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Other Discussions => Entertainment => Off Topic => Other Entertainment / Hobbies => Topic started by: Scott on October 04, 2008, 08:21:39 PM

Title: Recommended Books?
Post by: Scott on October 04, 2008, 08:21:39 PM
So we have had a lot of discussions on movies and music lately, and I was wondering about books?  I am currently looking for a new one to read and wanted to see if there were any suggestions or recommendations anyone had to offer.

The most recent one that I finished was Geoffrey Robertson's "The Tyranncide Brief".  It's a non-fiction that centers around the lesser known John Cooke and his role in bringing Charles I to trial.   
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Steve Weinman on October 04, 2008, 08:25:42 PM
So we have had a lot of discussions on movies and music lately, and I was wondering about books?  I am currently looking for a new one to read and wanted to see if there were any suggestions or recommendations anyone had to offer.

The most recent one that I finished was Geoffrey Robertson's "The Tyranncide Brief".  It's a non-fiction that centers around the lesser known John Cooke and his role in bringing Charles I to trial.   


Nice topic, Scott - if you're into fiction, I'd highly recommend checking out Harlan Coben.  His thrillers are hands-down the best I've ever read.  Dynamic characters, fast-moving action, unbelievable action.  Grisham's legal fiction (and he wrote The Innocent Man over the last few years, his first non-fiction book, I think) and Brad Meltzer's thrillers are up there too, albeit a half-step below.

Also, if you check back in the archives, you may find that we had a books discussion earlier in the summer that might have some more recs for you - but if I recall, it was more narrowly tailored toward basketball books.  Not sure if it was prior to the last time the archives were cleaned out, but it might be worth a look if you're interested.

-sw
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: shookones99 on October 04, 2008, 08:29:21 PM
I recently finished The Color Of Water by James Mcbride and that book was pretty amazing.   It was one of those books that I could not put down.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Redz on October 04, 2008, 08:35:38 PM
If you're into historical fiction, Bernard Cornwell's pretty amazing - particularly the Saxon books.

I just started reading A Game of Kings, based on a CBers recommendation.

And yes, The Color of Water was excellent.  Water for Elephants was one of the better things I've read that was written somewhat recently.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Scott on October 04, 2008, 08:42:57 PM
I prefer historical non-fiction but that's the nerd in me speaking.  Don't get me wrong though, I do enjoy fiction.  I have enjoyed a lot of Tom Clancy's stuff especially "Red Storm Rising".  I have also enjoyed what Richard Matheson has produced.

Speaking of John Grisham, my wife just grabbed me a copy of "The Brethren" not too long back that I have just pulled out and started. 
 
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: FLCeltsFan on October 04, 2008, 08:43:37 PM
I'm reading the book Pistol and it is excellent.  Highly recommend. 
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Steve Weinman on October 04, 2008, 08:51:35 PM
I prefer historical non-fiction but that's the nerd in me speaking.  Don't get me wrong though, I do enjoy fiction.  I have enjoyed a lot of Tom Clancy's stuff especially "Red Storm Rising".  I have also enjoyed what Richard Matheson has produced.

Speaking of John Grisham, my wife just grabbed me a copy of "The Brethren" not too long back that I have just pulled out and started. 
 

The Brethren is fantastic - it's older but one of my favorites.  I'm lookign forward to seeing what you think once you get into that one a bit.

Agreed with shookones and Redz as well - the McBride book is a good one.  It's been four years, so I'm a bit sketchy on some of the details, but I definitely remembering enjoying it as well.  Powerful narrative.

-sw
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: bdm860 on October 04, 2008, 09:50:20 PM
From A-Apple to Z-Zebra, Baby's First Pop-up book is 26 pages of alphabetic adventure!
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: hwangjini_1 on October 04, 2008, 09:50:52 PM
books? ha, i own over 5,000.... no kidding.

this is soooooo personal and subjective as to what you would like.... but try the following...

fantasy, adventure - hard to beat "The Wheel of Time" series, author pen name is rober jordan.

science fiction - "ender's game" is a true classic.

non-fiction, so subjective here - for something completely different try some of these....
"an ordinary person's guide to empire" by arundhati roy.
"blowback" by chalmers johnson.
"rise to globalism" by stephen ambrose.

fiction, even more subjective. for books that are clearly "different"  try...
anything by kurt vonnegut...he is my favorite author. :)
"glass bead game" by herman hess.
"one hundred years of solitude" by garcia marquez. (dang! cant put accent marks!)
"salt" by earl lovelace.
"the guest" by hwang sok-yong.

a wide range of books for a wide range of tastes. enjoy.

geez, this is not even close to

 
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: RebusRankin on October 04, 2008, 10:31:52 PM
So we have had a lot of discussions on movies and music lately, and I was wondering about books?  I am currently looking for a new one to read and wanted to see if there were any suggestions or recommendations anyone had to offer.

The most recent one that I finished was Geoffrey Robertson's "The Tyranncide Brief".  It's a non-fiction that centers around the lesser known John Cooke and his role in bringing Charles I to trial.   


Nice topic, Scott - if you're into fiction, I'd highly recommend checking out Harlan Coben.  His thrillers are hands-down the best I've ever read.  Dynamic characters, fast-moving action, unbelievable action.  Grisham's legal fiction (and he wrote The Innocent Man over the last few years, his first non-fiction book, I think) and Brad Meltzer's thrillers are up there too, albeit a half-step below.

Also, if you check back in the archives, you may find that we had a books discussion earlier in the summer that might have some more recs for you - but if I recall, it was more narrowly tailored toward basketball books.  Not sure if it was prior to the last time the archives were cleaned out, but it might be worth a look if you're interested.

-sw

Kudos for mentioning Coben. Stand alones are great and I'm sure most here would love the Myron Bolitar series.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: cons on October 04, 2008, 10:42:30 PM

 since you said you're into historical non-fiction,  over the summer i read "inside the imperial city" or "inside the emerald city" about the occupation of baghdad. i forget the author's name, and i thought it was a bit repetitive, but a really interesting and apparently true account.

i've also heard jon krakeur's non fiction stuff is really good, although i haven't gotten around to reading it yet.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: shookones99 on October 04, 2008, 10:46:32 PM

 since you said you're into historical non-fiction,  over the summer i read "inside the imperial city" or "inside the emerald city" about the occupation of baghdad. i forget the author's name, and i thought it was a bit repetitive, but a really interesting and apparently true account.

i've also heard jon krakeur's non fiction stuff is really good, although i haven't gotten around to reading it yet.

Yes definitely.  Under The Banner Of Heaven is a fantastic book!   Into Thin Air is good as well.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Steve Weinman on October 04, 2008, 10:47:09 PM
So we have had a lot of discussions on movies and music lately, and I was wondering about books?  I am currently looking for a new one to read and wanted to see if there were any suggestions or recommendations anyone had to offer.

The most recent one that I finished was Geoffrey Robertson's "The Tyranncide Brief".  It's a non-fiction that centers around the lesser known John Cooke and his role in bringing Charles I to trial.   


Nice topic, Scott - if you're into fiction, I'd highly recommend checking out Harlan Coben.  His thrillers are hands-down the best I've ever read.  Dynamic characters, fast-moving action, unbelievable action.  Grisham's legal fiction (and he wrote The Innocent Man over the last few years, his first non-fiction book, I think) and Brad Meltzer's thrillers are up there too, albeit a half-step below.

Also, if you check back in the archives, you may find that we had a books discussion earlier in the summer that might have some more recs for you - but if I recall, it was more narrowly tailored toward basketball books.  Not sure if it was prior to the last time the archives were cleaned out, but it might be worth a look if you're interested.

-sw

Kudos for mentioning Coben. Stand alones are great and I'm sure most here would love the Myron Bolitar series.

Couldn't agree more on both counts, Rebus.  I've read and loved everything by him so far, but the Bolitar books are something else.  Win might well be my favorite character in all of literature.  And the wittiness of the narration is really a treat.  Glad to find a fellow fan.

-sw
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: guava_wrench on October 04, 2008, 11:15:04 PM
My favorite fiction is "God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy.

I mostly read non-fiction. I recommend "Phantoms in the Brain" for anyone who is interested in the brain.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: mkogav on October 04, 2008, 11:26:13 PM

 since you said you're into historical non-fiction,  over the summer i read "inside the imperial city" or "inside the emerald city" about the occupation of baghdad. i forget the author's name, and i thought it was a bit repetitive, but a really interesting and apparently true account.

i've also heard jon krakeur's non fiction stuff is really good, although i haven't gotten around to reading it yet.

Both 'Into Thin Air' and 'Into The Wild' were very very good.

'The Road' by Cormac McCarthy is amazing, although dark and horrible beautiful at the same time.

Mk
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: mkogav on October 04, 2008, 11:28:52 PM
Btw, TP for the topic.

Mk
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: arambone on October 04, 2008, 11:49:47 PM
Up next for me is "You Can't be President":
http://www.amazon.com/You-Cant-President-Outrageous-Democracy/dp/1933633603/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1223178496&sr=8-1
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Andy Jick on October 05, 2008, 12:55:33 AM
i am an avid Sherlock Holmes reader...don't know who's into this particular genre, but i find this era of history amazing.

two of my favorite books are written by Mark Frost:

"the list of seven"
"the six messiahs"

these books are historical journeys of the life of arthur conan doyle (the author of holmes) and are amazing.

a great book for sports fans is "bleachers" by John Grisham.

also, caleb carr is an outstanding author...absolutely loved "the alienist" - one of my all-time favorite books.

GREAT topic!!
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: ACF on October 05, 2008, 04:00:11 AM
I'll recommend "The Hot Zone" by
Richard Preston. As books critics
love to say, it's a pageturner and
one of the best books I've ever read.
It deals with the dreaded Ebola virus.

Right now, I'm reading "The Stand" by
Stephen King. That guy never ceases to
amaze me.

If you like horror, you should also try
to pick up something by Clive Barker.
I've never experienced an author with a
better imagination. It's almost scary!
Try picking up "The Books of Blood".
Though they deal with gore and such, the
stories contain so much more on many
different levels.

I hope this was useful to you  :)
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: celticmaestro on October 05, 2008, 05:19:08 AM
I would suggest anything by Grisham. A book I've just finished reading is "The Game" by Neil Strauss and I thought that was a fantastically funny and brilliantly written book.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: arambone on October 05, 2008, 08:40:27 AM
"Right now, I'm reading "The Stand" by
Stephen King. That guy never ceases to
amaze me."

When you finish the book, check out the miniseries on youtube, with Rob Lowe and Gary Sinese.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Roy Hobbs on October 05, 2008, 08:52:13 AM
The Fountainhead, by Ayn Rand.  Atlas Shrugged is pretty amazing, too.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: cdif911 on October 05, 2008, 09:38:14 AM
I don't read very much fiction at all.  The last work of fiction I can remember reading was A Confederacy of Dunces, and I was thoroughly dissapointed (as it had come highly reccomended) - nonfiction wise, I read a lot of history, I'm currently doing a research paper on beer brewing in New England, so I've been reading a book called Ambitious Brew, and another called Beer Blast - both are pretty good - David Hackett Fisher is probably the most enjoyable historian to read imo - Washington's Crossing, Paul Revere's Ride are two of my favorites - I love love love humor books, they don't completely fit into fiction or non, imo - like Jon Stewart's America the Book, or Scott Adam's Dilbert Series (Principle, Future, Joy of Work, etc.) - some business/econ books interest me a great deal - I finished one called Checking in about a journalist who goes undercover at many corporations as a front line employee - so he goes to Starbucks and becomes a barista, The Gap and becomes a clothes folder, etc. Its a fascinating way to look at the business world - another was Predictibly Irrational, which is behavioral economics and shows us why we do stupid things.

So yeah, I enjoy reading, but do have trouble getting into fiction...
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on October 05, 2008, 11:06:36 AM
I just read "Invasive Procedures" by Orson Scott Card

Card is my second favorite author, next to terry pratchett (very different authors, but I digress)

The book was good, one of those books you would read not to change your life but enjoyably pass your time, kind of like a Grisham book, or a Clancy book.

Lots of interesting stuff about genetics in it though, and it approaches science from a good place for a fiction book. It explains things quickly but not too far in depth. Im a bio major, so I picked up when they over simplified things, but you have to do that for people if you're pandering to the world.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: cordobes on October 05, 2008, 11:27:32 AM
The Fountainhead, by Ayn Rand.  Atlas Shrugged is pretty amazing, too.

Why are you giving a free advice?

Parliament of Edited.  Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline.s by P.J. O'Rourke, Scoop by Evelyn Waugh, The Man Who Was Thursday by G.K. Chesterton and Witness by Whittaker Chamber. Four contemporary classics.

Non-fiction, and if you like history, I'd highly recommend Paul Johnson's Modern Times. A brilliant master-piece.

Especially to Roy, I'd recommend WFB's novel "Getting it right".  ;D
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Eja117 on October 05, 2008, 11:34:58 AM
I found Oliver Twist unputdownable
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: cdif911 on October 05, 2008, 01:45:24 PM
I found Oliver Twist unputdownable

Great Expectations on the other hand, not all I hoped it would be...
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Max Power on October 05, 2008, 01:47:22 PM
I finished reading a few day ago "The Man Withim" by Graham Greene. This was Greene`s first book and it isn't as good as The Quiet American, but it a good thriller about cowardly.  
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Andy Jick on October 05, 2008, 01:59:48 PM
The Fountainhead, by Ayn Rand.  Atlas Shrugged is pretty amazing, too.

Why are you giving a free advice?

Parliament of Edited.  Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline.s by P.J. O'Rourke, Scoop by Evelyn Waugh, The Man Who Was Thursday by G.K. Chesterton and Witness by Whittaker Chamber. Four contemporary classics.

Non-fiction, and if you like history, I'd highly recommend Paul Johnson's Modern Times. A brilliant master-piece.

Especially to Roy, I'd recommend WFB's novel "Getting it right".  ;D

since you mentioned chesterton...i enjoyed reading "orthodoxy" - very good book, and he's a great author.  read any of his "father brown" stories?
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: therightreverend on October 05, 2008, 03:35:20 PM
I've got to get my two cents worth in for the Bible! I've read it countless times and it continues to amaze.

I also recommend three other books I’ve recently read; The Question of God: C.S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud Debate God, Love, Sex, and the Meaning of Life by Armand M. Nicholi Jr., Socrates Meets Jesus: History's Greatest Questioner Confronts the Claims of Christ by Peter Kreeft, and The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis. All are quick and easy to read but informative and entertaining at the same time. 
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: zerophase on October 05, 2008, 03:51:20 PM
i just purchased the book "Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions"

i'm extremely excited to go a read it.

three cups of tea is also a great book if you're into current events.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: incoherent on October 05, 2008, 06:19:43 PM
A Game Of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
Book 1 of "A Song of Ice and Fire"

This is the first book in whats turning into the best high fantasy series ever written in my opinion.  HBO just bought the rights to these and have agreed to essentially 7 seasons of episodes.  Book 5 of the series comes out at the end of this year.

This book is dark, gritty, for adults only, and completely breaks the mold as far as high fantasy goes and disregards all other formulaic methods that so many fantasy authors have fallen into.  It's very long has a million characters and many plot lines going on at the same time all inside a vast and believable world.

PS: Don't bother with Jordan's "Wheel of Time", that series blows compared to ASOIAF.

Enjoy!

 



Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Yakmanev on October 05, 2008, 06:23:50 PM
i just purchased the book "Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions"

i'm extremely excited to go a read it.

three cups of tea is also a great book if you're into current events.

Sounds like Predictably Irrational is along the lines of Anthony Robbins material? Which I highly recommend.

I also recommend The Master Key System by Charles Haanel. Very good for self improvement and it works. I have created a positive energy about myself that deflects negative nellies like you wouldn't believe and with each week's exercise create more and more opportunities. It's the best $7 you will ever spend.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: ederson on October 06, 2008, 05:23:11 AM
My 2 cents here ....

I won`t mention books about politics, religion , history etc to avoid any misunderstandings , only fiction books

For Tolkien fans anything by Gavriel Guy Kay would do. I`ve read Lions of Al Rasaan , Tigana(2 books) and Sarantine Mosaic (3 books, 21st century`s Lord of Rings) and i enjoyed every single one.

I finished in one reading Stephen Pressfield`s Gates of Fire. 50% fiction - 50% history. It`s about the battle in Thermopylae (the movie 300 anyone?)
In the same style is The Eight by Katherine Neville. Fiction and French revolution in a nice mix. Although i "saw" Neville`s trick half way through the book it was a nice reading.

Lately i`m reading a book about Game theory and what J. Nash has brought in the field but i can`t remember the english title nor the author
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: ForexPirate on October 06, 2008, 08:36:13 AM
you want to read a book that will explain why we are in the mess we are in?  Then go read "confessions of an economic hit man".  You won't get very far into the book before you say "Edited.  Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline., my country is doing that?"

It has been on the NY best seller list for a long time by the NY Times refuses to review it because it is an explosive tell all.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: PistolPete on October 06, 2008, 11:24:14 AM
Empires of Light; Edison, Tesla, Westinghouse, and the Race to Electrify the World. Well written, fascinating subject.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Chris on October 06, 2008, 11:30:46 AM
I just recently read "A Wolf at the Table" by Augusten Burroughs.  It was incredibly well written, and very intense.  I definitely recommend it, if you don't mind being a little depressed.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: PaulPierce34G on October 06, 2008, 11:31:25 AM
Tartuffe by Moliere

The Merchant of Venice by Shakespeare

Master Harold...and the Boys by Athol Fugard

Medea by Euripides

Bread Givers by Anzia Yezierska

Mostly classic types of literature, Medea is a Greek play, Bread Givers deals with an immigrant Jewish family and their day to day problems in coming to America, Master Harold deals with aparthied and South Africa.  Good reads, all of them.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Schupac on October 06, 2008, 11:55:58 AM
"The Road" by Cormac McCarthy seems to have universal appeal.  It is being made into a movie, go read it before you go see it!
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: jgod213 on October 06, 2008, 01:19:44 PM
been hitting up the NY Times best sellers for a while, 4 that i reccommend are:

-Rat Edited for profanity.  Please do not do it again.s
Really well articulated story centered around Whitey Bulger's protege; the kid ended up being one of only a few who did the time they deserved.

-A Death In Belmont
Sebastian Junger gets into the controversy surrounding the Boston Strangler and how racism played a part in sending an "innocent" man to jail.

-Playing For Pizza
Kind of a fun read.  A professional football player basically chokes his career away and is forced to accept an offer to play in Italy.

-The World Without UsAn incredibly interesting take on what the world would look like if humans suddenly vanished.  Author backs it up with a ton of scientific fact and foresight - if you don't mind working your way through a few wordy/technical chapters you'll be rewarded with some astonishing insight.


Question: has anyone read Can I Keep My Jersey? by Paul Shirey? I'm holding out for that as my next read...looking for a review.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: professorperkins on October 06, 2008, 01:59:11 PM
Question: has anyone read Can I Keep My Jersey? by Paul Shirey? I'm holding out for that as my next read...looking for a review.

Yes. It's a very fun and easy read. If you've read his mini-columns on ESPN.com, you'll probably finish this book in a day or two. It's funny to think that there really isn't much separating a guy like Paul Shirley and a guy like, say, Mark Madsen talent-wise, but one gets to be in the NBA while the other one has to play in Europe and worry about not getting paid and whatnot.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Andy Jick on October 06, 2008, 02:38:02 PM
Empires of Light; Edison, Tesla, Westinghouse, and the Race to Electrify the World. Well written, fascinating subject.

have you read the book / watched the movie "the prestige"?  just curious...this part of history is a part of the story.  read the book and watched the movie - great stuff.  appreciate you sharing this book. :)
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: youcanthandlethetruth113 on October 06, 2008, 03:01:52 PM
I really like "Larry Bird Drive: The Story of My Life"
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: SquishPCfriar on October 06, 2008, 03:30:45 PM
Quote
"The Road" by Cormac McCarthy seems to have universal appeal.  It is being made into a movie, go read it before you go see it!/quote]

I am a college kid and i don't read many books.  We were required to read this book for our western civilization final exam.  The book is incredible and definitely the best book i have ever read.  Its written by the same guy who wrote "no country for old men".  You have to read it before the movie comes out.  I was able to sit down and read the whole book in one sitting because it is so intense.   
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: SquishPCfriar on October 06, 2008, 03:32:05 PM
crap i gotta figure out how to do this whole quote thing ::)
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: blackbird on October 06, 2008, 04:49:01 PM
One of the best books I've read in a long, long time- The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals by Michael Pollan. His previous book, Botany of Desire: A Plant's Eye View of the World is also excellent.

I also have to recommend The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism by Naomi Klein.

That led me to read Selling the Free Market: The Rhetoric of Economic Correctness by James Arnt Aune. It is kind of dry and scholarly, but in it he destroys Ayn Rand, which makes it worthwhile.

I'm working my way through Paolo Friere's classic philosophical work, Pedagogy of the Oppressed. It is extremely difficult.

I'm also reading An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness by Kay Redfield Jamison, perhaps the most accessible exploration of bipolar disorder.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: cordobes on October 06, 2008, 05:08:19 PM
The Fountainhead, by Ayn Rand.  Atlas Shrugged is pretty amazing, too.

Why are you giving a free advice?

Parliament of Edited.  Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline.s by P.J. O'Rourke, Scoop by Evelyn Waugh, The Man Who Was Thursday by G.K. Chesterton and Witness by Whittaker Chamber. Four contemporary classics.

Non-fiction, and if you like history, I'd highly recommend Paul Johnson's Modern Times. A brilliant master-piece.

Especially to Roy, I'd recommend WFB's novel "Getting it right".  ;D

since you mentioned chesterton...i enjoyed reading "orthodoxy" - very good book, and he's a great author.  read any of his "father brown" stories?

Oh, absolutely, Orthodoxy is one of the books of my life. Delightful and compelling book, truly enlightening, even if I personally do not endorse or share all of Chesterton's views (though I agree with most of them). Chesterton is a fascinating author, a genius in my opinion. I've read all Father Brown stories, my parents have the entire collection. It's time to start buying my own Chesterton books, by the way, must do something about that short-term.

Chesterton is one of the greats of the 20th century, in my opinion. Together with Waugh, Nabokov and Borges, he's on the top of my list.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Neurotic Guy on October 06, 2008, 06:34:29 PM
Wonderful topic.

I am a simple reader -- I read books requiring limited thought with large print.

Grisham novels therefore are protoypical reading for Neurotic Guy.  Brethren, as previously mentioned, was good, but my personal favorite is The Rainmaker - struck me in all the right ways and met my definition of a good book: disappointed when it ended.  Also enjoyed The Client. I find Grisham novels work for me even if I've already seen the movie.

I typically avoid self-help books since I believe myself to be beyond hope and therefore am depressed by attempts to cheer me up.  However, years back, I enjoyed 'The Erroneous Zones' which pointed out many of the negative thinking patterns that I still employ to this day.

Non-fiction favorite: David Mcullough -- Please read '1776' - just great. And, 'John Adams'.  Amazing work.
I was also fascinated by 'The Endurance' which pieced together a truly unbelievable voyage to Antarctica through the actual diaries of crew.  Amazing.

Last note. I tried Cormac McCarthy years ago with his book "The Orchard Keeper'. Could not get through it.  Reminded me of Faulkner who I could also not tolerate. It's probably me.  But, based on recommendations in this thread, perhaps I'll give him another try.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: CelticSteve on October 06, 2008, 08:42:51 PM
If you want some light humor, one of my favorites is Sideways. I actually listened to it on CD during my commute. Rent it from the library if you can. I found it much funnier than the movie- and it lasted longer too.

Ender's Game is one of the only fantasy books I could actually make it through- it was quite good.

Harlen Coben is terrific- like others have said. I do like his Myron series- especially since there is a Celtics connection, but I like the stand alone books even more.

Water for Elephants was a fantastic, and unusual read.

And a classic, and one of my all-time favorites- is The Caine Mutiny. Unbelievable.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Gomesfan on October 06, 2008, 08:51:29 PM
http://www.alongwaygone.com/ (http://www.alongwaygone.com/)
This is an awesome book , inspiring
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Andy Jick on October 06, 2008, 09:12:54 PM

Non-fiction favorite: David Mcullough -- 'John Adams'.  Amazing work.


i've been reading this book alongside of watching the dvd's...my wife bought me the hbo miniseries collection - i've been enjoying how well they follow his book.  a fascinating figure from history, for sure.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: swebb87 on October 06, 2008, 10:26:28 PM
"The Pale Horse is the Future" by William Cooper
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on October 07, 2008, 01:31:13 AM
If you want some light humor, one of my favorites is Sideways. I actually listened to it on CD during my commute. Rent it from the library if you can. I found it much funnier than the movie- and it lasted longer too.

Ender's Game is one of the only fantasy books I could actually make it through- it was quite good.

Harlen Coben is terrific- like others have said. I do like his Myron series- especially since there is a Celtics connection, but I like the stand alone books even more.

Water for Elephants was a fantastic, and unusual read.

And a classic, and one of my all-time favorites- is The Caine Mutiny. Unbelievable.


I've ready Enders game more that the celtics play at home each season. Well probably not but Im up in the high 30's easily.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Scott on October 07, 2008, 02:44:11 PM
http://www.alongwaygone.com/ (http://www.alongwaygone.com/)
This is an awesome book , inspiring

Agreed, definitely a worthy read.  It really was an eye opener.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: bbc3341 on October 07, 2008, 02:47:09 PM
Great authors:

George Pelecanos, Mo Hayder, Ken Bruen, James Lee Burke, Laura Lippman, Karin Slaughter

Crime novelists all...
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: crownsy on October 07, 2008, 02:54:32 PM
im sure these two series have been mentioned because there awesome, but just in case

A song of ice and fire- series by george R.R martin. mabey the best fantasy series still running (in my mind, no contest, but some like others better)

The lies of locke lamora- dark, high fantasy meets ocean's 11. another series that is currently running and is awesome.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: POBstuntin on October 07, 2008, 03:39:06 PM
Check out anything Sedaris
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: GroverTheClover on October 07, 2008, 04:09:52 PM
Check out anything Sedaris

I agree, Naked and Me Talk Pretty One Day are both especially excellent and funny reads.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Scott on October 24, 2008, 05:51:12 AM
I was wondering if anyone here had read "The Historian" by Elizabeth Kostova.  I was tempted to grab a copy but have heard some mixed reviews about it so I held off.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Mencius on October 24, 2008, 02:03:47 PM
Well, I thought A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole was brilliant.  http://www.amazon.com/review/product/0802130208/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?_encoding=UTF8&showViewpoints=1 (http://www.amazon.com/review/product/0802130208/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?_encoding=UTF8&showViewpoints=1)

Both it, and The Sot-Weed Factor by John Barth were masterpieces of satire.
http://www.amazon.com/review/product/0385240880/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?_encoding=UTF8&showViewpoints=1 (http://www.amazon.com/review/product/0385240880/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?_encoding=UTF8&showViewpoints=1)

You will NOT be disappointed.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Chris on October 24, 2008, 02:08:12 PM
I was wondering if anyone here had read "The Historian" by Elizabeth Kostova.  I was tempted to grab a copy but have heard some mixed reviews about it so I held off.

I read that last year, and loved it.  It took me a little while to warm up to it, because it is a little unconventional (the story is basically told through long letters, and it is easy to lose track of who is telling the story), but once you get into it, it is a great book.  I would highly recommend it.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Redz on October 24, 2008, 02:13:41 PM
I was wondering if anyone here had read "The Historian" by Elizabeth Kostova.  I was tempted to grab a copy but have heard some mixed reviews about it so I held off.

I read that last year, and loved it.  It took me a little while to warm up to it, because it is a little unconventional (the story is basically told through long letters, and it is easy to lose track of who is telling the story), but once you get into it, it is a great book.  I would highly recommend it.

It was not your typical Dracula story.  Not as much action as you might expect.  There's a lot more about the pursuit of Dracula and, as the name might indicate, the history of Dracula (Vlad Tepps).  It was an interesting story, but if you are looking for an action adventure you can eliminate 95% of the book. 

He definitely was a creepy Dracula though once the author, ahem, "sunk her teeth" into him.

I liked the book a lot.  My wife did care for it.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Chris on October 24, 2008, 02:31:08 PM
I was wondering if anyone here had read "The Historian" by Elizabeth Kostova.  I was tempted to grab a copy but have heard some mixed reviews about it so I held off.

I read that last year, and loved it.  It took me a little while to warm up to it, because it is a little unconventional (the story is basically told through long letters, and it is easy to lose track of who is telling the story), but once you get into it, it is a great book.  I would highly recommend it.

It was not your typical Dracula story.  Not as much action as you might expect.  There's a lot more about the pursuit of Dracula and, as the name might indicate, the history of Dracula (Vlad Tepps).  It was an interesting story, but if you are looking for an action adventure you can eliminate 95% of the book. 

He definitely was a creepy Dracula though once the author, ahem, "sunk her teeth" into him.

I liked the book a lot.  My wife did care for it.

I am a sucker for a novel when they really get into the history.  I suppose I could just read non-fiction, but novels like this make it a whole lot more interesting.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Redz on October 24, 2008, 02:35:31 PM
I was wondering if anyone here had read "The Historian" by Elizabeth Kostova.  I was tempted to grab a copy but have heard some mixed reviews about it so I held off.

I read that last year, and loved it.  It took me a little while to warm up to it, because it is a little unconventional (the story is basically told through long letters, and it is easy to lose track of who is telling the story), but once you get into it, it is a great book.  I would highly recommend it.

It was not your typical Dracula story.  Not as much action as you might expect.  There's a lot more about the pursuit of Dracula and, as the name might indicate, the history of Dracula (Vlad Tepps).  It was an interesting story, but if you are looking for an action adventure you can eliminate 95% of the book. 

He definitely was a creepy Dracula though once the author, ahem, "sunk her teeth" into him.

I liked the book a lot.  My wife did care for it.

I am a sucker for a novel when they really get into the history.  I suppose I could just read non-fiction, but novels like this make it a whole lot more interesting.

Chris: read some Bernard Cornwell stuff then.  Hugely entertaining.  He plugs some great characters into history and mixes and matches fact and fiction amazingly (and he explains which is which at the end of each book if you hadn't caught on).  His Saxon Chronicles are my favorite.  Uhtred is BADASS!
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Scott on October 24, 2008, 04:56:22 PM
Thanks for your thoughts Chris and Redz.  You helped sway me and I just grabbed a copy.  From what I gathered reading the reviews, it seemed as though it was a book you either love or hate. 

Lack of action will not bother me and it doesn't hurt that I enjoy history.  I am actually somewhat fascinated about Vlad Tepes, he is a really interesting historical figure to say the least.  One thing I want to do while I am here in Europe is go see Bran Castle (aka Dracula's Castle).     
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Redz on October 24, 2008, 04:58:12 PM
Thanks for your thoughts Chris and Redz.  You helped sway me and I just grabbed a copy.  From what I gathered reading the reviews, it seemed as though it was a book you either love or hate. 

Lack of action will not bother me and it doesn't hurt that I enjoy history.  I am actually somewhat fascinated about Vlad Tepes, he is a really interesting historical figure to say the least.  One thing I want to do while I am here in Europe is go see Bran Castle (aka Dracula's Castle).     

Wow.  Be sure to let us know what that's like.

Enjoy the book and the trip.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Edgar on October 24, 2008, 05:01:37 PM
magic the gathering
the Odysey series...
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Scott on October 24, 2008, 05:17:27 PM
Thanks for your thoughts Chris and Redz.  You helped sway me and I just grabbed a copy.  From what I gathered reading the reviews, it seemed as though it was a book you either love or hate. 

Lack of action will not bother me and it doesn't hurt that I enjoy history.  I am actually somewhat fascinated about Vlad Tepes, he is a really interesting historical figure to say the least.  One thing I want to do while I am here in Europe is go see Bran Castle (aka Dracula's Castle).     

Wow.  Be sure to let us know what that's like.

Enjoy the book and the trip.

Will do.  I'll be sure to take plenty of pictures.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: dark_lord on October 24, 2008, 06:15:54 PM
i recommend obama's "audicity of hope".  good read and will help in your decision making for the upcoming election.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: KCattheStripe on October 24, 2008, 06:19:45 PM
Plays:

The Odd Couple- Neil Simon
Henry V- William Shakespeare
Long Days Journey Into Night- Eugene O'Neil

Novels

Slaughter House 5- Kurt Vonnegut
The Things They Carried- Tim O'Brien
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Gomesfan on November 20, 2008, 06:21:55 PM
Fear Nothing  by Dean Koontz is a pretty cool book, it's a little different then his other books. I have read it twice.

Also the Count of Monte Cristo is always good , it got me into reading and I have read it a few times over the years.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: nickagneta on November 20, 2008, 06:27:20 PM
For those into really well thought out science fiction try The Night's Dawn Trilogy by Peter F. Hamilton. Three long books sometimes broken up into six medium size ones The Reality Dysfunction, The Neutronium Alchemist and The Naked God. I wasn't crazy about the ending but for 5 and 1/2 books it was some of the greatest science fiction I ever read.

Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Mean Gerald Green on November 20, 2008, 07:36:57 PM
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer - One of my favorite books.

Tell No One by Harlen Coben - A fantastic mystery novel if you're looking for a fun read.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Steve Weinman on November 20, 2008, 07:55:43 PM
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer - One of my favorite books.

Tell No One by Harlen Coben - A fantastic mystery novel if you're looking for a fun read.

My favorite novelist, far, far and away.  I'm a long-time Grisham lover, but he is number two (with Brad Meltzer hovering as a third) these days - the wit of Coben's narration and his unbelievable ability to tie everything together in his endings never cease to amaze me.

MGG, have you read any of his other work?  While each of his novels is top-of-the-line, I'd recommend any of the books in his Myron Bolitar series in particular - just fantastic reading, and 'Win' might be my favorite literary character.

-sw
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: hwangjini_1 on November 20, 2008, 08:02:39 PM
ok, what the heck. i have no idea if this book has been mentioned since i dont have time to review the entire danged thead...hey, the celtics are almost on tv!

watership down.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Roy Hobbs on November 20, 2008, 08:18:02 PM
ok, what the heck. i have no idea if this book has been mentioned since i dont have time to review the entire danged thead...hey, the celtics are almost on tv!

watership down.

