[ToRPandarine]

You know, there are a great deal of fictional, sci-fi and fantasy novels that I have read that deserve better awards than those that have received them. Among them is The Newsflesh Trilogy by Mira Grant (pen name; true name is Seanan McGuire) (to be completed by this summer) and the Mortal Coils Series by Eric Nylund (third book is pending to be picked up by a publishing house; future is unsure; pattern suggest that the third book shiuld be released some time this summer as long as the previous publishing house picks it up).

To name a few that most likely people will rattle off when asked, the Harry Potter series, the Percy Jackson series, the Twilgiht series, the Vampire Diaries series and so and so forth are good reads (urgh, the last two actually do not deserve a mention, too predictable), yes. However, for me, they lack true reading substance, are sometimes quite predictable in the early chapters. Even Lord of the Rings had something that at first drew me in but after finishing it, I did not go back.

When I say substance I do not mean storyline, captivating characters et cetera et cetera. I mean the plot keeps you guessing, characters just suddenly do things totally out of character that you expect in later chapters and not now, a story within a story, the kind of substance that piques the inner you or causes you to continue reading to know what happens next. Most importantly is a plot that has so many subplots that you go back to read just to immerse yourself in its glory. Trust me, I look at the series I mentioned above and I can more or less rattle off the plots and subplots for you but the two series I mention beforehand, I will always go back to make sure I have not left a subplot untouched.

Then again, I am just a guy whose urge to read as many books as he want is stunted, rambling about books based on his limited library and is about to be hit by the harsh realities of life pretty damn soon. AND, I have yet to taste the delight of some authors have to offer me. :P

Then again, that's life isn't it? Now, DISCUSS

[Nemo]

I advice The Farseer trilogy and then Fool's Erand by Robin Hob.

[ToRPandarine]

Originally Posted by Nemo

I advice The Farseer trilogy and then Fool's Erand by Robin Hob.

hmm...will have to see if my country bookstores carry them..

Originally Posted by dippa

read everything ever written by terry pratchett and neil gaiman

the end

indeed i have heard of terry pratchett...alas, i am not one to buy one book of an established writer who has a few titles...i am the type tht needs to have ALOT of books :P never heard of neil gaiman tho... i feel chobo now

Quick Comments

N3rdy6irl:

Terry Pratchett has in excess of 60 books, that quantifies as 'a lot of books'

[TCPLemminks]

Originally Posted by ThePandarine

hmm...will have to see if my country bookstores carry them..



indeed i have heard of terry pratchett...alas, i am not one to buy one book of an established writer who has a few titles...i am the type tht needs to have ALOT of books :P never heard of neil gaiman tho... i feel chobo now

Erm Terry Pratchett has a lot of books released...
Check out the discworld series by him.

Also Twilight...good read...you better have a good reason for me not to get my pitchfork

Quick Comments

simon:

disc world! classic

[ToRPandarine]

Originally Posted by TCPLemminks

Erm Terry Pratchett has a lot of books released...
Check out the discworld series by him

which is why i am waiting for the time i have the money....and time :P

[dippa]

read everything ever written by terry pratchett and neil gaiman

the end

Quick Comments

	PiG:
	Asrathiel:	Hell yeah
	N3rdy6irl:	1000000% agree
	Cyanide:	neil gaiman

[DeNile]

Originally Posted by dippa

read everything ever written by terry pratchett and neil gaiman

the end

I love both those authors for the wit and humor so u must all read Good Omens if u haven't and if u have read it again. It the only book I have read numerous times I think I'm up to the 5th time. Everytime I find a new witt reference and literally chuckle to myself. It is co written by Neil gaimen. And terry prachett

[Maynarde]

Frank Herberts DUNE series!!



The greatest sci fi novel I have ever read.

Quick Comments

	Trusty:	You can't call yourself sci fi fan until you read this.
	JoFritzMD:	It took me one day to read all 700 pages of a Harry Potter book. 2 weeks to read Dune.
	Intoccabile19:	Dune = Win.....the original game was also awesome!!
	LennX:	Dune. Aye.
	xxGunslingerxx:	Epic, a classic up with LOTR
	Pox:	The first book or two were awesome
	ZergGirl:

[inFeZa]

i really like boobs too

...
BOOKS oh right books. yeah they're okay.

Quick Comments

	ToRPandarine:	oh...boobs and books..a pretty darn good combo;P
	NOM:	i love touching my boob..BOOKS BOOKS I MEANT BOOKS!

[Daboo]

Huh? I had no idea that dune was a book, only knew the game..will have to get this one.

[Maynarde]

Originally Posted by Daboo

Huh? I had no idea that dune was a book, only knew the game..will have to get this one.

The original trilogy was first released in the 60's and it's a really original and well written story. The movie didn't do it justice, but there was a mini-series released later that was pretty close to the original story but left a lot out still.

