The All Purpose Book/Reading Thread
TychoCelchuuu
Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
<div class="IPBDescription">Let's... Get... LITERATE!!!!!</div><!--sizeo:1--><span style="font-size:8pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Attention smart guy: I know you're about to post "tldr." I'm going to let you know right now that you're not funny. Everyone thought of that already. Just read the post or click "back." Yeah, that's right. Get going.<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
<div align="center"><img src="http://www.artsjournal.com/bookdaddy/Home_Photo_books.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
WOOO READING</div>
There is nothing, and I mean <i>nothing</i>, that can even approach reading. Maybe sex. Does this forum censor "sex?" If it does you probably know what I typed anyways. No, I'm just joking. Reading stands alone. It's fun, easy, inexpensive, can take as much time or as little time as you want it to, has infinite variety, makes you look smart, can be done on the go, doesn't need batteries, and it makes you smarter. <b>Much</b> smarter. When I was born, I could barely move my arms, but now that I've read books, I can do complex math equations and write really long papers. How? BOOKS.
Books are like lifting weights for your BRAIN, but instead of being boring and hurty and making you sweaty and eventually, after a lot of work, you're slightly more attractive to most girls, books are easy, fun, work immediately, and make you moderately more attractive to smart girls!
I don't really care about girls though (I'm not fruity or anything but it's a long story) but I do care about being SUPER SMART and more importantly books are awesome. So here's a book thread! The book thread serves four purposes.<ul><li>PURPOSE 1: Talk about books</li><li>PURPOSE 2: Recommend good books</li><li>PURPOSE 3: Get you illiterate mooks to READ some books</li><li>PURPOSE 4: Give people like me who read pretentious books and not just science fiction a place to act smarmy about reading such important books</li></ul><div align="center"><img src="http://asymptotia.com/wp-images/2008/01/trinity-college-library-dub.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
Wish you were here! It's a library. Ever seen one? "In a movie" doesn't count, even if this DOES look like the Jedi Archives from Episode III. But that's not a book so IGNORE IT.</div>
<!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->1. TALK ABOUT BOOKS<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
What is your favorite book? What is your least favorite book? Have you ever eaten part or all of a book? Does anyone have an E-Reader or a Kindle? Are those cool? JUST KIDDING THIS THREAD IS ABOUT BOOKS. LEAVE YOUR TECHNOLOGY OUTSIDE.
<!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->2. RECOMMEND GOOD BOOKS<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
Everyone's good some books to recommend unless you're someone who's in here because of Purpose 3 (see next section). Well, fess up! No need to <a href="http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=101477" target="_blank">make a big old thread like I did that one time</a>. Just tell us what you've just finished, or what you finished long ago, that you think we ought to take a look at. If anything, I'll probably eventually get around to it. For example, you might enjoy "Absurdistan." Ah, but that's not enough information. Scroll down to the Rules to learn more.
<!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->3. GET YOU ILLITERATE MOOKS TO <b><u>READ</b></u> SOME BOOKS<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
You can't fool me. For every reader on this forum (you guys can skip this section), we've got 4 people who take a couple of weeks at best to finish a book, or people who don't generally read books, or maybe you almost NEVER read a book. Maybe the last book you read was Snow Crash, and before that it was Neuromancer, and before THAT it was something by Asimov, Heinlein, or Arthur C. Clarke. <i>And you never read the sequels to Neuromancer</i>. That's okay, though. There's help. Help in the form of BOOKS you idiot. Jeez, it's time to start reading. Put the stupid computer games away and quit that job (or just the first one) and go to the LIBRARY. What do you mean you don't have a LIBRARY CARD?! It's easy! Most libraries don't even require a blood sample these days, and those that do use sterile needles. So get a library card and scroll down to my BOOK BOOT CAMP in the next post so that you can go from talking about <i>The Matrix</i> like it's the smartest thing you've heard of or thinking you know anything about the world because you can solve big math problems to actually being smart. Yes, I said it. If you don't read books you're not smart. But like I said, you can fix it.
<!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->4. MAKE ME AND MY ILK LOOK SMART<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
I used "ilk" in the heading for this one but that's about all I'm going to do, because #4 is going to be accomplished all over when I ruthlessley flog you people with WORDS for not having read PLATO or SHAKESPEARE or MELVILLE or [Someone who sounds boring at best and you have never heard of at worst].
Okay does that sound good? No? Then you're one of the mooks I mentioned in section 3 and you need some work. Unfortunately this post is already too long for you but whatever. Everyone else happy? YAY. Let's lay down some rules.
<div align="center"><img src="http://www.catfacts.org/cat-facts.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
This is a cat but it is not a book so IGNORE IT.</div>
<!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->RULES<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--><ol type='1'><li>When you recommend a book, give the Amazon.com link. If there is no Amazon.com link, the book probably sucks and we don't need to hear about it.</li><li>Give us the genre, so that 90% of the forum can decide not to read it because it isn't science fiction.</li><li>Anyone who mentions Dan Brown or The DaVinci Code is banned forever and has to kill themselves. I can't enforce this so it's the honor system from here on out.</li><li>About the genre thing: we can use tags! You don't have to but I will. List of tags at the end of this post.</li><li>More rules later maybe.</li></ol><div align="center"><img src="http://www.tempe.gov/LIBRARY/events/images/books.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
Bet you thought you'd never get to the end of THIS picture. It's like the Star Destroyer from the beginning of A New Hope. But that's not a book so IGNORE IT.
</div>
So that, my friends and enemies and people who I don't know, is the Book Thread. Ah, but don't worry. I won't leave you without any substance. What follows is an example of a good post because god knows I can't trust anyone here to manage it alone. It's not a great post because it's my bootcamp for people who don't read rather than a "my favorite books" list but you get the idea.
Here's the tags I promised; put them next to the book's title/link to Amazon.com. Some books might have no tag. That's okay.
<!--coloro:#4169E1--><span style="color:#4169E1"><!--/coloro-->[SCIFI]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> - Use this for Science Fiction books. I swear to god if this is the only tag I see I will be MAD.
<!--c1--><div class='codetop'>CODE</div><div class='codemain'><!--ec1-->[color="#4169E1"][SCIFI][/color]<!--c2--></div><!--ec2-->
<!--coloro:#2E8B57--><span style="color:#2E8B57"><!--/coloro-->[ELVES]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> - Use this for Fantasy books even if there aren't any elves. We all know you'd be lying though because they all have elves.