Great book, for sure.  Highly recommended.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Schupac on November 20, 2008, 10:33:18 PM
I've been tearing through Bukowski lately... I think he best represents distinctly American literature.  He's also very accessible and some of his books are genuinely funny.  You could really pick up anything by him but I'd recommend starting with Ham on Rye.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: cdif911 on November 20, 2008, 10:35:38 PM
I'm reading Traffic right now - if you like the social sciences, you'll like it - shows us many theories to why traffic happens, why we act irrationally, what can be done about it, etc. quite enjoyable
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Steve Weinman on November 20, 2008, 10:48:53 PM
ok, what the heck. i have no idea if this book has been mentioned since i dont have time to review the entire danged thead...hey, the celtics are almost on tv!

watership down.

Great book, for sure.  Highly recommended.

Is that the book about the rabbits?  I feel like I read this a few years back but might be thinking of the wrong thing...

-sw
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Andy Jick on November 21, 2008, 08:45:38 AM
if any of you guys are into historical fiction, i recommend matthew pearl...he has written two books (the dante club...the poe shadow) and has a new book coming out in early 2009. 

you guys that live in the new england area would probably enjoy him if that's your thing...but i highly recommend giving him a read.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Emperor Young on November 21, 2008, 09:09:13 AM
Anyone reading "Top of the world" by Peter Mays? It's about amazing season we had last year. Great book! lot's of cool "behind the scene" information. I highly recommend it to any die hard celtic fans..
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Andy Jick on November 21, 2008, 02:22:35 PM
a brand new barnes and noble was built down the road from us, so i thought i'd meander over there today.  saw a book by rick pitino (the title was something about "rebound rules"?).

but i read the opening chapter where he was candid about leaving the celtics.  was interesting to see him being so transparent and humble...
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Roy Hobbs on November 21, 2008, 04:48:03 PM
ok, what the heck. i have no idea if this book has been mentioned since i dont have time to review the entire danged thead...hey, the celtics are almost on tv!

watership down.

Great book, for sure.  Highly recommended.

Is that the book about the rabbits?  I feel like I read this a few years back but might be thinking of the wrong thing...

-sw

Yep, that's the one.  Don't read the sequel, though; it's pretty bad.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Schupac on November 21, 2008, 06:32:26 PM
if any of you guys are into historical fiction, i recommend matthew pearl...he has written two books (the dante club...the poe shadow) and has a new book coming out in early 2009. 

you guys that live in the new england area would probably enjoy him if that's your thing...but i highly recommend giving him a read.

I read the Dante Club but I wasn't that into it.  Pearl is a little dry and intentionally scholarly, and I thought sometimes he was also a little too in love with these historical figures.  That said, I'd rather dislike something for being "too smart" than "too dumb".
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Andy Jick on November 21, 2008, 08:08:28 PM
if any of you guys are into historical fiction, i recommend matthew pearl...he has written two books (the dante club...the poe shadow) and has a new book coming out in early 2009. 

you guys that live in the new england area would probably enjoy him if that's your thing...but i highly recommend giving him a read.

I read the Dante Club but I wasn't that into it.  Pearl is a little dry and intentionally scholarly, and I thought sometimes he was also a little too in love with these historical figures.  That said, I'd rather dislike something for being "too smart" than "too dumb".

yeah, he's not for everyone...i'm a sherlock holmes addict/collector so his style appeals to me.

if you like this genre you might check out will thomas...he has a series of novels that are spot-on.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Mean Gerald Green on November 28, 2008, 05:52:56 PM
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer - One of my favorite books.

Tell No One by Harlen Coben - A fantastic mystery novel if you're looking for a fun read.

My favorite novelist, far, far and away.  I'm a long-time Grisham lover, but he is number two (with Brad Meltzer hovering as a third) these days - the wit of Coben's narration and his unbelievable ability to tie everything together in his endings never cease to amaze me.

MGG, have you read any of his other work?  While each of his novels is top-of-the-line, I'd recommend any of the books in his Myron Bolitar series in particular - just fantastic reading, and 'Win' might be my favorite literary character.

-sw


I have read Deal Breaker, Drop Shot and Fade Away so far, love the series. I'm looking forward to starting Back Spin now that things have slowed down at work. Also read No Second Chance and Just One Look this summer. I'd also strongly recommend the Myron Bolitar series to the blog since we're all obviously sports fans. The books are engrossing.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on November 28, 2008, 05:59:30 PM
I don't read much. In fact, I only started reading about a year ago. I like fantasy series myself, and so far have read eight books of the Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind, five books of Ranger's Apprentice by John Flanagan, and two of The Godless World by Brian Ruckley(Winterbirth and Bloodheir).

Any of you guys like these kind of stuff that can recommend me some? I usually enjoy a series of novels. I'm thinking of reading A Song of Fire and Ice by George R. R. Martin (will be made into an HBO series soon), The Wheel of Time by "Robert Jordan", and The Dark Tower by Stephen King. So opinions regarding any of these 3 series would be appriciated in addition to other recommendations you might have.

I also read the first book of Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz, and really enjoyed it. Haven't found the time to continue with the others.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: nickagneta on November 28, 2008, 11:34:05 PM
I don't read much. In fact, I only started reading about a year ago. I like fantasy series myself, and so far have read eight books of the Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind, five books of Ranger's Apprentice by John Flanagan, and two of The Godless World by Brian Ruckley(Winterbirth and Bloodheir).

Any of you guys like these kind of stuff that can recommend me some? I usually enjoy a series of novels. I'm thinking of reading A Song of Fire and Ice by George R. R. Martin (will be made into an HBO series soon), The Wheel of Time by "Robert Jordan", and The Dark Tower by Stephen King. So opinions regarding any of these 3 series would be appriciated in addition to other recommendations you might have.

I also read the first book of Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz, and really enjoyed it. Haven't found the time to continue with the others.
A Song of Ice and Fire is without a doubt a fabulous read but be warned, Martin is only about halfway through the total story and it might be a decade or more before he finishes it. I'm willing to wait because that series is without a doubt some of the most intelligent fantasy fiction ever.

The Belgariad and The Mallorean series by David Eddings is great and is a good 13 book read considering Eddings has the same characters in both series and in a couple of follow up books in Polgara the Sorceress, Belgarath the Sorcerer, and The Rivan Codex.

Terry Brooks also has a great series in his Shannara epics which starts with the Sword of Shannara and goes on through history of Shannara through generations in about 20 or so books.

Science fiction starts with Isaac Asimov's Foundation and Robot series and you can move on from there in different directions but science fiction series all began with the Foundation books. I still go back and read them once every couple of years or so because they are that good and one of the most awarded science fiction ever.

My favorite other science fiction is anything, and I mean anything, from the combination of Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle. Lucifer's Hammer, The Mote in God's Eye, The Legacy of Herot and Footfall being my favorites.

King's Gunslinger books are good but they are King which means very wordy and descriptive which is great in horror when trying to scare the hell out of people but can loose an audience who is looking for a good story.

Jordan's Wheel of Time series was great for about 8 books but then got boring and then he died and never finished the story. I hear someone is supposed to be writing the final book in the series.

Of course there's Harry Potter which is an incredible series. Don't believe for a minute Harry Potter is just for kids.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: dark_lord on November 29, 2008, 12:32:06 AM
the force unleashed novel is a good read if ur into star wars
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on November 29, 2008, 08:07:48 AM
I don't read much. In fact, I only started reading about a year ago. I like fantasy series myself, and so far have read eight books of the Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind, five books of Ranger's Apprentice by John Flanagan, and two of The Godless World by Brian Ruckley(Winterbirth and Bloodheir).

Any of you guys like these kind of stuff that can recommend me some? I usually enjoy a series of novels. I'm thinking of reading A Song of Fire and Ice by George R. R. Martin (will be made into an HBO series soon), The Wheel of Time by "Robert Jordan", and The Dark Tower by Stephen King. So opinions regarding any of these 3 series would be appriciated in addition to other recommendations you might have.

I also read the first book of Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz, and really enjoyed it. Haven't found the time to continue with the others.
A Song of Ice and Fire is without a doubt a fabulous read but be warned, Martin is only about halfway through the total story and it might be a decade or more before he finishes it. I'm willing to wait because that series is without a doubt some of the most intelligent fantasy fiction ever.

My brother keeps telling me this is his favorite. I read two or three chapters some months ago, but it didn't capture me right away, so I didn't continue it. Not because I didn't feel it was worthwhile, but I was already hooked on the Sword of Truth, and since it didn't capture me immidiately I didn't feel like taking a break from the other. But surely it has been highly recommended from quite a few people, and I'm quite patient with stories, I just need to find the time.

Quote
The Belgariad and The Mallorean series by David Eddings is great and is a good 13 book read considering Eddings has the same characters in both series and in a couple of follow up books in Polgara the Sorceress, Belgarath the Sorcerer, and The Rivan Codex.

This certainly looks worth looking into. Looking around, those Polgara the Sorceress and Belgarath the Sorcerer might not be of my interest... you think them worthwhile once I'm done with the series? I doubt that I'll try this any time soon, but it would be good to keep in mind when the time comes.

Quote
Terry Brooks also has a great series in his Shannara epics which starts with the Sword of Shannara and goes on through history of Shannara through generations in about 20 or so books.

Well, I think I found something that I'll be reading quite soon. I've really enjoyed his Sword of Truth series, and if this is anything similar to it (by the looks of it), then I will surely enjoy it. Seems like a movie adaptation is coming soon. I hope they don't crap on it as ABC has done with their adaptation of Sword of Truth.


Quote
Science fiction starts with Isaac Asimov's Foundation and Robot series and you can move on from there in different directions but science fiction series all began with the Foundation books. I still go back and read them once every couple of years or so because they are that good and one of the most awarded science fiction ever.

Concept looks interesting, but I'm not sure that this might be for me. Might keep it mind if somewhere along the line I get an itch for it. As far as science fiction goes, I might start with the Ender series before anything. Although I really like sci-fi movies and tv series, novels in the other hand haven't gotten much interest from me.

Quote
King's Gunslinger books are good but they are King which means very wordy and descriptive which is great in horror when trying to scare the hell out of people but can loose an audience who is looking for a good story.

I think Terry Brooks suffers from this a bit, and if I can tolerate his, I can probably tolarate King's. My brother already has the full collection, so I have those books ready at hand... so for convenience sake, this looks like an easy pick for me when I'm done with some of the books I'm already into.

Quote
Jordan's Wheel of Time series was great for about 8 books but then got boring and then he died and never finished the story. I hear someone is supposed to be writing the final book in the series.

I'll keep this in mind, but someone I know says this is his favorite series, so I will check it out even if it's for curiousity's sake. At least I find the plot description very interesing. And as you say, someone is indeed writing the final novel. As I understand it, it's someone handpicked by his wife (or maybe by him himself before dying). I also understand that even if the novel wasn't writen, he had already laid out how the final novel should progress and its plot points, so even if it's from another author it should depict his ideas.


Quote
Of course there's Harry Potter which is an incredible series. Don't believe for a minute Harry Potter is just for kids.

I'm quite satisfied with the movies myself. I know I may be missing out on some things, but the movies are enough for me for the time being.

the force unleashed novel is a good read if ur into star wars

I don't know if I'll ever get into reading some Star Wars, even though I have some interest in it. If I start reading the Star Wars universe, I would need to start reading from the beginning (the beginning for me is probably after Episode 6, X-Wing series maybe?), and read pretty much anything that is considered canon in the appropiate order.  At the moment it seems too much for me, and it'll probably be a pain in the ass to figure out what to read when and it what order, although wikipedia has a pretty good list on how things should go about. We'll see.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Brickowski on November 29, 2008, 09:13:12 AM
If you like Science Fiction, the two best writers in the last 25 years, IMHO, are C.J. Cherryh and Greg Bear. Cherryh's "Faded Sun" trilogy is a masterpiece, and so is Bear's "Moving Mars."

I would recommend anything by Cherryh.  Her "Morgaine" trilogy (which became a tetralogy with the release of "Exile's Gate") rivals Lord of the Rings and the Chanur novels and "Serpent's Reach" are space opera at its best.

And then there are Downbelow Station and Cyteen, for which she won Hugo awards.   

Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: dark_lord on November 29, 2008, 10:23:30 PM
I don't know if I'll ever get into reading some Star Wars, even though I have some interest in it. If I start reading the Star Wars universe, I would need to start reading from the beginning (the beginning for me is probably after Episode 6, X-Wing series maybe?), and read pretty much anything that is considered canon in the appropiate order.  At the moment it seems too much for me, and it'll probably be a pain in the ass to figure out what to read when and it what order, although wikipedia has a pretty good list on how things should go about. We'll see.

following episode 6, there is a ton of great reads.  the storylines of luke skywalker and mara jade marrying and having kids, luke rebuilding the jedi order, etc.  also han and leia marrying and having kids, one of which becomes a sith lord, etc.

also when it comes to star wars....forget wikipedia.  use wookiepedia, it has EVERYTHING!
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on December 04, 2008, 04:29:40 PM
I saw that someone recommended The Lies of Locke Lamora earlier in the thread. Well, I read some info on it and it convinced me, I'm going to give it a try. Bought the two books that are out... they better be good, or I'm gonna make you pay for it.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on January 24, 2009, 01:02:59 AM
An old book, but a darn good one:

I got a compilation of the works of Dashel Hammet (sp?)...he wrote the maltese falcon, basically the father of the hardboiled detective story.

I just got done "Red Harvest", a 137 page masterpiece. He uses local color and his experience as a Pinkerton in the late 19th century to paint a picture of a world that is amazing. after reading this work, I realize Im far from the first. Dozens upon dozens of writers have used his concept of the anti-hero detective (seriously, find this work then watch bladerunner)

Just a sample

Quote
  The old man flung the covers back from his legs and started to get out of bed. Then, he thought better of it and raised his red face and roared:
  "Stanley!"
  The door opened to let the secretary glide in.
  "Throw this (schmuck) out!" his master ordered, waving a fist at me.
  The secretary turned to me, I shook my head and suggested:
  "Better get help."

I read that line like six times, it was so awesome. I laughed at how outlandish it was but Hammett paints such a picture of his guy (who remains nameless the ENTIRE novel. he's just known as "the continental detective"), that its more weird because it seems totally authentic this guy saying it.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on March 21, 2009, 04:14:41 PM
I saw that someone recommended The Lies of Locke Lamora earlier in the thread. Well, I read some info on it and it convinced me, I'm going to give it a try. Bought the two books that are out... they better be good, or I'm gonna make you pay for it.


Well, just finished reading Red Seas Under Red Skies, which is the second installment of the Gentlemen Edited for profanity.  Please do not do it again.s series.

About the Lies of Locke Lamora, I found the first introduction very good... but then I found it very hard to get into when their first scheme starts to develop. I stopped reading the book at that point, and went and read something else. After some months, I gave it a chance once again, and was glad I did. If only I had read one more chapter back then, but the book becomes quite good. I really like the vulgar dialogue, it can get funny at times... the action is great, and I love the violence and all the blood shed.

Anyone has news of when book 3 should come out? I had heard Spring of 2009, but haven't found much information on it.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: cdif911 on March 21, 2009, 04:32:05 PM
Reading a pretty good book on popular economics called "More sex is safer sex" - basically makes us look at various problems in society through a different lens.  The author Stephen Landsburg makes some good arguments, and even if you don't agree with everything, it makes you think
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: WW1MR on March 21, 2009, 04:49:06 PM
These books are not for everyone but you can download the first for free off the internet, so it doesn't hurt to check it out, if your not interested ... move on, no big deal.

Twilight of the Modern Word
http://wolf.readinglitho.co.uk/downloads/Twilight_of_Modern_World.pdf

And the one I'd recommend:
Crash Course
-read 2 chapters for free online, also download-able @:
http://www.preparingforpeakoil.com/

-WW1MR
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Carhole on March 21, 2009, 05:49:47 PM
I do not know if this book has been recommended in the previous 7 pages of posts, sorry if it has - but I recently read "freakonomics" and seeing how many csblog users love interesting applications of statistical analysis I would think those same "analytical" celtsblog users would really like this book.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Fan from VT on March 21, 2009, 06:04:04 PM
I'm halfway through "Loose Balls," about the ABA. Hilarious.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: GaBerkowitz on March 21, 2009, 06:20:27 PM
Im reading "The Breaks of the Game" by David Halberstam.  It's about the Portland Trailblazers from 1978-79 its really interesting so far.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: cdif911 on March 21, 2009, 08:41:11 PM
I do not know if this book has been recommended in the previous 7 pages of posts, sorry if it has - but I recently read "freakonomics" and seeing how many csblog users love interesting applications of statistical analysis I would think those same "analytical" celtsblog users would really like this book.

I've read that and its corollary, Freedomnomics... the thing about economists is they rarely agree, its why Harry Truman once said he'd like to have a one armed economist, so he couldn't say on the other hand
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on March 21, 2009, 09:52:38 PM
I just read "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy (No country for old men), and it was pretty awesome. Dark? Sure but still really awesome. Its a great little microscopic look at humanity and the concept of death.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Redz on March 21, 2009, 10:00:38 PM
About a year ago someone recommended the Song of Ice & Fire series by George martin on here.  I'm about 2500 pages into it (3rd book).  I've been pecking away at for months now.  Really enjoying the journey.  The guy has an amazing brain.  I have a fourth book in the series rady to go.  martin's working on the 5th in the series now, and it appears there will be 7, when all is said and done.  Seven is very symbollic in the series, so it would make some sense if he cuts it off at 7.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: CoachBo on March 21, 2009, 10:21:26 PM
I'm halfway through "Loose Balls," about the ABA. Hilarious.

Truly one of the finest sports books ever written. Terry Pluto writes great stuff.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: nickagneta on March 22, 2009, 01:26:30 AM
About a year ago someone recommended the Song of Ice & Fire series by George martin on here.  I'm about 2500 pages into it (3rd book).  I've been pecking away at for months now.  Really enjoying the journey.  The guy has an amazing brain.  I have a fourth book in the series rady to go.  martin's working on the 5th in the series now, and it appears there will be 7, when all is said and done.  Seven is very symbollic in the series, so it would make some sense if he cuts it off at 7.
I've been waiting for that 5th book to come out for going on 3+ years now. I've since read all the books over again and think I might have to do it again just to remember how the storyline was going.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on March 23, 2009, 12:02:55 PM
For those of you that like the A Song of Ice and Fire, you'll probably want to check out Malazan Book of the Fallen series. I haven't read it myself, but I've seen it recommended quite a few times to people that like the former. Any of you read it by any chance?
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on April 09, 2009, 09:21:01 AM
Sorry for the double post.

Just read The Name of the Wind and loved it. Will highly recommend it to people that like fantasy.

It's the debut novel by Patrick Rothfuss, and the book has gotten a ton of praises. It's the first book of the Kingkiller Chronicle (probably a trilogy), at the moment waiting for the second book.

The main character is an interesting one, and the structure of the novel also makes interesting since it's not the usual. The story starts in 3rd person, then shifts to 1st person as the meat of the story is like an autobiography of the main character. We keep getting Interludes that bring us back to the present. So in all it's a story within a story. But the present has it's own plot, so it's not just a retelling of the character's life.

I find the characters to be good and realistic, and really like how the magic system in here works, though we haven't gotten to the meat of it.

Anyone here read it?
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: PaulPierce34G on April 09, 2009, 09:24:03 AM
Some of my favorite reads include:



"The Merchant of Venice" by Shakespeare

"Tartuffe" by Moliere

"Medea" by Euripides"

If you're not really into the whole classic literature, I'd highly recommend these 2 titles.  I really enjoyed reading them.

"Master Harold...and the Boys." by Athol Fugard

"Bread Givers" by Anzia Yezierskya.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on June 03, 2009, 01:59:12 PM
Right now I'm reading The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie... first novel of The First Law Trilogy, and I have to say this book is quite awesome. You guys should check it out. Everywhere I've looked, everyone has very high praises for the trilogy. If not mistaken, The Blade Itself was his debut novel.

Anyways, check it out. It's really a page turner, with multiple point of views, interesting characters. It also has a good abundance of dark humor and it can be quite brutal and violent at times.

Here's a review for it for those interested:
http://www.sffworld.com/brevoff/293.html

Any of you read it by any chance?

Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Hoyo de Monterrey on June 03, 2009, 03:01:45 PM
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving

Don't you dare watch Simon Birch and think that's all you need for the story  ;D the book is much better and is an excellent read.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: crownsy on June 03, 2009, 03:24:43 PM
Right now I'm reading The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie... first novel of The First Law Trilogy, and I have to say this book is quite awesome. You guys should check it out. Everywhere I've looked, everyone has very high praises for the trilogy. If not mistaken, The Blade Itself was his debut novel.

Anyways, check it out. It's really a page turner, with multiple point of views, interesting characters. It also has a good abundance of dark humor and it can be quite brutal and violent at times.

Here's a review for it for those interested:
http://www.sffworld.com/brevoff/293.html

Any of you read it by any chance?



I read it, i really liked it.

My only problem is the second one is coming out in that big book format too, im going to cave eventually, but they are a tad pricey.

I'm quite a fan of the way ninefingers was written in the story, and glorka was also extremly well done.

side note: i forgot who recommend it, but if they remind me, mucho TP's for the rec to read the honor harrington series, those books are great.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: crownsy on June 03, 2009, 03:29:19 PM
For those of you that like the A Song of Ice and Fire, you'll probably want to check out Malazan Book of the Fallen series. I haven't read it myself, but I've seen it recommended quite a few times to people that like the former. Any of you read it by any chance?

I haven't, but A song of ice and Fire is my current favroite on going series, so ill have to give it a look once i finish up what im on.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Redz on June 03, 2009, 03:33:01 PM
For those of you that like the A Song of Ice and Fire, you'll probably want to check out Malazan Book of the Fallen series. I haven't read it myself, but I've seen it recommended quite a few times to people that like the former. Any of you read it by any chance?

I haven't, but A song of ice and Fire is my current favroite on going series, so ill have to give it a look once i finish up what im on.


I'm about half way through the 4th book of a Song and Ice and Fire series now (picked it up based on someones suggestion on here at least a year ago I'd say)...I've been reading about a chapter a day.  The 4th book is probably the worst so so far, but all in all it's an amazing story with at least a dozen characters worth following (at least until he kills them off - which he's not afraid of doing).

Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on June 03, 2009, 03:41:50 PM
Right now I'm reading The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie... first novel of The First Law Trilogy, and I have to say this book is quite awesome. You guys should check it out. Everywhere I've looked, everyone has very high praises for the trilogy. If not mistaken, The Blade Itself was his debut novel.

Anyways, check it out. It's really a page turner, with multiple point of views, interesting characters. It also has a good abundance of dark humor and it can be quite brutal and violent at times.

Here's a review for it for those interested:
http://www.sffworld.com/brevoff/293.html

Any of you read it by any chance?



I read it, i really liked it.

My only problem is the second one is coming out in that big book format too, im going to cave eventually, but they are a tad pricey.

I'm quite a fan of the way ninefingers was written in the story, and glorka was also extremly well done.

side note: i forgot who recommend it, but if they remind me, mucho TP's for the rec to read the honor harrington series, those books are great.

I already bought myself the whole trilogy in the Paperback format, which came at about $11.50 each from Amazon with free shipping.

Didn't know about the hardcover, since the first book doesn't have one. They don't seem to be widely available. I preffer paperback myself... I hate hardcovers, always end up destroying them.

Yep, I enjoy Ninefingers, though still waiting for him to get more involved. Glotka is quite awesome. Who knew that someone could write such an interesting character being a cripple.

Edit: And a TP for Locke Lamora... still waiting for the Republic of Thieves to be released, which keeps getting delayed.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: incoherent on June 03, 2009, 03:56:42 PM
About a year ago someone recommended the Song of Ice & Fire series by George martin on here.  I'm about 2500 pages into it (3rd book).  I've been pecking away at for months now.  Really enjoying the journey.  The guy has an amazing brain.  I have a fourth book in the series rady to go.  martin's working on the 5th in the series now, and it appears there will be 7, when all is said and done.  Seven is very symbollic in the series, so it would make some sense if he cuts it off at 7.

That was me, on page three of this thread, about 8 months ago... I'm glad you took my advice, everyone I've offered the first book too, or have told about it that has gone on to read it fell in love.

I agree that the 4th is by far the worst, mainly because of time constraints and Martin's choice to chop the book in half and make it a "south" book, and book 5 the "north" book.

Dance with Dragons comes out this year soon, I hope.  But until then pick up Robin Hobb's Liveship Trader trilogy or her Farseer trilogy.  Both incredibly good... take place in the same world... after those 6 books there is 3 more that take place in the same world with the same characters but roughly 25 years after those events.  The story is just incredible...


Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: incoherent on June 03, 2009, 03:58:34 PM
Ender's Game
Ender's Shadow

2 books, take place at the same time in the same place but from 2 different point of views.  I cant decide which one I love more but both are amazing.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on June 03, 2009, 04:07:01 PM
Ender's Game
Ender's Shadow

2 books, take place at the same time in the same place but from 2 different point of views.  I cant decide which one I love more but both are amazing.

Buncha TP's for you, but mostly because I was going in the thread to plug "Ender's War" (Ender's Game and Speaker For the Dead together in one volume) for like the 18th time.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: kenmaine on June 03, 2009, 06:39:01 PM
I always recommend, and think everyone should be familiar with-

1) Don Quixote
2) Huckleberry Finn

Two classics- IMO the best two books I've ever read. A classic book does NOT have to be dry or boring.

Other favorites that probably won't be considered classics in the future, but I enjoyed immensely are -
 Dracula(yes, it's really good)
 Last and First Men(for the sci-fi fans)
 Anything by Wilkie Collins- especially The Moonstone, and The Woman in White.
 Anything by Anthony Berkeley(brilliantly written classic British mysteries).
 Mysteries by Leo Bruce(the Sgt. Beef series is fantasic)
 Mysteries by Edmund Crispin
 
 
And I just recently discovered a new favorite author, which is always a thrill-  Carl Hiaasen. The book was "Strip Tease" which I didn't even realize had been made into a movie, but it's a great read. Set in modern day Florida- sort of tongue-in-cheek hardboiled thriller stuff, but the man can create great characters.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: MattG12 on June 03, 2009, 06:51:16 PM
The Bible
The Great Gatsby
The Last Lecture
Tuesdays with Morrie
Fahrenheit 451
1984
I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell
The Giver
The Outsiders
Moneyball
Animal Farm
The White Book
A Book of all Edgar Allen Poe stories...

Some of my favorite.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on June 03, 2009, 06:53:52 PM
You really like "The Great Gatsby"?

Can I ask why? (Not sarcastically) I've had to read it twice (abet years ago), and I could not stand the prose alone.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: RebusRankin on June 03, 2009, 07:03:56 PM
Once again, I have to plug Harlan Coben's Myron Bolitar series.

John Conelly's Harry Bosch series is good, as is John Sandford's Lucas Davenport series (The Prey series).
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: POBstuntin on June 03, 2009, 07:14:04 PM
Naked by David Sedaris

Seven Seconds or Less by Jack MacCallum

Live from New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live by Tom Shales and James Miller

Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger

The Myron Bolitar Series by Harlan Coben (Ex-Duke basketball star turned detective, pretty sweet and easy series)

Loose Balls by Terry Pluto

High Fidelity
by Nick Hornby


First time I saw this thread, I'm filling up an Amazon cart now, some really good stuff on the list.  We have to be one of the more literate sport boards on the web.  
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: POBstuntin on June 03, 2009, 07:14:53 PM
Once again, I have to plug Harlan Coben's Myron Bolitar series.

John Conelly's Harry Bosch series is good, as is John Sandford's Lucas Davenport series (The Prey series).

Haha, you literally posted that while I was doing the same.  Great books. 
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: MattG12 on June 03, 2009, 07:17:59 PM
You really like "The Great Gatsby"?

Can I ask why? (Not sarcastically) I've had to read it twice (abet years ago), and I could not stand the prose alone.

Haha I was under the assumption everybody likes The Great Gatsby... I really enjoy the dialogue between the characters, it's very sarcastic and snobby yet intelligent. It reminds me of watching Frasier(Which is one of my favorite television shows). I suppose I can see why some people would not like the book. I think having to read it and wanting to read are two very different things though. For instance, I had to read Animal Farm for school and absolutely hated it. I read it again a couple years later and a tad bit wiser and I found it to be remarkable. Perhaps you should reread The Great Gatsby you could see things you missed and end up liking it...

I don't know I've never really thought about why I like certain books. Books are very different from movies, it's difficult to describe. I mean, as you can see I like books that are on the absolute opposite end of the spectrum from other books I like. I really enjoy reading the bible and take it very seriously yet I can also enjoy reading Tucker Max's childish, yet very adult, humor in I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on June 03, 2009, 07:20:52 PM
You really like "The Great Gatsby"?

Can I ask why? (Not sarcastically) I've had to read it twice (abet years ago), and I could not stand the prose alone.

Haha I was under the assumption everybody likes The Great Gatsby... I really enjoy the dialogue between the characters, it's very sarcastic and snobby yet intelligent. It reminds me of watching Frasier(Which is one of my favorite television shows). I suppose I can see why some people would not like the book. I think having to read it and wanting to read are two very different things though. For instance, I had to read Animal Farm for school and absolutely hated it. I read it again a couple years later and a tad bit wiser and I found it to be remarkable. Perhaps you should reread The Great Gatsby you could see things you missed and end up liking it...

I don't know I've never really thought about why I like certain books. Books are very different from movies, it's difficult to describe. I mean, as you can see I like books that are on the absolute opposite end of the spectrum from other books I like. I really enjoy reading the bible and take it very seriously yet I can also enjoy reading Tucker Max's childish, yet very adult, humor in I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell.

See that's why I asked and why I hoped you answered...correct in that I had to read it, once in highschool and once in college...and I think you're right. I HAD to read Ethan Frome in highschool, but then I decided to take a class in college that I knew required me to read it and found it very interesting. I wouldn't say I liked it, I would say I appreciated it. Maybe being forced to read something imbues you with a sense of resentment towards the whole ordeal.

I got some time, maybe I will read it instead of re-playing Fallout.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Gomesfan on June 03, 2009, 07:26:55 PM
A Thousand Splendid Suns and Kite Runner.
by Khaled Hosseini

Two awesome books, the first one id disturbing but good.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: nickagneta on June 03, 2009, 08:10:10 PM
For those interested A Dance With Dragons has a release date on amazon.com of September 29, 2009. This is contingent upon Martin finishing the book sometime before the end of this month. Here is where the book will first be announced as being finished, it's from Martin's personal site:

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

If you don't see a update announcing the book's completion by July 4th, expect another push back on the release date, probably to sometime in 2010.

Here's the US cover:

(http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/covers_450/9780553801477.jpg)

Also this is a cool tidbit from the asoiaf.westeros.org site:

Quote
Book Six will be called The Winds of Winter. No information is known on it other than that George plans to have all the characters back together in one novel. Book Seven will be called A Dream of Spring and is currently planned to be the final book in the series.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: MattG12 on June 03, 2009, 08:19:33 PM
A Thousand Splendid Suns and Kite Runner.
by Khaled Hosseini

Two awesome books, the first one id disturbing but good.


Did not enjoy the Kite Runner when I read it for school. However I do own it and perhaps I should reread it. By the way what a coincidence I happen to be in the middle of the movie right now.

That reminds me... Another book I read in school that was recently made into a film. Into The Wild... Excellent book, and movie.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Redz on June 03, 2009, 08:43:52 PM
For those interested A Dance With Dragons has a release date on amazon.com of September 29, 2009. This is contingent upon Martin finishing the book sometime before the end of this month. Here is where the book will first be announced as being finished, it's from Martin's personal site:

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

If you don't see a update announcing the book's completion by July 4th, expect another push back on the release date, probably to sometime in 2010.

Here's the US cover:

(http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/covers_450/9780553801477.jpg)

Also this is a cool tidbit from the asoiaf.westeros.org site:

Quote
Book Six will be called The Winds of Winter. No information is known on it other than that George plans to have all the characters back together in one novel. Book Seven will be called A Dream of Spring and is currently planned to be the final book in the series.

Saw that Nick.  I like that he has plans for 7 books to match the 7 gods.

The thing that's killing me with the 4th book are all of the new characters he's introducing, when I'm 500 pages in and I haven't heard a thing about some of my favorite characters.

BTW, I think my favorite chapters so far were involving the battle at the Wall.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Redz on June 03, 2009, 08:47:50 PM
About a year ago someone recommended the Song of Ice & Fire series by George martin on here.  I'm about 2500 pages into it (3rd book).  I've been pecking away at for months now.  Really enjoying the journey.  The guy has an amazing brain.  I have a fourth book in the series rady to go.  martin's working on the 5th in the series now, and it appears there will be 7, when all is said and done.  Seven is very symbollic in the series, so it would make some sense if he cuts it off at 7.

That was me, on page three of this thread, about 8 months ago... I'm glad you took my advice, everyone I've offered the first book too, or have told about it that has gone on to read it fell in love.

I agree that the 4th is by far the worst, mainly because of time constraints and Martin's choice to chop the book in half and make it a "south" book, and book 5 the "north" book.

Dance with Dragons comes out this year soon, I hope.  But until then pick up Robin Hobb's Liveship Trader trilogy or her Farseer trilogy.  Both incredibly good... take place in the same world... after those 6 books there is 3 more that take place in the same world with the same characters but roughly 25 years after those events.  The story is just incredible...




I could use a bit of a break from this series probably.  I have a bunch of books piled up that I'd like to get to, but haven't been able to tear myself away from the Martin books.

Adencourt, is Bernard Cornwell's latest/  I love hos stuff but I read some reviews that were kind of what I started to fear with him - he's getting formulaic, and a lot of his charcters in different series are starting show similar qualities.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: nickagneta on June 03, 2009, 09:10:27 PM
For those interested A Dance With Dragons has a release date on amazon.com of September 29, 2009. This is contingent upon Martin finishing the book sometime before the end of this month. Here is where the book will first be announced as being finished, it's from Martin's personal site:

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

If you don't see a update announcing the book's completion by July 4th, expect another push back on the release date, probably to sometime in 2010.

Here's the US cover:

(http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/covers_450/9780553801477.jpg)

Also this is a cool tidbit from the asoiaf.westeros.org site:

Quote
Book Six will be called The Winds of Winter. No information is known on it other than that George plans to have all the characters back together in one novel. Book Seven will be called A Dream of Spring and is currently planned to be the final book in the series.

Saw that Nick.  I like that he has plans for 7 books to match the 7 gods.