It has a lot of hidden messages in it, touches on ecology, racism, sex, religion and gender heirarchy issues while keeping it wrapped in an awesomely detailed sci fi universe with some sick villains. Can not recommend this series enough.

The games were also excellent Except for that 3rd person shooter abortion circa 2003 or there-abouts.

[x5_dot]

Harry Potter.

[raycey]

Magician, Silverthorn, Darkness at Sethanon by Raymond E. Feist.

Followed by (parallel storyline to Magician trilogy):
Daughter of the Empire, Servant of the Empire, Mistress of the Empire by Raymond E. Feist and Janny Wurts.

Quick Comments

	TAScarecrow:
	JoFritzMD:	Magician is one of the best fantasy books I have ever read.
	ToRDolo:	Feist is an amazing writer ^^
	Pox:

[|Erasmus|]

Originally Posted by raycey

Magician, Silverthorn, Darkness at Sethanon by Raymond E. Feist..

How I despise this series. You can really tell it was the first thing he'd written. There are entire sections of magician that are straight from lord of the rings, and it's actually pretty damn hard to tell silverthorn and darkness at sethanon apart in terms of the storyline. I feel like he matured a lot after that though, and some of his stuff is quite good. I actually think Honoured Enemy is really well done. His best book. Just my personal opinion, take it with a grain of salt.

Iain Banks writes good sci-fi, too. Player of Games and Use of Weapons are really really good. Best sci-fi i've read.

Seconding Robin Hobb and Neil Gaiman.

Quick Comments

	TAScarecrow:	Magician is a classic -.-
	breadfan:	counter neg
	x5.Revenant:	I liked the "now you have one of each comment" thingy, so here you go

[ToRFutureBoy]

Originally Posted by raycey

Magician, Silverthorn, Darkness at Sethanon by Raymond E. Feist.

Followed by (parallel storyline to Magician trilogy):
Daughter of the Empire, Servant of the Empire, Mistress of the Empire by Raymond E. Feist and Janny Wurts.

YES YES YES!

I am currently reading Rage of a Demon Prince. I am not a big reader at all, and it wasn't until my wife pointed out a book for me to read (Daughter of the Empire). I couldn't put it down.

I can also recomment the Black Jewels trilogy by Anne Bishop.

[Cute]

Originally Posted by ToRFutureBoy

YES YES YES!
I am currently reading Rage of a Demon Prince. I am not a big reader at all, and it wasn't until my wife pointed out a book for me to read (Daughter of the Empire). I couldn't put it down.

You mean Demon King right? :P

Again, probably my favourite fantasy series, they kinda dip a bit after the Conclave of Shadows saga, but as I said in my last post, the latest one was the best in like ten books imo

[iVnStinger]

Without a doubt, you should definitely try the Hunger Games. If you buy the first book, I garuntee it will get you hooked. The author is just amazing at sucking people in and making sure they don't put the book down. And don't be discouraged to by the other two books because you don't want to the same thing all over again. Each and very book has it's own atmosphere and feel to the book. Definitely try that out.

Quick Comments

Asrathiel:

Ja, just got around to the first one. Took about 2 seconds to read, but hey. Very cool.

[ToRMaverick]

I must admit I have read my share of Sci-Fi but when I do, it is to relax. I hate the sci-fi authors that go out of there way to dream up the most difficult names, places etc to pronounce. You all know what Im talking about.... fkn annoying when you have to try pronouce it in your head like 10 times cause your not sure.

Terry Goodkinds - Sword of Truth, is awsome.....easy read, great story.
Raymond Feist - Riftwar Saga, is also awsome... another easy read, great characterisation, epic world.

EDIT: Raycey, you beat me to it! Yup, Raymond Feist series is def worth a read!

Quick Comments

Baugi:

Sword of Truth by far my favorite, tv series was horrible though

[raycey]

Originally Posted by |Erasmus|

How I despise this series.

Didn't your mother ever teach you if you have nothing nice to say don't say anything at all?

No need to shit on another person's opinion with your own.

Don't be such a jeran.

Quick Comments

	breadfan:	He didn't just say "your opinion his shit" - he gave a valid reason for his opinion. He added to discussion, didn't shit on anything or anyone
	ToRSmotPokingFish:	he is not shitting on your opinion, just stating his point of view, which is the reason MOOOSE is such a boss :D
	Nemo:	Erasmus should have been more diplomatic indeed in expressing his opinion IMO
	Snx.FigJig:	^
	ToR.Arnor:	calm down

[|Erasmus|]

Originally Posted by raycey

Didn't your mother ever teach you if you have nothing nice to say don't say anything at all?

No need to shit on another person's opinion with your own.

Don't be such a jeran.

cause only getting positive reviews of something is going to be useful. No need to get so uppity about me disagreeing with your opinion of the series. I'm not judging anyone... it was still entertaining, just I think very poorly written.

