<!--QuoteBegin--dr.d+Jun 21 2003, 08:41 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (dr.d @ Jun 21 2003, 08:41 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Ender's Game isn't a great book becauses its realistic, it's a great book because its original, and actually tries to stand on it's own merit throughout the series without copping out to cliches. It's not as hard as you might think to write a realstic book, because you have reality to draw from, but making one that's original takes talent.
P.S. above wasn't meant in any hostile way, just stating my opinion on it. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> I know its origional I can see that but the whole concept seemed a bit too far away. I like the fact that its origonal but compared to Day Of The Triffids or RAMA or 2001.
Perhaps it was the whole concept but it just didn't seem to click like any of those above book.
<!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> I didn't say it sucked
I liked it as a book but I didn't have as much impact as say 2001 or Rendevous With RAMA
I just recently discovered the <a href='http://project.cyberpunk.ru/lib/' target='_blank'>Cyberpunk Libary</a>. If you don't mind reading from the screen, it's a dream come true.
BadKarmaThe Advanced Literature monsters burned my house and gave me a 7Join Date: 2002-11-12Member: 8260Members
The Talisman and Black House. The Talisman is the first and Black House is the second in the series. They were both written by Peter Straub and Stephen King. Their not like the King sterotype, very differant. Oh yea this will keep you going all summer. The Dark Tower Series, by Stephen King. All his other books are popcorn, this is what his life achievement will be. There are four books. Read the first one, The Gunslinger, first. It's short and if you dont like it, dont read the rest. I dare you.
And Hamster, are you trying to say that Dune had a greater impact than say, To Kill a Mockingbird? Comon now, gimme a break.
<!--QuoteBegin--BadKarma+Jun 21 2003, 02:07 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (BadKarma @ Jun 21 2003, 02:07 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> And Hamster, are you trying to say that Dune had a greater impact than say, To Kill a Mockingbird? Comon now, gimme a break. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> Possibly not a greater impact, but Dune is a far superior book.
To Kill a Mockingbird is completely over-rated. People think it's great because they read it in school.
BadKarmaThe Advanced Literature monsters burned my house and gave me a 7Join Date: 2002-11-12Member: 8260Members
Alright, granted. But you cant say that it's going to go down as one of the great works of literature. I mean, theres a reason that books like Bleak House and Tom Sawyer are called <i>literature</i>
<!--QuoteBegin--BadKarma+Jun 21 2003, 02:22 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (BadKarma @ Jun 21 2003, 02:22 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Alright, granted. But you cant say that it's going to go down as one of the great works of literature. I mean, theres a reason that books like Bleak House and Tom Sawyer are called <i>literature</i> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> I can and will say that it will go down as a great work of literature, it already has to an extent. Dont confuse literature with "books that are old / well known."
A books age is no reflection on its quality.
( I loathe both the books you mentioned in your post as well btw..<!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo--> no accounting for taste. )
<!--QuoteBegin--BadKarma+Jun 21 2003, 02:07 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (BadKarma @ Jun 21 2003, 02:07 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> The Talisman and Black House. The Talisman is the first and Black House is the second in the series. They were both written by Peter Straub and Stephen King. Their not like the King sterotype, very differant. Oh yea this will keep you going all summer. The Dark Tower Series, by Stephen King. All his other books are popcorn, this is what his life achievement will be. There are four books. Read the first one, The Gunslinger, first. It's short and if you dont like it, dont read the rest. I dare you. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> Oh yes, read those last summer.
I loved Black House, loved it. Everyone should definitely pick 'em up.
<!--QuoteBegin--BadKarma+Jun 21 2003, 02:22 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (BadKarma @ Jun 21 2003, 02:22 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Alright, granted. But you cant say that it's going to go down as one of the great works of literature. I mean, theres a reason that books like Bleak House and Tom Sawyer are called <i>literature</i> <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> Actually, that reason is simply that they're of a certain quality and still remembered. Our grandchildren will read Dune, Neuromancer, and the Dark Tower series - because <i>those</i> have an impact on us, and will thus not be forgotten.
BadKarmaThe Advanced Literature monsters burned my house and gave me a 7Join Date: 2002-11-12Member: 8260Members
Dark Tower. And I do see what you mean. But there are stories that survive past our grandparents. Great grandparents. Say like, The Oddessy. That was around, and will be around for centuries, because it is one of those great, enduring works of literature. I have my doubts that any book of our generation, be it Dune, the Dark Tower series or Enders Game will go on like that.