The thing that's killing me with the 4th book are all of the new characters he's introducing, when I'm 500 pages in and I haven't heard a thing about some of my favorite characters.

BTW, I think my favorite chapters so far were involving the battle at the Wall.
I loved the Aria becoming an assassin storyline and everything and anything to do with Tyrion, Daenyrys and Jon. The whole Iron Islands story, while relevant and needed to tie up all the knots, bored the hell out of me.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: nickagneta on June 03, 2009, 09:12:11 PM
Oh, and by the end of AFOC Jamie Lannister is one of my favorite characters going forward whereas, I hate him for the better part of three books.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: cdif911 on June 03, 2009, 09:21:12 PM
newest books I've finished (for fun, not class)

The Paradox of Choice: Why More is Less - excellent look at the super complex world we live in and why it actually makes us unhappy - if you've ever been "paralyzed by choice" this book is for you

The Dumbest Generation - a statistical analysis of those under 30, and how their plugging in has really led them to tune out and not achieve at the levels the older generations have.  Also looks at why these kids don't only not want to read, but actually detest it - scary stuff

Faking It - more for college aged people, basically a social ediquitte guide for Gen Xers (or Gen Y?) or Millenials?  But its full of humor and actually has some decent advice as well

and working on:

The Narcissism Epidemic - very good so far, looks at the growing problem with (again) youth and their self perception.  One thing I've learned so far is that the myth that narcissistic people are insecure deep down is generally false - they are really secure, and therefore do think they're better than everyone else.

Also started a book called Why Choose This Book, but its meh so far

For class: None are reccomended, but if you like Medeival History: Leon Battista Alberti: Master Builder of the Italian Renaissance (finished it today), and John Albertin's From the Brink of the Apocalypse - basically about the plague, the 100 years war, etc. (actually writing this post made me do something to change my book review, reminded me of a point about the Alberti book - score!)
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Redz on June 03, 2009, 09:41:44 PM
For those interested A Dance With Dragons has a release date on amazon.com of September 29, 2009. This is contingent upon Martin finishing the book sometime before the end of this month. Here is where the book will first be announced as being finished, it's from Martin's personal site:

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

If you don't see a update announcing the book's completion by July 4th, expect another push back on the release date, probably to sometime in 2010.

Here's the US cover:

(http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/covers_450/9780553801477.jpg)

Also this is a cool tidbit from the asoiaf.westeros.org site:

Quote
Book Six will be called The Winds of Winter. No information is known on it other than that George plans to have all the characters back together in one novel. Book Seven will be called A Dream of Spring and is currently planned to be the final book in the series.

Saw that Nick.  I like that he has plans for 7 books to match the 7 gods.

The thing that's killing me with the 4th book are all of the new characters he's introducing, when I'm 500 pages in and I haven't heard a thing about some of my favorite characters.

BTW, I think my favorite chapters so far were involving the battle at the Wall.
I loved the Aria becoming an assassin storyline and everything and anything to do with Tyrion, Daenyrys and Jon. The whole Iron Islands story, while relevant and needed to tie up all the knots, bored the hell out of me.

Yup, those are definitely my favorites too. I think the younger characters in general are more compelling.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Redz on June 03, 2009, 09:42:53 PM
Oh, and by the end of AFOC Jamie Lannister is one of my favorite characters going forward whereas, I hate him for the better part of three books.

Yeh, he's seen the light!

I think he and Brienne should hook up! (she's awesome too)
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: crownsy on June 03, 2009, 11:04:17 PM
Right now I'm reading The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie... first novel of The First Law Trilogy, and I have to say this book is quite awesome. You guys should check it out. Everywhere I've looked, everyone has very high praises for the trilogy. If not mistaken, The Blade Itself was his debut novel.

Anyways, check it out. It's really a page turner, with multiple point of views, interesting characters. It also has a good abundance of dark humor and it can be quite brutal and violent at times.

Here's a review for it for those interested:
http://www.sffworld.com/brevoff/293.html

Any of you read it by any chance?



I read it, i really liked it.

My only problem is the second one is coming out in that big book format too, im going to cave eventually, but they are a tad pricey.

I'm quite a fan of the way ninefingers was written in the story, and glorka was also extremly well done.

side note: i forgot who recommend it, but if they remind me, mucho TP's for the rec to read the honor harrington series, those books are great.

I already bought myself the whole trilogy in the Paperback format, which came at about $11.50 each from Amazon with free shipping.

Didn't know about the hardcover, since the first book doesn't have one. They don't seem to be widely available. I preffer paperback myself... I hate hardcovers, always end up destroying them.

Yep, I enjoy Ninefingers, though still waiting for him to get more involved. Glotka is quite awesome. Who knew that someone could write such an interesting character being a cripple.

Edit: And a TP for Locke Lamora... still waiting for the Republic of Thieves to be released, which keeps getting delayed.

you and me both man, I need that or martin's next book ASAP.

Also, with Republic, I wonder how he will handle sabathia?

I mean, the way she's written into locke's flash backs, i have high, high hopes for here even though we've never see anything of her in two books (which i think was excellent writing, he has me hype'd up over a character he's yet to write an active role in the story for.)

She's pretty much got to be a fantastic character since she's locke's foil and he speaks of her as if she's a slightly better female version of his thieving self. Can't wait :D

TP's all around for AGOT readers, i need this next book, i need to know whats happening to arya!  :)


Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on June 04, 2009, 12:18:09 AM
Right now I'm reading The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie... first novel of The First Law Trilogy, and I have to say this book is quite awesome. You guys should check it out. Everywhere I've looked, everyone has very high praises for the trilogy. If not mistaken, The Blade Itself was his debut novel.

Anyways, check it out. It's really a page turner, with multiple point of views, interesting characters. It also has a good abundance of dark humor and it can be quite brutal and violent at times.

Here's a review for it for those interested:
http://www.sffworld.com/brevoff/293.html

Any of you read it by any chance?



I read it, i really liked it.

My only problem is the second one is coming out in that big book format too, im going to cave eventually, but they are a tad pricey.

I'm quite a fan of the way ninefingers was written in the story, and glorka was also extremly well done.

side note: i forgot who recommend it, but if they remind me, mucho TP's for the rec to read the honor harrington series, those books are great.

I already bought myself the whole trilogy in the Paperback format, which came at about $11.50 each from Amazon with free shipping.

Didn't know about the hardcover, since the first book doesn't have one. They don't seem to be widely available. I preffer paperback myself... I hate hardcovers, always end up destroying them.

Yep, I enjoy Ninefingers, though still waiting for him to get more involved. Glotka is quite awesome. Who knew that someone could write such an interesting character being a cripple.

Edit: And a TP for Locke Lamora... still waiting for the Republic of Thieves to be released, which keeps getting delayed.

you and me both man, I need that or martin's next book ASAP.

Also, with Republic, I wonder how he will handle sabathia?

I mean, the way she's written into locke's flash backs, i have high, high hopes for here even though we've never see anything of her in two books (which i think was excellent writing, he has me hype'd up over a character he's yet to write an active role in the story for.)

She's pretty much got to be a fantastic character since she's locke's foil and he speaks of her as if she's a slightly better female version of his thieving self. Can't wait :D

TP's all around for AGOT readers, i need this next book, i need to know whats happening to arya!  :)




I think she'll be more of an enemy than a friend, at least for most of the book. I can also see her blaming him for what ocurred in the first book, so I don't know how much they'll get along. Hard to see anything good happening to Locke the way this series goes.

Not going to say much more since I don't like spoiling in threads like this.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on June 13, 2009, 10:14:21 AM
I ran into my 7th grade science teacher a few days ago..we got to talking and he said he had something for me. He went into his car to dig out a book, and he realized he didn't have it. He told me about the book, called "Three Cups of Tea". He said he read it and it changed his life. After he read it, he went out and bought 25 copies, and always tried to carry a couple of them in his car so he can give them away to people he thinks will appreciate them.

He encouraged me to read them. A side note, this guy recently had what was deemed terminal brain cancer. As my science teacher he was a big burly man, and I remember he was always sweating. I hadn't seen him for years, so when I ran into him again as a thin, frail sixty something I was shocked. This guy was given a death sentence by doctors right as he was about to embark on his second career, as an X-ray therapist. He was about to go to school for the two years of training (late 50's at the time), but then ironically he was diagnosed with cancer himself (x-ray therapies are for cancer treatment he told me).

Anyways, he went through the treatment and somehow came out the other end. Frail, probably with a shorter life expency than he had before he realized he had cancer, but still alive. He went through a time where he didn't know what to do with his life, and at some point he read this book. Since then he's been involved mainly in charity work, and rededicated himself to his family.

It was a powerful story, so when his wife came by the next day with the book in her hand, I resolved to read it immediatly. I started Thursday night and finished last night some time around 2pm (I worked somewhere in there too),

This book is amazing. It's just an amazing journey about a compassionate, selfless guy who doesn't really know what he's doing at the beginning of the book, but finds a cause and just runs with it. The cause (builing schools for children, especially girls, in rural northern Pakistan and later Afganistan).

The book begins with a failure, and through trial and tribulations becomes somewhat of a hesitant success. There is frustration, love, culture shock, danger...all set against the beautiful landscape of northern Pakistan (think K2 and K1 mountains, glaciers, etc..). The people are beautiful (soul wise), the place is beautiful, and the story is beautiful. I always want people to read Ender's game, but now my number one recommended book is Three Cups of Tea (http://"http://www.amazon.com/Three-Cups-Tea-Mission-Promote/dp/0143038257/ref=amb_link_83300491_1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=hero-quick-promo&pf_rd_r=1BA2SQX8421SNNGD697G&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=466959391&pf_rd_i=0142414123")
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: ballaholic on June 19, 2009, 06:13:55 AM
I'm looking for a book about different kind of basketball defenses, different kinds of zones, man-defenses, trapping methods and rotations, and so long. Can anyone recommend something???
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on June 21, 2009, 12:34:36 PM
I just read "The Geographer's Library"

http://www.amazon.com/Geographers-Library-Jon-Fasman/dp/1594200386/ref=ed_oe_h

A good book, good summer read. More intricate than "The Da Vinci Code", and in the end somewhat less satisfying, but highly recommended to idle minds.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Eja117 on June 21, 2009, 01:56:07 PM
This might sound cliche and I'm sure a ton of you have read it but I just finished this a month ago

(http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0WTefifcz5KpOAAiuCjzbkF/SIG=11nvstfns/EXP=1245693215/**http%3A//www.comdeals.com/bird/b3.jpg)

I loved the beginning parts when he was growing up and college and being a rookie, but towards the end it was like "I made that shot, then I made that one, then I made that one.."

and also I didn't like the way he liked everything and criticised nothing. Everyone is a good coach. Everyone is a good teammate. The Lakers are great guys he hangs out with, yadda yadda.  It still taught me a lot
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: feckless on June 21, 2009, 05:29:34 PM
I also am reading the G R R Martin series half way through the 3rd book, what a huge story.  I need to put in plugs for:
 The Risk Pool & Straight Man by Richard Russo both far better than Empire Falls-
along with the top of my all time list
 The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoyevsky,
not sure why it isn't read more - interesting, entertaining, witty and insightful.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on July 14, 2009, 02:45:30 PM
Just finished The Last Argument of Kings, the final book of the First Law trilogy.

This series was just excellent, and the last book didn't disappoint. There are a ton of twists, and you really don't see much of what happens coming. The author is not afraid to get the main characters in tough situations, and making them fail. I highly recommend it for those that like fantasy, dark fantasy in particular with a bit of dark comedy.


Continuing with Wheel of Time at the moment, I'm at book #6.

Seems like Nights of Villjamur by Mark Charan Newton might be worth the read. Looks like it's getting some good praise from the fantasy community. I'll check it out next month at some time.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: RebusRankin on July 14, 2009, 02:47:58 PM
American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House by Jon Mecham was a good one I read recently.

Also enjoyed Wicked Prey by John Sandford.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: KungPoweChicken on July 14, 2009, 02:50:53 PM
The Painted Bird

The Stranger

Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on July 14, 2009, 02:55:32 PM
The Painted Bird

The Stranger



L'Étranger huh? Not a big fan. Try Brave New World
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Redz on July 14, 2009, 02:56:21 PM
For those interested A Dance With Dragons has a release date on amazon.com of September 29, 2009. This is contingent upon Martin finishing the book sometime before the end of this month. Here is where the book will first be announced as being finished, it's from Martin's personal site:

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

If you don't see a update announcing the book's completion by July 4th, expect another push back on the release date, probably to sometime in 2010.

Here's the US cover:

(http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/covers_450/9780553801477.jpg)

Also this is a cool tidbit from the asoiaf.westeros.org site:

Quote
Book Six will be called The Winds of Winter. No information is known on it other than that George plans to have all the characters back together in one novel. Book Seven will be called A Dream of Spring and is currently planned to be the final book in the series.

Saw that Nick.  I like that he has plans for 7 books to match the 7 gods.

The thing that's killing me with the 4th book are all of the new characters he's introducing, when I'm 500 pages in and I haven't heard a thing about some of my favorite characters.

BTW, I think my favorite chapters so far were involving the battle at the Wall.
I loved the Aria becoming an assassin storyline and everything and anything to do with Tyrion, Daenyrys and Jon. The whole Iron Islands story, while relevant and needed to tie up all the knots, bored the hell out of me.

Yup, those are definitely my favorites too. I think the younger characters in general are more compelling.

I finished the 4th book, and I'm feeling rather empty with nothing more to read from the series for now.  The bright side is I can start pecking away at my pile of "other books".

I am currently reading "Raising Steaks", which is about the history and culture of beef/cattle etc...in the U.S..  Quite a departure from I'm used to but it's well written and I'm making my way through it just fine.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: crownsy on July 14, 2009, 03:08:45 PM
I just finished-


http://www.amazon.com/Kushiels-Dart-Jacqueline-Carey/dp/0765342987

and i found it to be really, really good.

The basic plot is that Christ had a son, who wondered the world for his lifetime before finally settling in what would be France today and starting a nation. It's half alternate history of Europe and it's religions, half spy/ political novel.

It's no game of thrones, and though i understand it's a huge part of the book, i could do without being reminded every 2nd chapter that people in the middle ages were into freaky-deky sex and apparently are pretty loose lipped about state secrets around high-priced tail, but the overall political intruige and cortisan as a spy for the throne angle really played well with me.

an excellent book if your looking for a series to pass the time until martin writes something new, i'll be picking up the rest of the series.

Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Reggie's Ghost on July 14, 2009, 03:44:55 PM
Apologies if these are repeat recs here, but the two greatest books I've ever read are:

"Lonesome Dove" by Larry McMurtry
http://www.amazon.com/Lonesome-Dove-Novel-Larry-McMurtry/dp/068487122X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1247600505&sr=8-2

"The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho
http://www.amazon.com/Alchemist-Paulo-Coelho/dp/0061122416/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1247600570&sr=1-1

I am not one to recommend a book unless I believe they will change your life.  Anyone who I love and respect has been given a copy of each of these by me at some point in our relationship.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on July 14, 2009, 05:07:54 PM
I just finished-


http://www.amazon.com/Kushiels-Dart-Jacqueline-Carey/dp/0765342987

and i found it to be really, really good.

The basic plot is that Christ had a son, who wondered the world for his lifetime before finally settling in what would be France today and starting a nation. It's half alternate history of Europe and it's religions, half spy/ political novel.

It's no game of thrones, and though i understand it's a huge part of the book, i could do without being reminded every 2nd chapter that people in the middle ages were into freaky-deky sex and apparently are pretty loose lipped about state secrets around high-priced tail, but the overall political intruige and cortisan as a spy for the throne angle really played well with me.

an excellent book if your looking for a series to pass the time until martin writes something new, i'll be picking up the rest of the series.



I have this on my to read list, and it does seem interesting. Might just give it a push towards the top of the list. Still need to finish Wheel of Time, then going to read some Mistborn. After that maybe I'll go with A Song of Ice and Fire, Dark Tower, continue with some more Riftwar, or continue the Night Angel Trilogy.

Too much to read.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Casperian on July 14, 2009, 05:33:39 PM
For those interested A Dance With Dragons has a release date on amazon.com of September 29, 2009. This is contingent upon Martin finishing the book sometime before the end of this month. Here is where the book will first be announced as being finished, it's from Martin's personal site:

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

If you don't see a update announcing the book's completion by July 4th, expect another push back on the release date, probably to sometime in 2010.

Here's the US cover:

(http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/covers_450/9780553801477.jpg)

Also this is a cool tidbit from the asoiaf.westeros.org site:

Quote
Book Six will be called The Winds of Winter. No information is known on it other than that George plans to have all the characters back together in one novel. Book Seven will be called A Dream of Spring and is currently planned to be the final book in the series.

Saw that Nick.  I like that he has plans for 7 books to match the 7 gods.

The thing that's killing me with the 4th book are all of the new characters he's introducing, when I'm 500 pages in and I haven't heard a thing about some of my favorite characters.

BTW, I think my favorite chapters so far were involving the battle at the Wall.
I loved the Aria becoming an assassin storyline and everything and anything to do with Tyrion, Daenyrys and Jon. The whole Iron Islands story, while relevant and needed to tie up all the knots, bored the hell out of me.

Yup, those are definitely my favorites too. I think the younger characters in general are more compelling.

I finished the 4th book, and I'm feeling rather empty with nothing more to read from the series for now.  The bright side is I can start pecking away at my pile of "other books".

I am currently reading "Raising Steaks", which is about the history and culture of beef/cattle etc...in the U.S..  Quite a departure from I'm used to but it's well written and I'm making my way through it just fine.

I swear this is the first time I clicked on this thread, and I wanted to recommend "A Game of Thrones". Too bad I just gave you a TP for another post, nick.^^

But I have to admit that I don´t like the 4th book (which I currently read). It´s not even the lack of most of the protagonists, it´s just pretty average storytelling...lame, if you want to. I´m not finished, yet, but I`ve read the first three books in a row, and I can´t get myself to finish the 4th, which is never a good sign.

Hodor.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Redz on July 14, 2009, 05:42:01 PM
For those interested A Dance With Dragons has a release date on amazon.com of September 29, 2009. This is contingent upon Martin finishing the book sometime before the end of this month. Here is where the book will first be announced as being finished, it's from Martin's personal site:

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

If you don't see a update announcing the book's completion by July 4th, expect another push back on the release date, probably to sometime in 2010.

Here's the US cover:

(http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/covers_450/9780553801477.jpg)

Also this is a cool tidbit from the asoiaf.westeros.org site:

Quote
Book Six will be called The Winds of Winter. No information is known on it other than that George plans to have all the characters back together in one novel. Book Seven will be called A Dream of Spring and is currently planned to be the final book in the series.

Saw that Nick.  I like that he has plans for 7 books to match the 7 gods.

The thing that's killing me with the 4th book are all of the new characters he's introducing, when I'm 500 pages in and I haven't heard a thing about some of my favorite characters.

BTW, I think my favorite chapters so far were involving the battle at the Wall.
I loved the Aria becoming an assassin storyline and everything and anything to do with Tyrion, Daenyrys and Jon. The whole Iron Islands story, while relevant and needed to tie up all the knots, bored the hell out of me.

Yup, those are definitely my favorites too. I think the younger characters in general are more compelling.

I finished the 4th book, and I'm feeling rather empty with nothing more to read from the series for now.  The bright side is I can start pecking away at my pile of "other books".

I am currently reading "Raising Steaks", which is about the history and culture of beef/cattle etc...in the U.S..  Quite a departure from I'm used to but it's well written and I'm making my way through it just fine.

I swear this is the first time I clicked on this thread, and I wanted to recommend "A Game of Thrones". Too bad I just gave you a TP for another post, nick.^^

But I have to admit that I don´t like the 4th book (which I currently read). It´s not even the lack of most of the protagonists, it´s just pretty average storytelling...lame, if you want to. I´m not finished, yet, but I`ve read the first three books in a row, and I can´t get myself to finish the 4th, which is never a good sign.

Hodor.

Yeh, Casp.  he admits as much in his notes at the end...not his most inspired work, but hopefully it was just a necessary tying together of loose ends in the middle of the series.

Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: makaveli on July 14, 2009, 05:44:05 PM
One of the few books i've read is Sun Tzu Art Of War...nice stuff
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Casperian on July 14, 2009, 05:57:40 PM
Yeh, Casp.  he admits as much in his notes at the end...not his most inspired work, but hopefully it was just a necessary tying together of loose ends in the middle of the series.

I`ve heard he had to scrap a lot of what he had already written, because of problems with the timeline. I have to say, if a book is your baby, and you even admit that you`ve messed up, I can respect that. I may not like it, but at least I can look forward to the next three books.

...and after reading the rest of this thread, the TP belongs to incoherent, who was the first who mentioned the book...in October 2008. I`m always late to the party.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: incoherent on August 11, 2009, 05:37:31 PM
thank you kindly for the TPs
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Rida on August 11, 2009, 05:55:37 PM
Shantaram is awesome its almost 1,000 pages but an awesome read
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: hwangjini_1 on August 11, 2009, 06:03:55 PM
ismael.

you will never, ever again see the world exactly as you do now.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Redz on August 11, 2009, 06:05:03 PM
I posted it in the "what hapopens after you die" thread, but I'll post it here too.  I just finished reading "Sum: 40 stories of the After Life".  It is 40 vignettes.  A quick read, with a bunch of different ideas on what might happen in the after life.  Some good, some funny, some absurd...All in all I liked the book and would recommend it.

Has anyone else read this?
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on August 11, 2009, 06:08:44 PM
you can read the first couple pages on amazon too.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Redz on August 11, 2009, 06:24:42 PM
you can read the first couple pages on amazon too.

Sum?
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on August 16, 2009, 11:12:14 PM
I just read the first book of the series Shadows of the Apt called Empire in Black & Gold by Adrian Tchaikovsky.

This is really good fantasy book, by the looks of it a new author. A very easy read, some great action and interesting characters. It's got a bit of a steampunk feel, but it's dominated by fantasy elements. The characters are humans but with a twist, in that the different races are depicted by different insect characteristics/specimens.

I highly recommend it. It's currently not sold in the states, but if you go to amazon.com and simply buy from it's sellers (look for ones that ship from the US) you should be able to get the books at a good price and not be subjected to the expensive iternational shipping costs. Like here for example: http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0230704131/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new  I bought my copy from the_book_depository_.

The series is currently a trilogy with plans for more. The next two books are Dragonfly Falling and Blood of the Mantis, which I hear are even better than the first book.

In all, I highly recommend it because it's a fun read. Here's a review:
http://speculativehorizons.blogspot.com/2008/09/book-review-empire-in-black-and-gold.html
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: RebusRankin on August 16, 2009, 11:18:20 PM
I'd recommend The Senior by Mike Flynt. Its about a 59 year old who returns to college at Sul Ross to play his final season 36 years after he got kicked off the team.

Just finishing The Heroin Diaries by Nikki Sixx which is interesting but repetitive.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BoyBee on August 17, 2009, 01:38:52 AM
I just finished reading “The Shadow of the Wind” by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, which is set in Barcelona during the lead-up to the Spanish civil war & beyond.  We got it as a send off for our trip to Spain, and I wish I had finished it before we went, it’s a great story.

I’ve picked my way around the thread and have seen a lot of fine suggestions – someone said that science fiction reading starts with “The Foundation Trilogy” as the cornerstone.  I have been meaning for so long now to go back and read it, and now’s as good a time as any given that October 27 is not quite here yet.

In recent years I’ve particularly enjoyed Ray Bradbury, who seems to me to be miscast as purely a science-fiction writer, there are so many other genres skillfully presented in his work. Jack London has been knocking my socks off too (Call of the Wild, The Sea Beast, and a collection of his short stories called "The Call of the Wild and Other Stories"... the story titled "The Big Red One" is just mad nuts.

In looking at the past five years or so, these books stand out for me (among many other good reads such as The Kite Runner, The Secret Life of Bees, a bunch of Grishams, Dan Browns, Pat Conroys, et al):

Ray Bradbury:  Fahrenheit 451, The October Country, The Illustrated Man, The Martian Chronicles.

Ayn Rand:  The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged

Pearl Buck:  The Good Earth

Howard Zinn:  Voices of a People’s History of the United States

Shakespeare:  Hamlet, Othello, King Lear

John Knowles:  A Separate Peace

Johnathan Swift:  Gulliver’s Travels

Jared Diamond:  Guns, Germs & Steel – The Fates of Human Societies

Kurt Vonnegut:  Slaughterhouse Five, Cat’s Cradle & Breakfast of Champions

Chaim Potok:  The Chosen

Joseph Campbell:  The Hero with a Thousand Faces

Mary Shelley:  Frankenstein

Oscar Wilde:  The Portrait of Dorian Gray

Camille Paglia:  Break, Blow, Burn

Sun Tzu:  The Art of War 

Don’t worry guys, Danny’s put together a hell of a team for us this year.  Barring an unforeseeable injury (knocks on wood), the title is ours.  And that’s a book I’ll be glad to read in 2010.

Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on August 22, 2009, 10:05:38 AM
Sorry for doing a bit of advertising, but I thought this was worth mentioning... though I haven't tried them yet. Though I've bought from them through them as Amazon sellers.

Anyways, http://www.bookdepository.com/ seems to be providing good prices for books with free shipping world wide. Seems worth investigating.

And to keep this thread on topic, right now I'm finishing the second book of the Night Angel Trilogy, Shadows Edge. So far this book has been better than the first. In all it has been a cool book, with tons of action. Lots of violence and some sex for those interested in that aspect.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: cdif911 on August 22, 2009, 12:24:38 PM
currently reading:

stop dressing your six year old like a skank

not bad so far, pretty humorous

just finished a psychology book called blind spots, about why smart people do dumb things - it was ok, not great, but ok

Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Redz on August 22, 2009, 12:26:38 PM
currently reading:

stop dressing your six year old like a skank

not bad so far, pretty humorous

just finished a psychology book called blind spots, about why smart people do dumb things - it was ok, not great, but ok



That's pretty funny!

As a parent of a six year old girl, I'm definitely appalled by the level of which her classmates are already dressing in suggestive clothing.  Just weird. 
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: guava_wrench on August 22, 2009, 12:26:56 PM
Voodoo Science: The Road from Foolishness to Fraud.

This book is one of the most enjoyable reads of all the books I've read about bad science. And I've read a lot. The author does a great job showing why we shouldn't jump to the conclusion that deception is involved in ridiculous claims. Usually, we are dealing with self deception, poorly done science, and bad science reporting that makes the claims seem legitimate.

I still find it shocking that educated individuals get suckered into believing nonsense like shoes with magnets or homeopathy, but I know it isn't reasonable to expect everyone who understand proper critical thinking.

I also appreciate it when any book reminds us of the disastrous effects on science of Gingrich's "Contract with America" when it dismantles the OTA.

Mistakes Were Made, But Not By Me

Another compelling book on a similar topic. This book explores how cognitive dissonance leads to problems like innocent people being incarcerated and fad psychology tearing apart families.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: crownsy on August 22, 2009, 12:46:00 PM
Sorry for doing a bit of advertising, but I thought this was worth mentioning... though I haven't tried them yet. Though I've bought from them through them as Amazon sellers.

Anyways, http://www.bookdepository.com/ seems to be providing good prices for books with free shipping world wide. Seems worth investigating.

And to keep this thread on topic, right now I'm finishing the second book of the Night Angel Trilogy, Shadows Edge. So far this book has been better than the first. In all it has been a cool book, with tons of action. Lots of violence and some sex for those interested in that aspect.

I read that series, it was very good i thought. looking forward to what the author does next.

Just finished the last book in the kushiel's dart trilogy. I must say, if your a fan of intrigue novels and alternate history, they are a great read. book's 2 and 3 really picked it up. The first was very good, but the last two hit it out of the park and made me very interested in picking up the next trilogy, which picks up some years in the future of the series's world.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: fairweatherfan on August 22, 2009, 01:13:53 PM
World War Z by Max Brooks.  Great book - its format is a series of interviews with survivors of "The Great Zombie War".  Traces the contagion from its earliest stages to its spread and its effects across the Earth.  Interesting and fun thought experiment about the worldwide effects of an actual zombie virus.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on August 22, 2009, 01:26:51 PM
World War Z by Max Brooks.  Great book - its format is a series of interviews with survivors of "The Great Zombie War".  Traces the contagion from its earliest stages to its spread and its effects across the Earth.  Interesting and fun thought experiment about the worldwide effects of an actual zombie virus.

Zombies are like the ultimate invading force. You can kill them without guilt, and kill lots of them, even if its your friends, family, whoever, as long as they are zombies.

The fact they we're so obsessed with them kind of leads you to think that there is some intrinsic misanthropy in America.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on August 22, 2009, 01:31:41 PM
Sorry for doing a bit of advertising, but I thought this was worth mentioning... though I haven't tried them yet. Though I've bought from them through them as Amazon sellers.

Anyways, http://www.bookdepository.com/ seems to be providing good prices for books with free shipping world wide. Seems worth investigating.

And to keep this thread on topic, right now I'm finishing the second book of the Night Angel Trilogy, Shadows Edge. So far this book has been better than the first. In all it has been a cool book, with tons of action. Lots of violence and some sex for those interested in that aspect.

I read that series, it was very good i thought. looking forward to what the author does next.

Just finished the last book in the kushiel's dart trilogy. I must say, if your a fan of intrigue novels and alternate history, they are a great read. book's 2 and 3 really picked it up. The first was very good, but the last two hit it out of the park and made me very interested in picking up the next trilogy, which picks up some years in the future of the series's world.

This is surely on my to read list, I simply got quite a few things I want to finish/read first. As I mentioned in my other post, you should check out Shadows of the Apt which I have to finish; I'm sure you'll enjoy it seeing as you and I seem to have similar tastes in books. Need to read the Mistborn trilogy, Best Served Cold, finish Wheel of Time (I'm on book 9 at the moment). Maybe then I can check out Kushiel... but I also have The Dark Tower, A Song of Ice and Fire, and some of the Riftwar books stashed here... so those would be my priority.

But I also want to check out The Law of Nines, which is the new Goodkind novel, which looks to be related in some fashion to his Sword of Truth series. And I also want to check out The Warded Man (The Painted Man).

But in due time, I'm sure I'll get to Kushiel. Maybe in a couple of years. I really have a long "To Read" list.

As for Brent Weeks (Night Angel), it seems like he has plans for some novels unrelated to Night Angel, from what I've read around 2010 is his target. After that he plans on revisiting the Night Angel world, though I don't know in what fashion though he doesn't seem to want Kylar as his main character probably because he might be too powerful. So who knows, but certainly he has some plans for the future to look forward to.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: nickagneta on August 22, 2009, 02:43:28 PM
A happened into the Conclave of Shadows series in the Riftwar Cycle by Feist and found it pretty good. It was only after reading the first book that I realized this was the latest of a long line and not the beginning. For those that have read the Riftwar Cycle should I even bother going back and reading these books? I thought Conclave of Shadows was okay but it didn't WOW me.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on August 22, 2009, 02:55:21 PM
So I got the Terry Goodkind "sword of truth" series at a garage sale. I should read it, yeah?
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on August 22, 2009, 03:10:28 PM
A happened into the Conclave of Shadows series in the Riftwar Cycle by Feist and found it pretty good. It was only after reading the first book that I realized this was the latest of a long line and not the beginning. For those that have read the Riftwar Cycle should I even bother going back and reading these books? I thought Conclave of Shadows was okay but it didn't WOW me.

I wouldn't be able to tell you myself. I've only read the Riftwar Saga I'm going to follow this reading order:
http://www.crydee.com/raymond-feist/reading-order/alternate

So soon I'm going to start the Empire trilogy. My plan is to read the Empire Trilogy, Krondor Sons, Serpentwar Saga, Conclave of Shadows, The Demonwar Saga (which is the current saga being written), and the Chaoswar Saga when they get to there.

Of all, I'm going I'm surely going to skip Legends of Riftwar and most probably Riftwar Legacy since they're non-essential, and from what I've read around not his best writing came during this time, probably because of a divorce or something.

The books aren't big, so it shouldn't be too hard to go through them. Since you've enjoyed quite a few books in this Riftwar world, I don't see why you wouldn't manage reading the rest of the relevant series.

Hope that helps some. I assume you've read up to A Darkness at Sethanon + that book you just mentioned of Conclave of Shadows. Am I right?

So I got the Terry Goodkind "sword of truth" series at a garage sale. I should read it, yeah?

You know, I wouldn't. Opinion on the series seems to be too divided for me to recommend it in good conscience. I enjoyed it myself, though I recognize where most of its weaknesses lie and they can be very annoying. There are many good/interesting fantasy series out there to try first, but surely if you find it for cheap... why not? But it's 11 books long, so it can be a bit of an undertaking, and if The Law of Nines loosely continues the series, then you might be into a longer journey.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on August 22, 2009, 03:14:25 PM
Anyone ever read the Postman by David Brin? one of the worst movies/best books combo I've ever seen.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on August 22, 2009, 03:22:54 PM
BC..thanks for the headsup.

Funny, random thing:

My girlfriend decided she wanted to do a lawn sale..so she went through my entire mancave, a plethora of treasure that I've accumulated over the last ten years.

Before I could stop her, she'd already sold my sega dreamcast with 12 games ($15), an old (2years, not ancient) GPS Magellen device that I kept as a backup if my garmin crapped the bed ($1), and one of my three TI 86's..($1)

Stupid girls.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on August 22, 2009, 03:24:11 PM
A freakin TI86...$1!

I asked her what she thought she was doing, and she said "Its just a stupid calculator!"
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on August 22, 2009, 03:25:26 PM
And my dreamcast! God!
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on August 22, 2009, 03:28:17 PM
That's why god created ebay. It's "idiot girlfriend" proof. Not that your girlfriend is an idiot. Just figure of speach. Don't kill me.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on August 22, 2009, 03:30:24 PM
That's why god created ebay. It's "idiot girlfriend" proof. Not that your girlfriend is an idiot. Just figure of speach. Don't kill me.

haha. Im inclined to agree right now.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Redz on August 22, 2009, 03:34:32 PM
That's why god created ebay. It's "idiot girlfriend" proof. Not that your girlfriend is an idiot. Just figure of speach. Don't kill me.

haha. Im inclined to agree right now.

My wife once got in a bidding war with herself on eBay.  She'd sign in and bid on something.  I'd get on the computer and sign in to see how my stuff on ebay was doing.  She'd hop on, still logged in under me and see that she was no longer the high bidder, so she'd bid...A day or so later she'd log back in under herself and the cruel cycle would continue. 