<!--c1--><div class='codetop'>CODE</div><div class='codemain'><!--ec1-->[color="#2E8B57"][ELVES][/color]<!--c2--></div><!--ec2-->
<!--coloro:#FF00FF--><span style="color:#FF00FF"><!--/coloro-->[FUNNY]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> - Use this for funny books, even if they already fit into another category. Terry Pratchett, for instance, would get one of these plus the fantasy tag.
<!--c1--><div class='codetop'>CODE</div><div class='codemain'><!--ec1-->[color="#FF00FF"][FUNNY][/color]<!--c2--></div><!--ec2-->
<!--coloro:#A0522D--><span style="color:#A0522D"><!--/coloro-->[BRAINY]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> - Use this for pretentious books like Shakespeare or philosophy. If you want to pick up smart girls these are your best bet. Do NOT use this just because the book is not science fiction or because it made you go "huh I never thought of that really." Every freaking book can do that. This is for PRETENTIOUS BOOKS that don't just make you smarter, they make you LOOK smarter.
<!--c1--><div class='codetop'>CODE</div><div class='codemain'><!--ec1-->[color="#A0522D"][BRAINY][/color]<!--c2--></div><!--ec2-->
<!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->[HISTORICAL]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> - Use this for books set in history or something? I think it's stupid but it was lolf's idea. EVERY BOOK IS SET IN HISTORY UNLESS IT IS SCI FI OR FANTASY, LOLFIGHTER.
<!--c1--><div class='codetop'>CODE</div><div class='codemain'><!--ec1-->[color="#FF0000"][HISTORICAL][/color]<!--c2--></div><!--ec2-->
<!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->[HISTORICAL LIES]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> - Use this for works of historical fiction. This is a better idea that I can get behind because historical fiction is a legitimate category.
<!--c1--><div class='codetop'>CODE</div><div class='codemain'><!--ec1-->[color="#FF0000"][HISTORICAL LIES][/color]<!--c2--></div><!--ec2-->
<!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro-->[FREE]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> - Use this for books that are so awful that they have to be given away just to get people to read them, or books that are so old that they are in the public domain. Or both!
<!--c1--><div class='codetop'>CODE</div><div class='codemain'><!--ec1-->[color="#00FF00"][FREE][/color]<!--c2--></div><!--ec2-->
<!--coloro:#FF8C00--><span style="color:#FF8C00"><!--/coloro-->[SpOoKy]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> - Should be pretty self-explanatory; horror books deserve this. Do NOT attach this tag to a book just because there are girls in the book and you are afraid of girls.
<!--c1--><div class='codetop'>CODE</div><div class='codemain'><!--ec1--> [color="#FF8C00"][SpOoKy][/color]<!--c2--></div><!--ec2-->
If you have other tags to suggest let me know.
<div align="center"><img src="http://www.artsjournal.com/bookdaddy/Home_Photo_books.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
WOOO READING</div>
There is nothing, and I mean <i>nothing</i>, that can even approach reading. Maybe sex. Does this forum censor "sex?" If it does you probably know what I typed anyways. No, I'm just joking. Reading stands alone. It's fun, easy, inexpensive, can take as much time or as little time as you want it to, has infinite variety, makes you look smart, can be done on the go, doesn't need batteries, and it makes you smarter. <b>Much</b> smarter. When I was born, I could barely move my arms, but now that I've read books, I can do complex math equations and write really long papers. How? BOOKS.
Books are like lifting weights for your BRAIN, but instead of being boring and hurty and making you sweaty and eventually, after a lot of work, you're slightly more attractive to most girls, books are easy, fun, work immediately, and make you moderately more attractive to smart girls!
I don't really care about girls though (I'm not fruity or anything but it's a long story) but I do care about being SUPER SMART and more importantly books are awesome. So here's a book thread! The book thread serves four purposes.<ul><li>PURPOSE 1: Talk about books</li><li>PURPOSE 2: Recommend good books</li><li>PURPOSE 3: Get you illiterate mooks to READ some books</li><li>PURPOSE 4: Give people like me who read pretentious books and not just science fiction a place to act smarmy about reading such important books</li></ul><div align="center"><img src="http://asymptotia.com/wp-images/2008/01/trinity-college-library-dub.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
Wish you were here! It's a library. Ever seen one? "In a movie" doesn't count, even if this DOES look like the Jedi Archives from Episode III. But that's not a book so IGNORE IT.</div>
<!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->1. TALK ABOUT BOOKS<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
What is your favorite book? What is your least favorite book? Have you ever eaten part or all of a book? Does anyone have an E-Reader or a Kindle? Are those cool? JUST KIDDING THIS THREAD IS ABOUT BOOKS. LEAVE YOUR TECHNOLOGY OUTSIDE.
<!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->2. RECOMMEND GOOD BOOKS<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
Everyone's good some books to recommend unless you're someone who's in here because of Purpose 3 (see next section). Well, fess up! No need to <a href="http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=101477" target="_blank">make a big old thread like I did that one time</a>. Just tell us what you've just finished, or what you finished long ago, that you think we ought to take a look at. If anything, I'll probably eventually get around to it. For example, you might enjoy "Absurdistan." Ah, but that's not enough information. Scroll down to the Rules to learn more.
<!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->3. GET YOU ILLITERATE MOOKS TO <b><u>READ</b></u> SOME BOOKS<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
You can't fool me. For every reader on this forum (you guys can skip this section), we've got 4 people who take a couple of weeks at best to finish a book, or people who don't generally read books, or maybe you almost NEVER read a book. Maybe the last book you read was Snow Crash, and before that it was Neuromancer, and before THAT it was something by Asimov, Heinlein, or Arthur C. Clarke. <i>And you never read the sequels to Neuromancer</i>. That's okay, though. There's help. Help in the form of BOOKS you idiot. Jeez, it's time to start reading. Put the stupid computer games away and quit that job (or just the first one) and go to the LIBRARY. What do you mean you don't have a LIBRARY CARD?! It's easy! Most libraries don't even require a blood sample these days, and those that do use sterile needles. So get a library card and scroll down to my BOOK BOOT CAMP in the next post so that you can go from talking about <i>The Matrix</i> like it's the smartest thing you've heard of or thinking you know anything about the world because you can solve big math problems to actually being smart. Yes, I said it. If you don't read books you're not smart. But like I said, you can fix it.
<!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->4. MAKE ME AND MY ILK LOOK SMART<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
I used "ilk" in the heading for this one but that's about all I'm going to do, because #4 is going to be accomplished all over when I ruthlessley flog you people with WORDS for not having read PLATO or SHAKESPEARE or MELVILLE or [Someone who sounds boring at best and you have never heard of at worst].
