both Forgotten Realms and Star Wars.

The first book to read (in which Drizzt is born) is called Homeland. I'm not sure exactly how many books there are now, but I'm sure there are at least twenty of them.

Worth the read, though. Fantastic novels.

[Edaarin]

Jordan has said that the 12th book will be the last, even if it is mammoth.

I can't imagine him settling everything in less than 2500 pages.

[Numbers]

Awesome, thanks for the suggestions! I'll definitely be hitting up the library hard in the coming weeks.

[Wezas]

http://mininova.org

Audiobooks/Ebooks FTW.

[DeV]

An old school audiobook favorite of mine is Stephen King's The Mist in 3-D sound. It's a horror and fantasy mixed short story.

[Ebondale]

OMFG DeV I loved that Audio Tape. All the creepy noises you heard and stuff. Also it was really realistic, like you could hear people walking on broken glass and whatnot.

+1 million cool points for DeV. :D

[Trinitis]

If you found yourself enjoying the Drizzt stuff, I highly reccomend the Clerics Quintet. I personally feel it is R.A's best work. 5 Books long, easy to get into, and I bet you'll read them more then once. :)

Another good set by R.A. is the Demon Wars Saga. Another great read, with a big twist on magic in the series. I really enjoyed it for a fresh, different look at magic and religion in a fantasy setting.

[Tromp]

Originally posted by Xyelin

Originally posted by Tromp
I hear the Sciento's are taking over Ocala too. Is that the real reason yer moving?

Well I heard the BFearth "the movie" was so bad it caused spontaneos sharts in the movie theaters nation wide.

Cards Friday night beeyatchhh!

Are they really taking over Ocala? I hadn't heard that.. not sure the neck's would be too kind to them. Ocala is an option because my brother owns a couple bars there. FREE BEER.

Kidding about the Scientivo's taking over Ocala but I wouldn't put it past them.

Hey free beer is good plus I hear the wheelchair population their is booming. Time to invest in those plastic cars seat mang.

On topic I had no new reading material and so I read my wife's book by Laurell Hamilton about Merry Gentry etc. interesting Sci Fi to say the least.

[DeV]

Originally posted by Ebondale
All the creepy noises you heard and stuff. Also it was really realistic, like you could hear people walking on broken glass and whatnot.
Hell yeah. The realism is one of my favorite aspects of the short story brought to life. Stephen King is one twisted dude who has a serious way with words.

[Sean of the Thread]

Recommendation for Tromp: Poker 4 Noobz.

[Tromp]

recommendation for xyelin: My Left Foot

[Skeeter]

Originally posted by Tromp
recommendation for xyelin: My Left Foot

That is fucking hilarious.



Back on topic.

All you need to do is read one Terry Brooks book. He just recycles the same story over and over. He's possible the worst professional author I've ever read.

[Drew2]

Haha nevermind. I just googled it and apparently I'm a book behind. I didn't realize it came out in October.

Does Knife of Dreams drag as much as Crossroads of Twilight? I think I skipped a LOT of pages in that one. I hate boring shit.

[Edited on 1-10-2006 by Tayre]

[Numbers]

Knife of Dreams was a lot better than Crossroad or Winter's Heart. Still not nearly as good as the first three in the series, though. Some stuff actually happens in Knife. Not a lot of stuff, but some stuff.

[Drew2]

Good, because the end of Crossroads had me like "wtf that sucked".

[Daniel]

At one point you said you were a senator, if so (and if not) read the Pentagon's new map by Thomas Barnett.

[Warriorbird]

I reccommend the Douglas Preston/Lincoln Child stuff, starting with Relic/Reliquary.

[Daniel]

Also, R.a Salvatore-anything but especially demon wars or the sword of bedwyr series.

<--trying to read all the forgotton realms books right now.

[Back]

Michael Moorcock, any series. Elric of Melniboné, The Dancers at the End of Time, Count Brass, Corum... all his books are really novellas, but very entertaining easy reading multiverse/fantasy stuff.

Oh yeah, Orwell’s 1984 and Animal Farm.

Frank Herbert’s Dune series. (Though I only read the first two)

[Edited on 1-11-2006 by Backlash]

[Drew2]

Originally posted by Backlash
Oh yeah, Orwell’s 1984 and Animal Farm.


Not only did everyone probably read those in High School, I don't see why anyone would want to read them voluntarily.