<!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Dark Tower. And I do see what you mean. But there are stories that survive past our grandparents. Great grandparents. Say like, The Oddessy. That was around, and will be around for centuries, because it is one of those great, enduring works of literature. I have my doubts that any book of our generation, be it Dune, the Dark Tower series or Enders Game will go on like that. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Well, it's not as if the Odyssey (interesting to finally find out how it's spelled in English) had constantly stayed part of the everyday culture since it was first written. To bring an example up: During the last two years, I read many works of Georg Büchner, a German author of the beginning 18th century. Fifty years ago, his writings were nearly forgotten until they were rediscovered. Books are written, books are ignored, books are discovered, books are forgotten, books experience revivals.
Well possible that in twohundred years, the Odyssey will have nearly vanished from the public eye, while the Lord of the Rings recieves constant attention.
Yup, Terry Pratchet's good. I met him at a book signing once, he was a bit of a grumpy sod. If you like Terry P, then Robert Rankin might be right up your street. It's like a severely twisted version.
Other good books..
"Starship Troopers"- Robert A. Heinlein Nothing like the film really, but very very good. "Brave New World"- Aldous Huxley. "Doors of Perception / Heaven and Hell" are good too. "The Old Man and the Sea" - Hemingway. Clive Barker- "Imajica", "Weaveworld", "Books of Blood" Anne Rice- "Interview with the Vampire", "Vampire Lestat", "Queen of the Damned". Stop reading after these three, because they get a bit rubbish. Herman Hesse- "Siddartha" "Treatise of the Steppenwolf" Iain Banks- "Dead Air" ( he's the same author as Iain M. Banks, just his non scifi stuff is published under that name )
Kinda drifting away from the sci fi / fantasy thing, but still..
"The Dig" by Alan Dean Foster is really really good too in my opinion <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
Teh Rock! I can't believe no one recommended this book. It's both educational and excellent, and it's not textbook material. But I guess you could qualify it as a school book if you really wanted to.
<!--QuoteBegin--Nemesis Zero+Jun 21 2003, 03:11 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Nemesis Zero @ Jun 21 2003, 03:11 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> [ Well, it's not as if the Oddessy (interesting to finally find out how it's spelled in English)
<!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> Sorry to be nitpicky, but it's actually spelt "Odyssey"
Someone already mentioned Greg Bear. I also recommend him, and especially his latest book, Darwin's Radio. A sequel titled Darwin's Children will also be out soon, and I'll be first in line to get it. "Darwin's Radio" deals with human evolution, and the possibility that it doesn't work slowly, but instead in leaps. A very, very interesting and highly recommendable book.
If you haven't read short stories by H. P. Lovecraft or Clark Ashton Smith, do so now. They are beautiful, strange and rather twisted too.
When it comes to fantasy, I'd recommend the Riftwar Saga by Raymond E. Feist. The first book, Magician is interesting but somewhat standard fantasy. The second book, Silverthorn, is amusing but really only a bridge between the first and last parts of the saga. The final, A Darkness at Sethanon is absolutely great. I would also recommend Prince of the Blood by him.
Anthony Beevor's two most known books on the second World War, Stalingrad and Berlin 1945 are also recommended. Captivating, horrifying and extremely interesting, they reveal the cruelty abound at the eastern front back then.
Since you're looking for sci-fi, and there is so much good stuff out there, I will do a theme of some of my favorite 'Earth Invasion' books:
<a href='http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0441783589/qid=1056212831/sr=8-4/ref=sr_8_4/104-1920867-9974306?v=glance&s=books&n=507846' target='_blank'>Starship Troopers</a> by Robert Heinlein (not at all like the movie - a must read about social and military advancement) <a href='http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0345323440/qid=1056212863/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-1920867-9974306?v=glance&s=books' target='_blank'>Footfall</a> by Larry Niven (hard SF classic of us against them) <a href='http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0345388526/qid=1056213147/br=1-15/ref=br_lf_b_15//104-1920867-9974306?v=glance&s=books&n=285634' target='_blank'>In the Balance (vol 1)</a> by Harry Turtledove (a fantastic alternate history series, when aliens invade in the middle of WW2)
and
<a href='http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1592120075/qid=1056212919/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/104-1920867-9974306' target='_blank'>Battlefield Earth</a> by L. Ron. Hubbard (all-time best sci-fi book ever, even if it's that con-man Hubbard. not in any way like that awful movie either.)
