Whatcha Reading

[mapes]

I geuss I'm curious as to whom among us are readers and spurned on by the "Whatcha listening too thread" I'm starting this one


Currently I'm reading Pork Chop Hill by SLA Marshall

[Apache Warrior]

I am currently reading Matter by Iain M. Banks.
Apache

[LIMEY]

This thread

[Rand{CLR}]

Reaper's Gale, by Steven Erikson.

Homicide: a Year on the Killing Streets; The Stark Truth (baseball); Vincent Bugliosi's massive book on the JFK assassination, and Runaways HC Vol 2 are all in my "next up" pile.

-Rand

[BlackArrow]

"World Without End" by Ken Follett


Its the follow up to "Pillars of the Earth" which was one of my favorite books ever.

[juneau]

"The Tale Of The Body Theif" by Anne Rice.

[Trooper110]

The Great Book of Amber by Roger Zelazny

and halfway through Collapse by Jared Diamond which keeps getting put aside as I find other books I want to read more, lol.

I'll read just about anything though, I probably own a few thousand books on my own and I've read everything my brother owns as well as most of what my parents have on top of everything I've ever borrowed or rented.

My two big genre's are Sci-fi and fantasy, but I just love reading in general.

[Apache Warrior]

I loved the Amber Series. But, my favorite book by Roger Zelazny is Lord of Light.
Apache

[Trooper110]

Is that more of his fantasy type stuff Apache? Most of Zelazny that I've read before this was his "pure" Sci-fi but I'm really enjoying the Amber series so far.

[Apache Warrior]

Actually Lord of Light is a combination of both genres. It won the Hugo in 1986 for best novel.

Lord of Light is set on a planet colonized by the remnants of a destroyed "Urath", Earth. The crew and colonists from the Star of India found themselves on a strange planet surrounded by hostile indigenous races and had to carve a place for themselves or perish. To increase their chances of survival the crew used chemical treatments, biofeedback and electronics to manipulate their minds to manifest superhuman powers. The available technologies also allowed near-immortality through reincarnation using the growth of new bodies and electronic mind transfer.

Over time, the crew gain great powers and manage to subjugate or destroy the native non-human races (which they characterize as "demons") while setting themselves up as "gods" in the eyes of the many generations of colonist progeny. Taking on the powers and names of Hindu deities these "gods" maintain respect and control of the masses by maintaining a strangle hold on the access to reincarnation and by suppressing any technological advancements beyond a medieval level. The "gods" fear that any enlightenment or advancement might lead to a technological renaissance that would eventually weaken their power.

The protagonist, Sam, who has the ability to manipulate electromagnetic forces, is a renegade crewman who has turned down god-hood, believes that technology should be encouraged for the masses, and the right of reincarnation should be available to all. Sam introduces Buddhism as a culture jamming tool and with this new religion, murder and outright rebellion strives to cripple the power of the "gods".

Apache (I think I am going to reread this one next.)

[Trooper110]

Hmmm, I just may be taking me a trip to the book store this weekend...hehe

[mapes]

Yeah I love Zelazny. God it seems like years ago I read the amber series. For wierdness factor read Creatures of Light and Darkness. I love the Agnostics Prayer in that book.

Lets see Besides Pork Chop Hill I just recently reread Cobweb by Neal Stephenson which was a pretty good read. If any of you read and liked Snowcrash you should read this book as well.

Yeah....I'm so happy other people read too....I'm not a freak... at least not a lone freak.

[Apache Warrior]

I have been a readaholic all my life. I reread good books, which means I keep my books. I just went into the walk in closet, that I converted to my library, and pulled Lord of Light to reread. I noticed that I am running out of room in there. I wonder if my wife will give me another closet?:D
Apache

[mapes]

and halfway through Collapse by Jared Diamond which keeps getting put aside as I find other books I want to read more, lol.



I missed this earlier. I read Guns, Germs and Steel by him and enjoyed the book.

[paceman]

The Company - Robert Littlle

A fictitious account of the beginnings of the CIA.

[GeneralSnake]

Eyes of the Dragon by Stephen King. Just started it today before I ran some errands. I am only about 70 pages into it, but I can tell already I am going to like it.
I need to check out this Lord of Light you guys speak of, it sounds really cool.
I just finished the Uncut edition of The Stand with about 500 extra pages. I liked The Stand a lot.

[Apache Warrior]

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/z/roger-zelazny/
Check out other Roger Zelazny books. I have most of them. He was one of my favorite authors.
Apache

[Trooper110]

mapes, that's where I heard about him first. Got this book then when it came out. It's well written and interesting as well, just tends to be a bit dryer in my opinion so I'm reading it in stretches and then other things before I return to it :P Now off to the bookstore tomorrow for more Zelazny!

