Anyone Read Any Good Books?
Since the other thread is asking specifically about Sci-Fi, I'd like to expand this to all genres. Any books any of you guys would recommend?
<a href='http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=JV1pDqIBKM&isbn=0316172324&itm=1' target='_blank'>Blink: The Power of Thinking without Thinking</a>
A very interesting read. It goes into the processes of "thin-slicing" and the subconcious.
<a href='http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=JV1pDqIBKM&isbn=0060745908&itm=1' target='_blank'>Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West</a>
An analysis of what is truely good and evil, its a good story of intrigue, love, politics, et cetera, that'll change just about everything you ever thought about The Wizard of Oz.
<a href='http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=JV1pDqIBKM&isbn=0316172324&itm=1' target='_blank'>Blink: The Power of Thinking without Thinking</a>
A very interesting read. It goes into the processes of "thin-slicing" and the subconcious.
<a href='http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=JV1pDqIBKM&isbn=0060745908&itm=1' target='_blank'>Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West</a>
An analysis of what is truely good and evil, its a good story of intrigue, love, politics, et cetera, that'll change just about everything you ever thought about The Wizard of Oz.
Comments
Very interesting read. I can't think of a good way to explain it.
Edit: <a href='http://www.themodernword.com/review_house_of_leaves.html' target='_blank'>Review</a>
Edit2: Made text bigger for emphasis.
An analysis of what is truely good and evil, its a good story of intrigue, love, politics, et cetera, that'll change just about everything you ever thought about The Wizard of Oz. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Go watch the play. Or be like me and not, because you don't live in New York.
As an example, Chuck Palahniuk's <a href='http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0385722192/qid=1113740801/sr=2-7/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_7/102-4570586-9180902' target='_blank'>Lullaby</a>. Seeing that he wrote <a href='http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0805076476/ref=pd_sr_ec_ir_b/102-4570586-9180902' target='_blank'>Fight Club</a>, I'm still a little surprised that nobody has yet suggested one of his books around here, but they're well worth their money.
I just discovered that there's a current English translation of Kurt Tuchosly's <a href='http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/158567558X/qid=1113740980/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-4570586-9180902?v=glance&s=books' target='_blank'>Castle Gripsholm</a>. You won't know him, but Tucholsky is best described as the German Mark Twain - the in my opinion best German author of the 20th century. It might take a little to get comfortable with him because lots of his writing includes (extremely insightful) allusions to German society between WW1 and the Third Reich, but if you take that effort, you'll love him.
By a freak chance, I stumbled upon <a href='http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0812562615/qid=1113741190/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/102-4570586-9180902' target='_blank'>Freedom and Necessity</a> by by Steven Brust and Emma Bull. It's written in the form of a 19th century letter novel, telling a story about the 19th century no contemporary would've dared to write. Extremely charming, very well researched, and highly thrilling.
They pimp the hell out of it in Deus Ex, so you might say that Warren Spector told you to read it. Even if you haven't played DX, Spector is god, so you damn well better do what he says.
Angels and Demons by Dan Brown
not really a book, but the last thing I read was a collection of transcripts of Bill Hicks, theres a lot of repetition throughout the various gigs he did (as would be expected theres minor alterations through the years), but its all great stuff.
I read 'Crime and Punishment' after I thought I should try some of the classics, and it was definatly worth it, im not sure how well regarded the version I read was, but the style of writing was extremely thick and descriptive. Believable characters make the story all the more interesting, definatly one to get. I tried 'The Idiot' as well afterwards, but have stopped that half way through, im not sure why though, the characters are just as real (I can see so much of myself in the Prince), ill finish it someday.
My friend recommended a book called 'Blue Cats and Chartreuse Kittens' which is all about Synesthesia (hes quite obsessed with that recently [hes studying sonic arts]).
That'd be it, and yeh Tunguska is in Russia methinks, I have an X Files video entitled that.
Just about to start reading the "Dawn Of War" novel.
Anyone saying that I love my games too much will get a slap!
Oh, and if you buy it from The Weekly's Corner Shop, he'll sign it for you. The first page of my book reads:
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->To John,
I can still feel the thrilling shiver of your kisses on my skin.