They're hardly Sci-Fi nor Fantasy. They're hypothetical political bullshit with a thin veil of fiction; hardly qualifying as an "entertaining read".

[Back]

Originally posted by Tayre

Originally posted by Backlash
Oh yeah, Orwell’s 1984 and Animal Farm.


Not only did everyone probably read those in High School, I don't see why anyone would want to read them voluntarily.

They're hardly Sci-Fi nor Fantasy. They're hypothetical political bullshit with a thin veil of fiction; hardly qualifying as an "entertaining read".

You would probably like Moorcock.

[Drew2]

Yes, but we're discussing books here. Stay on topic.

[Warriorbird]

For more modern set fantasy, I like Sean Stewart and Elizabeth Hand's work.

[Praefection]

Oh that's right, Laurell Hamilton has two series in the works now although their aimed more towards the ladies. One with vampires/werewolves and shit and the other with faeries. First few books of each were great and then it turned more into a group cluster fuck than anything with a plot.

Preston/Lincoln Child, amazing. Even their seperate books that I bought alone were devored in a night. I seriously hate being a fast reader because I can never keep up with the stuff I buy.

[Ebondale]

I can't stand Laurell K. Hamilton. Her books started out okay but just became retarded porno. Anne Rice FTW.

[Alfster]

Hell's Angels, best book ever.

Granted, I've read three, maybe four books total outside of school.

[Praefection]

Early Anne Rice kicked ass. More recent stuff within the past 10 or so years has been mediocre at best. Her wrap up to the Vampire Cronicles left a bad taste in my mouth and I wished I'd never read it.


I'm pulling another blank on author but whoever wrote Swan Song. Pick it up! One of the best I've ever read and I read a lot.

[Vesi]

Originally posted by Praefection

I'm pulling another blank on author but whoever wrote Swan Song. Pick it up! One of the best I've ever read and I read a lot.

Robert McCammon. He also wrote Boy's Life and he's done some horror. Speaking of horror, H. P. Lovecraft.

Vesi

[Skirmisher]

The Deed of Paksenarrion by Elizabeth Moon is one of my all time favorites.

[Warriorbird]

I recommend both American Gods and Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman. I like S.M. Stirling's alternate reality stuff, though I don't really dig on his medieval fantasy. I also recommend Tim Powers, particularly Last Call.

[Ebondale]

Originally posted by Praefection
Early Anne Rice kicked ass. More recent stuff within the past 10 or so years has been mediocre at best. Her wrap up to the Vampire Cronicles left a bad taste in my mouth and I wished I'd never read it.


I'm pulling another blank on author but whoever wrote Swan Song. Pick it up! One of the best I've ever read and I read a lot.

Agreed.

They're still better novels than Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series.

[Jennaen]

I just finished Anne Rice's The Mummy, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I'd definitely recommend it.

I'm currently reading the 11th book in Jordan's Wheel of Time series, and enjoying it, though I kinda feel like I should go back and read them all again to really have all the storylines in my head properly for this one.

[Skeeter]

Anne Rice was good until she lost her way. The Vampire Armand was disgusting and disturbing. If I want to read a bunch of gay porn, I'll borrow Tayre's library

[The Ponzzz]

Guardian of the Flames series by Joel Rosenberg. I <3 it

[Skirmisher]

Originally posted by Jennaen
I'm currently reading the 11th book in Jordan's Wheel of Time series, and enjoying it, though I kinda feel like I should go back and read them all again to really have all the storylines in my head properly for this one.

Yes, the most recent book in the WOT series was the best in at least the last three maybe four books. I'm hoping he keeps on getting his pace back and can come close to the first three or four books as we bring the series to a close.

[The Ponzzz]

I get to the 4th book every time in that series and feel like I'm reading the 3rd and just say FUCK IT!

[Drew2]

Originally posted by Skirmisher
Yes, the most recent book in the WOT series was the best in at least the last three maybe four books. I'm hoping he keeps on getting his pace back and can come close to the first three or four books as we bring the series to a close.


It's been stated the next book is the last.

[Silvanostar]

Originally posted by radamanthys
some of the kids books are good, as well. Hell, The Hobbit was originally a children's book. Black Cauldron, High King... etc. Can't remember anything else about them, but it's a relatively short and fun series to read.


the books in the prydain chronicles were what got me hooked on the fantasy genre.

also the stephen king fantasy books are pretty good as well, especially his Dark Tower series.