<!--QuoteBegin--Speed 2 Dave+Jun 21 2003, 10:45 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Speed 2 Dave @ Jun 21 2003, 10:45 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> "A Brief History of Time"-Stephen Hawking
Teh Rock! I can't believe no one recommended this book. It's both educational and excellent, and it's not textbook material. But I guess you could qualify it as a school book if you really wanted to. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> Is it scifi though? Its not really fiction i think.
<!--QuoteBegin--Salty+Jun 21 2003, 01:24 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Salty @ Jun 21 2003, 01:24 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin--Speed 2 Dave+Jun 21 2003, 10:45 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Speed 2 Dave @ Jun 21 2003, 10:45 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> "A Brief History of Time"-Stephen Hawking
Teh Rock! I can't believe no one recommended this book. It's both educational and excellent, and it's not textbook material. But I guess you could qualify it as a school book if you really wanted to. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> Is it scifi though? Its not really fiction i think. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> It's not science fiction, you are quite correct. It is, however science, and it deals with quantum science, which *is* science fiction, or theory. It's a really good read, and you will feel better about yourself for reading it ;-)
<!--QuoteBegin--CrouchingHamster+HiddenElvis,Jun 21 2003, 04:14 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (CrouchingHamster @ HiddenElvis,Jun 21 2003, 04:14 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin--Nemesis Zero+Jun 21 2003, 03:11 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Nemesis Zero @ Jun 21 2003, 03:11 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Well, it's not as if the Oddessy (interesting to finally find out how it's spelled in English)
<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> Sorry to be nitpicky, but it's actually spelt "Odyssey" <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> Thanks, edited.
[Edit]BTW, concerning Heinlein - am I the only one who can't stand his sociological ideas? Everytime someone quotes the 'Violence resolves everything' line, I have the urge of leaving the room.[/Edit]
<!--QuoteBegin--Salty+Jun 20 2003, 10:39 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Salty @ Jun 20 2003, 10:39 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Kurt Vonnegut is sorta scifi. Try Slaughter House Five, or Breakfast of Champions. Im not a huge scifi fan but i like those 2.
Slaughter house five is about a guy who is kinda lost in time of his life. Its sorta hard to explain. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> god, i hate kurt vonnegut. Slaughterhouse Five made me want to puke.
<!--QuoteBegin--SoulSkorpion+Jun 21 2003, 12:40 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (SoulSkorpion @ Jun 21 2003, 12:40 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> How about Dragonlance? The Chronicles and the Legends (the ones written by Margaret Weiss and Tracey Hickman) not the histories crap.
It's not a series (but it should be <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif'><!--endemo-->), but there's a very good book called "Villains by Necessity" by... I think an Ursula somebody or other (but I might be getting mixed up with Earthsea). Anyway, the premise is that the balance of good and evil has swung way, way too far to the good and the world is about to be destroyed. So an assassin, a thief, a dark knight, a druid, and possibly a few others I can't remember, have to restore the balance of evilness, hence the title. It's <i>very</i> good.
Finally, if you haven't read it already, read the Belgariad by David and Leigh Eddings. Don't waste your time with the Malloreon (it's awful) or the Elenium and the Tamuli. You see, the Eddingses don't seem to understand that not all of your characters have to be exact carbon copies - if you've read the Belgariad you've already read the rest. That's not to say it isn't very good the first time.
[edit]Oh, and anything by Terry Pratchett. Particulary Discworld, and particularly the later ones (he hadn't really got it down right the first two books, imho).[/edit] <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> The belgariad is awesome, go read it if you haven't yet. I didn't like dragonlance as much as most of the Forgotten Realms stuff though.
<!--QuoteBegin--dr.d+Jun 21 2003, 03:41 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (dr.d @ Jun 21 2003, 03:41 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin--Venmoch+Jun 21 2003, 03:38 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Venmoch @ Jun 21 2003, 03:38 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Now as much as I would like to recommend Enders Game I brought another book at the same time which eclipsed it much more in everything, story style and a sense of jarring realism.
The Book?
Day Of The Triffids (One of my favorite books) By John Wyndham
Also far something a little more Sci-Fi based theres 2001 A Space Oddessy and the RAMA series (Best Book series ever!) Both by Arthur C Clarke <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> Ender's Game isn't a great book becauses its realistic, it's a great book because its original, and actually tries to stand on it's own merit throughout the series without copping out to cliches. It's not as hard as you might think to write a realstic book, because you have reality to draw from, but making one that's original takes talent.
P.S. above wasn't meant in any hostile way, just stating my opinion on it. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> Day of the Triffids was insane. I just re-read it again (first time i read it was in middle school). Those green comets are crazy.