Love always,
Mil
x<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
River God by Wilbur Smith is awesome if you like Egyptian stuff. It's told from the standpoint of a scholar/scribe who follows a princess around and chronicles her story, through political intrigue and war and such.
Hunt for Red October. The book is just as good as the movie. ^^
Schindler's List is also an excellent read... I think it's a really good complement to the movie.
I much prefer Battle Royale the book because it's very much more laden with political satire, whereas the movie really only carried along the basic concept. You also get a lot more personal understanding of the characters, whereas the movie just sort of throws them in together with barely any background.
I was really turned off by him when I first read one of his Op Center books, which should not be the first book from him that you read, in fact just avoid them altogether.
Here’s a list of his books that I have read and can guarantee their awesomeness.
<a href='http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0425170349/qid=/sr=/ref=cm_lm_asin/102-0627038-0341700?v=glance' target='_blank'>Rainbow Six </a>
<a href='http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0425109720/qid=/sr=/ref=cm_lm_asin/102-0627038-0341700?v=glance' target='_blank'>Patriot Games </a>
<a href='http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0425116840/qid=/sr=/ref=cm_lm_asin/102-0627038-0341700?v=glance' target='_blank'>The Cardinal of the Kremlin </a>
<a href='http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0425122123/qid=/sr=/ref=cm_lm_asin/102-0627038-0341700?v=glance' target='_blank'>Clear and Present Danger </a>
<a href='http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/042510107X/qid=/sr=/ref=cm_lm_asin/102-0627038-0341700?v=glance' target='_blank'>Red Storm Rising </a>
<a href='http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0425133516/qid=/sr=/ref=cm_lm_asin/102-0627038-0341700?v=glance' target='_blank'>The Hunt for Red October </a>
All of these are guaranteed good reads my personal favorite is Clear and Present Danger.
If your into fantasy then I would recommend anything by <a href='http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0688003478/102-0627038-0341700?v=glance' target='_blank'>Mary Stewart</a> or <a href='http://www.terrybrooks.net/' target='_blank'>Terry Brooks</a>.
That should keep anyone busy for a year. <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
I would also recommend anything by <a href='http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index%3Dblended%26field-keywords%3Dalan%252520dean%252520foster%26store-name%3Dall-product-search/104-4339195-0159921' target='_blank'>Alan Dean Foster</a>, especially his <b>Spellsinger</b> series. A very funny series based loosely around talking animals, rock music, magic and war. Brilliant series and a must have for anyone who is into easy going Fantasy. He has also done movie conversions by the truck load, and the vast majority of them are excellent. The Alien books especially.
Is that what the films are based upon?
Just read Night, by Elie Wiesel. Heavy read (emotionally, book is rather short), but good.
Also, you can't fail with a good sci-fi short story anthology.
Is that what the films are based upon? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yup.
I would also recommend anything by <a href='http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index%3Dblended%26field-keywords%3Dalan%252520dean%252520foster%26store-name%3Dall-product-search/104-4339195-0159921' target='_blank'>Alan Dean Foster</a>, especially his <b>Spellsinger</b> series. A very funny series based loosely around talking animals, rock music, magic and war. Brilliant series and a must have for anyone who is into easy going Fantasy. He has also done movie conversions by the truck load, and the vast majority of them are excellent. The Alien books especially. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
QFT!
Other authors I can suggest
Brain Jaques - For those Furries out there <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Poppy Z Brite - For the Sicko's
Orson Scott Card - For everyone, seriously can't stress him enough.
If you want to read the classics then Count of Monte Cristo by Dumas, very good book. Oh but never <i>ever</i> read Moby **** unless you really care about learning how to hunt whales. I found it so so boring.
Is that what the films are based upon? <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yup. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Then I shall give it a go, I love anything gangsta.
I was really turned off by him when I first read one of his Op Center books, which should not be the first book from him that you read, in fact just avoid them altogether.
Here’s a list of his books that I have read and can guarantee their awesomeness.