Okay does that sound good? No? Then you're one of the mooks I mentioned in section 3 and you need some work. Unfortunately this post is already too long for you but whatever. Everyone else happy? YAY. Let's lay down some rules.
<div align="center"><img src="http://www.catfacts.org/cat-facts.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
This is a cat but it is not a book so IGNORE IT.</div>
<!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->RULES<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--><ol type='1'><li>When you recommend a book, give the Amazon.com link. If there is no Amazon.com link, the book probably sucks and we don't need to hear about it.</li><li>Give us the genre, so that 90% of the forum can decide not to read it because it isn't science fiction.</li><li>Anyone who mentions Dan Brown or The DaVinci Code is banned forever and has to kill themselves. I can't enforce this so it's the honor system from here on out.</li><li>About the genre thing: we can use tags! You don't have to but I will. List of tags at the end of this post.</li><li>More rules later maybe.</li></ol><div align="center"><img src="http://www.tempe.gov/LIBRARY/events/images/books.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
Bet you thought you'd never get to the end of THIS picture. It's like the Star Destroyer from the beginning of A New Hope. But that's not a book so IGNORE IT.
</div>
So that, my friends and enemies and people who I don't know, is the Book Thread. Ah, but don't worry. I won't leave you without any substance. What follows is an example of a good post because god knows I can't trust anyone here to manage it alone. It's not a great post because it's my bootcamp for people who don't read rather than a "my favorite books" list but you get the idea.
Here's the tags I promised; put them next to the book's title/link to Amazon.com. Some books might have no tag. That's okay.
<!--coloro:#4169E1--><span style="color:#4169E1"><!--/coloro-->[SCIFI]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> - Use this for Science Fiction books. I swear to god if this is the only tag I see I will be MAD.
<!--c1--><div class='codetop'>CODE</div><div class='codemain'><!--ec1-->[color="#4169E1"][SCIFI][/color]<!--c2--></div><!--ec2-->
<!--coloro:#2E8B57--><span style="color:#2E8B57"><!--/coloro-->[ELVES]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> - Use this for Fantasy books even if there aren't any elves. We all know you'd be lying though because they all have elves.
<!--c1--><div class='codetop'>CODE</div><div class='codemain'><!--ec1-->[color="#2E8B57"][ELVES][/color]<!--c2--></div><!--ec2-->
<!--coloro:#FF00FF--><span style="color:#FF00FF"><!--/coloro-->[FUNNY]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> - Use this for funny books, even if they already fit into another category. Terry Pratchett, for instance, would get one of these plus the fantasy tag.
<!--c1--><div class='codetop'>CODE</div><div class='codemain'><!--ec1-->[color="#FF00FF"][FUNNY][/color]<!--c2--></div><!--ec2-->
<!--coloro:#A0522D--><span style="color:#A0522D"><!--/coloro-->[BRAINY]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> - Use this for pretentious books like Shakespeare or philosophy. If you want to pick up smart girls these are your best bet. Do NOT use this just because the book is not science fiction or because it made you go "huh I never thought of that really." Every freaking book can do that. This is for PRETENTIOUS BOOKS that don't just make you smarter, they make you LOOK smarter.
<!--c1--><div class='codetop'>CODE</div><div class='codemain'><!--ec1-->[color="#A0522D"][BRAINY][/color]<!--c2--></div><!--ec2-->
<!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->[HISTORICAL]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> - Use this for books set in history or something? I think it's stupid but it was lolf's idea. EVERY BOOK IS SET IN HISTORY UNLESS IT IS SCI FI OR FANTASY, LOLFIGHTER.
<!--c1--><div class='codetop'>CODE</div><div class='codemain'><!--ec1-->[color="#FF0000"][HISTORICAL][/color]<!--c2--></div><!--ec2-->
<!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->[HISTORICAL LIES]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> - Use this for works of historical fiction. This is a better idea that I can get behind because historical fiction is a legitimate category.
<!--c1--><div class='codetop'>CODE</div><div class='codemain'><!--ec1-->[color="#FF0000"][HISTORICAL LIES][/color]<!--c2--></div><!--ec2-->
<!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro-->[FREE]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> - Use this for books that are so awful that they have to be given away just to get people to read them, or books that are so old that they are in the public domain. Or both!
<!--c1--><div class='codetop'>CODE</div><div class='codemain'><!--ec1-->[color="#00FF00"][FREE][/color]<!--c2--></div><!--ec2-->
<!--coloro:#FF8C00--><span style="color:#FF8C00"><!--/coloro-->[SpOoKy]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> - Should be pretty self-explanatory; horror books deserve this. Do NOT attach this tag to a book just because there are girls in the book and you are afraid of girls.
<!--c1--><div class='codetop'>CODE</div><div class='codemain'><!--ec1--> [color="#FF8C00"][SpOoKy][/color]<!--c2--></div><!--ec2-->
If you have other tags to suggest let me know.
Comments
LISTEN UP SCUM. There will be plenty of time for me to list my favorite books later. Right now I'm reaching out an olive branch to you people who don't read any books ever or only read sci-fi. I bet you don't even know where "reaching out an olive branch" comes from. Pitiful. THAT ENDS HERE. Read these books. <i>You will never be smart if you don't</i>. My list is America-centric because America is awesome and I live there too.
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Catch-22-Joseph-Heller/dp/0684833395/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231094022&sr=8-2" target="_blank">Catch-22</a> by Joseph Heller <!--coloro:#A0522D--><span style="color:#A0522D"><!--/coloro-->[BRAINY]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> <!--coloro:#FF00FF--><span style="color:#FF00FF"><!--/coloro-->[FUNNY]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Catch-22 is a satirical book about World War II, and war in general. It is hilarious and it is a classic. It will stretch your mind and mind your tears. Or something. It's the first entry on this list because most people find it funny, and because it's one of the best books ever written IMHO. Plus it has naked people. Some of them are women!
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fear-Loathing-Las-Vegas-American/dp/0679785892/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231094160&sr=8-2" target="_blank">Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas</a> by Hunter S. Thompson <!--coloro:#FF00FF--><span style="color:#FF00FF"><!--/coloro-->[FUNNY]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Fear and Loathing isn't humor, really, but often it's funny. More importantly it's smart, but it's not "BRAINY" and all that because it's not pretentious. It was written while the author was almost entirely drunk or high or both, and when he wasn't, he was writing about a time when he was. It is half fiction and half non-fiction, which might be too much for your puny minds that haven't read enough books, but there's a ton of crazy stuff mixed in with a ton of smart stuff and it's short. And good.