Quick Comments

	TABjornbrandr:
	ToR.Arnor:	HOW DARE YOU HAVE AN OPINION

[Meatex]

if you want Hollywood action blockbuster in book form (and i mean the good ones *not looking at you snakes on a plane*)
Mathew Reilly

Quick Comments

ToRSmotPokingFish:

<3<3<3Matthew Reilly<3<3<3

[Cute]

Agreeing with the Raymond Feist. I guess I'm kinda biased as they were probably the first fantasy books I've read. Somewhat agree with Erasmus though, I find the latter books much better than the first few. Silverthorn in particular was rather painful ><

[ToR.Arnor]

Bernard Cornwell write some pretty awesome Historical Fiction Books

http://www.bernardcornwell.net/

My Favorite Series have to be

The Arthur Books (aka The Warlord Chronicles)
The Saxon Stories
The Grail Quest

The Sharpe Series and Starbuck Chronicles are also very good reads

Suzanne Collins' "The Hunger Games Trilogy" is a decent read also (not the best written series but certainly keeps the reader engaged)

[mGGDrGooSe]

Isaac Asimov. Greatest scifi writer of all time. Everybody knows the Foundation series Im sure, but the last book (completed just weeks before his death I believe) was phenomenal. His greatest work is by far The Gods Themselves (and is hilarious when taken into the context of people complaining that he never wrote about sex). But it doesnt matter whether its fact of fiction, his books are very well written and very engaging.
Others... Night Angel trilogy by Brent Weeks, still ambivalent about the current series he is writting. Good but no comparison.
The Starman and Persimius Series by Sara Douglass (sadly another author who passed before the stories were truly done).
Saga of Seven Suns by Kevin J Anderson who also writes star wars novel (I think) and Children of Dune with Dune author's son (I think).
Trinity trilogy by Fiona McIntosh.
Ofcourse, who could forget Juliett Marillier. Bridei Series is the flagship in my eyes but sevenwaters series, and well basically all of them are pretty good.
Rachel Vincent's Werecat series is very good.
Memory by Linda Negata is pretty good as well and somewhat off the beaten path.
Godspeaker sereies by karen Miller.
The Eragon series by Paolini.
And stepping away from scifi-fant... I like most of Clancy (although sometimes overated) and Geofrey Archer. Older Dale Brown stuff was ok too until it all become about the lasers and automated missiles and just too much scifi.
Dov Silverman, Tairo (and the follow ones that I cant recall the name of) are very good, set in pre-WWII through to the end of the war in Japan, following the story of a couple of generations of a family.
Then I just have a mess of single titles that I have come across in op-shops and what not (my god, every op-shop is stacked with Geofrey Archer and Tom Clancy, lol).

Yes I have a wall of books and no it isn't growing fast enough.

Quick Comments

	ToRPandarine:	you, good sir, i can relate to :D
	Nemo:	Asimov is awesome. Robots and Fondations
	breadfan:
	Asrathiel:	A well-organised wall of books when you finally let me do it! :P
	Uglymutt:	Asimov
	fur:	Don't read much SciFi but Asimov is an exception. Well worth your time.

[ROOT`iaguz]

Haven't read anything for a looooooooooong time. Too much starcraft ><.

Used to read a shitload of fantasy and occasional sci fi. Loads of Pratchett, some gaiman (can't get into it as much as you sadly Dippa), some Gemmell, Song of ice and fire (who doesn't after the bloody show) and some Neal Stephenson; ******* loved Cryptonomicon so much and I quote it often without thinking, probably more then any other book. Long life the Shaftoes!

[TAScarecrow]

David Gemmell is amazing stuff if you're into heroic fantasy. I've re-read some of his best ones 2 or 3 times. Ravenheart & Legend are both great starting points.

I don't know what Erasmus is on about. Feist's early work is great, it's the latest stuff that's terribad and lazy. Magician, the Serpent War Saga and especially the Daughter of the Empire (must read) series are amazing. He's just cashing in with another Pug and Friends save the world every now and then these days.

The Earthsea Saga by Ursula le Guin is another classic i've read multiple times. Definitely pick it up at some point

I was a big fan of Eddings growing up: Belgarath the Sorcerer, Pawn of Prophecy etc. although I'm not sure how well they've aged.

It baffles me how Terry Goodkind gets mentioned so much. He's barely a class above R.A. Salvatore in writing ability and I'm yet to finish a book of his after attempting several on recommendations.

Paolini's first two were very readable, last two declined steeply as his fame/college got to him.

In terms of scifi i'm less well read. The Forever War, The Stars My Destination (Tiger Tiger), Ender's Game, The Rediscovery of Man and Dune are all must reads though.

Quick Comments

	JoFritzMD:	I agree Magician was amazing, however with Paolini I didn't really like his first book that much, it seemed very amateur to me.
	TACeeSerps:	For being first to mention Eddings!

