Results 1 to 30 of 142
-
2012-05-27, 09:06 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Nov 2006
A Book a Day, to Keep Autumn Away...
So I've been a huge fan of books, mostly fiction in the Fantasy and Sci-Fi genres, but I'll read just about anything. University tends to eat up a lot of my time, and it's difficult to keep real books around as it is. So, now that I'm home for the summer, I've got a lot of reading I'd like to catch up on. Does anyone have any good suggestions for my reading list? Maybe we could do a collaborative book list or something. As a warning: I'm an incredibly fast reader, around one or two books a day, so if you have a suggestion, please let me know!
Reviews!- Across the Universe, Delirium, Fallen, Mistborn: The First Empire, Pirate Latitudes, The Guns of August, The Rogue Crew, Torment
- Look Me in the Eye
- The Graveyard Book, Passion, Mistborn: The Well of Ascension
- The Name of the Wind, Mistborn: The Hero of Ages, Fallen in Love
- The Alloy of Law, The Way of Kings, Altered Carbon
- The Wise Man's Fear, The Gunslinger
- The Amulet of Samarkand, American Gods, Divergent, Pandemonium
- Fall of a Kingdom
- Warbreaker, Rapture, Partials
The Current List:
Just some quick notes: If the book listed is the start of a series, assume I'm reading the entire series in order (i.e. don't suggest The Two Towers if you already see The Fellowship of the Ring, but The Hobbit would be an acceptable suggestion). If the book listed is already partway through a series, assume I've read the prior novels (i.e. if you see Mockingjay listed, then assume I've already read The Hunger Games and Catching Fire). If a book on the list is just outright terrible, let me know...
I'll be adding more over the course of the night, but for now... have at it!Last edited by Neftren; 2012-08-15 at 12:51 PM.
Avatar by araveugnitsuga | Play by Post (Guide) | Steam
Homebrewers' Extended Signatures
Hey Look, a Summer Reading List!
-
2012-05-27, 09:18 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2010
- Location
- Neurotypicalville, WA
Re: A Book a Day, to Keep the Autumn Away...
Science Fiction
Michael Chricton: Prey; Jurassic World; Pirate Latitudes
Stephen King: Under the Dome; Duma Key; The Gunslinger
S.M. Stirling: The Island in the Sea of Time; Dies the Fire
James Patterson: When the Wind Blows
Non-Fiction
John Elder Robinson: look me in the eye
I'll add to this list as I remember or find more stuff.Steam username is Triscuitable.
I got VAC banned in COD: Ghosts for using an FOV changer.
I try not to think of how sad that is.
-
2012-05-27, 09:40 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2010
- Gender
Re: A Book a Day, to Keep the Autumn Away...
Brandon Sanderson is in my opinion, the best author I have ever read. I highly recommend that you read everything by him, but for specific recommendations:
Fantasy:
Brandon Sanderson: The34 books of the MistbornTrilogySeries, and The Way of Kings, the first book in The Stormlight Archive.
I would also recommend some scifi:
John Ringo: The Looking Glass Series, which is just pure hilarious Scifi adventure.
David Weber: The Starfire series for some Space warfare, and The Safehold series for Naval warfare (Yes, sailing boats, yet still scifi. Trust me, it's awesome.)
-
2012-05-27, 10:00 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Nov 2006
Re: A Book a Day, to Keep the Autumn Away...
For those of you wondering why I'm not just doing a Good Reads list, as Volatar pointed out to me on Steam, it's for a number of reasons, which I'll keep private for now, but I have good reasons! Anyways...
Ooh, Michael Crichton. I've read a bunch of his stuff. Some of it was pretty creepy, but I liked most of what I read (just stuff I pulled off my brother's bookshelf though, so only one or two books). Wait, is "Prey" the one about the nanites becoming self-aware and assimilating everyone...? I think I might have read that. I couldn't seem to find a listing for Jurassic World (did you mean The Lost World?), but I've added Pirate Latitudes.
I've added all the Stephen King books, and the Robison book, and hopefully the library will have them!
Added the Sanderson books. "Into the Looking Glass" (Ringo) looks oddly familiar. I might have seen it before at the library. Or maybe it's the cover... reminds me vaguely of Starship Troopers. I had some trouble tracking down the David Weber books (well, which books were the first in the series), but they're on the list now.Avatar by araveugnitsuga | Play by Post (Guide) | Steam
Homebrewers' Extended Signatures
Hey Look, a Summer Reading List!
-
2012-05-27, 10:21 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2010
- Location
- Neurotypicalville, WA
Re: A Book a Day, to Keep the Autumn Away...