I had to sit her down and show her the subtle nuances of using "MY EBAY"
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: nickagneta on August 22, 2009, 03:41:28 PM
So I got the Terry Goodkind "sword of truth" series at a garage sale. I should read it, yeah?
I read this series when it came out and hated the ending. If I remember right the story is of a kid who uses this Sword of Truth in a medieval setting to overcome a corrupt regime only to have the books end with spaceships from space rescuing the world from the effects of the wars over the Sword of Truth. Rather ridiculous.

It reminded me of Peter Hamilton's Night's Dawn Trilogy where he put together some of the best and most forward thinking science fiction for 2 1/2 books just to muck it up in the end with a really stupid, bad, obviously rushed by the publisher ending.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on August 22, 2009, 03:46:49 PM
So I got the Terry Goodkind "sword of truth" series at a garage sale. I should read it, yeah?
I read this series when it came out and hated the ending. If I remember right the story is of a kid who uses this Sword of Truth in a medieval setting to overcome a corrupt regime only to have the books end with spaceships from space rescuing the world from the effects of the wars over the Sword of Truth. Rather ridiculous.

I think you might be slightly mistaken since there were no spaceships lol. And the protagonist isn't a kid.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on August 22, 2009, 03:49:17 PM
That's why god created ebay. It's "idiot girlfriend" proof. Not that your girlfriend is an idiot. Just figure of speach. Don't kill me.

haha. Im inclined to agree right now.

My wife once got in a bidding war with herself on eBay.  She'd sign in and bid on something.  I'd get on the computer and sign in to see how my stuff on ebay was doing.  She'd hop on, still logged in under me and see that she was no longer the high bidder, so she'd bid...A day or so later she'd log back in under herself and the cruel cycle would continue. 

I had to sit her down and show her the subtle nuances of using "MY EBAY"

That is priceless. Better even, than the day i had to explain to my girlfriend that tuna fish was an actual fish, and not just mish mosh of fish people didn't like.

Nick...spoiler alert much?

lol..just kidding...when you break a fantasy book down like that...it looks so silly. The sad thing is that's what most fantasy to me breaks down to.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: nickagneta on August 22, 2009, 04:00:00 PM
So I got the Terry Goodkind "sword of truth" series at a garage sale. I should read it, yeah?
I read this series when it came out and hated the ending. If I remember right the story is of a kid who uses this Sword of Truth in a medieval setting to overcome a corrupt regime only to have the books end with spaceships from space rescuing the world from the effects of the wars over the Sword of Truth. Rather ridiculous.

I think you might be slightly mistaken since there were no spaceships lol. And the protagonist isn't a kid.
Maybe that was the Dark Sword Trilogy then. Sorry, I get all those Sword Trilogies mixed up.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Redz on August 22, 2009, 04:01:40 PM
That's why god created ebay. It's "idiot girlfriend" proof. Not that your girlfriend is an idiot. Just figure of speach. Don't kill me.

haha. Im inclined to agree right now.

My wife once got in a bidding war with herself on eBay.  She'd sign in and bid on something.  I'd get on the computer and sign in to see how my stuff on ebay was doing.  She'd hop on, still logged in under me and see that she was no longer the high bidder, so she'd bid...A day or so later she'd log back in under herself and the cruel cycle would continue. 

I had to sit her down and show her the subtle nuances of using "MY EBAY"

That is priceless. Better even, than the day i had to explain to my girlfriend that tuna fish was an actual fish, and not just mish mosh of fish people didn't like.

Nick...spoiler alert much?

lol..just kidding...when you break a fantasy book down like that...it looks so silly. The sad thing is that's what most fantasy to me breaks down to.

I should probably add the disclaimer that my wife is several times more intelligent than me in just about every useful way.  The useless stuff, I excel in though.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on August 22, 2009, 04:07:58 PM
anyone who says girls aren't scary is crazy. Just sayin.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: stoyko on August 22, 2009, 04:10:26 PM
Just wanted to thank everyone who recommend George R. Martin's A Song of Fire and Ice series. I've just read the first two and am torn between reading the next two or waiting until he writes more.

Another suggestion is 1491 by Charles Mann. It's a great non fiction about what the Americas where really like right before Columbus 'discovered' them.

Also I've been getting into Pat Conroy's stuff lately, both the Great Santini and the Lords of Discipline are great reads. The Great Santini is a fictional retelling of his relationship with his crazy intense Marine father. The lords of Discipline part thinly veiled memoir of his time at the Citadel in the 1960's part thriller.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on August 22, 2009, 04:13:09 PM
the great santini is awesome.

Did he write "The Losing Season" too? Also awesome.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: stoyko on August 22, 2009, 04:32:02 PM
Yep. That's next on my list. My Losing Season is his only 'non fiction' work I believe although much of his writing is based off his own life experiences.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on August 22, 2009, 04:40:30 PM
So I got the Terry Goodkind "sword of truth" series at a garage sale. I should read it, yeah?
I read this series when it came out and hated the ending. If I remember right the story is of a kid who uses this Sword of Truth in a medieval setting to overcome a corrupt regime only to have the books end with spaceships from space rescuing the world from the effects of the wars over the Sword of Truth. Rather ridiculous.

I think you might be slightly mistaken since there were no spaceships lol. And the protagonist isn't a kid.
Maybe that was the Dark Sword Trilogy then. Sorry, I get all those Sword Trilogies mixed up.

No worries. We all know how disimilar and original all these fantasy series' titles are. By the way, I had responded to your Riftwar post in case you missed it with all the random messages that have been posted since then.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Redz on August 22, 2009, 04:46:06 PM
Just wanted to thank everyone who recommend George R. Martin's A Song of Fire and Ice series. I've just read the first two and am torn between reading the next two or waiting until he writes more.


I was just checking in to see when the next one might be done, and it seems like it's still at a standstill.  I read the first 4 in succession over the course of a year or so.  I haven't really picked up anything since successfully (might just be what I'm trying to read sucks)...anyhow, I definitely have a void that needs filling.

So, I'd say KEEP READING THEM!
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on August 22, 2009, 04:54:30 PM
Just wanted to thank everyone who recommend George R. Martin's A Song of Fire and Ice series. I've just read the first two and am torn between reading the next two or waiting until he writes more.


I was just checking in to see when the next one might be done, and it seems like it's still at a standstill.  I read the first 4 in succession over the course of a year or so.  I haven't really picked up anything since successfully (might just be what I'm trying to read sucks)...anyhow, I definitely have a void that needs filling.

So, I'd say KEEP READING THEM!

I haven't read it, but do try the Malazan series... it's been highly recommended and most that like Martin like this series.

I also recommend you read The First Law trilogy, followed by Best Served Cold. It's an awesome series by Joe Abercrombie.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: greenwise on August 22, 2009, 05:13:21 PM
Paul Auster's "Oracle night" comes to mind right away
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: nickagneta on August 22, 2009, 05:30:19 PM
Last I read Martin gave an interview in May of this year saying he was hoping to have a Dance With Dragons finished by October or November 2009 with a release of spring 2010 but in a more recent interview on a podcast he said he couldn't give an expected date:

http://www.suvudu.com/2009/08/new-george-r-r-martin-interview.html
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on August 27, 2009, 01:30:21 PM
Last I read Martin gave an interview in May of this year saying he was hoping to have a Dance With Dragons finished by October or November 2009 with a release of spring 2010 but in a more recent interview on a podcast he said he couldn't give an expected date:

http://www.suvudu.com/2009/08/new-george-r-r-martin-interview.html

I haven't read A Song of Ice and Fire yet, but I'm glad Sean Bean got a part in it. Quite the underrated actor.

Anyways, just finished the Night Angel Trilogy, and I enjoyed it quite a bit. This being the debut series of the author, Brent Weeks, it wasn't without flaws. But, great characters, decent plot, great magic system made it worth while. Certainly will look forward to what else he comes up with in the future.

I'm almost finished with the stack of books I have been planning on reading, so I'm looking for suggestions in a couple of series/books that hopefully someone here might've tried and can help me choose what I want to read next. But apparently there aren't many fantasy/sci-fi readers here, so I'll just cross my fingers:

The Warded Man (also known as The Painted Man) by Peter V. Brett
The Magicians by Lev Grossman
The Black Company by Glen Cook
The Abhorsen Trilogy by Garth Nix
The Wizard Knight by Gene Wolfe
The Prince of Nothing by R. Scott Bakker
Retribution Falls: Tales of the Ketty by Jay Chris Wooding
The Fionavar Tapestry by Guy Gavriel Kay
The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, the Unbeliever by Stephen R. Donaldson
Rai Kirah by Carol Berg
The Runelords by David Farland
The Acts of Caine by Matthew Woodring Stover
The Steel Remains (A Land Fit For Heroes) by Richard K. Morgan

List was a bit longer than what I intended, but hopefully if someone has read some of this and can give me their impressions I would really appreciate it.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on August 27, 2009, 01:31:50 PM
I just finished "Going Postal" by Terry Pratchett. Always awesome, very light.

anyone read any of the dresden or dexter books?
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on August 27, 2009, 01:56:39 PM
I just finished "Going Postal" by Terry Pratchett. Always awesome, very light.

anyone read any of the dresden or dexter books?

Since I'm watching the tv show, I'm not inclined to read Dexter. As for Dresden, I have it on my to read list and many seem to enjoy it, particularly the latest ones from what I've seen. They should be an easy read, though there are about 10 or so out at the moment, but I think they're only about 300 pages each.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on August 27, 2009, 02:03:59 PM
http://www.hulu.com/the-dresden-files

Its the Firefly of the Sci Fi network. There is a whole groundswell movement. Pretty cool, like Dashel Hammit meets Harry Potter.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on August 27, 2009, 02:08:41 PM
http://www.hulu.com/the-dresden-files

Its the Firefly of the Sci Fi network. There is a whole groundswell movement. Pretty cool, like Dashel Hammit meets Harry Potter.

Oh, I've seen the series. I thought it was one of the worst mistakes Sci-Fi has made in regards with cancelling a show. It was a ton of fun, and it's a even bigger mistake when you consider with the crap they replaced it with "Flash Gordon". Flash Gordon was one of the worst shows in the last 30 years or so, and the crap got about 20 episodes while Dresden only got about 12. What were they thinking?
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Cman on August 27, 2009, 02:38:26 PM
Mystery: Any of the Kurt Wallander books by Henning Mankel.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on August 31, 2009, 11:23:34 PM
http://www.hulu.com/the-dresden-files

Its the Firefly of the Sci Fi network. There is a whole groundswell movement. Pretty cool, like Dashel Hammit meets Harry Potter.

[dang]it man, now you put me in the mood for some Dresden. Already ordered some books, should start reading them within a couple of weeks. The more I read reviews about it, the more I get the sense that this will be a cool series to read. I especially like that most reviews claim that the series gets better by the book.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on August 31, 2009, 11:28:24 PM
http://www.hulu.com/the-dresden-files

Its the Firefly of the Sci Fi network. There is a whole groundswell movement. Pretty cool, like Dashel Hammit meets Harry Potter.

[dang]it man, now you put me in the mood for some Dresden. Already ordered some books, should start reading them within a couple of weeks. The more I read reviews about it, the more I get the sense that this will be a cool series to read. I especially like that most reviews claim that the series gets better by the book.

Let me know, I have "Wizard's Rule" packed away on a shelf so I still need something to read.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: jdub1660 on August 31, 2009, 11:31:59 PM
I grew up reading Dr.Seuss books, followed by Goosebumps. Once I hit Jr High/High School, and was forced to read certain books, I started not liking reading anymore. Soon after I fell in love with RPGS: lots of reading in good ones, with in depth story lines but more visual enjoyment plus hands on interaction. In my sophomore year, I even did a comparison of how RPGS were just as good(I was young, but RPGS are better than 1st person shooters for learning/reading)
My hatred for the books was b/c of the "morals" and "issues" that were brought up by each book, such as slavery, single mom parenting, teenage life, etc. Hated it. But 1 book of those years, I read and enjoyed. Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank.
Great read, a story running off the idea of the cold war had something actually sparked from it. Really good book, worth reading in high school rather than just using Spark Notes.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on August 31, 2009, 11:38:14 PM
http://www.hulu.com/the-dresden-files

Its the Firefly of the Sci Fi network. There is a whole groundswell movement. Pretty cool, like Dashel Hammit meets Harry Potter.

[dang]it man, now you put me in the mood for some Dresden. Already ordered some books, should start reading them within a couple of weeks. The more I read reviews about it, the more I get the sense that this will be a cool series to read. I especially like that most reviews claim that the series gets better by the book.

Let me know, I have "Wizard's Rule" packed away on a shelf so I still need something to read.

Sure, will do. As for "Wizard's First Rule", I'm still not sure if you should read it or not. It's author is easily the most polarizing author out there, particularly for the fantasy genre, mainly because he's a complete jackass. Even though I enjoyed the series, and I see many of the complaints as valid, I still can't fully recommend it without a disclaimer.

Have you taken a look at some of the other recommendations I've given you, like the Malazan series by Erickson? Many fans of the Martin love that series, and if not mistaken you really like A Song of Ice and Fire. The First Law Trilogy by Abercrombie is also worth looking at, and Shadows of the Apt which I've just begun to read (read 1 book so far). The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss is another recent book I highly recommend.

If I were you, I'd take a look at any of these before going with the Sword of Truth, but since you seem to have SoT at hand already... well, I guess you'll have to go with your got on this one.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on August 31, 2009, 11:43:08 PM
oh I'm not reading it..thee are like a million of those books and if its not even primo fantasy I'm not gonna waste my time. I've never read a Song of Ice and Fire, but its been recommended to me a million times.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on September 01, 2009, 12:08:39 AM
oh I'm not reading it..thee are like a million of those books and if its not even primo fantasy I'm not gonna waste my time. I've never read a Song of Ice and Fire, but its been recommended to me a million times.

Not reading it is the safest choice, but who knows... if you ever get the itch to read it when you got nothing else, I don't see much harm in trying it. As I said, I really enjoyed it with all it's flaws and many people seem to think Goodkind is their god and savior.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: crownsy on September 01, 2009, 01:29:23 AM
http://www.hulu.com/the-dresden-files

Its the Firefly of the Sci Fi network. There is a whole groundswell movement. Pretty cool, like Dashel Hammit meets Harry Potter.

[dang]it man, now you put me in the mood for some Dresden. Already ordered some books, should start reading them within a couple of weeks. The more I read reviews about it, the more I get the sense that this will be a cool series to read. I especially like that most reviews claim that the series gets better by the book.

What did you think of the codex alera books he wrote?

http://www.amazon.com/Furies-Calderon-Codex-Alera-Book/dp/044101268X/ref=pd_sim_b_1

I thought they were great, can't wait for the next one.

Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on September 01, 2009, 01:57:25 AM
http://www.hulu.com/the-dresden-files

Its the Firefly of the Sci Fi network. There is a whole groundswell movement. Pretty cool, like Dashel Hammit meets Harry Potter.

[dang]it man, now you put me in the mood for some Dresden. Already ordered some books, should start reading them within a couple of weeks. The more I read reviews about it, the more I get the sense that this will be a cool series to read. I especially like that most reviews claim that the series gets better by the book.

What did you think of the codex alera books he wrote?

http://www.amazon.com/Furies-Calderon-Codex-Alera-Book/dp/044101268X/ref=pd_sim_b_1

I thought they were great, can't wait for the next one.



Haven't read them, depending on how I do with Dresden (which I will probably like) I'll decide wether to go for Codex Alera or not.

Right now I'm in the middle of Best Served Cold. Read that yet?
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: steefp2 on September 01, 2009, 05:58:20 AM
Hi guys, kinda just signed up to reply in this thread. I've been lurking for a couple of years now but i was suprised at the amount of fantasy being read here.

Of the books mentioned here; i absolutely love the song of ice and fire series aswell as the malazen series by erikson. Recommend it to everyone.

About the sword of the truth series, the first book(s) are worth it in my opinion as i feel, with warts and all, they're very enjoyable. The later books in the series aren't bad as such but just have a weird feel to them due to the author thinking too much of himself.

I finished the night angel trilogy not long ago and was very nicely suprised. Like some other poster said above me, can't wait to see what he does next. Not a perfect series but a very intriguing debut.

Futhermore i just watched the entire dresden series which i enjoyed greatly, started on the books now. They read very smoothly and it's very interesting setting i find.

Huge terry pratchett fan aswell, though i can appreciate that it's not for everyone. But you should try it though, 'cause once you're onboard it makes for one hilarious and thought provoking (if you can see behind the jokes and wordplays) ride.

Lastly a recommendation i haven't seen yet; the twilight reign series by Tom Lloyd.

OK sorry for the long post but i'm a passionate reader and just wanted to share with you guys.

Oh and anything by Robin Hobb is absolutely fantastic, particularly the Soldier Son trilogy, an extremely original and fascinating settin.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on September 01, 2009, 08:41:35 AM
Oh and anything by Robin Hobb is absolutely fantastic, particularly the Soldier Son trilogy, an extremely original and fascinating settin.

Interesting that you mention her Soldier Son trilogy, since just about everyone I've talked to say that Soldier Son is one of her weakest works. You liked that more than the Elderlings books?

Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: mkogav on September 01, 2009, 09:44:19 AM
I just finished "Going Postal" by Terry Pratchett. Always awesome, very light.

anyone read any of the dresden or dexter books?

I have read all 3 Dexter books. I very much enjoyed the first two, but the third wasn't my favorite.

I resisted watching Showtime's Dexter b/c I doubted it could ever live up to the books, but I gave in this summer. I am almost halfway through season 3. It's a very good show. After 3-4 episodes I was able to get past the difference from the books. The casting was spot on.

Btw, 'Dexter by Design' is scheduled for release September 8th.

Mk
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Jon on September 01, 2009, 10:49:47 AM
I'm a high school English teacher getting my MA in English right now, so I read a ton.  So while I could talk about things ranging from the Gothic novel to the Harlem Renaissance, I'll stick slightly more in the pop vein and promote anything by John Irving.  Some of his more notable works include The World According to Garp, Cider House Rules, The Hotel New Hampshire, A Widow for one year (became the movie The Door in the Floor), Until I Find You, and A Prayer for Owen Meany (became the movie, Simon Birch). 

His novels are full of rich, eclectic, and sometimes hyperbolic characters that often in ****ensian manner end up interweaving their diverse lives by the end of the novel. 
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: steefp2 on September 01, 2009, 11:08:28 AM
Oh and anything by Robin Hobb is absolutely fantastic, particularly the Soldier Son trilogy, an extremely original and fascinating settin.

Interesting that you mention her Soldier Son trilogy, since just about everyone I've talked to say that Soldier Son is one of her weakest works. You liked that more than the Elderlings books?




Well i guess it boils down to personal taste but yeah Soldier Son would be my favorite. I mean i liked all of them though it has been a very long time since i've read the previous series. I guess i liked it so much because the magic system is so original, unique and innovative.

I'm having a bit of a hard time finding the right words to describe exactly what i liked about it so much; not so suprising since english is my third language. But i'll try; i just found it very refreshing, it not being typical high fantasy and such. The setting with the cavalry army and sort of 1700's atmosphere was something i didn't expect at all and made the series that more appealing for me.

But like i said it's all about taste. Oh and i just read the Dragon keeper by her aswell; which is another Elderling Book. It's a gem really.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Scott on September 11, 2009, 12:42:55 PM
I just ordered "The Strain" by Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan.  I haven't started it yet but was wondering what others thought of it.

I just read "Saxons, Vikings, and Celts: The Genetic Roots of Britain and Ireland".  It is a light read that I found interesting.  It peaked my interest in genitic history, or should i say using genealogy to investigate history.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: incoherent on September 11, 2009, 01:02:29 PM
Oh and anything by Robin Hobb is absolutely fantastic, particularly the Soldier Son trilogy, an extremely original and fascinating settin.

Interesting that you mention her Soldier Son trilogy, since just about everyone I've talked to say that Soldier Son is one of her weakest works. You liked that more than the Elderlings books?




Well i guess it boils down to personal taste but yeah Soldier Son would be my favorite. I mean i liked all of them though it has been a very long time since i've read the previous series. I guess i liked it so much because the magic system is so original, unique and innovative.

I'm having a bit of a hard time finding the right words to describe exactly what i liked about it so much; not so suprising since english is my third language. But i'll try; i just found it very refreshing, it not being typical high fantasy and such. The setting with the cavalry army and sort of 1700's atmosphere was something i didn't expect at all and made the series that more appealing for me.

But like i said it's all about taste. Oh and i just read the Dragon keeper by her aswell; which is another Elderling Book. It's a gem really.

Dragon Keeper is out? I didn't realize... I love the Elderling books... As for the Soilder Son series, I could not get past the first 200 pages in book 1.  Navarre is just flat out boring.

I just finished reading "The Name of the Wind"... someone suggested it on here and i'll be [dang] that's a fine book. Very Robin Hobb, main character reminds me of Fitz a lot.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: incoherent on September 11, 2009, 01:08:40 PM
Last I read Martin gave an interview in May of this year saying he was hoping to have a Dance With Dragons finished by October or November 2009 with a release of spring 2010 but in a more recent interview on a podcast he said he couldn't give an expected date:

http://www.suvudu.com/2009/08/new-george-r-r-martin-interview.html


This book is NEVER going to come out.. been only ... 5 years.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on September 11, 2009, 01:10:16 PM
Oh and anything by Robin Hobb is absolutely fantastic, particularly the Soldier Son trilogy, an extremely original and fascinating settin.

Interesting that you mention her Soldier Son trilogy, since just about everyone I've talked to say that Soldier Son is one of her weakest works. You liked that more than the Elderlings books?




Well i guess it boils down to personal taste but yeah Soldier Son would be my favorite. I mean i liked all of them though it has been a very long time since i've read the previous series. I guess i liked it so much because the magic system is so original, unique and innovative.

I'm having a bit of a hard time finding the right words to describe exactly what i liked about it so much; not so suprising since english is my third language. But i'll try; i just found it very refreshing, it not being typical high fantasy and such. The setting with the cavalry army and sort of 1700's atmosphere was something i didn't expect at all and made the series that more appealing for me.

But like i said it's all about taste. Oh and i just read the Dragon keeper by her aswell; which is another Elderling Book. It's a gem really.

Dragon Keeper is out? I didn't realize... I love the Elderling books... As for the Soilder Son series, I could not get past the first 200 pages in book 1.  Navarre is just flat out boring.

I just finished reading "The Name of the Wind"... someone suggested it on here and i'll be [dang] that's a fine book. Very Robin Hobb, main character reminds me of Fitz a lot.


That was me, and it's a really good book. Book #2, "The Wise Man's Fear" won't be out for a while though, probably late 2010. I think he's doing a great job handling the "story within a story" element, switching between 3rd and 1st person narrative.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: incoherent on September 11, 2009, 03:32:27 PM
You've been awarded a Tommy Point Bud, thanks.

Whoever suggested the book "The Lies of Locke Lamora" deserves one too.  I've only read about 150 pages but very interesting so far...
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on September 11, 2009, 05:16:04 PM
You've been awarded a Tommy Point Bud, thanks.

Whoever suggested the book "The Lies of Locke Lamora" deserves one too.  I've only read about 150 pages but very interesting so far...

I believe that was crownsy, since I read it because of his recommendation too. I had a bit of trouble in the beginning... I actually stopped reading it. But then I gave it a second chance and ended absolutely loving it. At around 300 pages in it gets real good.

You started reading it at a good time, since the 3rd book, Republic of Thieves, is finally getting some progress. The author recently released the prologue to appease fans who have been waiting for it for quite a bit after delays and delays.

Anyways, quite an enjoyable series and quite brutal at times, and funny.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: rocknrollforyoursoul on September 11, 2009, 09:34:27 PM
Most anything by Ted Dekker, particularly "Three" and "Boneman's Daughters."
Stephen King's "The Girl who loved Tom Gordon."
The Harry Potter Series, especially the later ones -- no joke; these are well-written and way beyond kids' stuff.
Last but not least, the Bible.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: rocknrollforyoursoul on September 11, 2009, 09:35:34 PM
I also recommend the as-yet-unreleased but highly anticipated "Deal With the Darkness" ... by me. =)
Title: How could I forget the best fantasy stories ever?
Post by: rocknrollforyoursoul on September 11, 2009, 09:37:43 PM
Tolkien's "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings," and Lewis's "The Chronicles of Narnia."
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Poseidon on September 11, 2009, 11:06:31 PM
Everyone here buy the Book of Fate the next time you are at the book store. Best book I've ever read in my life.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: crownsy on September 12, 2009, 02:01:35 AM
You've been awarded a Tommy Point Bud, thanks.

Whoever suggested the book "The Lies of Locke Lamora" deserves one too.  I've only read about 150 pages but very interesting so far...

I believe that was crownsy, since I read it because of his recommendation too. I had a bit of trouble in the beginning... I actually stopped reading it. But then I gave it a second chance and ended absolutely loving it. At around 300 pages in it gets real good.

You started reading it at a good time, since the 3rd book, Republic of Thieves, is finally getting some progress. The author recently released the prologue to appease fans who have been waiting for it for quite a bit after delays and delays.

Anyways, quite an enjoyable series and quite brutal at times, and funny.

He's given himself quite a challenge for republic of thieves in Sabetha. Clearly her and Locke will be at odd's to start, but She's been  hyped up as a super thief and pretty much the female version of locke, so he'll have to balance her being the antagonist with an eventual turn back Good that the readers don't hate.

We'll see, should be a good book.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on September 12, 2009, 02:10:36 AM
You've been awarded a Tommy Point Bud, thanks.

Whoever suggested the book "The Lies of Locke Lamora" deserves one too.  I've only read about 150 pages but very interesting so far...

I believe that was crownsy, since I read it because of his recommendation too. I had a bit of trouble in the beginning... I actually stopped reading it. But then I gave it a second chance and ended absolutely loving it. At around 300 pages in it gets real good.

You started reading it at a good time, since the 3rd book, Republic of Thieves, is finally getting some progress. The author recently released the prologue to appease fans who have been waiting for it for quite a bit after delays and delays.

Anyways, quite an enjoyable series and quite brutal at times, and funny.

He's given himself quite a challenge for republic of thieves in Sabetha. Clearly her and Locke will be at odd's to start, but She's been  hyped up as a super thief and pretty much the female version of locke, so he'll have to balance her being the antagonist with an eventual turn back Good that the readers don't hate.

We'll see, should be a good book.

I'm not sure that she'll turn back to be good (nor do I think she'll turn out to be bad in the first place, just in an opposite side to Locke). I'm certain that she'll end up comperating with Locke eventually, but I just don't think that Lynch is interested in Locke and her getting together. I just hope she doesn't get killed, she sounds like she could be an interesting character to have. And let's be honest, the series is missing a main female character.

Don't want to spoil much for the reader that is currently reading the first book, but I imagine there'll be a lot of resentment from what went on in that book... and I wouldn't be surprised if Locke finds himself in a similar frame of mind as he was early in book 2. Don't want to discuss the details here.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on September 21, 2009, 09:56:06 AM
http://www.hulu.com/the-dresden-files

Its the Firefly of the Sci Fi network. There is a whole groundswell movement. Pretty cool, like Dashel Hammit meets Harry Potter.

[dang]it man, now you put me in the mood for some Dresden. Already ordered some books, should start reading them within a couple of weeks. The more I read reviews about it, the more I get the sense that this will be a cool series to read. I especially like that most reviews claim that the series gets better by the book.

Let me know, I have "Wizard's Rule" packed away on a shelf so I still need something to read.

Read the first 3 books of the Dresden Files. Really loving the series so far, I'll give you the go ahead.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on September 21, 2009, 10:36:49 AM
will do, when the doldrums of winter start setting in, I'm gonna get to them.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on September 21, 2009, 10:40:02 AM
will do, when the doldrums of winter start setting in, I'm gonna get to them.
http://www.bookdepository.com/ has some good prices at the moment with most of them. 50% off (like $4). They don't have Dead Beat though, which is the 7th novel... Amazon for that one. But overall, it might be worth checking them out for the current prices, unless you have access to some used ones. They have a boxset for the first 3 books too.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on September 21, 2009, 10:43:38 AM
nice heads up!
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: belgian c fan on September 21, 2009, 11:12:08 AM
i really liked zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance, as well as Steppenwolf by hermann hesse.

but for me, one of the best books ever is the hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: nickagneta on September 21, 2009, 12:33:16 PM
Just finishing Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol, the third book in the Robert Langdon series. Save your money. Very poorly done, especially when compared to Angels and Demons which I think was the best of the three.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: gustusias on September 21, 2009, 02:18:13 PM
All the Pretty Horses, The Coffee Trader, anything by Dennis Leehane, any poetry by Gerald Stern, In Cold Blood by Truman Capote, , Angela's Ashes, The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, The Road, actually everything by Cormak McCarthy, Charles Burkowski's poetry more than his novels. Want more? Let me know.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Chris on September 21, 2009, 02:20:30 PM
Just finishing Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol, the third book in the Robert Langdon series. Save your money. Very poorly done, especially when compared to Angels and Demons which I think was the best of the three.

I have started it, and it is decent so far.  I really am trying to save it for a flight on Friday.  In general, I think Brown is a pretty poor writer...but his books always keep me occupied, which is really all I can ask for when I am flying.  Although after finishing them, I always feel like I need to get the bad taste out of my mouth.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on September 21, 2009, 02:38:20 PM
Just finishing Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol, the third book in the Robert Langdon series. Save your money. Very poorly done, especially when compared to Angels and Demons which I think was the best of the three.

I have started it, and it is decent so far.  I really am trying to save it for a flight on Friday.  In general, I think Brown is a pretty poor writer...but his books always keep me occupied, which is really all I can ask for when I am flying.  Although after finishing them, I always feel like I need to get the bad taste out of my mouth.

Its like eating a double cheeseburger from mcdonalds. You're not really looking forward to it, you're not really happy about it afterwards, but at that moment, well you were hungry and it worked.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: OCsWestCeltic on September 21, 2009, 03:22:24 PM
Liberty & Tyrany by Mark Levin

Read it and pass it on to a friend...
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: eddietours on September 21, 2009, 04:33:11 PM
Tropic of Cancer
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: dark_lord on September 27, 2009, 11:22:16 AM
american shaolin
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Eja117 on September 27, 2009, 11:25:29 AM
i just finished the Tao De Ching (most translated book in the world after the Bible)

pretty good if impractical
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on September 27, 2009, 12:04:35 PM
Just read Dragonfly Falling by Adrian Tchaikovsky, the 2nd book in the Shadows of the Apt series. Again, a really good read, really recommending this series to those that might enjoy a fantasy series with some steampunk.

Will read the third installment shortly.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on October 01, 2009, 10:31:49 PM
What is steampunk? Is it related to cyberpunk?
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: gustusias on October 02, 2009, 04:12:58 AM
I must reply here because I am a big reader. There are certain books I would like to refer you guys to if you don't mind. First of all Dennis Lehane is a Boston boy out of Dorchester who writes the best detective novels imagineable. The movie 'Run Baby Run' was his book as well as the movie 'Mystic River.'

Secondly Jerezy Kosinski has written a classic book, 'The Painted Bird."Short stories of Joseph Roth, The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by  Carson McCullers, The Big Snow by David Park, Butterfly Weed by Donald Harrington, Dostoyevsky, Johseph Conrad, Steinbeck, especially of Mice and Men, Pearl Buck's The Good Earth, Benjamin Netanahu's book, An Endurable Peace, Rodney Doyle's books, especially Paddy Clark Ha Ha Ha, Garth Stein's book narrated by a dog, yeh really, How to Race in the Rain  and lastly I recommend in Cambrige, at 47 Mt. Auburn Street, Grolier's Book Store, the best and only bookstore in America that deals only with poetry, and make no mistake,poetry is just incredible when done well.

I am sorry if I was a bit longwinded here, but I love books and enjoy passing along to others the joy of reading. I do not deal in trash here. Most of my reading involves only high grade writing, like our Celtics, another high grade product.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: MattG12 on October 02, 2009, 09:01:48 AM
Quote
The movie 'Run Baby Run' was his book as well as the movie 'Mystic River.'

I believe you mean "Gone Baby Gone". Anyways, Lehane is a great writer. Definitely look out for the next movie based on one of his books. "Shutter Island", filmed all over the Boston area. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, directed by Martin Scorsese.

TP for you for mentioning Lehane as well as Cormac McCarthy!
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Schupac on October 02, 2009, 09:09:44 AM
Quote
The movie 'Run Baby Run' was his book as well as the movie 'Mystic River.'

I believe you mean "Gone Baby Gone". Anyways, Lehane is a great writer. Definitely look out for the next movie based on one of his books. "Shutter Island", filmed all over the Boston area. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, directed by Martin Scorsese.

TP for you for mentioning Lehane as well as Cormac McCarthy!


Speaking of Cormac McCarthy I recommend "Blood Meridian" to any red blooded man I meat (not a typo, that's how manly they have to be).  It's a brutal, bloody tale about a group of outlaws in the American West employed by the Mexican government to kill and scalp Apaches.  It's even more vividly written than your normal McCarthy book, and the subject matter just pulls you in.  These aren't Gary Cooper style, shining-white-teeth niceguy cowboys, these are dirty drunk criminals who found a temporarily legal outlet for their broken personalities. 

WARNING- NOT for the faint of stomach or heart.  When I say brutal, I really mean it.  There is some truly senseless, degenerate violence in this book, but it helps tell these men's story.  It's also loosely based on fact and the real-life account of the main character (though he was suspected of some serious embellishment).

It's one of my favorite books, ever.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on October 02, 2009, 09:44:15 AM
What is steampunk? Is it related to cyberpunk?

In general, it's pretty much a setting where steam is mainly used as the power source. In this type of stories, you often see airships, oldschool planes, trains, steam powered ships, etc. Think of the movie Wild Wild West with Will Smith, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen with Sean Connery.

Cyberpunk might be appealing to the same type of people, but it's different in that it's a different set of technology and motivations. You see hackers, articificial intelligence, information technology... in all it's a more futuristic setting.

So as far as Shadows of the Apt goes, along with all the fantasy characteristics of magic, unique races, etc., we also find a lot of steam powered inventions. So as you progress throughout the story, there'll be a lot of magic vs. technology vs. human skills (learned or innate). The world in general is very low on the technology scale... and not everyone is capable of using technology, hence the apt vs. the inapt, and they differ by kinden (races).