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/1984-Signet-Classics-George-Orwell/dp/0451524934/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231094407&sr=8-2" target="_blank">1984</a> by George Orwell <!--coloro:#4169E1--><span style="color:#4169E1"><!--/coloro-->[SCIFI]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> <!--coloro:#A0522D--><span style="color:#A0522D"><!--/coloro-->[BRAINY]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
This is the bare minimum for "BRAINY" because many people read this in high school or something but it counts because it's a fantastic book. Especially if you live in Britain because Christ you people stick cameras everywhere. I mean it's like you're TRYING to be the book. In any case the book is a classic and it's not too long and it's science fiction so really 90% of you have probably already been sold. It's about freedom and censorship and it's one of about 10 books that you have to pretend to have read if you want to act smart around intellectuals.
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Name-Wind-Kingkiller-Chronicle-Day/dp/0756404746/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231094583&sr=8-2" target="_blank">The Name of the Wind</a> by Patrick Rothfuss <!--coloro:#2E8B57--><span style="color:#2E8B57"><!--/coloro-->[ELVES]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
<a href="http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=101477" target="_blank">If you can read three pages of this thread and not want to read the book you're silly.</a> Don't let the "ELVES" tag turn you off. It's one of the best books I've ever read and there are no elves.
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Snow-Crash-Bantam-Spectra-Book/dp/0553380958/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231094647&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Snow Crash</a> by Neal Stephenson <!--coloro:#4169E1--><span style="color:#4169E1"><!--/coloro-->[SCIFI]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> <!--coloro:#FF00FF--><span style="color:#FF00FF"><!--/coloro-->[FUNNY]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
You may have read this but if you haven't you're missing out. This is one of the best Cyberpunk novels there is. It invented a bunch of stuff before the stuff existed. Sort of. It has Samurai swords and intelligent programs and gigantic miniguns and sex and lots of jokes and fighting and car chases and computer things. It's a great sci-fi novel and a great book.
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Neuromancer-William-Gibson/dp/0441012035/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231094779&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Neuromancer</a> by William Gibson <!--coloro:#4169E1--><span style="color:#4169E1"><!--/coloro-->[SCIFI]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
This guy pretty much started Cyberpunk and this book is what did it. William Gibson is a great writer and in my dreams at night I imagine that this thread will someday get you people to read not just the fantastic sequels to Neuromancer (Count Zero and Mona Lisa Overdrive) but Gibson's other books, like Spook Country, but let's start off small with your standard nerd fare. Neuromancer is the classic tale of Artificial Intelligence, body modification, space Rastafarians, and a main character who is a hacker and cool <i>at the same time</i>. It's like what <i>The Matrix</i> would be if <i>The Matrix</i> were not a piece of crap movie.
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Treasure-Island-Enriched-Classics-Stevenson/dp/1416500294/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231094978&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Treasure Island</a> by Robert Louis Stevenson
This is sort of a kid's book, but barely, and besides, long ago when this was written, kids read all the time because there were no videogames, which put them WAY AHEAD of where you are because you are ILLITERATE. So the book is not dumbed down or anything. This is a fun book because it basically invented everything you know about pirates (which is wrong, yarrrr), but if you read it today it doesn't feel old and creaky at all. It's a pretty gripping adventure and it's farther from cliche than most of the pirate stuff since, which makes no sense but honestly that's how it is.
<!--sizeo:0--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->YOUR ASSIGNMENT<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
Read one of these and write a <strike>4 page paper</strike> post about what you thought. You CANNOT choose a book you already read, weener. If you really want to go crazy choose something that's not science fiction. I KNOW FEELS WEIRD DOESN'T IT? In any case this is the "bare minimum" post. If I meet with any success whatsoever (or if I don't) this will be followed up by an "intermediate" post which contains more advanced/obscure science fiction, some more mainstream classics like Catch-22 and stuff, and perhaps one or two actual "smart people books." After that will be an "advanced" post with science fiction that (GASP) you might be the first to read compared to your more literate friends, plus some more obscure classics and a bunch of "smart people books."
<!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->STICK WITH ME YOU FOOLS. KNOWLEDGE AWAITS. I swear that after reading just a few books it will get easier, faster, and more fun, and even more importantly YOU WILL GET SMARTER. I give you my WORD as an atheist. That thing is ROCK SOLID.<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Kidding aside great timing for this topic to come up, I need new books for the new year. Haven't had a new book in a while, although I'd beg to differ on the inexpensive hobby part. Strangely enough I don't read much sci-fi so I think I'll pick up Snowcrash when I go down to the bookstore later.
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/All-Families-are-Psychotic-Novel/dp/1582342156" target="_blank">All Families are Psychotic</a> by Douglas Coupland <!--coloro:#FF00FF--><span style="color:#FF00FF"><!--/coloro-->[FUNNY]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
One of Douglas Coupland's more accessible books, this one is a funny family drama set in the backdrop of a space shuttle launch. The setup is a bit of a sit-com kind of thing where it takes a family and puts them in a strange situation brought about by their own human failings and as most Douglas Coupland books do, takes it to a vaguely heartwarming conclusion. Also recommended from this author: Microserfs, Girlfriend in a Coma.
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Chronicle-Foretold-Gabriel-Garcia-Marquez/dp/140003471X" target="_blank">Chronicles of a Death Foretold</a> by Gabriel Garcia Marquez <!--coloro:#A0522D--><span style="color:#A0522D"><!--/coloro-->[BRAINY]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Consider this a sampler of Gabriel Garcia Marquez' beautifully written works. If you want florid, atmospheric writing that's not overtly romantic I recommend reading this book. A story about passions, self determination and traditions. If you like his style, consider reading other Gabriel Garcia Marquez books like 100 Years in Solitude. Bonus points, Gabriel Garcia books are great for picking up smart girls and the cover of the copy I've linked to is especially pretty. Bow chikka bow wow.
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Thunderbolt-Extraordinary-Story-Aviation-History/dp/1885354053/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231137228&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Thunderbolt!</a> by Robert S. Johnson <!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->[HISTORICAL]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
It was a long time ago that I read this, so I don't remember if it was actually a children's book or not, but I remember it being very good. It was a book my dad read as a kid (the copy I have was printed in '66) and then gave to me, and is what first got me really interested in aviation warfare. It's the story of a WWII fighter pilot who flew a P-47 Thunderbolt on missions over Europe. It's written by the actual pilot (and a co-author I think), so every account is first hand, but it's more in the form of a first person novel than an autobiography. I remember there were parts where I thought, "OMG he's going to crash into the ocean!" but then I remembered that if that had happened... well, he wouldn't have been able to write the book. So, the ending's kind of spoiled already (Hitler loses, author lives). If you're remotely interested in World War II, dog fighting, the Air Force (even though the US didn't have an official Air Force back then), or planes, read it.