[mapes]

I heard this guy on NPR he was funny. I'm going to go buy his book tonight. It's about his 4 years in the advertising section of Atlantic Records

There is a light and its bulb needs changed

Q: How many record executives does it take to change a light bulb?

A: First of all, before we change anything, is the light bulb really burned out? Maybe we just need to breathe some life into it; repackage it, maybe the light bulb could do a duet with somebody (Sheryl Crow? Tim McGraw?) in hopes of getting some crossover appeal, maybe it could be in a beer commercial, maybe we could get it out on the road with a brighter light bulb. The other thing to think about is that this summer, Honda is rolling out a 100 Million dollar campaign for a new car aimed at thirty-somethings who consider themselves adventurous/spontaneous but can't really afford something like a luxury S.U.V. and it might be a perfect campaign to tie this light bulb into, at least it would be the perfect demographic, in terms of age.

Also, and this is just an idea: what if we found out what video games are being released in the third quarter and maybe pitched the idea of having our light bulb make an appearance in the video game at some certain level of completion; like, you get to a dark cave, let's say, if it's an adventure game, and if you have enough points you can get the light bulb - and it would be our light bulb, obviously - and then it's easier to see in the cave. The other thing is this: worst-case scenario the light bulb is, in fact, burned out. Is that really the end of the world? I mean, maybe that's actually of more value to us in the long run: Picture this for voice over: "The light bulb is dead. . . but the legend lives on. . . re-released, re-mastered, revealed. . . the light bulb. . . IN STORES NOW." It almost makes more sense than taking the time changing it, plus, if it's dead we can sell it without dealing with it, you know what I mean? No demands from it, no hotels, no road expense, no delays in the project from its end, etc. But, like I said, I'm just thinking off the top of my head here, just brainstorming, and none of this is written in stone. But the first thing we should do is figure out how we want to handle this, because the light bulb's manager is a total nightmare and we're going to have to take a meeting and listen to him sooner or later, and we should know what our plan is before we sit down with him. And let me tell you right now that the first thing out of his mouth is going to be, "This light bulb should be the brightest light bulb in the world, and it could be the brightest light bulb in the world, but you need to support the light bulb, you need to give the light bulb TV ads, you need to be more active in giving the light bulb tour support, we need to have some promotion from your end!" and on and on. And in that meeting, if you're in it, the only answer from our side should be that we're obviously very excited to be working with the light bulb, that we don't think it needs to be changed, that the only problem is people haven't seen how bright the light bulb could be, and our plan is to do everything we can to make this light bulb happen.

I'll send out an email to everyone before the meeting to remind people of our position on this, but the bottom line is we don't have the budgets right now, and basically we need to see something happening with the light bulb before we go throwing good money after bad, but obviously we can't have the light bulb's manager hearing that. I can tell you all that I'm personally very excited to be working with the light bulb, I think it will light up very brightly, and we're not going to stop working the light bulb, in whatever ways budgets will permit, until it does, in fact, light up very brightly. . . the light bulb is a very big priority for us from the top of the company to the bottom. Period. We can talk more about this when I am back from Barbados next week, and I'm going to need everybody's help on this. I know we can do it, but we need everybody working hard.

[JohnyRico]

Armageddon's Children by Terry Brooks and Breakthoughs by Harry Turtledove.

Pillars of the Earth was fantastic! I hope World Without End will be the same quality but since Pillars was so far above his usual ability I'm kinda worried. His other stuff is good but not like Pillars.

As for Zelazny, I have read all the Amber novels too and I think the best image I have of it is in the 1st or 2nd book where Corwin and his brother are attacking Amber up this enormous staircase carved into the mountain and they end up with fewer and fewer guys until it's just Corwin by himself going up. Awesome!

[Thrashdragon]

Stormrider - David Gemmell

[dirtyoldgoat]

I just finished the Uncut edition of The Stand with about 500 extra pages. I liked The Stand a lot.

The Stand is an excellent book, especially the unabridged version. It would make an excellent movie if done properly. Imagine if Peter Jackson got his hands on that script. *drool* The Gunslinger series is an excellent set of books by King if you haven't read those yet.

Armageddon's Children by Terry Brooks

Excellent book, I can't wait for the next part in the series.

I think the last book I read was 'Guardians of the West,' by David Eddings which is an excellent fantasy type series. The last book I purchased would be 'Proven Guilty' by Jim Butcher, which is part of the Harry Dresden series. Think private eye meets Harry Potter and you've got this series. Good stuff!