[simon]

i couldnt get enough of forgotten realms and R.A salvatore when i was growing up(10-15)

havent read any forgotten realms or dragonlance since then though and i assume i wouldnt like them as much now that i am a little older. those sort of books are fantastic when you are young tbh. they do so much for your imagination and arent hard to follow.

Quick Comments

Nemo:

Drizzt hwaiting !

[Asrathiel]

Originally Posted by Drgoose

Night Angel trilogy by Brent Weeks

Juliett Marillier. Bridei Series is the flagship in my eyes but sevenwaters series, and well basically all of them are pretty good.

Was coming to say those two ^_^

And also OMG READ SOME PRATCHETT!!!! Get them from the library if you don't have money to buy them right now....

Also Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series.... some people love them some people hate them Personally I think they're fun Oh and Cecelia Dart-Thornton, the Crowthistle Chronicles... her style of writing is annoying for some peope, I know, but she does have Asrathiel in the last two books of that series, and Asrathiel kicks butt

Originally Posted by Drgoose

Yes I have a wall of books and no it isn't growing fast enough.

We will have many many walls of books

Quick Comments

Nemo:

Weel of Time is one of the most romantic books I know. A legend.

[JoFritzMD]

Dune is probably at the top of my sci-fi list. It is so amazingly written, ever single word is written for a reason. However I think the sequels to Dune are very underrated and in my opinion they are the better books. They are less action oriented and have some really good ideas and thoughts written down in them.
Having said that I haven't gotten round to reading any asimov yet however he is high on my 'to read' list.
The Belgariad series was a pretty good fantasy set I've read (though i've only read the Belgariad books and none of the other series by the same author).

Quick Comments

	Nemo:	Dune the books were awesome and I played dune 2 !
	TACeeSerps:	Mallorean series from Eddings is just as good, along with Redemption of Althalus also by him

[neon]

Just to add some series I've read recently that I haven't seen mentioned-

The First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie has some very unique and colourful chareceters and I found it a very entertaining fantasy series.

also I haven't seen anyone mention "The Wheel of Time" by Robert Jordan, it's pretty classic with the final (13th ? I think) book to be released probably at the end of the year (Robert Jordan has passed away however the books are being finished by Brandon Sanderson). - edit Asrath mentioned it while I was writing this QQ.

This bring me to my next point, Brandon Sanderson has written a few books, I've read the Mistborn Trilogy which was quite unique and a good read, and also "The Way of Kings (Part 1, books 1 and 2)" was a very cool too.

[ikki]

I recommend enders game if you like starcraft very cool book.
I also recommend to those that don't know http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/ free shipping worldwide

Quick Comments

ToRPandarine:

how did i ever miss this post?

[mGGSouth]

A book thread! Here is my list of good books. Hopefully they're not too kiddy/have predictable plots :P

Fantasy - Garth Nix
The Keys to the Kingdom Series
The Old Kingdom Trilogy
The Seventh Tower Series

Fantasy - Epic Battles
Ranger's Apprentice - John Flanagan
The Inheritance Cycle - Paolini
The Temeraire Series - Naomi Novic
The Icemark Chronicles - Stuart Hill

Almost Sci-Fi Fantasy
The Secrets of The Immortal Nicholas Flamel - Michael Scott
The Gone Series - Michael Grant

Miscellaneous Fantasy
The Belgariad - David Eddings
The Spooks - Joseph Delaney
The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness - Michelle Paver
The Bartimaeus Trilogy - Jonathan Stround
The Edge Chronicles - Stewart and Riddel

Historical Fiction
Everything by Conn Iggulden
Everything by Bernard Cornwell
The Revolution Quartet - Simon Scarrow
The Masters of the Sea Trilogy - John Stack

lol a bit longer than expected :/

Quick Comments

	mGGDrGooSe:	Haha, formatting! I was far too lazy. Go you.
	Intoccabile19:	The Belgariad series was quite good. As a kid I only really read my mums books and David Eddings was one of her favourites!

[NOM]

My favourite book is
Junjou Romantica by Shungiku Nakamura.

[NvPinder]

Haven't read a novel since year 7 English. Awwwww yeah.

Quick Comments

	Dox:
	inFeZa:	i didnt even read prescribed novels in english. I just winged it

[mGGDrGooSe]

Originally Posted by TAJPMoney

Haven't read a novel since year 7 English. Awwwww yeah.

You have my pity. Please dont neg rep this guy, its not his fault he was neglected as a child.

[Asrathiel]

Originally Posted by prOxiSouth

The Old Kingdom Trilogy

Yes! Love series with cool female characters. Sabriel and Lirael rock

Originally Posted by TAJPMoney

Haven't read a novel since year 7 English. Awwwww yeah.

Aww that's so sad!

[NvPinder]

Originally Posted by Asrathiel

Aww that's so sad!

I think you're confusing sad with awesome.