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fight-Club-Novel-Chuck-Palahniuk/dp/0393327345/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231137748&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Fight Club</a> by Chuck Palahniuk <!--coloro:#FF00FF--><span style="color:#FF00FF"><!--/coloro-->[FUNNY]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Yeah, I'll be the one to bring this book up. Get over it. You've probably seen the film, which is pretty hardcore, but it was based off of a book which was even more hardcore. You'll probably already know about the plot twist, but that's okay because there's more to it. There are so many points in the film that are quickly glossed over that the book covers in detail (while still being relatively short). The writing style is fun and easy to read, but a lot of the subjects are pretty mature. There's some philosophy, some political commentary, and loads of humor. It's worth reading and I burned through it in one day of sitting in airports and on planes.
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Beloved-Toni-Morrison/dp/1400033411/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231138033&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Beloved</a> by Toni Morrison <!--coloro:#A0522D--><span style="color:#A0522D"><!--/coloro-->[BRAINY]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> <!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->[HISTORICAL FICTION]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Yes, Oprah recommended this book and was in a film based on it. I had to read it for a literature class and I'll admit I didn't like it. Nevertheless, I still think it's worth reading. It's about a family of former slaves after the American Civil War and what they go through to survive, but it gets frighteningly deeper than that as it progresses. Some of the characters are completely whacked in the head and the whole story seems to take a dive off the deep end in the later chapters which I can only compare to the last two episodes of Evangelion (OH NO ANIME!). I mean, it's seriously whacked out. I don't particularly care for some of it, but I still think it's a great overall story worth reading, especially if you want your mind screwed with a little bit.
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Short-History-World-John-Roberts/dp/019511504X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231138476&sr=1-2" target="_blank">A Short History of the World</a> by John M. Roberts <!--coloro:#A0522D--><span style="color:#A0522D"><!--/coloro-->[BRAINY]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> <!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->[HISTORICAL]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
If the title sounds like a text book, that's because it is... sort of. It's half text book, half not. I have to admit, I haven't read the whole book yet. It was assigned for a history class where we read certain sections. I loved it so much that I didn't sell it back at the end of the semester and plan to read the whole thing some day. It's basically what you expect it to be, the complete history of the world starting with evolution and the invention of fire and ending with the collapse of the Soviet Union. It hits every major event and talks about each region multiple times. If you'd like to learn more about history and ancient cultures... this is it. It's short on details a lot of times, but it touches on EVERYTHING.
Wow, not even ONE scifi book there! I might come back with more later!
EDIT: I changed my tags to appease you TychoCelchuuu... you had better be happy.
I read this because in a preview of Bioshock, they mentioned the game was inspired by it. Changed my life, in one of those non-cliche-really-does-change-your-life-I'm-not-just-saying-this kind of ways. It makes you realize something that is rarely enforced in today's world; That you're a part of it, and have a responsibility to it, to think rationally and further yourself and society at large, but not at the expense of yourself. That to do good you don't have to hurt yourself, and that the majority of the time, altruism hurts more than it helps. Let alone the fact that its just plain a good read.
Along those same lines I also reccomend <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fountainhead-Ayn-Rand/dp/0451191153/ref=pd_sim_b_2" target="_blank">The Fountainhead</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Virtue-Selfishness-Ayn-Rand/dp/0451163931/ref=pd_sim_b_4" target="_blank">The Virtue of Selfishness</a>, though neither as much as Atlas Shrugged.
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lies-Locke-Lamora-Scott-Lynch/dp/055358894X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231141251&sr=1-1" target="_blank">The Lies of Locke Lamora</a> by Scott Lynch <!--coloro:#2E8B57--><span style="color:#2E8B57"><!--/coloro-->[ELVES]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Best fantasy book I've read yet, and so far only gets better. Genuinely good, so far at least. I'll say more once I've finished.
I'll post more soon.
<!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->[HISTORICAL]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> - Use this for historical tales. Append FICTION if not a strict historical account.
<!--quoteo(post=1697125:date=Jan 4 2009, 07:42 PM:name=TychoCelchuuu)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TychoCelchuuu @ Jan 4 2009, 07:42 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1697125"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--><div align="center"><img src="http://asymptotia.com/wp-images/2008/01/trinity-college-library-dub.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
Wish you were here!</div><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I was, this autumn. The place was incredible. It humbled the ###### out of me. Given a long enough lifespan I'd be perfectly content to just plonk myself down and absorb knowledge for a decade or two. But life waits for no man. That being <strike>sad</strike> said:
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Songs-Distant-Earth-Arthur-Clarke/dp/0345322401/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231152361&sr=8-1" target="_blank">The Songs of Distant Earth</a> by Arthur C. Clarke <!--coloro:#4169E1--><span style="color:#4169E1"><!--/coloro-->[SCIFI]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Written back when the Solar Neutrino Problem was still unsolved, and based on an earlier short story by the same name, The Songs of Distant Earth tells the tale of the last refugees from an Earth doomed by the untimely death of her Primary.
In typical Clarke style, Songs is "low scifi." He makes up no more technology than he needs to tell the story that he wants to tell. A story about humans, almost two millenia hence, familiar but matured in ways that make us seem juvenile by comparison. Songs tells all the old stories - of adversity, of differences, of envy, of desire, of love, of partings and of new beginnings - but with a new face. The face of a humanity that is both aged and youthful at the same time.
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Physician-Noah-Gordon/dp/0751503894/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231155269&sr=1-1" target="_blank">The Physician</a> by Noah Gordon <!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->[HISTORICAL FICTION]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
The story of a man who wanted to heal people. The Physician tells a story from the 11th century, when the middle east was the center of knowledge for the known world. It'll give you a little insight into the world of those days - and it'll give you a grateful appreciation of modern medicine if you don't already have it.
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/7119005901/threekingdoms-20" target="_blank">Romance of the Three Kingdoms</a> by Luo Guanzhong <!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->[HISTORICAL]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
(Note: The linked version is the one I gave my mother for her sixtieth birthday, and I can recommend it. It's out of stock at the moment though. Try ordering it if you have the patience to wait for it, or find another edition. You'll want to be careful as abridged (read: inferior) editions DO exist. Also, you'll probably want to make sure you get Moss Roberts' translation.)
"The empire, long divided, must unite; long united, must divide. Thus it has ever been." Three Kingdoms leads up to and covers the chinese historical period of the Three Kingdoms, following the fall of the Latter Han dynasty. Typically said to be seven parts history, three parts fiction, Three Kingdoms is a history lesson disguised as a novel. It reads like a novel, but feels like history.