Yes, Prey is about the nanites. In that case, there's no point. And I was serious with Jurassic World. It's a two-book compilation for Jurassic Park and The Lost World, with a couple of chapters written to bridge the two novels. The end result is a monster of a hardcover.
You'll burn through The Gunslinger in an afternoon, but Under the Dome will take you maybe two or three days. It's huge. You might want to buy an onion for when you read Duma Key, however. You don't want people to go around thinking those tears are real.Steam username is Triscuitable.
I got VAC banned in COD: Ghosts for using an FOV changer.
I try not to think of how sad that is.
-
2012-05-27, 10:29 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Oct 2006
- Location
- Hamilton, New Zealand
- Gender
Re: A Book a Day, to Keep the Autumn Away...
Well I don't know if you've read them but The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher are pretty great, the first in the series being Storm Front and the most recent Ghost Story, there are 13 books so it is a bit of an investment but well worth it, and they are all really easy reads.
Otherwise I'd recommend pretty much anything by Neil Gaiman, with American Gods at the top of the list.Avatar by Diabhan
Shapperdash, movie reviews amongst other things.
Natural 1, a tale of critical failures
-
2012-05-27, 10:44 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Sep 2007
Re: A Book a Day, to Keep the Autumn Away...
Basically all of Discworld, by Terry Pratchett. Maybe give the first five books or so a miss because they're rather less good, but still. Wonderful series.
Besides that... Bartimaeus trilogy, starting with the Amulet of Samarkand. By Jonathan Stroud. Again, very nice urban fantasy series.
Lastly, if you like Victorian era, highly atypical fantasy, I suggest Jonathan Stroud & Mr. Norrell, by Susanna Clarke. Slow to start, absolutely massive, but my all-time favourite book. Excellent cast of characters, too, even if you will probably end up hating most of them. In any case, even more than the others, I can't possibly recommend this one enough.
-
2012-05-27, 10:57 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Nov 2006
Re: A Book a Day, to Keep the Autumn Away...
I've added a new status section to indicate which books are on hold, unavailable at my local library, etc. I might read some of them as eBooks, as Volatar pointed out.
Ah, I'll try to find the Jurassic World. If it's just two books combined, which one should I read first (assuming my library even has it).
The Gunslinger looks to be part of a series, so that should keep me going pretty well too. Depends on library availability mostly at this point.
The titles sounds familiar. I'll put those on the queue, and if it turns out I've already read them, no harm done.
I've read some of Gaiman's other stuff with varying results. Angels and Demons (in collaboration with Pratchett... see below I suppose).
I've read every single Discworld book (I was lucky enough to have Pratchett sign three of my books!!!). Probably among my favorite books of all time, though I've been rather disappointed with some of the newer books.
I think I've read the first two books in the Bartimaeus trilogy, but I'd have to go look at the covers again to be sure (my memory is mostly image based).
I'll look into the Clarke stuff.
Edit: Yes, I feel like I've read the Bartimaeus series, but I can't seem to place the plots, so it's as good a time as any to reread them! The same thing with the Susanna Clarke book (I'll venture a guess and say you meant to type Jonathan Strange, not Jonathan Stroud, who authored the Bartimaeus stuff ).Last edited by Neftren; 2012-05-27 at 11:06 PM.
Avatar by araveugnitsuga | Play by Post (Guide) | Steam
Homebrewers' Extended Signatures
Hey Look, a Summer Reading List!
-
2012-05-27, 11:19 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2010
- Location
- Neurotypicalville, WA
Re: A Book a Day, to Keep the Autumn Away...
Jurassic Park is the first book, followed by The Lost World. The Gunslinger is the first in Stephen King's colossal Dark Tower (pun) series, but the first book is short enough for anyone to learn what it is before deciding to delve further into it. It's a merged canon of all of King's other works, so a couple of other character from previous books appear due to universe-warping and whatnot. Even (white-text spoiler) King himself appears at one point.
Steam username is Triscuitable.
I got VAC banned in COD: Ghosts for using an FOV changer.
I try not to think of how sad that is.
-
2012-05-28, 02:37 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Mar 2011
- Gender
Re: A Book a Day, to Keep Autumn Away...
Kovacs Triogy (Altered Carbon, Broken Angels, Woken Furies) by Richard K. Morgan. Cyberpunk/neo-noir SF with a great narrative. One of the best series I've read.
Night Watch series (Night Watch, Day Watch, Twilight Watch, Last Watch) by Sergei Lukyanenko. Modern fantasy by a Russian author. It's translated, but the English translation is pretty good. The first book was adapted into two movies a coupla years ago, you might have caught it (Night Watch / Day Watch).