[Rand{CLR}]

The Stand already IS a pretty good movie/miniseries. Eight hours worth, done some time ago for ABC, and it turned out pretty well for the most part. The acting was pretty good.

-Rand

[Apache Warrior]

I think the last book I read was 'Guardians of the West,' by David Eddings which is an excellent fantasy type series. The last book I purchased would be 'Proven Guilty' by Jim Butcher, which is part of the Harry Dresden series. Think private eye meets Harry Potter and you've got this series. Good stuff!
I have read the complete series published so far.

The Sharpe series and The Saxon Series both by Bernard Cornwell all excellent books. Sharpe is set during the Napoleonic Wars and follows a British Officer. The Saxon Series is set in the time of Alfred the Great (late 800s) and follows a Saxon who was raised by The Danes and is torn between the two cultures.
Apache

[GeneralSnake]

The Stand is an excellent book, especially the unabridged version. It would make an excellent movie if done properly. Imagine if Peter Jackson got his hands on that script. *drool* The Gunslinger series is an excellent set of books by King if you haven't read those yet.



Excellent book, I can't wait for the next part in the series.

I think the last book I read was 'Guardians of the West,' by David Eddings which is an excellent fantasy type series. The last book I purchased would be 'Proven Guilty' by Jim Butcher, which is part of the Harry Dresden series. Think private eye meets Harry Potter and you've got this series. Good stuff!
Oh man, The Dark Tower series, that one is great. I finished that before starting The Stand. I really like how many of his stories are tied together by events or characters. Walter O Dim is my favorite character, and he is in many of Kings books. He is the main evil character in the one I am currently reading, The Eyes of the Dragon.
I would like to see a Dark Tower series movie, but it would probably be screwed up.
And did you mean you cant wait for the last book in the Dark Tower series? It is already out.

[mapes]

Oh man, The Dark Tower series, that one is great. I finished that before starting The Stand. I really like how many of his stories are tied together by events or characters. Walter O Dim is my favorite character, and he is in many of Kings books. He is the main evil character in the one I am currently reading, The Eyes of the Dragon.
I would like to see a Dark Tower series movie, but it would probably be screwed up.
And did you mean you cant wait for the last book in the Dark Tower series? It is already out.

So I have to say I love the Gunslinger book. the other books in the series I'm a bit so so on.

[Trooper110]

Actually, I'd go as far as recommending any of Bernard Cornwells's series. I've read 2 or 3, it's too tough to think after work exactly what the titles are, but they've all been excellent. If you like fantasy I'd suggest looking the Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind and A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin, two of my favorite fantasy series to date.

Any major sci-fi fans around here? I haven't heard any mention of it yet, but I have to say although I'll read anything, sci-fi is my major love and I usually have to take a break on occasion to read some :P Alistair Reynolds is one of my "current" favorite authors. And then of course all the old guys who are mostly dead now :P

[linemanstud]

I ready mostly Tom Clancy, John Grisham, and Michael Crichton.

Right now I am on Clear and Present Danger by Tom Clancy.

[linemanstud]

oh, and Im reading Playing for Pizza by John Grisham. Its an easy one or two day read, and a good book for people who are passionate about football.

[Apache Warrior]

Time Enough For Love, Starship Trooper, The Puppet Masters, Tunnel In The Sky, Citizen of the Galaxy, Glory Road, Stranger in a Strange Land (uncut version) and Friday. All of these are by Robert Heinlein and all are excellent.
Apache

[Trooper110]

Heh, I think it would be easier to name the Heinlein that I haven't read, even if some was borrowed from the library :P

[Apache Warrior]

Heh, I think it would be easier to name the Heinlein that I haven't read, even if some was borrowed from the library :P

There are some you haven't read? I think have have read all of his. Quite a few more than once.
Apache

[Trooper110]

Well, I'm sure there's a few short stories that have fallen through the cracks on me Apache :P

Although honestly, I'd say the ones I/my dad own I've probably read a minimum of twice each.

[mapes]

Over the weekend I picked up Rock On! an office Ballad. It was a quick read.....the guy was pretty funny. It took about a day and half to read.

I never got into Heinlein that much..... My current favs for Sci Fi are William Gibson and Neal Stephenson.

I used to be really into Fantasy but, for some reason I'm currently drawn to war biographies and history books lately. I know not eveyone is into encryption and cryptanalysis but honestly a really good read is "The Code Book" by Simon Singh. entertaining and educational.

