Glorious books.

List what you are currently reading, the last few books you've read, your top five, and thoughts upon all of the above.

We're not just talking Fantasy/Sci-Fi here, peeps! But, I do not doubt that there will be a lot of it.

Backdoor sluts 9. It's a picture book.

For school: David Foster Wallace's Brief Interviews with Hideous Men. Just downright, damn crazy insane.

Also some others that I greatly enjoyed. Willa Cather's A Lost Lady, Nicola Barker's The Three Button Trick.

For fun, or at least, when I have the time to do so:

Star Wars: Legacy of the Force series. Unlike the previous Star Wars series, this one is written by three consistently amazing authors and has a much more tighter story line.

The Republic Commando series by Karen Traviss. Mixing her military experience with the Star Wars universe and deep philosophical and moral ideas and thoughts, Traviss has done an amazing job of taking mere clone troopers and turning them into enthralling individuals.

The Wess'Har Wars series. Karen Traviss' original IP. Damn good for the same reason as above.

Scott Adams' God's Debris and The Religion War are also excellent.

Some great "childrens" books I've also recently enjoyed: Kenneth Oppel's Airborn and Skybreaker, Pullman's His Dark Materials series.

And the coolest of all sci-fi writers: Neal Stephenson. Check out his Baroque Cycle trilogy along with The Diamond Age and Snowcrash.

Fiction: Currently reading 'The Last Wish', which I was surprised to see translated into English - much less on Australian shores. It's the first of the 'The Witcher' books, upon which the eponymous game was based, and a collection of short stories. It's really good! Classical and dark in equal measure, but I'm not sure if that's just the quality of the translation. I'm looking forward to the translation of the series proper.

Non-fiction: The Joke's Over, by Ralph Steadman. It's a collection of memories and thoughts upon his departed friend and collegue, Hunter S. Thompson. I've enjoyed it a lot, but I'm a large fan of the two already.

I'm going through the complete works of Sherlock Holmes. That is, the 56 short stories and 4 novels by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Specifically, I'm currently on Valley of Fear. I've only recently started reading these classics of the mystery genre, and I fear that maybe I've been missing out by putting it off for so long. The reason I'm so fond of them is not only because of the unique and amazing character of Holmes, but because of the setting of turn-of-the-century London. Of all the cultures I've become fascinated by, I never expected that 19th century England would be one of them.

I'm also re-reading Conversations with a Killer, which is a book containing interviews with Ted Bundy while he awaited execution. I've always been quite fascinated by serial killers, criminals in general, and the criminally insane specifically. I love to study history's most prolific killers from both sides of the law, and I often get sidetracked online when I search for one person and get linked to another. The reason this book is so interesting is because of its premise: Having promised the authors full disclosure, Ted Bundy was nonetheless quite tight-lipped about his own crimes. The authors, rather than giving up, decided to speak with him in a hypothetical sense. Rather than confessing, Ted was asked to help the authors develop the profile of who the killer might be, if it was the same person who committed all the murders Ted was accused of. This went over well because of Ted's love to talk about himself, even if it was in the third-person. The book actually catches him in many lies, and so from this book I learned that not everything that's printed on paper is the gospel truth, even the gospel.

Before these, I was reading The Year of Living Biblically, about a fellow who decides to spend an entire year living by the Bible's every passage, as literally as possible. During this time he goes far beyond the 10 commandments and read several dozen versions of the Bible, studying all facets of Christianity and Judaism that he can. He stops cutting his hair and beard, he wears white robes, he carries a little portable stool so he won't have to sit on seats made impure by certain women, so on and so forth. During this time he even becomes fruitful and multiplies, having a set of twins conceived and born during the year. The guy seems a little neurotic and obsessive-compulsive, but it actually helped him be more accurate with the source material he was working from. Previously, this guy wrote a book about having read every book of the Encyclopedia Brittanica, or whichever one is the really long one.