The Witcher series (The Last Wish is a collection of short stories, The Blood of Elves is the start of a longer trilogy) by Andrzej Sapkowski. Fairly dark fantasy series by a Polish author. Again, the English translation isn't bad. Adapted into a videogame series.
If you like SF, you've probably read the Dune series by Frank Herbert.
Age of the Five (trilogy starts with Priestess of the White) by Trudi Canavan. Straightforward fantasy series with an above-average narrative.
The Nomad of the Time Streams trilogy (starts with Warlord of the Air) by Michael Moorcock. Timetravelling steampunk SF. Moorcock is a great author.Awesome fremetar by wxdruid.
From the discomfort of truth there is only one refuge and that is ignorance. I do not need to be comfortable, and I will not take refuge. I demand to *know*.
So I guess I have an internets? | And a trophy. | And a music cookie (whatever that is).
-
2012-05-28, 02:56 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2006
- Location
- Under a 1st Ed AD&D DMG
-
2012-05-28, 06:10 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jul 2011
Re: A Book a Day, to Keep Autumn Away...
It's dangerous out there; take a map.
-
2012-05-28, 03:48 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Nov 2010
- Location
- Toledo, Ohio
- Gender
Re: A Book a Day, to Keep Autumn Away...
Try the first book in David Drake's RCN series. With The lightnings. I'm pretty sure the ebook is available free from the publisher.
-
2012-05-28, 09:39 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Nov 2006
Re: A Book a Day, to Keep Autumn Away...
So, I finished Pathfinder, by Orson Scott Card, today. Pretty interesting premise, though the whole time manipulation thing has my head spinning with all the crazy paradoxes.
If you guys are interested, I can probably do full reviews of every book I read. Just a little project I've been considering on the side I suppose.
Well, Gunslinger is on hold. I can't seem to find copies of Jurassic Park at my local library, but maybe one of the local universities will have it. Stephen King has so many books out there... I suppose it's tough to keep every single one of his books in a single library system.
Oh many, Altered Carbon has such a fascinating synopsis. I absolutely cannot wait to read this. Added to the list. Fingers crossed that my library has it!
Night Watch series (Night Watch, Day Watch, Twilight Watch, Last Watch) by Sergei Lukyanenko. Modern fantasy by a Russian author. It's translated, but the English translation is pretty good. The first book was adapted into two movies a coupla years ago, you might have caught it (Night Watch / Day Watch).
The Witcher series (The Last Wish is a collection of short stories, The Blood of Elves is the start of a longer trilogy) by Andrzej Sapkowski. Fairly dark fantasy series by a Polish author. Again, the English translation isn't bad. Adapted into a videogame series.
If you like SF, you've probably read the Dune series by Frank Herbert.
Age of the Five (trilogy starts with Priestess of the White) by Trudi Canavan. Straightforward fantasy series with an above-average narrative.
The Nomad of the Time Streams trilogy (starts with Warlord of the Air) by Michael Moorcock. Timetravelling steampunk SF. Moorcock is a great author.
Added.
This is rather immense. As much as I love flowcharts, I really don't have any strong preference towards either Fantasy or SciFi, hence the request for suggestions. It's a rather expansive list though, thanks! I'll keep it bookmarked.
I should probably take the time to establish this (to everybody)... I don't necessarily have to read fiction or scifi. If you know a really good book, feel free to pipe up!
Hmm, the publisher site seems to be selling the eBook versions. Do you have a link to a download? Pardon me. My Google Fu is weak today.Avatar by araveugnitsuga | Play by Post (Guide) | Steam
Homebrewers' Extended Signatures
Hey Look, a Summer Reading List!
-
2012-05-28, 10:29 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2010
- Gender
Re: A Book a Day, to Keep Autumn Away...
-
2012-05-28, 10:41 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2008
- Gender
Re: A Book a Day, to Keep Autumn Away...
Well, at least the first Mistborn trilogy is self-contained. If I'm reading it correctly, it also lists Wheel of Time as a finished series, which is hilarious. I also disagree with its placement of The Name of the Wind (which I'm glad to see is already on the to-read list!) as being similar to Harry Potter with the main draw being 'a precocious lad at a school of magic'. Just . . . not even close.
Still, I do love me a good flowchart, and as long as I also am looking for more good fantasy to read over the summer, I believe I'll make use of it.Last edited by Helanna; 2012-05-28 at 10:42 PM.
-
2012-05-29, 01:03 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2006
- Location
- Under a 1st Ed AD&D DMG
Re: A Book a Day, to Keep Autumn Away...