What makes Three Kingdoms special is the exceptional gallery of actors - rarely will you find such a collection of great statesmen, strategists and warriors, all so evenly matched. In any other age, any of these would quickly have seized power, quickly ending the period of division. But Three Kingdoms stands out, keeping China divided in a (dare I say the word?) epic struggle spanning 120 chapters. If you hate constantly having to find new books to read, Three Kingdoms will keep you busily entertained for a long while.
Skipping already mentioned books, trying for one of each category...
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/His-Majestys-Dragon-Temeraire-Book/dp/1596061464/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231168434&sr=1-6" target="_blank">Temeraire</a> by Naomi Novik <!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->[HISTORICAL FICTION]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Though it's with some embarrassment, since this should also have a DRAGONS tag, I really recommend this series; it's bloody amazing.
Basically, it's around the time of the war(s) with Napoleon, except with dragons. That's gotta be worth a read, right?
<!--coloro:#4169E1--><span style="color:#4169E1"><!--/coloro-->[SCIFI]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
I can't choose. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=peter+f+hamilton&x=0&y=0" target="_blank">Peter F Hamilton</a> has written several bricks I've enjoyed, with Mindstar Rising being the most compact and easily digested series.
Power armour, organic spaceships, interstellar combat, warp drives, god-modding aliens... most of these can be found in the Night's Dawn trilogy.
Then there's the old old <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Skylark-Space-E-E-Smith/dp/B000QFV42W/ref=sr_1_17?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231168278&sr=1-17" target="_blank">Skylark</a> series by one E.E. Doc Smith, which I now question if they were actually all that good, but I enjoyed them when I read them way back then...
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Last-Wish-Andrzej-Sapkowski/dp/0316029181/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231167557&sr=1-1" target="_blank">The Witcher/The Last Wish</a> by Andrzej Sapkowski <!--coloro:#2E8B57--><span style="color:#2E8B57"><!--/coloro-->[ELVES]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Pretty non-standard for a fantasy book, but then maybe I just haven't read enough books. Yeah, I know, game-book conflict, and I hafta admit I might well have skipped the book if I hadn't liked the game, but it's still a good read - just be prepared for the vulgarity of the darker parts.
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/How-Be-Good-Nick-Hornby/dp/1573229326/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231167009&sr=1-1" target="_blank">How to be Good</a> by Nick Hornby <!--coloro:#FF00FF--><span style="color:#FF00FF"><!--/coloro-->[FUNNY]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
How to be Good is not quite BRAINY, but it does provide a view I hadn't seen before - being genuinely good would make everyone better, but it brings a lot of problems, too many to bear.
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Freakonomics-Revised-Expanded-Economist-Everything/dp/0061234001/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231166564&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Freakonomics</a> by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner <!--coloro:#A0522D--><span style="color:#A0522D"><!--/coloro-->[BRAINY]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Couldn't find the original but I hope this version is fine too. Eye-opening sort of book; "correlation is not causation" is a lesson I won't soon forget. Writer also details time spent with a drugdealer gang, and compares the hierarchy to McDonalds and the like (spoilers: they're the same). An easy but memorable read.
So, yeah. A portion of my soul, all written down. On the internet.
<!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro-->[FREE]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->, for the books we don't need an amazon link for. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />
(the title links to the location of the free book rather than the amazon page)
<a href="http://www.andrewsmcmeel.com/godsdebris/" target="_blank">God's Debris</a> <!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro-->[FREE]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> <!--coloro:#A0522D--><span style="color:#A0522D"><!--/coloro-->[SEMI-BRAINY]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
A book about a character who knows everything. "God's Debris creates a philosophy based on the idea that the simplest explanation tends to be the best (a corruption of Occam's Razor)" (Wikipedia). This book is the only thing that to me could explain the big bang. I'm agnostic, but I can't grasp the concept of the big bang, it seems lacking. The essential theory in this book provides an explanation. Good book and an easy read even though it gets you thinking. I have recommended it to many of my friends already. Can't go wrong with free!
<a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=xynV2AEAOS0C&printsec=frontcover&dq=the+devil%27s+dictionary#PPA1,M1" target="_blank">The Devil's Dictionary</a> by Ambrose Bierce <!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro-->[FREE]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> <!--coloro:#FF00FF--><span style="color:#FF00FF"><!--/coloro-->[FUNNY]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
This isn't something everyone will be guaranteed to like, but if I had to choose a favorite book I would probably choose this one. Also, it's free, because it was writtenb ack when Mark Twain was in his prime and people were going to California for gold. Ambrose Bierce is incredibly funny, and if you can get past some of the slightly outdated definitions, the book is hilarious. Did I mention it's free? I just wanted to use that new "FREE" tag, really. I have a copy of it because some day a nuclear bomb might go off and the EMP will kill electronics, and I wouldn't want to be without this book.
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Consider-Phlebas-Iain-M-Banks/dp/031600538X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231186324&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Consider Phlebas</a> by Iain M. Banks <!--coloro:#4169E1--><span style="color:#4169E1"><!--/coloro-->[SCIFI]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Iain Banks writes actual books, but he writes sci-fi under Iain M. Banks, and he does a bang-up job of it too. Consider Phlebas is the first in his series of, eh, about 7-ish books set in the same universe, usually called the "Culture" series. All the books are awesome but of course it's fun to start at the beginning. The Culture is humanity far in the future, and we've advanced genetic engineering, artifical intelligence, and a bunch of other stuff so much that robots can basically run everything for us. The Culture spends its time doing whatever the heck it wants, but it also tries to help out the rest of the universe by doing what it thinks is best for them. This sounds boring but it's actually very good. This first book deals with a war between the Culture and a bunch of aliens, and the brutality, scope, and impact of the plot are all unmatched. Good science fiction.
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Motherless-Brooklyn-Jonathan-Lethem/dp/0375724834/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231186554&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Motherless Brooklyn</a> by Johnathan Lethem
Lethem writes sci-fi but he also writes bona-fide books, like this one. It's set in Brooklyn and the protagonist is a tough guy orphan with Tourette's who does jobs of shady legality for a guy who halfway adopted him, and the book turns into a detective novel a couple of chapters in. It's poignant and rough and sometimes funny. I like Lethem because he doesn't make things black and white and his books are never happy or sad; they're always in between.
<!--c1--><div class='codetop'>CODE</div><div class='codemain'><!--ec1-->[color="#FF0000"][HISTORICAL][/color]<!--c2--></div><!--ec2--><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I honestly doubt history class teaches Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, mkay? However, you made fun of Atlas Shrugged, so I forgive you.