<a href='http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0425170349/qid=/sr=/ref=cm_lm_asin/102-0627038-0341700?v=glance' target='_blank'>Rainbow Six </a>
<a href='http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0425109720/qid=/sr=/ref=cm_lm_asin/102-0627038-0341700?v=glance' target='_blank'>Patriot Games </a>
<a href='http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0425116840/qid=/sr=/ref=cm_lm_asin/102-0627038-0341700?v=glance' target='_blank'>The Cardinal of the Kremlin </a>
<a href='http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0425122123/qid=/sr=/ref=cm_lm_asin/102-0627038-0341700?v=glance' target='_blank'>Clear and Present Danger </a>
<a href='http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/042510107X/qid=/sr=/ref=cm_lm_asin/102-0627038-0341700?v=glance' target='_blank'>Red Storm Rising </a>
<a href='http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0425133516/qid=/sr=/ref=cm_lm_asin/102-0627038-0341700?v=glance' target='_blank'>The Hunt for Red October </a>
All of these are guaranteed good reads my personal favorite is Clear and Present Danger.
If your into fantasy then I would recommend anything by <a href='http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0688003478/102-0627038-0341700?v=glance' target='_blank'>Mary Stewart</a> or <a href='http://www.terrybrooks.net/' target='_blank'>Terry Brooks</a>.
That should keep anyone busy for a year. <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo--><!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Definately what this guy said.
I own EVERY Tom Clancy book. There's a reason why.
(Op Center is actully pretty good imho, but thats just what these all are. Opinions.)
Edit: I should note that my favorite Tom Clancy book of all time is Red Storm Rising. This book turns me on almost as much as my girl. (Disturbing image/thought of the day.)
Ender's Game is good scifi, as is Dune, but I never read any of the other books in the Dune series and I don't remember the other books in the Ender's Game series being any good.
I'll also throw in a recommendation for Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas, and pretty much anything else by Hunter S. Thompson. There's a great piece he did on the Hells' Angels, though I can't remember the title of it... I also like anything by Susan Orlean.
<div align="center"><img src="http://images.bestwebbuys.com/muze/books/09/0452280109.jpg" border="0" alt="IPB Image" />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pillars-Earth-Ken-Follett/dp/0451166892" target="_blank"><!--sizeo:4--><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->The Pillars of the Earth<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></a>
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I've done a lot of reading in the time since this topic sank to the depths of O/T obscurity, but I feel like, while reading this book, I need desperately to tell people about it. It's absolutely enthralling. Has anyone else read it? Apparently it's quite popular, but I'd never heard of it before a few days ago.
I think I had gotten into a trend of reading books that appeal to the fantastical and idealistic.. fearless and unbeatable protagonists, from the future or the past or from different worlds entirely. Some time ago I went through I think three or four books of the Ender saga before I grew tired of it. Before and around that, miscellaneous fantasies and sci-fi.
Now this book gives me something that I really love but do not often encounter: a comparatively mundane setting with comparatively normal characters, but written into a truly compelling story that gives life to something that is more tangible than out-of-this-world fiction. I want to describe it but at the same time I want to shut off my computer, get in bed, and continue the story. Every character and set of characters has a different flavor, a different kind of passion, and at the first transition from one plot to another, I was somewhat turned off at having to learn another storyline when the first was becoming so enticing. As I read on I started to develop an unnatural (at least in my experience) desire to just will the characters to attain, to reach their satisfactions so that I may be vicariously satisfied. I rarely ever connect so well with any character (much less ALL the main characters!) in a work of fiction.. and for such seemingly meager goals! I think the last time I felt anything like this was while reading <i>Angela's Ashes</i>, and then maybe <i>Memoirs of a Geisha</i>. But those are both much more linear in their historical sense (and Angela's Ashes isn't fiction). <i>Pillars of the Earth</i> seems at times more intriguing than it has any right to be.. seems to tug at my curiosity and sense of wonder in a way actual fantasies typically do not.
I didn't think I'd write that much, but hey, that's how good this book is so far. I've only been reading for a few hours at best, but at a feverish pace. If you've got some spare time and have been looking for something good, read <i>Pillars</i>. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
I think it's acceptable at that point to make a new thread and link this one in it!