Nah but seriously I'm just not interested in reading fiction. I'd far prefer to watch a tv series or movie for entertainment, and I probably read more text than the average person per day just via interaction on the interwebs. I don't think my take on the English language has suffered at all from not reading books, and I was able to wing every English class up till year 10 by just asking friends what the book was about, watching the movie if there was one, and providing answers that are just common sense. I then did English language for VCE(year 11/12) which imo had far more useful real-world applications than studying what an author was really trying to say when he said the main characters eyes were blue.

Don't get me wrong I'm not trying to put down anyone who enjoys reading books, I just don't particularly enjoy it since I have very little imagination and can't picture images in my head like most people.

[Asrathiel]

Originally Posted by Drgoose

Please dont neg rep this guy

He needs love and understanding...

[Dox]

Besides the usual morbid assassination/crime/spy novels from Alex Kava, Kathy Reichs and Barry Eisler, I've (finally!) gotten around to dusting off the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series since it's been sitting on my shelf for years. Loving it so far.

[ToR.Arnor]

Originally Posted by Dox

Besides the usual morbid assassination/crime/spy novels from Alex Kava, Kathy Reichs and Barry Eisler, I've (finally!) gotten around to dusting off the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series since it's been sitting on my shelf for years. Loving it so far.

Yup Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series is awesome highly recommend!

Terry Brooks is also awesome (no doubt someone has mentioned him by now)

The Word and the Void Series was my Favorite

Ive also read The Genesis of Shannara Series and found it extremely enjoyable as well

I havent read the Brook's other works as Im more into historical fiction and post apocalyptic fiction than fantasy, but if you're a lover of fantasy than id say check them out too!

[Asrathiel]

Originally Posted by Dox

I've (finally!) gotten around to dusting off the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series since it's been sitting on my shelf for years. Loving it so far.

I still haven't read the last one!! Need to do that... love the first two

[VB_WhiplashJC]

English studies is the biggest load of bullshit I have ever had the poor fortune to be required to take. Analysing creative works just kills them for me, I can't enjoy a lot of good shit because we covered them in highschool.

That said,

Quick Comments

majhra:

Formal Education: Ruining it for everyone.

[Asrathiel]

Also, cool facebook group... Book P0rn

[NvPinder]

Originally Posted by Asrathiel

Also, cool facebook group... Book P0rn

See, if I could close my eyes and actually picture that shit, im sure books would be amazing. But i cant. youre all gay.

[Maynarde]

Originally Posted by TAJPMoney

See, if I could close my eyes and actually picture that shit, im sure books would be amazing. But i cant. youre all gay.

Pinder hasn't got an imagination

Quick Comments

FlashVeno:

he can imagine very good sim-citys lol

[iM yang]

Originally Posted by Maynarde

Pinder hasn't got an imagination

that's why he plays protoss

Quick Comments

	mGGSouth:
	ToRSmotPokingFish:
	inFeZa:	Imagine up a new exciting build? .... 2 BASE ALL IN!

[Torniquet]

Sara Douglass - The Axis trilogy and Wayfarer Redemption trilogy easily my favourite series.

Shame she had to die =/

[x5_Potter]

I'm currently throwing money at Dirk Pitt books by Clive Cussler after reading a few recently and wanting to read more.

[|Erasmus|]

For some other non sci-fi/fantasy stuff, since some has been mentioned already:
House of Leaves is a must-read. Best use of the book medium I have ever seen (note how different this is to best book, but w/e). Very weird and creative. People seem to either love or hate it. Personally I absolutely loved it.

Iain Banks (he writes under Iain M. Banks doing sci-fi and Iain Banks doing other stuff). Some of his non scifi stuff is actually incredible. The Wasp Factory is quite well known, and really good. Recently also picked up The Crow Road and loved that too. Fairly dark books a lot of the time, though.

back into sci-fi/fantasy:
china meiville is relatively unknown around here. The City and The City was really good, but I haven't been -too- impressed with the one or two others i've read so far.

susanna clarke's "Jonathon Strange and Mr. Norrell" was also surprisingly really good.

George R. R. Martin, everyone knows "A Song of Ice and Fire" now, and that is amazing, but his other books kick serious ass too. Fevre Dream and Dying of the Light especially are also pretty awesome books.

Kevin J. Anderson as mentioned is quite good.

Kate Elliot's new Crosroads series seems good. I really loved reading the first two books, but she's really taking her time churning them out, and unlike something truly amazing like A song of ice and fire, they don't -really- draw me back in to reread them and keep up with -everything- she had going on. But it's close to the best written pure fantasy stuff i've read outside of martin/hobb.