Just finished the 3rd book of it, Blood of the Mantis, and it was also a very good one.

The 4th book comes out in 2010.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: eddietours on October 02, 2009, 10:07:41 AM
Confessions of an Economic Hit Man

by John Perkins
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: gustusias on October 02, 2009, 05:39:55 PM
Darkness Take My Hand, A Drink Before the War, Coronado(a collection of short stories) are some other Lehane books I have read. Thanks about Shutter Island. I started to read that and was only 40 to 50  pages in when I lost it somehow. The same thing happened to me with Blood Meridean, and I was already a good 100 pages or so into the book. I will have to pick them up again. I have no explanation to this absentmindedness of late,but it is irritating.
 
To be honest Cormac McCarthy is about one of the best writers I ever read. His books are not easy for me to read in the sense that he writes a prose so rich, vivid, and just difficult to get used to . No one I read uses language as well as he does. Many of his words I just never heard of. His knowledge of plants, trees, the land, etc... is incredible. Recently I finished All the Pretty Horses. It is just great. His endings to his novels just capture my heart and I am left holding on to those precious words of his like some pearls of knowledge, always known somewhere deep within myself, but only now have been revealed to me. I would say he he is one of the greatest writers in the last century, in a different league than all the others.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: MattG12 on October 02, 2009, 10:10:24 PM
Quote
The movie 'Run Baby Run' was his book as well as the movie 'Mystic River.'

I believe you mean "Gone Baby Gone". Anyways, Lehane is a great writer. Definitely look out for the next movie based on one of his books. "Shutter Island", filmed all over the Boston area. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, directed by Martin Scorsese.

TP for you for mentioning Lehane as well as Cormac McCarthy!


Speaking of Cormac McCarthy I recommend "Blood Meridian" to any red blooded man I meat (not a typo, that's how manly they have to be).  It's a brutal, bloody tale about a group of outlaws in the American West employed by the Mexican government to kill and scalp Apaches.  It's even more vividly written than your normal McCarthy book, and the subject matter just pulls you in.  These aren't Gary Cooper style, shining-white-teeth niceguy cowboys, these are dirty drunk criminals who found a temporarily legal outlet for their broken personalities. 

WARNING- NOT for the faint of stomach or heart.  When I say brutal, I really mean it.  There is some truly senseless, degenerate violence in this book, but it helps tell these men's story.  It's also loosely based on fact and the real-life account of the main character (though he was suspected of some serious embellishment).

It's one of my favorite books, ever.

Blood Meridian shall hit theaters in 2011 (So they say)... I'd expect it to take until 2012 since it seems like every movie gets put on hold for a year these days.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on October 27, 2009, 02:23:15 PM
Finished all 11 books of The Dresden Files last week, and I have to say that I thoroughly am enjoying the series. Next book comes out in April.

I also read Child of Fire by Harry Connolly, which was a book that was similar to The Dresden Files. It was his debut book and first of a new series. I enjoyed it too and will recommend it to those of you that have enjoyed Dresden.

Right now I'm reading Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson, the author who is continuing The Wheel of Time. So far I've been enjoying it... it has an interesting magic system.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Redz on October 27, 2009, 02:34:11 PM
Just started reading a classic that I've never actually read before.

(http://iamthesarah3.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/dr-jekyll1.jpg)
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on October 31, 2009, 10:51:02 AM
Another book that I recently read was The Magicians by Lev Grossman. Really interesting read. You can say that it's a mixture of Harry Potter and Narnia, but for adults. Their take on magic and it's consequences, and how it affects young people (around college level) with magic and how they deal in a world were magic is not used by the rest of the population is interesting.

I'm really recommending it, though it can be slow at times, in my opinion the payoff makes it worth it. Overall well written, and it can be thought inducing.

http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9780099534440/

Quote
In a secret world of forbidden knowledge, power comes at a terrible price...Quentin Coldwater's life is changed forever by an apparently chance encounter: when he turns up for his entrance interview to Princeton he finds his interviewer dead - but a strange envelope bearing Quentin's name leads him down a very different path to any he'd ever imagined. The envelope, and the mysterious manuscript it contains, leads to a secret world of obsession and privilege, a world of freedom and power and, for a while, it's a world that seems to answer all Quentin's desires. But the idyll cannot last - and when it's finally shattered, Quentin is drawn into something darker and far more dangerous than anything he could ever have expected...
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: ma11l on October 31, 2009, 12:09:53 PM
I'm only a few chapters into When the Game was Ours but so far it is as good as advertised in my opinion.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: MattG12 on October 31, 2009, 12:31:09 PM
Has anybody read The Shack yet? I've had a lot of people recommend it to me, so I bought it yesterday. I'm not going to start it until I finish Thoreau's Walden, though.

I would definitely be interested to get a few more opinions on it, maybe somebody will hate it and lower my expectations which are very high at the moment.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Scott on November 12, 2009, 06:56:38 AM
Has anybody read The Shack yet? I've had a lot of people recommend it to me, so I bought it yesterday. I'm not going to start it until I finish Thoreau's Walden, though.

I would definitely be interested to get a few more opinions on it, maybe somebody will hate it and lower my expectations which are very high at the moment.

My wife has read it and all I can pass along is more of the same…she loved it.  Considering how different our interests are I stayed away from it (she is reading these vampire love novels now - more of the lasting impact from the Twilight fad I suppose).  So funnily enough, you should let me know what you think of it.

Speaking of classics, I am reading “The War of the Worlds”.  Having seen both movies and  I figured I might as well read the original story. 

Anyone read “World War Z”?  I just grabbed a copy but have yet to start it.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: nickagneta on November 12, 2009, 10:46:48 AM
Just finished Shadowmarch and Shadowplay, books one and two of Tad Williams Shadowmarch tetralogy of which both books three and four are due out next year. For those familiar with Williams you know he can build a fantastic literary universe in his story telling, but in this one, he's a bit all over the place with it as he has three or five sets of names for the same gods and people only through different races and it gets very confusing at times. By half way through the second book everything started to sink in and the story got much better as he started pulling all the loose parts together, but by then I had pushed my way through 1000 pages.

All that said, I am now very much looking forward to the release of the next two books in 2010 as he now has me hooked after closing the plots together into a very interesting story of political intrigue, gods, warring races and love.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Schupac on November 12, 2009, 11:25:41 AM
Has anybody read The Shack yet? I've had a lot of people recommend it to me, so I bought it yesterday. I'm not going to start it until I finish Thoreau's Walden, though.

I would definitely be interested to get a few more opinions on it, maybe somebody will hate it and lower my expectations which are very high at the moment.

My wife has read it and all I can pass along is more of the same…she loved it.  Considering how different our interests are I stayed away from it (she is reading these vampire love novels now - more of the lasting impact from the Twilight fad I suppose).  So funnily enough, you should let me know what you think of it.

Speaking of classics, I am reading “The War of the Worlds”.  Having seen both movies and  I figured I might as well read the original story. 

Anyone read “World War Z”?  I just grabbed a copy but have yet to start it.

I love all things Zombie, and I read WWZ in one sitting.  It's wonderfully well written and pretty interesting.  Doesn't really break any of the conventions of the genre, just handles them very well.

It's not just Zombie good, it's good.  With Zombies!
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: feckless on November 12, 2009, 11:50:14 AM
Anything by Ross Thomas (just finished "The Fools in Town are on our side") but Chinaman's Chance will get you addicted. 

http://books.google.com/books?id=Rcs6Wjh_OZMC&sitesec=reviews&source=gbs_navlinks_s
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: dark_lord on November 17, 2009, 06:23:58 PM
the last 2 books i have read have been great:

(http://ebooks-imgs.connect.com/ebooks/product/400/000/000/000/000/049/828/400000000000000049828_s4.jpg)

(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZY7N36Xi7kA/SsRdqvF24TI/AAAAAAAAFp8/oSvmgUWuMfk/s400/rza-tao-of-wu-book.jpg)
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Redz on November 28, 2009, 08:41:10 PM
Had this one sitting around for about a year until I finally broke into it. Just a crazy amount of info about a sad amount of talented people who have done themselves in with various addictions.  It also goes to lengths to credit much of the artistic energy of many of the subjects to those very addictions.

The author does an excellent job of pointing out a lot of ironies, and influences.

The book is laid out in alphabetical order of the deceased (about 500 bios in all).  There are a ton of interesting stories - some really sad, some just pathetic.  I definitely learned a lot about some people I'd never heard of, and got some insight to others who I'd like to learn more about.

I took this book on vacation with me and made it about half way through.  I'll continue to read as my "current" book, but honestly it might work best as a bathroon book!  You can easily read a bio or two in a few minutes (or plow through a few more if your stay in the bathroom is lengthier  ;) )

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51r9IDXruEL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA240_SH20_OU01_.jpg)

Genius and Heroin: The Illustrated Catalogue of Creativity, Obsession, and Reckless Abandon Through the Ages (Paperback)
~ Michael Largo
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on December 16, 2009, 07:52:25 PM
For those fantasy fans around here, I'm recommending one of the top fantasies of 2009... The Warded Man by Peter V. Brett, also known as The Painted Man in the UK.

Nothing groundbreaking here at the moment, but just a very cool book overall and well written... after the first half it really becomes outstanding in my opinion. Early word on the sequel, The Desert Spear, which should be coming out in a few months is really positive, so some of you might want to check it out.

There's also a novelette that should be coming out in a couple of weeks known as The Great Bazaar and Other Stories, and it should help setup the novel sequel mentioned above.

There are some minor differences in the text itself between the UK and US versions, so whichever version you read make sure the subsequent sequels follow the same version. Brett has mentioned that he has plans for 5 novels, and if not mistaken he has already sold movie rights for the series.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzUBYOJdG9M

(http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/4425/greatbazaarcover.jpg)
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Neurotic Guy on December 16, 2009, 08:30:01 PM
Quote
The movie 'Run Baby Run' was his book as well as the movie 'Mystic River.'

I believe you mean "Gone Baby Gone". Anyways, Lehane is a great writer. Definitely look out for the next movie based on one of his books. "Shutter Island", filmed all over the Boston area. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, directed by Martin Scorsese.

TP for you for mentioning Lehane as well as Cormac McCarthy!


Speaking of Cormac McCarthy I recommend "Blood Meridian" to any red blooded man I meat (not a typo, that's how manly they have to be). 

I know McCarthy gets a lot of run as a manly writer, but I picked up one of his earlier novels and couldn't get through it -- not because of blood and gore but because of the writing style.  Found him as hard to read as Faulkner.  You guys must be smart (or perhaps the later novels are an easier read). 
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Overrated on January 03, 2010, 05:13:18 PM
Last month I finished When The Game Was Ours, easily the best book about basketball I've ever read. Any Celtics fan would love reading this, so do it!

Also, you can check out my review for the book here:
http://www.amazon.com/review/R739WZSZU7AGW

Any helpful "yes" votes would be appreciated too  :)
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: looseball on January 03, 2010, 08:21:51 PM
Basketball: for the Player, the Fan and the Coach
by Red Auerbach (1953)
still the basketball bible!
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Eja117 on January 03, 2010, 08:32:44 PM
I'm reading the Hobbit. I'd recommend that
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Cman on January 03, 2010, 08:37:28 PM
Any Stieg Larsson book.  If you like mysteries.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Neurotic Guy on January 03, 2010, 08:59:18 PM
Quote
The movie 'Run Baby Run' was his book as well as the movie 'Mystic River.'

I believe you mean "Gone Baby Gone". Anyways, Lehane is a great writer. Definitely look out for the next movie based on one of his books. "Shutter Island", filmed all over the Boston area. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, directed by Martin Scorsese.

TP for you for mentioning Lehane as well as Cormac McCarthy!


Speaking of Cormac McCarthy I recommend "Blood Meridian" to any red blooded man I meat (not a typo, that's how manly they have to be). 

I know McCarthy gets a lot of run as a manly writer, but I picked up one of his earlier novels and couldn't get through it -- not because of blood and gore but because of the writing style.  Found him as hard to read as Faulkner.  You guys must be smart (or perhaps the later novels are an easier read). 

Well, my daughter got me "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy and I just read it.   It's great -- much more readable than my first McCarthy attempt, "The Orchard Keeper".

I must say he has an astounding vocabulary -- wow -- it's very readable but having Mr. Webster nearby wouldn't hurt.  It's like reading a long poem -- some of it you understand completely, some you don't.  There is enough simple language to leave you appreciating the story but enough depth to know you could read it a hundred times and continue to learn something new.   
 
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on January 04, 2010, 08:26:20 PM
I was wondering if anyone here had read "The Historian" by Elizabeth Kostova.  I was tempted to grab a copy but have heard some mixed reviews about it so I held off.

I read that last year, and loved it.  It took me a little while to warm up to it, because it is a little unconventional (the story is basically told through long letters, and it is easy to lose track of who is telling the story), but once you get into it, it is a great book.  I would highly recommend it.

It was not your typical Dracula story.  Not as much action as you might expect.  There's a lot more about the pursuit of Dracula and, as the name might indicate, the history of Dracula (Vlad Tepps).  It was an interesting story, but if you are looking for an action adventure you can eliminate 95% of the book. 

He definitely was a creepy Dracula though once the author, ahem, "sunk her teeth" into him.

I liked the book a lot.  My wife did care for it.

I am a sucker for a novel when they really get into the history.  I suppose I could just read non-fiction, but novels like this make it a whole lot more interesting.

Chris: read some Bernard Cornwell stuff then.  Hugely entertaining.  He plugs some great characters into history and mixes and matches fact and fiction amazingly (and he explains which is which at the end of each book if you hadn't caught on).  His Saxon Chronicles are my favorite.  Uhtred is BADASS!

I ripped through "The Last Kingdom" to "Sword Song" in just over 4 days. I might give it a week and do it again. Uhtred Ragnorson, Uhtred who killed Ubba by the Sea, Uhtred who fell Swein Whitehorse and sent him to the corpse hall, Uhtred who will someday gut the spineless Alefric, the usurper, and he will dance in his guts and kill his sons, and then, he will once again be the Lord of Bebbanburgh.

Really guys, read these books. Just wow. I might wait a week and read them again, slower.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Redz on January 04, 2010, 09:51:21 PM
I was wondering if anyone here had read "The Historian" by Elizabeth Kostova.  I was tempted to grab a copy but have heard some mixed reviews about it so I held off.

I read that last year, and loved it.  It took me a little while to warm up to it, because it is a little unconventional (the story is basically told through long letters, and it is easy to lose track of who is telling the story), but once you get into it, it is a great book.  I would highly recommend it.

It was not your typical Dracula story.  Not as much action as you might expect.  There's a lot more about the pursuit of Dracula and, as the name might indicate, the history of Dracula (Vlad Tepps).  It was an interesting story, but if you are looking for an action adventure you can eliminate 95% of the book. 

He definitely was a creepy Dracula though once the author, ahem, "sunk her teeth" into him.

I liked the book a lot.  My wife did care for it.

I am a sucker for a novel when they really get into the history.  I suppose I could just read non-fiction, but novels like this make it a whole lot more interesting.

Chris: read some Bernard Cornwell stuff then.  Hugely entertaining.  He plugs some great characters into history and mixes and matches fact and fiction amazingly (and he explains which is which at the end of each book if you hadn't caught on).  His Saxon Chronicles are my favorite.  Uhtred is BADASS!

I ripped through "The Last Kingdom" to "Sword Song" in just over 4 days. I might give it a week and do it again. Uhtred Ragnorson, Uhtred who killed Ubba by the Sea, Uhtred who fell Swein Whitehorse and sent him to the corpse hall, Uhtred who will someday gut the spineless Alefric, the usurper, and he will dance in his guts and kill his sons, and then, he will once again be the Lord of Bebbanburgh.

Really guys, read these books. Just wow. I might wait a week and read them again, slower.

Oooh...I forgot about the Ubba slaying!

The Arthur series is excellent too.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Redz on January 04, 2010, 09:58:57 PM
And as fate would have it, the 5th book of the series is due out 1/19.  I hadn't even checked on this on in a long time!

http://www.amazon.com/Burning-Land-Novel-Bernard-Cornwell/dp/0060888741/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1262660230&sr=8-10
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on January 04, 2010, 10:06:24 PM
And as fate would have it, the 5th book of the series is due out 1/19.  I hadn't even checked on this on in a long time!

http://www.amazon.com/Burning-Land-Novel-Bernard-Cornwell/dp/0060888741/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1262660230&sr=8-10

Ah, the gods smile upon us indeed! It will not be long now until Uhtred takes the walls of Bebbanburgh!
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Redz on January 04, 2010, 10:13:27 PM
And as fate would have it, the 5th book of the series is due out 1/19.  I hadn't even checked on this on in a long time!

http://www.amazon.com/Burning-Land-Novel-Bernard-Cornwell/dp/0060888741/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1262660230&sr=8-10

Ah, the gods smile upon us indeed! It will not be long now until Uhtred takes the walls of Bebbanburgh!

My problem is going to be remembering half the characters and the history and what not.  I started confusing Uhtred with Thomas from the Grail Quest series.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Redz on January 21, 2010, 10:32:21 AM
My dogs just started going completely bananas to signal the arrival of the UPS truck.

Burning Land hath arriveth!

UHTRED IN DA HOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUSE  ;D
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Redz on March 08, 2010, 04:43:42 PM
A little disappointed with the Burning Land.  It was nice to get back in touch with Uhtred and all, but the plot had a lot less going on than the last few of this series. 

On the bright it made me finally pick up the copy of Agincourt I'd been given a year ago, and I'm enjoying it a lot.

I still am just biding time until George Martin finishes up the 5th book of the Song of Ice and Fire series.  Come on George!
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: shookones99 on March 08, 2010, 06:03:43 PM
I'm not gonna read this whole thread to see if this has already been posted, but The Book of Basketball by Bill Simmons is fantastic!  And I am not all that big of a fan of his work to begin with.  I think he's a great writer, but I just don't agree with a lot of what he says.

But I absolutely LOVED this book and highly recommend it to any basketball fan (which im pretty sure every single person on this website is).
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: angryguy77 on March 08, 2010, 07:19:00 PM
"Liberty and Tyranny" buy Mark Levin. Good book. Read it.

Also "Muslim Mafia" will make your head spin.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: dark_lord on March 08, 2010, 07:20:50 PM
I'm not gonna read this whole thread to see if this has already been posted, but The Book of Basketball by Bill Simmons is fantastic!  And I am not all that big of a fan of his work to begin with.  I think he's a great writer, but I just don't agree with a lot of what he says.

But I absolutely LOVED this book and highly recommend it to any basketball fan (which im pretty sure every single person on this website is).

co-sign, great book.  such a good book for discussion
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: cdif911 on March 08, 2010, 07:44:10 PM
I'm not gonna read this whole thread to see if this has already been posted, but The Book of Basketball by Bill Simmons is fantastic!  And I am not all that big of a fan of his work to begin with.  I think he's a great writer, but I just don't agree with a lot of what he says.

But I absolutely LOVED this book and highly recommend it to any basketball fan (which im pretty sure every single person on this website is).

co-sign, great book.  such a good book for discussion

love the book, love the pyramid, best birthday present I can remember getting from my brother in a long time
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on March 08, 2010, 07:49:51 PM
A little disappointed with the Burning Land.  It was nice to get back in touch with Uhtred and all, but the plot had a lot less going on than the last few of this series. 

On the bright it made me finally pick up the copy of Agincourt I'd been given a year ago, and I'm enjoying it a lot.

I still am just biding time until George Martin finishes up the 5th book of the Song of Ice and Fire series.  Come on George!
Agreed about buring land.

I loved the book before it, but this wasn't nearly as good.

Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Redz on March 08, 2010, 08:02:20 PM
A little disappointed with the Burning Land.  It was nice to get back in touch with Uhtred and all, but the plot had a lot less going on than the last few of this series. 

On the bright it made me finally pick up the copy of Agincourt I'd been given a year ago, and I'm enjoying it a lot.

I still am just biding time until George Martin finishes up the 5th book of the Song of Ice and Fire series.  Come on George!
Agreed about buring land.

I loved the book before it, but this wasn't nearly as good.



Have you read Agincourt?
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: ACF on March 10, 2010, 03:18:39 PM
I am currently reading "The Monster of Florence" by Douglas Preston and Mario Spezi. I am a bit of a true crime buff but will not sink my teeth into just anything, so to speak :-)
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on March 10, 2010, 03:35:59 PM
A little disappointed with the Burning Land.  It was nice to get back in touch with Uhtred and all, but the plot had a lot less going on than the last few of this series. 

On the bright it made me finally pick up the copy of Agincourt I'd been given a year ago, and I'm enjoying it a lot.

I still am just biding time until George Martin finishes up the 5th book of the Song of Ice and Fire series.  Come on George!
Agreed about buring land.

I loved the book before it, but this wasn't nearly as good.



Have you read Agincourt?

No sir.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: thirstyboots18 on March 12, 2010, 11:56:14 AM
I just finished "When the Game Was Ours" and enjoyed it.  Now I am reading "Angela's Ashes" which I had somehow missed when it came out a few years ago...so far very sad, but well written and interesting.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Eja117 on March 12, 2010, 11:58:17 AM
I'm reading the Two Towers in the Lord of the Rings thing.

I'd say that in the movies that one might be the worst, but in the books it might be best. Tough to say
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on April 28, 2010, 11:24:44 PM
I am Not a Serial Killer by Dan Wells... first of the John Cleaver series, the second book Mr. Monster is already available in the UK, out in the US in September.

Seriously, you guys need to give this book a look, it's excellent in my opinion. Fans of the TV show Dexter should certainly give it a go. It's a first person narrative from a 15 year-old sociopath who is obsessed with serial killers as he struggles to control himself to not become one. Through all this a real serial killer visits his small town, which to him is like your favorite rock band having a concert in town. So, he goes out find out more about what is going on, and since his family are morticians, he has access to the dead bodies when they're released to them. Well through all this his "monster" gets harder to control, etc. etc.

Anyways, a very good read about a very creepy kid. The main character is great, and he does a good job making you sympathize with him even with all that he does and thinks about doing. The novel has a bit of the supernatural though, so fair warning there.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Bahku on April 28, 2010, 11:30:50 PM
"Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card ... awesome science fiction novel. I have read literally hundreds of sci-fi novels, and this is one of my top three picks of all time.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: pearljammer10 on April 28, 2010, 11:34:02 PM
"Shutter Island" great book, movie was taken almost word for word, scene by scene... Good movie adaptation better book.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on April 28, 2010, 11:34:53 PM
I am Not a Serial Killer by Dan Wells... first of the John Cleaver series, the second book Mr. Monster is already available in the UK, out in the US in September.

Seriously, you guys need to give this book a look, it's excellent in my opinion. Fans of the TV show Dexter should certainly give it a go. It's a first person narrative from a 15 year-old sociopath who is obsessed with serial killers as he struggles to control himself to not become one. Through all this a real serial killer visits his small town, which to him is like your favorite rock band having a concert in town. So, he goes out find out more about what is going on, and since his family are morticians, he has access to the dead bodies when they're released to them. Well through all this his "monster" gets harder to control, etc. etc.

Anyways, a very good read about a very creepy kid. The main character is great, and he does a good job making you sympathize with him even with all that he does and thinks about doing. The novel has a bit of the supernatural though, so fair warning there.

Oh, and I forgot to mention, for those that have read the Dresden Files or have been interested in it, I read a couple of weeks ago his latest installment titled Changes, and it was completely awesome. So far my favorite read this year. I am Not a Serial Killer close behind it.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: misha on April 28, 2010, 11:41:17 PM
(http://www.danielchampion.com/archives/capt.ny13008262036.people_hilton_ny130)

This book changed my life.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Redz on April 28, 2010, 11:53:18 PM
A little disappointed with the Burning Land.  It was nice to get back in touch with Uhtred and all, but the plot had a lot less going on than the last few of this series.  

On the bright it made me finally pick up the copy of Agincourt I'd been given a year ago, and I'm enjoying it a lot.

I still am just biding time until George Martin finishes up the 5th book of the Song of Ice and Fire series.  Come on George!
Agreed about buring land.

I loved the book before it, but this wasn't nearly as good.



Have you read Agincourt?

No sir.

Agincourt fizzled

Now reading Bill Bryson's A Short History of Nearly Everything...Always enjoy his anecdotal style
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: incoherent on April 28, 2010, 11:57:06 PM
"Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card ... awesome science fiction novel. I have read literally hundreds of sci-fi novels, and this is one of my top three picks of all time.

Was mentioned in the first couple pages of this thread but yeah... awesome book. 

I counter you with "Ender's Shadow" being just as good if not better / more interesting.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on May 10, 2010, 11:17:17 PM
I am Not a Serial Killer by Dan Wells... first of the John Cleaver series, the second book Mr. Monster is already available in the UK, out in the US in September.

Seriously, you guys need to give this book a look, it's excellent in my opinion. Fans of the TV show Dexter should certainly give it a go. It's a first person narrative from a 15 year-old sociopath who is obsessed with serial killers as he struggles to control himself to not become one. Through all this a real serial killer visits his small town, which to him is like your favorite rock band having a concert in town. So, he goes out find out more about what is going on, and since his family are morticians, he has access to the dead bodies when they're released to them. Well through all this his "monster" gets harder to control, etc. etc.

Anyways, a very good read about a very creepy kid. The main character is great, and he does a good job making you sympathize with him even with all that he does and thinks about doing. The novel has a bit of the supernatural though, so fair warning there.

Oh, and I forgot to mention, for those that have read the Dresden Files or have been interested in it, I read a couple of weeks ago his latest installment titled Changes, and it was completely awesome. So far my favorite read this year. I am Not a Serial Killer close behind it.

Also forgot to mention Retribution Falls by Chris Wooding, first of the Tales of the Ketty Jay series.. It reads like a Firefly, so fans of that series would most likely enjoy this. Fun book, sequel coming soon Black Lung Captain.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on May 11, 2010, 04:46:42 PM
"Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card ... awesome science fiction novel. I have read literally hundreds of sci-fi novels, and this is one of my top three picks of all time.

Was mentioned in the first couple pages of this thread but yeah... awesome book. 

I counter you with "Ender's Shadow" being just as good if not better / more interesting.

If you want some light humor, one of my favorites is Sideways. I actually listened to it on CD during my commute. Rent it from the library if you can. I found it much funnier than the movie- and it lasted longer too.

Ender's Game is one of the only fantasy books I could actually make it through- it was quite good.

Harlen Coben is terrific- like others have said. I do like his Myron series- especially since there is a Celtics connection, but I like the stand alone books even more.

Water for Elephants was a fantastic, and unusual read.

And a classic, and one of my all-time favorites- is The Caine Mutiny. Unbelievable.


I've ready Enders game more that the celtics play at home each season. Well probably not but Im up in the high 30's easily.

Ender's Game
Ender's Shadow

2 books, take place at the same time in the same place but from 2 different point of views.  I cant decide which one I love more but both are amazing.

Buncha TP's for you, but mostly because I was going in the thread to plug "Ender's War" (Ender's Game and Speaker For the Dead together in one volume) for like the 18th time.

But, alas, Incoherent is wrong about Ender's Shadow.

"Speaker For The Dead" is the best Ender book.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: KungPoweChicken on May 16, 2010, 12:27:55 AM
Can anyone recommend me some really great inspirational novels? I only have two requirements: must be first person and it can't have anything to do with religion.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Bahku on May 16, 2010, 12:49:06 AM
"Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card ... awesome science fiction novel. I have read literally hundreds of sci-fi novels, and this is one of my top three picks of all time.

Was mentioned in the first couple pages of this thread but yeah... awesome book. 

I counter you with "Ender's Shadow" being just as good if not better / more interesting.

If you want some light humor, one of my favorites is Sideways. I actually listened to it on CD during my commute. Rent it from the library if you can. I found it much funnier than the movie- and it lasted longer too.

Ender's Game is one of the only fantasy books I could actually make it through- it was quite good.

Harlen Coben is terrific- like others have said. I do like his Myron series- especially since there is a Celtics connection, but I like the stand alone books even more.

Water for Elephants was a fantastic, and unusual read.

And a classic, and one of my all-time favorites- is The Caine Mutiny. Unbelievable.


I've ready Enders game more that the celtics play at home each season. Well probably not but Im up in the high 30's easily.

Ender's Game
Ender's Shadow

2 books, take place at the same time in the same place but from 2 different point of views.  I cant decide which one I love more but both are amazing.

Buncha TP's for you, but mostly because I was going in the thread to plug "Ender's War" (Ender's Game and Speaker For the Dead together in one volume) for like the 18th time.

But, alas, Incoherent is wrong about Ender's Shadow.

"Speaker For The Dead" is the best Ender book.

I have a hard time judging one over the others, but "Ender's Game" was my first taste of the Ender series, so it's a bit more special for that reason. You have to read them all ... and they should be assessed as a complete series, IMHO, not so much as separate entities. ;)

Also: The Foundation series by Isaac Asimov ... or anything by "The Good Doctor" ... the first sci-fi book I ever read was "Pebble In The Sky" ... I was hooked for life!
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on May 16, 2010, 01:28:17 AM
I have a hard time judging one over the others, but "Ender's Game" was my first taste of the Ender series, so it's a bit more special for that reason. You have to read them all ... and they should be assessed as a complete series, IMHO, not so much as separate entities. ;)

Also: The Foundation series by Isaac Asimov ... or anything by "The Good Doctor" ... the first sci-fi book I ever read was "Pebble In The Sky" ... I was hooked for life!

I think you have to segment them..Orson Scott Card, despite being my second favorite author..he has a problem with overdoing successful things...he gets kind of greedy. Ender's Game and Speaker for the Dead were released as a omnibus called "Ender's War"

Xenocide was left out, even in future releases (Ender's War was released in 1986, Xenocide was released in 1991) because it was just not really a good book. Really, it wasn't...it was his "Godfather 3".

Ender's Shadow was fantastic. Shadow of the Hegemon was amazing. Shadow Puppets...was not. Shadow of the Giant was a little better, but meh all the same.

Seventh Son, Red Prophet, Prentice Alvin, and even Alvin Journeyman were all fantastic books. Just all amazing novels. Heartfire, was not.

Ender's Game will always be my favorite, but Speaker For the Dead is the better book...he really hit his stride there, and the fact that Speaker came out a year after Ender shows you that his head was boiling with ideas waiting to get out.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on May 16, 2010, 01:32:14 AM
Can anyone recommend me some really great inspirational novels? I only have two requirements: must be first person and it can't have anything to do with religion.

Three Cups Of Tea is not first person, but it is legitimately amazing.

Check out the first few pages here:
http://www.amazon.com/Three-Cups-Tea-Mission-Promote/dp/0143038257/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1273987837&sr=1-1
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: guava_wrench on May 16, 2010, 02:17:50 AM
Can anyone recommend me some really great inspirational novels? I only have two requirements: must be first person and it can't have anything to do with religion.
If a book that inspires you to commit suicide counts, Catcher in the Rye. :)
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Bahku on May 16, 2010, 02:53:48 AM
I have a hard time judging one over the others, but "Ender's Game" was my first taste of the Ender series, so it's a bit more special for that reason. You have to read them all ... and they should be assessed as a complete series, IMHO, not so much as separate entities. ;)

Also: The Foundation series by Isaac Asimov ... or anything by "The Good Doctor" ... the first sci-fi book I ever read was "Pebble In The Sky" ... I was hooked for life!

I think you have to segment them..Orson Scott Card, despite being my second favorite author..he has a problem with overdoing successful things...he gets kind of greedy. Ender's Game and Speaker for the Dead were released as a omnibus called "Ender's War"

Xenocide was left out, even in future releases (Ender's War was released in 1986, Xenocide was released in 1991) because it was just not really a good book. Really, it wasn't...it was his "Godfather 3".

Ender's Shadow was fantastic. Shadow of the Hegemon was amazing. Shadow Puppets...was not. Shadow of the Giant was a little better, but meh all the same.

Seventh Son, Red Prophet, Prentice Alvin, and even Alvin Journeyman were all fantastic books. Just all amazing novels. Heartfire, was not.

Ender's Game will always be my favorite, but Speaker For the Dead is the better book...he really hit his stride there, and the fact that Speaker came out a year after Ender shows you that his head was boiling with ideas waiting to get out.

Funny, I can easily name my favorite author, (Isaac Asimov), as his writing was what opened my mind to a complete new dimension and the realms of boundless imagination, but naming my "second-favorite" author would be nigh impossible, and would have to be a group, and not an individual.

Card would easily be one of that group, but also Arthur C. Clarke, Gregory Benford, Ben Bova, Greg Egan, Frederick Pohl, Connie Willis, Kim Stanley Robinson, John Varley, Harlan Ellison, Jack Vance, Gordon R. Dickson, Brian Aldiss, Larry Niven, Kathe Koja, Steven Utley, James Patrick Kelly, Robert Reed, Ian McDonald, Karen Joy Fowler, Walter Jon Williams ... man, I could go on and on, and I don't think I could pick one or two above the rest.

So much amazing literature in this world, and this is only sci-fi I'm touching on! Very few genres that I don't enjoy, but science fiction is easily my favorite. For those thinking about "testing the waters" of science fiction, short-stories are innumerable and a great place to start.

My favorite stories by far: "Press Enter" by John Varley, "With Virgil Oddum At The East Pole" by Harlan Ellison, "The Jaguar Hunter" by Lucius Shepard, and "24 Views Of Mount Fuji, By Hokusai" by Roger Zelazny ... these are four of the most amazing stories I've ever read, and you won't need to sacrifice a huge block of time.

:)
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: cdif911 on May 16, 2010, 09:40:13 AM
just finished class matters, it's a meh in my book, wasn't really shocking or surprising - If you want an investigative story about low wage jobs go for Punching In or even Nickel and Dimed

also finished Loot, which was about museums and how they acquire objects (it was for a class I'm taking) and it's ok, a bit long.

I'm currently finishing Let Me Tell you a Story, which is excellent, I'm truly enjoying it - one of the best Celtics books I've read
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Rida on May 16, 2010, 11:08:28 AM
Can anyone recommend me some really great inspirational novels? I only have two requirements: must be first person and it can't have anything to do with religion.