[Apache Warrior]

If you like off the wall authors you should pick up Christopher Moore.
His book Blood Sucking Fiends: A Love Story is extremely hilarious. He wrote a sequel Love Sucks.
Other books by him are The Stupidest Angel, Lamb The Gospel of Biff, The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove, Practical Demonkeeping, and others.

http://www.chrismoore.com/books.html

Apache

[Trooper110]

You guys are killing me, I'll have no entertainment budget this month cause I'm just going to be buying new books....

[CarbonFire]

Great thread.....it's reminding me I need to read more :2thumbs:

My latest read:

Altered Carbon by Richard K Morgan

[drunken_chef]

I just finished

Storm front by Jim Butcher

before that I reread a Roger Zelazny that I've had for years Four for Tomorrow


there are really shortened versions of the mentioned novels? sigh

[Apache Warrior]

Arthur C. Clarke died today. He was 90 years old. For those of you who do not know he wrote 2001: A Space Odyssey. He also wrote a lot of other very good books. :sad:
Apache

[Trooper110]

Noooo :cry: How the heck did I miss that one? :( Sad sad loss :cry:

[mapes]

Arthur C. Clarke died today. He was 90 years old. For those of you who do not know he wrote 2001: A Space Odyssey. He also wrote a lot of other very good books. :sad:
Apache


Isn't that Sir Arthur C. Clarke? Didn't he come up with the idea of the geostationary satellites and the space elevator?

[{CLR} Naillik]

The Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind...
Great books, favorite is probably all of them... :D

[Apache Warrior]

Isn't that Sir Arthur C. Clarke? Didn't he come up with the idea of the geostationary satellites and the space elevator?
Yes he was Knighted.


He was not the originator of the concept of geostationary satellites, one of his most important contributions may be his idea that they would be ideal telecommunications relays. He advanced this idea in a paper privately circulated among the core technical members of the BIS in 1945.


Clarke's three laws:
"When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is possible, he is almost certainly right. When he states that something is impossible, he is very probably wrong."
"The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible."
"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."

Apache

[GeneralSnake]

Just finished The Eyes of the Dragon.
I am going to go check out Lord of Light

[Zantheus]

Just picked up 7 new books currently reading "Battle Ready" written by Tom Clancy and assisted by Gen. Tony Zinni (ret.)

[Apache Warrior]

Just finished The Eyes of the Dragon.
I am going to go check out Lord of Light
I just finished rereading my Lord of Light the other day. I so love rereading excellent books.
Apache

[Trooper110]

Finished The Greater Book of Amber at dinner. I'll probably start Lord of Light tomorrow sometime.

[Apache Warrior]

Two other Zelazny books you might want to check out are Creatures of Light and Darkness and Doorways in the Sand.
Apache

[Apache Warrior]

I am now rereading Uller Uprising by H. Beam Piper. It was written in 1952 and uses the British East India Company and the Sepoy Mutiny for the basis of the novel.
Apache

[GeneralSnake]

Has anyone read The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck?

[Rand{CLR}]

I'm on to the Passporter's Guide to Walt Disney World now, since I'm going in August. :)

Next up is Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets.

-Rand

[Trooper110]

Has anyone read The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck?

I read it as required back in high school. Can't say I really remember it though.

[Jeffro]

"Communion" by: Whitley Streiber. don't want to spur another conversation here but if anybody gets the chance to read this book, please read it. caution: involves extraterrestrial ideas and references. this book has really opened my mind.

[BigTwinky]

Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman

[Apache Warrior]

If you haven't read "Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch" you really should. It is a collaboration between Niel Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. It is a scream.
Apache

[mapes]

If you haven't read "Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch" you really should. It is a collaboration between Niel Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. It is a scream.
Apache

I agree one hundred percent....excellent read!

[Apache Warrior]

I read it again for the third time two months ago.
Apache

[Ugshar]

The Art of War- Sun Tzu
Idiots Guide to Sniping
as a joke from a squadmate after i got shot How to Dodge Bullets by Private Miller

[Sirex]

I dont read much, not much of a reader...

but

(yeah i know)

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/510LpmPzAOL._AA240_.jpg

Its funny!!! Humor is its great!
Ok its a comic but its still reading :p

And its my first (non school-book) in 4 years.

[Apache Warrior]

The Art of War- Sun Tzu
Idiots Guide to Sniping
as a joke from a squadmate after i got shot How to Dodge Bullets by Private Miller
Don't forget The Go Rin No Sho by Miyamoto Musashi.
Apache

[Jeffro]

hey does anybody ever read books by dean koontz? i love his books, always good amount of twist in it to keep me interested :) thing about koontz is either you like him or you hate him, no in the middle.