Favourite 5 books of all time: Bio of a Space Tyrant 1-5, by Piers Anthony. There is a 6th book, but I've never seen a copy. It follows the story of Hope Hubris and his family, emigrating to Jupiter in order to escape a corrupt society and finding themselves thrust into one even more sinister. The first book follows him as a refugee, the second follows his naval career, the third as a politician, the fourth as president/tyrant of Jupiter, and the fifth as a private citizen and statesman. A unique and flawed main character, surrounded on all sides by women from whom he borrows strength, and possessed of an iron constitution, and an uncanny ability to read people empathically. Though at many times this series follows a difficult kind of subject matter, it was definitive of my discovery of Science Fiction in junior high school. This is the series I read when I was growing up, and besides being a great series it also has special personal significance to me. Imagine my surprise when it turns out that my father had also read this series many years previously.

So that's me and books.

Do Ig Books count?

The A Song of Ice and Fire series is amazing. It's pure bliss, with an ensemble cast, lies, intrigue, dwarves and a giant wall made of ice.

Since I'm not really reading anything at the moment, I'll just list a bunch of my favorites. A lot of them are pretty typical for the fantasy/SF community.

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card Lord of the Rings George R. R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson Hyperion by Dan Simmons Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn trilogy by Tad Williams Stephen King's Dark Tower series Jurassic Park!!!!

I also read a lot of short stories, which are cool. Basically I just get the Nebula Awards showcase every year, and Writers of the Future.

I second the Sherlock Holmes book. I finished reading an anthology last November. I expected it to be great, and it far exceeded my expectations. Why couldn't we read THAT stuff in high school?

Another good book, and presumably series-- the Jason Bourne series. Good movies, GREAT books.

Fyodor Dostoyevski's Crime and Punishment

It's an often talked-about book. If you are older than 18, I definitely recommend it. It's a must-read for pretty much everybody. Despite being 'boring' prose (if you're not into reading novels it can get to you pretty fast) it's wonderfully written (you'll certainly read a lot of passages which will stick in your mind) and one of the pillars of Western World Literature.

Also, Mark Z. Danielewski's Only Revolutions

It's a crazy-ass book. Hard to read, grating at times. But definitely enjoyable, if you're into post-modern, bizarre, engaging reads, this may be a good book for you.

For the younger players, I highly recommend the His Dark Materials series by Phillip Pullman.

The movies are coming out on these books. The first one came out recently, and if it's any indication, they'll do the books no justice. If you're older than 14 (which I assume is the age most people think these books are written for) but haven't read them yet, do read them. They're an excellent piece of fiction, and, much like Tolkien's Hobbit (originally a story intended to be told for his own children) evolved into an epic tale, so do the books in this series.

Finally, two words: Snow Crash

Edit:

- Ursula K. LeGuin's The Dispossessed - Frank Herbert's The Dosadi Experiment - Ken MacLeod's The Star Fraction

Nickless The A Song of Ice and Fire series is amazing. It's pure bliss, with an ensemble cast, lies, intrigue, dwarves and a giant wall made of ice.

Has he finished the final book yet????

efuincarnate

Nickless The A Song of Ice and Fire series is amazing. It's pure bliss, with an ensemble cast, lies, intrigue, dwarves and a giant wall made of ice.

Has he finished the final book yet????

What? Are you kidding? He still has at least three to go, from what I've heard.

A Dance with Dragons is due to come out August or September!

Heathens.

All must read:

Yurtle the turtle Green egg's and ham The Butter Battle Book.

Everything else is simply glorification of the same ideas.

I've been rattling through a fair bit of Lovecraft recently, each story is incredible.

Also been getting through the Tolkien back catalogue too, some real gems to be found there.