-
2012-05-29, 01:49 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Mar 2011
- Gender
Re: A Book a Day, to Keep Autumn Away...
Yeah, the book's body-swapping tech is quite unique. The books are rather dark, so be warned, but the setting itself is so damn intriguing.
Before I add this to the list, are there multiple translations, like with many other Russian -> English novels? If so, which one is best?
I've played the games. I tried tracking down the books a few years ago, but I wasn't able to locate any copies at the time. How similar are they compared to the games?Awesome fremetar by wxdruid.
From the discomfort of truth there is only one refuge and that is ignorance. I do not need to be comfortable, and I will not take refuge. I demand to *know*.
So I guess I have an internets? | And a trophy. | And a music cookie (whatever that is).
-
2012-05-29, 05:04 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jul 2011
Re: A Book a Day, to Keep Autumn Away...
Off that list, I'd specifically suggest Hyperion by Dan Simmons and The Mote in God's Eye Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle. And, sorry, I read the OP as "suggest sci-fi and fantasy fiction to me." The Philip Marlowe books by Raymond Chandler are my favorite genre novel "series", though since there isn't really any continuity between them, it doesn't matter what order you read them in. The first one chronologically, The Big Sleep, is my favorite. But that's just, like, my opinion.
-
2012-05-29, 08:00 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jun 2009
- Location
- UK
Re: A Book a Day, to Keep Autumn Away...
"Wolf Hall" by Hilary Mantel- Booker prize winner and awsome book about Thomas Cromwell
"The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay" by Michael Chabon.
"Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell" by Susanna Clarke
All bloody brilliant books!Last edited by Megatron46; 2012-05-29 at 08:01 AM.
Games I'm DMing
Games I'm playing
-
2012-05-29, 10:29 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Oct 2009
Re: A Book a Day, to Keep the Autumn Away...
Fantasy
David Gemmell Drenai Series, Rigante series and Stones of Power
among the best series of books I´ve ever read
Raymond E. Feist Riftwar Saga
Science Fiction
E. E. Knight Vampire Earth
the ending was a huge letdown but the series was entertaining ^^
Michael A. Stackpole Blood of Kerensky Trilogy and Warrior Trilogy
ie his battletech novelsLast edited by Emmerask; 2012-05-29 at 10:30 AM.
-
2012-05-29, 11:11 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Sep 2009
Re: A Book a Day, to Keep Autumn Away...
Just a note regarding the David Weber Books: some of his stuff(as well as works by other authors) can be found for Free on Baen's website, in the Free library section.
I'll suggest Ready Player One, by Ernest Cline. Basically a love letter to the 1980's, and nerd/videogame culture in general.
Also, Abarat, by Clive Barker, is a good series. If you want to read it, you really need the paper editions, though, because the art is what truly sells it, at least for me.
Lord of Light, by Roger Zelazny is also really good. Sci-fi mixed with Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity. His other works, such as the Amber series I've also found enjoyable. Note that the link to the series is to the compilation book.
Also, have you read anything by Jim Butcher?He fears his fate too much, and his reward is small, who will not put it to the touch, to win or lose it all.
-James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose
Satomi by Elagune
-
2012-05-29, 11:14 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Oct 2009
Re: A Book a Day, to Keep Autumn Away...
Last edited by Emmerask; 2012-05-29 at 11:17 AM.
-
2012-05-29, 09:18 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Nov 2006
Re: A Book a Day, to Keep Autumn Away...
Hmm. Yeah I'm mostly limited by my library's availability. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to ask if they could order it.
Hmm, I think I'll skip the Witcher then. My local library system didn't have the Night Watch series, but I've sent a note to a University library asking if they have it.
I've added Hyperion and Mote.
I'll check my library for which books from Chandler are available, and read their jacket covers I suppose, then I'll add those to the list. By chronologically, and "isn't really any continuity" I take it you mean in order of publication?
Jonathan Strange was suggested by someone else I think, and should be on the list... let me go check... yup.
I cannot seem to locate a copy of Kavalier and Clay in any local library system (I had this problem with Watchmen as well, and Maus). I'll keep trying.
I've added Legend (Drenai series?) to the list, and the Rigante series as well. Stones of Power starts with which book... Ghost King? Wikipedia seems to list the series as part of a greater series (I suppose it'd be called a subseries at that point).
Okay, so, before we even get into the subject of vampires... in Vampire Earth, are we talking about the murderous, bloodsucking bat-peoples, or are we talking about swooning-with-love Twilight vampires? Absolutely nothing against Twilight vampires at all (absolutely nothing against the book either; I haven't read it, I can't judge, and if that many people are head over heels for it... she has to have done something right... maybe...).