[Trooper110]

I actually prefer Stephen King to Dean Koontz. Koontz seems too sporadic to me. I usually either really like his books, or think they're junk. And I can't determine which it will be beforehand.

[GeneralSnake]

I hated Anansi Boys. I couldnt even finish it.

[Rand{CLR}]

Anansi Boys was good, but Sandman is so much better. American Gods is better than Anansi Boys also.

-Rand

[Apache Warrior]

My favorite By Koontz was Dark Rivers of the Heart.
Another favorite book was The Wolf's Hour by Robert McCammon. This one is set in WWII and involves a British agent that is a werewolf. It is not a horror book. It is an action adventure.
Apache

[The_Needle]

Just finished the Treasure of Khan by Clive Cussler, now working on Star Wars: Allegiance by Timothy Zahn. Good stuff.

[The_Needle]

If you haven't read "Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch" you really should. It is a collaboration between Niel Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. It is a scream.
Apache


Anything by Terry Pratchett is a scream. I was saddened when I learned he has Alzheimers and we may only have one or two more books from such a brilliant writer.

[GeneralSnake]

I read it as required back in high school. Can't say I really remember it though.
I read it about 2 years ago in school, but I chose it. I really liked that book.
You guys should check that one out.

[ThisElfRocksHard]

I hated Anansi Boys. I couldnt even finish it.

Oh, I can't do that! Once I have started a book, I must finish it, no matter how awful it is! I just finished this one book that was completely horrid, I almost started tearing out pages it was so predictable, but I didn't want to not know how it ended. I have to add this author to my list of people I will never read anything from again, ever. But I just had to finish the book, it is like a movie for me.

[Apache Warrior]

Oh, I can't do that! Once I have started a book, I must finish it, no matter how awful it is! I just finished this one book that was completely horrid, I almost started tearing out pages it was so predictable, but I didn't want to not know how it ended. I have to add this author to my list of people I will never read anything from again, ever. But I just had to finish the book, it is like a movie for me.
There has only been one book that I could not finish reading. Any one remember The Scarlet Letter? I had to read it in high school and it was absolutely horrid. I am lucky that I was already a readaholic or that may have kept me from ever reading another book.
I am rereading Island In The Sea Of Time by S. M. Stirling.
Apache

[Rand{CLR}]

There has only been one book that I could not finish reading. Any one remember The Scarlet Letter? I had to read it in high school and it was absolutely horrid. I am lucky that I was already a readaholic or that may have kept me from ever reading another book.
I am rereading Island In The Sea Of Time by S. M. Stirling.
Apache

I got through all the stuff I was required to read for school, but found almost all of them terrible and highly overrated. Much better to pick up my own selections when given the chance for class--The Once and Future King leaps out.

The one book that I have not been able to finish is Lord Foul's Bane, by Stephen Donaldson. Absolutely terrible. And I tried at least twice, with several years difference in between.

-Rand

[Trooper110]

I actually read the Scarlet Letter and enjoyed it. I wouldn't have picked it by choice for any reason though :P Only book I've never been able to finish, let alone get halfway through was for school though. Sense and Sensability :P

[Rovey Wade]

The Once and Future King leaps out.


That is one of the few required reading books I liked. That and Edith Hamilton's Mythology come to mind.

[Ghost_Rain]

Lord of the Rings

[TEAMKILLERZ]

I'm reading And Eternity, by Piers Anthony.

[GeneralSnake]

The Martian Chronicles, Ray Bradbury.
They did not have ANY Zelazney books. I put in a form for them to order Lord of Light.
I didnt like Anansi Boys because of the characters. Fat coward was cowardly, letting his evil brother woo his woman and screw her. When that happens its time for some shooting. The writing was fine, but fat charlie really pissed me off. I actually got angry reading that book.

[[TT]BrundleFly]

I am still adding to my collection of Victoria's Secret Catalogs. The stories? are inviting... http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v195/BaxterT/Smilies/Jerkit.gif :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

[Trooper110]

Reminds me of my brother....he actually DID have a Playboy for a story in it, lol.

Read Lord of Light, pretty good.

Currently on Mammoth by John Varley and then I have Red Thunder and Red Lighting by him to read. Obsession by Jonathan Kellerman and Heat by Bill Buford are sitting on my to read pile as well. Easter was good to me :D

[Dead...Again]

Oh man, The Dark Tower series, that one is great. I finished that before starting The Stand. I really like how many of his stories are tied together by events or characters. Walter O Dim is my favorite character, and he is in many of Kings books. He is the main evil character in the one I am currently reading, The Eyes of the Dragon.
I would like to see a Dark Tower series movie, but it would probably be screwed up.
And did you mean you cant wait for the last book in the Dark Tower series? It is already out.
I am reading the last Dark Tower book right now. I really liked that series.