[Skirmisher]

Originally posted by Tayre

It's been stated the next book is the last.

Oy, was it your post saying something about it having to be a monstrously large book to cover all the storylines he's got going?

Well then I agree entirely.

I will be amazed if he can pull it off and would much rather he make it two more solid books than try to squish everything into one.

Ah well...we'll see.

[Landrion]

Originally posted by Backlash
Michael Moorcock, any series. Elric of Melniboné, The Dancers at the End of Time, Count Brass, Corum... all his books are really novellas, but very entertaining easy reading multiverse/fantasy stuff.

Oh yeah, Orwell’s 1984 and Animal Farm.

Frank Herbert’s Dune series. (Though I only read the first two)

[Edited on 1-11-2006 by Backlash]

That advice about the Dune series is very important. Stop after either Dune Messiah or Children of Dune. The series goes wrong by God Emperor of Dune and totally in the shitter by Chapterhouse Dune.

Im not up on the prequel stuff thats been written though.

[Daniel]

Originally posted by Silvanostar

Originally posted by radamanthys
some of the kids books are good, as well. Hell, The Hobbit was originally a children's book. Black Cauldron, High King... etc. Can't remember anything else about them, but it's a relatively short and fun series to read.


the books in the prydain chronicles were what got me hooked on the fantasy genre.



Same

[Back]

Gibson. Neuromancer. Future fantasy then. Coming close to present.

[Slider]

Mercedes Lackey has several extremely good series out, I would greatly suggest either starting with her Vows and Honor trilogy, or the Last Herald-Mage trilogy. Excellent books all around.

Another great read, although a tad on the Machiavelan side, would be Roger Zelazny's Chronicles of Amber books.

For sheer entertainment, and hilarity, try Esther Friesner's books, including Chicks in Chainmail, Did You Say Chicks, Chicks and Chained Males, The Chick is in the Mail, and most recently Turn the Other Chick. Worth reading just for the introductions alone, not to mention some very good short stories by some veery well known authors. Oh, and yes this is definatly tongue-in-cheek humor.

Take a look here

http://www.baen.com/chapters/W200204/0671578146.htm?blurb

[Edited on 1-14-2006 by Slider]

[Numbers]

Originally posted by Silvanostar

also the stephen king fantasy books are pretty good as well, especially his Dark Tower series.

Oy. The first couple of books of Dark Tower were excellent. It went so completely downhill after Wizard and Glass, though. W&G was brutal getting through, Wolves of the Calla had me wondering what King was smoking (Doctor Doom with a lightsaber throwing Harry Potter snithces around?), but the final straw was when King actually wrote HIMSELF into the story and made the fate of the universe rest on his survival.

And don't even get me started on the ending to the series. Perhaps the biggest deus ex machina I've ever encountered in a book, and an ultimate ending that made me feel completely ripped off. I literally threw the book across the room in disgust.

[Warriorbird]

I didn't like 5 and 6 much. I thought King redeemed himself with 7 though.

[Tromp]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/055306908X/sr=1-3/qid=1137520508/ref=pd_bbs_3/104-8026286-5767123?%5Fencoding=UTF8

For all you Chuck Norris fans out there.

I saw this in Borders yesterday and almost choked on my coffee.

[xtc]

Originally posted by Tromp
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/055306908X/sr=1-3/qid=1137520508/ref=pd_bbs_3/104-8026286-5767123?%5Fencoding=UTF8

For all you Chuck Norris fans out there.

I saw this in Borders yesterday and almost choked on my coffee.

What is it, a book on toupees?

[GSLeloo]

Ok.. for comedy/fantasty I love Tanya Huff. Her stuff is so good and yet hilarious at the same time. My favorite is Summon the Keeper, with the funniest talking cat and voice of hell ever.

If you like dragons, human/unicorns, and dinosaurs.. I'd try any of the Anne McCaffrey series. The Pern series is a moving and very well written series about Dragon riders.

Finally if the length doesn't scare you.. Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series... amazing. It is perfect for either sex and honestly just a work of art. I hated the entire first book but when I was done with it I loved it and read the entire massive series in one month over the summer.

[Ylena]

A big Ditto on the recommendation of Neil Gaiman's American Gods. An absolutely terrific read.