Tuesday's with Morrie and anything written by Mitch Albolm
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: nickagneta on May 16, 2010, 11:13:28 AM
The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom was awesome....very inspirational and although it deals with heaven and the afterlife, it had little to do with religion if anything.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: CoachBo on May 16, 2010, 11:31:45 AM
"The Big Short" by Michael Lewis is a very clear explanation of how the financial markets collapsed due to deregulation - unregulated personal and corporate greed.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Scott on May 17, 2010, 01:20:26 PM
My wife grabbed me a copy of this about a month or so ago.  I really didn't think much going into it, but I must admit I ended up really enjoying it.
(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e377/swhose/1271439842-abraham-lincoln-vampire-.jpg)
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on May 17, 2010, 01:25:56 PM
My wife grabbed me a copy of this about a month or so ago.  I really didn't think much going into it, but I must admit I ended up really enjoying it.
(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e377/swhose/1271439842-abraham-lincoln-vampire-.jpg)

I am really interested in this book. Maybe a little more info?
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: incoherent on May 17, 2010, 01:33:36 PM
(http://drbristol.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/too-fat-to-fish.jpg)

Talks about his life story.  Anyone who's seen the movie "Beer League" or "Dirty Work" and liked it will like this book.  Also if you are a fan of Howard, which I'm not.. you'll probably like it.




Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Scott on May 17, 2010, 01:52:48 PM
My wife grabbed me a copy of this about a month or so ago.  I really didn't think much going into it, but I must admit I ended up really enjoying it.
(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e377/swhose/1271439842-abraham-lincoln-vampire-.jpg)

I am really interested in this book. Maybe a little more info?

I apologize for not providing much…hope this helps

It begins with an individual coming into possession of Lincoln’s long lost diary, someone who is asked to write the true biography of one of America’s greatest Presidents.

It tells the story of Lincoln’s life, one where he draws all his drive from the discovery that Vampires were the cause of his mother’s death.   His hatred and drive for vengeance leads him to an unlikely alliance, one that brings him to become one of the greatest vampire hunters that has ever lived preparing for a war the America’s survival depends on . 

One little comment to add: apparently Tim Burton has signed on to make a movie adaption.

Here is a video that was put out for the release of the book.

"http://www.youtube.com/v/X58RPS665V0&hl=en_US&fs=1&
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Eja117 on July 02, 2010, 02:41:00 PM
Surviving Schitzophrenia.

It's very good
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Brendan on July 02, 2010, 02:47:23 PM
Scalzi's Old Man's War trilogy.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Redz on July 02, 2010, 02:50:08 PM
I'm reading Cardboard Gods.  Written by a guy born the same year as me, who collected all of the same cards I did. He had a very odd childhood, the story of which he intersperses with his connection with (and escape to) his baseball card collection.  An excellent book so far.  I'd highly recommend - especially if you were born in the late 6o's or early 70's and collected cards.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Brendan on July 02, 2010, 03:04:56 PM
"A short history of nearly everything" - Bryson (http://www.amazon.com/Short-History-Nearly-Everything/dp/0767908171) - good survey non-fiction, what the title says

"Guns, Germs, Steel" - Diamond (http://www.amazon.com/Guns-Germs-Steel-Fates-Societies/dp/0393061310/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1278097034&sr=1-1) - not so much how the west was won, but why the west was won. Dispels a lot of common myths.



All of Stephen King's Gunslinger series, except last half of the last book.

Read this one back in 1991 or so "Wizard War" - cool fantasy novel, but cannot find a trace of it on the internet *sigh*. Had dudes vanishing into bottles with magic rings a host of other stuff.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: JSD on July 02, 2010, 03:13:45 PM
"The Revolution: A Minifesto" or "End The Fed" by Ron Paul.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Redz on July 02, 2010, 04:08:16 PM
"A short history of nearly everything" - Bryson (http://www.amazon.com/Short-History-Nearly-Everything/dp/0767908171) - good survey non-fiction, what the title says



Reading that one too. I've read several of his books and really enjoy his style.  It's a daunting task to take a layman's approach to the history of the Universe but I think he does it nicely. I particularly enjoy his colorful descriptions of the scientists (the ones who slipped through the cracks, and the ones who made sure they stayed there!). 
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: action781 on July 26, 2010, 01:54:05 AM
"A short history of nearly everything" - Bryson (http://www.amazon.com/Short-History-Nearly-Everything/dp/0767908171) - good survey non-fiction, what the title says

"Guns, Germs, Steel" - Diamond (http://www.amazon.com/Guns-Germs-Steel-Fates-Societies/dp/0393061310/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1278097034&sr=1-1) - not so much how the west was won, but why the west was won. Dispels a lot of common myths.



All of Stephen King's Gunslinger series, except last half of the last book.

Read this one back in 1991 or so "Wizard War" - cool fantasy novel, but cannot find a trace of it on the internet *sigh*. Had dudes vanishing into bottles with magic rings a host of other stuff.


My ex really really liked guns germs and steel.  She says she learned a ton from it and urged me strongly to give it a read, but I'm just not that big of a reader. 
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: guava_wrench on July 26, 2010, 02:08:33 AM
"A short history of nearly everything" - Bryson (http://www.amazon.com/Short-History-Nearly-Everything/dp/0767908171) - good survey non-fiction, what the title says

"Guns, Germs, Steel" - Diamond (http://www.amazon.com/Guns-Germs-Steel-Fates-Societies/dp/0393061310/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1278097034&sr=1-1) - not so much how the west was won, but why the west was won. Dispels a lot of common myths.

I enjoyed both of those books and would strongly recommend both.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on July 26, 2010, 02:51:38 AM
"A short history of nearly everything" - Bryson (http://www.amazon.com/Short-History-Nearly-Everything/dp/0767908171) - good survey non-fiction, what the title says

"Guns, Germs, Steel" - Diamond (http://www.amazon.com/Guns-Germs-Steel-Fates-Societies/dp/0393061310/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1278097034&sr=1-1) - not so much how the west was won, but why the west was won. Dispels a lot of common myths.

I enjoyed both of those books and would strongly recommend both.

A Short History Of Nearly Everything is an amazing driving book (as in a book to listen to..I don't recommend reading while driving).

It made me feel like I used to when I was a kid and you would randomly open a textbook from the year ahead of you in grade school and see a giant picture of a star or a human heart or something you'd never seen before. I don't know if that makes sense but I'd say its a solid representation.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: canman1971 on July 26, 2010, 06:27:05 AM
Just finished "The Wild Blue: The Men and Boys Who Flew the B-24s Over Germany" by Stephen Ambrose author of "Band of Brothers" among others.  Really telling tale of the AAF during the later half of WWII focusing on Senator and Presidential candidate George McGovern. Not sure how these guys did what they did.  Highly recommended.  Quick read as well.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: canman1971 on July 26, 2010, 06:51:23 AM
Also, highly recommend Season of Life by Jeffrey Marx  Non-Fiction.  Great read for fathers and sons alike as well as those who want to be inspired such as coaches, teachers, etc... Very quick read as well.

http://www.amazon.com/Season-Life-Football-Journey-Manhood/dp/0743269748

http://www.seasonoflife.com/
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Jeff on September 16, 2010, 09:52:29 PM
Lets see, I like the classics: Shakespeare, Hemingway, Treasure Island, Great Expectations, Catcher In The Rye, all that

I also love fantasy epics: Lord of the Rings, Wheel of Time, Narnia, even Eragon

finishing up the Girl With The Dragon Tattoo series soon

looking for a good book to read on CD (preferably from the library) during my commute

any recommends?

also, perhaps unrelated, has anyone read a good book on W. Churchill?  Some of his quotes make me die laughing and I am interested in him in general.

thanks

Update: at my wife's suggestion, I'm going to try Percy Jackson's The Olympians
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Yusuf Mohammed on May 06, 2011, 08:26:06 AM
Can anyone recommend to me a book to read.. but i want the link of the book  :)
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Rondo2287 on May 06, 2011, 08:30:28 AM
Some good books that I have read recently

http://www.amazon.com/Millionaire-Next-Door-Thomas-Stanley/dp/0671015206

Millionaire next door.  Tells you about the new breed of millionaires that are popping up in the country. 

http://www.amazon.com/Money-Class-Learn-Create-American/dp/1400069734/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1304684939&sr=1-1

The Money Class by Suze Orman:  Great book with tips on how to plan for your financial future in the current economy.


http://www.amazon.com/Would-Move-Mount-Microsofts-Puzzle/dp/B000JBY0RY/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1304684984&sr=1-1

How would you move mount fuji: a great book of riddles and puzzles that microsoft asks during their interview process.  Really entertaining.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: shoyukenn on May 06, 2011, 08:57:50 AM
Don't know if anyone has mentioned it yet but House of Leaves is definitely a great book and totally worth picking up. It isn't your typical beginning middle end book..There are points where you're flipping the book upside down to read....it's great
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Jeff on August 09, 2011, 01:57:50 PM
reading The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson - so far I like it
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on August 09, 2011, 02:01:44 PM
I've ripped throuh all 10 books of The Dresden Files, and they've been way more satisfying than song of ice and fire.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Jeff on August 09, 2011, 02:05:41 PM
also reading:

- The Essential Calvin & Hobbes
- Hamlet
- Money Magazine

I feel like many sides of my brain are trying to stay balanced ;)
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: jgod213 on August 09, 2011, 02:33:32 PM
Below are the last three books i've recently finished.  If you're a sucker for a good 'military history' story like i am you might find these books interesting...

-The Last Expedition: Stanley's Mad Journey Through the Congo (Daniel Liebowitz)
"In 1887, Henry Stanley set out to rescue Mehemet Emin Pasha, governor of the southern Sudan, from the Islamic jihad. Known as the Emin Pasha Relief Expedition, it took three years; thousands of dollars; and the lives of several hundred, if not several thousand people, to rescue Emin Pasha from Equatoria. The expedition shot, burned, and looted its way across Africa."

-My Friend the Mercenary (James Brabazon)
*"British documentarian Brabazon entered Liberia in 2002 to film rebel forces in that country's civil war, taking along bodyguard Nick du Toit, a mercenary and former soldier in South Africa's apartheid-era army. Nick joins a byzantine conspiracy to overthrow the government of oil-rich Equatorial Guinea and invites Brabazon to film the prospective coup, a proposal that crosses the boundaries of journalistic ethics, though it strongly appeals to Brabazon's lust for adventure and cash."

A Land So Strange: The Epic Journey of Cabeza de Vaca (Andrés Reséndez)
*In 1528, a mission set out from Spain to colonize Florida. But the expedition went horribly wrong: Delayed by a hurricane, knocked off course by a colossal error of navigation, and ultimately doomed by a disastrous decision to separate the men from their ships, the mission quickly became a desperate journey of survival. Of the three hundred men who had embarked on the journey, only four survived—three Spaniards and an African slave. This tiny band endured a horrific march through Florida, a harrowing raft passage across the Louisiana coast, and years of enslavement in the American Southwest."



I would definitely recommend all three, but particularly My Friend the Mercenary.  It reads like a political thriller; tough to put down.  Really gives you a perspective into what some of these rebel movements are comprised of and what role professional soldiers play underneath the radar.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Gomesfan on August 09, 2011, 05:09:57 PM
I have enjoyed all of the Harlan Coben books I have read!
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Redz on August 09, 2011, 05:14:44 PM
I read a couple of the Ender's Game books on vacation early this summer. Wasn't sure what to think of them.  I thought they were kinda juvenile at times, but I kept reading because I wanted to know what happened, so I guess that's a good thing.

Apparently they're very popular.  (the girl at the airport Border's recommended them)
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: feckless on August 09, 2011, 07:30:55 PM
Richard Russo

The Risk Pool - great book about small town America and

Straight Man  - periodically you have to set it down and just laugh.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Moranis on August 09, 2011, 07:57:01 PM
I read a couple of the Ender's Game books on vacation early this summer. Wasn't sure what to think of them.  I thought they were kinda juvenile at times, but I kept reading because I wanted to know what happened, so I guess that's a good thing.

Apparently they're very popular.  (the girl at the airport Border's recommended them)
I've read all 8 or so.  Which series did you read, Ender or Bean?  I found the Bean line more interesting, but did read Ender first.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: fairweatherfan on September 15, 2011, 11:05:37 AM
Recently read "Who Goes There", the short story that all "The Thing" horror movies are based on.  Really good read and can easily be knocked out in an hour or two.  And available for free online!  Here's the whole thing:

http://www.scaryforkids.com/who-goes-there-by-john-w-campbell/ (http://www.scaryforkids.com/who-goes-there-by-john-w-campbell/)
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Cman on September 15, 2011, 11:18:36 AM
Barney's Version by Mordecai Richler.
Really good.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: jdub1660 on September 15, 2011, 12:16:52 PM
I Maybe Wrong But I Doubt It - Charles Barkley

Haven't finished it yet but so far so good. He's very opinionated, open, not shy to ask questions or express views many people hide or alter.

Best book to read while there's no positive basketball news on ESPN
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: huzy on September 15, 2011, 12:27:51 PM
Some quick reviews on books I just finished / am currently reading:

Basketball Junkie - Chris Herren with Bill Reynolds MUST READ. I would recommed reading Fall River Dreams first for invaluable context, as well as a phenomenal story. But any Celtics fan will be blown away by Herren's stories from his time with the C's. This book was gripping start to finish.

Those Guys Have All the Fun - ESPN expose - just read all 700 plus pages of it. Don't waste you time. There are some entertaining antecdotes but otherwise a TON of unnecessary rambling.

How Lucky You Can Be - Buster Olnery (the Don Meyer Story) I've unfortunately been dissapointed by this book. Meyer's story is remarkable from a coaching view and personally moving. However, Olney frames it in a very boring way. I really expected great things from this book.

The Extra 2% - Jonah Keri - this is the new Moneyball about the rise of the Tampa Bay Rays. So far, so good. I'm about 50 pages in. I'd recommend it as it tells an easily overlooked great baseball story.

Anyways, if someone reads this looking for a good sports book, hopefully it helps!
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: CDawg834 on September 15, 2011, 01:24:02 PM
Huzy, I'm with you 100% on Those Guys Have All the Fun...I'm over 500 pages in, and what a disappointment it has been.  Like you said,  there are some interesting tales in there that do keep my interest, but the book just jumps all over the place.  It's a bunch of scattered stories and quotes with very little (if any) flow.  Also, the first couple chapters on the founding of ESPN are 200 pages of men I've never heard of rambling on about how important they are.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Eja117 on October 14, 2011, 11:33:45 PM
Stop Walking on Eggshells: Taking Your Life Back When Someone You Care About Has Borderline Personality Disorder
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Q_FBE on November 07, 2011, 05:13:44 PM
I buy as many volumes of Sudoku as I can. Since there will be no NBA boxscores to analyze for purposes of building the Vin Baker Memorial Fantasy team, I might as well stay sharp with the numbers by playing Sudoku.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Donoghus on November 07, 2011, 05:55:23 PM
Working on "I Want My MTV: The Uncensored Story of the Music Video Revolution" by Craig Marks & Rob Tennebaum.

I'm about halfway through it so far. Its told in the form of an oral history (Like the SNL & ESPN books) so its a relatively easy read. 

Next up after this is "Everybody Loves Our Town: An Oral History of Grunge" by Mark Yarm. Can't wait to get started on that. 
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: mkogav on November 07, 2011, 06:03:21 PM
Here are a couple of good books that I have recently read:


Crazy for the Storm: A Memoir of Survival by Norman Ollestad - A true story of a father, a son, and a plane crash.

The Average American Male: A Novel by Chad Kultgen - Not for everyone. Edgy fiction.

The Lost Painting: The Quest for a Caravaggio Masterpiece by Jonathan Harr - If you enjoy art and the art world then this may be for you. True story about how a long lost priceless painting was found.

The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon by David Grann - A true and unbelievably sad story, on many levels. You will never think of the Amazon in the same way.

Mk
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Scott on December 17, 2011, 06:38:34 PM
Shaq Uncut - Quick read...it was entertaining enough.  Most people here will be more interested in the part where he talks the Celtics.

A Journey - My Political Life by Tony Blair -  This one surprised me. It grasped my attention more than I thought it would.  I especially liked the parts where he discussed the role of the media and his relationship with Gordon Brown.

Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: CDawg834 on February 27, 2012, 10:18:34 AM
I know this is a thread for "recommended books" but I'm hoping to add a "not-so-recommended" post for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.  Recently suggested to me by a friend, but I personally found it to be overrated, bloated, and disappointing.

The glaring issue is that the book is, at a minimum, 150 pages too long, as Stieg Larsson just goes on and on and on about every minor character and every insigificant detail, and plot lines that are irrelevant to the main story.  We really don't need to know what Mikael Blomkvist had for lunch everyday.  Characters are built up for entire chapters as being essential to the plot, only to fade into the background never to be heard from again.  Just when something gets interesting, he goes off in another direction for 40 pages before coming back to it.  I have no issue with long books, but I do have an issue with unnecessarily long books.  And considering how much time they spent building up the murder mystery and the other plot lines, everything was suddenly resolved a bit too conveniently and easily, to the point where it was unrealistic.  I spent the last 100 pages just waiting for the book to finally end.

Now, it's not all bad.  It's unfortunate this wasn't better edited, because there is an interesting premise here, and Larsson certainly wasn't a wholly untalented writer.  To be sure, the "good" in this book is very good, and there were times when I was really pulled in.  Cut the book's size by about 30% and you've got something here.  But to me, this book wasn't nearly what it was cracked up to be, and given what a chore it was to read, I wouldn't recommend it if you were considering reading it. 
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: PosImpos on February 27, 2012, 10:23:07 AM
Been reading the Ringworld series -- Ringworld, Ringworld Engineers, Ringworld Throne, Ringworld's Children.

Enjoyable so far, especially the first one.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on February 27, 2012, 10:29:15 AM
11/22/63: A Novel by Stephen King

http://www.amazon.com/11-22-63-Stephen-King/dp/1451627289/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330356281&sr=8-1

Really recommend it. Equal parts nostalgia, suspense, and a little sprinkle of supernatural, with multiple nods towards King's classic works.

The way King paints the past America (at the end of the 'Golden Age', before JFK's assassination which plays a pivotal part in the novel) is so lovingly intense and vivid, and just..awesome. He will set you up too, like make things seem all hunky-dory and beaver cleaver and wham, you get hit by a lunatic who fell through society's cracks.

Read it, its worth it.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Gomesfan on February 27, 2012, 11:14:43 AM
Hunger Games

Books are awesome , I am on the third book and can't put them down! I have read two books and half of the third in a week! Best books I have read in a long time. I have seen the commercials for the movie and it doesn't do the books justice. The commercials actually make the whole thing look cheesy , but let me tell you..... The books are awesome!
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Gomesfan on February 28, 2012, 04:19:22 PM
Hunger Games

Books are awesome , I am on the third book and can't put them down! I have read two books and half of the third in a week! Best books I have read in a long time. I have seen the commercials for the movie and it doesn't do the books justice. The commercials actually make the whole thing look cheesy , but let me tell you..... The books are awesome!
Has anyone else read them? They are getting a cult following like Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter(no I am not comparing them to Lord of the Rings, they are just getting a cult following)! The first book was awesome!
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: crownsy on March 24, 2012, 11:06:15 PM
So im going on a trip to Wrestlimania in Miami this week, and i'm out of books to read, and i'm all caught up on my favorite authors.

If anyone has any recommendations for some good fantasy/sci fi series, it would be much appreciated. Need at least two books, would like something in the vein of:

1. High fantasy, similar to game of thrones/ wheel of time/ sword of truth series ect. Ive kinda run out of authors in this vein.

2. Something with a bit of action in the space exploration realm. Ive read the honor harrington series and liked them though I found them a bit dry, something with a little swashbuckling, mabey ala firefly would be awesome.

Thanks in advance Cblog, and wish me luck im rocking the Pierce 34 jersey into enemy territory  ;)
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Kiorrik on March 24, 2012, 11:45:54 PM
Hunger Games

Books are awesome , I am on the third book and can't put them down! I have read two books and half of the third in a week! Best books I have read in a long time. I have seen the commercials for the movie and it doesn't do the books justice. The commercials actually make the whole thing look cheesy , but let me tell you..... The books are awesome!
Has anyone else read them? They are getting a cult following like Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter(no I am not comparing them to Lord of the Rings, they are just getting a cult following)! The first book was awesome!
My girlfriend brought home the first chapter of the first book, she got it for free from somewhere. Liked it, and we bought the first book. I'm in the middle of reading an other series though, so I'm going to finish that first :)

Doubt there's anyone here that's into Warhammer, but this is what I'm reading right now:
(http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/148800000/148804103.JPG)
(http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/148800000/148804397.JPG)
(http://www.blacklibrary.com/Images/Product/DefaultBL/xlarge/Nagash-Immortal.jpg)
http://www.amazon.com/Nagash-Immortal-Time-Legends-Mike/dp/1849700354/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_c
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Smutzy#9 on March 25, 2012, 12:19:25 AM
So im going on a trip to Wrestlimania in Miami this week, and i'm out of books to read, and i'm all caught up on my favorite authors.

If anyone has any recommendations for some good fantasy/sci fi series, it would be much appreciated. Need at least two books, would like something in the vein of:

1. High fantasy, similar to game of thrones/ wheel of time/ sword of truth series ect. Ive kinda run out of authors in this vein.

2. Something with a bit of action in the space exploration realm. Ive read the honor harrington series and liked them though I found them a bit dry, something with a little swashbuckling, mabey ala firefly would be awesome.

Thanks in advance Cblog, and wish me luck im rocking the Pierce 34 jersey into enemy territory  ;)

Steven Eriksons Malazan book of the Fallen is an epic series 10 books long and each book close to 1000+ pages.

ANYTHING!!! and I mean ANYTHING!!!! written by Brandon Sanderson. Mistborn series is the best book series I have read. And Also his new epic fantasy the way of kings is a great read also.

Brent Weeks Night Angel Trilogy and Black Prism are awesome reads.

There is a book series called the Broken Well Trilogy written by Sam Bowring. Good series and you can smash at all 3 in a week or 2, and it has a very sastisfying ending and a different take on the good vs evil sterotype.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: pearljammer10 on March 25, 2012, 01:01:11 AM
Just finished teaching One Flew over the cuckoos nest to my seniors... Cant go wrong with a classic.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on March 25, 2012, 01:23:31 AM
Crownsey if you haven't read the Harry dresden books yet, do it meow. SOOOOOOO worth it.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: crownsy on March 26, 2012, 06:37:27 PM
So im going on a trip to Wrestlimania in Miami this week, and i'm out of books to read, and i'm all caught up on my favorite authors.

If anyone has any recommendations for some good fantasy/sci fi series, it would be much appreciated. Need at least two books, would like something in the vein of:

1. High fantasy, similar to game of thrones/ wheel of time/ sword of truth series ect. Ive kinda run out of authors in this vein.

2. Something with a bit of action in the space exploration realm. Ive read the honor harrington series and liked them though I found them a bit dry, something with a little swashbuckling, mabey ala firefly would be awesome.

Thanks in advance Cblog, and wish me luck im rocking the Pierce 34 jersey into enemy territory  ;)

Steven Eriksons Malazan book of the Fallen is an epic series 10 books long and each book close to 1000+ pages.

ANYTHING!!! and I mean ANYTHING!!!! written by Brandon Sanderson. Mistborn series is the best book series I have read. And Also his new epic fantasy the way of kings is a great read also.

Brent Weeks Night Angel Trilogy and Black Prism are awesome reads.

There is a book series called the Broken Well Trilogy written by Sam Bowring. Good series and you can smash at all 3 in a week or 2, and it has a very sastisfying ending and a different take on the good vs evil sterotype.

I've read weeks, loved the night angle series, though the new prism book failed to make me say "wow!" like those...going to give book two a shot once it's out though. I did love the magic system that bending light is how you "cast"

I'll grab one of the other series though, thanks!
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: crownsy on March 26, 2012, 06:38:57 PM
Crownsey if you haven't read the Harry dresden books yet, do it meow. SOOOOOOO worth it.

I have indeed, and they are awesome! only one i don't have is the new one (ghost story) refuse to pay 35 bucks for a hard cover, waiting for the paperback.

Have you read his other series? (fires of caldaron) awesome books, roman legion meets lord of the rings.

Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Moranis on April 05, 2012, 09:08:48 AM
So im going on a trip to Wrestlimania in Miami this week, and i'm out of books to read, and i'm all caught up on my favorite authors.

If anyone has any recommendations for some good fantasy/sci fi series, it would be much appreciated. Need at least two books, would like something in the vein of:

1. High fantasy, similar to game of thrones/ wheel of time/ sword of truth series ect. Ive kinda run out of authors in this vein.

2. Something with a bit of action in the space exploration realm. Ive read the honor harrington series and liked them though I found them a bit dry, something with a little swashbuckling, mabey ala firefly would be awesome.

Thanks in advance Cblog, and wish me luck im rocking the Pierce 34 jersey into enemy territory  ;)
Orson Scott Card has a lot of series that you might like.  Ender's Game (and that series) is his most well known, but he has quite a few that might intrigue you.  They are definitely science fiction, but are well written with a lot of character development so they aren't hokie or cheesey like star trek, star wars, etc.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: pearljammer10 on April 05, 2012, 09:15:47 AM
I'm in a classics mode. Just finished Catcher in The Rye and have moved onto one of my all time favorites, Great Gatsby.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on April 05, 2012, 09:19:31 AM
Crownsey if you haven't read the Harry dresden books yet, do it meow. SOOOOOOO worth it.

I have indeed, and they are awesome! only one i don't have is the new one (ghost story) refuse to pay 35 bucks for a hard cover, waiting for the paperback.

Have you read his other series? (fires of caldaron) awesome books, roman legion meets lord of the rings.



Yep, read those too. I recommended them to my brother as 'popcorn fantasy', where you know the good guy wins and the only important guy who dies is dumbledore.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Eja117 on August 24, 2012, 05:52:08 PM
I'm reading 50 shades of grey and man is it awful. Harry Potter is soooooooo much better
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Eja117 on July 26, 2013, 09:40:12 PM
I have been given Tim Tebow's book Through my eyes.  I can't actually say it's that great. It's like the only thing he ever did that wasn't great.  Also I have bought a book called The History of the World in 100 Weapons.  I'm not sure how wise a purchase this was
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: oldmanspeaks on July 26, 2013, 10:10:59 PM
For Science Fiction try the really old stuff by Hal Clement as he had a unique perspective of alien life.

For Science Fantasy try Steven Brust who has an incredible mind where he created a fantastic world. He starts his series in the middle with Taltos and then writes books that happen before and after that time. Then he writes a prequel series the establishes the world hundreds of years in the past and he writes in the style of Dumas (Three Musketeers which makes it even more unique.

For Non-Fiction how about the George Washington biography.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: celticdog on July 26, 2013, 11:04:39 PM
(http://www.akashicbooks.com/uploads/BostonNoir-510x800.jpg)

Collection of noir short stories.  Includes one by Dennis Lehane (Mystic River, Gone Baby Gone).
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: staticcc on July 27, 2013, 01:20:14 AM
Divergent by Veronica Roth. 1984 by George Orwell
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: PaulPierce34G on July 27, 2013, 02:16:19 AM
"Master Harold...and The Boys" by Athol Fugard.


Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Yoki_IsTheName on July 27, 2013, 03:48:14 AM
Watchmen - Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons.

A graphic novel, but it's oh so great.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: sahara on July 27, 2013, 05:44:25 AM
Watchmen - Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons.

A graphic novel, but it's oh so great.

Oh yes.

This is great too:

(http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/files/2012/03/Cormac-McCarthy-The-Road.jpg)
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Edgar on July 28, 2013, 01:44:34 AM
ivanhoe

for some reason... i cant xplain
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: PaulPierce34G on July 28, 2013, 01:58:21 AM
Master Harold...and The Boys

By Athol Fugard
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Smutzy#9 on July 28, 2013, 04:42:45 AM
Fantasy goers.

Mistborn trilogy by brandon sanderson. Must read
way of kings also (only 1 book out but very good read). In fact the majority of Sandersons work is awesome

the first law trilogy by joe abercrombie. If you like your heroes flawed. get this book

Epic Series Malazan book of the fallen. 10 books average book size 750-800 pages (several in the series go over 1000-1200 pages)

many many more
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: steefp2 on July 28, 2013, 05:04:12 AM
Fantasy goers.

Mistborn trilogy by brandon sanderson. Must read
way of kings also (only 1 book out but very good read). In fact the majority of Sandersons work is awesome

the first law trilogy by joe abercrombie. If you like your heroes flawed. get this book

Epic Series Malazan book of the fallen. 10 books average book size 750-800 pages (several in the series go over 1000-1200 pages)

many many more

All of this is very true. Especially Sanderson's work is just amazing. Has a couple of stand alone books too, which are worth the read aswell.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: green147 on July 28, 2013, 05:41:09 AM
William Attaway- Let Me Breath Thunder. An older and forgotten book, but it is amazing.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: fitzhickey on July 28, 2013, 06:39:37 AM
A song of ice and fire was brilliant
I don't watch game of thrones but I know people who watch and read them. So if you like the tv show I'd really recommend the books  :)
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Bahku on July 28, 2013, 07:42:31 AM

(http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRFx1Ied4FkwQ7wnbrpxxSBzUz8I-CH8vn8Z706hbM70csF2fxW:d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1213281291l/1029370.jpg)


Paperback looks like this:

(http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQFQpqcCS-JUuZHnYjWO4bKIOk3pJsWdrD88m1JtCzIAcTA0tPyeQ:upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/3e/1986_Annual_World%27s_Best_SF.jpg)

I have read a ton of anthologies, but this is by far my favorite ...   The Jaguar Hunter by Lucius Shepard, Sailing To Byzantium by Robert Silverberg, Fermi And Frost by Frederik Pohl, The Curse Of Kings by Connie Willis, and my favorite story of all-time, With Virgil Oddum At The East Pole by Harlan Ellison, (and much more) ... just an awesome book of science fiction.

Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: slamtheking on July 28, 2013, 08:47:08 AM
stephen King - 11/23/63

haven't finished it yet -- about 2/3 through it and it's been excellent so far
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Rondo2287 on July 28, 2013, 08:50:53 AM
I'm reading Jim cramers "real money" right now, it's pretty solid
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Cman on July 28, 2013, 10:09:30 AM
The Dinner, by Herman Koch
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: OsirusCeltics on July 28, 2013, 12:18:18 PM
Biography books on your favorite person are always the best
And its inspirational
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Redz on July 28, 2013, 12:24:15 PM
If you're into Zombies etc DJ Molles' The Remaining series is a "can't put it down" level.

Also enjoying Bad Monkey by Carl Hiassen (my outdoor reading book for the summer)

Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Chelm on July 28, 2013, 12:30:33 PM
If you're into Zombies etc DJ Molles' The Remaining series is a "can't put it down" level.

Also enjoying Bad Monkey by Carl Hiassen (my outdoor reading book for the summer)
I read the first book in The Remaining series, and it was REALLY easy to read, and entertaining.  The one thing that got me though was typos and grammatical errors.  It put me off enough to not finish the series, even though it was a captivating story.  Puts self-publishing in a certain light, at least in my opinion.

I'm just finishing As The Mountains Echoed by Khalid Hosseini (author of Kite Runner & A Thousand Splendid Sons) and it is amazing.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Redz on July 28, 2013, 12:51:07 PM
If you're into Zombies etc DJ Molles' The Remaining series is a "can't put it down" level.

Also enjoying Bad Monkey by Carl Hiassen (my outdoor reading book for the summer)
I read the first book in The Remaining series, and it was REALLY easy to read, and entertaining.  The one thing that got me though was typos and grammatical errors.  It put me off enough to not finish the series, even though it was a captivating story.  Puts self-publishing in a certain light, at least in my opinion.

I'm just finishing As The Mountains Echoed by Khalid Hosseini (author of Kite Runner & A Thousand Splendid Sons) and it is amazing.

Yeh, the editing oversights were pretty bad.  I get the impression he used voice recognition then spell check and left it at that.  This meant a lot of things like "we left are guns in the trunk".

It got better in the third and fourth books. 
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: TheTruthFot18 on July 28, 2013, 02:20:15 PM
Im sure after this many pages it's come up.

For whom the bell tolls. That is all

(http://24.media.tumblr.com/bc120b7efead7c5f9d8fad771ca8beeb/tumblr_mk078gnqoa1r0ftodo1_500.gif)

Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Scott on September 12, 2013, 10:38:43 PM
A song of ice and fire was brilliant
I don't watch game of thrones but I know people who watch and read them. So if you like the tv show I'd really recommend the books  :)

Just finished that myself.  I enjoyed it and would recommend any fan of the show to read them. 

Now, I need something else to read.  I may give Sanderson a go based on the previous recommendations.  But first I will go back to non-fiction since I have had my eye on a book about the House of Plantagenet.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: guava_wrench on September 12, 2013, 10:46:15 PM
Wool. Liked it a lot, but I am a sucker for post-apocalyptic stories and for dystopia stories. First fiction I had read in a few years.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Bahku on September 12, 2013, 10:51:41 PM
Ender's Game ... the movie release is October 1st, so this would be the perfect time to read it, (Orson Scott Card is one of the best contemp sci-fi authors, IMHO).

I am very skeptical that the movie could ever be as good as the book, but it looks like fun.

It's sometimes hard to separate, but I try to use my knowledge of a book, (if I read it before seeing the movie version), as just a general outline for the film.

It's just plain too difficult to include the expanse and detail of a book in a movie without making it five or six hours long, (Deathly Hallows is a good example ... they should have split Goblet Of Fire as well).
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Clench123 on September 12, 2013, 10:59:12 PM
The brief wondrous life of Oscar Wao, Infinity Jest, Life of Pie, and I'm currently reading The New Jim Crow (fantastic book)
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Celtics18 on September 12, 2013, 11:15:42 PM
The brief wondrous life of Oscar Wao, Infinity Jest, Life of Pie, and I'm currently reading The New Jim Crow (fantastic book)

TP for the mention of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on September 12, 2013, 11:27:41 PM
Ender's Game ... the movie release is October 1st, so this would be the perfect time to read it, (Orson Scott Card is one of the best contemp sci-fi authors, IMHO).

I am very skeptical that the movie could ever be as good as the book, but it looks like fun.

It's sometimes hard to separate, but I try to use my knowledge of a book, (if I read it before seeing the movie version), as just a general outline for the film.

It's just plain too difficult to include the expanse and detail of a book in a movie without making it five or six hours long, (Deathly Hallows is a good example ... they should have split Goblet Of Fire as well).

Ahhhhh you've come over to the dark side. I agree, the movie is going to have a LOT to live up to.