(Note: The linked version is the one I gave my mother for her sixtieth birthday, and I can recommend it. It's out of stock at the moment though. Try ordering it if you have the patience to wait for it, or find another edition. You'll want to be careful as abridged (read: inferior) editions DO exist. Also, you'll probably want to make sure you get Moss Roberts' translation.)
"The empire, long divided, must unite; long united, must divide. Thus it has ever been." Three Kingdoms leads up to and covers the chinese historical period of the Three Kingdoms, following the fall of the Latter Han dynasty. Typically said to be seven parts history, three parts fiction, Three Kingdoms is a history lesson disguised as a novel. It reads like a novel, but feels like history.
What makes Three Kingdoms special is the exceptional gallery of actors - rarely will you find such a collection of great statesmen, strategists and warriors, all so evenly matched. In any other age, any of these would quickly have seized power, quickly ending the period of division. But Three Kingdoms stands out, keeping China divided in a (dare I say the word?) epic struggle spanning 120 chapters. If you hate constantly having to find new books to read, Three Kingdoms will keep you busily entertained for a long while.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I was going to recommend this book as well, so I'll just add on to lolfighter's description. If you've ever played any of the Dynasty Warriors games, then you'll recognize the characters and story. The characters are all pretty epic and varied just like in the games. It's definitely worth reading if you have a couple of months to spare.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Do not under ANY circumstances pick up the C. H. Brewitt-Taylor translation! EVER! It's an old translation with no flavor or flow and at times reads more like an instruction manual to your TV. Get the version lolfighter recommended... seriously.
I would actually suggest we keep discussion out of this thread, and if we want to discuss the books create a different thread for doing that kind of thing.
The last two posts (and this one) are examples of what really shouldn't be in this thread.
Tekdude's post is very much on the edge of whether it should be in here or not... I would prefer for books to not be repeated in this thread, and adding on to someone else's description is the same as reposting a book recommendation.
*shrug*
I've actually barely started reading again because every time I start a new book I am compelled to finish it, often that day. Seriously. I read Snow Crash in one day.
I heartily support The Name of the Wind. Finally a fantasy novel where the characters are at least half-way believable. Not to mention sublime story-telling and feasible character development. I mean, good god, the protagonist actually went into shock after a disaster for once.
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Foundation-Isaac-Asimov/dp/0553803719/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231201660&sr=8-3" target="_blank">Foundation Novels</a> by Isaac Asimov <!--coloro:#4169E1--><span style="color:#4169E1"><!--/coloro-->[SCIFI]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
One of his masterpieces. In the distant future, a super nation collapses sending everyone essentially back into the dark ages. However, one man forsees this and sets up a group called the Foundation. With their knowledge and the wits of a few special persons, they slowly are able to survive and begin to rebuild civilization from the ground up. Except with space ships to travel in instead of horses. It's not only a wonderful story, but traces the patterned progression of civilization.
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Princess-Bride-Morgensterns-Classic-Adventure/dp/0156035219/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231202036&sr=1-1" target="_blank">The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure</a> by William Goldman <!--coloro:#FF00FF--><span style="color:#FF00FF"><!--/coloro-->[FUNNY]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
While sorta historical, it's more just for the lolz. Seriously. If you've seen the movie and the epic tale of love and bravery, you'll still get a bit of it in the book. However, the book takes a much more satirical tone to the story, periodically taunting the reader and the 'original' text. Sublimely witty and full of bits of adventure, it's a great book. Just don't expect it to be like the movie.
You could just make a seperate reply in this thread that lists every book mentioned, the author, and which of us mentioned it with a link to the post number it can be found out (the cute little numbers at the top right of each reply can function as links). Then, make a giant link to the index reply in your original post. It's up to you if you want to include even more links to addition comments about books because it's your thread.
That's how I'd go about doing it.
Opinion: If no discussion is allowed, thread will die once everyone has named their favorite books.
Opinion: I agree with a separate thread for organization's sake. The thread will "die" as in, go off the front page, but the point of it would not be to stay on the front page but instead to be reference material for when one of us is looking for a book.
Hell, it could be stickied!
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Croftons-Fire-Keith-Coplin/dp/0425200221/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231271937&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Crofton's Fire</a> by Keith Coplin <!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->[HISTORICAL LIES]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
This almost got a "free" tag because some dude is selling it on Amazon.com for $0.01. In any case it's historical fiction set right after Custer's Last Stand, and it hits on all the interesting parts of American history from there up until the book ends, pretty much, which is easy because American History is boring. It's not a history book at all, though; it's much more of an adventure/romance/blah blah novel. It's short and it's a real page turner, and I thought it was well written. And if the library doesn't have it, it only costs a cent! Plus shipping.
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=ender%27s+game&x=0&y=0" target="_blank">Ender's Game (series)</a> by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orson_Scott_Card" target="_blank">Orson Scott Card</a> <!--coloro:#4169E1--><span style="color:#4169E1"><!--/coloro-->[SCIFI]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Lovely work of sci-fi and philosophy, written in the 1980, saw discussion about this on some IRC channel, got it for the DS, ? ? ?, profit!
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ender%27s_Game_series" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ender%27s_Game_series</a>
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<edit>removed <!--coloro:#A0522D--><span style="color:#A0522D"><!--/coloro-->[BRAINY]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> as of below request.</edit><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
heh. Maybe "brainy" because the characters are brainy? But yeah, it's so mainstreamed I would take away the "brainy" classification. Plus, after the first few sequels it got... weird.
I'd say it's brainy but only after reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Speaker-Dead-Ender-Book-2/dp/0812550757" target="_blank"><u>Speaker for the Dead</u></a><!--coloro:#4169E1--><span style="color:#4169E1"><!--/coloro-->[SCIFI]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--><!--coloro:#A0522D--><span style="color:#A0522D"><!--/coloro-->[BRAINY]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->. The context that <u>Ender's Game</u> sets up is important, but the philosophical arguments brought forth in <u>Game</u> aren't really fleshed out until <u>Speaker</u>. They're mostly just mentioned in passing at the end of <u>Game</u>; "man this is really what we all should have done"*<u>Ender's Game</u> characters in unison*. Then <u>Speaker for the Dead</u> has the characters dealing with the choices of <u>Game</u> and trying to force better outcomes. I haven't read any of the later books in the "Enderverse" or that new "mid-quel".