[Dead...Again]

I got through all the stuff I was required to read for school, but found almost all of them terrible and highly overrated. Much better to pick up my own selections when given the chance for class--The Once and Future King leaps out.

The one book that I have not been able to finish is Lord Foul's Bane, by Stephen Donaldson. Absolutely terrible. And I tried at least twice, with several years difference in between.

-Rand
I pretty much hated all of the books I had to read in school with one notable exception. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas is one of my favorite books. I have read it numerous times.

I have read both Thomas Covenant Chronicles. I admit I did struggle with them at times, mostly I think because Thomas Covenant is very unlikable at times, but overall I liked them.

[GeneralSnake]

Can I get a list of all of the Halo books? In chronological order if not too much trouble.
And Brundle...dude..man..that smiley is ridiculous.

[JohnyRico]

My favorite By Koontz was Dark Rivers of the Heart.
Another favorite book was The Wolf's Hour by Robert McCammon. This one is set in WWII and involves a British agent that is a werewolf. It is not a horror book. It is an action adventure.
Apache

Seriously, more than Odd Thomas or the Christopher Snow books?

[JohnyRico]

I am reading the last Dark Tower book right now. I really liked that series.

That's a series that just screams out to be a game/ movie/ series. Roland is a charator that King could write about for 20 more books. :2thumbs:

[GeneralSnake]

The Martian Chronicles was a really interesting book. It is a short and easy read too, you guys should check it out.
Oh, Johnny, and all others who like the DT series, read The Eyes Of The Dragon by Stephen King. It is a really good book and has a character from the DT series, my favorite character.

[Rovey Wade]

Can I get a list of all of the Halo books? In chronological order if not too much trouble.

I could be wrong here, but I think several authors might write Halo books.

[Br@nFl@Kes{CLR}]

Night - Elie Weisel....very disturbing firsthand account of a teen living at Auschwitz/Buchenwald concentration camps during the holocaust

[Kenshin Himura]

Night - Elie Weisel....very disturbing firsthand account of a teen living at Auschwitz/Buchenwald concentration camps during the holocaust
I've read Night as well. :D

We read it during our 11th grade US History class. It's a miracle that he made it through all the, my I say, hell that they had to go through. I can't imagine living in an ever present state of fear and obscurity... never knowing if this day is your last or not. Nobody should ever have to go through the living nightmare that these people had to endure.

[JohnyRico]

Oh, Johnny, and all others who like the DT series, read The Eyes Of The Dragon by Stephen King. It is a really good book and has a character from the DT series, my favorite character.

Yep, read that one too. King co-wrote a pair of books with Peter Straub that tie in directly with DT also. The Talisman compares very well with Eyes of the Dragon and Dark House takes the boy from Talisman and grows him up to adulthood where he has a very gunslinger-ish adventure. Two great minds working together! :2thumbs:

[{CLR} Naillik]

I'm re reading the Wheel of Time... Again... using it as a bridge until I find the next great series... I usually read the entire Legacy of Drizzt along with War of the Spider Queen when I'm looking for good authors but it's time to read WoT again... anyone have any series to suggest?

Something similar to the things that Robert Jordan, Terry Goodkind, Terry Brooks, R.A. Salvatore write... I love em :)

[mapes]

I'm re reading the Wheel of Time... Again... using it as a bridge until I find the next great series... I usually read the entire Legacy of Drizzt along with War of the Spider Queen when I'm looking for good authors but it's time to read WoT again... anyone have any series to suggest?

Something similar to the things that Robert Jordan, Terry Goodkind, Terry Brooks, R.A. Salvatore write... I love em :)


Dude WoT series.....jeez by the 7th book I'm like "I just don't care "

[Rand{CLR}]

I'm re reading the Wheel of Time... Again... using it as a bridge until I find the next great series... I usually read the entire Legacy of Drizzt along with War of the Spider Queen when I'm looking for good authors but it's time to read WoT again... anyone have any series to suggest?

Something similar to the things that Robert Jordan, Terry Goodkind, Terry Brooks, R.A. Salvatore write... I love em :)

Goodkind is a rip-off hack of Jordan. I bought the first four of his series based on recommendation, and felt obligated to finish them, but also felt severely ripped off and ticked when I was done.

Have you read George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire? How about Steven Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen? Those are the two best epic fantasy series out there by living authors.