Ooh, I'll check this out. I do prefer a physical book whenever possible though.
I'll suggest Ready Player One, by Ernest Cline. Basically a love letter to the 1980's, and nerd/videogame culture in general.
Also, Abarat, by Clive Barker, is a good series. If you want to read it, you really need the paper editions, though, because the art is what truly sells it, at least for me.
Lord of Light, by Roger Zelazny is also really good. Sci-fi mixed with Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity. His other works, such as the Amber series I've also found enjoyable. Note that the link to the series is to the compilation book.
Also, have you read anything by Jim Butcher?
Jim Butcher is on the list multiple times I think now.
Bam! Added. That was easy.
Good news on the library front. Three books are ready for pickup at my library. I'll pick them up tomorrow, and then I can reserve three more!Avatar by araveugnitsuga | Play by Post (Guide) | Steam
Homebrewers' Extended Signatures
Hey Look, a Summer Reading List!
-
2012-05-29, 09:34 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jul 2011
-
2012-05-30, 12:38 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2006
- Location
- Under a 1st Ed AD&D DMG
-
2012-05-30, 05:21 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jan 2008
- Gender
Re: A Book a Day, to Keep Autumn Away...
The Shannara series, by Terry Brooks.
It is inevitable, of course, that persons of epicurean refinement will in the course of eternity engage in dealings with those of... unsavory character. Record well any transactions made, and repay all favors promptly.. (Thanks to Gnomish Wanderer for the Toreador avatar! )
Wanna see what all this Exalted stuff is about? Here's a primer!
-
2012-05-30, 05:50 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Oct 2009
Re: A Book a Day, to Keep Autumn Away...
Yep, legend is the first book of the drenai series.
You can start the stones of power series either with Ghost King or with Wolf in Shadows (the other subseries).
Actually the title of the book is misleading
It is about aliens having conquered the world and the resistance of one small part of the us against them.
The "vampires" are genetically engineered killing/harvest machines that suck life energy out of people to transfer it to the aliens, humans in the books only call them vampires because they are very close to those mythical creatures ^^
-
2012-05-30, 03:28 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Nov 2010
- Location
- Toledo, Ohio
- Gender
Re: A Book a Day, to Keep Autumn Away...
Here's links to the first 3 books (The only ones that are part of the Free Library.)
http://www.baenebooks.com/p-469-with...ightnings.aspx
http://www.baenebooks.com/p-258-lt-l...ommanding.aspx
http://www.baenebooks.com/p-140-the-...the-stars.aspx
Despite showing a price, the books are actually free. Baen regularly makes the older portions of it's library away for free both to encourage readers to obtain the rest of a series, and as a snub to DRM advocates. You can verify this by looking in the lower right-hand portion of the product page, where you will see something along the lines of:
Published 7/1/2000
SKU: 0671578863
Ebook Price: $4.00
Baen Free Library Book
-
2012-05-31, 07:28 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Nov 2006
Re: A Book a Day, to Keep Autumn Away...
Hmm, interesting. Alright I'll try to track down these books.
So just looking at Wikipedia... where do I start? There are so many books... I guess when looking at large series, there's always the Narnia or Discworld Dilemma (hey that rolls off the tongue rather nicely!). Would it make more sense to read chronologically, or in order of publication?
Okay, I suppose I'll just add both to the library holds system and read them in the order they come in.
Actually the title of the book is misleading
It is about aliens having conquered the world and the resistance of one small part of the us against them.
The "vampires" are genetically engineered killing/harvest machines that suck life energy out of people to transfer it to the aliens, humans in the books only call them vampires because they are very close to those mythical creatures ^^
Ooh, sweet! I'll probably read these when I'm between library books.
I finished Fallen yesterday. At first glance it seemed like a book for young teenage girls, but I found it oddly riveting. It raised some rather interesting questions about reform schools and friendship. I'm probably being too vague at this point, but I'd be giving away the rest of the book otherwise. It's quite good. I'd definitely recommend it to you guys.
Need to Add... (note to self)
- Stones of Power
- Philip Marlowe
- Vampire Earth
Edit: Just finished Across the Universe. It was not that great. Not the worst I've read, but it wasn't great either. I'll have more on this book tomorrow probably.Last edited by Neftren; 2012-05-31 at 09:41 PM.
Avatar by araveugnitsuga | Play by Post (Guide) | Steam
Homebrewers' Extended Signatures
Hey Look, a Summer Reading List!