Reading Recommendations?

[PennLady]

This is... different than those, actually. It has context, and substance. It isn't meant as a joke. I've never read anything like it in popular fiction-- not to mention in YA fiction. really intriguing...

Sorry, didn't mean to imply it was funny -- I was just thinking of other irreverent/sacrilegious (in some people's minds) things I've read. I admit I'm quite curious about that aspect.

 

[Dual_Triode]

I don't know if this is available as an ebook - I have a paperback copy. Give Spiral Bound by Dessa a quick read, if you ever get the chance. It is a short collection of essays, poetry and short stories. Dessa is a performing rapper, lyricist, singer, and slam-poet. I was really surprised by the quality of this collection. It took only 2 hours to read.

I have a soft spot for Dessa. She's a local artist trying to make it in the male dominated world of hip-hop.

 

[PennLady]

I don't know if this is available as an ebook - I have a paperback copy. Give Spiral Bound by Dessa a quick read, if you ever get the chance. It is a short collection of essays, poetry and short stories. Dessa is a performing rapper, lyricist, singer, and slam-poet. I was really surprised by the quality of this collection. It took only 2 hours to read.

I have a soft spot for Dessa. She's a local artist trying to make it in the male dominated world of hip-hop.

I'll see if I can find it. Thanks.

 

[KinkyMichigan]

"The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss is quite good if you're looking for a fantasy series. The second book, "The Wise Man's Fear," in what is supposed to be a trilogy recently came out and is great as well. Brandon Sanderson's "Mistborn" trilogy isn't bad either.

As for science fiction, there is always the "Dune" series if you haven't read those books yet. I don't think anyone mentioned them so far on this thread...

 

[PennLady]

"The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss is quite good if you're looking for a fantasy series. The second book, "The Wise Man's Fear," in what is supposed to be a trilogy recently came out and is great as well. Brandon Sanderson's "Mistborn" trilogy isn't bad either.

As for science fiction, there is always the "Dune" series if you haven't read those books yet. I don't think anyone mentioned them so far on this thread...

Thanks for those. Yes, I read Dune *cough* years ago, when I was in high school. My dad recommended the first one. I enjoyed one and two, thought three and four were okay, and didn't think much of five and six. I haven't read any of the ones done after that, I don't think. Possibly Chapterhouse: Dune but I can't remember. So if I did, it obviously didn't stick with me. But I'll look up the others.

 

[The_Fool]

William Gibson, L.E Modesitt (be careful he does lots of series), Guy Gavriel Kay, Charles de Lint, David Gemmell (again, the series stuff), Richard Morgan.

I'll have to think about some more.

 

[bashfullyshameless]

Guy Gavriel Kay.

Try "The Last Light of the Sun" (my favorite), "The Lions of Al-Rassan," or "A Song for Arbonne."

GGK's stuff is a clever blend of historical fiction and fantasy. He blurs the names and injects just enough magic (or suggestions of it) to make it all work, and oh my god is that man eloquent.

 

[SweetWitch]

You need to read a scintillating tale of adventure, passion and action by Molly Wens. I'd appreciate the business.

 

[PennLady]

You need to read a scintillating tale of adventure, passion and action by Molly Wens. I'd appreciate the business.

Want to trade? Try something by Eve McFadden.

Seriously -- which would you recommend I read first, or does it matter? Shelter from the Storm came up first.

 

[PennLady]

William Gibson, L.E Modesitt (be careful he does lots of series), Guy Gavriel Kay, Charles de Lint, David Gemmell (again, the series stuff), Richard Morgan.

I'll have to think about some more.

Thanks for these, and thanks bashfully. I've never read Modesitt although I've seen the name. The rest sound intriguing!

 

[SweetWitch]

Want to trade? Try something by Eve McFadden.

Seriously -- which would you recommend I read first, or does it matter? Shelter from the Storm came up first.

Shelter is my top seller--or at least my most popular at the moment.

I'll check yours out.

 

[PennLady]

Shelter is my top seller--or at least my most popular at the moment.

I'll check yours out.

Okay, thanks.

My latest -- a hockey compilation with MugsyB -- doesn't show up on my Amazon page yet, for some reason. but it's called Melting the Ice.

 

[The_Fool]

Okay, thanks.

My latest -- a hockey compilation with MugsyB -- doesn't show up on my Amazon page yet, for some reason. but it's called Melting the Ice.

Yeah, I went to reread one of her stories and it was pulled. Probably the same when I go back to reread one your yours. And yes I am sure that I am going to end up buying it.

 

[PennLady]

Yeah, I went to reread one of her stories and it was pulled. Probably the same when I go back to reread one your yours. And yes I am sure that I am going to end up buying it.

I pulled two stories for the compilation, "Ghosts of the Forum" and "Game Misconduct." She pulled "Tip of the Ice-Berg" and "Uncovering the Ice." All of them were revised and improved, so if you do buy it, please let us know what you think!

She's also pulled most of her spy stories, I think.

 

[PennLady]

Okay, purchases made and a little left for later.

For the record, I bought "Game of Thrones," "Black Swan" by Bruce Sterling, "Flatline Virus" by William Gibson, "The Lonely Songs of Laren Dorr " by GRR Martin, "Shelter from the Storm" by our own Molly Wens , and a couple of cheap and possibly cheesy romances, which can be fun. So thanks for all the suggestions!

And now, the hub is on the way home with the boy who had two cavities filled and shouldn't have solid foods for a bit. Sigh.

 

[soflabbwlvr]

This question is right up my alley. I read a lot of science fiction and fantasy. For the last 30 years, about 95% of my leisure reading has been science fiction or fantasy. Here are some of my favorites, which I think you would enjoy:

1. Night's Dawn Trilogy, by Peter F. Hamilton. Three huge books, each better than the last, combining science fiction and horror in an expansive and compelling manner. Plenty of sex, as well.