I'm currently rereading the Silmarillion by Tolkien, his works never grow old. My current favourites in the Fantasy/Sci-Fi genre are:

The Lord of the Rings. J.R.R Tolkien The Three Musketeers, Alexandre Dumas Ice Station, Matthew Reilly Area 7, Matthew Reilly Scarecrow, Matthew Reilly The Watchman, Robery Crais True Evil, Greg Iles The Illiad, Homer The Hobbit, J.R.R Tolkien

Currently reading the "Sword of Truth" series by Terry Goodkind and parallell to that I'm reading "Farseer" series by Robin Hobb.

What I really want to recommend is basically anything by Ken Follet, but more specifically Pillars of the Earth and A Place Called Freedom (the latter being especially interesting as it is about slaves trying to get free).

Other favourites: Digital Fortress, by Dan Brown, Hichhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (5 Books), by Douglas Addams, Horse Whisperer, by ?

I am reading Farewell, My Lovely by Raymond Chandler. I am sigging the noir fiction right now.

On the non fiction side, I'm reading Language, Truth and Logic by A.J Ayer.

Try these:

Watchman , Alan Moore. {this comic-novel made me buy a whole bunch of comic books} The Power of Intention , Wayne Dyer. {one of the many self-development gurus that make me feel good} Tales of Power Carlos Castenada {incredible mix of zen, buddhism, and sorcery} A Seer Out of Season, Harmon Hartzel Bro {the bio that changed my life} The Lone Samurai, William Scott Wilson {bio of a Japanese Swordmaster - this book defines the art of biography and historical investigation via written accounts in my mind; its shows the infinite deferral of meaning that defines one of the many streams of postmodern theory in action for me.}

Also just started on Sojourn by R.A. Salvatore {I've never read Drizzt novels until now - Salvatore wrote Vector Prime for the New Jedi Order series which got me into Salvatore as a writer in the first place.

I'm keen to find writing on the illithid in George R.R. Martin's work {or am I looking in the wrong place?} - I know of Lovecraft's work on Cthulu and other Horrible-esques.

Also also reading Power Vs. Force by David R. Hawkins.

If I'm not on EfU, I'm either reading, working, playing, or reading.

Currently, I'm reading the Harry Potter series. <_<; I have to read seven books to win a prize! Luckily, there are seven books in the series, though I have been avoiding them until now. Originally, I thought of them as childish, and seeing those pitiful movies furthered my dislike for the "collection" before I even touched them. Now that I'm reading them, I find that Rowling's work is actually decent, even if it is a recycled idea. All I can really say to support them is, well, "GOT YOUR CONK!!" People who've read it should get that. If not, read it again!

Aside of that, The Hobbit has been my favorite book since I was a little kid. Honestly, I was seven years old, and I used to run around outside with no shoes on, shouting out "I'M BILBO!" at the top of my lungs... Moving on!

I've also enjoyed a few of Ann McAfree's books. And, as a hobby writer myself, I find Terry Brooks fairly inspirational.

I'm just starting the newest Dune books, the sequels written by Herbert's son. I hope they hold up to his legacy.

Some of my all time favourites include:

Fantasy: Anything by Tolkien (but especially the Silmarillion) Anything by Robin Hobb Anything by G.R.R. Martin Anything by Briam Lumley (especially his Necroscope books) Anything by Clive Barker The Harry Potter books Magician by Raymond Feist (the original and still his best) The Thomas Covanent books by Stephen Donaldson A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula LeGuin (the first fantasy book I ever read)

Sci Fi: Arthur C. Clarke's Rendesvous with Rama Asimov's Foundation series Bujold's Vorkosigan books David Brin's Uplift series David Feintuch's Midshipman series David Weber's Honor Harrington series Anything by Frank Herbert (but especially Dune) Starship Troopers, Robert Heinlein The Pliocene Exiles books by Julian May Niven and Pournelle's Motie books (and Ringworld!) Peter Hamilton's Night's Dawn trilogy Anything by William Gibson

And many, many more (too many to mention).... <_<

Wow.. so many classics there, and yes - sci/fi and/or fantasy all. I admit I rarely read other fiction though I am partial to history, especially ancient history.