<!--QuoteBegin--CrouchingHamster,HiddenElvis+Jun 21 2003, 10:37 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (CrouchingHamster,HiddenElvis @ Jun 21 2003, 10:37 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> "Brave New World"- Aldous Huxley. "Doors of Perception / Heaven and Hell" are good too. "The Old Man and the Sea" - Hemingway. Anne Rice- "Interview with the Vampire", "Vampire Lestat", "Queen of the Damned". Stop reading after
Kinda drifting away from the sci fi / fantasy thing, but still.. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
I have to say that these are good books, although I didn't particularly like Brave New World...it just didn't do it for me.
<!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Herman Hesse- "Siddartha" "Treatise of the Steppenwolf"<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> No! Not Herman Hesse! <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif'><!--endemo-->
Comments
P.S. above wasn't meant in any hostile way, just stating my opinion on it. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
I know its origional I can see that but the whole concept seemed a bit too far away. I like the fact that its origonal but compared to Day Of The Triffids or RAMA or 2001.
Perhaps it was the whole concept but it just didn't seem to click like any of those above book.
yours is wrong.
enders game rules!!!
<!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
<!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
I didn't say it sucked
I liked it as a book but I didn't have as much impact as say 2001 or Rendevous With RAMA
And Hamster, are you trying to say that Dune had a greater impact than say, To Kill a Mockingbird? Comon now, gimme a break.
Possibly not a greater impact, but Dune is a far superior book.
To Kill a Mockingbird is completely over-rated. People think it's great because they read it in school.
I can and will say that it will go down as a great work of literature, it already has to an extent. Dont confuse literature with "books that are old / well known."
A books age is no reflection on its quality.
( I loathe both the books you mentioned in your post as well btw..<!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo--> no accounting for taste. )
Oh yes, read those last summer.
I loved Black House, loved it. Everyone should definitely pick 'em up.
Actually, that reason is simply that they're of a certain quality and still remembered.
Our grandchildren will read Dune, Neuromancer, and the Dark Tower series - because <i>those</i> have an impact on us, and will thus not be forgotten.
jaing ji li or something like that...
anyway, its a memior about a girl growing up in what
was considered to be a "black family" durring
the cultural revolution in china.
its kinda short though..
Well, it's not as if the Odyssey (interesting to finally find out how it's spelled in English) had constantly stayed part of the everyday culture since it was first written.
To bring an example up: During the last two years, I read many works of Georg Büchner, a German author of the beginning 18th century. Fifty years ago, his writings were nearly forgotten until they were rediscovered.
Books are written, books are ignored, books are discovered, books are forgotten, books experience revivals.
Well possible that in twohundred years, the Odyssey will have nearly vanished from the public eye, while the Lord of the Rings recieves constant attention.
"Field Test" by Keith Laumer.
Other good books..
"Starship Troopers"- Robert A. Heinlein
Nothing like the film really, but very very good.
"Brave New World"- Aldous Huxley. "Doors of Perception / Heaven and Hell" are good too.
"The Old Man and the Sea" - Hemingway.
Clive Barker- "Imajica", "Weaveworld", "Books of Blood"
Anne Rice- "Interview with the Vampire", "Vampire Lestat", "Queen of the Damned". Stop reading after these three, because they get a bit rubbish.
Herman Hesse- "Siddartha" "Treatise of the Steppenwolf"
Iain Banks- "Dead Air" ( he's the same author as Iain M. Banks, just his non scifi stuff is published under that name )
Kinda drifting away from the sci fi / fantasy thing, but still..
"The Dig" by Alan Dean Foster is really really good too in my opinion <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
Teh Rock! I can't believe no one recommended this book. It's both educational and excellent, and it's not textbook material. But I guess you could qualify it as a school book if you really wanted to.
Well, it's not as if the Oddessy (interesting to finally find out how it's spelled in English)
<!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Sorry to be nitpicky, but it's actually spelt "Odyssey"
If you haven't read short stories by H. P. Lovecraft or Clark Ashton Smith, do so now. They are beautiful, strange and rather twisted too.
When it comes to fantasy, I'd recommend the Riftwar Saga by Raymond E. Feist. The first book, Magician is interesting but somewhat standard fantasy. The second book, Silverthorn, is amusing but really only a bridge between the first and last parts of the saga. The final, A Darkness at Sethanon is absolutely great. I would also recommend Prince of the Blood by him.
Anthony Beevor's two most known books on the second World War, Stalingrad and Berlin 1945 are also recommended. Captivating, horrifying and extremely interesting, they reveal the cruelty abound at the eastern front back then.