As far as books go, when I was 13 or so I read Roger Zealazny's nine princes in amber series.

13 year old me did not appreciate it anywhere near as much as it deserved. It's a genre-busting series that mixes sci-fi, urban fantasy, and high fantasy with a hard-boiled detective narrative. They're just so very good. Everyone, if you like any of those things, read them!
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Bahku on September 13, 2013, 12:06:06 AM
Ender's Game ... the movie release is October 1st, so this would be the perfect time to read it, (Orson Scott Card is one of the best contemp sci-fi authors, IMHO).

I am very skeptical that the movie could ever be as good as the book, but it looks like fun.

It's sometimes hard to separate, but I try to use my knowledge of a book, (if I read it before seeing the movie version), as just a general outline for the film.

It's just plain too difficult to include the expanse and detail of a book in a movie without making it five or six hours long, (Deathly Hallows is a good example ... they should have split Goblet Of Fire as well).

Ahhhhh you've come over to the dark side. I agree, the movie is going to have a LOT to live up to.

As far as books go, when I was 13 or so I read Roger Zealazny's nine princes in amber series.

13 year old me did not appreciate it anywhere near as much as it deserved. It's a genre-busting series that mixes sci-fi, urban fantasy, and high fantasy with a hard-boiled detective narrative. They're just so very good. Everyone, if you like any of those things, read them!
Superb series and author, (love Zelazney).

I really had no desire for recreational reading until I was in 8th grade and read Pebble In The Sky by Isaac Asimov ... my world changed overnight, literally.

I then went about reading every Asimov I could get my hands on, (there's a LOT - I believe he's still THE or one of the most prolific authors of all time), and while much of it is outdated as far as what we know about science and the universe, I still love it, even the corny Lucky Starr series.

Then on to Poul Anderson, Arthur C. Clarke, Alfred Bester, Larry Niven, Ursula Le Guin, Harlan Ellison, (oh, one of my top favs, is Harlan), Bradbury, Heinlein, etc..

Over the years sci-fi has gotten harder and darker, and I love it just as much. I adore anthologies of short stories and novellas, (best story ever: With Virgil Oddum at the East Pole), Press Enter (Varley), The Hob, The Jaguar Hunter (exquisitely dark), Surfacing (Walter Williams - same) ... then deeper into fantasy.

Could go on all night, but you get the idea ... reading became an obsession, and it improved my life, studies, everything, really. I don't think the genre matters if people find a connection with something that sparks that desire.

I truly fear for the written word, and not just actual printing being replaced by digital, because that's actually good in most ways, as it can reach so many more people, but there's something about holding a book, the weight of it, turning the pages.

But for me science fiction is the ultimate escape, (something I'm an expert at), and there are literally no limits but the human mind ... what someone can conceive with limitless imagination ... sci-fi defines that for me.

While I now love literature of almost every kind, nothing will ever compare or be as dear to me, because it taught me that there truly are no limits to what one can imagine, and how that can affect others ... chnage their lives.

But it was "The Good Doctor" Asimov that started it all, and his ability to make genius easy to grasp for everyone was very special.

I get the feeling with some authors that they are trying to be complex to "one-up" what has come before, and that their being able to grasp their own intellect is enough, and a befuddled fan is just proof of their superiority.

But even that kind of writing pulls me in ... takes me places I never though or imagined I could go. It's really an amazing thing, the written word, and Gutenberg is owed a huge place in contributions to the human race.

Wow ... late-night sci-fi rant ... sorry bout that.

Love it all, truly, and Zelazney's one of the greats.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Boris Badenov on September 13, 2013, 12:17:23 AM
Ender's Game ... the movie release is October 1st, so this would be the perfect time to read it, (Orson Scott Card is one of the best contemp sci-fi authors, IMHO).

I am very skeptical that the movie could ever be as good as the book, but it looks like fun.

It's sometimes hard to separate, but I try to use my knowledge of a book, (if I read it before seeing the movie version), as just a general outline for the film.

It's just plain too difficult to include the expanse and detail of a book in a movie without making it five or six hours long, (Deathly Hallows is a good example ... they should have split Goblet Of Fire as well).

Ahhhhh you've come over to the dark side. I agree, the movie is going to have a LOT to live up to.

As far as books go, when I was 13 or so I read Roger Zealazny's nine princes in amber series.

13 year old me did not appreciate it anywhere near as much as it deserved. It's a genre-busting series that mixes sci-fi, urban fantasy, and high fantasy with a hard-boiled detective narrative. They're just so very good. Everyone, if you like any of those things, read them!

Couldn't agree more about Zelazny. The Amber series and his entire body of work in fact are just amazing. He is one of my two or three favorite authors ever, I think.

Some of Neil Gaiman's better work is pretty similar to Zelazny's style.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Bahku on September 13, 2013, 12:18:12 AM
In a similar vein, Voyager 1 has now left the solar system, and is over 11.5 billion miles from the sun.

On deeper into the Milky Way, into the "vast cold emptiness" says NASA ... but emptiness is a relative term now.

Dark matter ... dark energy.

I would love to see what it may "see" someday.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on September 13, 2013, 12:31:22 AM
Ender's Game ... the movie release is October 1st, so this would be the perfect time to read it, (Orson Scott Card is one of the best contemp sci-fi authors, IMHO).

I am very skeptical that the movie could ever be as good as the book, but it looks like fun.

It's sometimes hard to separate, but I try to use my knowledge of a book, (if I read it before seeing the movie version), as just a general outline for the film.

It's just plain too difficult to include the expanse and detail of a book in a movie without making it five or six hours long, (Deathly Hallows is a good example ... they should have split Goblet Of Fire as well).

Ahhhhh you've come over to the dark side. I agree, the movie is going to have a LOT to live up to.

As far as books go, when I was 13 or so I read Roger Zealazny's nine princes in amber series.

13 year old me did not appreciate it anywhere near as much as it deserved. It's a genre-busting series that mixes sci-fi, urban fantasy, and high fantasy with a hard-boiled detective narrative. They're just so very good. Everyone, if you like any of those things, read them!

Couldn't agree more about Zelazny. The Amber series and his entire body of work in fact are just amazing. He is one of my two or three favorite authors ever, I think.

Some of Neil Gaiman's better work is pretty similar to Zelazny's style.

That's just such an insane praise, it speaks to the unique nature of Zelazny's work. I like to write, and American Gods was the first book I read where I thought to myself, 'You know what buddy, you're kind of crappy at this..'

Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: mqtcelticsfan on January 02, 2014, 12:52:32 AM
http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Meter-Running-Martin-Ludo-ebook/dp/B00HMD9RA2/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Keep the Meter Running, by Martin Ludo.

Quick, easy read. The writer is very witty and the stories are entertaining. I'd highly recommend it.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Kiorrik on January 02, 2014, 10:57:57 PM
Reading Shaq's book. Reads like a series of anecdotes. Pretty amusing though.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: RebusRankin on January 02, 2014, 11:03:11 PM
Reading Shaq's book. Reads like a series of anecdotes. Pretty amusing though.

I liked that one.

I like mysteries/crime fiction. The latest Ian Rankin book is pretty good, as is the latest Michael Conelly.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: pearljammer10 on January 02, 2014, 11:34:16 PM
Reading Fight Club is just as amazing as the movie. I would definitely recommend that.

Tao of Pooh and Ishmael are also life changers.

Anything by Dennis Lehane; Shutter Island, Gone baby Gone, Mystic River... Or Cormac McCarthy; The ROad, No Country For Old Men.

Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is pretty heavy but if you can get through it its worth it.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: celtic -_- pride on February 07, 2014, 01:00:55 PM
memoirs of a boy soldier by ishmael bae is fantastic
tao of pooh/ te of piglet
anything by michael crichton
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: manl_lui on February 07, 2014, 01:02:11 PM
not sure if anyone already threw this out but

Inferno by Dan Brown seems like a pretty good read
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: celtic -_- pride on February 07, 2014, 01:08:12 PM
if anyone here is into graphic novels/comic books i am currently creating one with a friend of mine. if your interested lemme know. would love to talk to other creators out there.

crime & punishment by the russian guy is good one too
animal farm/1984 are classics
an orgy of george carlin is fantastic as well.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: rocknrollforyoursoul on February 07, 2014, 01:27:24 PM
The Screwtape Letters (and pretty much anything else by C.S. Lewis).
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: cons on February 07, 2014, 01:30:34 PM
Reading gone girl right now on vacation. Great for that purpose. 😄
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Neurotic Guy on February 07, 2014, 02:06:58 PM
Just read 'Sycamore Row' by Grisham.  Those who like him will like this one as it is really a throwback to the great reads of Grisham years back.  Sort of a sequal to A Time to Kill, the novel goes back to the 80's with Jake Briggance's 2nd big trial. It is old Grisham once again -- in all his easy to read splendor.   
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Eja117 on March 10, 2014, 11:55:49 AM
Just finished Tis by Frank McCourt. Now I gotta go back and read Angela's Ashes.  Mixed feelings. Can't exactly decide if it's the best thing I ever read or the worst
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: D.o.s. on March 10, 2014, 11:58:48 AM
The new Pynchon was really good.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: cons on March 10, 2014, 12:18:58 PM
now reading "sharp objects" by gillian flynn who wrote gone girl. all i can say is that woman must be kind of messed up. whoa! :)
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: macbrian on March 20, 2014, 09:37:12 AM
really enjoyed 'The Circle' by Dave Eggers
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on March 20, 2014, 09:42:53 AM
If anyone is into fantasy of the epic sort, The Way Of Kings and Words Of Radiance are more that sufficient RR-Martin fodder.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: pearljammer10 on March 20, 2014, 09:44:23 AM


Reading gone girl right now on vacation. Great for that purpose. 😄

How was this? Its next on my list.


The new Pynchon was really good.

Not sure which is his newest or which of his you're referring to but I've read Inherent Vice twice and I love it. Can not wait for the Paul Thomas Anderson adaptation to come out in December.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Scott on April 10, 2014, 11:46:21 AM
Not new by any means but I just finished the first book of The Black Company.  It was pretty good...worth checking out if you're a fan of fantasy.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: D.o.s. on April 10, 2014, 11:50:57 AM


Reading gone girl right now on vacation. Great for that purpose. 😄

How was this? Its next on my list.


The new Pynchon was really good.

Not sure which is his newest or which of his you're referring to but I've read Inherent Vice twice and I love it. Can not wait for the Paul Thomas Anderson adaptation to come out in December.

Inherent Vice is a lot of fun (definitely 'Light' Pynchon) and I'm excited for the film as well, but I was referring to Bleeding Edge:
http://www.amazon.com/Bleeding-Edge-Thomas-Pynchon/dp/1594204233
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: pearljammer10 on April 10, 2014, 12:24:43 PM


Reading gone girl right now on vacation. Great for that purpose. 😄

How was this? Its next on my list.


The new Pynchon was really good.

Not sure which is his newest or which of his you're referring to but I've read Inherent Vice twice and I love it. Can not wait for the Paul Thomas Anderson adaptation to come out in December.

Inherent Vice is a lot of fun (definitely 'Light' Pynchon) and I'm excited for the film as well, but I was referring to Bleeding Edge:
http://www.amazon.com/Bleeding-Edge-Thomas-Pynchon/dp/1594204233

Right on, I will be sure to check Bleeding Edge out.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: cons on April 10, 2014, 02:28:00 PM


Reading gone girl right now on vacation. Great for that purpose. 😄

How was this? Its next on my list.

It was awesome i thought. made me read her other 2 soon after and i thought they were all really good. cant wait for the movies to come out now  :)
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: pearljammer10 on April 10, 2014, 03:12:41 PM


Reading gone girl right now on vacation. Great for that purpose. 😄

How was this? Its next on my list.

It was awesome i thought. made me read her other 2 soon after and i thought they were all really good. cant wait for the movies to come out now  :)



Good to know, I love Fincher and can't wait for the flick this Fall. TP.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Neurotic Guy on August 24, 2014, 06:08:07 PM
Thought I'd bump this thread rather than start a new one as users may want to peruse previous book recommendations.

I am looking for a new book and have had a few disappointments this summer.  I want to get hooked into a new author, but I'm afraid my criteria are limited -- but I seek your advice.

I am a Grisham fan -- his story lines (most) just grab me from the start and his easy to read writing style never leaves me feeling that I have to work too hard.    I read a couple of Michael Connolly (Harry Bosch) books this summer and a couple of David Baldacci (Will Robey) and these were OK but not great.   The last book I read was Mr. Mercedes (Stephen King) and I thought it was great.   It had a suck-me-right-in story line and was an easy read.    I enjoyed Cormac McCarthy's 'Road', but other McCarthy's were just hard reads for me -- I find that I need to refer frequently to my Kindle dictionary -- he makes me work for it.  I did enjoy the two big Dan Brown books and loved Follett's epic historical novels (Pillars of the Earth; World w/o End) and a couple other Follet's (but not as much as Grisham). 

Reading is a nightly pleasure for me -- it is slowly and plodding process and I like to not have to struggle through it.  I don't mind long books as long as they don't drift into boring detail.    I have conquored a few David Mcullough books, but I find it to be a measure of will moreso than pleasure.  He is amazing, but long and tedious.  When done, I am glad I persevered, but the journey is a slow, often nodding off, ride. 
Any can't-put-it-down non-fiction or historical fiction that you recommend?   

Are there Connelly, Baldacci, Turow, Clancy, Patterson books that you particularly recommend?

I am wondering from Stephen King fans if they can recommend anything by him that is like Mr. Mercedes or 11/22/63 which I also liked.  I generally don't like horror, paranormal genre.  But I do like King's writing style.

If there are other Grisham fans out there, who else can you recommend that reminds you of his story-telling and easy to read style.  Obviously, I am not seeking deep, intellectual fulfillment or great artistry -- just an author who can consistently provide a good page-turner.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on August 24, 2014, 06:37:10 PM
If you've never read it, and think you'd enjoy a kind of realistic post-apocalyptic novel, I highly recommend "The Postman" by David Brin.

No zombies, no supernatural. But compelling story that won't tax your brain too much.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Future Celtics Owner on August 24, 2014, 07:57:14 PM
If you've never read it, and think you'd enjoy a kind of realistic post-apocalyptic novel, I highly recommend "The Postman" by David Brin.

No zombies, no supernatural. But compelling story that won't tax your brain too much.

Is that the same as the movie with Kevin Costner?
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Neurotic Guy on August 24, 2014, 08:10:13 PM
If you've never read it, and think you'd enjoy a kind of realistic post-apocalyptic novel, I highly recommend "The Postman" by David Brin.

No zombies, no supernatural. But compelling story that won't tax your brain too much.

Is that the same as the movie with Kevin Costner?

It is the book on which the movie was based.  I've seen the movie (liked it)-- still worth a read?
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: slamtheking on August 24, 2014, 09:24:11 PM
Thought I'd bump this thread rather than start a new one as users may want to peruse previous book recommendations.

I am looking for a new book and have had a few disappointments this summer.  I want to get hooked into a new author, but I'm afraid my criteria are limited -- but I seek your advice.

I am a Grisham fan -- his story lines (most) just grab me from the start and his easy to read writing style never leaves me feeling that I have to work too hard.    I read a couple of Michael Connolly (Harry Bosch) books this summer and a couple of David Baldacci (Will Robey) and these were OK but not great.   The last book I read was Mr. Mercedes (Stephen King) and I thought it was great.   It had a suck-me-right-in story line and was an easy read.    I enjoyed Cormac McCarthy's 'Road', but other McCarthy's were just hard reads for me -- I find that I need to refer frequently to my Kindle dictionary -- he makes me work for it.  I did enjoy the two big Dan Brown books and loved Follett's epic historical novels (Pillars of the Earth; World w/o End) and a couple other Follet's (but not as much as Grisham). 

Reading is a nightly pleasure for me -- it is slowly and plodding process and I like to not have to struggle through it.  I don't mind long books as long as they don't drift into boring detail.    I have conquored a few David Mcullough books, but I find it to be a measure of will moreso than pleasure.  He is amazing, but long and tedious.  When done, I am glad I persevered, but the journey is a slow, often nodding off, ride. 
Any can't-put-it-down non-fiction or historical fiction that you recommend?   

Are there Connelly, Baldacci, Turow, Clancy, Patterson books that you particularly recommend?

I am wondering from Stephen King fans if they can recommend anything by him that is like Mr. Mercedes or 11/22/63 which I also liked.  I generally don't like horror, paranormal genre.  But I do like King's writing style.

If there are other Grisham fans out there, who else can you recommend that reminds you of his story-telling and easy to read style.  Obviously, I am not seeking deep, intellectual fulfillment or great artistry -- just an author who can consistently provide a good page-turner.

on your King request -- if you haven't read the Dark Tower series, you should.  excellent series.

Dean Koontz is similar in that he writes in the horror genre but I find his endings to be a bit less contrived and several story lines not incredibly out of the realm of reason.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Neurotic Guy on August 24, 2014, 09:38:05 PM
Thought I'd bump this thread rather than start a new one as users may want to peruse previous book recommendations.

I am looking for a new book and have had a few disappointments this summer.  I want to get hooked into a new author, but I'm afraid my criteria are limited -- but I seek your advice.

I am a Grisham fan -- his story lines (most) just grab me from the start and his easy to read writing style never leaves me feeling that I have to work too hard.    I read a couple of Michael Connolly (Harry Bosch) books this summer and a couple of David Baldacci (Will Robey) and these were OK but not great.   The last book I read was Mr. Mercedes (Stephen King) and I thought it was great.   It had a suck-me-right-in story line and was an easy read.    I enjoyed Cormac McCarthy's 'Road', but other McCarthy's were just hard reads for me -- I find that I need to refer frequently to my Kindle dictionary -- he makes me work for it.  I did enjoy the two big Dan Brown books and loved Follett's epic historical novels (Pillars of the Earth; World w/o End) and a couple other Follet's (but not as much as Grisham). 

Reading is a nightly pleasure for me -- it is slowly and plodding process and I like to not have to struggle through it.  I don't mind long books as long as they don't drift into boring detail.    I have conquored a few David Mcullough books, but I find it to be a measure of will moreso than pleasure.  He is amazing, but long and tedious.  When done, I am glad I persevered, but the journey is a slow, often nodding off, ride. 
Any can't-put-it-down non-fiction or historical fiction that you recommend?   

Are there Connelly, Baldacci, Turow, Clancy, Patterson books that you particularly recommend?

I am wondering from Stephen King fans if they can recommend anything by him that is like Mr. Mercedes or 11/22/63 which I also liked.  I generally don't like horror, paranormal genre.  But I do like King's writing style.

If there are other Grisham fans out there, who else can you recommend that reminds you of his story-telling and easy to read style.  Obviously, I am not seeking deep, intellectual fulfillment or great artistry -- just an author who can consistently provide a good page-turner.

on your King request -- if you haven't read the Dark Tower series, you should.  excellent series.

Dean Koontz is similar in that he writes in the horror genre but I find his endings to be a bit less contrived and several story lines not incredibly out of the realm of reason.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Clench123 on August 24, 2014, 09:45:16 PM
Ham on Rye by Charles Bukowski

Post Office by Charles Bukowski

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: mgent on August 25, 2014, 10:41:20 AM
I'll recommend "The Giver" while it's on my mind.  Haven't seen the movie, but I read the book a longgg time ago and thought it was great.  It's actually incredible if you know anything about Plato's Republic.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Eja117 on August 25, 2014, 11:39:19 AM
Been reading the Elephant Man. It's incredible and very easy and fast to read
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: D.o.s. on August 25, 2014, 11:42:34 AM
Rereading Ulysses, definitely recommend it if you're into the nerdy side of sentence construction.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: slamtheking on August 25, 2014, 11:43:00 AM
Ham on Rye by Charles Bukowski

Post Office by Charles Bukowski

The Road by Cormac McCarthy


could just read "Mail Man having lunch in his truck while delivering mail" and cover all 3 at once ;)
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Eric M VAN on August 25, 2014, 12:01:25 PM
If you're from the Massachusetts area and like to read local stuff that fits the light mystery novel genre, I recommend.

The Philip Craig Martha's Vineyard Series

http://www.amazon.com/Marthas-Vineyard-Mysteries-in-Order/lm/3TG3LCUR1M0UP

They're relatively short and follow 1 Character and his family (ever expanding). They're especially  fun if you're familiar with the area at all.

Staying in that vein is the William Tapply "Brady Coyne" series about a Boston Lawyer/Sleuth that also uses a lot of local geography in the themes and plots.
http://williamgtapply.com/works.html

I suggest both because

1) They're easy reads
2) There are multiple entries in each series
3) They have a local (to me) bent

They've co-written a few together (no more, they both passed) and, if you're a fisherman, some of the plots center around that.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on August 25, 2014, 12:16:48 PM
If you've never read it, and think you'd enjoy a kind of realistic post-apocalyptic novel, I highly recommend "The Postman" by David Brin.

No zombies, no supernatural. But compelling story that won't tax your brain too much.

Is that the same as the movie with Kevin Costner?

It is the book on which the movie was based.  I've seen the movie (liked it)-- still worth a read?

100% worth a read. Kevin Costner's movie wasn't a loyal recreation of the novel, more of a remix.

Quote
"The Postman was written as an answer to all those post-apocalyptic books and films that seem to revel in the idea of civilization's fall." David Brin

The Postman is loosely based on the book of the same name, and like all adaptations, the filmmakers were faced with choices over the content. In a nutshell, the film is a somewhat different adventure featuring the same character, setting and premise.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: incoherent on October 03, 2014, 08:14:58 PM
Ready Player One
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on October 03, 2014, 11:12:01 PM
Ready Player One


This is probably my second favorite 'stand alone non-sequel' book, behind American Gods.

AND IF YOU HAVENT READ AMERICAN GODS, STOP WHAT YOURE DOING AND READ FREAKIN AMERICAN GODS.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on October 03, 2014, 11:14:35 PM
I'm a sucker for good fantasy novs, better if theyre a series.

Some that I have enjoyed that I have t see  mentioned.

1) The Night Angel series by Brent Weeks
2) The Lightbringer series by Brent Weeks
3) The First Law series by Joe Abercrombie
4) The Blood Song series by Anthony...something.

Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: incoherent on October 03, 2014, 11:45:16 PM
If you like Sanderson, check out The Rithmatist. It has one of the most unique magic systems I've ever read in fantasy. Also a great story, and short.. though a sequel is coming out soon.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: incoherent on October 03, 2014, 11:49:01 PM
Mistborn trilogy
The Lost Fleet series

Both of these series have incredibly detailed and extremely technical combat in them. Mistborn is fantasy setting Lost Fleet is sci-fi
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on October 04, 2014, 12:17:09 AM
If you like Sanderson, check out The Rithmatist. It has one of the most unique magic systems I've ever read in fantasy. Also a great story, and short.. though a sequel is coming out soon.

I love Sanderson, obviously huge fan of the Way of Kings series, but I couldn't even finish the Rhithamtist. Hated it.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: incoherent on October 04, 2014, 09:13:42 AM
I did audio book for Rithmatist and narrator is really good.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Vox_Populi on October 04, 2014, 11:07:08 AM
I'm a sucker for good fantasy novs, better if theyre a series.

Some that I have enjoyed that I have t see  mentioned.

1) The Night Angel series by Brent Weeks
2) The Lightbringer series by Brent Weeks
3) The First Law series by Joe Abercrombie
4) The Blood Song series by Anthony...something.
Blood Song was great, but I thought Tower Lord was awful.  Awful might be the wrong word, but it definitely didn't live up to the standard of the first one.

Don't know if it's been mentioned, but the Broken Empire Trilogy by Mark Lawrence was pretty good.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Fan from VT on October 04, 2014, 12:03:43 PM
I'm a sucker for good fantasy novs, better if theyre a series.

Some that I have enjoyed that I have t see  mentioned.

1) The Night Angel series by Brent Weeks
2) The Lightbringer series by Brent Weeks
3) The First Law series by Joe Abercrombie
4) The Blood Song series by Anthony...something.
Blood Song was great, but I thought Tower Lord was awful.  Awful might be the wrong word, but it definitely didn't live up to the standard of the first one.

Don't know if it's been mentioned, but the Broken Empire Trilogy by Mark Lawrence was pretty good.

- I generally quite enjoyed the Night Angel series.

- I very much enjoyed the First Law Trilogy, as well as the (so far) three stand alone novels that exist in the same world, around the same time, and have some familiar faces pop in and out. Really fun.

- The Broken Empire Trilogy was pretty good. Interesting world building and engaging story.

- Mistborn was certainly fun.

- My favorite of this genre is "The Name of the Wind" and "The Wise Man's Fear" of the Kingkiller Chronicle by Patrick Rothfuss. I cannot wait until the third comes out, and it's taking a long time. So good, the pacing is slower, but the writing and narrative quality more than make up for it; he's a fantastic story teller, and a perfect example of revealing the story and history rather than telling/explaining.



For "non-fantsy:"
Can't go wrong with Cormac Mccarthy or Margaret Atwood. Oryx and Crake by Atwood is one of the single best books I've read. Oddly, it's part of a trilogy but I haven't been motivated to read the next two. I also have a soft spot for late 19th/early 20th century russian literature: Pushkin has some good shorter stories, Petersburg by Andre Bely, and Master and Margarita by Bulgakov are still on my shelves.

For Comics:
Locke and Key
Sandman 1-10
Sin City 1-7
Hellboy 1-12
Y: The Last Man 1-10
The Dark Knigh Returns
Stardust
Swamp Thing (Moore 1-6)
V for Vendetta
Watchmen
Bone

Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: incoherent on October 04, 2014, 12:21:05 PM
Yes everyone is desperately awaiting the new kingkiller book.

I'm actually currently reading blood song. Not like amazing or anything but definitely interesting enough to keep going. The whole trained as an assassin from a young age thing is a little overdone but still entertaining.

I'm also desperately awaiting the sequel to Steelheart. 
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: incoherent on October 04, 2014, 12:22:49 PM
Also the long awaited arrival of a new Fitz and the Fool book by Robin Hobb is out and I finished it.  The whole book is one long setup for the next two but I love Fitz so much I don't care if he's just babysitting through the whole thing.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on October 04, 2014, 12:34:02 PM
Yes everyone is desperately awaiting the new kingkiller book.

I'm actually currently reading blood song. Not like amazing or anything but definitely interesting enough to keep going. The whole trained as an assassin from a young age thing is a little overdone but still entertaining.

I'm also desperately awaiting the sequel to Steelheart. 

I have a theory about Patrick Rothfuss. I think he hates writing under these expectations, and I think he loves being a personality in the fantasy world. He loves doing interviews, writing blog posts, reading books, basically being a fan with access, quite a bit. I wouldn't be surprised if the 3rd entry gets pushed back quite a ways. I loved the Name of the Wind, I liked Wise Man's Fear, I'm sure I'll dig whatever he puts out next, but I think the guy isn't all that different than any other obsessed fan of the genre, and really likes indulging that, maybe more than he likes writing a book for a rabid fanbase who won't leave him alone.

Steelheart was awesome. Firefight will be awesome.

Sanderson also has a new series he's kickstarting about a guy with multiple personality disorder that maybe isn't multiple personality disorder. He put out a short story as a feeler and it was so awesome.

I have never liked anything I've listened to from Robin Hobb.

I do love the Riyria Revelations, and I recommend them to just about anyone.

Also the Lies Of Locke Lamora series is really good.

Blood Song, I know the assassin from a young age has been done, but that book was maybe my favorite debut that I've read from an author outside of Name Of The Wind. I loved the world, I loved the dark-but-not-too-dark narrative, and none of the storylines bored me. 
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: hardlyyardley on October 04, 2014, 01:30:46 PM
Any Baldacci book is worth reading

Just read two good ones

Moving Day

Don't Ever Get Old
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: fairweatherfan on December 04, 2014, 04:00:27 PM
I've made it through all 10 books of the Malazan Book of the Fallen series.  It was...a lot of reading, but mostly rewarding, it's a very well-realized world where you'll be reading one book and suddenly realize that you're reading the key to understanding an odd scene or throwaway line two or three books back.  Some parts are pretty tedious and overwrought, though, especially in the last few books when the editors apparently said "screw it, they'll sell either way".  There are a bunch of spin-off novels but it's time to set it aside for a while. 

Now for some light reading, it's time to switch back to Gravity's Rainbow.

Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: rocknrollforyoursoul on December 04, 2014, 04:18:27 PM
For those interested in crime thrillers, particularly those focused on serial killers, I'm reading Jilliane Hoffman's Last Witness, the sequel to Retribution, which was a phenomenal page-turner. Last Witness started off a bit slower, but it's really cooking now.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Vox_Populi on December 04, 2014, 04:25:46 PM
An excellent light science-fiction novel for the interested is The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August. Probably the fiction best book I've read all year.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Beat LA on December 04, 2014, 05:16:18 PM
50 Shades of Grey (sarcasm) ahaha.  I haven't read it, myself, but apparently, it's written at a 4th grade level or something lol, but the same can be said for any book by Bill O'Reilly ;D.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: RRNoLookPass on December 04, 2014, 05:29:27 PM
Anything by John Grisham is usually a pretty good read...especially if crime / law novels interest you.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: rocknrollforyoursoul on December 04, 2014, 05:44:54 PM
Anything by John Grisham is usually a pretty good read...especially if crime / law novels interest you.

The pros of Grisham novels: quick, easy reads, and none of the excessive detail common with popular authors

The cons of Grisham novels: unsatisfying endings, and plots that are kinda lacking in substance/punch. For me, King of Torts had both of these problems. I'm also two-thirds of the way through The Summons, and so far the plot is a bit weak.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Eja117 on August 15, 2016, 08:13:05 PM
Travels of Marco Polo. Hard to put down
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: cons on August 15, 2016, 10:08:22 PM
Just finished the city of mirrors. Last book of the passage trilogy by Justin Cronin. The comparison is to Stephen Kings the stand but it's better. If anyone's looking for that type thing it was awesome. Reading the whole 3 books would be great too. I had to wait a few years between book 2 and 3 and the story was dense enough that I was a bit lost by the time 3 came out. It would've been better to read them all in a row.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: ImShakHeIsShaq on August 15, 2016, 10:28:24 PM
Didn't know about this thread, I needed it, THANKS! ;)
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: greenrunsdeep41 on August 15, 2016, 11:06:10 PM
Big fan of the following-

East of Eden
The fountainhead
Ishmael
Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance
All of the game of thrones
Kafka on the shore
The wind up bird chronicles
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Redz on August 15, 2016, 11:34:14 PM
Reading Vonnegut's Mother Night.  The man had style.

Gut me off my post apocalypse kick.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: LilRip on August 15, 2016, 11:39:21 PM
I just finished reading Steelheart and finished the first few chapters of Firefight. The Reckoners series is pretty entertaining so far and a real easy read.

Anybody else into YA Fantasy?
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on August 16, 2016, 12:01:31 AM
I just finished reading Steelheart and finished the first few chapters of Firefight. The Reckoners series is pretty entertaining so far and a real easy read.

Anybody else into YA Fantasy?

I hate that it's characterized as YA, because Steelheart is one of the most original superhero stories Ive ever read. I write a little bit, and my favorite theme is the balance between power and maintaining humanity. Steelheart's whole conflict revolves around that.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on August 16, 2016, 12:03:32 AM
Reading (listening to) Ages Of Myth by Michael Sullivan. Already listened to the Ryeria chronicles and enjoyed them.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: rocknrollforyoursoul on August 16, 2016, 12:14:02 AM
Just finished The Woman in Black by Susan Hill—short but great piece of Victorian psychological horror.

Also reading my first David Levien novel, City of the Sun, a decent detective story but nothing to write home about.

If you're into nonfiction books about aliens, I highly recommend Alien Intrusion by Gary Bates, which I'm about 80% through.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: rocknrollforyoursoul on August 16, 2016, 12:16:28 AM
Reading (listening to) Ages Of Myth by Michael Sullivan. Already listened to the Ryeria chronicles and enjoyed them.

Was just reading the Amazon description of Age of Myth last week. I'm writing an early-Earth fantasy novel, and AoM seems like it might fit into that genre?
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on August 16, 2016, 12:23:54 AM
Reading (listening to) Ages Of Myth by Michael Sullivan. Already listened to the Ryeria chronicles and enjoyed them.

Was just reading the Amazon description of Age of Myth last week. I'm writing an early-Earth fantasy novel, and AoM seems like it might fit into that genre?

Mmmm..yeah, kinda. More like a 'culture in flux' novel, reminds me a lot of a wheel of time prequel.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on August 16, 2016, 12:25:44 AM
TP for writing though rr4ys. Good on ya
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on August 16, 2016, 01:11:23 AM
Everything Mark Lawrence has released so far, starting with Prince of Thorns. Enough said.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: rocknrollforyoursoul on August 16, 2016, 10:46:44 AM
TP for writing though rr4ys. Good on ya

Gracias. What kind of writing do you do?
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on August 16, 2016, 11:14:16 AM
TP for writing though rr4ys. Good on ya

Gracias. What kind of writing do you do?

Urban Fantasy stuff mostly. Haven't put real pages together in a year or so though. Some sci-fi stuff but mostly dystopian themes or post-apocalyptic.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Snakehead on August 16, 2016, 11:23:41 AM
Just re-reading Neuromancer, as it is relating a lot to a writing/programming project I'm working on... but got so lost in it again.  Man is that book amazing.  If you're into sci-fi and thriller/crime/espionage type stuff it's highly recommended.  True classic.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on August 16, 2016, 12:10:49 PM
TP for writing though rr4ys. Good on ya

Gracias. What kind of writing do you do?

Urban Fantasy stuff mostly. Haven't put real pages together in a year or so though. Some sci-fi stuff but mostly dystopian themes or post-apocalyptic.

What UF series have you been reading in recent years if any?
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on August 16, 2016, 12:13:38 PM
TP for writing though rr4ys. Good on ya

Gracias. What kind of writing do you do?

Urban Fantasy stuff mostly. Haven't put real pages together in a year or so though. Some sci-fi stuff but mostly dystopian themes or post-apocalyptic.

What UF series have you been reading in recent years if any?

The Iron Druid series is okay. There is some half-elf series too that is okay. I burned through all the Dean Koontz Odd Thomas stuff pretty fast. Obviously the Dresden books as they come out.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: FatKidsDad on August 16, 2016, 01:57:16 PM
Try "Once a Coach, Always a Coach" by Peter Kerasotis.