Quick Comments

nirvAnA:

[simon]

the internet has replaced my thirst for reading novels


my daily online reading list is really ******* big now

[FvRScrewby]

Randomly bought The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson at the airport because I was bored and I really enjoyed it.
I recommend books by José Saramago, especially my favorite book by him, Ensaio sobre a cegueira (Blindness).
There is also Bento (Blessed) and O Vampiro Rei (The Vampire King) by André Vianco though I doubt they have English translations for it. The Vampire King series are excellent so hopefully it's translated especially with this vampire obsession that's hitting the populace lately.

[Asrathiel]

Ooh, for vampire books that are good and non-sparkly, Anne Rice's stuff rocks. Have just re-read Interview with the Vampire and The Vampire Lestat, and read Queen of the Damned for the first time, very cool
I've got some of her other ones here to read soon too (yay opshops!)

Quick Comments

Intoccabile19:

Anne Rice Rocks!

[Next_rim]

Andjei Sapkovsy, Strugatski brothers and Stanislav Lem all the way. They have very deep philosophy in their books, unlike light stuff like LOTR and alike.

[ROOTPetraeus]

Anything by Ursula Le Guin

Quick Comments

TAScarecrow:

[EveSigns]

wait no one has mentioned Wheel of time by robert jordan????? this series is phenomenal!!!! 13 books (when the last is finished this year) of an incredibly intricate world, with a magic system that offers some of the coolest fights i have read in a book and a huge variety of side stories and shit within the series themselves which may not make sense till u get a cple of books on. recomend it to anyone who loves reading but it is a big commitment

[neon]

Originally Posted by EveSigns

wait no one has mentioned Wheel of time by robert jordan????? this series is phenomenal!!!! 13 books (when the last is finished this year) of an incredibly intricate world, with a magic system that offers some of the coolest fights i have read in a book and a huge variety of side stories and shit within the series themselves which may not make sense till u get a cple of books on. recomend it to anyone who loves reading but it is a big commitment

but sir I DID mention it!

As did Asrathiel before me!

Quick Comments

	Asrathiel:	lol
	EveSigns:	see theres my reading ability at work

[ToRSpartaz]

I really have to broaden my range of reading, havent been as active a reader in the last 3 years ish since I really have taken up school work. But I need to diverse myself across multiple genre including Poetry, Short stories, novels etc.

Can anyone reccommend some interesting idea provoking novels or anything along those lines. If I didnt have enough time already >.<

[|Erasmus|]

Originally Posted by Spartaz

I really have to broaden my range of reading, havent been as active a reader in the last 3 years ish since I really have taken up school work. But I need to diverse myself across multiple genre including Poetry, Short stories, novels etc.

Can anyone reccommend some interesting idea provoking novels or anything along those lines. If I didnt have enough time already >.<

go read iain banks. the wasp factory and he crow road were pretty good like that.

Also house of leaves is the most thought provoking stuff ever.

[Asrathiel]

Originally Posted by neon

but sir I DID mention it!

As did I

Quick Comments

neon:

heh, I edited my post to include you before you made this post :P

[TAhackdZ]

Here are a few of my favourite authors. I tend to read mostly 'classical' (for lack of a better term) sci-fi/Fantasy short stories. You may enjoy a few of these if you can find them. Best bet is to look for collections of classical fiction.

Author/Book title:
- F. Marion Crawford / The Screaming Skull
- A. Merritt / People of the Pit
- H. P. Lovecraft / The Dunwich Horror (everyone knows this guy! Cthuhlu man!)
- Jean Ray / The Mainz Pslater
- Ramsey Campbell / The Brood
- Neil Gaiman / Feeders and Eaters (actually just about ******* anything this guy writes is awesome, you should def's check out American Gods, NeverWhere, and Anansi Boys. All of them are awesome, seriously some of the best books I've ever read. He also did the Vertigo rewrite of DC's Sandman. Also worth a look if you like comics.)

[ToRSmotPokingFish]

Matthew Reilly, guy is amazing i have read all but two of his books and thoroughly enjoyed them all, would highly recommend to everyone who enjoys fast paced books

[Asrathiel]

Originally Posted by QEDDeNile

Good Omens

I was trying to think of the name of that before. Must re-read it!!!

[Cordance]

Dune is a must read as Maynarde pointed out. The first book is awesome the second third and forth I'm sorry to say I didn't like quite as much felt like the writer was working his way though some down time to something great ... then he had to go and die . How ever his son took over his work as best he was able and I would not rate the books as well written but the story is awesome.

Terry Pratchett I enjoy but after you have read a lot of it is does get a bit predictable.

I hear game of thrones is a really good read but I havent gotten to it yet.

If you enjoy a bit of D&D based writing R.A Salvador Drizet novels start good. At about book 10 it feels like he is writing them for the pay check they bring in. Also Dragon lance twins series and champions are both worth reading.

Two titles I think are worth a read that are outside the norm are ... The practice effect by David Brin and Wizard of the Pigeons by Megan Lindholm. Although the second one can be confusing to read at times as it follows the thoughts of someone who is not all there.