2. Hyperion Cantos, by Dan Simmons. Four books covering a range of topics, with a particular emphasis on philosphy, politics, and religion. The last book brought tears to my eyes.

3. The Gap Cycle, by Stephen R. Donaldson. Five books comprising a futuristic space opera loosely based on Wagner's The Ring Cycle. Lots of sex. Even if you did not like the Thomas Covenant books, you will probably enjoy this series. The writing is more accessible, and the characters are more likeable.

4. Chung Kuo: The Middle Kingdom, by David Wingate. A seven book series positing a not too distant future where China has conquered the entire world. The first book is amazing, books 2-6 are uneven, and book 7 is sadly disappointing. Still a good read, nonetheless.

5. A Song of Ice and Fire, by George R.R. Martin. Now a popular series on HBO, the books are incredible.

6. Otherworld, by Tad Williams. A four book story set primarily in cyber space, where a cabal of powerful billionaires intends to live forever.

7. The Ender Series, by Orson Scott Card. Book one is a classic (and now being made into a movie), but books two and three are the most stunning in the emotional chords they strike. Books 4+ are unnecessary, however.

8. The Recluse Series, by L. E. Modesitt. Modesitt's writing is kind of dry, and his stories almost always follow the same arc. The books in this series span thousands of years and were not written in chronological order, so a reader can pick up anywhere and start reading.

9. The Seeker of Truth Series, by Terry Goodkind. This series of books became a lightweight television series, but the original books were much better. Books 1-3 were are very well-done, but then his publisher convinced him to milk the cash cow, resulting in five books that can best be described as filler. The final three books returned to the level of the original three and made for a satisfying ending to the series.

That should be enough to keep you busy for a few years. Enjoy!

 

[PennLady]

This question is right up my alley. I read a lot of science fiction and fantasy. For the last 30 years, about 95% of my leisure reading has been science fiction or fantasy. Here are some of my favorites, which I think you would enjoy:

Thanks so much for these. I'm going to copy them out for reference. I made some purchases today but always like to have stuff for future reading, and it's not like I'm done with paper books yet. Thanks again!

 

[AngeloMichael]

This question is right up my alley. I read a lot of science fiction and fantasy. For the last 30 years, about 95% of my leisure reading has been science fiction or fantasy. Here are some of my favorites, which I think you would enjoy:

5. A Song of Ice and Fire, by George R.R. Martin. Now a popular series on HBO, the books are incredible.

7. The Ender Series, by Orson Scott Card. Book one is a classic (and now being made into a movie), but books two and three are the most stunning in the emotional chords they strike. Books 4+ are unnecessary, however.

9. The Seeker of Truth Series, by Terry Goodkind. This series of books became a lightweight television series, but the original books were much better. Books 1-3 were are very well-done, but then his publisher convinced him to milk the cash cow, resulting in five books that can best be described as filler. The final three books returned to the level of the original three and made for a satisfying ending to the series.

That should be enough to keep you busy for a few years. Enjoy!

I'm a huge fan of epic fantasy, sci-fi and historical fiction.

A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin is at the top of my list, simply the best out there, beware though the series is not finished, a lot of fans are upset with the author because he seems to have lost interest in his series and has been focusing on other projects. He only came out with one new book in the series in the last decade and consensus holds it was a considerable drop in quality from the first 3. There is a new book coming out this summer, but it's still in question whether the series will ever be finished.

While frustrated, I tend to be lenient towards Martin for his lack of progress. I know what it's like to have writer's block and lose interest in a series. IMHO, whether the series is completed or not it is still very worth reading.

Sword of Truth by Terry Goodind is a joke. It's basically the same book poorly written over about 10 times, with the the self righteous speeches getting longer in each one. Goodind is a discple of Ayn Rand and basically regurgitates all the obectivist philosophy in each book while setting up straw man arguments to validate the philosophy. His books are only worth reading in the same vein as movies directed by Ed Wood are worth watching, to marvel at just how badly written and brilliantly untalented the author is.

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card is a wonderful book, but it's also the best of the series. There are good arts in the other Ender/Bean books but nothing comes close to greatness of the original.

My other recommendations.

The First Law series By Joe Abercrombie. The author makes a point of taking many of the fantasy cliches and turning them on their head in this work, but it's still not parody, it's a serious story, but what it is to epic fantasy is kind of the equivalent of what Watchmen was to the graphic novel/comic book.

There are also 2 stand alone follow ups to the First law series, one of them, Best Served Cold is incredible.

The Prince of Nothing series by R. Scott Bakker. This is an epic fantasy series that is heavy with philosphical and metaphysical exploration while at the same time an amazingly engrossing story.

The Monachies of God by Paul Kerney. Great series, epic fantasy with great battles, political intrigue, and grand sea advantures.

Night Angel series by Brent Weeks. This is a light-fare summer reading kind of fantasy series, a good set of books to take to the beach or something, you can zip through these in a week, so while not especially deep, they're really fun.

Replay by Ken Grimwood. Stand alone sci-fi, I really love this book. Imagine Groundhog Day but instead of living only one day over and over, the main character lives a huge chunk of his life repeatedly over.

The Walls of the Universe by Paul Melko. Another stand alone sci-fi story. Light fare, but immensely interesting, can't put down kind of book. About a character that is given a device that allows him to hop to parallel universes.

 

[PennLady]

AngeloMichael,

Thanks for all of those. I'll add those to my list. They all sound interesting. And once I figure out how to do without sleep, I can read some.