Another big ditto on literally throwing Dark Tower Vol 7 across the room. I did, too. Book One is still a terrific achievement, if only for the first line - The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed.

It's not fantasy, but I'd highly recommend The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson. It's a look at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893, and kind of alternates chapters between the architect responsible for the Fair construction and a homicidal maniac who was murdering women in a hotel that he'd built close to the fairgrounds. The stories are factual, but it's far from a dry boring read. Very interesting and compelling, lots of people and products you'll recognize. If you have even a glimmer of interest in history or Chicago, you'll love it.

[Valthissa]

I meant to post a while back but I got busy. Lots of good reading advice in this thread. You may want to sample some of the fantasy series from the past and see how fantasy developed from the early days to more modern novels. These will probably seem hopelessly simple compared to where the genre is today, but most of them are a quick read.

some of my favorites from my early teens:

Lin Carter Callisto
Edgar Rice Burroughs Barsoom
L. Sprague DeCamp The Enchanter
Fritz Leiber Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser
Michael Moorcock Elric

C/Valth

[Hakonne]

Anything by Heinlein: Specifically Starship Troopers and any of the stories with Lazarus Long. Also Stranger in a Strange Land. A great many of the Star Wars books that are after the movies did a great job of keeping the world alive in your mind's eye.

For sci-fi comedy Phule's Company is decent, and don't forget Harry Harrison's Stainless Steel Rat books (very funny).

Dark Sci-Fi: Many of the Warhammer 40K books are excellent.

High Fantasy: Ray Feist, and Feist and Janny Wurts' books get my vote, along with Eddings' Belgariad and Malloreon series. Jordan's Wheel of Time books are good up to a point. I stopped reading them myself before the last book came out, since nothing really happens anymore. Ursula Leguin's Earthsea books are a good read, though I missed the Sci-Fi Channel mini-series.

Dark Fantasy: Anything by Zelazny, including the Amber series and especially Dilvish, the Damned (man survives Hell and returns seeking vengeance). American Gods by Neil Gaman may fit more in this category than any other. I recommend it as exemplary of Neil's sense of humor. Also most of Terry Pratchett's novels.


Fantasy Comedy: Robert Lynn Aspirin's Mythadventures books are pretty funny.


Hak

[Warriorbird]

Speaking of Pratchet, Going Postal is suprisingly good as well as insightful.

[Numbers]

Big bump.

Running out of things to read. I'm currently working through Neil Gaiman's books, and am enjoying them a great deal. Good Omens (by Gaiman and Pratchett) was one of the funniest books I've read since Hitchiker's. I'm planning on starting the Discworld series, but there's, like, 35 books there.

I also recently finished the Name of the Wind by Rothfuss. Excellent book, highly recommended. A lot like an adult and darker Harry Potter. And apparently he's already written the entire three-book-series, so it won't be years between releases (the second one is due in March or so).

Still waiting for a Dance with Dragons from Martin. Haven't heard anything about that recently.

[Sean of the Thread]

"Reading is just for fags." Idiocracy.


Great movie.


Anyways I'm going to pick up Good Omens because of your post. It better be good bitch.

[Asha]

Anything by Nick Hornby
Especially High Fidelity. Be warned it's not set in America like in the movie which may put you off

[Skeeter]

I'm reading Freakanomics right now. Very enjoyable read.

[Kitsun]

Big bump.

Running out of things to read. I'm currently working through Neil Gaiman's books, and am enjoying them a great deal. Good Omens (by Gaiman and Pratchett) was one of the funniest books I've read since Hitchiker's. I'm planning on starting the Discworld series, but there's, like, 35 books there.

I also recently finished the Name of the Wind by Rothfuss. Excellent book, highly recommended. A lot like an adult and darker Harry Potter. And apparently he's already written the entire three-book-series, so it won't be years between releases (the second one is due in March or so).

Still waiting for a Dance with Dragons from Martin. Haven't heard anything about that recently.

I think Martin's website says something about midyear release. God only knows though. He's got a chapter posted and I couldn't resist goddamn reading it.

[Allereli]

If you've never read it before: The Godfather

[Gan]

I'm finishing up Alan Greenspan's book.

Not a light read, but very good if you're into that sort of thing.

[Arkans]

As out of left field as it may be, I am finding PiHKAL to be an awesome read.