<a href='http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0441783589/qid=1056212831/sr=8-4/ref=sr_8_4/104-1920867-9974306?v=glance&s=books&n=507846' target='_blank'>Starship Troopers</a> by Robert Heinlein (not at all like the movie - a must read about social and military advancement)
<a href='http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0345323440/qid=1056212863/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-1920867-9974306?v=glance&s=books' target='_blank'>Footfall</a> by Larry Niven (hard SF classic of us against them)
<a href='http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0345388526/qid=1056213147/br=1-15/ref=br_lf_b_15//104-1920867-9974306?v=glance&s=books&n=285634' target='_blank'>In the Balance (vol 1)</a> by Harry Turtledove (a fantastic alternate history series, when aliens invade in the middle of WW2)
and
<a href='http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1592120075/qid=1056212919/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/104-1920867-9974306' target='_blank'>Battlefield Earth</a> by L. Ron. Hubbard (all-time best sci-fi book ever, even if it's that con-man Hubbard. not in any way like that awful movie either.)
Teh Rock! I can't believe no one recommended this book. It's both educational and excellent, and it's not textbook material. But I guess you could qualify it as a school book if you really wanted to. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Is it scifi though? Its not really fiction i think.
Teh Rock! I can't believe no one recommended this book. It's both educational and excellent, and it's not textbook material. But I guess you could qualify it as a school book if you really wanted to. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Is it scifi though? Its not really fiction i think. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
It's not science fiction, you are quite correct. It is, however science, and it deals with quantum science, which *is* science fiction, or theory. It's a really good read, and you will feel better about yourself for reading it ;-)
Well, it's not as if the Oddessy (interesting to finally find out how it's spelled in English)
<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Sorry to be nitpicky, but it's actually spelt "Odyssey" <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Thanks, edited.
[Edit]BTW, concerning Heinlein - am I the only one who can't stand his sociological ideas? Everytime someone quotes the 'Violence resolves everything' line, I have the urge of leaving the room.[/Edit]
Slaughter house five is about a guy who is kinda lost in time of his life. Its sorta hard to explain. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
god, i hate kurt vonnegut. Slaughterhouse Five made me want to puke.
It's not a series (but it should be <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif'><!--endemo-->), but there's a very good book called "Villains by Necessity" by... I think an Ursula somebody or other (but I might be getting mixed up with Earthsea). Anyway, the premise is that the balance of good and evil has swung way, way too far to the good and the world is about to be destroyed. So an assassin, a thief, a dark knight, a druid, and possibly a few others I can't remember, have to restore the balance of evilness, hence the title. It's <i>very</i> good.
Finally, if you haven't read it already, read the Belgariad by David and Leigh Eddings. Don't waste your time with the Malloreon (it's awful) or the Elenium and the Tamuli. You see, the Eddingses don't seem to understand that not all of your characters have to be exact carbon copies - if you've read the Belgariad you've already read the rest. That's not to say it isn't very good the first time.
[edit]Oh, and anything by Terry Pratchett. Particulary Discworld, and particularly the later ones (he hadn't really got it down right the first two books, imho).[/edit] <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
The belgariad is awesome, go read it if you haven't yet.
I didn't like dragonlance as much as most of the Forgotten Realms stuff though.
The Book?
Day Of The Triffids (One of my favorite books) By John Wyndham
Also far something a little more Sci-Fi based theres 2001 A Space Oddessy and the RAMA series (Best Book series ever!) Both by Arthur C Clarke <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Ender's Game isn't a great book becauses its realistic, it's a great book because its original, and actually tries to stand on it's own merit throughout the series without copping out to cliches. It's not as hard as you might think to write a realstic book, because you have reality to draw from, but making one that's original takes talent.
P.S. above wasn't meant in any hostile way, just stating my opinion on it. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Day of the Triffids was insane. I just re-read it again (first time i read it was in middle school). Those green comets are crazy.
"Brave New World"- Aldous Huxley. "Doors of Perception / Heaven and Hell" are good too.
"The Old Man and the Sea" - Hemingway.
Anne Rice- "Interview with the Vampire", "Vampire Lestat", "Queen of the Damned". Stop reading after
Kinda drifting away from the sci fi / fantasy thing, but still.. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
I have to say that these are good books, although I didn't particularly like Brave New World...it just didn't do it for me.
<!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Herman Hesse- "Siddartha" "Treatise of the Steppenwolf"<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
No! Not Herman Hesse! <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif'><!--endemo-->