One other random thing http://www.shamusyoung.com/shocked/ is a story based on System shock (for those of you old enough to have played it.) the writing style is not that great but the story is something I found very compelling. The guy has since taken up some writing for real and has a book out yet to read it but free radical is worth a read well your waiting between starcraft games until you have read a bit then you might have to finish it before your next game.

I do miss having as much lost time to read now I have to set aside time unless Im traveling. The downside of reading well traveling is once you get where you going its more interesting than the book.

Quick Comments

nirvAnA:

[x5_Bard]

'A Song of Fire and Ice' aka 'Game of Thrones'

You cant really go past this series as a few have said, however don't get attached to characters like I did T_T

[Akilos]

I enjoy sci-fi specifically stuff related to warhammer 40k. I dunno the dark themes it tends to just draw me in.

[MutantGene]

Ringworld; Larry Nivan. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ringworld

To Your Scattered Bodies Go; Philip Jose Farmer. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_Your...ered_Bodies_Go

Saga of Pliocene Exile; Julian May. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saga_of_Pliocene_Exile

The Wars of Light and Shadow; Janny Wurts. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_War...ght_and_Shadow

Dragonriders of Pern; Anne McCaffrey. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragonriders_of_Pern

Quick Comments

VB_WhiplashJC:

Ringworld is sick

[inFeZa]

I'm currently reading the 2nd Book in a Song of Ice and Fire - A Clash of Kings.
I too have an imagination like pinder, i can't really put pictures in my head but i try my best. I guess when the season 2 of Game of Thrones comes out i can see how far off i was

[Torniquet]

Just ordered Homers Iliad and Odyssey. Been meaning to read them forever =/

[Asrathiel]

Originally Posted by Torniquet

Just ordered Homers Iliad and Odyssey. Been meaning to read them forever =/

The Illiad is cool, haven't read The Odyssey yet...

[ROOTPetraeus]

Originally Posted by Torniquet

Just ordered Homers Iliad and Odyssey. Been meaning to read them forever =/

Both are awesome books ^_^ I also recommend the audio version of Odyssey by Ian McKellen

[ToRDolo]

Only reading non fiction at the moment, trying to read books lecturers recommended. Most of them have been pretty dry, but Silent Spring by Rachel Carson has been an awesome read so far, definitely recommend that one if you're interested in the idea of sustainable living/environmentalism at all.

Something I like to read every now and then to break up reading novels/non fiction is graphic novels. Preacher by Garth Ennis might be something the OP might like, it's offbeat, the storyline is very dynamic. I almost didn't really like it at first as it seemed so different to what I've read/seen before haha.

[mGGDrGooSe]

Is anybody else surprised with how widely read and 'cultured' many gamers are? I wasn't in particular, but I would think that most non-gamers would be.

[simon]

Originally Posted by Drgoose

Is anybody else surprised with how widely read and 'cultured' many gamers are? I wasn't in particular, but I would think that most non-gamers would be.

most definitely not on both your assertions

[iM yang]

nerds read books, this isn't a revelation to me

[Asrathiel]

Originally Posted by Drgoose

Is anybody else surprised with how widely read and 'cultured' many gamers are? I wasn't in particular, but I would think that most non-gamers would be.

Originally Posted by SQL.yang

nerds read books, this isn't a revelation to me

I reckon it depends on what someone's perception of a nerd or a gamer are.

[majhra]

I too read plenty.

Some that you will like, going on what you've descibed:
Dune and others by Frank Herbert (make sure it's Frank, the others aren't so good).
The Amber series by Zelazny.
Anything/everything by Phillip K Dick.
Perdido St Station (and others) by China Melville.
Most of Niel Stephenson's works. Anathem is probably up your alley. (Diamond age is in my top 10)

That'll keep you busy for a while... ;-)

Quick Comments

TAhackdZ:

Phillip K Dick is the bomb.

[RicocheT]

Most recent book I read was Vengeance by Ian Irvine. Was very nicely written.
I also suggest Night Angel Trilogy by Brent Weeks.

If you're really looking for something out there, try Night Train to Lisbon. It's as book that'll change ur perspective on life.

[|Erasmus|]

How has noone here mentioned The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy yet. Such a good book/series (book better than the series, but I thought the entire thing was at least "good".. first book is amazing).

Also George Orwell... 1984 and Animal Farm are classics. I really enjoyed them too.

Quick Comments

TAhackdZ:

If you like HHGTTG, you should check out Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, and the Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul. Both by Adams.

[Asrathiel]

Originally Posted by |Erasmus|

How has noone here mentioned The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy yet. Such a good book/series (book better than the series, but I thought the entire thing was at least "good".. first book is amazing).

Also George Orwell... 1984 and Animal Farm are classics. I really enjoyed them too.

OMG yes, Hitchhiker's!!!! Zaphod and Ford are my faves

Have not gotten around to Animal Farm yet... 1984 is so good.