This is the life story of Tom Wasdin, a man I have gotten to know over the last two years.



From amazon.com:

"America held little promise during the 1930's, when the Great Depression vice gripped the country and a boy named Thomas Errol Wasdin was born into the hardscrabble farmland of Waldo, Florida. Wasdin was only months old when his mother died of blood poisoning. Soon afterward, he and his sister were sent to live with their Uncle and Aunt, who raised them with old-fashioned values rooted in discipline and hard work. These became character traits that served Wasdin well – later at the University of Florida and eventually throughout his life.

And what a life it has been; rich and varied, and not without heartache and an ongoing, debilitating battle with Trigeminal Neuralgia, which the medical profession chillingly refers to as the Suicide Disease.

It is a life that saw Wasdin shape the lives of poor children from literally and proverbially the wrong side of the tracks in Jacksonville, Florida; children who later became attorneys, administrators, sports stars, politicians, educators, husbands, wives, parents and productive citizens.

It is a life that saw Wasdin forge friendships with two men he achieved enormous success with – Joe Williams and Rick Stottler. With Williams, Wasdin reached the pinnacle of coaching in college basketball, taking Jacksonville University to the 1970 NCAA Championship Game against the most powerful program in college sports history – John Wooden's UCLA Bruins. The account of that season, and especially that game, captures the controversy and excitement that surrounded it. Wasdin then moved from an assistant coach to a successful tenure as JU's head coach.

It is a life that saw Wasdin leave coaching to join Stottler in business and development, shaping both lives and a stretch of area along the East Coast of Florida that with his help came to be known as the Space Coast.

It is a life lived in full, and a life story worth reading."


https://www.amazon.com/Once-Coach-Always-Journey-Thomas-ebook/dp/B00KCYYIPM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1471369600&sr=8-2&keywords=thomas++wasdin
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on August 22, 2016, 11:37:31 AM
TP for writing though rr4ys. Good on ya

Gracias. What kind of writing do you do?

Urban Fantasy stuff mostly. Haven't put real pages together in a year or so though. Some sci-fi stuff but mostly dystopian themes or post-apocalyptic.

What UF series have you been reading in recent years if any?

The Iron Druid series is okay. There is some half-elf series too that is okay. I burned through all the Dean Koontz Odd Thomas stuff pretty fast. Obviously the Dresden books as they come out.

I hate The Iron Druid series, really enjoyed the first 3 or so, but then it turned to crap. Couldn't stand it.

Dresden is awesome of course.

Odd Thomas, i read only the first 2 I think about a decade ago or so. Enjoyed them.

Have you read Kate Daniels? That's my favorite after Dresden. First book was weak though, but got better from there.

Recently have been reading a self-published series, The Tome of Bill and love it. It's very crude though (requires thick skin), funny though.

Alex Verus is another series you might enjoy in the Dresden mold. Not up to there, but solid enough, particularly after book 3.

What is the half-elf one? Cal Leandros?
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: indeedproceed on August 22, 2016, 12:52:47 PM
TP for writing though rr4ys. Good on ya

Gracias. What kind of writing do you do?

Urban Fantasy stuff mostly. Haven't put real pages together in a year or so though. Some sci-fi stuff but mostly dystopian themes or post-apocalyptic.

What UF series have you been reading in recent years if any?

The Iron Druid series is okay. There is some half-elf series too that is okay. I burned through all the Dean Koontz Odd Thomas stuff pretty fast. Obviously the Dresden books as they come out.

I hate The Iron Druid series, really enjoyed the first 3 or so, but then it turned to crap. Couldn't stand it.

Dresden is awesome of course.

Odd Thomas, i read only the first 2 I think about a decade ago or so. Enjoyed them.

Have you read Kate Daniels? That's my favorite after Dresden. First book was weak though, but got better from there.

Recently have been reading a self-published series, The Tome of Bill and love it. It's very crude though (requires thick skin), funny though.

Alex Verus is another series you might enjoy in the Dresden mold. Not up to there, but solid enough, particularly after book 3.

What is the half-elf one? Cal Leandros?

Yeah, Cal Leandros was who I was talking about. Man I couldn't remember that to save my life.

I owe you big time for some recommendations over the years, and I just so happen to have one that I don't think I've ever seen mentioned.

1) Last Call, by Tim Powers. Rounds meets American Gods, it is fantastic.

2) Dirty Streets Of Heaven, by Tad Williams. More Noir than Jim Butcher, but told in a similar style, similar dark humor. 1st person. Here's the summary:

Quote
Bobby Dollar is an angel -- a real one. He knows a lot about sin, and not just in his professional capacity as an advocate for souls caught between Heaven and Hell. Bobby's wrestling with a few deadly sins of his own -- pride, anger, even lust.

But his problems aren't all his fault. Bobby can't entirely trust his heavenly superiors, and he's not too sure about any of his fellow earthbound angels either, especially the new kid that Heaven has dropped into their midst, a trainee angel who asks too many questions. And he sure as hell doesn't trust the achingly gorgeous Countess of Cold Hands, a mysterious she-demon who seems to be the only one willing to tell him the truth.

When the souls of the recently departed start disappearing, catching both Heaven and Hell by surprise, things get bad very quickly for Bobby D. "End-of-the-world" bad. "Beast of Revelations" bad. Caught between the angry forces of Hell, the dangerous strategies of his own side, and a monstrous undead avenger that wants to rip his head off and suck out his soul, Bobby's going to need all the friends he can get--in Heaven, on Earth, or anywhere else he can find them.

You've never met an angel like Bobby Dollar. And you've never read anything like The Dirty Streets of Heaven. Brace yourself -- the afterlife is weirder than you ever believed.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on August 22, 2016, 03:06:02 PM
TP for writing though rr4ys. Good on ya

Gracias. What kind of writing do you do?

Urban Fantasy stuff mostly. Haven't put real pages together in a year or so though. Some sci-fi stuff but mostly dystopian themes or post-apocalyptic.

What UF series have you been reading in recent years if any?

The Iron Druid series is okay. There is some half-elf series too that is okay. I burned through all the Dean Koontz Odd Thomas stuff pretty fast. Obviously the Dresden books as they come out.

I hate The Iron Druid series, really enjoyed the first 3 or so, but then it turned to crap. Couldn't stand it.

Dresden is awesome of course.

Odd Thomas, i read only the first 2 I think about a decade ago or so. Enjoyed them.

Have you read Kate Daniels? That's my favorite after Dresden. First book was weak though, but got better from there.

Recently have been reading a self-published series, The Tome of Bill and love it. It's very crude though (requires thick skin), funny though.

Alex Verus is another series you might enjoy in the Dresden mold. Not up to there, but solid enough, particularly after book 3.

What is the half-elf one? Cal Leandros?

Yeah, Cal Leandros was who I was talking about. Man I couldn't remember that to save my life.

I owe you big time for some recommendations over the years, and I just so happen to have one that I don't think I've ever seen mentioned.

1) Last Call, by Tim Powers. Rounds meets American Gods, it is fantastic.

2) Dirty Streets Of Heaven, by Tad Williams. More Noir than Jim Butcher, but told in a similar style, similar dark humor. 1st person. Here's the summary:

Quote
Bobby Dollar is an angel -- a real one. He knows a lot about sin, and not just in his professional capacity as an advocate for souls caught between Heaven and Hell. Bobby's wrestling with a few deadly sins of his own -- pride, anger, even lust.

But his problems aren't all his fault. Bobby can't entirely trust his heavenly superiors, and he's not too sure about any of his fellow earthbound angels either, especially the new kid that Heaven has dropped into their midst, a trainee angel who asks too many questions. And he sure as hell doesn't trust the achingly gorgeous Countess of Cold Hands, a mysterious she-demon who seems to be the only one willing to tell him the truth.

When the souls of the recently departed start disappearing, catching both Heaven and Hell by surprise, things get bad very quickly for Bobby D. "End-of-the-world" bad. "Beast of Revelations" bad. Caught between the angry forces of Hell, the dangerous strategies of his own side, and a monstrous undead avenger that wants to rip his head off and suck out his soul, Bobby's going to need all the friends he can get--in Heaven, on Earth, or anywhere else he can find them.

You've never met an angel like Bobby Dollar. And you've never read anything like The Dirty Streets of Heaven. Brace yourself -- the afterlife is weirder than you ever believed.

I read the first 2 of Cal Leandros, didn't grab me... but I plan to read the rest regardless.

1. Last Call - sounds interesting, I'll check it out.

2. Dirty Streets of Heaven - I enjoyed it well enough, but thought it was going to be better. The 2nd book though lost me completely, haven't managed to finish it. Felt it was a complete drag. Maybe I'll give it another shot at some point.

One that might be of interest of for you is the Magic Ex Libris by Jim C. Hines. Another series that I thought it would end up being better, but has big support.

One I really enjoy is Marla Mason by T.A. Pratt, though it took me a while to warm up to it.

The Joe Pitts Casebooks by Charlie Huston is great also, at least up to where I read to, but I haven't finished it. Narrative style needs getting used to though.

More sci-fi oriented, but The Lives of Tao by Wesley Chu series is quite fun.

Generation V by ML Brennan has an annoying main character (but he improves), but the series is very good. The side characters are awesome. We're currently in wait and see to see if we can get more.

Demon Squad by Tim Marquitz if you're looking for more of a juvenile, but extremely funny, series. Self-published and a bit raw at times particularly early on, but I love the comedy. The action is very good though when present, and fast paced. It does get more serious as it goes, but never neglects the humor.

On the same vain, but more serious is Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey. Only read the first 3 though, but quite a solid read.

Mark del Franco's books are quite good in the Dresden Files-types of books.

Jesse James Dawson series narrator's voice is very reminiscent to that of Harry Dresden as well.

As you can see, I read a lot of UF lol. I have more, but these should keep you busy for a time.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: jpotter33 on August 22, 2016, 03:32:38 PM
TP for writing though rr4ys. Good on ya

Gracias. What kind of writing do you do?

Urban Fantasy stuff mostly. Haven't put real pages together in a year or so though. Some sci-fi stuff but mostly dystopian themes or post-apocalyptic.

TP to some fellow writers. Have either of you dabbled in any philosophical fiction writing? I started working on a project several years back in this area of writing, specifically with a high fantasy element to it, and it's been one of the most difficult things that I've tried in my life. Primarily coming from an academic/analytic writing background, it's been extremely difficult to narrate and discuss philosophical concepts while staying in the mindset of creative writing rather than analytic writing. Due to where I'm at in my life and career at the moment, I haven't been able to make much progress in actual written pages yet, though I have scores of pages outlining large sections of the narrative with other notes and ideas. I long for the day I can focus more of my attention on a more creative project like this.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: PhoSita on August 22, 2016, 04:23:21 PM
I'm making my way through The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison.  Enjoying it a lot.  Very different from most fantasy novels I've read.

Also continuing to read Terry Pratchett Discworld novels.  Currently reading Guards! Guards!  Excellent.  Highly recommended.


In the car, I'm listening to the first of Farseer books by Robin Hobb.  It's not bad so far, though the accent of the guy reading it is so over-the-top prissy-English that it's often a significant distraction.

I'm not usually a non-fiction guy, but I'm really looking forward to reading / listening to White Trash: The 400 Year Untold History of Class in America by Nancy Isenberg.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: PhoSita on August 22, 2016, 04:27:36 PM
TP for writing though rr4ys. Good on ya

Gracias. What kind of writing do you do?

Urban Fantasy stuff mostly. Haven't put real pages together in a year or so though. Some sci-fi stuff but mostly dystopian themes or post-apocalyptic.

What UF series have you been reading in recent years if any?

The Iron Druid series is okay. There is some half-elf series too that is okay. I burned through all the Dean Koontz Odd Thomas stuff pretty fast. Obviously the Dresden books as they come out.

I read Storm Front recently.  Very pulpy, but really crisp and lean.  Well-crafted. 

FWIW, I'm also a bit of an aspiring writer, trying to do a little creative writing most days when I have time.  I've never completed a novella / novel length project yet, but I hope to someday.

Seems like we ought to have a Celticsblog aspiring writers group or something, haha. 

I guess there's some overlap between "opinionated sports fans spending egregious lengths of time discussing sports to an esoteric level of detail on Internet message boards" and "people who so enjoy the sound of their own thoughts in written form that they believe, deep down, that other people would be willing to read thousands and thousands of words of same."

Due to where I'm at in my life and career at the moment, I haven't been able to make much progress in actual written pages yet, though I have scores of pages outlining large sections of the narrative with other notes and ideas. I long for the day I can focus more of my attention on a more creative project like this.

I hear you.  I try to at least write 250-500 words a day when I have time, just to keep training the "muscle," if nothing else.  I end up with a lot of disconnected snippets of things that seem potentially interesting but that I'm not sure what to do with, ultimately. 

I've got plenty of longer story ideas with varying levels of detail and general fleshed-outedness, but it's tough to really commit to one idea and stick with it beyond the "Oh my God this actually is terrible and makes no sense, what did I see in this idea anyway?" phase.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on August 22, 2016, 07:15:48 PM
TP for writing though rr4ys. Good on ya

Gracias. What kind of writing do you do?

Urban Fantasy stuff mostly. Haven't put real pages together in a year or so though. Some sci-fi stuff but mostly dystopian themes or post-apocalyptic.

What UF series have you been reading in recent years if any?

The Iron Druid series is okay. There is some half-elf series too that is okay. I burned through all the Dean Koontz Odd Thomas stuff pretty fast. Obviously the Dresden books as they come out.

I read Storm Front recently.  Very pulpy, but really crisp and lean.  Well-crafted. 

Then you passed the most difficult test since Storm Front if not the weakest, it's among the weakest in the series.

In general as a rule, each book gets better and better. It's book 3 where I felt the series had a big breakthrough though and when the plot starts cementing itself.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: PhoSita on August 22, 2016, 07:20:21 PM
I mean, it's very clear that Storm Front is the pilot episode, so to speak.  But as pilot episodes go, it's really well done, and mercifully short and to the point.  A nice blending of genres with a clear understanding of what it is and what it isn't.  Not great literature, but if I'm going to read not great literature, I'd much prefer a 50,000 word fantasy detective story with an amusing tone to a 150,000 word tome with extensive "world-building" (aka unsupported exposition) and largely wooden, knitted-brow characters.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Eja117 on May 20, 2018, 06:22:10 PM
I just finished Shores Beyond Shores. It's the Holocaust through the eyes of a child. It's almost like Anne Frank the sequel. Pretty inspiring. Self published cause the woman is really old and couldn't wait for the process of going through publishers.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: SHAQATTACK on May 20, 2018, 07:59:39 PM
How to Stay Calm during Celtics playoff games


by

Shaqattack
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: liam on May 20, 2018, 08:44:10 PM
Confederacy Of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole

Valis - Philip K. Dick

Women - Charles Bukowski

The Rediscovery of Man: The Complete Short Science Fiction of Cordwainer Smith - Cordwainer Smith

Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: liam on May 20, 2018, 08:51:40 PM
How to Stay Calm during Celtics playoff games


by

Shaqattack

This book did not help me. ;D
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: greece66 on June 24, 2018, 09:01:52 PM
So we have had a lot of discussions on movies and music lately, and I was wondering about books?  I am currently looking for a new one to read and wanted to see if there were any suggestions or recommendations anyone had to offer.

The most recent one that I finished was Geoffrey Robertson's "The Tyranncide Brief".  It's a non-fiction that centers around the lesser known John Cooke and his role in bringing Charles I to trial.

If you are into 17th century English history, I strongly recommend Christopher Hill's books, in particular "God's Englishman" and "The world upside down". Hill was one of the best postwar Marxist historian, although he usually gets less credit than Hobsbawm. He is now seen as old-fashioned, and as someone who tried to impose patterns taken from the history of the Russian Civil War to the English Revolution. His books are very well written and offer valuable insights regardless.

Other than that, I can't really make recommendations, unless I know what you like. I often read books on modern European history, I guess I can help if our interests overlap.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: wiley on June 24, 2018, 09:20:57 PM
So we have had a lot of discussions on movies and music lately, and I was wondering about books?  I am currently looking for a new one to read and wanted to see if there were any suggestions or recommendations anyone had to offer.

The most recent one that I finished was Geoffrey Robertson's "The Tyranncide Brief".  It's a non-fiction that centers around the lesser known John Cooke and his role in bringing Charles I to trial.

If you are into 17th century English history, I strongly recommend Christopher Hill's books, in particular "God's Englishman" and "The world upside down". Hill was one of the best postwar Marxist historian, although he usually gets less credit than Hobsbawm. He is now seen as old-fashioned, and as someone who tried to impose patterns taken from the history of the Russian Civil War to the English Revolution. His books are very well written and offer valuable insights regardless.

Other than that, I can't really make recommendations, unless I know what you like. I often read books on modern European history, I guess I can help if our interests overlap.

Wow!  You answered a 10 year old book advice post!   10 TPs.  One of each year...

On my list is Shahnameh:  The Persian Book of Kings
Looong book.  Again matching the 10 year wait..  :)

Here's a blurb:
Among the great works of world literature, perhaps one of the least familiar to English readers is the "Shahnameh: ThePersian Book of Kings," the national epic of Persia. This prodigious narrative, composed by the poet Ferdowsi between the years 980 and 1010, tells the story of pre- Islamic Iran, beginning in the mythic time of Creation and continuing forward to the Arab invasion in the seventh century. As a window on the world, "Shahnameh" belongs in the company of such literary masterpieces as Dante's "Divine Comedy," the plays of Shakespeare, the epics of Homer- classics whose reach and range bring whole cultures into view. In its pages are unforgettable moments of national triumph and failure, human courage and cruelty, blissful love and bitter grief.

In tracing the roots of Iran, "Shahnameh" initially draws on the depths of legend and then carries its story into historical times, when ancient Persia was swept into an expanding Islamic empire. Now Dick Davis, the greatest modern translator of Persian poetry, has revisited that poem, turning the finest stories of Ferdowsi's original into an elegant combination of prose and verse. For the first time in English, in the most complete form possible, readers can experience "Shahnameh" in the same way that Iranian storytellers have lovingly conveyed it in Persian for the past thousand years.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: greece66 on September 09, 2018, 05:25:18 AM
Maxim Gorky, My childhood (1913-4)

The book to read to understand Gorky's bitterness (Gorky means bitter in Russian).

He lost his father at a very young age, and he moved to a village to live with his grandparents. There he was exposed to the cruelty that was the norm of life for 19th cent. Russian peasants. He received very little formal education, was regularly subjected to sadistic floggings by his grandfather, and witnessed all sorts of vile things: his uncles' drunk indecencies, his grandfather punching his grandmother, and bitter fights for petty financial differences. His mother died when he was 11, Gorky had to live on his own after that. This is where the book ends.

This is a masterpiece of socialist realism, and in this sense it is partisan work written for the men and women of the early 20th century. Gorky wanted a book that was both relevant and understandable to the common folk of his times, that was typical of every day life without literary fancies, and supported the socialist cause.

Having said this, this book remains a valuable read today.Young Gorky's affectionate relationship with his maternal grandmother makes for some moving passages. Moreover, there is a lot to learn from this book if interested in the history of the late Tsarist Empire. I have the vanity to consider myself well read on this topic, but I was shocked by the sheer amount of violence detailed here. There are moments you catch yourself wondering, was it really that bad, how was this possible?

I had to read this is in a mediocre Greek translation from the French, I trust the Penguin edition fares better on this front.

(http://argumenti.ru/images/preview/arhnews/8367189974d5f46e27e8a643bdc2d4bb.jpg)
Gorky with Stalin and Voroshilov

Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Greenback on September 20, 2019, 11:07:32 AM
Secret Empires: How the American Political Class Hides Corruption and Enriches Family and Friends

by Peter Schweizer
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Somebody on September 20, 2019, 11:26:39 AM
Thinking Basketball by Ben Taylor. This book will absolutely change the way you perceive the sport.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: footey on September 20, 2019, 01:55:54 PM
The Man Without a Face, The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin, by Masha Gessen

The Problem of Democracy, by Nancy Isenberg and Andrew Bursten (about the views of John Adams and John Quincy Adams confronting the cult of personality)

Say Nothing, by Patrick Radiffe Keefe, about the rise and fall of the IRA in Northern Ireland.

I highly recommend all three, although I am just in the middle of the Adams' book. 
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Donoghus on September 20, 2019, 02:04:24 PM
"In the Garden Of Beast: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin" by Erik Larson (same author as "Devil in the White City")

"Boomerang: Travels in the New Third World" by Michael Lewis

"Ballad of the Whiskey Robber: A True Story of Bank Heists, Ice Hockey, Transylvanian Pelt Smuggling, Moonlighting Detectives, and Broken Hearts" by Julian Rubinstein
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: nickagneta on September 20, 2019, 03:22:29 PM
The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin.

Some of the most original science fiction I have read in quite some time. Tremendous world building and a fabulous twisting ending that makes you want to read the second book of this trilogy(The Broken Earth) immediately.

Truly worthy of the Hugo Award it won. On to books 2 and 3, also Hugo Award winners!
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Greenback on September 20, 2019, 10:14:09 PM
Inconvenient Facts: The science that Al Gore doesn't want you to know

by Gregory Wrightstone

Its a great book to read if you think the sky is falling.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: LilRip on September 20, 2019, 10:21:44 PM
The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin.

Some of the most original science fiction I have read in quite some time. Tremendous world building and a fabulous twisting ending that makes you want to read the second book of this trilogy(The Broken Earth) immediately.

Truly worthy of the Hugo Award it won. On to books 2 and 3, also Hugo Award winners!

You have convinced me. I will check this out!
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: drooldaddy on September 21, 2019, 07:27:54 AM
I don’t normally read mystery/ detective story books but....... accidentally discovered an author named Robert Crais and his “Elvis Cole” series. It’s one of those things where you think why Didnt I know about this before.

It will pleasantly kill time till basketball begins
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Greenback on September 21, 2019, 06:12:15 PM
Conversion: The Spiritual Journey of a Twentieth Century Pilgrim

by Malcolm Muggeridge

Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: wiley on September 22, 2019, 01:37:01 AM
I like the series about a Thai cop, starting with Bangkok 8.  It's fast, light, but also contemplative.
Here's Wikipedia:

A series of crime novels mainly set in Bangkok, they consist of six books: Bangkok 8, Bangkok Tattoo, Bangkok Haunts, The Godfather of Kathmandu, Vulture Peak, and The Bangkok Asset. They centre on the philosophical Thai Buddhist detective, Sonchai Jitpleecheep, and his meditative internal dialogues. Sonchai is a "leuk krung" or half-caste. He is the son of a former "rented-wife" (a type of prostitute) and a "farang." His father was a U.S. military officer whom he never knew. Sonchai has spent much of his childhood in Europe and the U.S.. A born "outsider", he is also seemingly unbribeable, which increases his alienation from his colleagues.


Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Greenback on September 22, 2019, 11:11:33 AM
50 Things They Don't Want You to Know

By Jerome Hudson
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Big333223 on September 22, 2019, 11:34:41 AM
Just got back from a summer in Ireland and had a lot of time to read. The books I liked the best were:

The Sun Also Rises (Hemingway) - It's a classic. I love Hemingway. His writing is just to tight and precise but always in service of rich emotion. The characters are well rounded. It's amazing what he does with so little. Once you lock into his style, it all just flows.

Gilead (Marilyn Robinson) - This was a novel I'd been assigned in college at a time when I just couldn't keep up with all of the reading I was supposed to be doing so I never actually read it. It's amazing. Written from the perspective of a preacher in the 50's as letters to his young son. Not much for plot in this one but the ruminations on life are fascinating and the writing is brilliant. Loved it.

Daisy Jones & The Six (Taylor Jenkins Reid) - This book is kind of trash but I enjoyed it quite a lot. It's fiction, but written as an oral history of a rock band in the 70's. If that kind of thing sounds interesting, it's a fun book and kind of a breeze to read.

Conversations With Friends (Sally Rooney) - The most millennial book I've ever read. I don't mean that as a value judgement, only that it feels very much in tune with the kind on social anxieties of my generation. It's a really tight first person perspective, and not very reliable narrator but the way the story unfolds and the way Rooney plays with how important perspective is in life I found fascinating.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: hwangjini_1 on September 22, 2019, 11:43:15 AM
Just got back from a summer in Ireland and had a lot of time to read. The books I liked the best were:

The Sun Also Rises (Hemingway) - It's a classic. I love Hemingway. His writing is just to tight and precise but always in service of rich emotion. The characters are well rounded. It's amazing what he does with so little. Once you lock into his style, it all just flows.

Gilead (Marilyn Robinson) - This was a novel I'd been assigned in college at a time when I just couldn't keep up with all of the reading I was supposed to be doing so I never actually read it. It's amazing. Written from the perspective of a preacher in the 50's as letters to his young son. Not much for plot in this one but the ruminations on life are fascinating and the writing is brilliant. Loved it.

Daisy Jones & The Six (Taylor Jenkins Reid) - This book is kind of trash but I enjoyed it quite a lot. It's fiction, but written as an oral history of a rock band in the 70's. If that kind of thing sounds interesting, it's a fun book and kind of a breeze to read.

Conversations With Friends (Sally Rooney) - The most millennial book I've ever read. I don't mean that as a value judgement, only that it feels very much in tune with the kind on social anxieties of my generation. It's a really tight first person perspective, and not very reliable narrator but the way the story unfolds and the way Rooney plays with how important perspective is in life I found fascinating.
i hope you had a good time in ireland. if you are interested "things irish" then perhaps this is a book for you. it is very well written and does an amazing job of bringing together a wide range of approaches to understanding the great hunger in ireland. parts of it are simply depressing as heck, but it is a very good read.

The Graves Are Walking, by John Kelly.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007CLBMOI/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: hwangjini_1 on September 22, 2019, 05:47:14 PM
recommended books? how about any of these?  ;D

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/09/obscene-unpatriotic-blasphemous-banned-books-time-190921182159525.html
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Greenback on September 22, 2019, 07:32:22 PM
Who Killed the American Family?

By Phyllis Schlafly
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Greenback on September 23, 2019, 10:08:03 AM
Web of Debt: The Shocking Truth about Our Money System and How We Can Break Free

by Ellen Hodgson Brown
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Big333223 on September 23, 2019, 11:00:23 AM
Just got back from a summer in Ireland and had a lot of time to read. The books I liked the best were:

The Sun Also Rises (Hemingway) - It's a classic. I love Hemingway. His writing is just to tight and precise but always in service of rich emotion. The characters are well rounded. It's amazing what he does with so little. Once you lock into his style, it all just flows.

Gilead (Marilyn Robinson) - This was a novel I'd been assigned in college at a time when I just couldn't keep up with all of the reading I was supposed to be doing so I never actually read it. It's amazing. Written from the perspective of a preacher in the 50's as letters to his young son. Not much for plot in this one but the ruminations on life are fascinating and the writing is brilliant. Loved it.

Daisy Jones & The Six (Taylor Jenkins Reid) - This book is kind of trash but I enjoyed it quite a lot. It's fiction, but written as an oral history of a rock band in the 70's. If that kind of thing sounds interesting, it's a fun book and kind of a breeze to read.

Conversations With Friends (Sally Rooney) - The most millennial book I've ever read. I don't mean that as a value judgement, only that it feels very much in tune with the kind on social anxieties of my generation. It's a really tight first person perspective, and not very reliable narrator but the way the story unfolds and the way Rooney plays with how important perspective is in life I found fascinating.
i hope you had a good time in ireland. if you are interested "things irish" then perhaps this is a book for you. it is very well written and does an amazing job of bringing together a wide range of approaches to understanding the great hunger in ireland. parts of it are simply depressing as heck, but it is a very good read.

The Graves Are Walking, by John Kelly.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007CLBMOI/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1
When it comes to "things Irish" I can assume "depressing as heck" will follow shortly.  :)

Thanks. TP
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Greenback on September 23, 2019, 02:20:42 PM
Mahatma Gandhi 2.0: India's Game Changing Prime Minister Narendra Modi

By Ashoke Seth

He is an inspired leader like Gandhi.  Also, a great speaker:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVSDTbE0tB8
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: fairweatherfan on September 23, 2019, 02:49:09 PM
Mahatma Gandhi 2.0: India's Game Changing Prime Minister Narendra Modi

By Ashoke Seth

He is an inspired leader like Gandhi.  Also, a great speaker:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVSDTbE0tB8

Does it ever get around to mentioning that Gandhi was assassinated by a member of the same far-right nationalist party Modi belonged to, or is it pretty much just shallow hagiography all the way down?
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Greenback on September 23, 2019, 04:19:40 PM
Mahatma Gandhi 2.0: India's Game Changing Prime Minister Narendra Modi

By Ashoke Seth

He is an inspired leader like Gandhi.  Also, a great speaker:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVSDTbE0tB8

Does it ever get around to mentioning that Gandhi was assassinated by a member of the same far-right nationalist party Modi belonged to, or is it pretty much just shallow hagiography all the way down?

I don't recall mention of anything like that.  What it does do is highlight the ideological similarities between the two men.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Greenback on September 24, 2019, 12:19:25 AM
The Bible

EDIT: All the rest of what you posted are all great quotes from great people regarding the Bible and God, but could easily spur debate that could put the subject into Current Events discussions. Since CE discussions should only occur on that board, it seemed right to edit out all the quotes.

Let's just say, a lot of important and famous people like the Bible and God.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Greenback on September 24, 2019, 09:00:29 AM
The Bible

EDIT: All the rest of what you posted are all great quotes from great people regarding the Bible and God, but could easily spur debate that could put the subject into Current Events discussions. Since CE discussions should only occur on that board, it seemed right to edit out all the quotes.

Let's just say, a lot of important and famous people like the Bible and God.


With all due respect, none of the quotes were from living people and they were all recommending the Bible.  For the record, the people I quoted who read and recommended the Bible were:
Sir Isaac Newton, Joseph Parker, St Augustine, Goethe, Nikola Tesla, Muggeridge, Teddy Roosevelt, Charles Dickens, Peter Ackroyd, Helen Keller, Jeffrey Ramey, Horace Greeley, John Adams, Abe Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, Immanuel Kant, Johann Brahms, Bernard Ramm, Mark Twain, Napoleon and George Washington.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: fairweatherfan on September 24, 2019, 10:27:15 AM
The Broken Ladder by Keith Payne.  A fascinating examination of the effects of wealth inequality, through the two frames of scientific research and the author's personal experience growing up poor in rural Kentucky. The scientific stuff is very straightforward and readable which isn't always the case for this kind of book. Worth checking out.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: nickagneta on September 24, 2019, 10:45:27 AM
It is one of best works of fiction I have ever read....

That is a pretty good recommendation, with all the other fiction out there.   Now, what if the Bible is true?
See what I mean?!?!?!

A comment solely on "The Bible" and your quotes are not there. And now you are spurring conversation about the veracity of the Bible which will spark debate not suited for this board.

WE WILL NOT DISCUSS THE BIBLE, IF IT IS TRUE OR RELIGION AS A WHOLE IN THIS THREAD!

 
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Greenback on September 24, 2019, 06:08:54 PM
Another Sort of Learning

by James V. Schall
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Neurotic Guy on September 24, 2019, 06:14:10 PM
I couldn't find it looking back, but I think I recommended "The Nix" by Nathan Hill some time ago.  I thought it was brilliant.

Wondering if anyone took the recommendation and read it.  If so, what did you think?
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Greenback on September 24, 2019, 07:48:12 PM
Ideas have Consequences

by Richard M Weaver
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: hwangjini_1 on September 24, 2019, 08:49:26 PM
It is one of best works of fiction I have ever read....

That is a pretty good recommendation, with all the other fiction out there.   Now, what if the Bible is true?
See what I mean?!?!?!

A comment solely on "The Bible" and your quotes are not there. And now you are spurring conversation about the veracity of the Bible which will spark debate not suited for this board.

WE WILL NOT DISCUSS THE BIBLE, IF IT IS TRUE OR RELIGION AS A WHOLE IN THIS THREAD!

 

good job of monitoring a tough discussion nick. and if you want me to swear to that on a stack of bibles i would be happy to.  ;D
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: gouki88 on September 24, 2019, 09:59:33 PM
Just finished 'We', by Yevgeny Zamyatin. Really good dystopian novel written a few years after the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia.

One of the original satirical dystopian novels, from what I can tell. One of Orwell's favourites!
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Greenback on September 24, 2019, 11:04:46 PM
Just finished 'We', by Yevgeny Zamyatin. Really good dystopian novel written a few years after the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia.

One of the original satirical dystopian novels, from what I can tell. One of Orwell's favourites!

I have read 1984 and Brave New World.  I have to be careful here, because I am banned in almost every corner of the forums. Please don’t ban me Nick.
Do you think that the cataclysm that preceded the perfectly planned society by the world government, and by continuing the fear of the apocalypse, was used as justification for the tyranny?   
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Greenback on September 25, 2019, 11:38:11 AM
Imperium
 
by Francis P. Yockey

When you read 50 to 100 books a year for 50 years, there are alot of choices...
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Jon Niednagel on September 25, 2019, 12:29:56 PM
Sorry if others have already mentioned these. Only looked back a couple pages.


The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure

by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt


Also,

How to Have Impossible Conversations: A Very Practical Guide

by Peter Boghossian and James Lindsay
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Greenback on September 25, 2019, 12:38:45 PM
Sorry if others have already mentioned these. Only looked back a couple pages.


The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure

by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt


Also,

How to Have Impossible Conversations: A Very Practical Guide

by Peter Boghossian and James Lindsay

Thank you Jon.  You made me laugh.  I ordered both books on Amazon.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Jon Niednagel on September 25, 2019, 12:54:32 PM
Happy reading!
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Roy H. on September 23, 2022, 07:45:22 AM
For the Stephen King fans, Fairy Tale is very good.  In my opinion, it takes a *long* time to get going -- maybe as many as 200 pages -- but once the "quest" starts its some of King's most page-turning stuff since Wizard and Glass.
Title: Re: Recommended Books?
Post by: Donoghus on September 23, 2022, 08:03:35 AM
Currently reading "The Big East" by Dana O'Neil.  Obviously, growing up in Mass in the 80s-90s then going to a then Big East school in BC, I had super fond memories of the league in its original incarnation. Great read so far.

Before that, I read "Thunderstruck" by Erik Larson.  Same author as "Devil in the White City".  Great murder mystery that weaves parallel with Marconi and the rise of wireless technology in the early 1900s.  I'm a sucker for this type of non-fiction.