For some slightly older stuff, check out Glen Cook's Black Company series, Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser by Lieber, Elric by Moorcock, and Vlad Taltos by Brust.

Dude WoT series.....jeez by the 7th book I'm like "I just don't care "

You missed some very cool things in 8-10. They've announced the guy who's going to finish the series, so I hope Jordan left enough behind and he's got enough mimic/descriptive power to pull off the completion.

-Rand

[{CLR} Naillik]

never read any of those Rand... but I'll see if I can find em in any Irish bookstores (things look grim atm....). I made the mistake of only bringing book 1 & 2 of WoT for a 10 day trip with long car rides along with planes... :(

If they dont have them here I will find back in London

[Donziboy2]

Can I get a list of all of the Halo books? In chronological order if not too much trouble.
And Brundle...dude..man..that smiley is ridiculous.

Ok think i know most if not all of them out as of about 6 months ago
First three are a set from same author in order. Other 2 take place at other times in the story.


The Fall of Reach - Eric Nylund
First Strike - Eric Nylund
Ghosts of Onyx - Eric Nylund
The Flood - William C. Dietz
Contact Harvest - Joseph Staten

Contact Harvest is the last 1 to be released as far as i know and its actually takes place before the spartan program.

I'm also a big fan of Christopher Paolini The author of the Eragon book. He also did Eldest which is the second book in the series of 4 that is currently planed.

[Apache Warrior]

I am currently finishing Paul Sussman's first work of fiction, The Lost Army of Cambyses. It is a very good read.
I am going to start reading L.L. Modesit, Jr.'s lastest Recluce novel, Natural Order Mage. I have really enjoyed the whole Recluce Saga.

For some slightly older stuff, check out Glen Cook's Black Company series, Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser by Lieber, Elric by Moorcock, and Vlad Taltos by Brust.

Rand, have your read Cook's Garrett P.I. series? It is a combination Fantasy and Murder Mystery. If you ever read any of Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe novels, this is similar. Garrett is the Archie Goodwin character and the Nero Wolfe character is The Dead Man.


I loved most of Fritz Lieber's books but, especially Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser.

Moorcock I read but I did not care as much for them.
I love Steven Brust's books. If you like the Vlad Taltos series you have to read The Khaavren Romances:

The Phoenix Guards (1991)
Five Hundred Years After (1994)
The Viscount of Adrilankha, published in three volumes:
The Paths of the Dead (2002)
The Lord of Castle Black (2003)
Sethra Lavode (2004)
Some people don't like the style he wrote them in but I thought it was brilliant.
Apache (readaholic)

[JohnyRico]

I'm re reading the Wheel of Time... Again... using it as a bridge until I find the next great series... I usually read the entire Legacy of Drizzt along with War of the Spider Queen when I'm looking for good authors but it's time to read WoT again... anyone have any series to suggest?

Something similar to the things that Robert Jordan, Terry Goodkind, Terry Brooks, R.A. Salvatore write... I love em :)


That series started off amazing but Jordan turned into a giant sell out and his books became 90% filler just so they could drag that series on forever and keep cashing in. Now I wait till they make it to the $5 table at Barnes and Noble, buy it and check the last page to see if it's finally over. When he gets to the end (if) I'll read 'em again to see how it turnes out.

Try George R. R. Martin and his series "A song of ice and fire" or Guy Gavriel Kay's "The Fionavar tapestry". Both are great.

[JohnyRico]

Goodkind is a rip-off hack of Jordan. I bought the first four of his series based on recommendation, and felt obligated to finish them, but also felt severely ripped off and ticked when I was done.

Have you read George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire? How about Steven Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen? Those are the two best epic fantasy series out there by living authors.

For some slightly older stuff, check out Glen Cook's Black Company series, Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser by Lieber, Elric by Moorcock, and Vlad Taltos by Brust.



You missed some very cool things in 8-10. They've announced the guy who's going to finish the series, so I hope Jordan left enough behind and he's got enough mimic/descriptive power to pull off the completion.

-Rand

Is your name from Rand Al'Thor? Did Jordan die or something? Didn't Goodkin start writing his books before WoT? So many questions.

There was a WoT fps about 8 years ago that was set before the books. You played a sister and had powers for weapons. It was pretty good but the best part was when you wake up at the start of a later level and realize... CRAP, I'M IN THE BLIGHT! I'M IN THE BLIGHT!

[Rand{CLR}]

Is your name from Rand Al'Thor? Did Jordan die or something? Didn't Goodkin start writing his books before WoT? So many questions.