How about The Midwich Cuckoos and Day of the Triffids?

Quick Comments

simon:

triffids! classic!

[xxGunslingerxx]

An epic fantasy series to read is The Malazan Book of The Fallen by Steven Erikson. Epic scope and story line, really complex (in the good awe inspiring reading driving way) and just an all round magical book series, I really recomend it it.

And Lord of The Rings (not just LOTR but also the historical back stories therels loads!)

[ZiggyD]

I used to read a ton of fantasy (lotr, Eddings series, and heaps of other random ones - pretty much anything with elves or thieves/rogues) but for some reason I just can't wrap my head around it anymore. I tried reading one of my old favourite Eddings books (The Redemption of Althalus) and I didn't get very far - I just didn't enjoy it! I don't know what has happened - it probably has something to do with the internet warping my brain.

I don enjoy non-fiction books, however! Some of my favourites are:
The Art of Learning (Waitzkin)
Go Rin No Sho (the Five Rings) By Miyamoto Musashi
Playing to Win
Elements of Style

Even so most of my reading is done online now. The immediacy of the internet, blogs, reddit etc... well... this kills the reading.

Quick Comments

TAhackdZ:

I really like The Redemption of Althalus. Good book.

[ToRPandarine]

Originally Posted by ThePandarine

N3rdy6irl: *
Terry Pratchett has in excess of 60 books, that quantifies as 'a lot of books'

whoops...usin the word 'few' was wrong :/ yes...i know Terry Pratchett has ALOT of books under his belt...however, whn i used 'few' with him, i guess i was tryin to say i dont like buyin a few books...i always buy my books in bulk...uldve just quoted me and told me off...ur neg rep makes me a sad panda now

+ [sad panda] +

other thn tht, it looks like i hv alot of bookshoppin to do once my exams are over

[Cute]

Necro'ing the shit out of this bad boy!

Just finished the latest Feist novel. Hollllllllly shit, the finale is going to be huge. This is my favourite entrant into the series since the Conclave Saga

(Also lol at the COLOSSAL continuity error, which apparently has been fixed up in a reissue or something)

[ToRFutureBoy]

Ah yes....lol.....I forget, they all blend into one massive saga...it's awesome. Disappointed I read the Empire series first, but it was funny going back to the start and reading aboyut Milamber.

[Zombie.]

I recommend anything by Robin Hobb, and Harry Turtledove, I also recommend The Chrysalids, Ice 9, and if you are a fan of maths Flatland.

[Asrathiel]

Yay, good thread is alive again

I'm just getting around to reading Dune, have seen the movie before (in high school) but never read it. Love love loving it

Also read the first Hunger Games book, short but really enjoyed that too... and have the first Game of Thrones waiting for me after Dune! (^_^)

[mGGDrGooSe]

Books are forever. Therefore, threads about books are forever as well. This thread will never die. We shall necro the shit out of it for eternity. Just you try and stop us. Power to the people!

[ToR.Arnor]

HiHi

so Ive got a couple 20+ hours plane rides coming up, any recommendations? ^_^

[Cyanide]

Originally Posted by Arnor@CityHunter

HiHi

so Ive got a couple 20+ hours plane rides coming up, any recommendations? ^_^

Freakonomics and Superfreakonomics

[FaDeHellfyre]

Originally Posted by Arnor@CityHunter

HiHi

so Ive got a couple 20+ hours plane rides coming up, any recommendations? ^_^

Saga of the Seven Suns by Kevin J Anderson.

Seven book series, so you won't run out. The books aren't too big, and it's easily one of the best sci-fi series' ever written and available at almost any book store or library. Some seriously good writing in it. Everyone who appreciates sci-fi will appreciate it.

[Kepler]

If you're a fan of hard sci-fi like I am (science fiction that tries to have some grounding in realistic physics, very rarely is FTL possible in hard sci-fi, for example) then anything by Stephen Baxter might interest you. He has a series of alternate history books about how different the space race could have been had Kennedy not died, which could have lead to a much more daring attempt at landing Mars (and the serious issues that would present themselves).

I often enjoy books like that as they're much more tangible and easy to imagine while reading, I often find with books like Dune (whilst still amazing books) that the worlds they're in are often very vague in descriptive elements except when immediately necessary.

[Mr_Zain]

If you're into distopias (which have a sci-fi element typically) Brave New World and 1984 are a must!

Quick Comments

deL:

I just bought a bunch of post-apoc books!

[Champi]

i read a book once when i was a child, harvey potter or something like that. its apparently pretty popular in england, or somewhere weird like that anyways.

Quick Comments

	mGGSouth:	lol
	ToRPandarine:	totally irrelevant but appreciate the joke :D

[Criven]

Post-Apocalyptic fiction written in the 50's that blows chunks in your brain meat ? DO IT.



Fantasmical.