- Arkans

[Asha]

Holee shit, hey Arkans!

[Arkans]

Good things never die. What's up?

:-P

- Arkans

[Drisco]

If you like romantic/fantasy books then this one is really good.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer was a good book. I would recommend it to more girls then guys. It was on the young adult chapter books on the New York Times bestseller list for 11 weeks. The sequel was on for more than 28 weeks. So says wiki..

It was a really good book, if I was a women I think I would like it more. I didn't think it was to childish although it had its, yah my 15-17 year old would do something like that.

So I would pick it up for yourself or maybe your kid +14.


And I have to throw in even though it is not a fantasy or anything like it. jPod was one of the funniest books I've read. So funny they made a tv show out of it. READ IT!

[Alfster]

As out of left field as it may be, I am finding PiHKAL to be an awesome read.

- Arkans




Meh, not very left field.




















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http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b236/Japgross/akgirl.jpg














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......how's Desse?


rofl

[Arkans]

I love that picture. The purple brings out my cute eyes and lovely smile. If I wasn't at work, I'd probably masturbate to it furiously right now.

Who the hell is Desse, though?

- Arkans

[radamanthys]

MC PeePants?

[BigWorm]

I just realized that Ash's avatar represents the Sean2/Desse incident.

To paraphrase, Desse(demona) is the girl in the wheelchair in Ash's avatar. Sean2 is the blond kid bribing her to give him a golden shower.

Seriously.

[Stanley Burrell]

Good things never die. What's up?

:-P

- Arkans

God.

Fuck.

Awesome.

.

Still doing GS portraits? :D:D:D

[Gnomad]

Since I haven't seen it mentioned here yet, on the fantasy angle, you should definitely check out Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, but it's not adventure fantasy.

[Drisco]

Big bump.



I also recently finished the Name of the Wind by Rothfuss. Excellent book, highly recommended. A lot like an adult and darker Harry Potter. And apparently he's already written the entire three-book-series, so it won't be years between releases (the second one is due in March or so).


Loved it! I haven't been reading in awhile and when you compared it to Harry Potter I went out and picked it up while I was in town.

One of the best books I have read in awhile. I like how the angle of the story was told, it lacked a little magic in times. I always kept asking myself why don't you just use your magic here? It still pulled through for me though. A good read and can't wait till the next book comes out. I'd Rate it 8 more magic and it would of been a 9 or 10.

[Warriorbird]

The Braided Path trilogy by Chris Wooding.

[War Angel]

Just finishing the fourth and final book of the Boudica series, by Manda Scott.

Dreaming the Eagle
Dreaming the Bull
Dreaming the Hound
Dreaming the Serpent-Spear

It's been a long time since I've read a book that I was sad to come to the end of the series. The books are a mix of fact and fiction, but well written.
I wouldn't normally pick a book like this, but on a whim I grabbed it at the library, and have spent the last 3 weeks breezing through em.


Wikipedia on the real Boudica:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boudica

[Drisco]

I need another book now.. I want a book that has a good story line, and has magic in it.

Books I like are H.P, Eargon, Wheel of Time, Name of the Wind, Circle of Magic (Tamora Pierce).

As you can see all heavily surround magic but I'm picky and only like certain kinds heh. I only like magic you can learn via schooling, Magic you inherit but only if magic is common in the world. I don't like any of that we haven't seen magic before or you are the first to cast in years.

ALSO I hate books that are based in todays time (exception H.P) only swords, castles, towns, country and all that fun stuff.


Okay as you can see I am very fuckin picky. If you have a book for me it would be great!

[Seran]

LE Modesitt
Magic of Recluse
Soprano Sorceress (first in a great series)

Terry Goodkind
Wizard's First Rule (first in a series)

R A Salvatore
The Demon Awakens
Dark Elf Series (Drizzdt - Forgotten Realms)

Sherry Tepper
Books of the True Game series
The Awakeners Series

Margaret Weis
The Death Gate Cycle series
Dragonlance Chronicles (think Raistlin)

Jane Yolen (if you're a dragon lover, it'll tug at your heart)
Pit Dragon Trilogy

Christopher Rowley
Bazil Broketail series

plus many many more.

[Drisco]

Read the Drizzits series and the Raistlin books. I am going to start from top to bottom assuming they were your favourites! I will keep you posted on how I like them.

Someone might as well make a book club...