There was a WoT fps about 8 years ago that was set before the books. You played a sister and had powers for weapons. It was pretty good but the best part was when you wake up at the start of a later level and realize... CRAP, I'M IN THE BLIGHT! I'M IN THE BLIGHT!


Yes.
Yes, last year of a very rare disease.
NO. In interviews Goodkind claims he started writing before Jordan, but he didn't; the publication date is four years after Eye of the World was released, and there are too many similarities to be coincidence. Unless Goodkind is claiming that Jordan mind-took his ideas?

I own the FPS, it was fun. I've also got the RPG books, which are interesting but short lived. They only released 2 books before someone got unhappy or something else happened. I've also got the RPG book for A Game of Thrones (George Martin's Song of Ice and Fire). What's interesting there is that the license ended over delays and fighting with the publisher, and it was re-licensed to another company, so there could be two separate RPG systems for that series. :twisted:

-Rand

P.S. Apache, I'll have to check those out sometime. If I can find them. For some reason Brust in particular is not the easiest to find in book stores, though the re-releases of the Taltos books are much more common now.

P.P.S. There are actually 11 Wheel of Time books; even I forgot how many there were:). I mentioned earlier that 8-10 had a lot happen; 11 had a lot more happen too, and actually began to get to a point where you could see the end of plotlines (*gasp*).

[Apache Warrior]

The Garrett PI books have started being rereleased now.
Apache

[Skud]

Journey to the End of the Night, by Ferdinand Celine. A pioneer in black (dark) humor.

[{CLR} Naillik]

Just picked up A Game of Thrones... and wow I love it :D ty Rand

(George R.R. Martin is pretty merciless imo :D)

[Trooper110]

lol, just wait until you get further along in to the series Nailik :D

[Rand{CLR}]

You have not yet seen merciless if you think he's that way in A Game of Thrones. He's one brutal dude.

-Rand

[JohnyRico]

P.P.S. There are actually 11 Wheel of Time books; even I forgot how many there were:). I mentioned earlier that 8-10 had a lot happen; 11 had a lot more happen too, and actually began to get to a point where you could see the end of plotlines (*gasp*).
12. Don't forget "New Spring". Prequel.

I didn't know he was dead. :cry: I think one of his greatest ideas was how to sneak trollocs into a city in broad daylight and not let anyone realize they were there. Tie strings to their arms and legs and make people think they were huge puppets with darkfriends pretending to control them.

[JohnyRico]

You have not yet seen merciless if you think he's that way in A Game of Thrones. He's one brutal dude.

-Rand
Ol' George is just getting warmed up. You've got 3 more books of "Holy crap! That's cold!" waiting for ya and then who knows how many left after that. The series is at 4 books and counting.

[JohnyRico]

OK, triple post. Bad form, sorry. I looked aound online a little and found that before passing away Jordan described the plot line for the last WoT book "Memory of Light" to his family. His wife selected a guy to write it and it's expected to publish in 2009.

[Rand{CLR}]

I don't count New Spring because it came out of a short story, and in fact half the book is simply the short story reprinted.

Martin claims that he will finally finish A Dance with Dragons next month or by June at the latest, His goal is to get it done before he goes to his next major convention. I'm worried about that series. He's a bit older than Jordan was, and a heck of a lot heavier, so at the pace he's writing, there seems to be little chance he will finish the series. Erickson is the most likely of the three to make it to the end.

-Rand

[{CLR} Naillik]

heh, thats a bit freaky if A Game of Thrones isn't considered brutal compared to the rest... freakin awesome ending. and middle. and start :D

I cant wait till I get the next :D

[{CLR} Naillik]

wow you were right. I managed to pick up A clash of kinds and A storm of swords... One part in A Storm of Swords actually made me sick (the Frey wedding betrayal). That's just.... nuts.

[JohnyRico]

wow you were right. I managed to pick up A clash of kinds and A storm of swords... One part in A Storm of Swords actually made me sick (the Frey wedding betrayal). That's just.... nuts.

I think the boy who would be king got the wolf skin hat to end all wolf skin hats. :shock:

[Skud]

Not sure if anyone else would like it, but "Journey to the End of the Night" by Ferdinand Celine is a great book. He is a pioneer in black (dark) humor...wrote this book about some experiences during and after the WWI. Reads like it could have been written this year. Also liked The Stand and The Gunslinger by King...or the Elric series by Michael Moorcock (serious), if fantasy is an interest. That's all for now...tired.

[Apache Warrior]

I am currently finishing rereading Colors of Chaos by L.E. Modesitt, Jr. This is the ninth book in The Recluce Saga.
Apache