These books/authors and others have kept me interested and enthralled over many years, and I've often gone back and read them over, one of the true marks of a good book IMHO.

Anyone who hasn't, needs to read ASOIAF

Nickless Anyone who hasn't, needs to read ASOIAF

Yes.

James Herbert's books are also really good. 'The Rats' and 'Lair' are two very good examples of his work!

My favorite, by far, are Anny Mcafrys (SP?) Dragon riders of Pern series.

RIght now im reading my way through the Diskworld series.

AKMatt

efuincarnate

Nickless The A Song of Ice and Fire series is amazing. It's pure bliss, with an ensemble cast, lies, intrigue, dwarves and a giant wall made of ice.

Has he finished the final book yet????

What? Are you kidding? He still has at least three to go, from what I've heard.

Well I read, last summer I think 4? Maybe it was 3, and Dance with Dragons was to be the last...and still waiting on it.

efuincarnate

AKMatt

efuincarnate

Nickless The A Song of Ice and Fire series is amazing. It's pure bliss, with an ensemble cast, lies, intrigue, dwarves and a giant wall made of ice.

Has he finished the final book yet????

What? Are you kidding? He still has at least three to go, from what I've heard.

Well I read, last summer I think 4? Maybe it was 3, and Dance with Dragons was to be the last...and still waiting on it.

No, No.

* A Game of Thrones (1996) * A Clash of Kings (1998) * A Storm of Swords (2000) * A Feast for Crows (2005) * A Dance with Dragons (forthcoming) * The Winds of Winter (forthcoming) * A Dream of Spring (forthcoming)

He has already announced the titles of all the Song of ice and fire books.

History of Marxism, the second international, by J. Hobbsbawm.

Re-reading the Manifesto of the Communists by Marx and Engels.

A Ditadura Envergonhada, by Gary Gaspar, a book about the military dictatorship in Brazil.

History of Nations, by J. Hobbsbawm again.

Haven't really had any time to read fiction books lately.

Last five books I have read:

Reaper's Gale (Malazan book of the fallen): Steven Erikson Judas Unchained: Peter F. Hamilton Perdido Street Station: China Meiville The Scar (currently reading): China Meiville Endless Forms Most Beautiful (evolutionary development): Sean B. Carroll

1984

I almost forgot it.

If you liked 1984 you should read "We" by Yevgeny Zamyatin. Orwell read it before writing 1984, and after reading it you can definitely see that it influenced 1984.

Wheel of Time The Belgariad The Malloreon. 2000 years of Disbelief. The Abhorsen Series by Garth Nix

The Stranger is excellent. 1984 and Brave New World are orgasmic. Fahrenheit 451 is premium! Ender's Game is a must. (Sequels to Ender's Game are iffy.) I've really enjoyed Silent Spring, although I doubt the majority of people would. If you want theoretical physics, The Elegant Universe by Brian Greene deserves many gold stars.

I would argue that Speaker of the Dead is even better than Ender's Game, though a completely different novel. Ender's Game is amazing and I use it for all of my gifted students, or students who feel out of place in the classroom. Ender's Shadow is a good read as well for a different view of the same story as Ender's Game.

Elegant Universe is also a great read, if you want clear explanations of Quantum mechanics then I would recommend Jim Al Khalili's "Quantum: A guide for the perplexed".

L'Entranger.

Left Hand of Darkness - Ursula K LeGuinn

The Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson - especially Midnight Tides and Bonehunters

Musashi - Eiji Yoshikawa

Book of Esther (Old Testament)

The Piano Tuner by (arg, can't remember)

Raistlin, Making of a Mage (Weis and Hickman)

Court of the Lion (Cooney & Altieri)

Ivanhoe, churls.

The Stranger is wonderful.

If you enjoy being depressed.

I'm just gonna go ahead and plug this book: The Shadow of the Wind.

Read it. Love it.