Edited: I lied I am going to start with Christopher Rowley books. Looked them all up on Amazon had the best reviews.

[Seran]

I'd recommend getting around to the Goodkind books. As so far as originality, they follow board and sword, but conceptually with their magic and the intricities of the world it is by far the best on the list.

Good luck.

[875000]

Anything by Steven Brust.

Books from his Dragaera series include:

Brokendown Palace
Jhereg
Yendi
Taltos
Teckla
Phoenix
Anthrya
Orca
Dragon
Issola
Dzur

You can also get several of the books at once, by buying:

The Book of Jhereg
The Book of Taltos

[Blud]

Terry Goodkind
Wizard's First Rule (first in a series)

Margaret Weis
The Death Gate Cycle series
Dragonlance Chronicles (think Raistlin)


I'd recommend getting around to the Goodkind books. As so far as originality, they follow board and sword, but conceptually with their magic and the intricities of the world it is by far the best on the list.

Good luck.

The Sword of Truth series was awesome the first two times I read it, but it lost it's flair for me the third time through it.

The Death Gate Cycle is by far the best fantasy series I have read. I have literally read this series 7 times in the last 12 years, and I love it more every time I read it. Get this series! Zifnab is awesome! Fuck, everybody's awesome in this series.

I have The Dragonlance Chronicles, but only read half way through the first book before life got hectic at that time. I was planning on picking it back up again.

It looks like we might have the same taste in books, so I'll look at the other books you listed. Thanks.

[Drisco]

These excellent books call for a bump.. Although not fantasy still great.


http://kenschafer.typepad.com/opinions/images/2007/12/26/gumthief1_2.jpg http://www.axis-of-aevil.net/img/2006_04/jpod-book.jpg


Two best books non fantasy I've ever read. jPod got made into a tv show. Although the book is so much funnier. The book is just awesome

Seriously pick them both up. I R SRS


jPod is good for people who like computers and video games. (Jamus Pick Up.)

Gum Thief is good for people who like to think about the way people think and other psychological stuff.

Both are very very funny and will surprise you.

Both are still great even if you don't like that stuff. I loved them.

[Allereli]

Ooh, two Douglas Coupland books I haven't read yet. thx.

[Stanley Burrell]

MC PeePants?

Hm'kay.

http://iwantcandymcpeepants.ytmnd.com/

[Drisco]

Do you live in Nova Scotia? Or NOVA = Something else?

[Daniel]

Northern Virginia

[Allereli]

I've been reading the Golden Compass books and they're actually very good

[Drisco]

You'd be cooler if it stood for Nova Scotia... Just sayin...


I've heard about the Golden Compass books but never picked them up. I am a huge Douglas Coupland fan and I am trying to read all his books. I am hoping by this time the 2nd book of Name Of The Wind comes out.

[Numbers]

Name of the Wind book 2 was delayed to April 09. =( A full year delay.

Anyone know what's up with the next R. R. Martin book?

[Hips]

Name of the Wind book 2 was delayed to April 09. =( A full year delay.

Anyone know what's up with the next R. R. Martin book?

I know that it needs to be released already, wtfz.

It's not like he died like Jordan did.

[Allereli]

You'd be cooler if it stood for Nova Scotia... Just sayin...


I've heard about the Golden Compass books but never picked them up. I am a huge Douglas Coupland fan and I am trying to read all his books. I am hoping by this time the 2nd book of Name Of The Wind comes out.

What did you think of Life After God? Shampoo Planet was a good one, too, I think, I read it a really long time ago.

[Drew2]

I read the Golden Compass books a few weeks ago. It was great. The whole series was great. I cried at the end of the last book (because I'm gay).

Speaking of gay, Lance Bass' autobiography = <3

[diethx]

Speaking of gay, Lance Bass' autobiography = <3

What did he do besides be a member of the Backstreet Boys? Seriously, what could he have filled an entire autobiography with that would actually be worth reading? Does he do a lot of charity work now, or is he involved with promoting something else meaningful like the gay rights movement? Cuz I don't see how anyone could sit back and read through an entire book about being in a boy band... except maybe a pre-teen girl.

[The Ponzzz]

N'Sync!

[diethx]

N'Sync!

Same thing.

[Tisket]

Miley Cyrus is penning an autobiography at 15. Just a heads up so y'all can rush out and preorder so you won't face the horror of not being able to get your hands on it as soon as it comes out.