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Across-Nightingale-Floor-Tales-Otori/dp/1573222259" target="_blank"><u>Across the Nightingale Floor</u></a>(And rest of Otori series)<!--coloro:#2E8B57--><span style="color:#2E8B57"><!--/coloro-->[ELVES]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--><!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->[HISTORICAL LIES]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
A fun read. Not deep by any means, it's like anime in book form or Harry Potter set in Feudal Japan. The writing is good, the story is better, the first book is probably the best, but the second book is close IMO.
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Never-Sleeps-Glen-Cook/dp/1597800996/ref=pd_sim_b_1" target="_blank"><u>The Dragon Never Sleeps</u></a><!--coloro:#4169E1--><span style="color:#4169E1"><!--/coloro-->[SCIFI]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
A SCI-FI book that I actually enjoyed reading. The old cover of the book screams cheesy sci-fi, but it's actually really good. It's basically about Pax Romana if Pax Romana occurs during a space age. Of course it's still about war and battle so don't worry about it being too dry.
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Starship-Troopers-Robert-Heinlein/dp/0441783589/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231451788&sr=1-1" target="_blank"><u>Starship Troopers</u></a><!--coloro:#4169E1--><span style="color:#4169E1"><!--/coloro-->[SCIFI]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--><!--coloro:#A0522D--><span style="color:#A0522D"><!--/coloro-->[BRAINY]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
We've had discussions about it before and I'm sure most people have read it, but it deserves to be mentioned(and read).
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dune-40th-Anniversary-Chronicles-Book/dp/0441013597/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231451892&sr=1-1" target="_blank"><u>Dune</u></a><!--coloro:#A0522D--><span style="color:#A0522D"><!--/coloro-->[BRAINY]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--><!--coloro:#4169E1--><span style="color:#4169E1"><!--/coloro-->[SCIFI]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Same as <u>Starship Troopers</u>.
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Guns-Germs-Steel-Fates-Societies/dp/0393061310/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b" target="_blank"><u>Guns, Germs, and Steel</u></a><!--coloro:#A0522D--><span style="color:#A0522D"><!--/coloro-->[BRAINY]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--><!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->[HISTORICAL]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
This is one of those books that everyone goes "You have to read this book", and you just roll your eyes and continue not reading it until one day you pick it up and realize that you did have to read it.
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Collapse-Societies-Choose-Fail-Succeed/dp/0143036556/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231452609&sr=1-1" target="_blank"><u>Collapse</u></a><!--coloro:#A0522D--><span style="color:#A0522D"><!--/coloro-->[BRAINY]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--><!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->[HISTORICAL]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
If you want something slightly more obscure than <u>Guns, Germs, and Steel</u>, but just as interesting I recommend this book. I also recommend this book if you just want an interesting perspective on today's culture and the sustainability thereof.
NEED MORE (good) <!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro-->[FREE]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> !
<a href="http://craphound.com/littlebrother/download/" target="_blank">Little Brother by Cory Doctorow</a> <!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro-->[FREE]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
I don't really know what tags to put on this book. It's a interesting read. It's not the best book I've read recently but it really speaks to the issues a lot of people around our age are worrying about. Filesharing, privacy, etc... I'm bad at writing these descriptions. I enjoyed the book because even though I don't think Cory is one of the greatest writers, he has a lot of good ideas in this book. It's set in our time, so technology like Firefox, TOR, and such are mentioned.
Tycho, I'm reading The Devil's Dictionary. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />
One more for now:
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pillars-Earth-Ken-Follett/dp/0451166892" target="_blank">The Pillars of the Earth</a> <!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->[HISTORICAL LIES]<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
This is a story about a small town and their perils of building of a Cathedral during the 12th century. It may sound dry, but throw some religious control in and plenty of twists and you are set. While the town itself is fictional, the back story depicts actual events of the time. It is quite the epic book at around 1000 pages, but I burned through it easily in a car during a vacation. It seems this book is much more maintstream than I expected when I first read it years ago (even movie talk for it). <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/0525950079" target="_blank">A sequel</a> was recently released but I have not read it yet.
(Note: The linked version is the one I gave my mother for her sixtieth birthday, and I can recommend it. It's out of stock at the moment though. Try ordering it if you have the patience to wait for it, or find another edition. You'll want to be careful as abridged (read: inferior) editions DO exist. Also, you'll probably want to make sure you get Moss Roberts' translation.)
"The empire, long divided, must unite; long united, must divide. Thus it has ever been." Three Kingdoms leads up to and covers the chinese historical period of the Three Kingdoms, following the fall of the Latter Han dynasty. Typically said to be seven parts history, three parts fiction, Three Kingdoms is a history lesson disguised as a novel. It reads like a novel, but feels like history.
What makes Three Kingdoms special is the exceptional gallery of actors - rarely will you find such a collection of great statesmen, strategists and warriors, all so evenly matched. In any other age, any of these would quickly have seized power, quickly ending the period of division. But Three Kingdoms stands out, keeping China divided in a (dare I say the word?) epic struggle spanning 120 chapters. If you hate constantly having to find new books to read, Three Kingdoms will keep you busily entertained for a long while.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I'll be the smug. Romance of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguoyanyi) by Luo Guanzhong is historical <b>FICTION</b>, not historical. The real book for the Three Kingdoms period is Sanguozhi or "Records of the Three Kingdoms", which comes hundreds of years before Luo Guanzhong's and didn't portray Liu Bei as such an ideal ruler (Lot's of backstabbing, and cannibalism), got more content on the Wu's faction (which was overlooked by Sanguoyanyi). Romance of the Three Kingdoms also attributed several achievement to the wrong persons (Guan Yu and Zhoa Yun got many extra enemy general kills).
Be smug all you want. I acknowledged the fictional part (which is still less than the historical part), and whoever doesn't realise that this is fiction when they start using "magic" doesn't understand the difference anyway. I decided to leave out the FICTIONAL tag because the historical relevance is too important to bury the entire thing in fiction.
It's important to note that Romance of the Three Kingdoms is written from a taoistic viewpoint, according to which each person has a destiny they must fulfill. Cao Cao's initial gains are seen as an indication that he is destined to unite China. He ultimately fails at this, and his Wei dynasty is followed and surpassed by the Sima family's Jin dynasty. From a taoistic viewpoint, Cao Cao's failure to fulfill his destiny can only be explained through personal flaws, and for this Cao Cao is vilified (probably far beyond what he deserves), serving as the antagonist of the tale. Conversely, the story needs a protagonist, and Liu Bei fits the bill.
An attentive reader will notice that the novel sometimes seems practically apologistic regarding Liu Bei. All in all, plenty of indications that he was probably far less virtuous in reality than what the novel gives him credit for.
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->leaving out the FICTIONAL tag<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
so... what qualifies in this category, again?