What the FUCKING hell....15?!? Jesus in a jumpsuit.

[diethx]

Miley Cyrus is penning an autobiography at 15. Just a heads up so y'all can rush out and preorder so you won't face the horror of not being able to get your hands on it as soon as it comes out.

What the FUCKING hell....15?!? Jesus in a jumpsuit.

I read about that too. I realize she's this phenomenon among kids, but C'MON, live a little first so you can actually have something meaningful to write about.

[Raffles]

The Lies Of Locke Lamora & With Red Sea's Under Red Skies - Scott Lynch

Ash, A Secret History -Mary Gentle

The Black Magicain Trilogy & The Age of The Five Trilogy- Trudy Canavan

Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell - Susanna Clarke

Women of the Other World Series - Kelley Armstrong

I really enjoyed all the above books & the Scott Lynch, Mary Gentle and Susanna Clarke books are quite different to the normal fantasy take on things but great reads.

[Back]

Been re-reading Michael Moorcocks “Dancers at the End of Time” series.

Basically its about people in the far distant future who can create (or disseminate) anything at their whim. The main protagonist meets a woman from the past then travels back to Bromley England 1896 to find her.

I think there are 5 books in the series. Well, I would call them novellas really. Under 200 pages.

[Numbers]

I've been on a Neil Gaiman binge lately. I just got through American Gods, which was okay, not great. Not sure why it's so talked about. Neverwhere was great, as was Coraline and Stardust. I'm currently reading Anansi Boys, which is off to a great start.

Has anyone read the Children of Hurin book by Tolkien's grandson? I have it on my shelf, haven't gotten around to it yet, though.

[longshot]

The Lies Of Locke Lamora & With Red Sea's Under Red Skies - Scott Lynch

Ash, A Secret History -Mary Gentle

The Black Magicain Trilogy & The Age of The Five Trilogy- Trudy Canavan

Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell - Susanna Clarke

Women of the Other World Series - Kelley Armstrong

I really enjoyed all the above books & the Scott Lynch, Mary Gentle and Susanna Clarke books are quite different to the normal fantasy take on things but great reads.

Can you explain why? Just listing titles doesn't help me too much.

I don't mean this as a knock on you. I've been trying to read more lately...

[Trouble]

I just finished reading the His Dark Materials trilogy by Phillip Pullman this weekend. It's the series that spawned the movie The Golden Compass. I enjoyed it very much and was moved at times, but it was WAY different than I was expecting. I thought it would be your typical fantasy storyline about how a band of rejects saves the known world, but in addition to that, it was about challenging the fundamentals of Christianity. I'm not religious so it didn't bother me but I wonder why it hasn't been protested more actively in the US by the wackos.

Oh, and I made the mistake of watching the movie after reading the book. It was an extreme letdown, and I mean extreme.

It was a great book though, thumbs-up.

[TheEschaton]

It was protested, you just don't hear about it because those people are idiots.

[Khariz]

I just finished reading the His Dark Materials trilogy by Phillip Pullman this weekend. It's the series that spawned the movie The Golden Compass. I enjoyed it very much and was moved at times, but it was WAY different than I was expecting. I thought it would be your typical fantasy storyline about how a band of rejects saves the known world, but in addition to that, it was about challenging the fundamentals of Christianity. I'm not religious so it didn't bother me but I wonder why it hasn't been protested more actively in the US by the wackos.

Oh, and I made the mistake of watching the movie after reading the book. It was an extreme letdown, and I mean extreme.

It was a great book though, thumbs-up.

I recently read the entire trilogy as well. I actually read it AFTER the movie, but was still shocked at how horrible the movie portrayed the book. It wasn't even close. Not only did they leave assloads out (which I expect from a movie), but they changed the order of the timeline of events and all sorts of stuff. Lame.

Oh, and the trilogy ruled.

[Sean of the Thread]

DOS 5.1 FOR DUMMIES

[Numbers]

Just got finished reading through all of Tolkien's works, again. They never really get old. Children of Hurin was meh, but that was written by Tolkien's son, so I wasn't expecting much.

I also got around to reading Neuromancer, which is excellent. It's almost scary how many things he got right about the Internet and technology in general.

I'm back on my Gaiman kick right now, and just started Fragile Things. But before that I had read Vonnegut's Cat's Cradle, which was pretty good. Besides Slaughterhouse Five, which I've already read and re-read, what are Vonnegut's best works?

[Karamilla]

I'm going to Second the Vote on George R.R. Martins - Song of Fire and Ice series, I couldn't put them down & I can't wait for the 5th to come out.

[Gan]

I'm going to Second the Vote on George R.R. Martins - Song of Fire and Ice series, I couldn't put them down & I can't wait for the 5th to come out.

I just reread all the ones out in anticipation of the 5th to come out this fall. Only to find out its been postponed. :(

http://www.georgerrmartin.com/if-update.html

[Warriorbird]

I'm reading a new translation of 'We' by Yevgeny Zamyatin. If you have any streak of the libertarian ideal (and like early futurist sci fi) I definitely would suggest it.

[Skeeter]

That update was from Jan 1, Gan.

I reccomend Anthony Bordain's Kitchend Confidential if you can tear yourself away from the whole fantasy thing. (asking a lot on this board I know.)

[Gan]

That update was from Jan 1, Gan.

I reccomend Anthony Bordain's Kitchend Confidential if you can tear yourself away from the whole fantasy thing. (asking a lot on this board I know.)

However, he left it pretty open ended and there's not been one since on his page.

http://www.borders.com/online/store/TitleDetail?sku=0553801473

Looks like the release date is preliminarily December 30, 2009.


The new Paolini book, Brisingr, is due out September 20, 2008.
http://www.borders.com/online/store/TitleDetail?sku=0375826726

[Skeeter]

I agree that Martin is taking way too damn long on this book. He's crossing into Robert Jordan territory.

[Trouble]

I just finished reading The Pillars of the Earth and I really enjoyed it. It wasn't quite as moving to me as some other books I've read lately but it was really engaging and was hooked from the first page. It combines middle age history, architecture, and fiction with all the usual plot complications arising from power struggles.

I looked around for the sequel this weekend but didn't see it.

Also, does anyone else ever get a little bummed when you know you're coming to the end of a book? If it's a good book and I really bonded with the characters, I often find myself purposely slowing down as I near the ending.

[Gan]

yes :(

[AnticorRifling]

Ender's Game, that is all.

[Jorddyn]

I just read "Three Cups of Tea", which is about a guy who decided to build schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Really good book, really good cause. It actually inspired me to drop a few bucks to his charity.

[Drew2]

I bet it's already been metioned but the Twilight Saga by Stephanie Meyers is OMGWTFPWN. I loved it.

[iJin]

Hm, I personally like books that have to deal with psychological disorders. As in BPD, MD, OCD, etc etc.

Found this memoir that this Australian chick, Victoria Leatham wrote about her early days. It's good read imo. Then again, I really like psychology issues and books. The book is called Bloodletting. I've read it like 20+ times.

She needs to write more. :(

[Methais]

Penthouse.

[crb]

A Song of ice and fire by George RR Martin

[Allereli]

I've done a crapload of reading the past 2 weeks:

Fantastic: What is the What? by Dave Eggers. Novelized true story of a Sudanese refugee. omg Ashliana, he was HOMELESS :o But seriously, I don't read that fast, and I got through this 500+ page book in about three days.

Good: Queen of the Road (forgot the author's name and too lazy to search): husband convinces jappy wife to pack up all her shoes and go on a year long road trip in their converted bus. It's good fluff reading.

Okay: Next by Michael Crichton. The story was a bit unfocused for me but it was well researched about genetics, scientists "playing god," etc. The past few Crichton books I've read have been readable but not re-readable.

[Gan]

Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life by Steve Martin

Excellent quick read about how Steve got his start.

[Stanley Burrell]

1. Abbot C., Angel A., Runde D. A Survey of Mathematics with Applications. 8th edition. pp. ([0-15] 1-1037) frickin' ALL.

[Trouble]

I just finished World Without End, which is the semi-sequel to Pillars of the Earth. It was good butnot as good as Pillars IMO. WWE had more violence and more variatons on sex but I found it less enthralling and it may have hit my admittedly inferior limit on number of characters I can follow at once.

One major logic flaw I picked up on was that Follett kept mentioning corn. unless corn meant something different in the 14th century, AFIAK it didn't arrive in europe until after the conquest of the New World.

I still give it a thumbs-up though, especially if you're into 1000-page books.